Shion Lan and Solan Neumann entered the secret hideout. Shion looked around and said in admiration,
"From the outside, no one would expect a space like this. Even if you entered from the houses on the other side, you'd feel like something is missing."
"..."
Solan was embarrassed because of her thoughts earlier so she couldn't answer Shion.
The place had narrow passages for movement, which forced Solan to stay very close to Shion. Her face flushed slightly, but Shion moved ahead first, slipping through one of the openings into a room with a mat on the floor, some food, and a notebook.
He sat down, waiting.
Solan asked, "Are you sure the kidnapper is here?"
"Yes, he has something to tell me."
"Really? I think this place is suspicious."
"He has to. He is being chased."
"Hmmmm.... I still feel not good. If something happens get behind me."
"Woman protecting me? Really?"
Shion smirked making Solan frown.
Soon, the vagrant he had previously beaten emerged—now without disguise. He appeared as a thin man with wavy brown hair and green eyes. He glanced at Solan as she came through the narrow passage.
' Fourth level… these kids aren't as simple as I thought, ' he thought.
Then he looked at Shion.
' Back then, death was closer than life… yet I gained neither. I don't want to face a child like this again. '
Shion's eyes had returned to their usual silver glow and said,
"No problem, she is with me." Pointing at Solan as he thought that the vagrant holding back because of her. He continued,
"You can start by telling us your name,"
"My name is Mel Tri, Lord Lan," the man replied.
Solan sat beside Shion, staring at him intently.
"So it's really you—the kidnapper we've been looking for!"
Mel frowned. "I apologize, my lady, but I'm not the kidnapper you seek."
Shion smiled faintly.
"Then tell me the full story you told that boy earlier."
"I don't mind," Mel said, "but once you hear it, I walk away free."
Solan narrowed her eyes, preparing her spells, but Shion raised a hand.
"Speak. I'll decide whether to help you or hand you over. But don't even think about lying."
Mel sighed. "You really want the truth?"
Shion nodded.
Mel took a breath.
"My name is Mel Tri. I worked as a guard in the Kito family province for five years. I was the personal guard of young master Enfel Kito—the boy who was later kidnapped."
He continued,
"Before that, he was a genius in combat techniques. He was expected to become the next head of the Kito family. But from the moment he was born, something strange happened… someone was targeting him."
Shion frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I don't know the full details—it happened before I joined," Mel said. "But they say a blind man foretold his fate. He claimed he could read people's destinies and said Enfel would bring disaster upon the family."
Mel shook his head.
"I don't believe that. The young master was kind and hardworking. I saw no sign of disaster in him."
Shion smiled slightly.
"I hate fortune tellers. They're liars—even when they're right."
Mel continued,
"From the time Enfel was born, the kidnappings began. At first, the victims were homeless people. It was said the family took them in to work… but later, the victims ranged from young adults to middle-aged and even elderly people."
"Wait," Shion interrupted sharply. "That doesn't make sense. If the kidnappings weren't for ransom, children would be the main targets. Why bother with adults?"
Mel replied,
"It wasn't like that. Adults were taken for their strength and energy. But after many experiments, they shifted to children because they possess purer energy—even if weaker. And in places like this district, no one asks questions. Anyone who interferes… is killed."
Solan's heart raced.
"So it's about forbidden magic—not human trafficking?"
Mel smirked.
"Someone was hired to take the blame for child trafficking. So either explanation works."
Solan was shaken—but Shion remained calm.
"I assume you don't know the exact spell," Shion said.
"Correct," Mel replied. "When young master Enfel was kidnapped, I expected a major investigation—especially since it happened inside the province. But everything was covered up. Even when a royal inspector came… it was that infamous man. He discovered something—but backed off."
Shion narrowed his eyes.
"Let's make this simple. Who do you suspect?"
Mel hesitated bitterly.
"I don't want to say."
Solan snapped, "We're trying to help you, and you refuse to cooperate?!"
Shion gestured for her to calm down.
"You've already told me things I could mostly deduce," Shion said quietly. "But there are details you're hiding."
His eyes filled with deadly dark energy.
