It was a suspicion of mine the moment, Mr. Froil showed up.
His normal personality was way off what he was showing the moment he found us. He acted so enthusiastic and emphatic like some normal human being. Which should be a good sign in the first place, but Mr. Froil isn't exactly the average human.
The real one is cold when he's serious and crazy when he's not. The one from earlier, however, was acting like a worried teacher when he first saw the Shrieker, which was odd, as Mr. Froil had a cold yet caring personality when someone gets hurt. He orders someone to send them to the infirmary, but he doesn't act like a worried mother.
He also acts normally in serious situations, but the one back then just acts like some crazy psycho. As if he was trying to replicate Mr. Froil, but he didn't manage to research that well.
Normally it would be hard to distinguish during such an intense scenario, but I knew what would happen if I also succumb to fear.
Besides, I also have that ability… The system allows me to peep the information of who I was looking at.
Froil Gear
Rank: A-
Variable Stats:
Strength: A
Constitution: A
Magic: B+
Dexterity: A-
Speed: A-
Invariable Stats:
Charm: A-
Luck: B
Though he was an A- ranked Guardian, he was way weaker than Mr. Froil who was A ranked, with no B-tier stat.
I don't know who's impersonating Mr. Froil, but I'm sure whoever it is, it's not the contracted as there's no mark on his neck. The only possible scenarios are he's either a terrorist who got the help of someone with a shapeshifting skill, or worse an Original soldier. The same threat antagonizing 1A as of this moment.
As for Mr. Gerald, although he was clearly on our side, there's an inkling of suspicion that I have. Although it's irrelevant as it wouldn't make sense for someone to simply be that clueless or good, I can't help but feel weird about it all.
He's most likely innocent, but that turtleneck and the possibility that he's a partner of that impersonator were revolving in my mind.
Did they not tell him anything about this ambush? Why is his personality so off? He was so cool and calm when we first met. He was acting like a proper villain, but now he's cold yet compassionate. I didn't really know him that well, so I can't be sure.
I'm more inclined on him being innocent, yet there's just a small part in my mind that's telling me he's not what I think he is.
" Mon... Can I ask you something? "
We were resting for a bit, trying to regain some energy, as we'd been running away from Shriekers since the one at the top of the skyscraper.
" Yeah? "
" What do you think of him? " She says.
She didn't indicate who she was talking about, but I knew immediately just from her face.
" He seems cold, but surprisingly empathic. I'm not sure If I should say this, but when he was trying to protect everyone. I saw who he was looking at. "
Rena grabs her knees with a complicated and saddened look on her face.
" Yeah... when he was desperately screaming for us to run, I saw it too. As if my brother back then was just hiding behind a wall... "
It seems like, although Rena wanted to escape her family's authority, she still had hope that everything would fix itself.
" I don't even know what he's thinking... If he's going to do all that. Why did he do it when he was sure to die?... "
" Hah... I don't know much about your brother or your family, so I can't really say anything. " So why don't we ask him?"
" Huh? " She looks at me confusingly.
" Let's ask him. I mean, if he really was directing that 'run!' towards you at the end, you just need to survive, right? "
" You... You're right, there's no point in thinking about this right now. Let's focus on surviving first. " She pats her knees before standing up from her seat.
" You know, it's quite a sight to see you treat your friends. " She smiles.
" Seeing you so cheeky and ruthless towards your enemies, that you even antagonize them as you beat them, gave me the wrong idea you know. "
" You're still cheeky with us, but when we need something, you suddenly become our psychologist. "
" Hah! When you look like a wet cat in the middle of the street, everyone would pity you. " I say cheekily.
Besides, losing someone I treat closely happened too much in my life and I don't ever want it to happen again.
" Mon! Rena! "
" Kate? " I look back, recognizing the voice that called for us.
Surely enough, Kate was waving her hands towards us, with Yang following behind as they run in our direction.
" Yang! Kate! You've made it! " Rena runs towards them as well, happy about the fact that they escaped the Shrieker's pursuit too.
" I can say the same to you guys. We were incredibly worried. " Yang says with a smile on his face.
We then talk about how we escaped the grasp of the Shrieker, and my suspicions about everything. I made sure to hide the important details, though.
" This... If this is right, how could we find the stones then? " Kate asks.
I didn't speak any longer and just pointed my fingers at her.
" Huh? "
" You're ability. "
As I say so, she finally figured out what I meant.
We were currently stuck here due to the border surrounding this place that prevents Inters or any other hostile creatures from entering this place without permission. This in turn also causes the one inside to be stuck.
With that being said, Kate's ability wouldn't work, as it would try to find the best path possible to escape. It wouldn't help us escape the inescapable, but it would find the next best move to do...
And the next best move is to find where the catalyst and the real Mr. Froil is...
" Alright... I see. " Kate's expression turned a little grim. She was most likely nervous about the responsibility, and also the possibility of getting found by the Shriekers.
Multiple explosions were still echoing through the Sector, signaling that Mr. Gerald was most likely fighting still.
" We can't waste any more time. Kate, lead the way. " I signaled her to start. She was a nervous wreck, so helping her start will keep her from becoming even more nervous.
" Alright, follow me. " Kate's eyes glow green, similar to the shine of night vision goggles. Her eyes were also the same color, so that might be the reason why. I do have the same effect on my eyes when I use my ability, after all.
Anyway, we need to reach Mr. Froil soon. It was the only chance we could survive this mess. Whatever happens, I don't plan on dying here.