CHAPTER 66: CHAPTER 9.7 : MISTAKEN FOR A SPY

After leaving the forest and ensuring the entire operation ended without a trace, Al decided not to head straight home.

The night was still young, and his body needed energy.

Sure, he could go days without eating thanks to his training and special abilities—but sometimes, he still wanted to enjoy human food... as a reminder that he was still part of that world.

A modern restaurant in the city center, not far from the shoreline, caught his attention.

Warm light spilled through its glass windows, illuminating an elegant, upscale interior—a place often favored by high-ranking officials or elite families wanting a relaxed dinner with a scenic view of the sea.

Al approached. But before he could enter, his steps froze.

Through the wide glass window, he saw David—the very person he had wanted to investigate, but had been too busy to follow up on lately—sitting comfortably, enjoying a luxurious dinner.

David was seated at a table near the edge of the room, the spot with the best view of the ocean. Across from him sat Fani, a bright young woman known as Clarista’s close friend and David’s private tutor during his national exam preparations.

The atmosphere between them... seemed intimate. And Clarista was nowhere to be seen.

David gazed at Fani with warm eyes—a look that could easily be misunderstood. His hand reached out, brushing against hers, gently playing with her fingers on the table. Fani, though her cheeks flushed faintly, didn’t pull away. She simply lowered her head shyly, a faint smile on her lips—not the kind you’d expect between a tutor and her student.

Fani was indeed attractive, with a quiet charm that was hard to ignore. Her appearance might have been formal and modest, but her natural beauty shone through effortlessly.

A slender, well-proportioned figure. Black hair tied into a neat ponytail, drawing attention to the graceful line of her neck. Fair skin, almost pale, contrasted by softly blushed lips that hinted at a sensuality she seemed to deliberately hide.

Al tilted his head slightly, about to turn away.

Huh. Young people these days... he thought.

But before he could look away completely, Clarista appeared, walking toward David and Fani.

It seemed she had just arrived—perhaps from the restroom. She approached the pair, who were still caught up in their little display.

David noticed Clarista almost instantly. He quickly withdrew his hand, and Fani hastily lifted her glass, pretending to drink. Both looked awkward and embarrassed. Clarista said nothing, merely sat down and opened her folder, acting as if she hadn’t seen anything.

Al watched the scene unfold, shaking his head at their childish behavior. He decided to leave.

Confronting them wasn’t the problem—it was just better for his mental health to sometimes keep his distance from people like this.

He was just about to turn and go, not wanting to ruin their "family time," when...

Something felt off.

His eyes returned to Fani. They narrowed.

From this distance, he couldn’t sense anything distinct. But... her aura had shifted slightly.

It wasn’t the same as when he had seen her at the house. This time—though faint—there was a subtle vibration surrounding her.

A thin layer... like an aura that was being suppressed, deliberately hidden.

Al stayed still.

Fani’s face remained unchanged: beautiful, intelligent, calm. But Al’s instincts refused to believe that surface. Something was hidden beneath.

Hmm?

Still standing outside the restaurant, unmoving, Al fixed his gaze on the table inside, right on Fani.

He closed his eyes for a moment.

When he opened them again, a faint glimmer lit his irises—he had activated his Dimensional Eye.

A sacred vision skill that allowed him to see the true nature of all things. Costly to use, especially for someone who was never meant to wield it.

Instantly, his expression shifted. Not from surprise, but from confirmation.

...So... she’s not an ordinary human... he thought.

Not entirely a creature of darkness. Not a pure human either. But something else—a twisted structure woven into her body unnaturally.

Not poison. Not a standard camouflage technique. This was more intricate. More... trained. Something most people would believe was just a myth.

At that moment, Clarista—who was seated facing the window—lifted her gaze.

She spotted a figure she would rather not see. Al.

Their eyes met.

"...Al?"

Clarista’s face instantly changed—from relaxed, to startled, to annoyed. She stood slightly, tension in her body.

"Why is he here? Don’t tell me he’s been spying on us?"

David and Fani both turned toward the window.

Sure enough, the familiar black-haired figure in a black hoodie... it was Al. Standing alone, looking up as if observing them.

David’s lips curled into a sly idea.

"Relax, sis. Maybe he’s just... you know, trying to get closer to us, get to know the family better. Or maybe he’s bored from his lazy home-and-school routine," he said, voice calm but deliberately innocent.

"Perhaps," Clarista replied, analyzing. "He used to live on the streets, and now he has to adjust to a quiet home life. He might really be bored."

"Poor guy. I bet he’s never eaten at a place like this before. Look at him—standing there like he’s not sure whether to go in or not... How about we invite him in? And maybe tell him not to follow us around like this again." David smirked.

Fani stifled a giggle. Clarista sighed, trying to keep her composure, then nodded.

David got up and headed outside, clearly intending to invite Al in—with that teasing charm he liked to use.

Outside, Al was still standing, his face unreadable. In his mind, rapid calculations ran—should he act on Fani tonight, or wait for a better time?

Then suddenly—

"Al~" David’s voice rang out, cheerful.

"You’re standing here like the restaurant’s bodyguard. Are you waiting for someone... or just confused about how to open an automatic door?" His tone was mocking, but low enough that Clarista wouldn’t hear.

Al turned, his gaze flat.

"Is something wrong with your brain?"

David blinked at the blunt insult, but kept his composure.

He chuckled lightly. "What are you talking about? I just want to know why you’ve been following and spying on us all the way here."

"Wow. I think your brain’s really messed up. What’s so special about you people that I’d waste time following you?" Al replied lazily, not even looking at him—his focus still fixed on Fani.

David’s irritation flickered. "You..."

But he held back, keeping his image intact. Exhaling slowly, he replied,

"I’ll let it slide this time... but stop doing this in the future. It’s annoying."

Al didn’t respond. He was already bored.

David pressed on.

"And... you’ve never been in a first-class restaurant, have you? It’s fine, everyone has a first time. Come in—Clarista wants you to join us for dinner." His face looked kind, but his words cut like a knife.

Al exhaled softly. He knew this was just one of David’s games. But... his stomach was empty. And this was a chance to observe Fani more closely.

"...Hmmm. Really?"

David nodded, spreading his arms.

"Fine. If you’re paying," Al agreed.

"Of course. I’m the beloved little brother of the family—generous to my... lost sibling," David quipped sarcastically. As if wanting to declare to Al that he was the one loved by the Virellano family, even though Al was the biological son.

Al didn’t care.

And so, they walked in together.

But David had no idea—this little act of mischief would cost him dearly, in ways he’d regret for a long time.

---