The Story I wrote

《Light Of Star 》

“Did you finish setting up the bombs?”

An old man lay prone in the grass, watching the road ahead through a pair of binoculars.

“Yes. I don’t think they’ll be able to see them.”

A young man panted as he reached the old man’s side.

“Good. I think now is the perfect time to relax.”

The old man smiled.

“Why do I always have to do the dirty work? I’ve never seen you do any real labor.”

The young man complained.

“Oh, Kitan, you’re young. Look at me—my hair is thinning, my skin is wrinkled. How could you bear to let an old man like me do this kind of work?”

The old man replied casually.

“I’m responsible for the thinking part. Experience, you see. Watch carefully and learn. Don’t you want to become a seasoned mercenary someday? Oh—hand me the controller.”

Kitan passed over the detonator.

“Isn’t this a bit too crude? And won’t it cause a huge commotion?”

“Trust me, Kitan. Hardly anyone uses this road. Besides, I didn’t plant the explosives, right?”

“Fuck you, Pulo.”

Kitan cursed.

“I like it when you talk like that.”

Pulo replied.

A black van was approaching…

“Wake up, Pulo! It’s coming!”

“Relax! I wasn’t asleep!”

Pulo lifted his head and stared at the van.

“Three… two… one.”

Pulo counted down and pressed the button.

A burst of fire erupted from the road, lighting up the surrounding darkness.

The van exploded and was soon engulfed in flames.

Without hesitation, Pulo rushed toward the burning vehicle, like a moth flying into fire.

“Wait for me!”

Kitan reacted a beat too late and followed after him.

“Get the crowbar. Pry open the trunk.”

Pulo ordered.

Kitan pulled out the crowbar and began forcing it open amid the flames, metal clanging violently against metal.

“It’s open!”

“Move.”

Pulo opened the rear door and climbed into the trunk.

“Well?”

Kitan asked from outside.

“Damn it! Fuck! We’ve been played! The Red Stone isn’t here!”

Pulo suddenly started shouting from inside the trunk.

Kitan looked at the completely empty trunk—and at Pulo standing alone inside it—and sneered:

“Great job, you experienced old bastard.”

———————————————————————

“As you can see, the vehicle we just sent out as bait has already been attacked. That’s why we had no choice but to hire the two of you to complete this job, Mr. Uto.”

A middle-aged man in a suit said to Uto.

“Looks like this little thing is pretty valuable. Aren’t you afraid I might just take it for myself?”

Uto replied.

“You’re joking, Mr. Uto. You know very well what the consequences of doing that would be.”

Uto thought for a moment.

“Oh, right, right. Then I guess I’ll give up on that idea. By the way, did you dig this thing up?”

he asked.

“It was indeed excavated, but not by me. I’m merely a middleman.”

“Then why wasn’t it robbed while it was being transported to you?”

Uto continued to ask, like a curious child.

“That’s because the information hadn’t spread yet. After all, the Koller Group was the first to discover this opportunity—first come, first served. But it only took a short time for the news to reach other factions. That’s why we can now only rely on professionals like you to escort it.”

The middleman explained patiently.

“I see… Hmm, I’m curious—where is my other friend?”

Uto asked again.

“Dex? He should be arriving soon.”

“Dex… hmm…”

Uto muttered to himself.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door.

The middleman went to open it.

“Hello, Mr. Dex.”

Uto waved and greeted him.

“Uh… hello.”

Dex nodded to Uto.

“This is Uto.”

The middleman introduced him.

“Then… hello, Uto.”

Dex greeted him once more.

“Don’t you think our names sound pretty similar? Like they go well together.”

Uto said to Dex.

“You mean like turning them into a dish?”

Dex replied.

“I’m afraid I only know how to cook instant noodles.”

Uto said.

Dex smiled faintly.

“I think we should return to the main topic now.”

The middleman interrupted.

———————————————————————

“As I explained to Mr. Uto earlier, the Red Stone has already been targeted. Sending ordinary people to deliver it would be suicide, so we had no choice but to hire professionals like you to transport it.”

The middleman said.

“I understand what needs to be done. I just want to know how we’re supposed to get there.”

Dex asked.

“Use whatever route you believe is safest. All travel expenses will be covered by the client. However, we strongly advise against using public transportation.”

