Chereads / Mystery of Jack / Chapter 12 - We met again

Chapter 12 - We met again

I was on my way to the unpopulated area of the land in Mitrol's lower slums. There is an abandoned quarry nearby where I may put my skills to the test. I walked past several apartments and through the forest.

I got at my destination after ten minutes of walking. I stepped on the rocks while searching for the perfect setting with enough space. When I found it, I positioned myself and took a deep breath.

'Okay, here I come.'

I imagine the [E] Card Summoning] and utilize it like a razor blade in my head. I take a step forward and slice the enormous rock in front of me. I was astounded when I cut a rock like a piece of steak and made it look so easy.

'Alright. That was amazing.'

'Now I'm going to try using this as a bomb.'

I threw the cards from my fingers, and they flew like bullets towards the stone. I quickly command in my head to detonate when the tip of the card is buried on the rock.

"Bannnnnnnnnngggggggg"

The damage isn't particularly severe, yet it's enough to blow the human body to shreds.

"It says I can shoot it like a pistol."

I take my position and quickly hurl the cards from my hand, one by one. The cards really did fly like a bullet. I gulp as I saw it sank into the rock, thinking that these cards are far too deadly.

'Let's try the other skill.'

[E] Matter Manipulation] I summoned a card and tossed it into the open space, then imagined swapping with that card.

'Woah!!!'

I was trying to retain my balance when I suddenly swapped with the card.

'I can also use this to disperse.'

Jack then dismantles into cards and slowly appears in a nearby location.

'Can I also transform into a card?'

"Let's try it."

'I advise doing it another time, My Lord.'

I heard knave speak from my mind before I could even do it.

'You have used up much too much of your energy. If it ran out completely, you might pass out.'

"Okay"

I expressed my disappointment at not being able to try turning into a card. But I felt fatigued, as if my vitality was draining, so I put it off for the time being.

'Should I go to Professor Anderson's place?'

'No, I should go see Amelie's parents for the time being. Besides, if I'm going to the professor's house, I should do so as quietly as possible. So, I'd better go when I'm in better shape.'

I plan to pay a visit to Amelie's parents at their apartment. I'm concerned about their health.

When I arrived in front of her apartment, I could hear someone inside conversing. I was going to knock when Knave warned me.

'My Lord, I believe there are Beyonders in this room.'

'Beyonders? So, there are a lot of people like me? You can feel them?'

'Initially, I cannot detect a Beyonder, but when they use their abilities, I can.'

'Does that mean they can detect me?'

'It is not impossible if they have a high level of evolution. Also, if they have the power to see through us, such as divination.'

'What will happen if they find out about us?'

I'm not sure, My Lord. However, it is preferable to be cautious.'

'Well, you're correct. Should we just walk away? No. If they are Beyonders, they are already aware that I am here. They'd be suspicious if I abruptly left.'

'Do you think they could sense you talking to me, Knave?'

'I don't think they can, My Lord. I'm quite special considering that I can speak with my owner, whereas not all artifacts can.'

'Alright. Please tell me more another time.'

'Yes, My Lord'

Mrs. Jackson's glum expression greets me when the door opens.

"Jack, what brings you here?"

"I've come to pay you a visit, Mrs. Jackson."

I give her a concerned look. She simply smiled and pushed open the door, signaling me to come inside.

"Come in, Jack."

"Thank you, Mrs. Anderson."

When I get inside, I am surprised to see Mr. Desmond and the other two Police officers.

"Well, hey there, Jack, it's nice to see you again."

'Are the officers the Beyonders? So, why are they using their abilities here?'

"Hello Sir, do you have any information about Amelie's case?"

"I apologize, but we still don't have one."

'I don't believe they don't have any leads. If they are Beyonders, they are the finest people to handle this situation.'

Desmond glances at me as if he's seeing through me, his brow wrinkled. I can't get used to his gaze, even though I was used to it when we first met, I still feel like I'm being studied.

'Huh? He didn't hear what I was thinking, did he? Is he a true psychic?'

'My Lord, this Beyonder is dangerous. Be careful.'

'Oh no! Really?'

"Oh, Jack, we should be catching up, don't you think? Let's get in a local coffee shop for a chat."

I grew really anxious when Desmond stated that.

'As much as I appreciate the thought of free coffee, I should decline this one.'

"HAHA. I'd like to chat with you, sir, but I'm afraid I won't be able to. I still have job to do, sir. I'm merely stopping by to see how my friend's parents are doing."

I smiled at Desmond before turning to greet Mr. Buck.

"You should sit down, Jack."

Mr. Buck offered, but I have no plans to stay here any longer.

"Oh, no. I'm merely passing through. I'm on my way to work, so I'll get going now."

I'd like to remain and talk with them some more to see whether they're okay, but I don't think I can do so with Sir. Desmond and the other two policemen in here.

"Why are you in such a hurry, Jack?"

Sir. Desmond stares at me with a warm smile that makes me quiver in panic. It's even more terrifying to see his smile now that I know who he is.

