The Shattered Wall and the Beast

A whale, he said.

At Nepher’s sharp comment, Vanessa almost burst out laughing.

“That statue is probably just exaggerated to show a high-ranking siren.”

“That’s what I thought too.”

Still, if such a being actually existed, it would be amazing.

Vanessa subconsciously imagined such a massive creature swimming through the sea—then her gaze met Nepher’s.

He looked at her with pure curiosity.

“You like big things?”

“…I’m not sure.”

“It’s weird. A lot of humans seem to like big stuff. Big jewels, big statues, big houses… always big.”

The moment Nepher mentioned humans, Vanessa felt as if all the blood in her body drained away.

She had forgotten for a moment—because he often acted foolish in front of her—that Nepher’s family had been major figures in the s*ave trade for generations.

Opening her heart to him was no different from betraying her own kind.

Her expression froze again without her realizing.

“Master Nepher! This way, please!”

Someone called for Nepher at just the right time.

He turned to Vanessa and offered her a choice.

“What do you want to do? Look around by yourself or just sit?”

“…I’d like to sit.”

“Then sit over there. If anything strange happens, tell me right away.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“Oh, come on. What are we between us?”

‘Nothing. Absolutely nothing.’

Nepher winked mischievously, then left.

Vanessa glared at the back of his head before turning away.

The area in front of the statue was still crowded with sirens.

Of course, not all of them were there—some were searching the walls.

“This part seems suspicious. What do you think?”

“Oh, you’re right. This is the only hollow spot.”

The only vacant place was the secluded corner Nepher had pointed out earlier.

Vanessa immediately headed there.

If she wandered too freely, the sirens would accuse her of forgetting her place as a s*ave.

Just as she touched the ground to sit—

Thump.

Suddenly, the floor on her right sank slightly.

Vanessa lowered her head.

The floor that had clearly been empty moments ago was now glowing.

In commemoration of harmony with the Siren Tribe.

The beautifully written inscription made Vanessa’s eyes widen.

—KWAANG!

A sudden, massive explosion shook the ruins.

Vanessa jumped up and ran to Fren.

“Are you alright, Master Fren?!”

“Yes, I’m fine. But what was that? It sounded like something exploded…”

Fren trailed off as he looked at the sirens.

Those near the wall froze as though they had planned it together—then erupted in panic.

“That sound came from inside here, right?! Right?!”

“We’re in trouble! Someone find a way to get inside, fast!”

“I don’t know what happened, but please let everything be okay!”

The sirens scattered as fast as they would when hunting prey.

Soon after, someone shouted loudly.

They had touched the wall and found a brick pressing inward.

The brick began to shine brilliantly.

Moments later, the light fell downward like a shooting star.

Other bricks containing light began shifting.

“It’s opening! It’s opening!”

“Pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease—!”

Just like when they entered the ruins earlier, the wall split open from both sides and revealed an entrance.

The group grabbed their equipment and rushed inside.

But the disaster had already happened.

“Well, well. Look who we have here.”

A strong beastly smell hit Fren’s nose, and he grimaced.

Nepher, standing at the front, spoke with a shaking voice.

“…Why are you here?”

The one waiting for them inside was Hakan Naisley—the future chieftain of the Lycanthropes.

He answered with a crooked tone:

“Can’t you tell?”

The sirens scanned the area around him in horror.

An entire section of wall had been blown away, and debris littered the floor.

It was clearly the result of the explosion.

The sirens’ eyes went wild.

“What did you destroy?!”

“Funny. Watch your tone.”

“I asked what you destroyed, you beast!”

The enraged sirens rushed forward—but Hakan moved faster.

With his massive, powerful arm, he struck a siren’s face mercilessly, crushing it.

The siren screamed, clutching their face, blood seeping through their fingers.

Hakan sneered coldly.

“You think fish like you can beat me on land?”

“…….”

“Move before I tear you all apart. I need to see what’s in there.”

He shoved past the trembling sirens, tears streaming down their faces in rage.

But he couldn’t go further—Nepher blocked his path.

“How did you even get in here? We’re excavating this place.”

Hakan looked incredulous.

“What are you talking about? We’re excavating here.”

He pointed behind them.

Through the broken wall, a tunnel-like round passage was visible.

Fren spoke calmly.

