The fish market on the south side of Lumina Square was always steeped in a mingled fishy stench.
The briny smell of seawater, the metallic tang of fish scales, and the faint mustiness rising from the underground drainage system fermented in the muggy afternoon air into a distinctive "smell of everyday life."
Lin Shuo walked through the narrow alley, slippery flagstones underfoot and stacks of foam boxes and plastic buckets on either side.
The fishmongers' cries rose and fell in the local Lumina Square dialect-that soft, lilting accent that turned "shrimp" into "shrim" and "fish" into "fiss."
Lao Mo was crouched on the ground, cleaning a grouper.
Blood and scales spattered his dark blue waterproof apron, and his short, dark brown hair clung messily to his forehead.
The knife in his hand moved through the fish's belly with surgical precision-gutting, cleaning, deboning. In less than twenty seconds, he tossed a complete fish skeleton into the bucket beside him.
"You're here."
Lao Mo did not look up, his voice as flat as a statement of fact.
"Yeah." Lin Shuo stopped in front of his stall.
"Need to talk to you."
Lao Mo set down his knife and pulled a lollipop from his apron pocket-strawberry today. The plastic wrapper rustled faintly as he peeled it off.
Holding the candy in his mouth, he raised his dark gray eyes to Lin Shuo.
"Talk."
"Two things."
Lin Shuo crouched to meet his eyes. "First, how much do you know about The Order's activities in Lumina Square?"
Lao Mo's chewing paused for an instant.
The lollipop clicked softly in his mouth.
"...A lot," he finally said.
"But I can't tell you everything."
"Why?"
"Dangerous."
Lao Mo gave that single word, his gaze flicking toward the alley entrance-several men in work clothes were buying fish there. They looked like ordinary construction workers, but the bulges at their waists did not look quite right.
Lin Shuo understood.
There were eyes in the fish market.
"Somewhere else?"
He asked.
Lao Mo shook his head, scooped another fish from the tank, and began cleaning it.
"Right here," he said.
"They only dare watch. Not listen."
The blade scraped across the scales in a steady rhythm, like a kind of cover.
Lin Shuo picked up a small knife beside him and pretended to help clean out the fish guts.
"Lots of new faces in Lumina Square lately," Lao Mo said as he scraped off scales. "Not Hollow Raiders. Not merchants. They're... 'believers.'"
"The Order's?"
"Yeah." Lao Mo nodded. "Work by day. Gather at night. Locations change."
He paused, then added, "Their targets are children."
Lin Shuo's hand stopped.
"Children?"
"High Ether aptitude." Lao Mo lowered his voice further. "Schools, orphanages, parks... They're looking."
"For what?"
"...'Vessels.'"
The word made Lin Shuo's pupils contract.
Vessels.
In the game's lore, The Order had always been searching for a physical vessel capable of bearing the descent of the "Primordial One."
And children with high Ether aptitude were the best choice.
"How many?" Lin Shuo asked.
"Seven known missing," Lao Mo said. "Defense Force opened three cases. The rest weren't reported."
"Why?"
"The parents have been infiltrated too."
Lao Mo looked up at him, his dark gray eyes devoid of emotion, but Lin Shuo read the warning in them.
"Lin Shuo, you have a child at home."
He put it very directly.
Lin Shuo did not deny it. "I know."
"Keep them safe." Lao Mo lowered his head to the fish again. "Those people are close to losing their minds."
"Second thing." Lin Shuo changed the subject. "I need a new set of protective equipment. Lightweight, resistant to Ether Corruption, and discreet."
Lao Mo stared at him for three seconds.
"...Going into a Hollow again?"
"Maybe."
"For whom?"
The question came abruptly.
Lin Shuo was silent for two seconds. "...A lot of people."
Lao Mo did not press him.
He pulled a waterproof pen from another apron pocket and wrote an address on the fish scales.
"Tonight. Nine," he said.
"This place has what you need."
Lin Shuo memorized the address and nodded.
Their conversation paused.
There was only the sound of a blade scraping scales and the distant cries of fishmongers.
