The Black Swan Behind (Beauty of Fire)

“But.. That person was related to that project you’re working on, wasn’t it?” Emma asked to reassure herself.

Kathy nodded casually, “My job was to find out the games that the man often played in order to create a fake game website that could attract his attention. Wait. Don’t tell me you know this person?” Kathy looked at Rachel and Emma with horror. The problem was that people who had become victims had been completely deceived.

Rachel nodded confidently, “We know him, Kathy. Very, very well.”

“My God! This is terrible! Is he a good person?” Kathy covered her mouth with both hands.

But Emma patted the red-haired girl on the shoulder with a proud look instead, “You did a good job, Kathy. He was a true jerk man.”

“Geez.. You almost gave me a heart attack, Emma. I thought he was a good person and my teammate tricked us into saying he was a criminal.” Kathy leaned back weakly in her chair.

“Does that mean that the project you’ve always been proud of was a project to deceive Oscar Chopper?” Emma asked again with raised eyebrows.

Kathy nodded, “It was. I didn’t know what his name was. At that time, the project leader only gave me a copy of the social media account that he had hacked a little so that the owner’s name was blurred and his identity was blank. That’s because I was only tasked with finding out the games that the victim routinely plays. My project leader said that our client didn’t want us to know who the victim was. So that guy’s name is Oscar, huh? Was it true that he worked in government?”

.....

“Looks like your project leader had told you little lies, Kathy. Oscar wasn’t working in government. He was not a person who lived overseas either. Oscar Chopper was the leader of a disbanded gangster group called Creeper. And, you’d be surprised to hear this fact, Kathy. Your clients were me and Marcel’s men.” Emma smiled meaningfully.

“You gotta be kidding me, Emma!” She exclaimed.

Emma nodded firmly, “The mission I previously carried out with RJC was to overthrow the Creeper. At that time, I worked together with Marcel’s subordinates to break into Oscar Chopper’s account. I didn’t think that the Hackers hired by Marcel’s men were your team. ”

“Dang! That’s indeed dumfounding! I can’t believe this. But it’s a relief that the money I used was not the result of hurting people.” Kathy said.

“It did hurt some people. But the people were bad persons.” Poppy replied.

“Oscar was a criminal. He made my family suffer for months. You have nothing to regret, Kathy. He deserves it,” Rachel added.

“But, isn’t that mean your hacker team were so great, Kathy? I admire you guys,” Emma praised.

Kathy nodded, “Well.. They really were. I’ve also learned a lot from them over the years. If you need any more help, don’t hesitate to ask me, Emma. I’d be glad to do it.”

“Looks like you guys would be unbeatable if you joined a crime-fighting group. Am I right?” Poppy asked.

Poppy’s statement made Emma clear her throat, “Well.. I honestly was thinking that Kathy’s abilities would be greatly useful for my work. However, I don’t want to drag you girls into a dangerous dark world.”

“Dark world?” Kathy laughed, “You have no idea how dark the internet is, Emma. In fact, I often have to close all my cameras at work. You have no idea what a hacker can do.”

“Is it that bad, Kathy?” Poppy looked curious.

Kathy shrugged, “You heard for yourself what my hacker group and I have done. We broke into all accounts belonging to that man named Oscar in less than thirty minutes. We even hacked his social media and asked his friends to lend him money.” She explained with a raised chin, “That’s why, Emma. If you need a skilled Hacker for Black’s group, I don’t mind joining.” she smiled so widely.

Emma blinked quietly. There was great doubt on her face. Rachel, who had been watching Emma, realized it.

“I think that’s quite a good idea. Didn’t you dream of having a reliable internet master to work with, Emma? I saw that you so much enjoyed your time with Danis that time. You looked proud of him,” Rachel said.

Emma turned and looked back at Rachel, “T-that’s right, Rachel. It’s not that I don’t want Kathy to join. I’m just afraid she’ll get into trouble. The dark world of Handway City is a dangerous environment.”

