Chapter 58 - Nexoria City Trip
"That's enough for now,"
I concluded, casting a glance at the muscles that had been pushed to their limits. A grueling five-hour training session starting at 4 AM had left me thoroughly exhausted.
"Two hours until the meetup," I murmured, stealing a quick look at my watch.
-----------------------------------
[Adventurer and Exploration Club]
Hey there! Just a quick heads-up: Our orientation kicks off at 11 AM at the Academy Entrance Gate. We're looking forward to seeing all our awesome members there!
Club President
-------------------------------------
Since today was going to be the day when the orientation of the Traveling Club would be done, I needed to be there on time.
Just as I had been expecting, even the message was the same in the game—a simple informative message which was befitting of the club president's character.
'Today, nothing will happen.'
Adventurer and Exploration Club was one of the two clubs that was essential for all players to join, since there were a lot of story events that were related to this.
However, the events would start after the first trip. Normally I was considering not going there and simply joining the normal trips where the demons and other villains made their appearance, but I decided to participate later on.
The reason was to make myself familiar with the seniors and not gather too much attention. Knowing that after I made my appearance, the demons randomly appeared made some people suspicious.
It is not that that is concrete evidence or anything. But the fewer things that I gave people, the better it would be.
Therefore, I participated in today's trip for that reason.
Today's first trip would basically be a trip to the Valerian Federations' second-biggest city.
The inaugural trip was slated for the Valerian Federation's second-largest city.
'Nexoria.'
A fitting name for the bustling second heart of the federation, brimming with adventures waiting to unfold.
'Now that I think about it, there was a museum there ranging from the unknown materials that came to our world or historical weapons that had been used by those that led the world in the past.'
'I should take some pictures of those things for later. I feel like they are going to be useful in the History and Art Club.' I thought.
Just like that, I started picking my things up from the training grounds.
RUMBLE
As my stomach rumbled at the same time, I was reminded of the fact that the heavier the workout was, the larger the proportions must have been.
On the way, I dropped by the cafeteria and grabbed a meal with heavy mana density.
Then it was time to dress and get ready for the trip.
*******
As I left my room, I made my way toward the entrance of the Academy, where we would meet.
My gun and weapons were stuffed on my bracelet. Today, nothing was supposed to happen, but that didn't mean carrying weapons was pointless. No, that was the opposite since the game's knowledge might not cover everything.
And since I was always carrying my weapon with me, it was not something that made me uncomfortable.
As I reached the place I was supposed to, I could see the main cast was already there.
The man with blue hair and a bright smile, whose hazel eyes were looking at the gates of the academy, seemingly reminiscent of something.
Ethan.
SMACK
Beside him was a girl who smacked him from his back. A girl with white hair and a tomboyish face.
"Dumbass….Why are you dozing off again?"
"Hey! Why are you keep hitting me?"
"Because it is funny. I like when you flinch even from a small touch."
"You are saying this is a small touch? Are you crazy?"
"A bit?"
"More than a bit."
"…."
As the two of them were talking, behind Ethan was another boy who had a cold glare on his face.
"You can hit me if you like," Victor mumbled with a small sound, and it seemed none of them heard it.
'No, I am sure Julia is just ignoring him.' Since even I was able to hear it from a distance, there was no way Julia, who also had superhuman senses thanks to her awakening, couldn't hear it from such a close distance.
"Hey, shut up! It is annoying." And another voice entered the line. A voice that sounded annoyed and a voice that I disliked to hear.
The girl with fiery red hair and yellow eyes was looking at the two who were responsible for the commotion.
Her irritation was palpable as she grumbled. But given the context, it was justified – hearing the person she had a crush on utter something so embarrassing to another girl.
"Tch. You are no fun." Julia spoke as she retracted her hand.
"How is it fun to hit others?" Irina replied. Ethan seemed troubled by the two that were grumbling, but he just stood there.
Thankfully for him, help came sooner than he thought.
"Hey there, everyone!" Jim's cheerful voice echoed through the air, cutting through the banter. He strode towards us with easy confidence, his presence commanding attention.
Ethan straightened up, a sheepish grin replacing his dreamy expression. The white-haired girl playfully stuck her tongue out at him while Victor's gaze remained impassive as ever. And the fiery-haired girl's annoyed expression subtly shifted into a coy smile, her irritation momentarily forgotten.
Jim's average height and friendly demeanor belied the charisma that oozed him. He exuded the aura of a leader effortlessly. Well, it is not that he was leading an army, but rather simply he was good at making things friendly.
It was not on the level of Maya, but he was good nonetheless.
"I see the early birds have all gathered." Jim's gaze swept over the assembled group, his eyes twinkling with warmth. "I'm excited to welcome you all to the Adventurer and Exploration Club's orientation!"
He was a guy with a good temper. He had a good reputation in both academy and the player base since if you improve your relationships with him; he would be a very good wingman for the player.
As he spoke, his enthusiasm was infectious, managing to draw even the most stoic Victor into the ambiance.
"Most of you must have come here learning about our club's reputation." Jim's tone became more serious, but his smile remained. "Well, the name says it all – we're all about adventures and exploration! And we are here to escape from the serious atmosphere of the academy and leave everything behind, even for a day or two."
Looking at his words right now, I remembered the events that would unfold in this club. The things that Ethan would witness, etc.
'Escape from the serious atmosphere of the academy, huh? It doesn't matter where you are. If you are with the protagonist, then the trouble will always follow you.'
I thought.
He held up a folded piece of paper, clearly a prepared speech that he'd probably practiced countless times before.
"We embark on thrilling journeys, uncover hidden treasures, and discover the uncharted corners of our world." He unfolded the paper with a flourish as if revealing a hidden treasure of its own. "Our motto is 'Where the extraordinary becomes a reality.'"
He paused, letting the weight of those words sink in before continuing.
'Certainly, the journeys will be thrilling. It won't be a mere word.' I mused.
But instead of the weight of his words sinking, the reaction he got was not something he was expecting.
"Pffft….."
"Kuhm-"
Two people at the front were having a very hard time holding their laughs.
"Umm…Juniors, can I ask what is too funny?" Jim inquired his attempt to maintain a cool facade not quite succeeding.
Julia and Irina, who were looking at the Club President trying to act cool, could no longer hold their smiles.
Julia and Irina, struggling to suppress their smiles, exchanged a knowing glance before turning their attention back to Jim.
"Well, Mr. Charismatic Club President," Julia managed to get out between stifled chuckles, "we were just marveling at your grand speech."
"Indeed," Irina chimed in with a playful twinkle in her eye, "who knew our Jim could be so eloquent?"
Jim's cheeks flushed a shade of red that even I could see from where I stood.
"Uh… I mean… it's just a speech, you know…" Jim stammered, clearly flustered by the unexpected teasing.
Julia and Irina burst into laughter, the friendly ribbing bringing a light-hearted atmosphere to the group.
They knew Jim from their childhood since he was a senior whose father worked with Julia's family quite often, and Irina met him thanks to Julia.
As the atmosphere had already lost its cool, Jim raised his head, trying to regain his control as the Club President.
"Anyway, to explain shortly, we are here to get away from the Academy's suffocating atmosphere. So, training in times of club activities is strictly forbidden."
As he finished his words, he looked at the members of the club.
"And today's destination will be Nexoria City. Now, without further ado, let's kick off this orientation by pairing up for today's trip!"
He clapped his hands together, the sound sharp and resonant.
"The pairs will be selected through a lucky draw," Jim explained. "No need to worry – destiny will decide your partner for today!"
With a wink, he signaled to the assistant standing nearby, who held a box filled with slips of paper.
"Okay, folks, let's find out who your partners are! People on the front, come here and grab a name."
Hearing his words, the members went there, and I just waited behind. Since the members on the front were going to grab a name, there was no need for me to get one.
"Then, I will go first." Saying that Julia went and grabbed her name.
And the result was certainly something she was not expecting.
"Julia."
"Please get another name." As she read the name Jim gestured. Since he didn't know which ones would be the ones drawing the lots, he probably put everyone's name in there.
