Published at 25th of October 2026 7:56 am

Chapter 380: Good Enough

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I surrender.

Nicolais words seemed to echo. Marlowe and the dog continued glowering at him, wary and ready for combat. Junko held her hand up still but seemed a little uncertain about it, now. The gold glow became fitful and she made a face, one Nicolai read like a book. She didnt want to summon something unnecessarily. Yue watched him carefully, eyes narrowed.

See?! cried Serrin. Theres nothing to be worried about! He turned to Nicolai. Right?

Of course, said Nicolai, pretending not to notice the faintly uncertain air with which Serrin had asked. He had his H-gram form a puzzled frown as it looked around the group. Then it formed an Ah-ha, expression and he sighed and nodded. I understand. This is all resulting from the reputation others have painted me with, he said sadly. I suppose I cant blame you.

Its okay, declared Yue abruptly, giving the others an encouraging look. Hes not going to do anything. Not yet, anyway. I dont trust him, but its obvious he cares about Serrin here. And Serrin doesnt want us to fight.

She looked at Serrin for confirmation, and he nodded frantically. Yes, yes, please calm down. I dont know what everyones getting so crazy about. Hes my friend.

Nicolai supposed that was a reasonable conclusion from Yue, but she wasnt quite on the mark. If he had felt he had good enough reason to attack, he would have done so. Serrin could be made to understand later, though there was a larger problem in that regard. The stirring of the Mask, which had very much come to the fore during this conversation.

He had spent his time scoping these people out, trying to work out who they were, what they were doing, what they had on Serrin. The Mask, privy to his and the Modules analysis and conclusions, knew that he had come to realise they were, basically, honest. Whatever had happened between Junko and Serrin, it was nothing to do with him. He seriously doubted that she had been trying to manipulate or in any other way get some kind of tactical edge on Serrin. In fact, she and the Hornet seemed very much cut from the same cloth: young, naive, instinctive do-gooders. Only, she lacked the raw combat talent, honed by many years of extensive training, that made Serrin so unusually valuable.

But she brought a strength of her own. The powers she had been given as a Hero of Humanity were, frankly, ridiculous. It was inevitable (in Nicolais opinion, at least) that she would come to be surrounded by people looking to manipulate her. That in mind, he was in on the ground floor, so to speak, if he could just get through the front door and handle those whod gotten here first. His gaze slid to Yue. He and Psychology had identified her as the most dangerous outside of combat. Her Soul wasnt as flawlessly guarded as his own and Serrins, but it wasnt far off.

As to Marlowe and Maverick, he didnt see any sign of ulterior motives from them, except for the standard basic human desires obvious in Marlowes excessively protective manner, and the complex expression that occasionally overtook his features when he looked at Junko. Now and then she bore a similar expression when she looked at him. Psychology described it as A mutual attraction complicated by age-disparity and self-denial.

Not like its all on us, grumbled Marlowe. Your friend started it when he started accusing Junko.

You have a point, conceded Serrin, and he turned to shoot a glance at Nicolai then came closer. From the Hornets body language, Nicolai knew he wasnt happy. These are good people, Serrin hissed at him. I told you in the message, didnt you listen to it? I said we can work with them. There was no need for any of that! They remind me of people I knew, and we need allies. And theyre doing something important, and I think we should help. So can you stop He raised his hands, frustrated and inarticulate.

Nicolai adopted a remorseful pose, bashful, embarrassed. Of course, he said. Of course. Im sorry. I was merely worried for your sake. I suppose I was overprotective. I suppose

It was at this pointwith half his mind on the words he was saying and the rest busy plotting his next movethat the Mask, which had been watching and growing increasingly annoyed with him for playing a game on these people and using Serrin as a pawn in it, decided to take action. It jammed an mental elbow into the connection between his brain and his mouth and worked to get a word in.

The controlled tones of his voice spiked with actual emotion, coming out in a strangled whisper, Im sorry, Serrin! Sorry for being such a devious piece of shit! You deserve better than me. You deserve His voice died out with a wretched croak, his neck twitching and spasming as he fought for control of his mouth. He saw Junko and Yue exchange slightly confused looks, Marlowe frowning and tilting his head, but blessedly had managed to keep his voice low enough only Serrin had truly heard him.

The Hornet was staring at him in confusion. Nicolai was glad that while wearing his helmet, the Hornet wasnt able to see the spiritual shape of the Mask on his face. Otherwise he might have realised what had just happened.

