Chapter 268: Nearl Light Side Story
In the end, Steven still couldn't clear up Sona's misunderstanding about him and the rest of the Abyssal Hunter girls.
Not that it bothered him all that much. After all, who he did or didn't have a relationship with—why should anyone else get to define that for him? As long as he had a clear conscience, that was enough.
After a long day, he rinsed off the fatigue in a hot shower, letting the flow of water wash it all away. Clad in his pajamas, Steven made his way to the next room—where the two Abyssal Hunters were staying.
"Time to talk business."
He gave a passing glance to Specter, who had already fallen back into a deep slumber, and then to Skadi, who was clearly struggling to stay awake, hugging her pillow and nodding off. Finally, his gaze settled on the only girl in the room still fully conscious.
He didn't care if those two were asleep or not—asking them anything would be pointless anyway. As long as Sona, the person he actually needed to talk to, was still awake, that was all that mattered.
"Eh? Business?"
Sona's cute red ears twitched as she tilted her head in confusion. She remembered they'd mentioned something about "serious matters" earlier—something about needing to speak with her, which was why they'd let her stay in Steven's room overnight.
So that "business" was coming from this boy in front of her?
If it weren't for the clarity in Steven's eyes—free of the least bit of lecherous intent—Sona might've actually worried he was going to demand something like repayment through her body or something equally sketchy.
"We saved you, you know. You didn't seriously think a simple 'thank you' was enough to settle things, right?"
Steven tapped the table casually, letting out a yawn. Specter's peaceful sleeping face wasn't helping either—it was making him sleepy just looking at her.
"Of course not. It's just... I'm not sure what exactly you'd want from me. Is there something you need to ask? Or… something you want me to do?"
Catching on quickly, Sona didn't take offense at his bluntness. He was right—they had saved her life. No matter how unreasonable the request might be, they had at least earned the right to ask.
"Good. Glad we're on the same page. That makes this simple."
Steven leaned forward slightly, eyes meeting hers.
"I just want to know—why is the Armorless Union hunting you?"
He didn't bother to dance around the topic, nor did he explain how he knew about the group's identity. He went straight to the point, laying bare the core of his curiosity.
"...Huh? That…"
Sona froze. A flicker of hesitation crossed her face.
This wasn't a matter of whether she wanted to say it or not. The moment she told them the truth, they'd be dragged into this mess right alongside her.
"If you're about to say you don't want to get us involved, don't bother."
Steven shot a glance at Skadi, who had finally given in to sleep and was now dozing off with her pillow, leaning against his shoulder.
He turned back to Sona with a small shrug.
"The second those two pulled you out of the Armorless Union's clutches, we were already on the same side in their eyes."
Seriously, how could Skadi sleep so soundly while he was talking this loudly right next to her? Did Abyssal Hunters come with some kind of elite-tier sleep mode?
"And honestly… given the circumstances, I wouldn't blame you if you didn't fully trust us."
His voice turned a bit more serious.
"You're infected, right? That kind of distrust between infected and uninfected... it's all too common in this world."
It was a cruel truth, but one they all lived with. A silent tragedy that blanketed the land.
"No, it's not that I don't trust you," Sona said quietly, her voice firm despite the weight in her heart. "I'm just… one worthless life. If it weren't for all of you, I wouldn't even be alive right now. If you really meant to harm me, you could've just left me back there and saved yourselves the trouble."
Sona gave a small shake of her head.
She truly didn't doubt Steven or the others. In fact, she couldn't think of a single reason why they would go so far just for her. Even the information that had nearly cost her life—sharing it wouldn't change much in the end.
Which was why, deep down, she chose to believe that they were asking simply out of kindness.
"…Then go on," Steven said, waving a hand. "What exactly did you do to get the Armorless Union's elites hunting you down?"
There was no need for more words. He'd laid everything out clearly—now it was up to her whether she'd answer or not.
"...Have you ever heard of Area 0?"
Sona bit her lower lip before slowly letting the words leave her mouth. The name stirred something faint in Steven's memory.
"You mean that place that's supposed to be a treatment zone for Infected in Kazimierz? The one built specifically to help and rehabilitate them?"
Her eyes clouded with emotion—something bitter, unspeakable—as Sona began recounting her experience.
"Before I ever set foot in that place… before I saw that man-made hell with my own eyes… I believed all those things the Kazimierz General Chamber of Commerce said about it."
