All eyes fixed on one point, sighs of awe escaping lips.

  Stepping under the glittering chandelier was a beauty in a pure white dress—or rather, Gloria in drag. Golden hair shimmering, pale skin bared from shoulders to chest, he looked undeniably feminine; no one would guess he was a man. Even Danan, seeing Gloria in the dress, had doubted it was him.

  “Gloria,” Danan said.

  “What’s up, Danan?” Gloria replied.

  “Our gear and weapons?”

  “No need to worry. They’ll be returned when we leave.”

  “…Got it.”

  Tugging at the unfamiliar suit’s collar, making a small gap, Danan scowled, glaring at the desire-fueled crowd.

  This social arena was a cauldron of intrigue and schemes. Snakes, sizing up others’ worth, poised to strike with venomous fangs if profitable. A gentleman arched his hands toward Gloria; a noblewoman fanned herself, appraising them from head to toe. A servant received whispered orders. The air, heavier and more ominous than when they arrived, pressed on Danan.

  He wanted out—now. Unconsciously, his hand gripped Heres’ hilt, the sheath and blade clinking faintly. Better to strike than be devoured. Clenching his teeth, radiating hostility, Danan felt a soft white hand on his.

  “Calm down, Danan,” Gloria said.

  “…”

  “Hold it together until we’re through. My goal’s almost done. You’ll escape the pleasure district safely. So… hang in there, Danan.”

  Tch-ing softly, Danan muttered, “…Yeah,” crossed his arms, and breathed deeply.

  In this world of power, he was powerless. Unlike blood-soaked battles, reading hidden intents and countering with words was foreign. Better to let Gloria handle this. Taking a cigarette from a butler’s tray, Danan lit it, exhaling purple smoke.

  “Young lady,” a well-dressed man approached Gloria, smiling, extending his hand.

  “Were you invited?” he asked.

  “Yes. And you are…?” Gloria replied.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  “I’m the chief of Silentium’s Welfare Division, here at Director Dick’s invitation. I had no idea a place like this existed in the undercity.”

  “Me neither. Silentium’s Welfare Division… that’s the department Commander Gloria champions, right? You’re on the fast track.”

  “Fast track? Hardly. I just do my job; my subordinates do the heavy lifting. Which division are you with?”

  “General Affairs. I’m here with my fiancé.”

  Gloria leaned into Danan, cheeks flushed, smiling coyly. Even acting, his ability to match the man’s tone made Danan sense a serpent’s cunning in him.

  “Your fiancé… him?” the man asked, eyeing Danan suspiciously.

  Understandably—beside the stunning Gloria, Danan was an alien in mid-city. Hawk-like eyes, ash-gray hair, scarred bronze skin, a combat-grade mechanical arm. Beauty and beast, cold severity and tender mercy.

  “Yes. He served long as a security soldier in the undercity. Harsh environments change people, don’t they? But he’s himself, and I’m me. Our love is unchanging. Right, Anonis?”

  Anonis? Danan’s fingers twitched.

  “He’s quiet… always was, but since returning to mid-city, nightmares haunt him. Doctors say it’s trauma.”

  “That’s unfortunate…”

  A convenient alias and fabricated tale. Gloria’s lies, drawing sympathy, matched a seasoned con artist—no, surpassed one. Impressed, Danan let the flow carry him, until red hair flickered in his peripheral vision.

  “Father? Your friend?” a girl asked, running to the man.

  Danan’s breath caught. Staring at the girl with flame-like hair, he muttered, “Impossible…”

  “Your daughter?” Gloria asked.

  “Yes, not by blood, but my dear child. I adopted her through an orphanage site Director Dick recommended—undercity origin.”

  “Orphanage site?”

  “Yes. The operator’s name is… something intense, like Crucible of Carnal Desire. They offer children free of genetic or mental defects. My wife can’t conceive, so I’m grateful to Director Dick.”

  Danan, drawn to the girl, reached for his shotgun.

  “Anonis? What’s wrong?” Gloria asked.

  “She can’t be alive,” Danan said.

  “Can’t be alive? What?”

  “That girl… she’s supposed to be dead! In the sewers! Why’s she alive?! Impossible… a sick joke! Stop screwing with me!”

  Screaming, half-mad, Danan roared at the girl. The man froze; the girl burst into tears.

  “Excuse us. He gets upset around kids. Anonis, let’s go. You need rest,” Gloria said.

  “Shut up…!” Danan growled.

  “Anonis!” Gloria’s slap echoed.

  “…Rest. You’re exhausted.”

  Rubbing his stinging cheek with his mechanical arm, Danan slumped into a chair, head bowed. The man, pulling the girl’s hand, hurried away.

  “…”

  “You,” a noblewoman said, sitting beside Danan, her masked eyes locked on the red-haired girl.

  “You talk tough,” she said.

  “…”

  “Leaving your pretty girlfriend alone?”

  “Cut the nonsense.”

  “So, what? Here to adopt a kid?”

  “…What?”

  “Or to claim a clone of a woman you loved? Men, always chasing phantoms.”

  Her sharp, dark eyes pierced Danan, but she fanned herself, smiling thinly.

  “Wrong? I thought you were here to become someone.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “What? Being here means that, doesn’t it? Strange man.”

  Standing, she surveyed the room, pointing.

  “Everyone’s fake here, wearing false personas to deceive and devour. You too, right, dark one?”

  A chill ran down Danan’s spine, the sweet rot piercing his nostrils.

  “No way… you’re—”

  Aeshma. The noblewoman, leader of the Crucible of Carnal Desire, flashed a warped, beautiful-ugly smile. “I won’t do anything now,” she murmured, approaching Gloria.