What do you mean? Serrin asked, voice low and concerned.

Nicolai didnt answer. Hed just managed to shove the Mask aside. What are you doing? he snarled at it, furious.

The Mask did the spiritual-mental-presence equivalent of crossing its arms and refusing to meet his eyes. A Better Man wouldnt be dishonest with his friend. If youre going to apologise, you should tell him the truth. Not apologise for something that isnt true.

He had to think fast, and he felt that the Mask was ready to jump in again if he attempted to continue with his act. It was strong enough, clearly. His efforts to empower it so that it could better assist him against the Dark had led to this.

He wasnt too sure what to say in that moment, his thoughts disrupted by the intrusion. The Modules werent helping because they were mostly busy debating whether the Mask was right or not, and attempting to clarify the definition of a Better Man.

Only Psychology had any suggestions for what he should actually say, but it was fully on board with his previous manipulative line of action. In fact, it had been there assisting him in shaping his earlier words and approach in the conversation, and he knew everything it wanted to say would be strongly opposed by the Mask.

I guess what Im trying to say is that I acknowledge my part in this and will do better. He spoke slowly and carefully, much of his focus tied up struggling with the Mask, while also attempting to reassure it that he would try harder to exhibit Better Man behaviour from here on out.

Oh! Good, said Serrin, nodding. Thats good.

Hhnngh, I mean, hrr, what were you saying about us all working together? Nicolai managed, teeth gritted, fighting off another lunge from the Mask, as he looked over at the rest of them in a completely normal and unbothered manner.

Blessedly, Serrin was too pleased to be getting what he wanted to focus on his slips, though Psychology chimed in to say the Hornet had definitely noticed. Well, she needs to go into the Dead City. Thats a place Id never even heard of. There are these big gates going out the Sector, and theres a whole other area out there, but its dangerous. Shes looking for something in a well. She said shes got a quest to

He trailed off, and even through his helmet managed a somehow pitiful look at Junko, who sighed and rolled her eyes, then looked to Nicolai.

Ive got a quest, she began, voice clipped. I need to find either someone called the Oracle, or someone else called the Lizard, or the Thing In The Well. Ive learned that the Thing In The Well is in the Dead City, so thats where Im going. And its really important that I do this. I thought Serrin might be able tohelp me, but I didnt know he was bound up with a mercenary like you. I know your type, and I know the fact Im literally trying to save the fucking world wont mean a thing to you. I dont even know why Im saying all this, she ended in a mutter, with another glance at Serrin.

We should help her, said Serrin. It sounds really important!

Nicolai had experienced some new difficulty in controlling his body during the last few moments of Junkos explanation. The moment shed said the word Lizard hed experienced something not dissimilar to an electric shock, jolting him from the tips of his toes to the top of his head.

He showed none of his sudden and overwhelming interest, but the shock had gone through the Mask and the Modules too, and it brought him the moment he needed to reassert full control.

This was more important than hed thought. He needed to act carefully.

I apologise, he said, speaking first to Serrin, then to Junko. I was upset on behalf of my friend Serrin, but perhaps my protective instinct was unnecessary. I thought you were bad people who had done a bad thing, and truthfullyhe said this rather grudgingly, with an internal eye to the Mask, which seemed determined to get something truthful out of himI was trying to probe you, work out if you were playing some sort of game. But it seems you dont have any ulterior motives regarding my friend here, and perhaps I could have been less accusatory.

These words were said as much to Junko and her minions as to the Mask. He could feel it mulling over what he had said, which had, in fact, been pretty close to the honest truth.

It gave its own grudging nod.

Good enough.

I suspected as much, declared Marlowe. He definitely didnt, said Psychology. Is that how you treat everyone you meet? Open up by accusing them of things to see what you can shake out of em? He sneered. As lovely as your reputation suggests. He shot a glance back at the others. Watch his hands. You never know with someone like this.

I have to be careful, owing to my enemies, replied Nicolai, and he allowed his shoulders to slump, made himself look as weary as he could manage. Hed switched his H-gram off, as he knew that using it now would only come off false. Arent you the same? As to my reputation He sighed, stared at his feet. I see little point in talking about it. I believe in judging people by their actions, not what others have said about them. But I suppose not all feel that way. But if you believe nothing else I say, believe this, and he looked back up, attempting to convey earnestness through the medium of his helmet, Serrin is my good friend, my companion. I want what he wants, and if he wants to help you So do I.

