NOVEL WEB Chapter 226: Tracking
"So the incident with Belobog Heavy Industries happened during the fall of the Old Capital too."
"Yeah, the fall of the Old Capital changed a lot of things..."
Belle replied softly, her eyes flickering slightly as if recalling something from the past.
"Too many secrets were buried—both the things we wanted to investigate and the truth behind Koleda's father's disappearance."
Wise nodded. Zane, listening nearby, glanced over slightly—Wise had once said something similar to him.
"Brother, do you think... people can really let go of the past?"
Belle asked quietly. It sounded like she was talking about Koleda, or maybe herself... or maybe it was just a question.
"Letting go of the past... that's not an easy thing."
Wise paused before answering.
"What about you, Zane? What do you think?"
After Wise spoke, Belle turned to the couch and curiously asked Zane.
Zane looked away from the TV, blinked at Belle, then shook his head, his eyes glinting faintly.
"If people could really do that, there wouldn't be so many discussions about it. The answer is obvious."
"People chase the future, but they also chase the past. It's a tug-of-war measured in lifetimes."
"Where it leads... depends on your heart."
It seemed he was answering Belle's question, but also expressing something more.
Belle understood what he meant.
"Brother, Belobog Heavy Industries will probably give us the commission soon. Let's just wait a bit."
Wise nodded and smiled.
"Yeah. For Phaethon, the past needs proof, and the future is worth chasing. We're the same."
"But we'll stay on the sun's chariot—past or future, we move forward."
Listening to him, Belle chuckled.
"Brother, you're getting all deep now."
"Deep, huh? Fair enough."
Wise smiled and shook his head, not taking it to heart. After some idle chatting, they began preparing dinner.
...
After dinner, Belle had wanted Zane to stay the night at the video store. The commission from Belobog Heavy Industries might arrive tomorrow—or take days.
But Zane politely declined.
Belle didn't push it, and they said their goodbyes. Zane left, but Panta stayed behind, still playing with a few Bangboos.
As night deepened, Zane returned to the Tanuki House.
The streetlights were dim, and the Tanuki House itself was dark, giving it a slightly gloomy feel. But outside the cat café, Zane spotted a figure.
Tall, with flowing white hair—
It was Soldier 11, whom he hadn't seen in a while.
"What brings you here again?"
Zane raised an eyebrow and walked over, asking curiously.
He'd assumed Soldier 11 had gone "off duty."
Yeah—at the goggle wholesale store.
"Things at the Obol Squad are settled."
Soldier 11 turned and spoke softly.
That answered Zane's question and explained her absence.
With a soft click, the Tanuki House door opened. Zane placed a hand on the light switch, and the room lit up.
"If you're not here to 'train'... then come on in and sit for a while?"
"You don't look like you're in the best mood."
Zane blinked and glanced back at Soldier 11. He could tell something was off. Normally, she'd be drawing her blade by now.
Soldier 11 looked at him, then at the cats stretching lazily after being woken by the lights, and pursed her lips.
She followed Zane into the café.
This might've been the first time... she truly stepped inside.
On the cat tower, a little black cat glanced at her, then lost interest—same with Zane.
Too lazy to move.
"Zane... Commander, I have official business."
Soldier 11 changed her form of address. Even though this was a private visit, official matters required official conduct.
"What is it?"
Zane was taking off his coat when he looked over, mildly curious.
"Your letter of appointment came through. It needs your receipt. Commander Shin couldn't get in touch, so I volunteered to deliver it..."
Zane twitched his mouth, speechless.
"Miss, you're adorably clueless..."
Soldier 11 paused, unsure. Under Zane's gaze, she suddenly felt out of sorts.
"No need to be so stiff or nervous. Just act the way you always do. If you can't make the shift, then don't force it."
Zane waved it off and sat on the couch.
"As for this situation..."
"I don't know how she figured out we knew each other, but the trap's already set. You're in it now, and there's no going back."
"It's fine. If it's exposed, it's exposed. Better if it weren't, but no big deal."
"But you really are... kind of dumb. One day, someone's going to sell you out, and you'll help them count the money."
Zane sighed and shook his head. No wonder he hadn't chosen Trigger—he was way sharper. Then he raised his voice and called out toward the outside.
"You're still there, right? No need to hide. Want to come in for some tea and warm up?"
A brief silence followed, then a figure stepped out of the shadows.
He didn't enter the café—just stood at the door, saluted with a sharp "snap," and said,
"Nice to meet you, Commander!"
Soldier 11 looked at him, recognition dawning. Her pupils contracted as she grasped the situation.
Then—anger surged in her chest.
She'd been betrayed!
By a teammate!
"Ahem... I swear it wasn't intentional. This was Major Shin's idea, I just—"
The newcomer saw Soldier 11's expression and quickly explained. The last thing he wanted was a fight—he'd already been beaten by her once and didn't want a repeat.
"It's alright, he was just following orders."
Zane chuckled and said,
"And you too—you didn't even notice someone tailing you."
Soldier 11 fell silent. This was, in fact, her mistake.
Outside, the man scratched his head, a bit embarrassed. He was good at stealth and tracking, having followed them with a drone. It was no wonder she hadn't noticed.
"Um... Commander, I still need to report back to Major Shin. So..."
He hesitated, thinking the new commander was strong but unexpectedly kind.
Zane nodded slightly. The man saluted again and quickly left.