The middleman replied.

“You’ll be heading north to the Koller Group headquarters in Davance. That will be your destination.”

After saying this, the middleman took out a silver, can-shaped container about half the length of an arm and placed it on the table.

“Take this, and you can depart at any time. Any other questions?”

“What if we fail to deliver it?”

Uto asked.

“Then you won’t receive any payment. Simple. I’m just a middleman—I don’t concern myself with what they plan to do with the Red Stone.”

Dex picked up the container from the table.

“Let’s go.”

The middleman remained seated, waving at them.

“I wish you a safe journey.”

———————————————————————

“Why doesn’t this dump even have a car rental?”

Uto complained.

Uto and Dex continued to wander around where they were.

“If you were running a car rental business in a place like this—barely populated and built around mining—would you want to open one?”

Dex replied.

“Fair point, Captain Dex.”

Uto said to Dex.

“What about taking the train?”

“What train?”

“What else could it be? You know—long, all in one piece.”

“Didn’t they specifically tell us not to use public transportation?”

“You really want to walk across this wasteland instead? Besides, that train probably doesn’t have many passengers. And this whole thing just started—no one should be watching us yet.”

Uto tried to persuade Dex to take the unmanned train.

Dex hesitated for a moment.

“Well...”

———————————————————————

The two sat side by side in an empty train car.

It was quiet. Outside the window stretched a vast, desolate wilderness.

“So we’ll take this train to a more developed area, then rent a car from there,”

Dex said, laying out the plan for Uto.

“Hmm… how long have you been doing this?”

Uto suddenly asked.

“I… almost four years… yeah, probably four years,”

Dex answered hesitantly.

“I’d only taken two jobs before this one,”

Uto added, without being asked.

“Did you like it? Did it go smoothly?”

Dex pressed.

“Eh… the money comes pretty easily. This line of work isn’t as deadly as people make it sound. Heh.”

“So what exactly did you do?”

“First job was helping someone hunt.”

As Uto spoke, he gestured toward the simple compound bow strapped to his back.

“The second one was helping someone get his stuff back.”

“Get it back?”

Dex replied.

“And you’re sure it was actually his?”

“Wasn’t it?”

Uto said, startled.

“Oh man… guess that guy lied to me. But since he paid properly, I’ll let it slide.”

Dex smiled slightly after hearing that.

“You wouldn’t lie to me, would you?”

Uto asked.

“That depends on whether you’re worth lying to,”

Dex replied.

“So you still haven’t decided yet?”

Uto asked.

“Not yet,”

Dex answered.

Silence settled in.

Only the low hum of wheels grinding against the rails remained.

“Didn’t expect this train to actually be completely empty,”

Dex remarked.

“Yeah. The drivers are all AI now.”

There was a hint of melancholy in Uto’s voice.

“Hard to imagine what humans will even need to do in a few years.”

“Think,”

Dex said.

“Humans just need to think.”

“Think?”

Uto countered.

“I don’t really believe people today like thinking. Compared to the past, they lack depth.”

“That doesn’t sound like something you would say,”

Dex replied.

“But maybe it’s not that people lack depth—maybe it’s just the people you’ve met.”

“What do you mean that doesn’t sound like me?”

Uto protested.

“Listen, I’m smart. And perceptive.”

“Yeah…”

Dex said.

“I can tell.”

———————————————————————

“Quiet… I think I hear something,”

Uto suddenly raised his hand.

Dex fell silent as well, listening.

Now it wasn’t just the sound of the train anymore—

another buzzing noise cut in, growing closer.

Dex leaned his head out the window.

A masked rider was pacing the train on a motorcycle, chasing alongside it.

His entire body was almost completely wrapped in fabric.

Dex pulled his head back inside.

“Stay sharp. We’ve got company,”

Dex warned Uto.

“Roger that, Captain Dex!”

“You don’t have to call me captain. This isn’t the time for jokes.”

The two stood up, bracing themselves.

The train suddenly jolted.

Clear footsteps echoed above them—shoes striking metal on the roof.

“I’m really nervous… do you think he’s going to kill us?”

Uto asked, frightened.

“Wanna make a bet on who dies first?”

Dex shot back quickly.

The footsteps stopped abruptly.