A skinsuited arm rose between him and Marlowe. I consider him my brother! declared Serrin. And I also believe in judging someone by their actions, and so far as Im concerned hes never done a thing wrong!

Marlowe scoffed. Sure, he muttered, but behind him the others seemed more convinced. Junko and Yue were exchanging glances. Maverick had tilted his head thoughtfully. Then Yue lowered the Shield shed formed around herself and Junko, giving a willowy shrug. I believe their bond is true, at least, and if Serrin had wished us any harm, he had ample opportunity earlier.

Junko nodded, expression becoming less hostile. Youre not quite how I was expecting, Ill admit that. She stared at him, frowning thoughtfully, focused. Nicolai recognised a Big Decision Moment, and adopted appropriately honest-earnest body language.

She nodded, as though shed seen something acceptable in him, then she smiled wryly. You have a point about judging people before you know them. Everyone in this city is already saying all kinds of things about me. Some people have been saying Im a con-artist! She scoffed. And Im there thinkingnone of them even know me.

Exactly, said Nicolai, nodding in solidarity. They actually say that about me, too, he added, which attracted an internal glare from the Mask.

I dont buy it, growled Marlowe, in a way that told Nicolai hed noted the others were coming around and was launching a last ditch offensive. Look at them! Both wearing that same style of armour, neither of them willing to take their helmet off. I dont trust a man if I cant see his face, and Im not seeing any faces.

I understand, Nicolai spoke up. Youre her protector, her guardian. She needs you. She relies on you.

To his delight, Junko frowned slightly at this, though Marlowe didnt notice, busy staring down Nicolai. His expression did seem to soften slightly.

Its your role to be suspicious of anyone trying to get close to her. Serrin meeting with you, from what Ive heard, was pure chance. The fact that I am such good friends with Serrin, again, a matter of randomness. But how can you know if youre doing the right thing? You should remain suspicious until you can be certain. And I assure you that if we were somewhere more private, away from prying eyeshe waved vaguely at the sky and the flocks of drones filling itI would be happy to remove my helmet. With that, he finished his spiel and watched to see how it had landed. Both he and Psychology were 100% sure hed sounded like an extraordinarily reasonable and sane man. Not only that, hed done his best to give the impression he respected Marlowe and approved of his attitude.

Marlowe stood there, silent in the manner of one waiting to be sure the spiel really was finished, then he spat on the ground between Nicolais feet.

Nicolai stared at the glistening spittle for a momentconveying that he was disgusted but too chilled out to say anything purely through the medium of his shouldersthen looked up. Alas, though his words had had no noticeable effect on Marlowes opinion, the tremendous calmness and impressive self-control hed exhibited did shift the others. The faint edge of those concerned combat might break out finally faded away. Nicolai waited to see what would happen next.

Great! spoke up Serrin. I knew this was all going to work out! This is perfect! The Hornet had lowered the guard on his Soul, and his sudden joy was practically boiling out of him. It was almost infectious.

Were not agreeing to anything as of yet, said Yue, but even she didnt seem immune to Serrins charm. Both she and Junko were smiling slightly after his words.

The Mask was a heavy weight on his face. Its pressure repeated a singular message: that he had better do right by Serrin. He told it that he fully intended to. He currently saw no reason to do anything unfriendly to these people. In fact, just as Serrin had hoped for, an alliance was looking quite beneficial. For now, however, he figured it was best to make himself scarce, give time for his initial impression to fade.

Are you considering joining House Thrynn? he asked.

We might, said Junko. Im still not sure about you, but Serrin, Im sorry for what I said. You saved me, and I shouldnt have doubted you just because of who you know.

Thank you, said Serrin, gazing back at her in a way Nicolai noted as unusually intense, and which Psychology tagged as concerning.

I have to go, he said abruptly, looking importantly into the distance. I have things to do. Severin wasnt going to kill himself, after all. But Serrin, with what Junko has given you, you should be eligible to take part in the Thrynn trials. You better move fastthey start soon. As to our new friends, I look forward to us all working together. He wouldve left the Infiltrator with Serrin to improve his odds, but without him to hold the Modules and keep it blank while entering, the system would view it as a person rather than a puppet, and not allow it entry.

Good collective language, murmured Psychology approvingly.

I know what Im doing, he replied smugly. Farewell. And with that, Nicolai slithered off.

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