“Then you can teach me to fight like you. At least I can protect myself a little.” Kathy replied.

“Good idea. Nothing is impossible.” Rachel nodded.

Emma immediately looked back at Kathy with a surprised face and made Kathy chuckle.

“Are you underestimating me, Emma? You know that I don’t like ballet. Who knows if I have a hidden talent in martial arts?” Kathy said.

“I guess.. you’re right.. Kathy,” Emma muttered to herself. “You will become weak if you think you are weak. You will become strong if you think you are strong.”

“Nice quote,” Kathy clapped her hands in slow motion.

“Being a part of Black is something I’ve never regretted until now, Emma. I’m truly grateful that you’d give me a place in your group.” Rachel said.

Emma was silent. Sometimes she forgot that Black was now a group. If Kathy were to join as well, wouldn’t that mean Black would just get bigger? It made Emma’s chest throb.

“What are you thinking, Emma?” Poppy asked quietly. She knew Emma was worried. Logically speaking, Emma should be happy to accept a particularly useful member like Kathy into her group. But Poppy wouldn’t judge if it had anything to do with Emma’s feelings and background.

“I’m.. just thinking. With the addition of Black’s members, will I become a group leader?” Emma answered slowly.

Rachel frowned, “Of course, Emma. You’re the one who created Black. Its Vision and Mission were even formed based on your dreams. You’re the leader of Black.”

“Sorry, Emma.. But, is there something bothering you about that?” Poppy asked again.

Emma nodded slowly, “My dad is a leader of a group too. Although he is a good father and husband to his family, I always dislike his job. Because of his job, we all have to be isolated at home and are always under strict surveillance everywhere we go. Because he is a leader, everyone acted fake in front of me because they feared my dad. That.. indirectly makes me feel that being like him is a bad thing.”

The three girls were silent listening to Emma. From Emma’s story, they could more or less guess that the work done by her father was not much different from that of a gangster group, but perhaps on a larger scale. This was also supported by how glamorous Emma’s life was, as seen from the various items attached to her body, cars, and motorbikes that only people with a lot of money could buy.

“I thought you weren’t that kind of person,” Rachel said suddenly in a cold tone.

Emma who was looking down, immediately looked at Rachel with a confused expression.

“R-Rachel..” Poppy called her in a low voice, “What did you say?” she asked only with a movement of the mouth.

But Rachel ignored it all. She continued to speak, “I thought you were a brave girl who persistently pursued your dreams. I thought you were the type of person who didn’t want to give in to fate and thought that your future was in your own hands. I’ve always admired you, Emma. The side you have but always hide is honestly something tremendously amazing to me. But I was wrong. Even though you already have people who are willing to support you, it turns out that your personality is still weak. If you think you will be the same as your father, then you have to ask to your own self. Are you mentally strong enough to become a leader?”

‘Holly hell, Rachel! You’re a genius!’ Kathy exclaimed in her heart even though she had been silent. It seemed, among all of them, the one who was strong enough to out-loudly open Emma’s mind was that stern-faced girl.

Yes, Rachel didn’t mean to insult Emma. Like a lion. It must see prey to pounce and must meet challengers entering its territory to fight. Otherwise, it would continue to nap under the tree.

“Everyone has a different past and background, Emma. And quite a few go through it in such a bad way that it hurts. But you can use that either as a lesson or an obstacle. You’ll either adapt to it or cry it out. I think you knew that. You’ve always acted bravely. Have I been wrong to see you as my role model?” Rachel asked again.

Rachel’s words were like a hard smack to Emma’s face. Her heart ached to hear those words. What Rachel said was so sharp that made Emma feel like she wanted to be angry at being insulted. But Emma had no reason to argue, let alone go against Rachel’s words. It was because the words she said were fact. Emma’s mentality was weak.

In fact, by saying that, Rachel had taken a large risk. But she still did it anyway. If it turned out that Emma’s response was not good, then their newly patented friendship would be destroyed without a trace. But if Rachel’s intentions were to come true, then Emma would be a truly great leader.