Suddenly, a metal sphere about the size of an orange dropped in front of them,

hitting the floor with a dull metallic thud.

“Back!”

They jumped away as the sphere instantly burst, releasing thick black gas.

The entire car filled with the eerie smoke.

“Do you think this gas is toxic?”

Uto asked, staring into the dense black fog.

“Why don’t you go sniff it yourself and find out,”

Dex replied impatiently.

A bullet suddenly tore through the smoke, narrowly missing them both.

They reacted instantly, diving for cover behind the seats.

A silhouette emerged from the black mist.

“Is he ugly or something, so he has to wrap himself up like that? Jesus…”

Uto whispered.

“More likely the sun’s brutal out here. Good for skin protection,”

Dex replied.

The figure advanced steadily toward them.

Dex slipped a pair of knuckle-dusters onto his hands.

When the man got close enough, Dex sprang up and threw a punch.

The blow landed squarely on his face.

The man’s pistol slipped from his hand and hit the floor.

Seeing the opening, Uto rushed forward, grabbed the gun, and aimed it at him.

The masked man quickly retreated, regaining his balance.

“I’ll give you that—you’re brave. Charging in alone like this,”

Dex said.

The masked man slowly backed away, raising his hands.

“I’m not stupid. I know I can’t take both of you,”

he said calmly.

Suddenly, a bolt of electricity shot in through the window,

striking Uto while he was holding the gun.

Uto convulsed and collapsed to the floor.

Dex immediately ducked lower.

“Nice shot, Tano,”

the masked man muttered.

Clearly, he hadn’t come alone.

Out on a distant hill in the wasteland,

another sniper—dressed the same—lowered his rifle.

His name was Tano.

He packed up the sniper rifle, mounted his motorcycle,

and began racing toward the train.

“We’re only after the money. Not your lives,”

the masked man said, pointing at the redstone on Dex’s waist.

“So hand it over.”

Dex gripped the container.

“Couldn’t you at least ask more politely?”

he snapped, charging forward with his knuckle-dusters.

The two grappled violently inside the carriage.

With the knuckle-dusters, Dex quickly gained the upper hand.

They fought their way back toward Uto’s fallen body.

The masked man suddenly grabbed the dropped pistol and aimed it at Dex.

Dex clamped down on his wrist—but the gun still fired.

The bullet tore into Dex’s thigh.

The situation flipped.

The masked man now had the advantage,

forcing half of Dex’s body out through the window,

trying to throw him off the train.

Dex struggled with everything he had.

At that critical moment—

An arrow pierced the masked man’s body.

He turned in shock.

Uto was standing behind him.

Uto’s hand still gripped the arrow embedded in the man’s torso.

The masked man faltered.

Dex seized the moment, twisted his body free,

and hurled the man out through the window.

“Nice work, Uto,”

Dex said, panting.

Suddenly—another electric shot struck Dex.

“Damn it…”

Dex cursed as his body collapsed uncontrollably.

Tano had reached the train.

Uto reacted instantly.

During Tano’s reload, Uto rushed him, grabbed the barrel of the weapon,

and kicked him hard in the stomach.

Tano stumbled back.

Uto pulled his bow off his back and awkwardly swung it like a club.

Tano blocked with his forearm.

Realizing the situation was turning bad, Tano began retreating.

The two grappled, stumbling toward the rear of the train.

They reached the last carriage.

Cornered, Tano pulled out a backup stun gun and fired without hesitation.

Uto was hit again—

another forced full-body shutdown.

His consciousness faded, and he collapsed.

Tano dragged his body toward the rear door.

He pried it open.

The train roared onward.

Outside—desert and rails blurred past.

Just as Tano was about to throw Uto out—

A gunshot rang out.

The bullet slammed into Tano’s shoulder.

He lost his footing, fell backward,

and was swallowed by the rushing darkness outside the train.

Dex limped forward, dragging Uto back inside.

Clutching his bleeding leg,

Dex slumped to the floor—

silent, steady, and breathing hard.

———————————————————————

By afternoon,

Uto was half-carrying Dex into a small-town clinic.

“Doctor? Could you give us a hand?”

Uto pushed open the clinic door and called inside.

A middle-aged doctor leaned out from the back room,

took one look at them, and waved them in.

Uto helped Dex onto the operating chair.