After finishing the third fish, Lao Mo suddenly spoke.
"You've changed."
Lin Shuo looked up.
"Before, you lived only for yourself."
Lao Mo spoke flatly. "Now, you live for others."
"...Is that bad?"
"Didn't say that." Lao Mo crunched the lollipop in his mouth and spat the plastic stick neatly into the trash can.
"Just reminding you."
"Of what?"
"Carry too much, and you'll die."
His tone did not waver as he said it, as though he were discussing the weather.
But Lin Shuo knew this was Lao Mo's way of showing concern.
"I know my limits."
Lin Shuo said.
Lao Mo stared at him for a few seconds, then nodded.
"You'd better."
He turned to scoop another fish from the tank, then suddenly asked,
"That red-haired girl. Is she doing well?"
Lin Shuo froze for a moment.
Yuzuha?
"...She's doing fine."
"Good." Lao Mo began scraping off scales. "She suits you."
That remark was even more abrupt.
For once, Lin Shuo was at something of a loss for a reply.
Lao Mo continued, "You need light."
He said little, but his meaning was clear.
Lin Shuo looked at Lao Mo's profile-that face so ordinary it would disappear into a crowd bore no expression at all.
But Lin Shuo knew this was Lao Mo expressing approval.
"Thanks," he finally said.
Lao Mo shook his head without speaking.
They fell silent again for a while.
Something suddenly occurred to Lin Shuo, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
"Lao Mo, you're twenty-five this year, right?"
"Yeah."
"Ever thought about finding someone?"
The knife in Lao Mo's hand clattered onto the chopping board.
He turned his head and stared straight at Lin Shuo with his dark gray eyes, as though looking at some alien creature.
"...What did you say?"
"I said..." Lin Shuo repeated.
"Find someone while you're still young. Don't let yourself grow old alone."
For the first time, Lao Mo's expression visibly changed-his brows drew together slightly, and the corner of his mouth twitched.
"...We're not on the same wavelength."
"I'm serious," Lin Shuo said.
"You're always alone. It's too lonely."
"Don't need anyone."
"Yes, you do."
In a rare teasing mood, Lin Shuo said, "Look, even I have Yuzuha now, and you're still single. That won't do."
Lao Mo stared at him for a full five seconds, then bent down, picked up the knife, and resumed cleaning the fish.
His movements were a little more forceful than before.
"You... really have changed."
He repeated it, but this time there was a certain distaste in his tone. "Before, you didn't talk nonsense."
"This isn't nonsense," Lin Shuo said.
"It's life advice."
"Not listening."
"Then how about I recommend someone?"
The knife in Lao Mo's hand stopped again.
He turned his head, his eyes saying, Say it and I'll chop you.
But Lin Shuo said it anyway.
"Alice Thymefield. Know her?"
Lao Mo's expression froze.
"...That young lady?"
"Right." Lin Shuo nodded.
"Blonde, different-colored eyes, rabbit ears, compulsive about symmetry, timid but principled-pretty cute, right?"
For the first time, a clear shift of emotion appeared in Lao Mo's dark gray eyes.
It was a complicated look that mixed "you're crazy" with "I don't want to hear this."
"She has a family."
Lao Mo said, "Trouble."
"But she's trying to revive her family."
Lin Shuo continued, "She needs help. And you-"
He paused, then said seriously, "Lao Mo, your strength is almost at Void Hunter level. If you helped her, the Thymefield family's revival would be just around the corner."
Void Hunter.
New Eridu's title for its strongest fighters, an honor bestowed personally by the mayor.
Lao Mo's strength really was close to that level-Lin Shuo knew this seemingly ordinary fishmonger had once taken down a Mercury-class Ethereal single-handedly deep inside a Hollow.
He had simply chosen to hide in the shadows.
"Not interested," Lao Mo said coldly.
"Why?"
"Trouble."
"But worth it," Lin Shuo said.
"Alice is a good girl, and what she needs isn't money or power. It's the strength to protect her family. You can give her that."
