It was night by now, I already ate dinner and was waiting for Irina who was still busy taking on multiple phone calls one after another.
I wanted to completely lock myself in my room until tomorrow but I also wanted to know what had happened.
To pass time I opened a site for discussions and tried to find something interesting.
The most popular posts were all… garbage.
After scrolling for a while I started to realise, the posts about mysterious deaths in our area have significantly risen.
Is the police force in charge of Relics not in the mood of doing their work?
As I was scrolling I saw a rather stupid post by some random guy on the internet -
[Don't worry guys! There is only one thing common in these deaths, they all died unnatural deaths in an isolated area. It's all the work of our government. They are killing the criminals who can't be punished!]
Internet, a weird platform where people believe that they have brains that can process.
What kind of stupid trust he has on our government when they don't even properly punish the known criminals.
He doesn't even know any of the people who died but he can easily accuse them of being a criminal.
Since I loved to argue and insult people unnecessarily, I shouldn't be saying anything but after how Irina described that man from the wire incident, it was quite frustrating for me as well. From her description he was like a regular human unlike the others.
I stopped scrolling and decided to just watch an online match of chess, I laid down on the couch and watched as the match progressed.
The player with white pieces was well known for using a unique play in each match. This match he put on an aggressive attack while trying to take control of the centre as he sacrificed pieces.
Thinking back I have never spent this much time on this couch before.
In between my thoughts, the player with white pieces fell for a trap made by the opponent because of his offensive style of play making a big blunder and soon lost the game as he resigned a few moves before the checkmate.
As I was lying on the couch, Irina sat down beside me. I only noticed her when the chess match came to the completion.
I quickly got up and asked -
"You sure are busy, did you guys catch that killer or what?"
"I wish that was the case, but it's the opposite."
Opposite? Irina looked a little stressed saying that.
"Shade, I want to ask you something."
"And that would be?"
"Do you really want to avenge Chandler?"
"Are you going to ask me if I can kill or not, again?"
"What Chandler has planned for you is really dangerous, the less you get involved the lesser the stakes are for you."
"I don't want to."
She averted her eyes from me after my reply and relaxed back on the couch. She soon closed her eyes and started applying pressure on her forehead with her fingers.
"Tomorrow we are going to attend a massive meeting of Relic Users of Freedom."
"Wait, I thought I was hiding until the killer was caught right?"
"Don't worry we will be wearing masks to cover our faces."
"...And that's it for me?"
"Yes."
I sighed, sat down properly and looked at Irina.
At this point she was just playing with my feelings, as soon I opened up to her she started keeping secrets which would lead me to be put on guard against her again.
"You know you're going to start losing hair, if you keep so many secrets." I said mockingly.
She exhaled lightly and opened her eyes and looked at me while she said -
"Mr. John was killed today just after we left."
The Pig Guy died?! Wasn't he the guy at the top of Freedom? Also there were like a dozen guards there, it just doesn't make sense with the timing.
The killer got popular enough to start appearing on online feeds and now he kills the Leader of a massive group, won't he get targeted by everyone from now on.
"The thing I heard from Mr. John that made me angry this afternoon was... that he knew something about Auth... Chandler's death and according to him, he wanted you to solve this so he spread your information."
"M-my Information?"
That Pig Bastard...
"Just that there is someone who would've tagged alongside him, who can catch the Invisible Hunter."
"He wanted me to catch the murderer?"
"Of course with his help though, after hearing this I asked him to retract his statement until tomorrow but unfortunately that won't be possible now."
"Then, am I really required to go there?"
"Yes, so you better get prepared for a little game."
Chandler... You stupidly smiling bastard, if I die trying to catch a murderer I hope I get to punch you somehow.
Hmm... Ah!
"When we go there, will I be meeting all of these executives?" I asked.
I honestly don't care enough to involve myself in a murder incident but Chandler wanted me to meet with these Executives as Irina stated previously... Somehow everything was going all according to how Chandler wanted them to. This may lead me to a clue I wasn't even hoping for.
She was slightly surprised by my sentence but didn't question it - "You will." She replied.
"So how will we get there?"
"We'll meet with the people we met in the cafe and change into something more fitting for a meeting at their place."
"The 2 Guys and the woman?"
"Yes, also give me your sizes if you want comfortable clothes."
"We can't go wearing our own clothes."
"You can if you want to risk people tracking you. Also the clothes you wear will be yours after you wear them."
What are you, a millionaire?
We both returned to our rooms after that.
The next morning we both met with Irina's subordinates at my house at 7 in the morning.
The three of them came wearing formal clothes as if they were celebrities, after talking for a while we exited my house and that's where I learned that Pig Guy wasn't the only rich one.
As we stepped outside we were escorted through a black car for VIPs.