The doctor straightened his tools, stepped forward,

and without another word began treating Dex’s wound.

“Man… I was actually getting pretty hungry,”

Uto said, glancing at the injury before quickly turning his head away.

“Now that you mention it…”

Dex said weakly, leaning back in the chair.

“Could you grab some food for me?”

“There was a fast-food place I passed on the way here,”

Uto replied.

“Perfect. Oh—and don’t get anything with cheese,”

Dex added.

“You’re allergic to cheese? I never knew. That’s tragic,”

Uto said.

“It’s not an allergy,”

Dex shot back.

“Don’t you think that stuff smells awful and tastes way too salty?”

“Smells awful and salty? You’re calling something that delicious awful?”

“Sigh… guess you’re all the same,”

Dex muttered.

“Fine. Just don’t bring me cheese.”

“Roger that, Captain Dex!”

Uto said cheerfully.

“Doctor, do you want anything?”

“Huh? Me?”

The doctor said while working on the wound.

“No. I just hope you remember to pay when this is over.”

“Doctor, you really don’t trust us that much?”

Uto protested.

“We don’t exactly look like bad people, do we?”

“You saying that makes me even more nervous,”

the doctor replied.

“Don’t mind him, doctor,”

Dex said.

“He’s just like that. We’ll definitely pay.”

———————————————————————

Uto returned to the clinic carrying a large bag of food.

“Your friend’s condition isn’t too bad,”

the doctor said.

“The bullet didn’t have much stopping power, so the injury isn’t serious. Still, he should avoid putting too much force on that leg.”

After speaking, the doctor pulled out a small ziplock bag containing the bullet.

Dex walked out from the room just then.

“That’d make a nice souvenir,”

Dex joked, pointing at the bullet in the doctor’s hand.

“Then I imagine you’ve got quite a collection already,”

Uto replied.

“Don’t eat any of that inside the clinic,”

the doctor reminded them.

“Take it outside.”

The two stepped out of the clinic.

Dex reached into the bag, grabbed a meat wrap at random,

and started devouring it.

“By the way, shouldn’t we rent a car around here?”

Uto asked.

“Oh—now I’m regretting not asking the doctor,”

Dex suddenly sighed.

“You didn’t ask?”

“Relax. I’m kidding. I did,”

Dex said, shifting his tone.

“Yeah, I knew it. You’re smart,”

Uto replied.

———————————————————————

“So, are you looking for something practical, or maybe a luxury car you can show off in?”

the rental agent asked the two of them.

“I’ve got everything.”

“We need something that can take a beating,”

Uto answered immediately.

“…Take a beating?”

The rental agent paused, clearly confused.

———————————————————————

Night had fallen.

The two pulled a heavy pickup truck to a stop beside a tavern.

“But I really can’t drink,”

Uto complained to Dex again.

“You’re old enough, Uto. What’s there to be scared of?”

Dex tried to coax him.

“What’s so great about alcohol anyway?”

Uto argued.

“It smells nice, sure, but it’s less exciting than soda. And it damages your brain. I’m already dumb enough.”

“Whoa, whoa—hold on.”

Dex cut him off while stepping out of the truck.

“Who told you all that? Something this charming, and you make it sound like poison.”

Uto followed him inside without realizing it.

“You came too?”

“I’ll just watch you drink. Coke’s enough for me.”

They sat down at a table.

“Two full bottles of whiskey,”

Dex told the server.

“And a large bottle of cola.”

“Two whole bottles? You can finish that?”

Uto questioned him.

“One for now, one for the road,”

Dex replied.

“And the client’s covering the expenses.”

“Didn’t expect you to be such an alcoholic…”

Uto muttered.

“Cola’s for little kids,”

Dex shot back.

“I’m not denying I’m a little kid.”

The drinks arrived.

They settled into the moment.

Warm yellow lights filled the tavern.

Conversations hummed softly beneath a live jazz performance—

present, but never intrusive.

“Hmm… maybe mix some of my whiskey into your cola,”

Dex suggested, pouring a little into Uto’s bottle.

Uto didn’t stop him.

“So?”

Dex asked expectantly.

“Mm… it’s actually good,”

Uto said.

“Is whiskey sweet?”

“Of course it is. What, did you expect it to be bitter?”

“Wine is bitter.”