"Are you under a curse preventing you from speaking?"
Mel's body trembled.
Shion closed his eyes—and entered his inner world.
Shi Yun Lan greeted him with a smile.
"What is it this time?"
"Do you know anything about curses?" Shion asked.
"Besides the one you carry? Yes," Shi Yun Lan replied casually. "But none compare to yours."
"…."
Before Shion could react, Shi Yun Lan continued,
"I can suppress it—if I release a bit of my power."
"Can you destroy it?" Shion asked.
"If I were at King level, yes. But I'm only at General level now."
"Ok, let's do it."
"First you have to locate the curse mark, then let the rest to me."
Shion nodded. "Get ready."
He returned to reality.
"Mel, I can suppress your curse."
Mel stared in disbelief. "You… can?"
"Where is the mark?" Shion asked.
Mel thought in admiration, ' He is really genius monster! He even knows about the curse mark! '. He opened his mouth and revealed his tongue. Using his aura, Shion saw ancient symbols forming a circular pattern.
Shi Yun Lan examined them.
"I can't remove it," he said. "But I can suppress its effects. He won't be able to speak freely—but he can answer yes or no."
Shion turned to Solan.
"I need a favor."
She looked at him worriedly as she saw the (Aura of the Death) get through him and answered quietly,
"What is it?"
"I'm going to use a forbidden technique—(Death of Stars). It will weaken me. I need you to watch over me."
Solan was hesitant as she saw the light inside Shion's spirit get smaller and smaller, she felt like if Shion would die in that manner.
"What?", Shion asked indifferently.
Solan blinked and said, "Are you sure? You —"
"I what?! Since we got here you were hesitating. I say I can protect myself!"
Solan who saw Shion talked like that to her thought, ' Shion.... you are dieing. I will help you as you did to me. '.
She stood ready. "Go ahead. I've got you."
Mel watched in shock as Shion's stellar aura spread through the room. Strangely, it felt… safe.
"Don't get comfortable," Shion said coldly. "I'm starting now."
His hair shifted between black and white, his eyes darkened and filled with stars like a night sky. His aura became both terrifying and mesmerizing.
Mel trembled as the curse reacted violently.
Shi Yun Lan spoke,
"Your aura weakens the curse, and mine suppresses it you can ask him more with different answers. Hold his tongue—it will speed things up."
"Stick out your tongue," Shion ordered.
Mel obeyed instantly. Shion grabbed it, forcing the curse to surface—black threads writhing from the markings.
After a moment, Shion released him and staggered.
"Shion!" Solan caught him.
"I'm fine," he said weakly. "Let's move quickly."
She helped him set, he sat upright and pale.
"Answer what you can. No pressure. First—was there someone who hated Enfel Kito enough to want him dead?"
Mel responded immediately,
"Yes. Kedna Kito—because Enfel surpassed her son."
"Who is the witness?"
"A member of the Kito family—Tervi Kito."
"And the royal inspector, Inolis Joul?"
"He discovered the truth—but accepted a bribe. He declared the case minor so the academy would handle it… and pin everything on me."
"What about you?"
"I kept investigating after the young master was taken. I uncovered everything… but I was discovered. I fought a fifth-level mage and a fifth-level swordsman. They weakened me from fifth level to fourth—that's why I have an extra star."
The questioning continued—until black veins began to swell on Mel's neck.
Shion stopped.
"One last question. Why didn't you give up?"
Mel laughed bitterly.
"Because I respected my young master. He was kind, honest, and cared for the poor."
Shion recalled Leon, a guard from Shi Yun Lan's world, who had shown the same loyalty.
He turned to Solan—who was covering her face.
"Did your makeup wear off again?"
She nodded.
Shion stepped outside through the passage to give her privacy.
Mel followed—but froze when he caught a glimpse of her true face.
He realized then—the makeup wasn't enhancing her beauty… it was hiding it.
"You are beautiful my lady, why are you hiding that?", He asked as he was fascinated by her.
Solan restored her usual appearance and glared at him.
"If anyone finds out… I'll smash your face."
"!!!"