"Good morning, everyone. I pray you have a wonderful day… and please stay hydrated."
The cheerful voice filled the rented room.
For a brief moment, silence followed.
Leo blinked.
His brain processed only one thought.
…Wow. So cute.
On Lana's phone screen, a tiny chibi version of her waved energetically, smiling with sparkling eyes. The soft tone and polite greeting felt completely different from Chibi Leo's constant sarcasm.
Before Leo could say anything—
A second small figure suddenly appeared beside Chibi Lana.
Chibi Leo crossed his arms proudly.
"I know what you're thinking."
Leo flinched. "HOW do you know that?"
Chibi Leo smirked.
"Because I am literally part of your body."
Leo opened his mouth to argue—
Knock. Knock.
The sound from the door interrupted everything.
Lana looked toward it. "I think we have to go."
Null nodded slowly. "...Yes."
The strange moment ended as naturally as it began. Lana and Null stepped outside, following the royal knight waiting for them.
The door closed.
And suddenly—
The room felt empty.
Only Leo remained.
He stared at the closed door for a few seconds before slowly walking toward the bed.
Then he collapsed face-first onto it.
"I think… I'm overthinking everything," he muttered into the pillow. "Maybe she just has an ability like mine."
He turned onto his back, staring at the ceiling.
The bed felt unbelievably warm.
Comfortable.
Safe.
"…Yeah," he whispered. "This is nice. Good night."
The phone screen lit up instantly.
Chibi Leo appeared, unimpressed.
"But it is morning."
Leo groaned loudly.
"When I don't sleep, you get angry," he complained. "Now I'm trying to sleep and you're disturbing me."
"I am not disturbing you," Chibi Leo replied seriously. "I am informing you of something important."
Leo half-opened one eye.
"If it's more important than sleep… then you're definitely not joking."
Chibi Leo's expression hardened.
"Enough childish behavior. Listen carefully."
Leo sighed but sat up slightly.
"After meeting Lana," Chibi Leo continued, "I received a new file."
Leo blinked. "A file?"
"Yes. In the same folder that contains your ability — Heart Replication."
Leo frowned immediately.
"First of all… why did you name my ability Heart Replication?"
Chibi Leo looked offended.
"Because I am your heart," he said. "And my function is to replicate it. The name is perfectly logical."
Leo stared silently.
"…You really named it yourself."
"Yes."
"…Unbelievable."
Leo rubbed his forehead.
"Wait. How did you even access Lana's phone?"
Chibi Leo's face darkened.
"I am explaining critical information," he snapped, "and you ask irrelevant questions."
Leo raised his hands defensively. "I'm just curious!"
Chibi Leo sighed dramatically.
"She possesses the same system as you. We are identical models. Therefore, connection between devices is possible."
Leo froze.
"…Same ability?"
"Yes."
A slow realization spread across Leo's face.
"Oh."
He leaned back onto the bed again.
"So if you received a file in the same folder… that means I got another ability."
A grin formed.
"That's actually good news."
He closed his eyes peacefully.
Chibi Leo stared at him.
"…So you are happy about your ability now?"
Leo didn't answer.
Instead—
Images flashed inside his mind.
Gunshots..
The assassin's smile.
The feeling of death brushing past him again and again.
Leo's eyes shot open.
He sat upright suddenly, breathing heavily.
"…Yeah," he muttered. "You ruined my sleep."
Chibi Leo blinked. "I did nothing."
Leo frowned.
"…Wait."
He tilted his head slightly.
"…Did you hear that?"
"Hear what?" Chibi Leo asked.
"A sound."
"I do not possess ears," Chibi Leo replied calmly. "I perceive only your thoughts."
Leo slid off the bed slowly.
"…Then stay quiet."
He knelt down.
And looked under the bed.
Darkness stared back.
Nothing moved.
But for some reason—
A strange unease lingered.
Meanwhile,
Null and Lana arrived at the royal castle.
The structure towered above the city, white stone walls glowing under sunlight. Guards were absent, leaving the entrance strangely quiet.
They were guided through long corridors until reaching a small chamber at the far corner of the castle.
Inside sat the king.
The room surprised them.
It was not grand.
Not luxurious.
Only a simple desk, a chair, and dim light from a single window.
The king himself looked tired — dark circles under his eyes, posture heavy as if burdened by invisible weight.
"So," the king said gently, "you are the visitors."
Null stepped forward. "Yes. Why did you wish to meet us?"
The king folded his hands.
"I need your help."
Null's eyes narrowed slightly. "Help with what?"
The king hesitated.
Then said—
"In my kingdom… a rabbit is killing people."
Silence filled the room.
Null blinked once.
"…A rabbit?"
"Yes."
The king sighed deeply.
"You must understand. Our world relies on magic. Every living being possesses magic energy. Humans typically hold more than animals."
He paused.
"But in rare cases… animals surpass humans."
Lana listened carefully.
"And this rabbit," the king continued, "is one of those rare cases."
Null crossed his arms.
"But you are a king. You have soldiers. Knights."
The king's expression turned bitter.
"Yes. I do."
"Then why ask us?"
The king lowered his gaze.
"All my soldiers and knights have traveled to a neighboring kingdom."
"Why?" Null asked sharply.
"For my daughter's marriage proposal," the king answered quietly. "My mother, my wife, and my daughter are all there."
Null's eyes widened slightly.
"You sent everyone away?"
"I wanted them safe," the king said firmly. "If the rabbit attacks… at least they will live."
He stood up suddenly.
"Please. Help me. I will pay any amount you desire."
Before Null could respond—
"Okay!"
Lana answered instantly.
Null turned toward her. "Lana—"
She cut him off gently.
"Don't worry."
Null stared at her for a moment, then sighed.
"…Fine."
He looked back at the king.
"We will hunt the rabbit."
Relief spread across the king's face.
"Thank you."
Null and Lana turned to leave.
"Wait," the king said suddenly.
They stopped.
"One of you must remain here."
Null frowned. "Why?"
"I have no knights left," the king explained. "My protection also matters."
Without hesitation, Null said,
"Then I will stay. Lana, you go."
Lana nodded confidently.
"Okay."
She exited the room alone.
The door closed behind her.
Silence returned.
The king relaxed slightly, watching the door where Lana disappeared.
Then, in a low voice he believed unheard, he muttered—
"I want that cute girl to protect me…"
Null's eyes darkened.
He heard it clearly.
Inside his mind, a cold thought formed.
That's exactly why I stayed.
He stood silently, arms crossed, watching the king carefully.
Outside the castle—
A hunt had begun.
And back in the rented room—
Leo still stared into the darkness beneath the bed, feeling as though something unseen had already begun moving long before any of them realized.