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She told me what happened, and here's what I learned.

The expander team stumbled upon a massive vault while expanding the ancient city. It was built by some long-forgotten country. Who made it didn't matter—what mattered was that the vault stood in the way of Synth's plan.

Synth first tried diplomacy, sending people to offer the vault's inhabitants a chance to abandon it and settle in the city. They refused. Synth tried again, and again, but the answer remained a firm no.

Left with no other choice, Synth resorted to violence, dispatching a group of Honors to destroy the vault. However, they hadn't expected the vault to have its own Honors—and a mysterious technology that absorbed half of an Honor's power, weakening them drastically.

So Synth called in Igor and his friends. They agreed to help.

Igor, a genius architect, could predict the vault's layout just by studying it from the outside. Thanks to him, the Honors found a way in.

What followed was a slaughter. Men, women, elders, children, even pets—none were spared.

But a few powerful Honors from the vault remained. Their tricky abilities made them formidable foes.

At the same time, Synth had discovered a mech—one capable of dodging attacks and neutralizing an Honor's power. The only problem: it had a will of its own and couldn't be controlled.

At least, not without a contract.

This matched what Yurim had told me—though I realized she hadn't shared the full truth.

Hansel didn't elaborate much about the contract either, only mentioning it in passing.

The mech fought fiercely, eliminating the vault's remaining defenders. With its task complete, it was Synth's turn to uphold their end of the contract.

Instead, Synth found a loophole—and, after a brutal struggle, managed to terminate the mech.

The vault was destroyed, its technology, resources, and shadow-related knowledge seized. Synth had gained much from that battle.

As I listened, something nagged at me. I finally asked, "I didn't hear anything about Calvin's death."

"It was the mech," she said. "In its final moments, it created a dome, trapping anyone inside. We don't know exactly how, but when we realized what was happening, Calvin was already inside. We tried to save him... but it was too late. The mech self-destructed." She took a sip, perhaps to steady herself after recounting the memory.

The air grew heavy with melancholy and regret.

"Why was Calvin there in the first place?" I frowned slightly.

"There were groups who opposed the operation. They'd stop at nothing—even killing innocents—so leaving Calvin unprotected was too dangerous.

We don't know how he ended up inside, but we suspect Igor had something to do with it. They argued beforehand. Maybe Calvin wanted to prove something to Igor... and got trapped in the process.

What Calvin was trying to prove... that, I don't know. Maybe Will or Chosen know." She explained calmly.

Will and Chosen—the two Honors involved in the massacre.

Will could create clones and fabricate nearly perfect memories of the dead. Chosen could forge any technology from his surroundings.

I only knew the barest glimpse of their powers, but it was enough to know they were not to be underestimated.

"Will and Chosen, huh," I muttered, feeling uneasy.

"What's wrong?" she asked, tilting her head. "You don't get along with them?"

"Something like that." I nodded and stood up. "Thanks for telling me all of this." I fished out a 500-coin and handed it to the bartender. He accepted it, slid open a shelf, and tucked the coin away.

"Leaving already?"

"Yeah. I don't have much time. Why?"

"Nothing strange. Just... someone's been watching us from outside," she said, casual as ever.

At her words, I sharpened my senses—and picked up the presence nearby.

A moment later, they vanished.

"He ran away," I said, narrowing my eyes. "Who do you think it was?"

"Now that you know about the massacre," she said, "maybe someone from Grim's Kitchen was sent to erase you."

"Isn't this great?" I said dryly. "I've always wanted to be on the run, chased by assassins."

"Have fun," she replied with a small smile.

"I wasn't serious," I muttered. Then I added, "By the way, do you know anyone from Grim's Kitchen who manipulates blood?"

"Manipulate blood..." She pinched her chin thoughtfully. "You must mean Teru. His powers aren't the strongest, but they are terrifying.

He can manipulate his blood like your smoke—and change its properties.

What makes him truly dangerous is his ability to control anything his blood covers."

"Is there a way to defeat him?"

"Kill him before he uses his power—or neutralize it," she said simply.

I was about to say something when she quickly asked, "How's Calvin?"

The question stunned me for a moment before I answered, "He's fine."

"Good." Relief softened her voice. "I can't do much for Igor's son anymore. But if you need anything, come find me."

She raised her palm, conjuring an orb of light that floated toward me. I grabbed it.

The light solidified into a blue gem, two long chains extending from it.

I stared at it for a moment, then slipped it around my neck.

"You can call me three times," she said, raising three fingers. "I'll meet you here." She tapped the floor with her index finger.

"Thank you," I said.

"It's the least I can do for someone helping Igor's kid.

I want to help him too... but if he gets involved with me, he'll only be in more danger."

Her voice carried a painful mixture of gratitude and regret.

"But Hansel, I—" I started, but caught myself. I shook my head.

"What is it?" she pressed.

"No, it's nothing."

She stared at me for a long moment.

"I don't know why you're helping the kid," she said at last, "but as long as he's safe, I won't kill you.

But if anything happens to him—then I'll be your death."

Her tone turned sharp and cold as ice.

"Rest easy," I said solemnly. "I won't let anyone harm him."

"I don't trust promises. They're always broken."

I smiled bitterly. "This time, I won't break it."

She studied me for a while, then smiled. "I expect good news from you, then."

I nodded slightly. Then something came to mind.

"By the way—did you meet Igor after he lost his son?"

"Yeah. I tried to support him... but being a famous Honor back then, I couldn't meet him casually.

If rumors spread, it could have ruined his career.

I didn't care about the rumors—but Igor's reputation mattered.

Still... I guess I should have been bold. If he was going to die anyway..." Her voice trailed off, tinged with regret.

"Do you know how—and why—Igor brought Calvin back to life?"

"Will's and Chosen's powers already give you the answer," she said simply.

"Back then, I suspected they were planning something—but they fooled me. Fooled me with sweet words and fabricated proof."

Her eyes dropped to the table, flickering with regret and fury. She fell silent for a moment.

"Sorry," I said quietly.

I hadn't meant to dredge up painful memories—but I had.