Secretary Ann’s head throbbed as he came around and looked around the room. His expression soured instantly as soon as he noticed that no one else was around him.

Memories of what happened slowly started to creep into his mind, and a lot of possibilities came to him.

’Did that mad esper finally decide to kidnap Shuu? No, he won’t risk that. Then, who kidnapped Shuu?’

Secretary Ann had a feeling that the kidnappers were familiar people. But even looking at the CCTV footage did not give him a clue. It only told him that Shuu had been kidnapped by someone.

It was totally time to panic. Not only had an employee been kidnapped from the guild boss’s office, but he was also an employee and a normal person. How would others trust them if they knew about this?

’Is the guild reputation ruined? No, wait-! Not a lot of people know about Shuu, and those who know know that he’s going away soon. Maybe I can use this to my advantage-’

But thinking like this made Secretary Ann feel guilty.

He did not want to use Shuu’s kidnapping as a reason to profit. Moreover, their guild still had to answer to Kaiden about Shuu’s whereabouts. And knowing Kaiden, he won’t stay quiet for the sake of the guild’s reputation.

’Still, I have to try. If nothing else matters, I am sure my guiding offer would make a difference.’

After all, no matter how strong or loyal Kaiden was, he was ultimately an esper. So when presented with such an opportunity, his instincts would take over...right?

Secretary Ann was not looking forward to that confrontation.

...

Unfortunately for him, the time to confront the esper came quicker than he would have liked.

He had been knocked out quite early, and it was time to close when he woke up. He looked outside at the setting sun that was reflecting his sinking mood and decided that there was no time to sulk.

He walked out of the office door, only to notice Kaiden’s presence. He steeled himself and walked toward the esper.

"Esper Kaiden, it’s a pleasure to meet you. If you are waiting for Shuu, then I am afraid that he has already left by now-"

"He left? Are you sure about it?"

Secretary Ann felt sweat rolling down his brow, but he remained calm. All the evidence had been prepared to make it seem like Shuu had gone missing outside the guild. It would help them buy some time while they looked around for the kidnappers.

At least, that was the plan.

But Kaiden’s expression clearly stated that he was not happy with these results.

"Well, Shuu is a free person, and he is free to go back home if he wants to. Why don’t you look for him or try calling him? Or maybe he just needs space from you-"

"I see. So Shuu is not here. And since I cannot find him in the city using my powers as well, I can only assume that something happened and you are trying to cover it up."

Secretary Ann did his best to maintain his smile and not give away the sinking feeling in his heart. But he had a feeling he was not very successful in masking his nervousness.

Kaiden turned around and walked away, but each step felt like it spelled doom for Secretary Ann.

People began to gossip not even a second later and started demanding answers that Secretary Ann was not ready to give. He felt his head start to ache when someone grabbed his shoulder and dragged him away.

He felt thankful as he was led out of that mess, and he grabbed the person who helped him to thank them.

"Hey, thank you for your help. You can contact the guild for compensation and-"

"Secretary Ann, it’s me."

Kris’s familiar voice made the secretary look up, but the secretary did not look happy.

"It’s you? What are you doing here? I don’t have time to play with you. I need to head back and-"

Kris kept his grip tight around Secretary Ann’s wrist and tugged him back. The secretary looked shocked at the sudden transgression and glared at Kris.

But Kris remained unfazed and even asked the secretary a question that made him pause.

"Secretary Ann, don’t lie to me now and tell me the truth-what happened to Shuu and where is he now? I don’t believe you when you say that he simply left the building. Shuu is not that irresponsible."

Kris looked determined and unwilling to listen to a thing Secretary Ann said.

If Kaiden was an untamed force, then Kris was an immovable object, not willing to go until he got what he came for.

Unfortunately, unlike Kaiden, whom he could manipulate as an outsider, Kris was someone who had seen Shuu just a few hours ago. Keeping what happened from him would be difficult.

And also unethical at the same time.

’What should I do? Should I make up a lie about this? Or maybe I should tell the truth and make Kris an accomplice as well...’

There were too many decisions to make and not enough time. Secretary Ann’s head was killing him.

But Kris’s cool touch made him snap out of it. He looked at the esper with a newfound realization.

’I likely cannot do anything on my own, and asking someone else to help me has a chance to leak the information out. That means I should ask someone professional for help.’

Kris was far from the best person to ask this favor. But he was someone who liked Shuu enough to agree and keep this a secret. That was why Secretary Ann decided to take a risk and tell him the truth.

"I don’t usually take risks like this, but I am willing to tell you the truth, Kris. Actually, Shuu has been kidnapped, and we need to look for him before Esper Kaiden realizes what happened."

Secretary Ann stressed, but Kris’s mind seemed to have closed off at the sound of ’Shuu’ and ’kidnapped.’