“What the hell is the meaning of this?!” Gary shouted at Leoad. The intense of his voice suddenly disappeared, washed away from the rumbling noise coming from the tires grating against the rocky road.

“You’re a traitor,” Gary concluded. “You’re the one who’s tipping off Theo.”

“Do not misunderstand me, boy,” Leoad said. “There are a lot of mishaps you don’t even know.”

“Then, do explain to me what’re you doing here,” Gary said. There is still suspicion in his voice.

“I’m an insider. An agent.”

“You mean the double agent?” Gary corrected. “Does even the higher-ups know about this?”

“Of course not,” Leoad said. “No records of top priority mission like this can be written of the record. Only a few people would know about this. That includes you. If you already the imminent threat of this, I don’t have to tell you why I got so deep.”

Gary fell in silence, processing what he just said. “Then, what will happen to me?” Gary asked.

“You will be locked on my quarter, of course. In there, you will work for me.”

“As a double agent?”

“Yes,” Leoad said. “You have no choice.”

Gary displayed dissatisfaction on his face. “Is that really necessary?”

“You think you’ll be safe if I let you go?”

“No,” Gary said. “They will be eyeing on me.”

Given the fact that they already knew him, it would be wise to follow Leoad’s suggestion. There’s only one thing that bothers him the most.

“How will you convince them?”

“I will convert your mindset into a double agent.”

“I’m sorry, what?”

“Your personality will change and your beliefs will be altered.”

“Basically, you’re going to crack my head?”

“Yes,” Leoad said. “You can put it that way.”

“You did it to yourself too, didn’t you?”

Gary’s now notice why he's like this. The cold gaze, the calm demeanor, and his dazzling gait.

Leoad nodded. “Yes. It’s a way to convince them that I switch sides.”

“Isn’t lying enough?” Gary’s voice rang. “I don’t want to lose my identity.”

“The process won’t mess with your memory. It will only change your personality.”

“But, still…”

“No time for unnecessary sentiments.” Leoad dismisses. “You are a Canary.”

Gary looked down. His thoughts are fleeting like sea waves. “I hated many things.” Gary started. “People who refuse to give the truth, those who manipulate and for those people who keep abusing others. Most of all, I hate those people who lie to themselves.”

“Lying is involved in our job. This job change is. It is inevitable. The only thing that keeps us sane is remembering what we fought for.”

“Is that what you keep telling yourself? Just to make the lying easier?”

Leoad shook his head. “No. It's what makes me strive forward.”

Gary felt at ease hearing Leoad’s unfettered grip on his belief.

“How are you going to do it? Gary asked. “The conversion you speak of?”

“I know someone that can do it. We have our fair share of resources. She won’t deny my request I am sure of it.”

“What about Ina and Lance?”

“They will be part of this too, of course,” Leoad said. “By the way, where are they?”

“I don’t know,” Gary said. He fell in silent for a moment, thinking and led to a realization. “I know one two or one thing about them. Since they’re finally busted, they will have to save themselves first. Given the fact that we’re in the Vesoga Plain, they will go straight back to the city.”

“I see. So, they’ve abandoned you.”

“I understand them,” Gary said. No hint of disappointment. “It’s either I’m the only casualty or all of us will die.”

“I can see that. So, where do you guys stay?”

“We sleep in a hotel.”

Leoad raises his brow. “You guys waste your money on a five-star hotel?”

“No,” Gary said, chuckling. “We chose a place that doesn’t attract too many people. We haven’t forgotten the basic principles of covert missions. Our leader, Lance is extremely conspicuous. He’s not the kind of guy who would go out without a proper plan.”

“Sounds like a nagging ghetto.” Leoad chuckles, however, Gary didn’t get it. “Nagging ghetto, that’s what we called to those people who seemingly can’t be content and always nag about following the rules.”

“I never heard of it.”

“Are you a newbie?”

“Hey!” Gary shouted. “I’m a five-year veteran.”

“More like a sophomore,” Leoad grunted.

“By the way, where are we going?” Gary asked

“We’re going back to Kayon city.”

“Right. I have to contact them.”

“Before that, there is something that I should tell you.”

“What is it?”

Before Leoad could speak the words, the vehicle violently shook and stopped, like a peal of thunder rumbling under the gloomy sky – the vehicle screeched pugnaciously and rolled over a few times. Leoad groaned as he stood. His mind is hazy when he glances at Gary. He pulled out the key and unbuckled the chains out of the unconscious Gary. He shook him off until he moaned and his eyes slightly open.

“What the hell happened?” Gary asked.

“Looks like someone made on us.”

“What?”

Gary stood on his feet. With great effort, Gary and Leoad push the stuck door of the vehicle. They step out in the battered automobile. Gary glances up to the cloudless steel. The moon illuminated the world – seemingly stretching out across the field.

Leoad looked at the other vehicle that has been brutally destroyed. The soldiers under his command sprawled on the solid ground. One of the soldiers’ necks has been twisted violently, the veins pop out, and the reddish liquid stream down to his forehead from his eyes. Leoad inspects the driver in the front and he was too murdered quickly. A blade pierces through his heart. The rest of the soldiers were burned alive by the explosion and got killed by brutally attacking their weak spots.

Gary low-spiritedly said. “Who could’ve done this?”

“A monster.” Leoad softly said.

The fire stretches across the horizon and violently burns the nearby grass, slowly making its way to the forest. Gary too inspects the destroyed vehicles, looking for any signs of life. A cry had caught their attention.

They slowly walk past the destroyed vehicles, carefully setting their footsteps in silence as they strode. At a certain point where the smoke trailing from behind couldn’t reach them, they can clearly see the man in a blue trench coat – choking the soldier that keeps resisting to fight for his life. He pressed on and the soldier’s neck snap. His hand fell along with his head hung as he was threw on the ground.

His grey hair softly sways along the cold wind passing on the south. The light from the moon touches his tan rough skin as his cold eyes gaze at them.

“You’re still alive?” The man said as he slowly walks towards them.

Gary was in awe realizing his identity. He may rarely appear in public, but there’s no mistaking about it; from the tall stature to its recognizable face, he’s the one that they’re eyeing onto.

“Theo,” Gary muttered.

Leoad looked surprised as well. The last time he heard about him, Theo is out dealing some business in the Elfin region.

“What the hell is the meaning of this?” Leoad said. His eyes glowered at him. Theo didn’t faze as he stopped. “I asked you a damn question!”

“I’m taking care of the rubbish.” He coldly said.

“What?!” Leoad vociferated. “We’re allies! Why are you doing this?”

Theo didn’t reply. His eyes landed on Gary. Leoad noticed it.

“You possessed a forbidden knowledge,” Theo said. “You must be removed in the equation.”

Leoad said, “What is he talking about?”

He doesn’t need to think too much about what he’s talking about, Gary overheard everything of Cain and Glen’s and that is why he personally came to eliminate the threat. He understands the threat he posed to them, but for him to came and to face him off and the willingness to sacrifice an irreplaceable asset just to cover the truth is odd to think. Given the fact that Leoad proposes to him to turn me on their side, he can’t seem to rationalize why would he deny that and even lie to him.