"No, sir, it's not that. Mr. Arlo, my boss is quite busy today, so I'll have to assist him."

"Oh, Jack, that's unfortunate. Then come over here when you have some free time."

Mr. Buck, relieve my anxiety.

"I certainly will, Mr. Buck. Thank you. I'll be going right now."

"Well, in that case, we should also leave right now. We will contact you, Mr. Jackson, if we discover any new information in your daughter's case."

"Okay, Thank you officer."

Mr. Buck responds weakly to the officer.

I was scared when I learned they were going to leave as well. It means we'll be leaving the apartment as a group.

"Jack, let's go together."

"Yes, Sir."

I gave an awful smile because I was nervous.

'This isn't looking good. I don't think they'll hurt me anyway, and I don't think they're aware I'm a Beyonder.'

'Is being a Beyonder a crime?'

'Hey, Knave. Do you think I can still put my skills to use?'

'Yes, My Lord.'

'Alright. If problems arise, I'll utilize my skill to flee from them.'

"How are you doing jack?"

Sir Desmond asks a question. The two other officers, who are following me from behind, are silently watching me.

"I'm fine sir."

I give him a kind smile. I keep my response short in the hopes of remaining as unapproachable as possible.

"Hey, Jack"

Sir Desmond called me. I was about to glance at him when Knave warned me not to.

'Don't look in his eyes.'

I immediately obeyed its command and shifted my eyes to his side, but I didn't turn my head to hide the fact that I was ignoring his eyes.

"Y- yes sir?"

My heart fell the minute my voice broke. Inside my head, I cursed. I cursed inside my mind.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA"

Sir Desmond's laughter could be heard. His voice was so loud that it resonated across the apartment's hallway.

"You're quite amusing, young man."

"Why do you always seem nervous around me?"

'Why do you think? You shithead!'

"Oh no, Sir. I am not."

His eyes widened in amazement, as though he found it amusing to talk to me.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA"

"Damn, I've never seen anybody talk in such a way that contradicts his way of thinking."

He chuckles once again as he wipes his eyes. I stare at him, puzzled by what he just said.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not sure what you're talking about."

"Don't worry. This is something I'm telling myself. Anyway, allow me to present you to my colleague."

"This is Amiru Osin and Marcel Espen from the police department."

When I noticed that they were staring at me, I just uncomfortably smiled at them.

"Hello, my name is Jack Morgan."

I'm not sure why Desmond introduced them to me, so I just said hello to be polite.

I shot one of my cards as we moved passed the corner of the street, just in case I needed to flee something scary.

Nobody spokes the entire route. I prefer it this way since stuttering when I respond would be suspicious to them.

I assumed they would be silent the entire time, but then I became dizzy as I noticed my surroundings spinning or moving.

'Now, let's chat, Jack.'

I heard a voice in my head, but it wasn't knave.

"Huh? Huff…. Hufff... What's going on?"

I ask them as I move backwards, attempting to get away from them.

Should I use my abilities or just run? What should I do? I looked at them with dilated pupils and was on the verge of passing out. They can't possibly know what I'm capable of, so I'll just act like a normal person.

'Calm down, Jack. We're just going to talk about something. I'm not trying to hurt you.'

'Yeah, like I believe you. How can harming someone's mind is not an attempt to attack me?' I retorted in my mind.

"No! Get Away!"

"Just send him to sleep."

When I heard Amiru speak, my eyes widened at his statement. I dash towards the building's corner in an attempt to flee.

'Why don't we teleport, My Lord'

I ignored it. I can't risk showing them that I'm a Beyonder. It is possible to get out of their sight. I could get away if I could just get out of their sight for a second.

When I spotted a building's corner to turn, I quickly walked by and hid.

***

"Jack!"

Desmond sighed as he noticed the young man stumbling towards the building's corner.

He approaches Jack, trying to calm him down.

"How come you'd say that? Look at him, he ran away because he is frightened."

I told Amiru as we followed Jack.

"Obviously, it's scarier that you're talking within his head. You even delved inside his head, which weakens him."

'I just wanted to see what he was hiding. I had no idea I'd scare the young man.'

I didn't respond since I knew he was correct. Obviously, Jack is not your average person. We must take him with us before they find him.

I sighed and dashed over to where Jack was when I see him turn in the corner.

"Hey, Jack, I'm not going to hurt you. Please come back here—"

"Huh"

When I get to the corner, I'm surprised that I didn't see him. He won't be able to run far when he's weakening like that. besides, there's no way out because every corner is surrounded by walls.

'He can't be invisible, can he?'

I closed my eyes and looked about for anyone who was possibly there. I take note of the card in the corner. I walk over and take a look. I came upon a card with a bizarre man's image on it.

"Marcel examine this card."

"Hmm?"

"This is... an ordinary card."

"Really?"

"Yep"

I grinned as I looked at the spot where Jack vanished.

'It appears that I was correct about you, Jack. You are really special. You may trick them, but you will not fool me.'

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA"

Desmond grins as he leaves the establishment.