The sharp chime of a phone notification snapped Zigh back to reality.

  Message: Your order is on the way. Thank you.

  Zigh let out a long, weary sigh. "Lian, the soup is coming."

  Lian leaned back, massaging his temples with a frail hand. "I see..."

  "Does your head feel heavy?" Zigh asked, his voice softening with genuine concern.

  "A little," Lian murmured, his voice barely audible.

  Zigh stood up, smoothing out his clothes. "You should rest for a bit, Lian."

  Lian gave a weak nod. With a faint, fleeting smile, Zigh stepped out of the room. Behind him, Outer followed silently, clinging to his shoes like a living shadow.

  Zigh made his way to the kitchen and slumped into a dining chair. He closed his eyes for a moment, seeking a second of peace. At least the contract between Lian and me is sealed, he thought. Opening his eyes, he steeled his resolve. "Right. Now, the priority is Lian’s recovery."

  Outer watched him from the corner of the room, unblinking.

  Zigh stood up and opened the refrigerator, pulling out five apples. He washed them thoroughly under the sink. "He likes apples, doesn't he? Apple juice should pair well with the soup," he muttered to himself.

  He sliced the apples, cored them, and tossed them into the blender. With a press of a button, the machine roared to life, pulverizing the fruit into a smooth liquid in seconds. Once finished, he poured the juice into a glass and tucked it into the fridge to chill.

  Zigh exhaled. "Done. Now, time to order some orange juice for myself."

  He pulled out his phone again, scrolling through a delivery app until he found a nearby juice stall. "One XL orange juice," he muttered, hitting the order button. He then walked to the living room and collapsed onto the sofa.

  Rubbing the back of his neck, Zigh felt the weight of the day. This is the first time I’ve had to care for someone with such an extraordinary—and high-pressure—personality, he mused.

  He glanced toward the window overlooking the garden. Not to mention Outer... a being that could erase me, or even this entire world, in an instant.

  "But how exactly would Outer even do it?" Zigh wondered aloud.

  Suddenly, Outer flashed a grin. His teeth were sharp and impossibly white, catching the glint of the ceiling light.

  "Never mind. The more I think about it, the more nonsensical it becomes," Zigh said, trying to shake off the chill.

  The living room fell into an abrupt, heavy silence. A cold draft seemed to crawl up Zigh's spine. Outer is here... but since when? Don't tell me he’s been following me since I left the bedroom, Zigh thought, a bead of sweat forming on his brow.

  The doorbell rang, breaking the tension.

  Zigh hurried to the gate.

  A courier stood waiting. "Orange juice for Mr. Zigh Eosvile."

  "Yes, that’s me," Zigh replied, taking the drink. "Thank you."

  As the courier left, Zigh couldn't help but feel a pang of annoyance. The juice I just ordered is already here, yet the soup I ordered hours ago is still on the way while the sun is literally setting, he grumbled internally.

  He closed the gate, but he hadn't even taken five steps when the bell rang again.

  Zigh huffed. "Finally."

  He swung the gate open to find another courier, who immediately bowed his head in apology. "I am so sorry for the long wait, sir."

  Zigh sighed, his irritation melting into exhaustion. "Fine. Where’s the order?"

  "Ah, yes. Here you go, Sir Zigh," the courier said, handing over the containers of soup.

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  "Thanks."

  As the man left, Zigh thought, If he hadn't been so polite about the delay, I would’ve given that place a one-star review.

  Back in the kitchen, Zigh began plating the meal. He poured the broth into bowls. "Plain soup with meat... and this carrot soup is quite the contrast," he noted. He carefully moved some carrots from the plain soup into the carrot bowl to balance it out.

  He arranged everything on a tray: the soups, the chilled apple juice, water, and two empty glasses. He carried the tray back to the bedroom and nudged the door open.

  "Lian, let’s eat together," Zigh said.

  Lian shifted into a sitting position as Zigh set the tray on the bedside table. "Do you want a drink first, or do you want to start eating?"

  Lian looked up at him. "I’ll start with some water."

  Zigh’s expression softened. "Okay."

  He poured the water and handed it over.

  "Thank you," Lian said.

  Zigh blinked in surprise, then smiled. "You don’t have to be so formal with me."

  While Lian drank, Zigh pulled the small table closer and adjusted his chair so they were facing each other.

  "Here is your soup," Zigh said, offering the bowl he had specially prepared without carrots.

  Lian took the bowl, peering into the broth. No carrots, he noted.

  "Do you like it, Lian?"

  "I haven't even tasted it yet," Lian pointed out.

  "Give it a try."

  Lian took a spoonful. The texture was perfect—neither too mushy nor too firm—but he frowned slightly. "Why is it so tasteless?"

