Raon’s lips trembled as he stared at the black heart pulsing at Rensia’s waist. The black heart was alive, breathing, and exuding a faint rage. Just looking at it made his chest feel tight. Dorian, clearly flustered, dropped the bag he was holding and fell to his knees. Krein was so shocked that he couldn’t even form a sentence, only muttering her name. Rensia lowered her top to cover the black heart protruding from her waist. Her flushed cheeks suggested that despite her confident tone, she was embarrassed. “As Lord Kayden said, there’s no such thing as a life that’s always happy. Montiro may appear full of smiles and joy on the surface, but inside, it’s filled with pitch-black shadows—shadows so huge that no amount of money or power can erase them.” She shook her head, saying it was a problem that neither she nor anyone else could solve. “…Can you tell me what that is?” Raon pointed at the black heart still at her waist. “You know what oysters are, right?” “Yeah. I even bought some when I went to your house.” Rensia hadn’t really wanted to buy them, but thinking one of her younger siblings might like them, she had brought them herself. “Oysters have the ability to purify water, so they’re called the cleaners of the sea. Put them in a dirty tank and they’ll turn the water clear in a day.” She suddenly brought up oysters, wearing a clouded smile. “It’s the same thing.” Raon repeated, unable to accept her words. He had an idea what she meant, but didn’t want to believe it. “The black hearts we have, absorb the bad energy flowing from this land and send it elsewhere. Lord Kayden, we’re not human.” Rensia grasped the black heart protruding from her waist with trembling hands. “This Montiro is a giant tank, and we’re nothing more than oysters that purify it. We can only live here if we feed on that foul energy.” A teardrop clung to the corner of her eye as she pressed her lips together. “You mean… all of you?” “That’s right. Just as you saw, every resident of Montiro—except those with status—has the same heart I do. Even my younger siblings.” Rensia bowed her head, saying that even her youngest sibling, who had just turned six, had been implanted with one of these hearts. “That’s why I made the clothes—to keep their skin from chafing….” She let out a deflated laugh, explaining that was the reason for the knitted garments. Krein clenched his fists so tightly that his palms bled. Dorian’s hands shook, his eyes full of disbelief. – “Summon me immediately.” Wrath pressed a hand on Raon’s shoulder, his brow furrowed. – “I’ll tear apart every last wretch who uses demonic energy like that.” He was furious as well, powerful energy radiating from his blue eyes. Raon exhaled deeply as he looked at Rensia. He wanted to be angry like the others, but now was the time to gather as much information as possible. “By people with status, you mean the hotel manager or those so-called heroes?” Rensia nodded, saying those people were the watchers. “And everyone else has a black heart….” Raon closed his eyes tightly, recalling every resident of Montiro he’d met. ‘Now everything makes sense.’ The Black Tower had used the residents to create a barrier hiding demonic energy, which was why not even the faintest trace of demonic energy or deathly energy could be sensed. – “Exactly. With so many people sacrificed, it’s no wonder there’s not a speck of demonic or deathly energy left.” – “Those Black Tower scum aren’t worth keeping alive.” A frosty silver killing intent rose from him, as though he wanted to storm the Black Tower immediately. “But I never saw any of the residents with a heart sticking out like yours.” Raon narrowed his eyes at her waist. Being near the sea, plenty of men went shirtless, yet he had never seen such a thing. “Most have it attached next to their actual heart. But I had two surgeries, so when I get angry, it protrudes from my waist .” Rensia shook her head, saying she was the only one whose heart came out like that. “Then when you met Felix…” She nodded, confirming that the reason her anger had surged when she met Felix, the commander of the Spear Guard, was because the heart had emerged. She lowered her gaze, saying Felix was the one who implanted the black hearts in her and her siblings. “That’s why you carry that backpack—to hide it if it comes out.” “That bastard! I didn’t like the way he looked down on people from the start….” Krein ground his teeth, murderous intent flashing in his eyes. “I’m not scared this time. I’m just angry.” Dorian clenched his fist, agreeing. Suppressing his urge to rush out and cut down those so-called heroes, Raon looked at Rensia. “About once a month, it hurts a lot. Otherwise, unless it’s sticking out, it’s not too bad.” If what she said was true, she was in a lot of pain now. But there was something he had to do. “I’m sorry, but… can I touch it?” “This is my last request. Please.” He bowed his head, saying it was necessary. “…Then I have a condition. I’ll let you touch it, but you must leave immediately afterward.” She lifted her top again. Eyes squeezed shut from embarrassment and pain, she waited. ‘I don’t have a choice.’ He had to examine it to find out where the Black Tower was and how to remove it. Even if he couldn’t figure it out himself, he could pass the information to Chamber. He reached out and grabbed the black heart protruding from her waist. She bit her lip but said nothing. ‘Demonic energy and deathly energy.’ – “Yes. Now I can feel the demonic energy. But it’s moving away from her body.” – “Down, yes—but not physically. Think of it as another dimension.” Wrath shook his head, saying digging wouldn’t help. ‘So it’s up to Chamber.’ This wasn’t something he could solve alone. He’d have to consult her back at headquarters. ‘Then what I need to do….’ He activated his upper dantian and the Ring of Fire to memorize the black heart’s movements and mana flow perfectly. He patted her head and stepped back. She exhaled deeply, lowering her top. Sweat ran down her forehead. Dorian wiped her forehead with a handkerchief. “You’ll leave now, right?” She raised a trembling hand, asking him to keep his promise. “Why do you keep asking us to leave?” Raon narrowed his eyes. “There was someone like you before. He tried to save the sister who raised me. He and his entire family were erased from the world. And my sister…” She covered her eyes and forehead with her hand. “You’re looking after the children because of that, aren’t you?” “That’s right. Just as my sister helped me, I help the children. So please, leave us alone.” She bowed her head in plea. Her emerald eyes were full of conflicting emotions. Krein gripped his greatsword’s hilt, struggling to contain his rage. Dorian finally let his tears fall. “It’s not just us—you and your guild could vanish too. No matter how much money you have, you can’t beat the ones who rule Montiro.” She asked again for them to leave. “I made a promise, so I’ll keep it. We’ll leave at dawn.” “What? Master—no, Guild Master!” Krein and Dorian both stared at him in disbelief. Ignoring their protests, he pulled a gold coin from his pocket. He flicked it to Rensia. She pocketed the coin and bowed her head. “Thank you. Please, leave tomorrow.” With that, she left the room. Leaning against the wall outside, she took out the coin and gazed at it tenderly before tucking it away and slinging her backpack over her shoulder. ‘This is the right way.’ This was the way to save everyone. She forced a smile and hummed as she walked down the glittering corridor. Raon kept his promise and left Montiro, detouring to return to the headquarters Chamber had established. The swordsmen who had infiltrated Montiro around the same time had also returned to rest. Chamber conjured a chair for him, wearing a bitter smile. Karoon nodded slowly. “You both saw it, right?” Raon pointed at the necklace Chamber had made for him. “Yes. Thanks to you, we know everything now.” Cold killing intent rose in Karoon’s crimson eyes. “This just confirmed the Black Tower’s demons aren’t worth sparing.” His long fingers twitched as if he wanted to destroy them immediately. “I knew demons were vile, but this is beyond what I imagined.” Chamber bit down on her lollipop, shattering it. “Damn it! I want to go kill them all right now!” Martha ruffled her hair and stomped her feet. “Freeze them so they can never get out….” Even Runaan spoke venomously. – “Agreed! Our ice cream girl understands!” Wrath raised his hand in approval. “Usually, I’m the one telling you to calm down, but not this time.” Even Burren couldn’t suppress his emotions, sneering. “Raon. You memorized the heart’s movement?” “Yes. I’ll show you using aura—it’s hard to explain in words.” He took Chamber’s hand and transmitted everything he’d felt from touching it. “That black heart is a tiny dimensional gate that absorbs negative energy like demonic energy and deathly energy and sends it to the Black Tower.” She smiled faintly at him. “Can you open that dimension?” “Normally, no. But with the movement and flow you gave me, we can trace it back to the Black Tower.” She traced a large circle in the air. At her signal, Jayna and the mages of Balkan gathered, eyes gleaming. “Now it’s our turn to move.” Rensia, wearing her blue backpack, opened the door quietly. She hadn’t applied much force, but the old house still made noise. “You’re leaving already?” Her siblings, awakened by the sound, rubbed their eyes. “Yeah. I have to work. Breakfast is ready—eat slowly.” She waved lightly and left. As she exited the shantytown and headed toward Montiro’s entrance, a red spear blocked her path. Her lips trembled as she felt the black heart push against the backpack strap. “Good, it seems I was mistaken.” Felix, commander of the Spear Guard and the dark doctor who implanted the black hearts, slowly shook his head. “That Kayden you guided a month ago—he returned to his guild and has been living a debauched life. I was worried he might have blabbed, but it seems not.” “After all, you saw your sister die with your own eyes. You wouldn’t be stupid enough to try anything.” He lowered the spear. “Keep living for our sake. You have much to protect.” With that, he walked toward the hills. Even after he left, Rensia stood frozen for a long time. Forcing a doll-like smile, she headed down toward the shantytown. Suppressing her emotions was harder today. She reached into her pocket and touched Kayden’s coin, feeling a little calmer. ‘It’s fine. This is the best way.’ It had been a month since Kayden left Montiro. She’d feared he might barge back in, but that never happened. Truthfully, part of her wished he would return. His unassuming yet kind demeanor reminded her of the sister who raised her. But more than that, she hoped he wouldn’t come back. The darkness swallowing Montiro was too great for anyone to erase. ‘Nothing’s changed. I’ll protect the children in my sister’s stead.’ Wiping away the moisture in her eyes, she ran to Montiro’s gate. She had too much to protect to dwell on sorrow. Approaching tourists crossing the gate, she bowed and offered to guide them. But most refused, hiring younger children instead. Keeping her smile despite the heaviness in her chest, she approached travelers. “First time in Montiro? I was born here, so I can show you all the best places!” The blond-haired, blue-eyed man at the head of the group tilted his chin. “Yes! There’s nowhere in Montiro I don’t know!” She patted her chest with confidence. “Good. You’re hired.” He tossed her a silver coin. The way he flicked the coin reminded her of Kayden, making her chest tighten, but she bowed with a smile. “Here, take this first.” She handed each of the six a handmade flower necklace and laughed. “I’d like to see the sea.” “Yes! I’ll take you there!” Nodding, she led them to a nearby beach. “This is Montiro’s famous emerald sea! You can see straight through!” She spread her arms, saying you could swim, surf, and fish here. The blond man clicked his tongue. “Would it have changed in that time?” The slightly plump man chuckled. “Oh? You’ve been here before?” The blond man lifted his gaze. His blue eyes, like the emerald sea, strangely reminded her of someone she’d seen a month ago. Kayden. The man she’d shown her secret to, trying to send him away alive, was back in Montiro. She dropped the coin in her pocket onto the sand. “Why did you come? You promised to leave!” Her doll-like smile shattered. “I promised to leave. I didn’t promise not to come back.” “Are you stupid? I told you it’s dangerous here…” “I’m strong. No—we’re strong.” Golden flames rose in his blue eyes. “We’ll shatter this tank called Montiro.”