"Okay." Saying that Julia grabbed another one, and the name was something she did not want to probably.
"Victor." After her reading the name of her partner, Julia looked at the boy, who was slightly smiling.
"Okay, our first pair is Victor and Julia," Jim announced, and the drawing continued.
"Tch." Saying that Irina pushed her forward, and the name that came out of there was something I did not want this time.
"Astron….." Reading my name, Irina turned her blazing yellow eyes to me as she glared daggers. Her already soiled mood seemed to get worsened by my name appearing, and it was not that different for me.
'Tch. This annoying girl is my pair of all people.' I thought, turning my gaze away and waiting for the drawing of pairs to end.
The drawings in the game were random as this one. You either be paired with a random NPC, or you could be paired with a named character, so there was no fixed route in this part.
And right now, the one Ethan drew was a girl named Shelly, a girl with glasses and a timid expression on her face.
"Now that we have finalized our pairs, now it is time to travel." With those words, Jim led us out of the academy, and we hopped into a small bus that would take us to the portal connecting Arcadia City and Nexoria City.
The atmosphere on the bus was a mix of excitement and curiosity. People chatted among themselves, sharing their thoughts on the upcoming journey.
I sat near the back, keeping the window to myself. However, I couldn't help but feel a pair of intense yellow eyes on me.
Irina was seated a few rows ahead, her gaze occasionally flickering back to meet mine, but I simply ignored her.
The bus ride went by quickly, and before I knew it, we arrived at the portal station. The portal itself was an awe-inspiring sight – a swirling vortex of magic and technology that connected two distant cities in an instant. The sensation of passing through the portal was brief but disorienting, like a sudden shift in the fabric of reality.
As we emerged from the portal into the vibrant city of Nexoria, a sense of anticipation hung in the air.
"All right, everyone," Jim's voice carried over the excited chatter. "Here's the plan – you are free." He said, cutting his own words. "Since today is the orientation day, you are free to wander around the city as you please but note that you need to be here around 7 AM. Is that clear?"
""""Yes.""""
After Jim's talk, the group dispersed, pairs forming naturally as members mingled and shared excitement. Irina and I found ourselves standing together, but any camaraderie seemed far from her intentions.
"You know," Irina's voice cut through the air, sharp and pointed, "I didn't sign up for this to babysit some bastard who doesn't even know what they're doing." She said, looking at me. "I am going my own way, don't follow me."
With those words, she turned back and started walking.
I didn't respond and watched her walk away.
'It is time to visit that museum.' With that thought, I opened my watch and searched for the museum….
Chapter 59 - Nexoria City Trip (2)
Nexoria City.
The second-biggest city of the Valerian Federation.
Nexoria City, the sprawling heart of the Valerian Federation, stood as a testament to human ingenuity and ambition.
The city's grandeur stretched far and wide, encompassing a landscape that blended the old with the new, the historical with the modern.
As I walked through its bustling streets, I found myself immersed in a sensory symphony that painted a vivid picture of this vibrant metropolis.
The reason why we have taken the portal to come here was because two cities, Arcadia City and Nexoria City, were on opposite sides of the federation.
Therefore, coming from Arcadia City to Nexoria City took ten hours by train. And even that was with the fastest one. The average train took 15 hours to arrive.
In any case, the atmosphere of the city was not that different from Arcadia City's own. But if there were one distinct difference, then that would be the appearance of hunters being more here.
The reason for that was simple.
The landscape and the place that surrounds Nexoria City are filled with places that were yet to be recovered from the wildlife.
As you may have already expected, the Valerian Federation occupies a huge amount of land, and not all of them are habitable.
There are places where life has been taken over by monsters from the gate, and Nexoria City is in such a state.
The landscape around here has a lot more threats which is the main reason why this place is the second-biggest city since it is not the safest.
In any case, it was said that this city was the capital of a fallen kingdom before the Nexus Convergence; therefore, making this place another metropolis was not that hard, which is another reason for this city to be this developed.
'Certainly, the landscape is similar to the game.' I thought, walking on the streets. This place was another place in the open world where players could wander around freely. Therefore, I had prior knowledge of coming here.
With that thought, I kept walking and observing things.
'For some reason, I feel in danger.'
I could not understand what was happening, but for some reason, my senses were constantly tense.
'Am I being followed?'
This doesn't seem to make sense. Why was I being followed? My past was clear; I didn't show off or offend anyone. I mean, I did offend some, but it was not to the point where they would follow me like that.
Also, this feeling came after I stepped onto Nexoria City, so it didn't make any sense unless the ones targeting me knew I would come here. But that was pretty unlikely since I don't think the ones targeting me would do it right here rather than while I was visiting Black Market.
'That means one thing.'
I thought.
'Demons are nearby.'
There is nothing that made me more uncomfortable than demons appearing.
GRIT
If there were demons or demon contractors appearing, that meant something was going to happen that we didn't know in the game.
'I was expecting this kind of thing.'
After all, there was no way a world based only on a game would be enough to call a world. No game can cover a whole world with every action that are happening in that world.
However, that didn't mean the game didn't give any information.
'But, seeing that we didn't hear about this, this event should be disclosed. That means this is nothing big.'
Most of the time, things related to demons would be hidden from the general public since the federal government already did have their hands full with the invasion of other species and international problems.
Internal problems and the panicked society would be a lot harder to deal with, which is also something demons are trying to make.
Public Distrust.
Terrorism.
Underhanded techniques will make the power of the government and association lower, which will end up making the human federation weaker.
That was the reason why the news was mostly filled with happy news.
In any case, even though I felt like something was going to happen, I had no way of knowing the source. And even if I did, right now, I couldn't even deal with Academy Students on my own, let alone demon contractors.
I also couldn't inform other people.
Therefore, the only thing I could do was to continue my way and stay alert to any possible danger.
Just like that, I kept walking, wandering around the streets of Nexoria City with my watch open wide as the map of the city was before me.
"Freshly roasted monster meat! Try the delicacy from the dungeon itself!" A vendor's enthusiastic call caught my attention, drawing me toward a lively food stall. The aroma of sizzling meat filled the air as a crowd gathered, curious to sample this exotic fare. It was not an easy sight one could see inside the serious atmosphere of Arcadia City.
As I reached the stall, a man with a wide smile and a twinkle in his eye beckoned me. "A taste of adventure, sir? The beast that roamed the dungeon's depths – now on your plate!"
I couldn't help but be intrigued. "What kind of monster is it?"
"Ah, a fierce one, that's for sure! They call it a Skyrage Wyrm, and let me tell you, its meat is tender and succulent, thanks to its fiery nature."
'Skyrage Wyrm. I am hearing this for the first time.' I thought. My curiosity picked up since the store was pretty crowded.
I raised an eyebrow. "Fiery nature?"
The vendor nodded enthusiastically. "Oh yes! These creatures breathe fire, you see. But fear not, we've tamed the flames and left only the exquisite taste behind!"
I decided to give it a try, and the vendor deftly sliced a portion of the roasted meat onto a plate. As I took a bite, the flavors exploded in my mouth – a mix of savory and slightly smoky, with a hint of spice. It was unlike anything I had tasted before, a true fusion of adventure and cuisine.
This made me remember once again what type of world I was living in. The feeling of mana entering my body from the monster meat was alone, showing that this world was a world that could offer many things.
"Thanks. How much for the meat?"
I asked. The money was not a problem.
"500 Valer."
Until I heard the price.
'You can't be serious?' I thought, raising my head, only to see the name of the stall. Because I was constantly tense, rather than paying attention to the names of stalls, I was paying attention to the people, which made me miss what was before me.
In the end, it was a stall that was opened by a famous chief. Thus, the only thing I could do was to pay for my meal and make my own way.
As I wandered, I couldn't help but overhear snippets of conversations, a blend of excitement and familiarity.
"Did you hear? The Blackfang Guild is organizing an expedition to the Wildwood Dungeon!"
"Yeah. Finally, some high-ranking guild is stepping in."
"Indeed. I don't even understand why did it take this long for them to enter the dungeon anyway?"
"I heard a problem with the tax occurred. They are saying the association demanded quite a lot this time."