Lao Mo stared at him for a long time, then sighed.
It was a rare display of emotion, tinged with helplessness.
"...Lin Shuo."
"Hm?"
"Love has gone to your head."
"Maybe," Lin Shuo admitted.
"But I'm telling the truth. You can't sell fish for the rest of your life, can you?"
"I can."
"You can't."
"I can."
The two stared at each other for a few seconds.
Then Lin Shuo smiled.
Lao Mo turned his face away, looking a little red-though that might have just been the lighting.
"...She's too noisy."
Lao Mo finally said, "Talkative, timid, troublesome."
"But kindhearted."
Lin Shuo said, "And she's actually very strong. After her father died, she shouldered the family alone. Not everyone could do that."
Lao Mo said nothing.
He silently prepared the fish, his movements regaining their earlier precision.
But Lin Shuo noticed that he was scaling them a little more slowly.
He was clearly thinking.
"Lao Mo," Lin Shuo said softly.
"If Senior Elidel were still here, he'd want you to live well, too, rather than hide in the shadows forever."
"...Don't mention him." Lao Mo's voice was very low.
"Sorry."
Lin Shuo said, "But I mean every word. You deserve a better life."
Lao Mo fell silent for a long time.
The noise in the alley seemed to fade away.
There was only the sound of fish tails slapping the water in the sink and the rumble of a tram passing in the distance.
"You remember the address?" Lao Mo suddenly asked, returning to the matter at hand.
"Yeah."
"Tonight. Be on time."
"Okay."
Lao Mo took another lollipop out of his apron-lemon-flavored this time.
He unwrapped it but didn't eat it right away, merely holding it in his hand.
"...That rabbit Thiren."
He spoke suddenly.
"She's very weak."
"But she can get stronger."
Lin Shuo said, "Besides, she has something you don't."
"What?"
"Purity." Lin Shuo looked at Lao Mo. "She can overcome all her fears to protect her family and friends-you really need that kind of purity."
Lao Mo stared at the lollipop in his hand for a long while before giving a quiet "Mm."
The sound was almost too faint to hear.
But Lin Shuo heard it.
He smiled.
"It's just a suggestion."
Lin Shuo stood up.
"What you do is up to you."
Lao Mo nodded without a word.
Lin Shuo turned to leave.
After he had taken a few steps, Lao Mo suddenly called out to him.
"Lin Shuo."
"Hm?"
Lao Mo raised his head, his dark gray eyes looking especially deep in the dim light.
"...How old is your child?"
The question came so suddenly.
Lin Shuo's heart skipped a beat.
How did Lao Mo know?
"On you..." As though seeing through his thoughts, Lao Mo pointed to his own nose. "There's a child's scent. Milk, and...candy."
His sense of smell was terrifyingly keen.
Lin Shuo was silent for a few seconds before admitting, "...Eight and seven."
"Two?"
"Yeah."
Lao Mo stared at him for so long that Lin Shuo thought he was about to say something harsh.
But in the end, Lao Mo merely nodded.
"...Keep them safe."
He said it, then lowered his head again to prepare the fish.
"I will," Lin Shuo said.
He turned and left the alley.
When he walked out of the fish market, the afternoon sunlight was a little dazzling.
Lin Shuo narrowed his eyes and glanced back.
Lao Mo's stall stood in the deepest part, almost completely swallowed by shadow.
Only the blade of his knife occasionally reflected a glimmer of light.
This silent man, this former soldier hiding in a fish market, this fellow whose emotional circuits were damaged yet who valued bonds more than anyone...
Perhaps he really did need a little light.
Lin Shuo thought, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
Alice and Lao Mo.
A timid young lady and an aloof former soldier.
They sounded completely mismatched.
But...
Who knew?
That evening, at the ramen stand.
As soon as Lin Shuo returned, Yuzuha pulled him into a corner.
"Lin Shuo, where did you go today?"
Her green eyes were full of suspicion.
"To see a friend," Lin Shuo said.
"A friend?" Yuzuha narrowed her eyes. "Which friend? Do I know them?"
