Before him stood a figure at a gallant height of 5ft5, emanating an enticing tomboyish charm. Her slender physique boasted well-defined muscles, and her untidy bob, with white-tipped strands seamlessly merging into her natural black locks, exuded an edgy allure.

A hooded sports jacket caught the eye, its design splitting down the middle—black melding into purple. Golden zippers and a white spider-shaped pattern adorned the jacket, marking its unique style. Beneath it, a sleeveless black crop top was paired with a short black dress accentuated by purple thigh straps.

Completing her attire was a buckled choker at her collar, fingerless gloves featuring a diamond-shaped opening outlined in purple, and lace-up boots. Loose purple leg warmers, each donning three black belts, added a rebellious touch, accompanied by black net stockings.

But her most arresting feature lay in her eyes—glaring heterochromia. A golden right eye and a purple left one emitting a radiant glow in the dark, framed by miniature pitch-black irises.

"Guid mornin' tae ye, mah dear Monarch," she greeted with warmth as though meeting her most cherished person in the world.

"Could you... turn off your song, please? You're giving me and my friend here ear cancer," Boss remarked, puzzled by the bass-boosted rendition of 'Scottish The Brave' playing in the background as if she were a final boss.

"Sorry lads, Ah left mah theme song running," Noira clapped her hands a few times, and the music ceased. "Thare we gang. Happy?"

"Appreciated. And I would be happier if you wouldn't call me that."

"Whit dae ye mean? Tis yer name—Oh... ." A sudden realization. "Richt, memetic. Sorry about that, mate." Noira clasped her hands in apology.

They both stood in silence, staring for a long moment.

"Na reaction? Na fightin'? Na anythin'?" Noira broke the silence with disappointment.

"Please, this is not a pub. Mama raised a gentleman, not a barbarian."

"Awwww~ sae chivalry's nae deid," the girl remarked.

"Stop messing around and cut straight to the point. What the fuck do you want?"

The tense atmosphere crackled with escalating tension as Mnemon's voice cut through the air, bearing an entirely different energy. In addition, an ominous and unseen aura radiated from the crow, distorting the surroundings like shattering glass. Boss, taken aback by the unexpected shift in Mnemon's tone, attempted to calm his friend. While Boss tried to soothe Mnemon's rising bloodlust, the other girl stepped forward confidently, seemingly unfazed by the crow's intensity.

"What's th' name o' th' crabbit wee guy 'ere, huh, muckle guy?" Noira looked up to Boss.

"Their name is Mnemon." Boss replied.

"Motherfucker git na loue fur foreplay, that's fur sure." Noira laughed at the seething crow.

"Please, stop antagonizing Mnemon, Noira. Tell me why you're here," Boss stressed, his tone firm, extending his palm outward. "And no, I won't fight or play anymore. Our promise ended then. No more debt for you to collect."

"Yoo're reit," she acknowledged, playfully turning her back to the taller figure and skipping a few steps. "Yoo're reit."

"But Ah got mine tae pay back," she added, turning around and tossing an object toward him.

Boss caught the object mid-air. At first glance, it appeared perfectly ordinary—a silver necklace with a gemstone. Yet, the moment Boss laid eyes on the centerpiece, he recognized it instantly.

"This is..."

"That's right, loue. Tis yer auld universe 'n' hame planet. Keek lik' a snaw globe, heh?"

"And...?" Boss raised an eyebrow at her goodwill.

"Ah juist wantae return this tae tis rightful onwer. Whit's wrong wi' that?" Noira seemed to be genuinely saddened by his question.

"Oh, bitte. Nichts im Leben ist umsonst. More reasons to doubt when it came from you. Oh, Mother of All Evil," Boss retorted. "State your intention, or this conversation will end immediately. Things will not play in your favor, for this is not the past me anymore."

Realizing that Boss was really serious this time, Noira could only pout. "Braw, ye boomer. Ah juist wantae catch up wi' 'n' blether tae ye, fur auld times sake, that's a', mate."

"Oh, really?"

"Aye, ah swear." She playfully admitted.

"On what?"

"Masell. If ah cause ony trauchle, ah will lea immediately. Na mair contact, if that's whit yi'll waant."

Boss scratched his chin. Even though her expression looked like a mischievous child's, he could see her last statement was sincere.

"You've changed."

"Nae," the girl stepped closer, her gaze devilish. "Th' auld me's aye in thare. Ah juist pick mah form accordingly tae th' situation."

"No, not that." Boss pointed at her eye, the yellow one. "That."

"Och thes, huh? Tak' a guess' en."