"That makes sense. Nowadays, they are saying the association is putting too much pressure on the guilds in terms of taxes."
Such words were a testament to Nexoria's adventurous spirit, where Dungeons and the treasures they held were a part of everyday life, but here I could see the strength of association a lot better.
Since I was mostly associated with the Black Market Dungeons, I didn't have a license for now. I could get one, but I hadn't.
Therefore, I didn't know much about the dungeons of the association.
In any case, after walking for a while, I finally managed to reach the place of my destination. The museum.
'The feeling of threat also disappeared. I guess they retreated.'
I thought.
Since I was not feeling the discomfort anymore, I decided to enter the museum without wasting any more time.
'This trip feels a little refreshing.' I thought. I had been working non-stop for the past three weeks without doing anything, and wandering around like this made me clear my head a little bit.
I walked through the museum's entrance, the name "Nexoria Museum of Enchantment" displayed in elegant lettering. With a sense of quiet determination, I decided to navigate the exhibits on my own, forgoing the assistance of a guide.
The receptionist at the front desk, a young woman with a warm smile, greeted me. "Welcome to the Nexoria Museum of Enchantment! Are you here for the guided tour?"
Her clothes were tidy, and she had an amicable smile. Looking at her sleeves and the small pocket on her uniform, I could see she was smoking; at the same time, she was using capped teeth.
'The brand she is using is a high-quality one. Her breathing doesn't seem to be rugged. She has been smoking for at least ten years; the signs of nicotine addiction are masked with her extensive makeup under her eyes. She is not married, but her sex life is well-satisfied. There are three different scents of male perfume mixed with her own. I guess she is a player.'
'Well, that's enough for now.'
After concluding that, I replied to the woman. "No. I wish to explore alone."
She nodded understandingly. "Of course! Feel free to take your time. If you have any questions or need assistance, don't hesitate to ask." Even though my tone was blunt, she didn't mind it.
'A rare professional.' With a nod, I stepped into the lands of the museum, making my way to the museum.
This place was a place where things from other worlds as well as from the past, gathered.
The first stage of the museum was a place where the materials from the other world were showcased.
The first display caught my attention—a collection of gleaming metal ingots that seemed to emit a soft, ethereal glow.
A plaque nearby indicated that these metals had been recovered from the depths of the Luminary Cavern, a Dungeon renowned for its intricate network of subterranean tunnels.
These crystals were said to harness and amplify mana, making them valuable resources for spellcasters and enchanters.
However, that was only in the past. It was a material that made the civilization what it was since one of the reasons why humans were able to resist the invasion of the species who had access to mana firsthand.
The technology that has worked with mana rather than electricity was thanks to this material. A groundbreaking discovery. Being able to convert any type of mana into raw energy, fill mana batteries, and many other things.
This world was different from Earth in this fundamental way.
Earth's civilization was formed on electricity, while here, the world revolved around mana.
Moving on, I encountered other fascinating materials. There were iridescent scales recovered from the Azure Abyss, a Dungeon immersed in an underwater realm. These scales were imbued with a protective aura, rendering them ideal for crafting formidable armor.
A few steps away, delicate petals from the Celestial Blossom, harvested from the Elysian Fields Dungeon, were displayed. These petals held extraordinary healing properties and were revered for their ability to mend wounds and ailments.
THROB
Just as I was walking further, suddenly, I felt a throbbing feeling in my head.
'What?'
Before I could ask any other question, the throbbing feeling intensified as my vision momentarily blacked out.
"Astron."
A voice echoed inside my head as the silhouette of a woman appeared before my eyes.
'Sister.'
However, no words could leave my mouth as I felt my chest suffocating. It was the same dream I had been having over and over again all the time. (N1)
Now, a cryptic sound would come, which was veiled with an unknown presence.
"Seek the moonstone."
However, this time the words rang out like a bell, the meaning crystallizing within me. It all fell into place. The throbbing in my head was no longer a cryptic enigma but a guiding force, leading me to a purpose.
As my vision was cleared out, my eyes were drawn to the corner of the museum, where a soft silvery light illuminated the protective cage.
Like a child bewitched by the smell of candy, my steps guided me in front of the cage, my steps staggering.
And the moment I reached the cage, a stone was revealed, as well as the name of the bracket beside it.
It was written there.
Chapter 60 - Nexoria City Trip (3)
"Astron."
"Seek the Moonstone."
As the contents of that dream echoed in my mind, I couldn't resist the pull that seemed to be guiding me toward the corner of the museum. There was an inexplicable connection that drew me closer to something hidden there. It was as if an invisible thread tugged at my consciousness.
As I reached the corner, my gaze fell upon a small, faint light emanating from a cage, its glow casting an otherworldly aura. Adjacent to it was a modest stone, its presence bearing an enchanting quality.
That was what was written beside it, as the small and faint light was shining upon the stone.
I didn't know why, but I felt myself getting enchanted by the stone, like something was pulling me.
The dream was now disappeared from my eyes, but the connection I was feeling with the stone was real.
'It is the moonstone.' For this whole time, the contents of the dream had been haunting me. There were words whenever I slept, a silhouette that I was familiar with. But, not even once I could understand what those words meant.
But, now that I was before the stone, the dream was complete.
'Seek the moonstone, huh? Wasn't this stone useless?' I asked myself. In the game, there were not many chances that this stone would appear, and even if it did, most of the time, it was no different from a normal stone that was shining.
That was the reason why this was here, probably. Since it didn't have any use aside from art and architecture, this stone would be exhibited in a museum in such a way. It didn't have the property to conduct mana properly, and it was a hard material.
'But this connection is something that is impossible to ignore.'
Yet, the connection I felt was undeniable. Surreal yet certain, as if a dormant knowledge had been unlocked within me.
I instinctively understood that this stone held some sort of importance, though the details eluded me.
I don't know if there was such a setting in the game for any affinity, but I knew there was only one person that was using the power of the moon in the game.
She was a villain, and the weapon she was using was also useless.
'Was her weapon made from moonstone?' I asked. Since when we beat that villain, as the loot, the blade we got would be useless.
It didn't have much attack power, and neither did it have good magical abilities.
'That explains why she was that strong even though her weapon was weak. Maybe, it is a matter of suitability. That might also have something with my mana conduction.'
I thought. That was something I had been wondering for a while, but my mana control was not progressing fast enough.
As the other students around me had already gotten used to imbuing their weapons with their mana, and their power output was higher than mine.
For instance, when I used my dagger. Even though my mana increased its damage, the increased damage was relatively lower than I expected.
'It was like my mana was not being conveyed enough.' I thought.
'But, if it was related to material, then this explains everything. Even though my mana control is still not that strong, the output should be a lot stronger, considering my magic power stat. If it is about the material, then this makes sense.'
This stone's connection seemed to be tied to something beyond its physical properties. As I pondered the potential implications for my mana control and weapon enhancement, my thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of two people, one small and one slightly taller.
It was a girl with bright and widened eyes. She looked innocent, as her eyes contained a small bright light that was exclusive to children.
The young girl's eyes widened with excitement as they fell upon the moonstone. "Mommy, look! It's so pretty!" she exclaimed, her voice carrying pure wonder.
Her mother's response was less enthusiastic. "Honey, it might look pretty, but it's just a useless stone. Let's move on to something more interesting."
I didn't know what their names were, but the mother gave a serious vibe, and her presence was strong.
'She is a hunter.' I concluded. 'From the calluses on her hand, the way she walks, and her posture, it seems she is a spear user.' It was slightly rare for a woman to use a spear rather than a bow or a sword.
Most of the time, the spear rather needed a strong core and heavyweight, which generally didn't fit the type for women.
THUMP
But just as they were leaving, suddenly, my heartbeat started increasing as I felt something was amiss. The same feeling of death I had been feeling all this time was now here once again.
THUMP THUMP THUMP
'This time, it's a lot stronger.'
I concluded as my heartbeat increased further and further. Looking at the woman, I could see she was also tense as goosebumps filled her body. It was evident that she also sensed something was amiss.
BOOM!
