Sakdal was a peculiar neighborhood.Though located outside the official residential zones, people came and went constantly. Even as a slum, both those with money and those without drifted in. As an amusement district, unsavory dealings happened under the surface, yet conspicuously few crimes ever drew attention.For a place packed with society’s castoffs—especially those at the very bottom—police patrols rarely showed up. Sakdal had its own strange order.“Do exactly as I say.”“Hmm. Don’t take off your hat. Don’t speak. Don’t eat anything anyone buys. Stick close to Jin Muhae.”Incomprehensible instructions droned around them. Joo-o, hood up and cap pulled low, even wore a mask—every inch covered, looking highly suspicious.“But what about Jin Muhae? Can he leave his face uncovered?”“You think anyone’s going to stop you at the entrance?”With Joo-o decked out like that and Muhae concealing his face too, anyone would assume the two of them were up to no good. Besides, plenty in that district already knew Muhae; mercenaries often retired to Sakdal once they had nowhere else to go—if they survived that long.“I’d love to ditch you right now and leave you behind—”“Don’t even think it.”“I’ve earned my keep, so I’m coming along. Just don’t cause trouble.”At Muhae’s tired voice, Joo-o nodded vigorously. Since Muhae hadn’t threatened to leave him behind this time, Joo-o was positively gleeful.Ssshhh—.As dawn broke, the train toward Sakdal grew emptier and quieter. Fewer than a third of the wide car’s seats were occupied. Joo-o pressed his forehead to the window, watching the rushing scenery. Only one man behind them glanced at Muhae and Joo-o now and then—otherwise, it was an uneventful journey.Beep—.The keeseok pointed to the heart of Sakdal, somewhere near Third Street. In Muhae’s memory, that was where all manner of stolen goods changed hands. If you wanted to buy expensive lost items, no place was better.“Where exactly, though?”He’d figure it out. After all, Joo-o had scavenged this valuable crystal from who-knows-where to mark the spot. Muhae glanced at the crystal in his pocket, then at Joo-o, who still stared out the window. Every time the train climbed higher ground, he could just make out Central City’s skyline in the distance.“There’s so much to see.”“Makes you lucky, huh.”“I’m so happy.”Joo-o’s fingertip trembled, and though hidden by his mask, his cheeks must’ve been flushed too. He showed not a shred of fear at venturing somewhere unfamiliar. Instead, excitement and anticipation bubbled around him so strongly Muhae could almost feel it.‘He’s thrilled.’Whatever it was, Muhae let Joo-o’s conspicuous glee pass. Joo-o’s first-time wonder at everything had less to do with memory—if he truly was a Solar City test subject, he’d never roamed about before. After twenty years, what he’d seen, heard, or tasted must be almost nothing. Still, knowing about hot dogs at a bus stop was suspiciously specific—but hot dogs weren’t that rare; maybe he’d encountered them somewhere.Even so, Muhae never felt Joo-o like a child. Not because of his height or looks, but something else entirely. In Joo-o’s juvenile tone, Muhae often sensed something uncanny—like someone plucked from time and preserved exactly as he first appeared.“Did you see it?”“See what?”“The Anomaly.”At that random remark, Muhae quietly gathered his things. Joo-o must have spotted the giant neon goblin statue in central Sakdal. Even in daylight, its lights were off—but Joo-o noticed.They were almost there. Muhae tapped Joo-o’s shoulder to signal readiness. Joo-o pressed his cap lower and looked back at Muhae.“Can you see ahead?”“I’m fine.”He must’ve struggled to see, but if Joo-o said he was okay, Muhae let it be. It was better for his own peace of mind.At midday, Sakdal felt chaotic and grimy. Flyers and trash hidden by darkness lay exposed, and the dazzling neon was gone. Yet closer to the center, the unpleasantness was diluted by crowds and sights.Muhae walked with his hands in his pockets, glancing at Joo-o faithfully trailing him with his face covered.