"...Lao Mo."
"The guy who sells fish?" Yuzuha blinked. "What did you talk about?"
"Some...adult matters."
Yuzuha immediately blushed. "Wh-what adult matters! You're brushing me off again, Lin Shuo!"
Seeing her puffed-up expression, Lin Shuo couldn't help laughing.
"We really just talked about some serious business."
"I don't believe you!" Yuzuha planted both hands on her hips. "You've been acting so mysterious lately. You're definitely hiding something from me!"
Lin Shuo looked at her, then suddenly reached out and ruffled her hair.
"Yuzuha."
"What?"
"If one day I had to do something very dangerous..." Lin Shuo said softly, "would you support me?"
Yuzuha's expression changed at once.
She grabbed Lin Shuo's hand, her green eyes fixed intently on him.
"What are you going to do?"
"...I haven't decided yet," Lin Shuo said.
"But I might have to decide very soon."
Yuzuha stared at him for a long time, then shook her head hard.
"I won't let you."
"Yuzuha-"
"I said I won't let you, and I mean it!"
"Lin Shuo, you promised me...that you'd stay safe..."
Lin Shuo's heart softened.
He embraced Yuzuha, drawing her into his arms.
"I only said it was a possibility."
He said softly, "I might not actually have to go."
"That's still not okay!" Yuzuha buried her face in his chest.
"Don't even think about it!"
"...Okay."
Lin Shuo agreed readily.
But Yuzuha knew he was only reassuring her.
Once this man decided on something, nothing could make him budge.
"Lin Shuo."
Yuzuha raised her head and looked at him through tear-filled eyes.
"Promise me...if you really have to go, you have to tell me. I'm going with you."
"That would be too dangerous-"
"I don't care!"
Yuzuha interrupted him. "If you're going to risk your life, I'll risk mine with you! If you're going to fight, I'll help you fight! Anyway...anyway, you can't leave me all alone!"
Her tears fell, dripping onto Lin Shuo's shirt.
Lin Shuo looked at her for a long while, then nodded.
"...Okay."
"If I really have to go, I'll take you with me."
"Pinky promise!"
"Pinky promise."
Their little fingers hooked together.
Under the ramen stand's lights, their shadows overlapped.
Like two souls leaning on each other.
In the distance, Yum Cha Sin's sign was still lit.
Anko stood in the doorway, gently waving her round fan, her purple eyes looking in their direction.
Her expression was somewhat complicated.
She seemed worried, yet also...expectant.
At night, the lights of New Eridu shone like a river of stars.
And beneath that river of stars, everyone lived for their own convictions.
Holding Yuzuha, Lin Shuo looked at the nightscape outside the window.
The heavy sense of responsibility in his heart suddenly felt a little lighter.
Because someone was willing to shoulder it with him.
That was enough.
[System notification: In-depth conversation with Lao Mo completed. Intelligence acquisition +40%. Social network expanded: Lao Mo → Alice (potential)] [Current main quest progress: 87.3%] [Orphie Magnusson's affection: 77%] [Time remaining: 38 hours, 22 minutes] [Note: A critical decision point is approaching. Please prepare yourself, host.]
The progress bar was advancing.
And the gears of fate were quietly turning, too.
Lao Mo was still preparing fish at the fish market.
The knife in his hand was precise and steady.
But Lin Shuo's words kept echoing in his mind.
"Alice Thymefield..."
He murmured the name.
Then he shook his head.
"...Trouble."
But the corners of his mouth seemed to lift ever so slightly.
Just that tiny bit.
No one saw.
(PS: Please leave comments, request updates, and give ratings-come on, everyone, help me out here. If you keep leaving this book without comments or ratings, it'll end up just like my last book, without a definite rating even by the time it's finished.
Also, barring any surprises, there will only be three chapters today, mainly because I'm short on inspiration. On top of that, I still haven't finished grinding through the story, which I need to find time for myself, but now I don't have time to grind through it anymore-I still need to go practice Ma Chao.)