Boss snapped. The familiarity of the power emanating from her yellow eye struck a chord deep within him. He might not have seen one before, but instinctively, he recognized it—or at least, that's what he felt. And his instincts had never led him astray.

"You... killed your sister?" A headshake. Noira just smiled, then beckoned Boss to crouch as if she wanted to whisper something, and Boss did.

"Ah feckin' mudder' er," Noira said joyfully. "There're big differents atween th' wuid kill an' mudder, loove."

"Why?" Boss pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Why, ye ask?" Noira retorted, seeming irked at his reaction. "Ye forgot th' reason wa ye an' me stuck in 'at shithole? if Ah have th' second chance, Ah woods nae lit 'er hae th' easy way it"

"Naeeee~," the gal continued. "Ah woods trap 'at galla in a slut corpse an' lit th' hobos use 'er as a meat lavvy."

"Look, I understand your hatred for your sister, really do. But do you have to resort to that? And what do you mean the second time?"

"Th' huir isnae entirely deid. It's mair loch a memory wipe, ye can say."

"And you take the power for yourself, I assume?"

"Nope," said Noira, with a popping P. "Mair loch...return tae whit Ah ance was."

Boss sighed resignedly; Noira's issue seemed far more intricate than he initially imagined. Adjusting his stance and attire, he signaled time to resume with a snap of his fingers.

"Let's save this for another day. Today's my day off, so please, I'd appreciate some solitude. Sound alright?" Boss stated firmly.

"Can Ah—"

"No." A direct response, his expression unwavering.

Before he could proceed, Noira, without hesitation, embraced the leg of the towering eight-foot man standing before her.

"Please! Let me come wi' ye!" Her plea was desperate.

"Nein," Boss stated flatly.

"Ah willnae cause onie trooble! Ah swear! Pinky swear!" Noira persisted.

Boss grimaced, glancing skyward. He'd intended to tease his staff, yet he was the one being at.

"Fine, but no antics," Boss relented, succumbing to her relentless appeal.

Noira's face lit up, her excitement palpable as she released Boss's leg and bounced in exhilaration.

"So, any plans or preferences?" Boss inquired.

"Ah dunnae kinn. Ah honestly thooght yoo'd bite mah heed aff ur waur. but hey, lucky me," Noira scratched her head, genuine surprise laced in her words.

"Wait, just a precaution," Boss interjected, extending his palm. "Your ID, please."

"Heh?!?" Noira exclaimed.

"I can't go out with a minor. I know you've been around longer than reality, but in that current appearance, you seem fresh out of school," Boss explained.

"Oh, and let me remind you who you once were, the Mother of All Evil? The Red Water Den? Hnnng???" Boss teased, a smirk tugging at his lips. "And don't even think about conjuring up a fake ID."

"Serioosly, Ah've jist sit fit oan thes Earth ay yoors. hoo woods Ah e'en hae an ID?" Noira retorted back.

"Then tell me your age in this... current form. Truthfully," Noira then growled, raising her hands.

"22. Fair enough. I'm 25, by the way. Want to go somewhere else?" Boss suggested.

"Ye said ye wanted tae dae quality testin' oan yer shop. wa nae jist dae 'at?" Noira was puzzled.

"You ruined it. You ruined it, and I hate you," Boss kept his stoic demeanor intact.

"Aw, ye ken ye loove me," Noira teased, winking at Boss.

"Let's go to my place," Boss pointed at Noira. "You and I need to have a serious talk."

"First date an' th' bloke wants tae scratcher me," Noira joked, fanning herself. "Tay fest, dornt ye hink? Nae 'at Aam greetin'."

"I bet 50 bucks I could split you in half," Boss bantered back.

"100 bucks Ah coods crush yer pelvis.," Noira turned to the crow. "Yer mate's bin affa whieest fur a while."

Mnemon remained silent, a surge of bloodlust rising within.

"Mnemon, please go back in. I'm more worried about you right now," Boss intervened, but the crow only squinted its eyes.

"You don't need to worry about me. Just go and get some sleep. I'll call you back if I need anything, okay, buddy?"

The crow stared momentarily, then vanished into thin air without a trace.

"Whaur dae ye gie 'at grumbly chookie? Ah dornt min' havin' a spat wi' a spyug afair."

"That bird has a name, Mnemon, and they're a part of me, in a way," Boss explained as they walked back to the safehouse. "Mnemon embodies all my nightmares."

"Och..." Noira followed him into the room as he closed the door behind them.

"Don't blame them for holding a grudge against you. You've tormented me for 13 billion years in the past," Boss remarked as he entered the coordinates for Aogashima Island.