And in less than a second, before I could say anything either I could do, a sudden explosion rocked the museum, sending shockwaves through the air.
CRASH
I could see the pieces of door and walls flying across the museum and immediately went to take cover. The woman probably took care of her own child, so there was no need for me to risk myself.
Chaos erupted as panicked shouts filled the space. The lights flickered, and alarms blared, a stark contrast to the peaceful atmosphere that had prevailed just moments before.
TOK TOK TOK
The sound of something heavy walking could be heard as an immense amount of pressure was released from the presence. I could feel it was no ordinary monster.
THUMP
But again, my heart started beating wildly.
'What is this?'
And another presence made itself known.
'A demon contractor. And a strong one at that.'
The pressure that was being released from the man was comparable to the monster.
'At least peak rank 9, or maybe 10.'
From the pressure alone, I could feel my hands shaking.
'I am feeling fear?'
It was the most primordial action one could have. When against an undeniable force, the feeling one would get.
Fear.
My shaking hands were enough to show that.
'I am feeling fear again? Just like that time.'
I could feel the tremble in my hands.
SPURT SWOOSH CRASH
"AH!" "HELP ME! HELP ME!"
"SOMEONE!"
I could hear the sounds people were making, but I just stood there kneeling and looked at my hands.
They were shaking, probably from the pressure.
'There is no way.'
But, my head was calm. No, rather than saying calm, it was angry.
I was angry.
'THERE IS NO FUCKING WAY! AFTER ALL THIS TIME, YOU ARE GOING TO CHICKEN AWAY! AGAIN!'
'YOU ARE GOING TO LET HER DOWN AGAIN! JUST LIKE AT THAT TIME! ARE YOU GOING TO WATCH?'
THUMP
I could feel my heart beating fast. The demon contractor was close.
I was angry at myself for feeling the difference in power.
I was so weak that my body didn't even listen to me. Even if my mind was strong, the difference between the raw power was enough to make me freeze.
'NO! I REFUSE!' I shouted in my head, I could feel the pleas coming from around me, but my focus was on a different place.
'IF I AM GOING TO TAKE MY REVENGE, THIS IS THE FIRST STEP I NEED TO TAKE.'
With my trembling hands, I reached for my bracelet and took the dagger from there.
STAB
And stabbed my own leg.
"Huff...Hufff….." It hurt; it hurt a lot. But, this was a price in order to get rid of the lingering pressure on my body. I needed to make it respond to myself, and it did.
The moment I stabbed myself, I could feel the lingering tremble going away. The pain cleared my head, there was neither anger nor fear.
I could finally think clearly.
WOOSH
As I manipulated the shadows with my trait [Shadowborne], without wasting any more time I hid myself, making my presence unknown. I needed to see what was happening first. I knew I was not going to be any help in this situation. Both the monster and the demon contractor was too strong for me.
"HELP! PLEASE!"
Amidst the chaos, more sounds mingled—shrieks of desperation, pleas for assistance, and cries of anguish. People scattered in every direction, some attempting to escape the menace that had invaded their sanctuary.
The monster's rampage was relentless. The ground trembled beneath its heavy footsteps, and as its sinister presence neared, its path was marked by destruction. People fell, their fates sealed by an adversary beyond their comprehension.
RING RING
Alarms rang in an incessant, dissonant symphony, their urgent cries melding with the cacophony of terror. The air itself was charged with panic, a thick aura of dread that left little room for rational thought.
In a desperate bid to survive, some fled from the direction the attack had come, their footsteps a frantic rhythm against the backdrop of chaos. Others found themselves cornered, their eyes wide with terror as they confronted a force they couldn't hope to overcome.
"Mommy, I am scared." I could see the little girl looking at her mother with a cry, but the woman had a rather cold face. She was looking at the entrance where people were massacred while holding her daughter's eyes, closing them. Her mana was also covering the girl's ears, so she probably couldn't hear anything.
The way she had used her mana in such a precise manner was enough to show that the mother was someone that was very proficient with using mana.
'Is she some sort of celebrity?' I asked myself, watching the scene unfolding. It didn't make sense to see a hunter with such precise control. 'She must be disguising herself.' Both the woman and the little girl seemed normal at first, but as I paid more attention now, I could see a small interference was messing with my sight.
With a stern yet gentle expression, the woman crouched to meet her daughter's eyes, speaking with a hushed tone. "Jane, don't leave this place, okay? Mama will return immediately."
"You will go and kill those bad guys, right?" The girl replied with a small tone; she looked really scared.
"Yes. Mama will deal with those guys. You know Mama is strong, right?"
"Un. I know, mama is strong."
"Then, just wait and never move from here."
As she uttered those words, the woman's mana surged, forming a protective barrier around the girl's whole body. It was a mother's instinctive urge to shield her child from the horror unfolding around them.
TOK
As the woman rose to her feet, her eyes shifted from her daughter to the chaos around her. The urgency of the situation was not lost on her. With a glance that carried a mixture of resolve and authority, she assessed the situation and quickly formulated a plan.
"Hey, what is your name?"
She asked a woman who was hiding behind with a scared face.
"Anna."
"Good Anna, help the wounded! Keep them stable until the medical team arrives!" The woman's instructions were firm and immediate, leaving no room for hesitation. However, the girl still hesitated as she didn't want to put herself in danger, knowing such strong opponents were there.
"Who are yo-"
Just as the girl was about to react, suddenly, an immense amount of pressure enveloped her. It was even stronger than the monster and the demon there as a Hunter; the girl seemed to know the person before she was someone with a prominent aura.
Before the question could fully form, the air itself seemed to bend under immense pressure, as if the very atmosphere recognized the person who had arrived. The woman's appearance underwent a subtle transformation as if her mere presence commanded attention and respect.
The girl's eyes widened as realization struck. "Kaya... Kaya Hartley?"
Before the girl could talk further, the woman's cold gaze was on her. "Just listen to what I am saying, you insect. If you don't listen, it will be your family that will suffer." As the woman spoke those words, a shiver went down the girl's spine.
She was an incredibly cold woman who slaughtered monsters non-stop, even after she gave birth to children. A prominent hunter that was constantly on the news, a woman came from the family of Hartley's.
'I see…Here I thought, why hasn't she ever flinched. If it was this woman, then it makes sense.' As I thought about that, I just stood there and watched the scene.
TOK TOK TOK
The heavy footsteps grew louder, a reverberating cadence that announced the approach of the monstrous threat. The ground shook beneath its weight, the sheer size and power of the creature making it a fearsome adversary.
"EVERYONE!" As the woman shouted with a loud tone, the people who scattered around, the bodies that were about to die, everyone gathered their attention on her.
As the woman shouted with a loud tone, the people who scattered around, the bodies that were about to die, everyone gathered their attention on her. She quickly assessed the situation, her eyes locking onto the wounded and those in danger.
"Listen to me!" Her voice, calm yet commanding, cut through the panic. "We're in a dire situation, but we can overcome this if we work together. Those who can fight assist the injured. Form groups and defend yourselves."
As her voice carried through the air, a sense of reassurance began to spread. The woman's presence, her aura of authority and confidence, had a calming effect even in the face of danger.
"Hunters, mages, lend your strength to those who need it most. Remember, unity is our greatest weapon."
Amidst the chaos, her words became a rallying point. Those who had been paralyzed by fear found their resolve renewed. With her guidance, makeshift teams formed, their efforts becoming a coordinated response against the looming threats.
"Ah…You finally revealed yourself."
But following Kaya, a new presence emerged—one that struck dread into the hearts of those present. The air itself seemed to grow colder, a malevolent energy radiating from the depths of the museum.
THUMP
The reason for my hatred to grow.
The demon contractor made his appearance.
Chapter 61 - Nexoria City Trip (4)
"Ah…You finally revealed yourself."
The moment the demon contractor made his appearance, Kaya's eyes narrowed.
"It seems the information we got was not wrong." Following his words, it was something Kaya would never expect.
'Information?' She asked herself. 'There is a rat.' She concluded. But, it was not the important thing right now.
The man before her was strong. She could feel it. She had no time to think about what was happening here or how did he know about where she would be.
She needed to deal with the man first.