“Looks like the Lycanthropes found a land route into this place.”

Hakan finally noticed Fren and Vanessa, and his eyebrow twitched.

“The gods really are cruel, aren’t they? Right, Vanessa?”

Vanessa nodded in agreement.

Hakan bared his fangs at the two of them before turning away and stepping outside.

Nepher hurried after him.

Hakan scanned the glowing statue slowly from top to bottom.

Then he muttered coldly:

“You poured money into this trash, huh.”

“Don’t talk about our ancestors’ legacy like that.”

Hakan ignored Nepher’s warning and continued:

“Must be nice. Sitting on a pile of gold again, huh? Everything just works out for the rich.”

“You guys must’ve found something too, right?”

“We didn’t make a single coin, so shut up.”

Annoyed, Hakan punched the statue lightly and turned away.

Nepher retorted in a mocking tone:

“Did you smash it yourselves like last time?”

“…There was nothing in our section.”

“No, there could’ve been writing on the walls!”

“That is nothing.”

“How can your tribe be so primitive? I’m filing a formal complaint with the Lycanthrope Council.”

“Go ahead.”

Hakan wandered around the ruins with the confidence of someone strolling through his own yard.

“As you said, even a ‘primitive’ tribe like us knows first discovery means ownership. Our excavation area is ours to do whatever we want.”

“Still, destroying valuable records—!”

“Is there any treasure besides the statue?”

“Even if there was, why would I tell you?”

“Oh, unbelievable. What a waste of money.”

Hakan sighed irritably and turned away.

He glanced at the sirens who were curled up on the floor, hugging pieces of stone and sobbing.

He commented sharply:

“Pathetic.”

“This is your fault…!”

At their high-pitched wailing, Hakan reflexively pressed his ears.

But the sirens only cried harder.

Clearly done with this place, Hakan walked faster, grumbling.

“Humans really are idiots. What’s so great about those terrible voices that they lose their minds over siren songs?”

“Isn’t that a bit too harsh of a judgment on humans?”

“How is it harsh? I’m just stating facts.”

“Even so, hearing that from the Lycanthropes is surprising.”

“What’s surprising?”

“You know.”

Fren smiled sweetly—like an angel.

“If not for humans, your people would still be slaves. You should be grateful instead of ungrateful like beasts.”

It was such a sharp statement that even the crying sirens stopped and stared.

The moment Nepher instinctively held his breath—Hakan charged at Fren.

But Vanessa moved faster.

She threw herself at Hakan, and the two tumbled across the floor.

“Grrr…!”

Vanessa grabbed a metal rod—one of the excavation tools—and jammed it between Hakan’s teeth, pushing with all her strength.

He wasn’t transforming, so he hadn’t completely lost his mind.

That was a relief—Vanessa thought—just as she pushed harder.

“Hakan! Stop!”

Another Lycanthrope burst in through the tunnel.

This one had fox-like orange ears and tail.

He immediately grabbed Hakan’s shoulders.

“Regain your composure. A future chieftain must not lose control like this.”

“…….”

“Slow, deep breaths.”

The Lycanthrope steadied Hakan professionally and helped him up.

Vanessa dropped the metal rod, panting.

She had only blocked him for a moment, but her arms trembled uncontrollably.

She knew she’d definitely have muscle pain tomorrow.

Fren came to her side.

“Are you okay?”

“…Yes. I’m fine.”

Fren looked at her with pity.

“Humans really can’t be helped. Poor thing. After all that training.”

“…….”

“Let’s go home. We’ll eat something delicious and sleep early.”

While Fren patted her head, Vanessa said nothing.

Hakan, having calmed down, brushed dust from his clothes.

“Let’s go. I’m not staying here another second.”

“Oh, that’s the best thing you’ve said all day.”

Nepher truly had a talent for making others angry.

Hakan’s eyes flared again.

“I should rip that mouth off—!”

“Hakan!”

“…Fine! Fine!”

Hakan was still irritated, but he didn’t attack this time.

He stomped away, and the other Lycanthrope followed—only to pause at the entrance.

He turned back and bowed politely before leaving.

His respectful manner prompted Fren to ask Nepher:

“I’ve never seen him before. Who is he?”

“Nector.”

“Nector?”

“Yeah.”

Nepher nodded and added:

“Hakan trusts him a lot these days.”