#083. Confession (1)
"I won't tell you that."
For a moment, Curiosa doubted her own ears.
"...I answered all your questions, didn't I?"
"You did. But I never promised to answer every question. Change your question."
A long silence followed.
When Curiosa finally understood the meaning, she exploded with rage.
"You little brat──!! That was never part of the deal──!!"
A blade-like wind swept through.
Crushed scrap metal and dust flew everywhere as suffocating killing intent instantly flooded the surroundings.
While shielding Veronica and himself with a barrier, Ray continued calmly,
"It wasn't part of the deal, but it wasn't excluded either. All questions were permitted."
"Are you trying to deceive me? Answer now or I'll kill you where you stand."
"And this marks the end of our question exchange. I have no more questions left."
Ray's statement was deliberate.
The more their mutual curiosity was satisfied, the more disadvantaged his side would become.
Curiosa hadn't attacked yet solely because of her uncontrollable curiosity.
'If her curiosity is satisfied, who knows how she might turn.'
Leaving some questions unanswered—
it was a safety measure.
Truthfully, he still had many questions himself,
but he'd already secured the most critical information from earlier exchanges.
Crack! Zzzt-crack!
The surrounding space began folding in on itself with an eerie sound,
as if the landscape itself were being mutilated.
"You insolent brat has crossed the line. I'll tear you limb from limb!"
Lies.
You can't kill me.
'How do you manipulate emotions?'
Because the anger within your vessel can't surpass your curiosity about that final question.
It was then that Veronica abruptly intervened.
"Y-you should save the best for last! That way you can keep looking forward to it! L-like how I save the strawberries for last when eating strawberry cake!"
Both pairs of eyes turned to Veronica simultaneously.
'That kid in the back...'
'Lies. Last time I saw you eat them first.'
Though sudden, Veronica's interruption worked.
The wind ceased as the surroundings gradually normalized.
"...I hadn't considered that perspective. Hmm... You make a fair point."
After muttering to herself, Curiosa looked at Ray and said,
"White kid. I'll be watching you. As the red kid says,
the greatest pleasure lies in saving the best bite for last."
Curiosa's body, shimmering like a heat haze,
vanished as if sucked into a single point in the air.
Thud!
Veronica collapsed to the ground as her tension dissolved.
"Haa... haa... I thought I was going to die..."
While Veronica caught her breath, Ray sank into thought.
'...How to manipulate emotions.'
Truthfully, it was a question even he couldn't answer.
Manipulating emotions was an act driven purely by instinct and intuition.
There was no theory behind it.
It couldn't be taught.
Dazed, Veronica asked,
"Is this okay? You never answered what she wanted to know most."
"That's exactly why I didn't answer.
Because it's what she wants to know most."
Curiosa had left with those ominous words.
This wouldn't be their last meeting.
Opportunities would arise—using answers as bait for more information,
or other forms of manipulation.
Of course, without knowing her true motives,
the manipulator could become the manipulated.
Collecting his thoughts, Ray helped Veronica up.
"Let's clean up and return to the lodge. We'll rest first,
then discuss our next steps with Phillip and the others."
"Yeah. Okay. Honestly, I've been three seconds from passing out this whole time. Barely hanging on, heehee~"
Veronica's long lashes cast shadows over her eyes.
It made sense—after relentless life-threatening situations,
her physical and mental energy were utterly drained.
'She maintained barriers throughout the entire fight.'
That's why they'd emerged with minimal damage.
Without Veronica, the consequences would've been severe.
"All packed up~"
"Get in. We're leaving now."
"Okay!"
With their spoils loaded, the two drove out of the clearing.
Just as they passed the entrance—
"Ray! Look!"
Veronica pointed above them.
Dozens of Rockdeer gathered atop the canyon cliffs,
gazing down.
"There! There! Frang is there too!"
Veronica drummed Ray's shoulder excitedly.
"Veronica... don't hit the driver."
"Frang! You haven't left yet!"
"Veronica... my shoulder hurts."
"Frang! I'm here! Here!"
"Veronica... my shoulder really hurts."
She looked ready to collapse.
Where did this energy come from?
Setting aside minor questions,
Ray followed Veronica's gaze upward.
His eyes met Frang's mother's atop the canyon.
Despite the distance, her gaze was fixed precisely on them.
Her eyes blinked repeatedly—
a silent gratitude for caring for Frang.
After several blinks, the herd vanished,
leaving the cliffs empty.
The vehicle pressed onward.
Winding through canyon winds along twisted paths,
the outer landscape soon appeared.
Vrooooom──!
They accelerated across barren plains
under the scorching midday sun.
"So last time..."
Veronica drowsily chattered about Frang
before trailing into silence.
When Sector's silhouette emerged in the distance,
she hesitantly asked,
"Ray... can I ask you something?"
"Mm."
Despite permission, she lingered before speaking.
"Earlier... what did you mean by 'manipulating emotions'?"
"......"
Ray realized the time had come.
Truths he hadn't hidden but never planned to share.
His grip tightened on the wheel.
The accelerator sank deeper
as their speed toward Sector surged.
*
"See you later... Ray."
Creak— thud.
The door closed.
Five seconds later—
Zzz... zzz...
Snoring echoed from within.
It seemed he had fallen asleep the moment his body touched the bed, without even time to wash.
‘I should let him sleep a while.’
The current time was 4:14 PM.