"Cat bit your tongue? Why are you not answering?" The demon contractor asked, looking at her with a grin. An Aura of impotence was being released from him, but he was not the only problem she had.
A monster was beside him on a leash, and a bunch of others were already terrorizing the place. It was evident that this was a coordinated attack, both from monsters and Demon Contractors.
"I have no words to answer heretics like you, who sold their soul." Finally, she opened her mouth as she looked at the man. "People like you are a disgrace to our society." As she said, she touched her licensed bracelet and took her weapon from there. It was a long spear, a spear with an ominous black-looking aura.
The demon contractor let out a mocking chuckle. "Oh, how graceful your words are, Kaya Hartley. I must admit, I'm quite excited to see you in action after all this time. Your reputation precedes you, after all. I wonder where your values will take you at the end of the road."
His grin widened, revealing teeth that seemed just a touch too sharp.
Kaya's grip tightened around her weapon, a sense of focus and determination settling over her. Her eyes met the demon contractor's, her own expression unyielding.
And then, as if the world had shifted, the museum became an arena of conflict. The clash of wills and strength reverberated through the air, the battle lines drawn between hunter and demon contractor.
The demon contractor seemed to watch for some reason, but she knew. The more time passed, the more people would die. She could see the security of the museum was already dealt with, certainly something that was planned. She was also sure that the information would not be leaked outside.
'I need to finish this fast.' She concluded. 'Jane is here as well.' She knew right now she was the only one that could defend herself and Jane, so she just did what she needed to do.
SWOOSH
She lunged towards the man with her spear in her hands. The spear was illuminated with a deep crimson mana, its aura pulsating with her determination and mana control.
CLANK
The demon contractor met her attack head-on, his movements fluid and precise. He brandished a wicked-looking sword, its blade infused with a dark energy that seemed to suck in the surrounding light.
With a deft swing, he deflected the thrust of her spear, their weapons clashing with a resounding clash.
CLANK CLANK
The demon contractor met her attack head-on, his movements fluid and eerily graceful. He wielded a sinister sword, its blade infused with a malevolent energy that seemed to swallow the surrounding light.
With an expert swing, he deflected her spear's thrust, the impact echoing in a resounding clash.
However, both she and the demon contractor could feel the difference in their power.
"Even after all this time, it seems I am far behind you." The Demon Contractor mumbled, but Kaya felt something familiar.
The man was someone she felt like she knew, but at the same time, since his face was covered, she had no idea who he was. His voice was also blurry, as if he was having a hard time breathing.
CLANK CLANK
Their engagement was a ballet of magic and steel. Kaya's spear gleamed with her mana, every strike calculated and precise. Her movements were an embodiment of her training and skill.
In contrast, the demon contractor executed his strikes with a lethal goal. His sword sliced through the air, each movement accompanied by demonic energy that tainted the atmosphere.
The black energy was making it hard to breathe, and Kaya needed to keep it under control.
'This heretic. He is trying to suck the life force of the people nearby.'
Because she could see his intentions, she knew she couldn't let him do as he pleased.
While locked in combat with the demon contractor, Kaya kept one eye on the monstrous creature at his side.
The creature's snarls and growls were eerie background music to their duel, a reminder of the two-pronged threat she faced.
'I need to deal with this creature first.' She thought. The monster was about to attack, as she could see from his muscles.
Even for her, fighting with a human and a monster at the same time would be hard. It would disclose the difference in power between her and the demon contractor, and she didn't want that.
In a burst of determination, Kaya spun, her spear arcing toward the monster. She aimed to eliminate the creature swiftly, aware that splitting her attention was risky.
'The House of Hartley. First Move. Spinning Hell.'
As she took her position, she attacked the monster, immediately disappearing from where she was.
SWISH
Her spear cut through the air, aiming for the creature's exposed flank.
SWOSH
But the demon contractor was no idle observer.
"Not on my watch!"
He seized the opportunity created by her diversion, lunging with his own swift strike, his sword a malevolent extension of his will.
Kaya's instincts kicked in, a surge of mana enhancing her reflexes. She shifted, barely avoiding the demon contractor's blade, the movement seamless and graceful. Yet, her evasion compromised her initial strike on the monster.
BOOM
The demon contractor's strike impacted the ground, sending shockwaves through the surroundings, and destroying the safeguard mechanism put in by the museum management.
PAT CREAK PAT CREAK PAT CREAK
One by one, the protective glasses that surrounded the exhibits broke as the shockwave passed through them. It was a strike with such force.
Kaya had evaded the worst, but the force of the strike threw her out of balance momentarily.
Without hesitation, she regained her stance, focusing anew on the battle at hand. She was not someone that would fall down from one single clash after all.
SWOOSH
Then, she lunged at the Demon Contractor once again, aiming at his abdomen.
CLANK
"I knew you would do that." the demon contractor remarked with a taunting grin. His voice carried an air of familiarity that sent a chill down Kaya's spine. But there was no time for contemplation. She had to remain focused on the fight.
GROWL
Before she could react further, a growl from the side caught her attention. The monstrous creature wounded but far from defeated, seized the opportunity presented by her distraction.
SWOOSH
With a burst of speed that belied its size, the creature lunged at Kaya once more, its maw gaping open.
CLANK
Kaya's instincts kicked in again, and her reflexes honed to perfection. She twisted her body in mid-motion, her spear slashing upward to intercept the creature's attack.
The clash was fierce, the creature's jaws mere inches from her face as she halted its advance.
"Tch."
A snarl of effort crossed Kaya's lips as she held the creature at bay, her strength matched by the sheer determination in her gaze. The creature's acidic breath wafted over her, a mixture of saliva and dark energy.
CRACK
The ground under her feet cracked because, for a moment that felt like an eternity, the two adversaries remained locked in a battle of strength and will. Kaya's muscles strained under pressure, her expression unwavering even as sweat trickled down her brow.
SWOOSH
With a final surge of effort, Kaya summoned her mana, infusing it into her spear. The weapon glowed with renewed energy, and with a powerful thrust, she managed to force the creature back.
'Now is the time!'
THUD
It stumbled, its momentum broken. Kaya didn't waste a moment. With a fluid motion, she lunged forward once again, her spear aimed at the creature's heart.
The creature roared, a mixture of pain and fury, as it sought to evade her strike. However, it was sure that it was not going to be able to evade the strike. His body was tattered after the effects of Kaya's mana; it was her special and precise way of using it, as she directly sent the momentum of the attack to the creature's wrists.
SWOOSH
However, the demon contractor once again appeared before her as if to mock her for her attack. It was like he knew exactly her course of action.
But that was something Kaya also knew right now.
'I knew it.'
As the demon contractor appeared before her with green, she could see the sword approaching her face.
The man's face was saying the game was over, but Kaya's movements were swift and precise.
"Heh."
SWOOSH
With a confident smirk, she sidestepped the demon contractor's attack with an agility that came from her superior physical prowess. The blade whizzed past her, missing its target.
STAB
With her evasive maneuver executed flawlessly, Kaya seized the opportunity.
"Kurghk-!"
Her spear found its mark, piercing the man's side with a sickening squelch. The man's scream turned into a pained howl, its form writhing in agony.
SPURT
Blood spurted from the mouth of the man.
As she dissected her weapon from where she stabbed the man, she could see the faint lingering mana traces left on the wound.
It was there to make sure that the man would heal at a lower speed, a technique she developed after confronting a lot of demon contractors.
She knew they tend to regenerate rapidly, so she countered it with her own technique.
She raised her spear once again, aiming to attack the man who was spurting blood from
ROOOAR!
However, the creature did not stay idle as it saw the commanding person was injured. The seal on his neck was activated, and immediately it lunged at Kaya with a loud roar.
SWOOSH
The monster's face filled with saliva right before her eyes.
STAB
However, after that decisive moment where she had dealt with the demon contractor, the monster was now a piece of cake for her that she could eat as an appetizer after a good meal.
Her decisive and fast spear found its mark as she stabbed the monster from the inside of its mouth, piercing it from the back of its throat and making the spear appear from its behind.
