* * *
"Jin, you look good today."
Rishar said with a bright face.
Right? Even Rishar sees how healthy he looks today? Ngh. Proud, I gazed at Jin and Rishar with warm eyes.
I really felt Jin's stamina had increased a lot lately—he could even walk a little on his own during our outings. His muscles seemed to be building up bit by bit.
Today too, beyond this uphill path's mysterious circular door, the dazzling sunlight and beautiful lake scenery with scales of water would await.
Though it felt a bit empty without chattering, excited Rodent.
"The mood feels a lot more subdued today somehow."
Rishar muttered while pushing the wheelchair toward Lake Shore. It was usually sparsely populated and quiet, but today it felt eerily desolate.
On top of that, not a single bird call could be heard. Something's off... What on earth was going on?
That was when it happened. Someone besides us appeared at Lake Shore.
"Hello, Jin. Long time no see. How many years has it been? 20?"
At the sudden woman's voice, I jumped in shock, my heart pounding.
"Rishar's here too?"
It was an incredibly seductive voice. Her tight black dress had daring side slits revealing smooth legs that boasted elegant lines.
Her hair was black, streaked with white, making her age hard to guess.
And... the black spider tattoo on the nape visible under her updo.
...That tattoo is definitely the symbol of Black Spider leader Arachne...?
'Ah, why is Arachne here...?'
I gaped at the beautiful woman I presumed was Arachne. In the original story, Arachne first appeared 8 years later, when Rodent turned eighteen. She was mentioned a lot before, but only showed up at the very end.
Her description then was 'white-haired witch,' exactly that. Neatly pinned-up white hair, red eyes. And a beautiful face. But now, black hair mixed with white.
"Arachne...!"
Rishar shouted.
Gasp, really Arachne? The woman right in front of me?
But... unbelievably, Jin and Arachne... looked alike. They could pass for blood relatives.
'W-what? Could she be Jin's hidden sister? Nah, not some trashy drama... Probably not.'
With pounding heart, I watched this absurd encounter. What was happening at Lake Shore for the empire's top four bountied fugitives to gather like this?
Plus, Liberators and Black Spider weren't on good terms—Rishar's face was as pale as when Jin's heart had stopped.
And Jin's face showed no emotion at all. His usually sharp, intelligent eyes felt empty.
Like a soulless doll. As if he'd forgotten how to breathe, he held his breath, staring at Arachne.
"Amazing, Jin. Why haven't you died yet?"
An alluring smile rose on Arachne's face. Her face resembling Jin's smiling—why did it send chills down my spine?
"Why are you here?"
Rishar asked. Jin still held his breath. Without even blinking. No matter how I looked, Jin's state was extremely off.
"Jin's birthday's soon. Why, can't I celebrate?"
Even at Arachne's words, Rishar kept his guard up, claws out.
"Why so wary, Rishar? Afraid I'll kill Jin?"
I was too worried about Jin to follow the conversation. Yet Arachne's voice drilled into my brain against my will.
"You'd do it and then some."
Rishar drew his gun with trembling hands. First time seeing him shake like this.
"Hehe, true. I'd be lying if I said no. But looking at him now, no need to dirty my hands. He'll die soon anyway?"
As Arachne spoke, Jin—who'd been breathlessly staring—gasped raggedly.
"Jin, Jin!"
I called panicked. Cold sweat began beading on Jin's body.
"See? Told you. Guess I'll head out now. Bye then. My son."
Arachne blew Jin a kiss.
W-what, s-son? She called Jin her son? Arachne's Jin's mom? She doesn't look a day over thirty-two—old enough for an adult son? That face? Jin's mom?
Arachne smiled brightly and mounted her horse tied to a tree. Rishar aimed at her retreating figure but couldn't pull the trigger.
"Jin, Jin! Pull yourself together!"
Jin still breathed raggedly. Different from blocked airway—not breathing. Deep, excessively fast breaths. Hyperventilation?
His terrified face resembled when Rishar had once triggered Jin's trauma.
"Rishar, move Jin quick."
Rishar, who'd kept his gun on Arachne until she vanished, finally snapped to at my call, looking shocked at Jin.
Rishar pushed the wheelchair like mad. Good thing Lui had made safety belts for it. I could barely keep up with his sprint.
"Seal the exit completely. We're exposed!"
Back in Underground City, Rishar bellowed. Then he scooped up Jin and ran.
So fast we reached Jin's bedroom in seconds. Rishar laid him on the bed. Jin still heaved roughly.
Hyperventilation first aid: have patient rebreathe exhaled air with a bag over mouth. I grabbed a paper bag and held it to Jin's mouth.
Thankfully, my treatment wasn't wrong—Jin's breathing slowly steadied. Still terrified face, though.
Having seen Jin panic once before, I'd stocked sedatives in his bedroom and Greenhouse. Gave him some; he fell asleep fast.
'What the hell just happened? Arachne's Jin's mom?'
Jin's condition somewhat stabilized, I sorted my blank mind by recalling events.
Right, mother-son explained their resemblance. Soft, fine black hair, nose bridge, slim jawline.
Jin truly took after his mother. Except the eyes.
Jin's eyes evoked poignant purity. Deep ocean-blue irises. Arachne's slanted sharply, viciously. Opposite: dark red irises.
'...But why ask her son why he hasn't died yet? And leave with that vicious remark he'd die soon without dirtying her hands?'
Jin's reaction confirmed Rishar's 'old wound' was Arachne. What happened for a son to panic like this meeting his mother?
Good thing Jin was healthier today. Otherwise, like last time, he'd have vomited blood.
"Jin...".
Rishar gripped sleeping Jin's hand, calling his name. Rishar had looked terrified facing Arachne too.
Jin still sweated coldly. So heartbreaking. I dabbed his brow with a handkerchief.
Then, a massive explosion rocked Underground City.
Boom-!
W-what? This blast? I jumped, looking around. Earthquake? Volcano? Enemy invasion?
But only I was startled, it seemed.
Jin, sedated asleep, wouldn't react, but even Rishar showed no surprise.
"Ah, Teacher. Sorry. You got startled. Should've warned you, but Jin had me distracted...".
Rishar said calmly, seeing my shocked face.
What was it? Rishar knew something would happen.
"Sound of sealing Lake Shore passage. Exposed routes must be fully collapsed."
Ah, got it. Makes sense to bury paths exposed to Black Spider.
Wondered how this huge hideout stayed secret—they collapse entire passages.
But... guilt crept in. Was this my fault for insisting on walks? Jin like this because of me.
"Sorry. Shouldn't have dragged Jin out...".
Melancholy made my voice glum. Rishar tried comforting me.
"No, Teacher. How can you say that... Without you, Jin never would've gotten this healthy. You're the Liberators' benefactor...".
Fidgeting, Rishar cautiously patted my back.
Eh? Rishar patting me? Unbelievable, I stared. His face flushed red.
"So no need to apologize to me or Jin. I'd feel too guilty."
"Thanks, Rishar."
His earnest effort eased my guilt some.
At my reply, Rishar stopped patting and sat back a bit. Face still beet red.