“This isn’t wine.”

“Well, since it’s sweet… I kinda want to try it properly now.”

“Then say it.”

Dex filled Uto’s bottle all the way.

Uto leaned in and sniffed,

then took a small sip.

“Oh my god… am I drinking a beverage or pure alcohol?”

he frowned.

“You need to focus,”

Dex advised.

Uto smacked his lips lightly.

“I think… I can taste something else now.”

He began to savor it carefully…

“So the client really covers all travel expenses?”

Uto suddenly asked.

“Absolutely,”

Dex said lazily.

“You could order two bottles. Ten bottles. Doesn’t matter.”

And with that,

Uto started accepting the whiskey.

“After drinking this…”

he murmured slowly,

“…I feel kind of relaxed…”

“Does this stuff… give you erotic dreams?”

“Only if you want it to,”

Dex replied.

It was deep into the night now.

Snow was falling outside, lightly covering the roads and rooftops.

Only a few streetlights struggled to hold back the darkness.

Uto was leaning against a utility pole, throwing up.

Dex stood nearby, laughing uncontrollably—

though he could barely stand himself.

“Didn’t expect… cough… before those dreams…”

Uto slurred,

“…there’d be a trial like this…”

Dex kept laughing.

And then—

still laughing—

he started throwing up too.

———————————————————————

Uto slowly opened his eyes.

He was lying alone on a bed in a quiet, unfamiliar small room.

From outside the room, he could faintly hear the chattering sound of a television.

Sunlight filtered weakly through the curtains, illuminating dust in the air—

appearing, then disappearing.

Like the universe.

Uto sat up and looked around like an idiot, taking everything in.

He pulled the curtains open and saw nothing but white outside—

thick snow piled everywhere, snowflakes still drifting down.

After three or four minutes, he got out of bed and walked to the door,

opening it just a crack to peek outside.

He thought he saw a familiar figure sitting on the living room sofa.

Suddenly, the door was pulled open.

A young woman’s face appeared in front of him.

“I’m not a bad person. Your friend is sitting on the sofa in the living room,”

she said bluntly.

Uto froze for a moment.

“So… is he alive or dead right now?”

The girl gave him a strange look.

After hesitating, she replied,

“Yes. He’s dead. I chopped him into pieces and neatly arranged them on the sofa.”

Uto walked toward the living room.

Dex was sitting on the couch with one leg crossed over the other, watching TV.

“The little prince is awake?”

Dex said, his eyes still on the screen.

“Whose house are we in?”

Uto asked.

“The lady standing behind you,”

Dex replied, still not looking away from the TV.

Uto turned around.

The girl was standing silently behind them,

forcing a stiff smile.

“That’s right. This is my house. I live alone.”

She paused.

“And… my name is Oshmy.”

“What time is it?”

Uto asked.

“Three in the afternoon,”

Oshmy answered.

“So I was out for over ten hours?”

Uto said.

“What about you, Dex? When did you wake up?”

“I got up about two hours ago… yeah, probably two,”

Dex replied.

At that point, Uto casually opened the fridge.

“There are egg tarts in here! I love egg tarts!”

he exclaimed.

“What are you doing, Uto?”

Dex scolded him.

“Digging through someone else’s fridge isn’t very gentlemanly.”

“Did you make these yourself? Can I eat one?”

Uto asked Oshmy.

“I don’t actually know how to make egg tarts,”

she said.

“If you want one, go ahead. You can heat it up.”

“Guess you like egg tarts too, then,”

Uto said.

“Dex, do you want one?”

“I don’t like to eat anything right now, you can have them all,”

Dex replied.

“Is it because they look like cheese?”

Uto pressed on.

“Then what’s your favorite food?”

“Hmm…”

Dex thought for a moment.

“Probably cashews.”

“Do you have cashews?”

Uto immediately asked Oshmy.

“Heh. Sorry—no,”

Oshmy replied with a dry laugh.

“Damn……”

Dex muttered under his breath—

whether out of disbelief or admiration for Uto, it was hard to tell.

———————————————————————

Outside, the snow was still falling heavily, piling up thick on the ground.

Dex and Uto clearly had no intention of setting off again anytime soon.

“So… yesterday? Or today…”

Uto asked.

“What exactly did we go through?”

“We drank,”

Dex replied.

