“Stay close behind me.”The storm-drain tunnel was longer than expected. After walking for some time, the passage gradually widened.Even through the gas mask, a foul stench pierced the air. They must be near the sewer. Muhae increased his flashlight’s brightness and glanced at Joo-o.He looked unfazed. Then again, the man had never once gagged even upon finding a rotting corpse.“See that split tunnel over there?”“Yeah.”“We’re going in there. Don’t lose me—keep up.”“Got it.”They entered the real sewer section—merely a conduit leading deeper underground.Still pitch-black and with little water flow, the path felt much the same as before.Only the stench grew more acrid and the walls darkened. Even someone like Joo-o, who ate in any time or place, might fast here—I thought whimsically.“Jin Muhae. Hey.”Joo-o edged closer and tapped Muhae’s arm. At the spot he pointed, the round sewer outlet came into view.Beyond it yawned the main drain tunnel. Muhae nodded and checked the device in his pocket.The gadget from Cloud was disrupting the underground surveillance. Its battery was limited, so once they entered the target area, they needed to focus on finding the promised item.No description of its shape or purpose had been given—Cloud must expect Muhae to recognize it at a glance.By now Muhae was growing accustomed to Cloud’s brusque favors—or rather, orders disguised as favors.“Climb up here and walk.”“Aww. The water’s fun.”After entering the wide drain tunnel, a dry walkway emerged—but Joo-o refused to step off the water. He seemed to enjoy splashing through it.Worried filthy water would splash, Muhae drew a stern face, pulled him up, and set him on the concrete floor.Damn it. He never complained anywhere, yet I wasn’t sure I wanted him growing used to such filth.Was I turning a man without memories into a slum mercenary? Even if he enjoyed it, the aftertaste felt off.‘Still… I’ll use him as needed.’After all, Joo-o had insisted Muhae look after him. Perhaps having no home but some semblance of direction was better than nothing.Justifying it thus, Muhae averted his gaze—only to see Joo-o smiling at the wall.Had he discovered something? Muhae peered quickly, and damn—two dozens-legged insects coupling in a grotesque mating.“Don’t gawp at that—work.”“Hmph.”What an ugly place. Muhae grabbed Joo-o and urged him on.Their search continued. The tunnels were numbered at every junction, allowing Muhae to gauge their progress.‘Already 600 meters…’They’d soon pass beneath residential areas, so they needed to find something before then.Muhae checked his watch and rubbed his neck in frustration.Oblivious, Joo-o hummed a tune at his side. If not for the darkness and stench, he might have thought they were on a stroll.“Jin Muhae.”Joo-o finished his self-composed melody with surprisingly polished notes, grabbed Muhae’s arm, and pressed close.He looked curious about something. Muhae raised an eyebrow, as if to say, “Go on.”“Why don’t you mate, Jin Muhae?”“Ahem.”Muhae nearly choked, clearing his throat. He stared at Joo-o as if mishearing.Was he asking about “mating” in some literal sense? Or had Joo-o invented a unique slang?Not wanting a rambling explanation, Muhae planned to ignore it—until Joo-o gave him a pout, as if asking why he wouldn’t answer.Muhae stopped and laid it down.“Don’t say that outside.”“At home?”“Just… don’t say it.”He couldn’t retort with a proper chastisement—who knew what chatter would spill from those lips.Only recently had Joo-o pressed against him, panting with desire. The memory made Muhae’s stomach twist and his spine tingle.“Fine. I won’t say it.”There had to be a reason. “Don’t cling to me. Don’t climb into my bed. Don’t sit between my legs.” Muhae had warned before.Yet here he was, breaking every rule. Muhae furrowed his brow, picking at unspoken excuses.“Ooh.”Meanwhile, Joo-o, unbothered, scanned the tunnel and now exclaimed.His eyes glinted—this time he’d truly found something. Please, not more mating bugs…Fortunately, he stared at the black water.“Look. Fish.”Fish in sewage? Impossible. Muhae peered at the polluted water—and, as if by magic, a ripple washed across the surface.Muhae froze and watched intently. Not a fish’s movement, but an upward bulge of water—something vibrating beneath.Thump.Ten seconds later, the same wave formed. It wasn’t fishlike, but a stirring object.Prepared for this, Muhae surveyed his surroundings and pulled a disposable long glove from his jumpsuit pocket.Touching others’ sewage was hazardous.But—Splash!While Muhae donned the glove, Joo-o stepped into the channel and plunged his bare hand in. Before Muhae could stop him.“You!”Muhae grabbed Joo-o’s waist, yanked him up, and tossed him aside on the floor.Even ignoring the stench, how could he think to stick his hand in that water?“Heh heh. I don’t sink.”Rolling on the ground, Joo-o laughed muffled behind his gas mask. Holding out his dripping hand, he grinned.Wriggle!In his palm, a spiderlike object clung. Six black, rigid legs flexed open and closed.“I found something cool.”“Damn it.”It was not a bug but a live camera robot. Designed to navigate varied terrain, it lay submerged in Jaegang’s filthy water.“Give it here.”Muhae swiped it from him. The fist-sized machine flexed its legs again.So that ripple came from its movement. For a moment, Joo-o thought it was a strange creature.Sighing softly, Muhae examined the robot. A flat body with insectoid jointed legs.The dented side suggested a physical impact. The waterproofing must have failed, causing it to sink.As expected, the top had a hatch. The lid clicked open to reveal a fingernail–sized storage chip.Clearly the item Cloud mentioned. Odd it almost went unnoticed, but nothing else stood out down here.After a moment’s hesitation, Muhae stuffed the soggy robot into his bag. He pocketed the chip and pulled out sanitizing wipes to scrub Joo-o’s hand.“Try eating anything with that hand.”“Even though you’re cleaning it now?”“You still feel hungry after seeing that shit water? If you don’t want a stomach lavage, go wash properly before eating.”Of course he wouldn’t actually take Joo-o to Dr. Jeong for that. If Joo-o gave him that dramatic look again, even composed Muhae might feel a twinge of guilt.With the item secured, Muhae tossed the dirty wipe into the water and retraced their steps.Joo-o trailed, chattering annoyingly.“What about your arm? May I hold it?”“…”“You have clothes on there anyway. I don’t mind if you touch me without washing.”“Cut the crap.”Irritated, Muhae slipped an arm behind him. Joo-o fell silent and clung to his sleeve.Good thing they could leave before sunrise. Muhae readjusted his gas mask and hurried toward the cleaner storm-drain tunnel.He tossed the robot into any bag and left it beside the bathroom.Muhae inserted the retrieved chip into the hideout’s reader. Contrary to his fears, the data opened cleanly.All the files were video recordings. The robot’s steady viewpoint streamed across the large panel.Intermittently, someone’s figure passed by—likely the clumsy subordinate Cloud mentioned.Then, in the eighth video, familiar characters filled the screen.An index formula to explore his father’s records. The secret code of Return. Muhae tapped his watch.Beep. Another document appeared. Quickly scanning and saving, the next video began.―Chizzzzt…On a blank wall came crackling static.Moments later, the image jolted and revealed a face.Brightly dyed blue hair. An expression of utter ennui.―Chizzzzt… zzzt! Hahaha!The man hissed like a machine, then burst into uproarious laughter.Bang! With a roar, the video shook violently and turned gray.The robot, kicked by the man’s foot, skittered and sank under the water—and the playback ended.Muhae’s face hardened as the hologram window faded.

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