SPURT
Kaya's reaction was as swift as it was deadly. Her spear lashed out with practiced precision, aiming for the creature's weak point. In a matter of moments, her weapon found its mark, skewering the creature from the inside of its mouth, emerging triumphantly from its rear.
SPURT
Blood sprayed from the wound, the creature's movements growing weaker with each passing second.
THUD
As Kaya retracted her spear, the creature collapsed to the ground, defeated at last.
Kaya's eyes blazed with seriousness and pride as she wrenched her spear free, the dark blood of the creature staining the weapon's blade.
Her cold gaze swept over the battlefield, lingering on the defeated demon contractor and the fallen monster. Destruction surrounded her, but she remained resolute, unfazed by the chaos.
This scene was a familiar one for Kaya – a manifestation of steps she had taken, the life she had lived so far. It was a life filled with the blood of countless monsters and the exploration of countless dungeons.
It was a life filled with destruction from another perspective.
"Hahahahahahahahaha….."
At that moment, laughter could be heard.
The Demon Contractor, who was lying on the ground with his injury still there, could be seen. His wound was not regenerating, but the demon contractor rather had a crazed smile on his face.
"After all, you are also a monster inside." He spoke, looking at Kaya.
'What is this guy saying?' She thought to herself. She didn't understand what his point was.
"You are wandering what I am saying right now, aren't you? Thinking that I am talking nonsense."
The smirk on his face widened.
"In the heat of the battle, you have already forgotten whom you came here with. Even though it is your own daughter."
The words struck like a physical blow, and Kaya's heart pounded in her chest. She spun around, dread tightening her chest, only to be met with a horrifying sight.
"No."
Before her, another demon contractor held her daughter, Jane, her small form squirming in his grip. A cloth gag muffled her cries, her eyes wide with fear.
"No. JANE!"
Her eyes were crying, and it was filled with fear. Kaya could see her daughter's struggle as she squirmed under the man's touch.
"Mmmmfffffff…..Mmmmmmffffffffff..."
The muffled sounds of her supposed screams entered her ears as Kaya felt the world freeze.
It was such a weak presence that she had missed in the heat of the battle.
No, it wasn't that she missed.
It was simply that she ignored it, thinking it couldn't even damage her anyway. It was a subconscious action that she had made in the midst of the battle.
It was an action that stemmed from her thrill.
An unbearable wave of guilt crashed over her as she comprehended the danger her daughter was in.
"No. JANE!"
Kaya's voice cracked with anguish as her eyes filled with unshed tears. She reached out as if to touch her daughter, but the distance between them felt impossibly vast.
"Now, say goodbye to your daughter, you hypocrite. Maybe then you can feel how I felt. Though, I'm not sure you can even feel anything," the demon contractor taunted, his words like venom.
Desperation clawed at Kaya's heart, every fiber of her being screaming to save her daughter.
The man's dagger was drawing closer to Jane's neck, a hair's breadth away from ending her life.
'NO!'
BAM!
A gunshot shattered the air, the sound echoing through the museum like thunder. In the blink of an eye, the man holding Jane was struck, his skull pierced by a bullet.
SPURT
Blood erupted from the wound, staining Jane's small form in a horrifying hue of crimson.
THUD
And, the man crumpled to the ground, releasing Jane from his grip as he fell.
Chapter 62 - Nexoria City Trip (5)
SPURT
As the blood erupted from the wound, staining Jane's small form in a horrifying hue of crimson color, the man crumpled to the ground, releasing Jane from his grip.
THUD
The world seemed to hold its breath for a moment, and everyone was frozen in shock at the sudden turn of events.
Kaya, who was looking at what happened with her eyes wide open, was the first one to regain her composure.
"JANE!"
Kaya's heart raced, her chest heaving as she took in the sight before her. Jane stood there, tears streaming down her face, trembling but alive. Kaya's legs moved before her mind fully comprehended, carrying her to her daughter's side in an instant.
Kneeling down, Kaya gathered Jane into her arms, holding her tightly as if she would never let go. Tears streamed down her own face as relief flooded her, her body trembling with the release of pent-up fear.
"Jane, oh, my dear Jane," Kaya's voice trembled with a mix of emotions as she whispered soothingly into her daughter's hair. "You're safe now; you're safe."
"WAAAAAAA!"
Jane's sobs were wrenching, her small form shaking with the intensity of her fear and the overwhelming rush of relief. She clung to her mother as if her life depended on it, burying her face in Kaya's shoulder.
"Mother, I was so scared….It was so scary….WAAAAAA!"
Kaya rocked her gently, her hand moving in soothing circles on Jane's back. She held her daughter as if she could shield her from all the pain in the world.
"It's all right, sweetheart," Kaya's voice was a balm, a gentle melody meant to calm the storm in Jane's heart. "You're okay. You're here with me now."
However, as Kaya soothed her daughter, her eyes wandered around to see who was the one that fired the gunshot.
There her eyes landed on a young boy the age of her niece.
His face was covered with a hood, but his black hair could be seen from the tips of his hood. The presence he was giving was someone normal, so Kaya immediately disregarded the idea that it could be him.
However, just as she was about to turn her attention to another place, suddenly, her hazel eyes met with the boy's purple eyes.
Eyes that were indifferent, like a person who lost everything.
'Huh?' kaya asked herself. Those eyes felt familiar for some reason, and then she remembered.
It looks like the eyes of that time.
However, right now, Kaya had no time to ponder about whose eyes were those. She looked around to see the assailant, but she couldn't find it.
'He might be here.' She thought.
It was an unknown assailant; even she hadn't sensed. Thus she needed to be careful.
She didn't want to risk her daughter anymore. Turning her attention to her daughter, she kept soothing her.
Jane's cries gradually subsided into sniffles, her small body gradually relaxing in her mother's embrace. She pulled back slightly, her teary eyes looking up at Kaya.
"M-mom," her voice trembled, a mixture of fear and relief still evident in her gaze. "I-I thought I was… I thought…"
Kaya's heart ached at the vulnerability in Jane's voice. She cupped her daughter's face in her hands, her own tears mingling with Jane's.
"You're strong, Jane. So strong," Kaya's voice was firm, carrying a fierce pride. "You never stopped fighting. And I was here; I was always going to protect you."
Jane nodded, her grip on Kaya's arms tightening as if she needed to anchor herself to this reality.
"I love you, Mom," Jane's voice was small, but it held a depth of emotion that words couldn't fully express.
Kaya's eyes shimmered with tears, her heart overflowing with love for her daughter. She leaned in, pressing a kiss to Jane's forehead.
"I love you more than anything, Jane. And I promise I'll always be here for you."
"…."
As she said those words, no reply came from the girl.
'No.' Kaya immediately looked at her daughter, thinking something had happened, but it was nothing much.
"Hmm…..Hmmm….."
The girl was simply sleeping in the arms of her mother. The small marks of her tears were still there as she was hiccupping from time to time.
Kaya slowly wiped her daughter's tears away, her heart a mixture of relief and concern.
"Tch!"
At that moment, a sharp sound of tongue clicking disrupted the atmosphere. Kaya's attention snapped to the injured demon contractor who had managed to stand.
The injured demon contractor slowly pushed himself up, his body trembling with the effort. Blood stained his clothes, but his eyes blazed with an unsettling intensity. Despite his wounds, there was an air of stubborn defiance about him as he struggled to his feet.
Kaya's instinct was to confront him, to make sure he posed no further threat. But the memory of the person that shot the gun made her hold back. The unknown assailant was still out there, possibly watching, waiting for the opportune moment. Her protective instincts flared anew, and she knew she couldn't risk Jane's safety.
As the demon contractor staggered upright, Kaya's grip on Jane tightened. Her hazel eyes locked onto the man, her expression a mix of wariness and determination. She was ready for anything.
"This is not the end," his voice, strained yet resolute, cut through the air like a blade.
His words hung there, pregnant with a threat she could feel in her bones. Kaya's heart clenched, a mixture of anger and fear bubbling within her. She wanted to demand answers, to make him pay for what he had done, but her priority was clear.