They were all sprawled on the couch, the atmosphere oddly comfortable.

The lights were off, leaving the room dim.

“Even with my headphones on while gaming last night,”

Oshmy said,

“I could still hear your creepy laughter.”

“Creepy laughter?”

Uto looked confused.

“Pretty sure that was you,”

Dex said.

“Mm…”

Uto hesitated.

“Can’t deny that.”

“Listen, handsome gentlemen,”

Oshmy cut in.

“That’s not the point. If I hadn’t been kind enough, you’d both be popsicles by now.”

“She’s right. You should say thank you, Uto,”

Dex instructed.

“Oh?”

Uto said teasingly.

“So you’ve decided to let me be the only good person here?”

“In that case, I’m very grateful—to both of you.”

“No,”

Dex added quickly.

“I already thanked her.”

“Then I guess I can only thank one person,”

Uto said.

“Much appreciated, miss.”

“What’s my name?”

Oshmy suddenly asked.

“Uh…”

Uto pretended to think.

“Alice?”

“Incorrect. It’s Oshmy,”

she replied flatly.

“Oshmy, huh?”

Uto nodded.

“Yeah… that’s a pretty easy name to remember.”

———————————————————————

“I think I could totally handle this game. I could play this.” Uto pointed at a game on the computer screen and said to Oshmy.

“You’re very observant. That one does suit you quite well,” Oshmy replied.

“Exactly. I always am.”

At that moment, Dex pushed the door open inappropriately.

“You… Uto,” Dex began.

“Huh?” Uto looked slightly nervous, still holding the game controller.

“You… where did you put the red stone?” Dex asked sternly.

“Well… didn’t you say I should carry it earlier?” Uto’s hands dropped along with the controller.

“Is the atmosphere getting tense?” Oshmy said casually from her chair.

“In the car. I left it in the car,” Uto told Dex.

“Then you’d better be more careful…” Dex gave him a mild warning. “You’d better go get it now.” He tossed the car keys to Uto.

Uto put down the controller and caught the keys.

“What if I don’t find it in the car?” Uto asked as he walked toward the door.

Dex did not respond.

Uto crossed the living room with the keys and walked to the front door.

The moment he opened it, a tall figure appeared outside, along with a gust of cold wind sweeping into the house.

The man was tall and neatly dressed, wearing a long white parka. A handgun hung at his waist. He looked middle-aged.

“You must be pretty good at French, right?” Uto asked him casually, like he’d known him for years.

“En effet, certain,” the man replied.

“Bonjo… okay, I don’t understand,” Uto admitted.

Dex walked over at that moment, already wearing brass knuckles.

The stranger noticed this, yet remained calm.

“Who are you?” Dex asked as he stepped forward.

“Auralen. I was sent here, just like you. However, I prefer not to advocate violence. I can offer a higher price to buy it,” Auralen replied evenly.

“Buy what?” Uto asked.

Auralen’s cold gaze shifted toward Uto.

“How much are you offering?” Dex asked.

“We can offer 2.5 times the price,” Auralen answered.

“That’s a pretty good deal,” Uto said, nodding as he looked at Dex.

“Don’t you remember the contract we signed? Unless this is my final job before retirement,” Dex asked Uto.

“Gentlemen, I should remind you that negotiation is not my only method of achieving my goal,” Auralen warned them.

At that moment, Oshmy stepped out of her room, looking at the sudden scene.

“Did you invite another guest?” she asked the three men standing together.

All three turned to look at her.

“I’m not sure. Maybe he’s here for the egg tarts. Do you like egg tarts?” Uto asked Oshmy, then glanced back at Auralen.

Auralen ignored Uto. But when he saw Oshmy, he quietly lowered his stance. His eyes scanned the room as if searching for something.

“Oshmy, I’m sorry for dragging you into this. We—” Dex began.

“No. For now, I won’t fight you. I don’t wish to trouble this lady,” Auralen interrupted. “I will not become a reckless man. That is my creed.”

“How gentlemanly. We should learn from you,” Uto teased.

Auralen said nothing more. He gave Uto and Dex one last look, then turned and walked away into the falling snow.

Dex stood by the window, watching as Auralen walked farther and farther away without looking back. Yet Dex still felt uneasy.

