Even so, Zach did not immediately press the trigger of his revolver. That was because the person in front of him didn't emit black smoke or black shadows. Only his eye sockets seemed to have spaces with red flames burning blazingly.
At this time, a hoarse voice sounded from the man in front of him, "Are you going to shoot an ordinary bum?"
Zach widened his pupils as he tried to understand the current situation. The gazes of the people around turned to Zach who was seen aiming a revolver at a homeless person.
If he pulled the trigger, it would be even worse.
"You are a Gatekeeper, why do you want to kill me?" The hoarse voice was bigger and seemed to be intended for the people around to hear it.
Zach's heartbeat quickens as he tries to find a solution. He knew very well that if he killed that tramp now, then there would be no proof that the tramp was a Shadow Being!
"No, those weird eye sockets pretty much prove it all" Zach muttered.
"Hihihi, I found you... As long as the tag is still there, we will be able to trace you wherever you are"
"You are the biggest obstacle to our grand plan!"
"Maybe not now, but another time we'll get rid of obstructions like yours!" The hoarse voice shouted but with a low tone and intonation. While showing an abnormal smile, he suppressed a strange laugh.
At this time the tramp in front of him blinked and made his eye sockets return to normal. It was as if the tramp's consciousness returned, as he slowly scanned the surroundings with a confused face. He suddenly shivered as he swiftly wiped the drool from his mouth to his chin.
The first He was quite surprised to see Zach who was still raising his revolver, after that he turned around and seemed to run away.
At this moment Zach froze, unable to say anything. He didn't even put his Revolver down even though the tramp had left. "Be marked?" As he thought about what the tramp had said earlier, he frantically looked at the hand that was previously grabbed by Astral.
On his wrist is a symbol of a coiled snake with sharp fangs. It was pitch black and looked more like a tattoo. A panicked Zach lowered his revolver and tried to wipe the mark. But the result is nil. The mark can not be separated!
At this time whispers could be heard from the people who witnessed it directly. "What is he doing?"
"He's wearing a Gatekeeper uniform"
"I never saw him"
"Maybe just joined"
"But if the tramp did commit a crime, is it necessary to point a revolver at him?"
"Of course it is necessary, we don't know if the tramp could commit heinous crimes. Right, like serial killings lately"
"No, I mean isn't it impossible"
"Ugh, just ignore it"
Zach's heartbeat quickened as he looked helplessly at the mark on his right hand. "This mark was used to track me?"
"Then what was with the Astral just now. Is this the so-called intelligent astral? It takes over its host's body without needing to become a full-fledged shadow creature?" Question after question came to his mind as he froze in place.
"If that's true, am I made the next target?" Zach knew exactly what Astral meant. But inside he rejected the idea.
Besides that, what caught Zach's mind were the words about the "Grand Plan" that he mentioned. "What's the point of a grand plan, and why am I an intruder who needs to be removed?"
Then he connected it with his current identity. "Clourfuss blood?" Zach embraced the idea, basically the Clourfuss Family had become the natural enemies of the Astrals. Of course by opening up the possibility of Astral who has intelligence, it is more likely to allow them to lock on targets that can become their distractions.
After a long pause and thinking of several solutions, Zach first sorted out what might be going on, "If I can be tracked with this. That means there's nowhere for me to run!"
"I'm their main target? If that's true then it will come to me before long!"
"Night?"
Then after thinking for a moment he got a crazy idea, "...Suicide"
"Well, if I kill myself now, I will go back in time. Then I won't meet that Astral!"
But after considering several things, Zach felt it was impossible. "No, even if I don't encounter that astral right now, that doesn't mean I can avoid it forever. It's saying that it found me. It means it was looking for me after all."
"If that's the case, I can't escape"
Zach is getting carried to the abyss when the solution in his head is disappearing. Then he seemed to flinch as he had a clear thought, "Why am I trying to run?"
"This is my responsibility. I wasn't sent to this place to stay out of trouble!"
"I have sealing medium I've already sealed a shadow creature. Why do I think I can't do the same with it?"
"I'm so stupid!"
After getting some composure, Zach tucked his Revolver back into his waist. Then he turned to go to the gate.
The plan is quite simple. He knew that the astral would be looking for him tonight at the earliest. Thus, he would make some preparations. After all, there are no other activities that will disturb him tonight. But the only problem would be if it happened at his house. Then it will involve Ilya.
Considering that the Astral he was dealing with had intelligence, it made new possibilities arise. I don't know what it will do next.
But one thing is certain, Zach is sure he can seal the Astral. Reflecting on the first time he sealed it, he felt it was easier than he imagined. So he was sure it wouldn't be much different from this.
"Well I just need to seal it before it can do anything" Zach got an epiphany though doubt was still in his mind.
At the gate, When Zach returns. He immediately sat on the outpost and leaned his body.
Ramius who previously looked like an undead now looked more normal. He was taking care of people out of town.
At this time, Santos who appeared from the Inner Post suddenly said, "How, is there something?"
Zach shook his head "No, everything seems normal" Zach didn't mention the problem regarding his discovery and the fact that he encountered a shadowy creature. It would be different if the two comrades knew about the existence of the shadow creatures. But considering they had no idea about it, Zach decided not to mention it.
As the sun started to disappear and the stars slowly revealed themselves, Zach was getting ready to head back because his Shift was over when Santos tapped him on the shoulder. "Hey come on, it's only 5pm, there's still time. How about a drink?"
Zach was silent for a few moments, but he calmly refused the invitation. This was because he needed to make some preparations for what might come his way tonight.
At this point, Santos frowned then said, "Mr Clourfuss, are you married?"
Zach was a little surprised by the question at first, then he gave a small nod.
Santos' reaction was exaggerated as he gaped for a few seconds. He took a deep breath, "Huh, no wonder"
From behind, Ramius laughed as he patted Santos' shoulder a few times. "Haha, you are the only virgin here"
"Virgin, I'm not!" Santos exclaimed as he displayed an untimely pride.
Ramius chuckled for a moment before looking up at the sky and saying, "But, this is really weird. The clock is still showing 5 o'clock but the sun has already set. Heh, if I didn't wear my watch I would think that it's about time the joint team patrol started." Ramius looked just a little bothered by this problem.
While Zach, who more or less knew the reason, was silent.