There was still time until Philip returned from his inquiries anyway.
Ray turned away from the door and slowly walked down the hallway.
Truthfully, his own physical condition wasn’t much different from Veronica’s—a foggy mind, eyelids that kept drooping uncontrollably.
Whether it was due to the intense pain he’d endured, every muscle and joint in his body screamed in protest.
Creak— Screech—
Like the wooden floorboards beneath his feet that groaned incessantly.
‘…Must be aftereffects. I pushed summoning magic far beyond my usual limits.’
Ray recalled controlling over a hundred Rock Deer in the clearing—a moment driven by instinct, one he barely remembered how he’d managed.
And now, with his mana circulation back to normal, it was a feat he couldn’t replicate.
‘Only possible because the ring’s mana charged at an insane rate.’
Focusing inward, Ray concentrated on sensing the newly formed ring.
The first ring, then the second.
Mana of all colors, including violet, flowed smoothly within them.
But the total amount of mana stored…
‘Only half of what’s in the first ring.’
The second ring was incomplete—its glow faint, its barrier thin, barely containing the mana within.
Like a building with only its framework erected.
While it functioned as a vessel for refining and storing mana, its efficiency paled compared to the fully formed first ring.
‘An unfinished circle.’
Graham had never mentioned this possibility.
He’d only ever said that enlightenment would allow one to advance clearly to the next circle.
‘…Maybe my enlightenment was too vague.’
From his memories, he had dredged up one particular emotion—its colors vivid and radiant—but its nature remained uncertain.
“…….”
Ray clenched and unclenched his fist around the violet mana gathered in his palm.
He needed more clarity—a moment of realization that could confirm this emotion as respect.
‘…And there’s another change. Beyond just the second ring forming.’
The composition of mana within his rings had shifted.
Previously dominated by red, white, and pale pink mana, now violet mana had joined them.
These four colors made up over half of his total reserves, with the rest scattered among other hues.
The primary elements of violet mana were control, manipulation, connection, and assimilation.
‘Might be useful for more than just summoning magic.’
Just as he considered asking Veronica once she woke up—
Thud.
He arrived at his room.
Creak—
Stepping inside and closing the door behind him, Ray removed his coat and collapsed onto the bed.
There was much to do when considering future plans, but exhaustion left him no choice but to shut his eyes for now.
Just ten minutes.
No more, no less.
How long had it been since he closed his eyes?
Knock— Knock knock— Knock knock—
The rhythmic rapping jolted him awake.
The clock read 7:26 PM.
“……”
What? Magic?
For a moment he doubted reality, but his clearer mind confirmed he’d slept over three hours.
Rising stiffly, he opened the door.
“Still asleep? Oh! You’re up!”
Veronica stood there, freshly showered—her clothes neat, red hair damp.
“Philip’s back downstairs. It’s dinnertime too.”
Ray followed her to the inn’s first floor.
Through the window, Philip stood with five gang leaders issuing sharp instructions.
Screeeech—!
“—What is this? I checked myself—it’s fake intel! I told you to gather info, not fabricate it! Pull this crap again and compensation’s off the table. Understood?”
His voice sharpened as they stepped outside.
The gang leaders scowled in discontent: the Black Rain, Rainbow, and a brown-haired woman with a small scar on her nape.
They’d scoured sectors based on three keywords until their soles burned but found nothing worthwhile...
Yet abandoning 100,000 shillings wasn’t an option; returning empty-handed would disappoint their client...
So they’d generously crafted intel themselves.
‘Damn it! Who knew he’d see through everything at once?!’
‘Thought we fabricated it well enough…’
‘Bet he planted spies on us.’
Their lovingly forged lies were ruthlessly dismantled by someone terrifyingly perceptive—someone utterly ruthless despite their hard work.
And since yesterday morning, his demeanor had turned downright oppressive, leaving them disoriented under strict orders from someone smaller and weaker—cognitive dissonance incarnate.
But gradually clarity returned, replaced by darker thoughts creeping forth:
‘How about we flip this table?’
‘Unseal Black Dragon sleeping in left arm—slaughter everyone here.’
‘Need to establish who’s truly superior.’
Exchanging glances amongst themselves—until suddenly:
“……!”
“……!”
Their eyes met Ray’s.
“Hey, hey. Look, over there….”
Elbows jabbed ribs as they signaled Ray’s arrival—their anger vanishing like rats fleeing light.
“Ah! Ray! You’re back!”
“Yeah—three hours ago.”
Standing beside Philip now, Ray cast one sweeping gaze toward them all—eyes speaking plainly:
‘Better behave.’
Implicitly adding: ‘Unless you want fists for greetings.’
Those meeting his eyes hastily looked away.
After relaying additional orders, the gang leaders bowed deeply before vanishing amid loud farewells:
“Good evening, sirs!”
“See you tomorrow morning!”
Back inside, the first floor housed a small hall doubling as a simple eatery.
They ordered meals before settling at a corner table amidst hollow silence.
Clatter.
“Your orders are served.”
Fork raised mid-bite, Philip asked eagerly:
“So? How went the outer district investigation? Smooth sailing? Been dying curious all day…”
Beside him, Veronica watched expectantly.
“…….”
Ray hesitated, breath trembling.
“Before that… There’s something else I need to say first.”
“Hm? What?”
Steadying himself, Ray spoke slowly yet firmly:
“I can see people’s emotions.”