Auralen simply left like that, and the atmosphere inside returned to calm.

“My God, that felt like a dream,” Uto sighed.

“Then you should wake up. This isn’t time to sleep,” Dex replied.

“So… do I still need to bring the red stone in?” Uto asked cautiously.

“Forget it. It’s more dangerous if we bring it inside. But I hope you really did leave it in the car,” Dex said seriously.

“O-Of course,” Uto answered.

“When the weather clears up, we leave immediately. We can’t keep dragging innocent Oshmy into this,” Dex said.

“Seems like I’ve invited two very important figures,” Oshmy joked.

“That’s right. You should feel honored,” Uto laughed.

———————————————————————

A flame flickered to life, lighting the cigarette between Oshmy’s lips.

She leaned against the balcony railing outside, looking distant, almost melancholic.

The snow had stopped.

The sky was gray.

The small town was quiet.

Uto stepped out from inside.

Smoke from the cigarette curled around Oshmy’s face.

“Why did you come out?” Oshmy asked.

“Should I go back in?”

“It’s fine. You’re already out here.”

She took another drag.

Uto walked over and leaned against the railing beside her.

“Is your job… dangerous?” Oshmy asked.

“I didn’t know before. Now I realize it’s lethal — at least for me.”

“You’re lucky. You’re still alive. What makes you keep doing it?”

“What else do you think?”

Oshmy didn’t answer.

Uto noticed and simply nodded.

“How long have we been staying here?” Uto asked.

“Three and a half days,” she replied after thinking for a moment.

“You live here alone in this little house? How do you make money?”

“I write things online. Make a little from that. It’s not stable. I worked as a cashier nearby for a while, but the weather’s been bad lately, so I stopped going.”

“What do you write?”

“Uh… just things I make up.”

“What kind?”

“Different kinds. But I don’t write overly sentimental stuff.”

“I could’ve guessed that. You live alone… don’t you have someone? A companion or something?”

“No. I don’t really have friends. You could say none. I’m not good at being around people.”

“I can tell.”

“Most people are noisy. Like bodies… without any charm given to them.”

“That’s harsh. So tell me… do I look like a body that’s been given charm?” Uto asked with a smile.

“Do you have many friends?”

“Most people think I’m a freak. But there are a few who are patient with me. I think those are my friends.”

“Sounds like not many,” Oshmy said lightly.

“What? You want a lot of friends?”

“Yes. Though one or two would be enough.”

“Then I guess you’re really lonely, Miss Oshmy.”

“Aren’t you?” she asked.

“Loneliness can be a kind of charm. Though that makes me sound like some kind of alpha wolf.”

“So you’re an alpha wolf now?” she teased.

“Of course. I am the alpha wolf. Oh—”

He raised one hand and pretended to howl.

Oshmy shook her head slightly and laughed.

“You’re funny.”

“Always.” Uto replied.

Dex stepped outside.

“Looks like you two are having quite the moment. Hate to interrupt.”

He glanced at Uto.

“Time to move. Don’t tell me you’re going to miss Oshmy.”

“Both we do. Aren’t ya, Captain Dex ?”

“If I were,” Dex said with a small shrug, “I wouldn’t be cut out for this job.”

Then he looked toward the house.

“Miss Oshmy, mind if we borrow the snow shovel?”

———————————————————————

Dex cleared the snow off the car.

“All set. Go return it.”

He handed the shovel to Uto.

“That fast? Guess your leg’s doing pretty well.”

Uto gave his injured leg a light kick.

Dex suddenly collapsed.

“Ah—Ugh……”

He clutched his leg, groaning dramatically.

Uto froze.

“You’re acting. You have to be acting. You didn’t even make a sound when the bullet was still in there!”

Dex’s groaning stopped instantly.

“Yes. I’m acting.”

He stood up calmly and brushed the snow off his coat.

Uto stared at him, shook his head, and walked back toward the house with the shovel.

“We’re heading out,” Uto said as he returned it.

Oshmy looked at him for a moment, then nodded and gave a small wave.

The car door shut.

Uto dropped into the passenger seat and started digging around inside the car.

“Told you. The Red Stone was in here.”

He held it up proudly, show that to Dex

Dex glanced at it.

“So proud of ya.”

“Of course it is,” Uto said with a grin. “Of course.”