"Because come on, it's them. The General Chamber of Commerce—those elite powerhouses in the Grand Knight Territory. Why would they lie to us, the Infected, who are already treated like we barely matter?"
Her small hands clenched tightly. Her voice trembled, haunted by what she remembered—as if she were reliving a nightmare that refused to let go.
"But when I snuck into Area 0… when I saw the people living in there, deceived and corralled like livestock… I realized it was all just an empty dream."
"If that were the end of it—if we were just being lied to—it'd be one thing. But I soon realized that Area 0 wasn't what it looked like on the surface."
"That place isn't a sanctuary. It's not even a prison."
Sona shook her head, covering her face as if still unwilling to accept the truth.
"It's a slaughterhouse for the Infected."
Her voice was cold now. Hollow.
"The General Chamber of Commerce didn't build that zone to help us. They built it to concentrate us—put all the Infected in one place. And once they've done that… well, just imagine what would happen to the economy, the public order, the streets of Kazimierz, if we all suddenly 'disappeared.'"
As she spoke, a chill crawled across her body—one that no blanket could ever warm. But worse than the cold outside… was the ice that had settled in her heart.
She had no doubt. If there was profit to be made, if it meant stabilizing the nation, the General Chamber of Commerce would not hesitate to commit atrocities—no matter how cruel.
"Wait a second," Steven muttered, massaging his forehead as a memory clicked into place. "That spokesperson… don't tell me you're talking about the one from the Roar Knightclub?"
"That's right," Sona nodded, her voice soft. "Mr. Durich."
"Unfortunately… he died even earlier than I expected. And he didn't keep the promise we made, either."
Sona let out a quiet sigh, the kind that came from deep in the heart.
She couldn't help but reflect—if only her resolve had been a little stronger back then. If she had silenced that man the moment she learned the truth, instead of naively making a deal… maybe things wouldn't have turned out this way. Maybe she wouldn't be in such a miserable state now.
"I see," Steven said after a pause, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "So that's why the Armorless Union is hunting you down. Yeah… that's more than enough of a reason."
If it had been him in their shoes, he wouldn't have let her go either. Sure, she might not be able to change much on her own—but just her being alive was already a potential risk.
No wonder the Armorless Union was so invested. They'd even sent a Lazurite after her.
"That's why I'm saying… you really shouldn't get involved," Sona muttered, her voice heavy. "No matter how strong you all are, something as massive as the General Chamber of Commerce… it's not something people like us can go up against."
She sighed again, genuine worry flickering in her crimson eyes. If possible, she truly didn't want to drag Steven and the others into this disaster.
But Steven simply shook his head, brushing off her concerns like dust on his shoulder.
"No, no. That ship sailed the moment this one here decided to save you."
He tilted his head toward the peacefully sleeping Skadi.
"Since you've already told us everything, the least I can do is help you figure out your next steps."
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"So? What's the plan now? Are you thinking of leaking the truth somehow? Exposing it all?"
He leaned forward with interest, genuinely curious to hear her answer.
"Or are you planning to flee Kazimierz under cover of night and focus on staying alive?"
Those were the two realistic options for now. Steven couldn't help but wonder how this surprisingly young girl was going to decide.
If it were Talulah—the little fire-breathing dragon girl—she'd probably be rallying a full-on rebellion by now, ready to march on the entire General Chamber of Commerce head-on.
"I… I don't know," Sona said, biting her lip.
"Even if I wanted to expose it all… who would believe me? Where's the evidence? Even if I had proof… who would I even give it to?"
Her voice wavered, her eyes distant and lost.
Compared to Talulah, this girl looked even more uncertain—utterly consumed by hesitation and confusion.
Steven clicked his tongue softly.
Not that he was about to give her a lecture or offer any guidance.
Honestly, what did any of this have to do with him? Whether Kazimierz's Infected lived or died—what did that matter to him?
Ding!
[Side Story "Near Light" has triggered early. Rewards will vary depending on the Plot Participation and Worldline Impact.]
Suddenly, a familiar red notification popped up in the lower left corner of his vision—something he hadn't seen in a while.
Steven's expression shifted immediately. A slow grin spread across his face.
Well… now it does matter.
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Note: Character Illustration is in this Google Drive:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1iuyfwNVFHzIi9H4rWNT_lAm7jTSiah_M
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