Watching the demon contractor closely, she noticed his gaze shifting, his eyes flickering as he assessed the situation. A knowing smile tugged at the corners of his lips, and Kaya understood – he was aware of her dilemma.
"You might want to focus on your next move, Kaya Hartley," he said, his voice dripping with a sinister satisfaction. "This little reunion has been enlightening. But remember, it's far from finished."
Kaya's jaw tightened, her nostrils flaring as she fought to rein in her anger. She knew she couldn't let him go unchecked, but the possibility of the assailant's next target being Jane lingered like a shadow in her mind. Her priority was Jane's safety, and confronting the demon contractor now could jeopardize that.
With a heavy sigh, Kaya made a decision. Her gaze never wavered from the demon contractor, but she didn't make a move toward him. Instead, she tightened her grip around Jane, her daughter still in her protective embrace.
"You're right," she said, her voice laced with a determination that matched his own. "This is far from over. But for now, I have more pressing matters to attend to."
The demon contractor's smile widened, his satisfaction evident. He knew he had struck a nerve, and he relished in it.
"As expected. You are nothing but a selfish bitch who only cares about those close to you."
His words echoed inside the museum, but Kaya just stood there, her expression not changing. Her arms were wrapped around her daughter as she just watched the demon contractor. She felt Jane's small form trembling in her embrace, a reminder of the stakes in this dangerous dance.
And following his words, the demon contractor started moving. Kaya's gaze turned in his direction, and there she could see a group of people, disoriented and injured but alive, trying to collect themselves amidst the chaos. They were the remaining witnesses to this nightmare, and they were vulnerable.
Kaya's cold gaze locked onto the group. She sensed the demon contractor's intention before it even happened.
"NO!"
"PLEASE MISS KAYA!"
"PLEASE HELP!"
Their pleas reached her ears, but she didn't move. She just stood there and watched.
"See….This is who you are, you selfish bitch. Even right now, you are abandoning all these people for the sake of your child, just like you always have done."
As his words sank, the demon contractor's hands reached out, his fingers emitting a sickly green light.
The moment his hands made contact with the wounded individuals, their expressions contorted in agony. Kaya's hazel eyes never once wavered as she watched.
Between the people she didn't know and her daughter, the one that came first was always going to be the little one.
The scene before her was a nightmare unfolding in slow motion. The demon contractor's power sapped the life force from the injured people, and his form rejuvenated as their vitality drained away.
"Never forget….The karma of your actions will come and find you in the future. I will make it so."
"Everyone will reap what they sow."
With those words, the demon contractor pushed the artifact in his hands as he disappeared from the place he was in, leaving a small trail of smoke from where he stood.
Kaya's expression remained cold, her heart never wavering with the weight of the choices she had made.
This was a cold world where strong ruled weak, and she had no regrets about choosing her child over the people she didn't know.
She was not a hero; neither was she a person who fought for justice. She was just a strong mother who wanted nothing but the best for her child.
TAK TAK TAK TAK TAK TAK
And then, at that moment, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the museum. A group of officials in uniform rushed into the scene, their expressions a mix of urgency and concern.
"Control everyone and check the situation first. If you spot anyone with critical condition, immediately perform the immediate aid."
They assessed the situation quickly, taking in the injured, the chaos, and the still form of Kaya with Jane in her arms.
One of the officials, a woman with an authoritative air, approached Kaya with a mix of sympathy and determination in her gaze. "Miss Kaya Evergreen, are you all right? What happened here?"
Kaya's gaze turned to her daughter, looking at her with a warm expression.
Seeing that she was sleeping soundly, she raised her head once again, her serious, businesslike expression on her face.
"The situation was dire when I arrived," Kaya began, her voice steady and composed. "Monsters and a demon contractor launched a coordinated attack on this location. The security was compromised swiftly, and chaos ensued."
She glanced around the scene, her eyes briefly resting on the injured and the destruction around them. "I took immediate action to protect my daughter and the people around me. I managed to create a barrier to shield Jane from danger. Once that was done, I coordinated with a few other capable individuals to help the wounded and guide them to safety."
Her words were succinct, focused on the facts and the actions taken rather than the emotions that had accompanied them. She kept her attention on the official, her demeanor professional as she recounted the events.
"We engaged the attackers and managed to repel them. However, the demon contractor used some sort of artifact to drain the life force of the injured individuals, replenishing his own strength. He made some remarks, disappeared, and left a trail of smoke behind."
As she spoke her words, Kaya never mentioned the choice she had made. She was already planning to make sure that whatever happened here would never reach the media or society.
"I will provide any necessary information and cooperate fully to ensure that these individuals are brought to justice." As she finished her words, she slowly hugged her child.
The official nodded, her gaze serious as she listened to Kaya's account. "Thank you, Miss Evergreen. Your efforts have undoubtedly saved lives today. We will give you the space you need for Miss Jane's treatment. If you wish to look for a quick check-up, you can visit our doctors. Even though they will be busy, I will make sure to arrange a space for Miss Jane."
As the official finished her words, she looked at the little girl in Kaya's arms.
"I am glad that nothing happened to little Hartley."
Hearing her words, Kaya nodded her head.
"Indeed. It is fortunate that nothing happened." Her head was filled with the unknown assailant. That person was the one who saved her daughter, but at the same time, he was a threat to her.
Someone that could escape from her senses, even while her whole senses were focused on her daughter and the other demon contractor.
'It seems I am still lacking in terms of my detection skills.' At this moment, Kaya swore to herself, trying to find the unknown assailant, not knowing he was right behind her.
However, seeing the official before her giving her this much attention, she naturally focused on her again.
"What is your name?" As she asked the name of the woman, she could see a faint smile creeping upon her face.
"My name is Kian Miller, the officer belonging to 15. Police Station of Nexoria."
"Understood, Miss Miller. I will make sure to remember your name."
SQUIRM
"Hmm….Mama…."
Seeing the little girl squirming in her arms, Kaya decided to leave this bloody place for good right now, knowing there was no need for her anymore.
Just like that, she left the place, making her way towards the outside…..
Chapter 63 - Nexoria City Trip (6)
The moment Kaya Hartley made her appearance, I was already inside the shadows, observing the fight that was going to happen soon.
Since there was no way I could be any help, that was the best course of action.
However, the fight that was going to happen right before my eyes even made me watch in awe.
CLANK CLANK
Whenever their weapons clashed, the ripples and shockwaves that were sent to the environment were enough to make everyone back off.
There were even some who got their bones broken thanks to the aftermath of their fight.
It was such a bloody scene.
"Even after all this time, it seems I am far behind you." I could hear the demon contractor's voice between their clashes, and it sounded familiar.
'This….Where did I hear this voice?' I asked myself. I felt like I should know the voice, but my memory didn't show any definite answer. It seems that was the same for Kaya as well since I could see a small twitch of her eyes, seemingly stemming from her annoyance.
The demon contractor was strong, and the monsters that were running rampant all around here were enough to show that they were prepared thoroughly.
As the demon contractor aimed to recover himself by sucking the life force of others, Kaya immediately noticed that and tried to intercept it.
But that was a bait that made her show an opening.
BOOM CRASH CRANK
With one strike of his full power, the demon contractor almost finished Kaya while destroying all of the protective glasses which was covering the exhibits.
The moment I saw the glasses crashing down, suddenly, an idea formed in my head.
'This is an opportunity.' It was an opportunity that would come once in a lifetime.
'Everyone's attention is on the fight, and someone broke the glass for me. The only thing that could affect me is cameras.'
Noticing that I looked around and, one by one, identified the location of the cameras.
'Every camera is already broken.'
There was no way a wave of the explosion that broke down the glasses that would protect the exhibits would not break a random camera after all.
The moment I saw that, taking advantage of that opportunity, I stealthily moved around the shadows and grabbed the
It didn't take much time as I returned to my original position, where I could observe the fight.
The way Kaya Hartley used her mana and her weapon efficiently mesmerized me. Even the instructors of the academy would fall short against such a fierce woman in terms of fighting prowess.
I was trying to observe as best as I could, but even that was hard since the speed they were moving was something I could never properly perceive.
