He opened his eyes and the first thing he saw was a hospital neon light. Then the sound of the machines ticking next to him. The atmosphere of the white hospital room seemed so suffocating because for some reason it reminded him of death. At that time, when he was hit by the falling ruins of the cave building and his body was crushed, he was also in a white place and was floating.
Rainn breathed slowly, his mind going over every incident before he lay down on this bed.
'Ah, right. I'm fighting incomplete demon incarnations.'
Rainn decided to let those thoughts go for later. Now he doesn't want to think about anything just yet because his whole body must be in pain.
Or, actually not.
Rainn moved his head to see the state of his body. Then he tried to move his arms and legs. Everything works normally and doesn't hurt.
'This is thanks to Systema's power,' Rainn thought.
The door to the room opened suddenly. Rainn turned his head reflexively. There he saw two people he didn't expect to enter the room.
"Ah, what a coincidence. He's awake," said the woman to her friend, a dark-haired man slightly taller than her.
Rainn's brow furrowed. He didn't know why they were visiting him.
The two of them were a male and a female in white robes. Underneath their robes are shirts of the same color. A silver medal bearing a strange eye symbol in the middle of a triangle hung on their chests.
"Hey, Kid," said the male investigator. "You remember me?"
Rainn just stared at the man in surprise. Choosing not to answer because he heard dealing with the Investigators from Bureau could make things difficult. And he didn't even remember who he was.
The female Investigator snorted. "What about me? At least if you don't know gratitude, you still remember the person you made fun of on the street?"
Rainn recalled the woman's face. She met her on the street while he was stopping to look at the bounty poster. But Rainn still chose not to answer.
"Heh," the female Investigator snorted again and put her hands on her hips. "You don't want to talk?"
Rainn looked at her undaunted. After all, what can they do?
"Kid, listen to me," said the male investigator. "You were directly involved in the events in Brownwood forest three days ago. And we want to know what happened."
'Three days?!' Rainn didn't think he'd been asleep that long. But how did they find out about the Brownwood forest? It seemed like a lot had happened while he was asleep.
Did they also know about him who had already received a bounty from House Saniar?
The female Investigator sighed, looking like she had lost her temper. Her male partner shook his head.
"You're involved in something big. We just want to help," said the male investigator.
Rainn wasn't convinced at all. Somehow he felt he couldn't believe them. Suddenly the female investigator approached Rainn's bed and glared at him. "You can cooperate here, or we'll drag you into the Bureau's building for inspection."
"Is that a threat?" Rainn asked, dryly.
The female investigator didn't answer right away. He was still staring intently at Rainn. "Think of it as you wish. But you have to talk, or-"
"Or what?"
As the hospital door opened, a familiar baritone voice interrupted the female Investigator's words.
They both turned towards the door. So does Rain. He saw Zarone enter along with Vyra. Zarone entered with a smile but he carried with him a powerful aura that made the two Investigators seem to be slowly retreating. The female Investigator back away from Rainn's bed.
"Mr. Brynelle." The female Investigator said stiffly.
"Hi, good afternoon," said Zarone. "I still don't know you guys, sorry."
"My name is Rokee," replied the female Investigator. "And this is my partner, Silan."
They both looked so disinclined that they had to introduce themselves to Zarone like, formally.
"Ah, Rokee and Silan," said Zarone. "Do you have any business with this child? Can't you see that he is sick?"
Rainn watched the movements of the two Investigators. The two of them stood with stiff faces, almost annoyed.
The female Investigator named Rokee glanced at Rainn with sharp eyes. Then she looked away at Zarone.
"We can come back another time, sir," said Silan.
"Right." Zarone smiled. But the smile didn't touch his eyes.
The two Investigators nodded then said goodbye and left the room. Leaving Zarone and Vyra sitting next to Rainn.
"How are you, Kid?" Zarone asked. "You've met the Investigators before? What a different experience, isn't it?"
"Yeah. I prefer not to see them again," Rainn replied.
Zarone nodded. "Of course, you would."
"Amia and Nicois will see you later. They're having business with the Investigators too," said Vyra.
"Looks like we're involved in something big." Rain sighed. "How were you after that fight?"
"I'm fine," replied Vyra. "Thanks to you."
Rainn just nodded without saying anything.
"Kid," said Zarone. "You managed to win against six people who summoned demons. Do you remember all of them?"
Rainn's brow furrowed at the memory. "Yeah, I remember."
Then Rainn remembered that someone had run away from the scene. "One person escaped."
"Well, Vyra said so too," Zarone replied. "Thank you for protecting my daughter."
Rainn glanced at him. Did he have to say that he didn't mean to protect Vyra? He just didn't want to deal with Zarone if his daughter got hurt while with him.
But from Zarone's perspective, it would all look the same anyway. So Rainn nodded.
"He's protected me too," said Rainn.
Zarone smiled at him. "Yes, Vyra told me everything."
They were silent for a few moments. Zarone seemed to be contemplating whether this was the right time to say something in his mind or not.
"Rainn." Zarone decided to say it now. "Did you see the form of the creature they summoned?"
Rainn glanced at him. "I did."
"Really? Have you seen it? How did you manage to open your eyes in the middle of that great magic pressure?" Vyra asked with wide eyes.
"I just . . . Trying hard to keep my head up and my eyes open," Rainn said with a shrug.
Vyra was silent.
"How is it?" Zarone asked.
"The creature was tall and big. But I can't be sure of its exact size because the rest of its body seems to be made of black smoke. Then it has a pair of horns that curve upwards," explained Rainn.
"It's a Demon," Zarone said, more to himself. "I didn't know there was anyone capable of summoning them to this world at this age."
"Is that creature dangerous?" asked Vyra.
Zarone sighed. "Danger isn't even the right word to describe them. If you two have ever heard the teachings of the church, you'll understand what I mean."
Rainn didn't understand because he never really listened to the teaching from the church. But he knows the big picture of the matter. "That's why the Investigators came to see you. Demon's business is not just the business of supernatural hunters," added Zarone.
"Then what should I do now? The Investigators won't stop until they get the answers they want from me," Rainn asked.
"Well, you're right. Maybe you should move from where you lived," Zarone replied.
Rainn sighed. After all, he had thought about moving from the basement apartment after getting money from House Saniar.
"I think you're right."
~~~