With the stakes finally set, the search for the Devourer began in earnest.

  The twenty maids under Olivia dispersed throughout the city, moving carefully and discreetly. The ones not included were the void users, who were already working, and Alice, who stayed by her side.

  Along the main streets, through darkened alleys, even across the flat rooftops—

  nothing escaped their attentive, discerning eyes.

  Yet aside from the constant patrols and arrests carried out by the city’s law enforcers, nothing unusual surfaced.

  The rain—heavier than before—soaked both the streets and those searching them, turning the already tedious task into an exhausting ordeal.

  After hours of combing the main street, Chloe finally took shelter beneath a store’s awning.

  “Hahaha~ What awful weather,” she said, wringing out her dress to shake off the excess water.

  It splashed at her feet, pooling into a wide puddle that trickled toward the roadside.

  “Still… I haven’t found anything worth reporting.” She ran a hand through her flattened hair, which normally flared out like a lion’s mane.

  “Ah! Even my hair is a mess!” A small, miserable sob slipped out as her shoulders drooped.

  She combed through the long strands with her fingers, pouting lightly.

  “I’ll need a long, warm bath—and a proper brushing—after this.” Lifting her head, she glared up at the roiling clouds overhead.

  “Damn you, clouds! How dare you ruin my wonderful hairstyle!”

  A few passersby cast her concerned glances before quickly moving on, unwilling to linger in the rain.

  “…”

  The energy drained from Chloe all at once. She lowered her gaze and leaned her wet back against the cold metal shutters.

  “I really have nothing to report…” she murmured. “How am I supposed to face Master empty-handed?”

  Her worries deepened, her expression growing more defeated.

  But they weren’t the only thing growing.

  Grrrrrrrowl~

  “…”

  She glanced down at her stomach and let out a quiet sigh.

  “I’m hungry,” she admitted with a wry smile. “Impressive, considering the circumstances.”

  As she rubbed her stomach absently, footsteps splashed closer through the shallow water flowing along the road.

  “Excuse me.”

  Chloe looked up to see a woman—noticeably older than her—standing beneath an umbrella.

  “Are you perhaps hungry?” the woman asked gently, her features soft and kind.

  Chloe hesitated. Still, she couldn’t bring herself to lie—nor to further shame her Master.

  “I am,” she admitted, her hand still resting on her stomach. “I haven’t eaten anything since leaving my room.”

  The woman nodded and extended a hand.

  “If you’d like, I can show you a restaurant that’s still open at this hour,” she offered calmly.

  “Thank you for your concern, but I don’t have any money,” Chloe replied, shaking her head. “I can’t accept.”

  Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Oh, that’s no problem,” the woman said easily. “I can take care of your meal.”

  Suspicion crept into Chloe’s gaze. She noticed the woman tuck a strand of light-brown hair behind her ear as a quiet laugh escaped her lips.

  “I recognize that look,” the woman said with a soft chuckle. “There’s no need to worry. I simply enjoy helping people.” She waved her free hand, clearly trying to ease Chloe’s unease.

  “Would you accept a simple woman’s request?” Her gentle smile seemed almost reassuring as her eyes flicked briefly toward Chloe’s stomach.

  “I’m sorry, but I can’t,” Chloe said firmly. “I’m on duty, and my Master requires my assistance.”

  She turned away without hesitation.

  “I truly appreciate the offer,” she added over her shoulder, “but there are others who need help more than I do. Perhaps you should seek them out.”

  The woman lowered her head slightly, a faint smile still on her lips.

  A faint chill crawled up Chloe's spine at the same time. The woman's shadow seemed to stretch further under the streetlamps, the maid oblivious to it.

  “I understand,” she said softly. “My apologies for stopping you during your duties.”

  She stepped aside, watching Chloe’s retreating back in silence.

  Unable to see Chloe’s face, the woman missed the sly smile etched across it.

  Master will be pleased with this information.

  Walking alone under the rain had been worth it.

  With steady steps, Chloe headed back toward the hotel where Olivia was staying, returning to her Master.

  The two parted ways as though nothing had happened.