But one thing was sure, the fight was going in the favor of Kaya. She was overpowering the demon contractor and the monster with her skills.
'But, this doesn't make sense. With such thorough preparation, they would know the skills of Kaya Hartley. Something is wrong.' I thought.
'Their goal must be something else.'
And the moment I thought about that, my eyes fell on the girl who was hiding behind the wall, with her arms around her knees.
Jane Hartley, the dead niece of Ethan.
'No way.'
At that moment, I realized what their goal was. Everything made sense; at that moment, the last piece of the puzzle fell down.
This innocent kid, who was scared.
She was their goal.
THUMP
And at that moment, I felt a sudden thump in my heart as my heartbeat increased.
'A demon contractor is here.'
Following that, a man suddenly appeared behind the girl with a dagger in his hand.
"Humfff….Humfff…."
I could see the man grabbing the girl as she struggled to break down.
But there was no way she could; after all, she was just a little girl.
THUMP THUMP
My heartbeat increased, seeing the little girl who was looking at Kaya with teary eyes.
My eyes turned cold.
Hatred grew. The scene of that time enveloped me once again.
I could see myself watching everything unfold helplessly.
'Not again.' I swore to myself.
'I won't let you do as you please.'
Be it changing the storyline or changing this world.
I didn't care.
There was no way I would let someone that sold his soul to demons do as he pleased.
I am going to kill you.
I am going to erase you from this world.
Just like the demons, no one related to them will be spared.
TAK
I took my weapon from my bracelet and aimed at the guy.
I didn't know if the bullet could kill him normally, but at that moment, no thoughts other than anger and hatred were in my mind.
I instinctively imbued my mana on the weapon, and it took the color blue.
Die.
BANG!
And fired the gun.
**********
"Please, can I have a talk with you?"
As I was about to leave the place, suddenly, the woman who talked with Kaya Hartley turned her attention to me.
"I would like to ask you a bunch of questions."
She approached me with a smile, but I could see a small scorn on her face.
'Smell of cigarette. It is not a high-quality brand. She is addicted to pure 'Glimmerleaf,' probably stemming from a childhood trauma. The lack of sleep is now showing her symptoms. She was probably on the watch from the night. She is single, lives alone, and has a bad diet.
Eats heavily fat-oriented food and uses low-quality skincare and makeup. She has a cat in her home. No, two cats, one male, one female.'
Looking at the woman, I analyzed how she looked. Glimmerleaf was a drug that was developed to affect hunters who had a rather stronger body and mind. It has the effects of nicotine, and mostly addictive, and causes ADHD and many other negative effects.
"You can," I answered. Even if I refused here, she could just drag me down using her authority, and there was no need to make her suspicious of me.
I already got the unexpected harvest, so there is no need to make everything complicated.
The woman's expression remained polite, but I could sense an underlying edge to her demeanor. She gestured slightly, indicating that she wanted to move to a less crowded and quieter spot. We found a corner away from the chaos, and she turned her attention fully to me.
"Thank you for your cooperation," she began, her gaze steady. "I'm Inspector Miller, and I oversee cases involving demon contractors. I couldn't help but notice your presence during the events that unfolded here."
I inclined my head, acknowledging her introduction. "I'm just a witness," I said, my words carefully chosen. I had no intention of revealing too much about myself, especially considering my peculiar abilities.
Inspector Reyes studied me for a moment, her eyes sharp and assessing. "It's not often we have witnesses who can remain so calm during such chaotic situations." She spoke with scorn, clearly looking at me with a suspicious gaze.
"I am a cadet of Hunter Academy," I answered her gaze without losing my composure. This answer would be enough.
"You are an academy cadet? Please let me confirm it first. Do you have your identity with you?" As she asked me, I showed her my watch. The Arcadia Hunter Academy had the function of integrating one's ID card with their watch, and it was not something every academy had for some reason.
"Astron Natusalune. Cadet of Arcadia Hunter Academy." She read the information I had shown to her as she studied it for a second. "Arcadia Hunter Academy!" And then, the reaction that I was expecting came not long after.
"I see. If you are the cadet of that academy, it makes sense that you are able to calm yourself down. Then, I won't beat around the bush. Can you tell me what you saw here?" Her question was straightforward, but her gaze never left me. It was as if she was searching for something beyond my words, trying to gauge my reactions.
"I was here when everything had already started," I replied, keeping my tone even. "I saw the monsters and the demon contractor engaged in the attack. There was chaos, people fleeing, and then the confrontation between the woman you were talking to earlier and the demon contractor."
I left out any details that could reveal my unique abilities. It was important to appear as ordinary as possible. Since there was no way that I would say that I was the one that shot the gun, neither was I the one that grabbed the
"I see," Inspector Miller said, seemingly accepting my response. "Thank you for your cooperation."
She continued to study me, her gaze unrelenting. I could feel the weight of her suspicion, even though she didn't voice it explicitly. However, her next questions showed that she was digging deeper.
"Did you happen to witness any details that might be relevant?" she inquired, her tone casual yet focused. "Conversations, actions, or interactions that stood out to you?"
I paused, making myself seem like I was considering her question carefully. But in the end, I already knew about the words I was going to choose.
"I did overhear some snippets of conversation," I replied. "The demon contractor seemed to mock the woman, Kaya, for her priorities and actions. He mentioned something about karma and consequences." I answered. This answer would surely go into the ears of Kaya, and that woman will for sure silence me.
But, she won't be easily able to touch the cadet of Arcadia Hunter Academy as an outsider, which will make her want to make a deal with me.
Inspector Miller's gaze remained fixed on me, and I couldn't help but feel like she was trying to read more from my expression than I was revealing. "Interesting," she mused. "And did you see if any of the attackers who aimed to grab the exhibits while the chaos was ensuing?" She asked.
I could see this question was one of those that was aimed at me, considering there were some materials I grabbed using my [Shadowborne] trait and the bracelet that couldn't be noticed.
I shook my head, maintaining an air of genuine ignorance. "No, I didn't notice anything like that. The situation was chaotic, and I was focused on ensuring my own safety." It was an answer that would satisfy the listeners who would analyze my tone from the recording.
Yes, recording. Right now, this woman is recording me, probably because of the introductions of Kaya Hartley.
She nodded as if considering my response; her lips pursed in thought. "And what about the gunshot that was fired? Did you witness that?"
This question was also aimed at me, but this time it was rather weaker. It seemed she didn't suspect that I was the one that fired the gunshot, and neither did Kaya.
After shooting the Demon Contractor, I quickly stashed the gun in my bracelet and stepped out of the shadows to reveal myself, which was an unconventional move for an attacker. Doing so allowed me to evade Kaya Hartley's heightened perception. She's not an ordinary person, and if she becomes suspicious of me as the shooter, it will pose a problem in the future.
I didn't hesitate even for a moment and answered. "I did hear a gunshot. But I couldn't identify where the gunshot came from even though I tried my best to. I thought my life would be in danger since an unknown assailant was lurking somewhere, but he was too skilled for my own."
Inspector Miller seemed to accept my answer, though her scrutiny didn't waver. "Thank you for your honesty," she said finally. "It's not often we encounter someone as composed as you in these situations."
I nodded in acknowledgment. "I've been trained to stay calm in tense situations. However, it was a pity that I was not any help." I answered, looking guilty. In fact, I was not.
She smiled back, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "It's a valuable skill. Well, I won't take up any more of your time. If you remember or notice anything else that might be relevant to this case, please don't hesitate to contact me," she said, handing me a card with her contact details.
"Understood."
"We will send a request to Academy later if something relevant happens during the investigation. I would be very happy if you cooperate with us." As she spoke with a professional smile, she turned back.
But I still could see the small signs of doubt she was making. This woman was not that proficient when it came to hiding her feelings and thoughts about situations. But, in the end, nothing mattered about her suspicion; after all, they were going to be baseless.
"And, please wait for a second. We need to confirm that nothing from the museum is on you." As she said those words, she left.
Following that, a bunch of guys came and looked for spatial artifacts on me, and they found one, which was the one I put on for the sake of such things.
And after they confirmed that nothing was there, they left me alone.