"Alright then, John." Ciel spoke, putting down the daggers he was holding. He took a step back as he gestured his hand, "Lead the way."
Rio nodded, smiling slighty as he walked forward. The man's skepticism was reasonable. His sudden appereance was quite conspicious and coincidental, it was hard to not be suspicious.
Suddenly, out of nowhere a transparent spirit of a man suddenly appeared behind his back. The man had a muscular build, his shoulder-length black hair flowed beneath his head messily, while his eyes were blanky staring at the surroundings.
Rio, noticing the upsetting silence of the man, raised his eyebrows as he asked, '...You're awfully quiet.'
'It's hard not to,' Faust replied as he shook his head, 'It's been a while since I've stepped into this world.'
Hearing that, realization suddenly hit Rio as he hurriedly apoligized, '...Right. I'm sorry.'
How could he have not realized it sooner?
The world, or dimension, they were currently travelling at was the muscular man's former home. He had died valiantly protecting it, surviving in it admist the eclipse of the demons that destroyed everything. It was hard not to get upset seeing your home world's ruined state and knowing that people from another world were leeching off it's remaining foundations.
'Don't sweat it, kid. It's not your fault. Besides,' Faust assured while he waved his hands casually in dismissal, 'It was already a long time ago, I've came into terms with it ever since no one came to my inheritance.'
'I see,' Rio nodded, he raised his eyes as he asked, 'But aren't you bothered about people from another world leeching off this world?'
'Not at all. A little bothered maybe, but travelling through other dimensions or worlds was normal back then,' Faust explained, 'Not common, but not exactly unheard of. Almost every Rank A had travelled to a world once.'
'Did other dimensions also appear in your world?' Rio asked.
'Other dimensions?' Faust raised his eyebrows, 'You mean world invasions like the demons?'
'I guess so?' Rio asked, unsure. He didn't know what a world invasion was, but it was similar to the dimensions he was talking about.
'Not at all, that's why it was a shock when demons suddenly appeared.' Faust answered.
'But then, how did you tra—' Rio was about to ask something, however a voice suddenly intervened mid way.
"What the hell are you staring at?" Ciel asked, his eyes narrowing in confusion as he raised his guard.
"...Nothing." Rio answered, shaking his head. He had forgotten about the agent. He must have had looked like a weirdo staring at the air, while his expressions were constantly changing.
After that short exchange, Ciel simply took a step back and stayed silent. An awkward silence took over the atmosphere as both were quietly walking towards the dark forest.
Rio, unable to take the suffocating silence, started a conversation as he asked, "So, can you tell me about the people you are looking for?"
Ciel raised his eyes, hesitating whether to speak or not. Eventually he decided to speak as he answered, "...They're the perpretrator of the recent massacres going around the community."
"Massacres?" Rio raised his eyebrows.
"You haven't heard of it?" Ciel stared the blonde haired man strangely. The massacre rumor was a popular topic among the people in the plaza, it was strange to not have heard of it even once. "Long story short, some bunch of scum are going around massacring others inside and outside dimensions."
"What for?" Rio asked.
"The rumor started when a small party of five encountered the group and one managed to escape, albeit four of them dying," Ciel answered, "The motive is unclear, but many theorize that it was for an offering to a demonic being."
"...A demonic being, huh?" Rio wondered, thinking about the rumor that spread. Speaking of which, the plot point of the first arc in the novel was summoning a vestige of a higher ranking demon to the world. However, there was no indication of such in the novel about a massacre rumor going on.
And at the topic of the plot point of the novel, it was undoubtly nearing, yet he didn't know when. The novel didn't indicate the exact time it happened...
Suddenly, a bolt of realization struck him as he stopped walking. His eyes tensed as he thought of a possibility. A massacre rumor connected to summoning a demonic being, and the first plot of the novel about a cult. It was all too coicidental to not be connected.
Granted, for all he knew the massacre issue was a seperate thing on it's own. But he couldn't take any chances now. Everything was too coincidental to be just brushed off.
The question is, when was it going to come? When was it going to start? It would most likely be when Arcuied and Eugene already had gone to do something.
"What are you thinking? Do you know something?" Ciel asked ss he looked at Rio with suspicioun.
"...No, a sudden thought just pass through my mind." Rio answered, "By the way, you're from the Truth Agency of Justice aren't you?"
"Spot on." Ciel replied.
"Why are you alone? If the mission is about a group, then the higher ups should have given you some allies." Rio questioned. If it was widely known that the enemy was a full time group, then why was the agent alone? Surely, the organization was not as heartless to give unreasonable expectations.
"Correct," Ciel answered with a heavy sigh, "Normally, I wouldn't tell you a single thing, but since you're helping me, consider this as a thank you."
"They would have, but they're currently on a emergency right now," Ciel continued, "Their panicking on their boots, even the higher ups are focused on something."
"Something?" Rio asked. This was odd, the novel never had a plot point of the Truth Agency of Justice having an emergency this warly. Well the only instance the Truth Agency of Justice panicked was because of an event, but it was still far off from the future. So it couldn't be that, or else this world is doomed.
"I don't know," Ciel shook his head hopelessly, "The higher ups are tight lipped about it. Even this mission was forced on to me by them because of the emergency."
"It's that important?" Rio asked, his eyes tensing as his mind thought of a possibility. Surely it wasn't so. It was too early. Far, far too early.
"As I said, I don't know." Ciel answered, "You seem awfully invested in the topic."
"..Of course," Rio answered casually, "It's connected to the fate of this world."
"Don't joke around." Ciel commented.
Rio didn't reply and stayed silent. He wasn't joking, the fate of the world was in stake. He tapped in his body as he thought, 'Hey, Faust.'
'What is it kid? Also call me Master.' Faust replied as he emphasized the last part.
'When should I pick a class for my second Miracle Core?' Rio wondered. Even though he had some good skills here and there, and knowledge beyon others, he still didn't know the most optimal time to advance his class.
'You're a sorcerer right? Then, go choose right after you ascend the second core to Rank D.' Faust advised as he casually reappeared behind Rio.
'Is there a reason I shouldn't just choose a class on Rank C?' Rio thought.
'You ask too much questions. When a person advances to a class, they gain some strengthening or perks. If you choose Martial Artists, your body would be stronger than others. If you choose Sorcerer, your mind and calculation ability would be more advanced.' Faust conscisely explain in an orderly manner, afterwards he abruptly dissapeared.
'Oh so I get those perks earlier when I choose...' Rio realized as he internally wondered if the reason he was able to think of plans and attack easily without a problem was because of his Rank C Sorcerer perks.
If that was the case then it was by far extremely useful. It helped him remain calm even at the most deadliest and dangerous situations.
Oddly enough, his master didn't explain anything to about the Occultists class. He was about to ask, however a sudden blow of air engulfed his body. He raised his head and realized that they were alread out of the forest.
Rio stared at the far south as he spoke, "Their hideout is in the village there."
"Lead the way then." Ciel replied in an obvious manner.
"...Are you that adamant with me staying with you?" Rio asked helplessly.
"For all I know this could be an elaborate trap," Ciel answered with a scoff, "What you thought I just blindly trusted you?"
"How does me coming with you change something if it was a trap or not?" Rio wondered aloud.
"It doesn't," Ciel spoke, his eyes staring straight to Rio as his hands slowly moved to his pocket, "But if it is a trap, then I will kill you before I die."