On the surface, Fang's words sounded like nothing more than repayment—a response to the kindness Sabrina had shown him.
But if Eugene had noticed what Fang had, then he would understand the true meaning beneath it.
And if he hadn't… then it could still pass as a well-intentioned warning.
Either way, Eugene fell silent.
It was Xander, as always at odds with Fang, who spoke next.
His slow, drawling tone carried a faint chill.
"Fang… you really do love playing the good guy."
Fang, meanwhile, was idly studying the scales along his arm in the light.
At that, he smiled.
"You misunderstand me quite deeply," he said lazily. "I've always had a kind heart~"
Xander gave a cold scoff.
"Kind? That word coming from you is disgusting."
Fang's lips curved faintly.
A low rumble echoed faintly.
Not long after, Sabrina returned, pushing her cart once more.
This time, she was collecting the clothes that needed washing.
The moment her light footsteps sounded, Fang recognized her immediately.
"Our hardworking little bee," he called with a smile. "So diligent."
Sabrina glanced up briefly.
Knowing she couldn't respond, Fang didn't expect one.
When she opened the hatch at 101, a calm, clear voice came from inside.
"About earlier—I misunderstood you. My apologies."
Sabrina tilted her head, puzzled, and quickly wrote:
[What do you mean?]
Seeing the familiar handwriting, Tobias fell silent for a moment.
Then he said, "Could you bring the cart a little closer? I'll put the clothes in myself."
Before, when the staff member had been a man, it hadn't mattered.
But now, knowing she was a young woman… it felt inappropriate to have her handle his worn clothes, especially the more personal ones.
Sabrina didn't quite understand, but she obediently pushed the cart closer to the door.
A moment later, an arm extended out, holding a tightly bundled stack of clothes.
His hand was broad, his fingers long and well-proportioned, the lines of bone especially distinct when he exerted force.
Thud.
The bundle landed neatly inside the cart.
Tobias withdrew his hand and thanked her quietly.
Sabrina hesitated, then wrote a small note—You're welcome—before closing the hatch.
Tobias looked at the green slip of paper.
The handwriting was neat and refined.
Like the person herself.
At least, from everything that had happened today—she was nothing like the others.
He remembered clearly that just a week ago, when Yohan had mentioned that his pets were running out of food, asking the previous attendant to bring extra.
The man had replied impatiently:
"Why bother feeding them so well? When the time comes, the ones who are meant to die will die anyway. Waste of resources—and just more trouble for me!"
Someone who felt nothing for the weak… would show the same indifference to their own kind.
Sabrina moved on to 102.
The moment she opened the hatch, a sharp hiss sounded.
Her expression changed instantly, and she stepped back.
That black-backed, red-bellied snake had emerged again, tongue flicking.
Inside, Xander spoke calmly: "I told you—it doesn't eat people. What are you afraid of?"
"Come closer. Let me take a good look at you."
"Let's see what kind of charm makes Fang go out of his way to defend you."
Sabrina pressed her lips together and shook her head cautiously.
She might be mute, but she wasn't foolish.
There was nothing harmless about that tone.
Upstairs, Fang pressed a hand to his forehead, exasperated.
He had forgotten—this persistent rival of his.
He wanted to intervene, but worried that doing so would only provoke Xander into targeting her more directly.
At that moment, several voices spoke at once from within the building:
"Your conflict with Fang has nothing to do with her."
"Xander, don't make things difficult for her."
"…Please don't scare her."
Sabrina looked up, startled.
The voices came from different directions—from 103, from 101—and from above, 203.
The white-haired man with the soft ears… and so many pets.
Sabrina gently pressed a hand to her chest.
Kindness returned for kindness.
To her, it felt like a quiet, unexpected warmth.
Perhaps some of it was practical—a matter of maintaining good relations.
But still—it moved her.
For someone like her, even a small measure of equal respect was enough to make her feel… quietly happy.
"Hmph."
A cold chuckle pulled her back.
The black snake edged forward again.
Xander's voice carried a trace of amusement.
"Interesting. Less than a day—and you already have so many people speaking up for you."
The faint rustle of fabric followed as he stood.
His tall figure approached, backlit until his face appeared at the hatch.
Sharp. Handsome.
And shadowed with something dark.
When those deep, crimson eyes fixed on her, Sabrina felt a chill run down her spine.
That gaze… was more unsettling than the snake itself.
Tobias spoke again, calm and steady:
"Xander. She's just doing her job. Don't drag her into your conflict with Fang."
Xander glanced aside briefly, then returned his gaze to Sabrina.
"Since when did you start meddling in other people's business?"
A mocking smile tugged at his lips.
"If I didn't know better, I'd think you were all protecting some delicate little Guide."
At that—Fang's eyes flickered slightly.
Tobias's tone remained firm.
"Guide or not—it's wrong to bully the weak."
Xander scoffed.
"Tobias… you're practically a prisoner now. Drop that instructor act."
"There are no soldiers here to follow your orders."
Sabrina glanced toward 101.
An instructor…?
Catching the surprise in her eyes, Xander's voice turned languid.
"Surprised?"
"Everyone in this building once held quite the status."
"And yet—even now, locked in here—they can't let go of their past titles and pride."
"They're being nice to you… because they want something."
"They'll use you, sooner or later."
Sabrina blinked, confused.
Use her…?
What could she possibly do?
Seeing her confusion, Xander's smile deepened.
"Isn't that right, Fang?"
Fang let out a soft laugh.
"You're overthinking things," he replied calmly. "Don't project your own scheming onto me."
Xander's smile cooled.
"You're not trying to use her to pass messages outside? To get someone to pull you out of here?"
Inside his room, Fang couldn't help but laugh.
What a leap…
So his attentiveness had aroused suspicion.
As the two continued trading barbs, Sabrina quietly pushed her cart away.
Better to come back later—after they were done arguing.
At 103, Brandon had already bundled his clothes.
Without needing her help, he extended his arm and dropped them neatly into the cart.
As Sabrina turned to leave, he noticed the note she had handed him.
It contained only two words:
[Thank you.]
When Sabrina reached 120, she stopped.
A faint headache crept in.
This one again…
From behind the door, Eugene's voice came—excited, unhinged:
"Little girl… I can already smell you~"