The unconscious guy was called Niles.
Desert Carving found an ID card the Velanders had issued to outsiders in his home. That name was written on it, followed by a long string of surnames.
As for whether it was his real name or a fake one, that did not matter to him. It was just a codename anyway.
He only needed to know that the guy tied to the chair was a member of the Enlightenment Society, and that this rundown house hidden in Blackwater Alley was the Enlightenment Society's base in Evernight Harbor.
That was enough.
Waking from his stupor, Niles lifted his heavy eyelids and stared at the guy rummaging through his house, speaking in a hoarse voice.
"...Who are you?"
"Desert Carving."
Taking a jar down from the cabinet, Desert Carving peered inside and found several high-denomination dinars. His eyes immediately lit up, and he poured them into his pocket.
Niles watched this guy steal from him right in front of his face, his expression darkening as he forced out a sentence through gritted teeth.
"...What the hell is that supposed to be?"
"Just think of it as a codename. I'm a resident of Vault 404."
Hearing that, Niles narrowed his eyes and suddenly cracked a smile.
"A resident of Vault 404... Heh. You really chased us far. You've stretched your hands all the way to the southernmost edge of the Great Desert."
Desert Carving chuckled and casually replied.
"Can't help it. Our arms are long, so bear with it."
Niles: "..."
Seeing that he had nothing to say, Desert Carving continued.
"What about you? Still the same as before? You've been at this for so long and still don't even have a settlement of your own?"
Niles sneered.
"We don't need that sort of thing."
Desert