  Zigh chuckled. "You’re sick, Lian. Your taste buds probably aren't working normally right now. You should eat anyway."

  "You have to eat too," Lian countered.

  "Of course." Zigh picked up his own bowl of carrot soup. I really hate this orange color, he thought. He forced a spoonful into his mouth. Truly bland.

  He forced a smile. Seeing Zigh eat, Lian finally continued with his own meal.

  "Lian, if it's too bland, try the apple juice I made."

  "Alright."

  The two of them ate in companionable silence, following each spoonful of soup with a sip of juice. At least this orange juice is saving me from the blandness of these carrots, Zigh thought.

  By the time they finished, only a bit of broth remained.

  "Are you full, Lian?"

  "I think I’m more full of liquid than food," Lian replied.

  "Well, that’s because of how you were eating," Zigh joked.

  "You were the one who told me to do it that way," Lian shot back.

  Zigh laughed. "Yeah, yeah, you’re right."

  Zigh stood up to turn on the bedside lamp. Lian reflexively shielded his eyes from the sudden light. Once the glow settled, Zigh sat back down, his expression turning serious.

  "Can we talk about the help I need from Outer now?"

  "Yes," Lian said simply.

  "Do you remember the sniper we found on the roof of the Civil Registry building?"

  "Of course."

  "We found a link between that sniper and the prisoners I put away for illegal weapons smuggling," Zigh explained, crossing his arms. "They have a massive network in the black market. It’s a huge organization, which is why these cases keep popping up."

  "What do you want Outer to do?"

  Zigh looked Lian straight in the eye. "I want Outer to be a spy. Furthermore... can Outer make those criminals end up like that sniper?"

  Lian glanced to his right. Outer, perched on the edge of the bed beside him, let out a low, chilling chuckle.

  "Lian... is Outer sitting right next to you?" Zigh asked.

  "Yes. Why?"

  Zigh shook his head, a cold sweat prickling his skin. "Nothing."

  Outer is an incredible asset, but he’s a time bomb that goes off the moment Lian is in a bad mood, Zigh reminded himself.

  "Why are you quiet?" Lian asked.

  "Just thinking of how to pull this organization out by its roots."

  "Do you want me to speak to Outer directly?"

  Outer’s grin widened.

  "Not yet," Zigh answered quickly.

  Lian turned back to the shadow. "Outer, can you do what Zigh is asking?"

  Outer tilted his head playfully. "I could... but wouldn't it be more efficient to just erase them all?"

  Zigh watched Lian, his eyes fixing on Lian's mouth. If I hadn't met Outer, I’d think Lian was talking to thin air and had lost his mind, he thought.

  "No," Lian whispered. "Don't erase everyone."

  Zigh’s eyes widened. "What was that, Lian?"

  "Outer said it would be more efficient to just eliminate them all."

  Zigh stood up. "Lian, please tell Outer—do NOT do that."

  "Relax. I don't agree with him anyway," Lian said.

  Zigh let out a breath and sat back down.

  Lian looked at Outer again. "Just do it like before. Like the sniper."

  Outer leaned his head on Lian’s shoulder. "Lian... I could do that. But you are sick. It would be better to just wipe their headquarters off the map in one go so you can rest."

  "So you can do it?" Lian asked.

  "Easily. But you must recover first. And once I finish this mission, the contract between you and Eosvile must end."

  "That’s not a bad deal," Lian murmured.

  Zigh frowned, trying to piece together the one-sided conversation. I can't guess what that thing is saying just from Lian’s replies.

  "Zigh," Lian said, turning back to him. "Outer and I agree to help you take down the smuggling organization, but there are conditions."

  Zigh leaned forward. "What are they?"

  "I must recover my health first. And our contract ends as soon as the mission is over," Lian stated.

  Zigh took a deep breath, weighing the cost. "Of course. Your health comes first regardless. Fine... if that is what you wish, Lian."

  Lian nodded.

  "Should I put the contract in writing?" Zigh asked.

  Outer leaned in, whispering into Lian’s ear.

  "Outer says that if you break the contract, he will immediately execute the promise he made in the car—the one he made when you first brought me here."

  That damn shadow... always talking about erasing this and that... Zigh thought.

  Lian raised an eyebrow. "So, do we have a deal?"

  Zigh stood up and extended his right hand. "Let’s shake on it. A formal agreement."

  Lian stood up, his movements still a bit stiff, and took Zigh’s hand. "Yes."

  They shook hands and let go.

  "After the contract is over... what will you do, Lian?"

  Lian turned his head away, his eyes shimmering as he gazed out the window. "I’m going to find Serenity..." he whispered.

  Serenity...? Zigh thought.

  To be continued...