"I've arranged the documents about the illegal deeds of the Black Rose Guild, which would also be delivered to the Awakener Association as they requested since it seems Rowan was merely one of the ringleaders.
"We've also urged those who were bystanders, the other members of the guild proven to be innocent, to testify against their Guild Master and other executives proven to be involved. However, it seems the higher-ups wanted an immediate execution."
The Mist Squad Captain's female secretary, whose class was a Sorcerer, informed Samantha Morgath who was seated at the table already filled with a mountain of papers; she was lost in thought for some reason.
"...Captain?"
The secretary, with a pair of purple eyes over silver-rimmed eyeglasses, together with her cascading shoulder-length platinum hair at this time of cold night, couldn't help but query in wonder.
"Uh– come again?"
Samantha was snapped out from her little reverie; in her tender hand was a pen she was unconsciously fidgeting with.
"Captain, when I saw you this morning, you seemed more delightful than usual. But now, you seem to be in your own world after we got back from the renowned hospital of District 5, Zone 5. Did something happen?"
"..."
Samantha paused for a moment; her vision from earlier seemed to have caught her brother's back and side profile, albeit momentarily.
No... Even if it's really Oppa, I shouldn't pry too much in his business.
Knowing her brother as a shut-in was not a valid reason that he hadn't done any form of socializing; maybe he had a friend at the hospital, she thought.
But why did he ignore me- No, I get it. It just doesn't make sense he'd interrupt me amidst those information-hungry reporters.
Samantha sighed.
"Nothing. I was just surprised that bastard Rowan took off to meet his father who died at the same time of the arrest against him. Whether it's coincidence or cruel fate, it doesn't matter."
It was just surprising, to say the least.
Everything that the Black Rose Guild had built crumbled in an instant the moment their Guild Master was caught. But instead of running away, he lost all rationality and decided to see his father one last time.
"I guess even evil has its flaws."
Seeing the Squad Captain's usual demeanor, the secretary reiterated her report, her expression stern yet somewhat relieved.
In the end, based on the higher-up's request, aside from the Family Head, who couldn't be bothered regarding such trivial cases, Rowan and anyone guilty in his dealings would be immediately executed in secret under the law of the Phantasm Clan.
"Tell the warden to line them up."
With Samantha's command, the secretary heeded the order as she slightly lowered her head before leaving the captain's office.
"Yes, Captain."
***
The Phantasm Tower of the Phantasm Clan was a lofty infrastructure that seemed to reach the clouds in the sky. However, this massive building also extended deep in the ground similar to tree roots extended beneath the earth, harboring numerous floors mainly utilized for the internal affairs of the clan.
That being said, a vast prison and execution chamber for criminals was not out of the option.
On the 13th Floor underground of this very tower, peculiarly enough, there were no prisoners in holding cells, at least nothing that could be identified as humans.
After all, anyone who threatened the clan in any way or form, be it physical harm against authority or through defamation without actual evidence, and in most cases, using the clan's name itself for mere self-gain, would be outrightly executed.
This was the apparent display of separation between civil law imposed by the current government or the Awakener Association and the clan law of Phantasm Clan, among the eleven others.
"I-I don't want to die!"
"Forgive us! We won't use the clan's name anymore! Please!"
"The Guild Master threatened us that if we didn't do his bidding, he'd go after our families!"
In an open ground quite similar to the old Roman Empire's Colosseum, specifically for the purpose of execution, the cries of the guilty echoed.
Yet it was futile.
The Phantasm Clan wouldn't conduct such a purge without solid evidence.
"What a pity."
In her casual attire, black shirt and black pants, Samantha spoke, her voice chilling.
Behind her was the secretary, and a burly man known only as the Monster Warden, who was tasked to oversee the imprisoned monsters for the sake of research.
She then continued, saying,
"Are those your last words?"
"...!"
Samantha then raised her right index finger as if to gesture for them to zip their mouths.
In one moment, on her fingertip, a finger-size pink diamond-shaped crystal emanating a pink glow materialized.
"Rowan..."
"..."
The Black Rose Guild Master remained silent at the Mist Squad Captain's words; it was evident that he lost his will to live.
He wanted to rip apart the bastard who killed his father. However, the moment he entered the lion's den, only being mauled would be his fate.
It was no use.
"...and all of you kneeling on this ground at this moment... You very much know your transgressions."
In the next moment, the pink crystal hovering and tranquilly spinning over her finger multiplied before gently entering through the forehead of everyone.