“Jin Muhae.”“What.”“Someone’s following us.”He tugged Muhae’s sleeve as if sharing a secret. Muhae turned to look; only passersby strolled by. He scratched the back of his neck and replied in a low voice.“No one’s following us.”“But—”“People will stare. Walking around in broad daylight with your face hidden.”Joo-o muttered something, then fell silent. Muhae checked his watch. The approximate location should be nearby, but nothing stood out. Even gloomy alleys plastered with flyers and graffiti held no signs. His father’s mark—if it had ever been there—was long gone.Muhae rubbed his nape, then risked another glance behind. Someone—maybe—seemed to be watching. A tall mercenary and a suspicious man dressed all in black rummaged through a side alley. Anyone would be wary.“You like sweets?”“I like non-sweets too.”“Let’s get something to drink.”He abandoned the flimsy pretense and entered a nearby cafeteria. It sold drinks and light meals—and perhaps alcohol at night, given its dour decor.“Happy Coco Full Moon drink set.”“Happy… what?”“And Joy Berry Witch drink set. Lavender cake, and also…”“Happy Coco Full Moon drink set, Joy Berry Witch drink set, lavender cake, and you’re looking at the gratin and triple-patty burger. Aisle 71.”Joo-o was insane. Steadying himself, Muhae held his watch to pay. Beep—went a brief tone, and far too much money slipped away for a mere snack.“Eat at your pace.”“Okay.”“We’ll be here a while.”“I’ll try.”Seated on the terrace, Muhae surveyed the surroundings discreetly. They’d still draw attention, but two café patrons looked less suspicious than wandering a slum in broad daylight. Even if those patrons were ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) guys who piled desserts at a café, there were weirder folks in Sakdal.“They followed us in here too.”Joo-o whispered, sipping a drink topped with chocolate cream as if confiding. His warning meant someone must really be tailing them. Though Muhae feigned ignorance, he’d sensed the uneasy presence all along.“Just eat.”Once the food arrived, Joo-o’s eyes glazed over. He abandoned talk and devoured cake in large bites. His mask, which had covered most of his face, now hung below his chin.“Mmm, mmm… this is great.”“Take it slow.”“Soft, fragrant… delicious.”He even smeared cream at the corners of his mouth, then licked his lips. The sight was unexpectedly erotic. Distracted, Muhae squeezed his eyes shut.“Not eating, Muhae?”“You eat.”Joo-o’s eyebrows dipped at the curt reply, but he redoubled his focus on the food. He maneuvered his jaw more slowly than usual, as though determined to obey.‘That brat.’Meanwhile, someone sat across the terrace—half-shaved head, scars, nursing an on-the-rocks drink. Nothing glaring, but a prickly sense of annoyance. Then Muhae spotted another uneasy figure inside the café, a man with a ponytail. One of them—or both—had followed them since the slum’s edge.Muhae pretended calm, scanning the scene. If someone involved in that affair had left a clue, he’d have spotted it already. That assumption had been wishful thinking.“This really tastes amazing.”Joo-o’s voice drew his attention. Four empty plates stood stacked in front of him. No crumbs, no sounds—when had he eaten all that? Muhae couldn’t help imagining him as a vacuum cleaner sucking up food.“It’d be weird if only I ate.”His clear eyes met Muhae’s. When Joo-o spoke sense—once a day or so—Muhae always felt that strange pull. Hard to describe, but he knew it was best to follow along.“Don’t talk to me now.”He snapped a ring-shaped fry in half. The crisp shell gave way to a sweet, vegetable-like filling. Muhae took a hesitant sip of the less-sickly drink and grimaced.He’d wanted to leave soon, but there was no choice. Better to stay longer than planned.“How long?”Joo-o asked after swallowing. Muhae leaned back and replied casually.“Until sunset.”Only then would the lights come on. Sakdal’s true hours began at dusk.

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