After a maid brought over the cake they had ordered,
Kai noticed the girl trembling, her face pale with fear, while Rese's eyes gleamed with delight as she enjoyed the cake. Kai spoke up:
Kai: "You... why are you here? Why are you working as a waitress? And the city—what happened there, that was your doing, wasn't it? Why did you do it?"
Eugene answered, her expression calm, her voice steady.
Eugene: "I'm being hunted down because of a conflict with the Organization. I needed money to pay for a passenger ship to head back east."
Kai: "So… you've turned over a new leaf?"
Eugene paused for a moment. Rese continued eating her cake, listening quietly.
Eugene: "I left the Invaders. It was never because I wanted to hurt anyone… I had my reasons."
Kai: "Everyone has reasons behind their actions… I understand. Then tell me—what was yours?"
Eugene replied with a heavy tone:
Eugene: "My homeworld was destroyed by one of the Invaders. My entire family was killed. I was the only survivor. So I infiltrated them… but they caught on. Since then, I've been on the run."
Kai's expression softened as he asked gently:
Kai: "What's your name? If you don't mind… would you come with us?"
Eugene looked at Kai, a faint smile forming on her lips.
Eugene: "After everything I did to your friends, you're not angry? You don't hate me? I almost killed one of them."
Rese, hearing this, spoke up sharply, her face serious:
Rese: "Boss, people like her shouldn't be trusted as allies! She's too dangerous. If she deceives us, it could put us all at risk!"
Kai turned to Rese, his voice calm.
Kai: "Easy, Rese. The fact that she's working here means she's telling the truth. When someone realizes their mistakes and chooses to change, that's something good—we should forgive. She wasn't trying to cause harm, she was forced by her circumstances. And besides, Ruby didn't die. That means forgiveness is possible."
Eugene's eyes widened. For the first time, someone had forgiven her—something she thought the world would never grant her. Overwhelmed with gratitude and respect, she looked at Kai with softened eyes.
Eugene: "My name is Eugene. Please… let me follow you, Kai."
Kai: "I'm Kai. And this is Rese."
Rese glared at Eugene, her eyes sharp with distrust, staying on high alert to protect her boss.
After finishing, Eugene walked over to the shop owner, bowing slightly.
Eugene: "Thank you for letting me work here."
She then went into the changing room, returning in her usual clothes.
Eugene: "Ahh… finally back in my own outfit. That maid uniform was so uncomfortable."
She followed Kai and Rese as they paid at the counter.
A co-worker smiled warmly at Eugene.
Employee: "Good luck, Eugene."
Eugene turned, nodded with a smile, and walked after Kai and Rese. Together, the three of them headed toward the landing bay.
At that very moment, a tall man—short brown hair, towering at 190 cm—Kazat of Greed, suddenly appeared.
He lunged forward, fist clenched, aiming directly at Rese. She froze, her body unresponsive, eyes wide with terror.
Rese (thought): "I can't move… what do I do?!"
Kazat's fist rushed toward her like a bullet. In that instant, Kai shoved Rese out of the way and took the blow himself.
Kai's body was hurled violently across the ground with a thunderous crash—BOOOM! CRASHHH!—the impact shaking the landing bay, dirt scattering everywhere. He lay motionless.
Rese, watching in horror, cried out with all her strength:
Rese: "BOSS!!!"