Samantha remained composed, and said,
"Skill, Fragility."
The next thing the guilty knew was that their cries stopped, and as though they were fragile glass, their bodies cracked before shattering to oblivion, clattering on the floor as mere fragments of history that would be soon forgotten.
***
On the night of Rowan's arrest and disbandment of the Black Rose Guild.
Lucian sat on the lounge chair, just outside the particular patient's room where the white ghost girl's unconscious mother was staying.
Kim Sana, on the other hand, looked at him and spoke with her voice trembling.
"C-come with me, please... I-I don't think I can do this alone."
Lucian had already informed the receptionist that he was the patient's daughter's friend, who recently passed away in an accident, which meant that entering the assigned patient's room wouldn't be considered an illegal intrusion, at the very least.
He took a deep breath and decided to accompany Kim Sana despite various thoughts flooding his mind.
Finding himself in the patient's room, Lucian saw her mother lying on the medical bed in deep slumber; uncertainties were what surrounded her fate.
He then prompted the daughter, saying,
"Go... and be with your mother."
Even though she could not physically interact with the world, Kim Sana still sensed her mother's warmth as she grasped her hand engraved with roughness, the signs of being a hard-working woman.
Lucian observed in silence; he didn't know why, but being here was oddly melancholic.
It was as though his heart was resonating with a desire deep-rooted in his subconscious.
However, maybe his presence alone served as Kim Sana's courage to bid farewell to her mother before she gained eternal rest.
"Mom... I–I"
"..."
"I–I'm sorry, Mom! Wah!"
Her crystalline tears poured out as she sobbed uncontrollably.
Ghost or human...
It seems the only difference between the two is who could feel and see them.
"S-sorry. Sorry! I-I wasn't able to help... Sorry, Mom!"
Sniff.
Her tears only dissipated, unable to reach the cold floor.
Her emotions were overwhelming; if there was a way, she wouldn't want to leave her mother's side.
She was this close.
Yet so far.
"G-Goodbye, Mom..."
Kim Sana released her trembling hand.
Any second longer felt like letting go would become incredibly harder to the point of impossibility.
Turning around, she looked at Lucian, whose expression was evidently serene.
She didn't know his circumstances, but she sensed that he was holding something back.
"Let's go... Oppa."
Kim Sana was an only child, so she used this chance to at least get some closure before reaching her end.
Lucian simply nodded.
As they turned around, two drops of tears slid down her mother's cheeks.
***
"What's next, Oppa?"
Kim Sana asked, her voice, as well as her expression, was peaceful.
Meanwhile, as they casually exited the known hospital of District 5, Zone 5, a few panels from the [ Cosmic Fall System ] alerted him.
[ Ding! ]
[ You have fulfilled the wandering soul's desire. ]
[ Pray for her eternal rest. ]
It was the last step of the arduous daily quest.
Should I go to church? There's one nearby.
It was an absurd idea, which prompted the system, specifically the mysterious entity that seemed related to it, to inform him.
[ The Remnant of Damnation says that true prayer does not need a sanctuary. ]
[ Only through one's heart will a prayer truly resonate and be heard. ]
Lucian was momentarily at a loss for words.
"Let's go to your home first. Lead the way."
After some time, within the same district and zone, Lucian arrived at an average abode in a quiet neighborhood.
It was not anything grand, but not too lacking either.
The house was not maintained for some time, and surprisingly, the door was unlocked.
After inviting himself over, Lucian gestured for Kim Sana to sit on the floor. He then did the same; both of them were sitting in a lotus position.
Seeing each other eye to eye, he couldn't help but ask,
"Are you... okay?"
"I am, Oppa... Thank you!"
Lucian let out a deep sigh.
"Close your eyes."
Kim Sana complied, and he followed suit as he also closed his glimmering amethyst eyes.
A prayer...
I am not exactly religious myself.
More so when every orthodox religion was wiped out from humanity's cultures after the Era of Heaven's arrival that shattered and reshaped everything.
But Lucian still prayed.
"Let this wandering soul enter the paradise of peace–"
[ Ding! ]
However, the prompt from the system distracted him before he could finish, especially when it sounded different.
Like... it was aggressive!
[ Warning! ]
Involuntarily opening his eyes, Lucian saw a blood-red frame.
[ Warning! ]
[ Paradise cannot be found! ]
...
[ The wandering soul will be lost for eternity if you end the prayer! ]
[ Find a place and declare it as your own paradise! ]
[ Only then the wandering soul would have her new home. ]
What...?!