" I see a path, it doesn't show the way out as we expected, but it does lead up to a building about three streets away. "
With her mark, we sneaked around dodging every open space we could. We couldn't beat nor outrun a Shrieker unless we split up and use one of us as a distraction and we hope it doesn't come to that.
Anyways this catalyst would answer a ton of questions I have.
I'm quite certain that Mr. Froil is the battery that's operating the catalyst. I don't know how many or who's around still, but I'm certain it won't be another Contracted nor any Original at that matter. They don't have many numbers, that's why they use their abilities that control Inters to remove our advantage in numbers. With that being said, this time of the story is when they are most active. Most of their forces are spread throughout the world to weaken and scare humanity to its core. Besides, if there are multiple people or Inters in one area, it would be obvious that they're guarding something important. That's why they just leave the catalyst in the open.
Anyways, I should be able to see who is responsible for this event as disabling the catalyst would ultimately gather the attention of those who knows about this place.
" We're here… " Kate says nervously.
" Before we go in, make sure you're prepared to fight or run depending on the situation inside. " Though I said that there should be no other enemies, It was still better to be safe.
" Alright, I'll go in first. Kate don't stop using your skill and tell me where to go. "
" I...okay "
I slowly peaked my head inside trying to see if there were any signs of movement. There wasn't anything even after a while so I confidently stepped inside. It was nerve-wracking but I trusted my knowledge and memory about the Originals.
" Alright, Rena can you light a flare in your arms? "
Rena does as she was told and we continued upwards the building.
" This silence is killing me… " Yang whispers.
It was off-putting but we knew there was only one place we have to go.
" The trail leads inside… " Kate points at the door in front of us.
" Alright… prepare. "
With that being said, I instantly kicked the door open. If I slowly peeked through that, there's a high chance that the door creaks due to how old it is. It's better to do it quickly so that we can run a lot faster when something bad happens.
Well, thankfully enough nothing bad happened at all. I guess depending on how you look at it.
Froil Gear.
Rank: A
Variable Stats:
Strength: A-
Constitution: A-
Magic: A+
Dexterity: A
Speed: A+
Invariable Stats:
Charm: B
Luck: B
Unconscious on the ground was another Mr. Froil surrounded by red mist.
This must be that energy is unique to the Originals…
" What… this is. Then who's? " Everyone looks at the unconscious body on the floor.
I couldn't waste any more time so I walked towards him to wake him up. I didn't know how to remove the catalyst myself, but I know an awake catalyst would be able to disperse it easily.
" Mon stop! " They call out for me with a confused look. Why was I approaching the enemy? They wonder.
" Look at the crack to your right. " I say bluntly making them look at the large hole at the end of the hallway.
There they saw Mr. Gerald and another Mr. Froil fighting on top of the buildings.
" Wha… "
" It's exactly what you think it is. "
" Then how do you know this is the real Mr. Froil?! "
They could only look at me in confusion. They still hated the thought of me approaching the second Mr. Froil on the floor.
" Because I do. There were too many flags that indicated that that guy was fake. His personality was way off from the real one. " I say, and continue my advance towards the unconscious Mr. Froil.
I didn't say another reason why, which was the concrete evidence of his information being different in my system screen. They didn't need to know that, as Mr. Froil here will answer everything.
" Mr. Froil wake up… " I say, nudging at him.
It didn't take long for me to wake him up as his eyes slowly pry open after a small tap. They most likely didn't want to kill him due to their need for something that could passively regenerate mana to run the catalyst. The other reason was they wouldn't be able to kill him, as he was stronger than the fake, and Mr. Gerald combined, so
…
" Ugh… "
" What... What the fuck happened... " He stood up with a dazed look.
" Mr... Mr. Froil? Is that really you? " Kate looks at him in fear.
" What do you mean? " Mr. Froil's face turned serious by everyone's expression. They were scared of him, but it was not because of his psychotic personality. They were looking at him as if he was threatening their life.
It didn't take long for Mr. Froil to figure out what just happened, as he stands up from his daze, surrounded by unknown energy.
" Tell me everything that happened. " He pulls his body forward, and clean dust off his clothes.
Although everyone was still skeptical of the authenticity of this Mr. Froil, they didn't want to stay outside the room. We then spent the next minute telling him the situation.
" It seems like we were betrayed. " Mr. Froil had his serious and professional personality, as he says so.
" Before I went out cold, I remember drinking the coffee Mr. Gerald handed to me. "
It seems like my suspicions were right...
" What? He saved our life! How could he betray us? " They look a Mr. Froil warily.
It seems like they trust Mr. Gerald more than Mr. Froil right now.
Regardless, there's only one way to figure it out.
" Alright, student Mon, can I disperse this weird energy surrounding me now? " Mr. Froil looks at me.
I told them about my plan of figuring out who's the enemy by making them look towards us, the moment they feel their control of the catalyst and the Shriekers fade.
" Yeah, let's go to the hole we peeked out from earlier. "
Rena and the others came with us to see who can they trust. They have such a complicated look on their face, that they didn't know who to trust anymore.
" Do it, Mr. Froil. " I waved my hand and gave my focus outside. I could see, both Mr. Gerald and the fake fighting, as well as Reign and the others who were hiding inside a building just across the street. It seems like they made it out too, somehow. There were also the Shriekers roaming the street trying to look for prey.
With my mark, Mr. Froil grasped his hands, causing him to release a burst of mana. The sudden surge dispersed the Original energy. The Shriekers suddenly stopped moving, as if their brains were fried.
" This... " Rena and the others look at the fighting Mr. Gerald and the second Mr. Froil, only for them to stop and look towards in succession.
It seems like I was right...
But I wasn't fully right...
As I look at the two who were fighting, I couldn't help but notice the fact that Reign's group was staring at us, with the same look the fake Mr. Froil was giving us…
This...