  Unaware of the lingering smile on the woman's face, her warped figure appeared in the puddle where Chloe stood over. Yet, no one was there anymore.

  “Hnnng~!”

  Chloe moaned in bliss as the brush slid through her hair, hot air from the dryer following close behind.

  “Master, thank you,” she said with a wide smile.

  “Hm.” Olivia nodded, gently combing through her maid’s hair.

  The soft rasp of the brush and the steady hum of the dryer filled the room with a warm, comfortable quiet.

  Eventually, Olivia stopped.

  “All right. I’m done.” She stood, set the tools back on the dresser, and stepped away.

  Chloe immediately shook her head, following suit. She ran a hand behind her neck, lifted her hair, then let it fall—returning it to the wild, unruly state she loved.

  “Hm?” Tilting her head, she caught a sweet, mouthwatering scent drifting in from the other room.

  “Chloe. Follow me.”

  Olivia led her next door, where a prepared meal awaited on the table.

  “For me?” Chloe pointed at herself, her face lighting up.

  She sat down at once, facing Olivia.

  “I love you so much, Master!” she declared before picking up her fork and knife, eating with the proper manners expected of her.

  “I know.” Olivia’s fingers tightened against the chair as she replied.

  She watched silently as Chloe demolished the meal in record time, leaving not a single crumb behind.

  “Was Alice the one who cooked this?” Chloe asked, wiping her mouth with a clean piece of cloth.

  “Yes. She prepared it.” Olivia nodded, briefly glancing toward the closed door where Alice remained unless summoned.

  “Then tell her thank you later. She cooks like a pro.” Chloe flashed a thumbs-up, thoroughly satisfied.

  Silence settled between them.

  For a full minute, they simply looked at one another, the ticking of the wall clock the only sound breaking the stillness.

  “Master, stop looking at me like that. Nothing happened.” Chloe gave a wry smile as she stood and approached her.

  “…” Olivia said nothing.

  “We’re not incompetent,” Chloe continued, clenching her hands at her waist. “I know you’re worried, and my report probably didn’t help. But you trusted us with this task.”

  She struck her chest proudly.

  “We will bring you results. That’s why we volunteered to roam the city looking helpless in the first place.”

  Olivia exhaled slowly, forcing her tension aside.

  “So,” she said at last, “what were the woman’s features?”

  Chloe nodded, recalling the image.

  “She looked like an adult woman. Brown eyes—close to hazelnut, I think—but it was hard to tell under the umbrella.”

  She crossed her arms, focusing.

  “Her hair stood out the most. Chestnut brown, worn long and loose. It fell in soft waves past her shoulders, with more volume toward the sides and back.”

  Her tone was precise, almost professional.

  “There was also something unsettling about her gentleness. It didn’t match her stare. And her voice felt… overly friendly. Forced.”

  “My instincts screamed not to trust her. Besides, people in this city usually ignore us. No one’s approached us since we arrived—not even the hotel staff.”

  Olivia nodded.

  “That’s true. More than unfriendly, they’re indifferent.” She tapped a finger against her chin, gaze unfocused.

  “That’s everything?”

  “Yes, Master. If it was the Devourer, I’m certain it’ll try the same approach with the others.”

  “Kh—!” Olivia’s expression darkened.

  “Relax, Master.” Chloe said quickly, smiling. “Like I said, we’re not incompetent. We won’t follow strangers or bring danger back to you.”

  “…I know.” Olivia looked away. “Still, you may return to your duties. Just—”

  She hesitated.

  “Be extra careful.”

  Chloe bowed her head.

  “Understood.”

  The door clicked shut behind her.

  Left alone, Olivia sat at the table and sighed, burying her face in her hands.

  Please… stay safe, all of you.

  Lifting her head, she gritted her teeth together.

  I don't know what game you're playing, Devourer. But touch one of my girls, and I'll be turning your city upside-down.

  With lingering anger, she returned to her thoughts.

  Outside, the rain washed the streets clean.

  Somewhere within the city, a woman entered a lone building, smiling.

  She dried her umbrella and murmured quiet words.

  "Who should I approach next?"