[Record Date: Year 25, Month 8, Day 14]“—Greetings, Director Jin.”A crackling video projected into the air. The low resolution obscured the figure’s features, but he was a young man with short hair. The distorted audio hinted at damage to the storage device; parts of the image broke up every few seconds.Even without a translator, his single greeting carried a distinct accent. Jin Muhae stared silently through the flickering image as if willing it to stay on.“—Surveillance inside the city grows ever stricter. They must have sensed something suspicious. Important information can no longer be conveyed easily by simple transmission. I’m leaving this record on the outskirts of Goryeo City, so as not to arouse suspicion.—Crrrk…—I lack time to exchange greetings; it’s regrettable.”“Well said.”“Quiet.”“—I come to report progress in our research. Personally, I believe we’ve nearly reached the final stage.—Crrk… There remain many steps to completion, but we’ve grasped a solid lead. No one disputes that Crystal Blue is an extrinsic substance. Crrrk… We’ve confirmed that measures to prevent abnormal ecological changes exist in certain regions.—Creeeak…—I count myself fortunate to have contact with a gifted young scientist like you.”Progress in research. Muhae frowned, dredging memories. In the hideout logs, he’d seen hints of cooperation with another city. A strange feeling crept in—perhaps it was the mechanical distortion each time the voice stuttered.He felt as if he’d stepped across a boundary of time. In the silent mountains of Takla, with only the two living humans present, the voice of the past filled the air.“—…The information you sent was invaluable. Consequently, as initially agreed, even if our contact ceases, we shall continue the research here.—Criiik… Buzzzz—crrk—”Though static obscured some details, it was better than total data loss. Even with clear sound, Muhae doubted he’d grasped every word. He decided to focus on peripheral details instead of technical content—like the man’s firm tone betraying his origin.Muhae had heard similar speech before, though not from nearby cities. Perhaps mercenaries or laborers from another region had settled there. Had the lowest class of that city migrated here? Or had Muhae only ever met such folk?“Crrrk—!”“Zzzzz—creak—!”A sharp burst of noise filled Muhae’s ears again, and the hologram flickered several times before resuming in a more damaged state.“—By the way. Have you inquired about our situation?”‘“Our situation”…’ Whoever had sent this message, the speaker was about to reveal his hometown. Muhae clenched his jaw. According to his father’s records, groups like this existed everywhere. If his father had ties to them, then Muhae’s next clue might not lie within Goryeo City at all. How far had they come to call this remote island “nearby”?“—This place… creeeak—!”“Damn.”The screen broke and rewound briefly as Muhae shook the device, trying to fix it. He feared all data would vanish, but the battered cylinder drive still functioned. As the warped voice regained its thread, Muhae exhaled in relief.At last, the message resumed.“—Solar City is… frankly desperate. The heightened surveillance and pressure are largely to blame.“…!”At the familiar name, Muhae’s eyes widened. Joo-o sat quietly, staring at the hologram instead of him—unlike during nightmares, he showed no shock or fear, only interest. He tilted his head slightly.“—Though not publicly disclosed, we built a system to predict new Crystal Blue emergence. Simulations over recent years show nearly ninety percent accuracy. That system has forecast a new crystal zone.—A vast area spanning Blackwood Gorge.—Yes. It lies less than ten kilometers from Solar City. If this holds true, the shadow of death will fall upon the once-prosperous human city.”The reporter paused, pressing a hand to his forehead. Even through the trembling image, his dismay was palpable. Then, as if out of time, his tone hardened again.“—Only now do I understand why the city’s leadership pursued reckless, radical experiments. Crrrk—Both shattered research ethics and wasteful budgets were unavoidable against the comfort zone’s looming threat.—Creeeak!—In fact, we partially released your data to the public here. Research meant to control Crystal Blue has shifted toward annihilation—please do not be too angered.—Crrrk…—…—We shall continue to report progress similarly in the future. If possible.—From across the distant sea, I support you and your companion. May you live in the world humanity lost.”Fizzzz—!The device emitted one last spark and expired. Thin black smoke curled from its cylinder shell. Muhae pried open its case, but the melted internals yielded nothing. The data chamber was charred shut.“Damn.”“It’s okay. I remember it.”“You think I can’t remember?”Joo-o’s attempt at comfort drew a curt retort. His eyebrows drooped instantly. Muhae sighed, clenching his fist—this object was Joo-o’s find, and he’d vented on him unfairly.“I really did remember every word.”“Yeah.”“I could repeat them exactly.”“Fine.”Joo-o’s eyes narrowed, pleading belief. His neat army-cut hair stood out sharply. Thud… Thump. Muhae’s heart thundered in his chest. He pressed a hand to his ribs. Joo-o’s pout seemed a silent protest. Unsure, Muhae reached out—and Joo-o’s glossy black hair swiftly pressed against him.“Touch… no, stroke me.”Like a tame beast seeking praise. Muhae ran his fingers through the soft hair, then smoothed his brow, unworried by sweat. It worked like therapy—his tension melted away. Joo-o closed his eyes half-lidded, leaning heavily against Muhae.“Jin Muhae. Should we go home now?”“Right. Not home, but back to Jaegang District.”“I like that place.”Joo-o’s red lips spread into a broad grin. After days in filthy alleys and rotten houses, a proper neighborhood must seem wonderful. Muhae found himself amused by his own fluctuating temper—he’d led a life far removed from emotion, yet this boy stirred him so.“Let’s head back.”Pushing Joo-o gently away, Muhae felt warmth recede. Unconsciously clenching and unclenching his hand, he strode toward the road where they’d ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) parked the bike. Joo-o’s quick footsteps followed. Muhae had noticed recently that Joo-o could move silently if needed—but he favored making his presence known, to reassure his companion.Solar City existed until relatively recently. Despite countless rumors, its reality was clear. It outlasted even the Return Flight network. Perhaps the greater mystery isn’t Solar City’s fall, but the Return Flight’s disappearance without a trace.Had Crystal Blue’s sudden surge not inflicted such devastation, the name “Solar” might have evoked splendor rather than gloom. If their efforts to eradicate Crystal Blue had truly persisted, perhaps Muhae’s next destination would be there.[No matching search results.]“Damn.”Yet finding information on Solar City proved difficult. Information, unless officially released, remained the privilege of the powerful. Goryeo City communications faced Central censorship. Even though Solar City’s destruction was recent, the reasons remained hidden within blocked pages.Thus, information disparity meant those in the know profited most; wealth bred further knowledge. The elite researchers’ ties to Central and well-funded districts spoke volumes.“I wonder when the Clouds will next contact me.”Muhae leaned back in the armchair with a thud, staring at the ceiling. The faint hum of the fan in the hideout felt oddly unfamiliar. He’d grown so used to Joo-o’s constant company that solitude now felt strange—and it was all that brat’s fault.A few hours earlier, Joo-o had announced a walk and left with only a single bag. Seeing him always carry an empty bag, Muhae guessed Joo-o treated it as part of his outfit. Whenever he returned, Joo-o habitually rolled something—like candy—in his mouth. Once, Muhae asked if he still had money; Joo-o replied:“Humans gave it to me.”“Why would they give that to you?”“I swear it’s true. They saw me wanting it, so they gave me this much.”Given his face, such generosity seemed plausible. In any case, he was a carefree soul. Muhae, thinking it odd that only Joo-o—now a member of Return Flight—endured such hardship, felt his own bitterness ebb whenever the boy produced snacks for him.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.