Chapter 18: The Gates of Valhalla

“Katy, I didn’t expect to meet again so soon.”

Lobelia walked over with a smile, wearing a white mage robe that looked exceptionally pure.

Timmy followed behind her, casting an unpleasant look at Katy.

“Though this outfit is also all black, it clearly suits you much better.”

Katy forced an awkward smile onto her face.

Her heart was secretly screaming that she had never worn black in front of her before.

And she certainly had not been crouching on her roof peeking at her and five muscular men having an orgy.

“Lobelia.”

Gray’s voice was low, and his grip on his blade did not loosen.

“We are here for a mission. If there is nothing else, please move aside.”

Lobelia let out a soft, melodic laugh that seemed to vibrate through the air.

“Oh, don’t be so cold, Gray. We were just about to head into a Starshine-level Labyrinth ourselves. Isn’t that right, Number Four?”

She reached out and patted the muscular man’s bronzed shoulder.

The man, whom she called Number Four, finally moved.

He bowed his head deeply, his movements mechanical and stiff.

“Yes, Master.”

The golden collar around his neck caught the light, glinting with a cold, metallic sheen.

Katy felt a shiver run down her spine.

As a former Calamity Pillar, she was intimately familiar with the smell of dark magic and soul-binding.

This man wasn’t just a footstool.

His soul was almost entirely hollowed out, replaced by a rigid command structure.

“Is this your new squad member?”

Gray asked, his brow furrowing as he looked at the vacant expression of the giant.

“He’s much more reliable than some people,” Timmy interjected with a sneer.

“He doesn’t complain, and he doesn’t miss his strikes. He’s the perfect Heavy Warrior.”

Gray’s eyes narrowed.

“A Hero is not a tool, Timmy.”

“In Lobelia’s hands, everyone reaches their full potential.”

Timmy laughed, though there was a hint of nervousness in his eyes as he glanced at Lobelia.

Lobelia ignored the bickering and stepped closer to Katy.

“Little Katy, you look so fragile. Are you sure Gray can protect you in a Gold-glow Labyrinth? If the Return Crystal fails, it would be such a waste of a pretty face.”

Katy felt Gray move slightly, positioning himself more firmly in front of her.

“She is the Captain of this squad, Lobelia. She doesn’t need your pity.”

“The Captain?”

Lobelia’s eyebrows shot up in genuine surprise.

She looked at Katy again, her eyes sharp and calculating.

“Well now, that is interesting. I suppose I should look forward to seeing your results on the Mana-Screen.”

She turned gracefully, her white robe fluttering.

“Come along, boys. The stars are waiting.”

The muscular man and Timmy followed her toward one of the larger, more ornate teleportation gates.

As they walked away, the crowded plaza seemed to breathe again.

Gray let out a long, slow exhale and finally released the hilt of his sword.

“Are you okay, Katy?”

Katy blinked, shaking off the lingering unease.

“I’m fine. But that man… Number Four. His collar was weird.”

Gray looked toward the direction they had vanished, his expression grim.

“It’s a Slave Collar, though the Association calls them ‘Loyalty Vows’ for Heroes. They are supposed to be illegal for anyone but criminals serving their sentence.”

He shook his head, trying to clear the thoughts.

“But Lobelia has a lot of influence. Let’s not worry about her for now. We have our own Labyrinth to clear.”

He turned to the brass console and began inputting the mission code.

“Remember, Katy. Once we go through, stay behind me. Keep your Return Crystal close.”

Katy reached into her pocket and felt the cool, hard surface of the crystal.

“Got it, Gray. But don’t forget what I said.”

Gray paused, his hand hovering over the ‘Confirm’ button.

“I’m going to get you that gold coin.”

Katy grinned, all traces of her earlier fear gone.

Gray looked at her for a moment, then a small, genuine smile broke through his serious demeanor.

“I’ll be counting on you, Captain.”

He pressed the button.

The air around them began to hum with mana.

A pillar of white light erupted from the platform, swallowing them both.

When the light faded, the two members of the Black Crow Squad were gone.