The car had space for almost everything, even in my wildest dreams I would never buy such an expensive car and I looked around it like a kid.
I had close to no knowledge about cars but I can still easily tell just by looking that this one was very very expensive, I knew these guys wore expensive clothes but now with this, they just openly show their wealth like the Pig Guy.
As we sat in the car, I realised I looked more out of place than I thought.
"Can't believe Mr. John spread the word about Mr. Shade joined as the eighth power over the R.U.O.S. or should I say seventh after yesterday's events?" Guy 1 said that.
I'll probably learn about it later so I shouldn't ask annoying questions. Also don't call me so formally when you're wearing an expensive suit.
The rest of the ride I heard all of their conversations silently without uttering a word.
As we reached there, all of us separated and the guy that drove the car led me to a room.
The room looked like an expensive hotel's room.
"Your clothes will be inside that closet and please call me if you need anything." He said and started leaving.
I opened the closet to look inside and stopped him.
"Excuse me? Which one am I supposed to wear?" Without realising I started using formal tones for them.
The closet was filled with expensive looking suits and accessories in different compartments.
"Huh? Well whatever you feel like, though Ms. Irina told me to suggest you to wear the black one she chose. Others are just similar because they were picked in a hurry for you last night."
She bought all of this last night?! She may actually be a millionaire... Suddenly I am actually falling for her.
I wore the full black suit and a bluish white shirt with black gloves, shoes, a black tie with a gold imprint design on it and a black watch matching the rest of the attire.
I could barely even recognise myself as I looked at the mirror.
It's a little formal but I looked good, wearing formal clothes for once made me look older and much more mature. Also this suit made my shoulders look broad and strong.
I adjusted my watch looking at myself in the mirror when I suddenly heard the sound of clicking behind me.
"You..."
As I turned around, it was Irina clicking pictures of me.
"You look handsome, I heard you liked wearing dark clothes but I didn't realise how good you'd look on them."
"Yes, I'm the perfect guy to call at somebody's funeral. Also explain why are you taking photos of me?"
"I heard from mom you hated taking pictures of yourself, so I'm helping mom seeing some of her son's good photos."
"Stop."
Irina wore an expensive looking dress and held a white mask marked with an azure blue colour design in her hands, her hair now styled into something I never saw before reminded me again of how out of the world beauty Irina really was.
Aside from the ones that tagged alongside us, few more people were behind her.
"Help him with his hair." After her order, two people walked towards me.
They sat me down on a chair with my eyes closed and only allowed me to open them after 5 minutes.
They styled my hair, it was the first time in a while I had done something to my hair and I was honestly impressed by how different I looked. I could stand in front of the mirror for a whole day but I soon turned around.
"Looking good, you must be popular with girls your age." - Guy 1.
"Shut up Guy 1."
"Guy 1?" - Guy 1.
"He doesn't know your names so he simply refers to you three as - Guy 1, Guy 2 and Woman." Irina said.
"Guy 1... seriously?"
"You're not a very creative name giver."
"Just woman?! That is really rude!"
- Guy 1, 2 and Woman objected to their well thought out names.
"My name is Robert, the Guy 1 there is Mark and the woman is Sera though you should call us Golem, Mane and Serpent in the Confluence." - Guy 2
"Confluence?"
"The meeting we'll be attending is called the Confluence."
"Also I'm Harry, username - Exorcist." The person who drove the car said.
Code names? Like the IDs Irina told me about, similar to how Chandler was called Author.
"I think you'll get along quite fine with Mark and Harry so I'll let them accompany you." Irina said.
"Glad to be at your service boss!"
"That sounds fun."
She intentionally chose the louder ones to go with me!
As planned we reached the meeting place at around 9:30. The meeting place was a grand building which had looks and an exterior which can be considered perfect... Except it was a few cities away.
As we got there, we put on a mask that covered our whole faces and made it hard to recognise. We walked past lots of cameras and guards at the entrance.
The place inside looked like an art gallery, with massive screens on the wall and a few desks and a bunch of computers in the corner.
"What is this place? Wah!" I asked a question but suddenly got scared when I heard my own voice get weird as I spoke.
"Don't mind it, the mask is making your voice sound different. This much is required to keep our identities hidden."
Even Irina's voice was changed, her voice right now was completely different from her actual voice and much deeper, one could even question whether this voice originally belonged to a man or a woman.
After a second-long pause she continued.
"This is the place where Relic Users of Freedom take their works, the works can be errands of some sort, working as a guard or even things like killing someone."
Freedom... you work here for safety or money she said but it doesn't look like they are quite an innocent bunch themselves, Pig Guy can't be the only one here who was a jerk.
The six of us got inside an elevator and got to the fifth floor. As soon as the doors of the elevator opened I could feel the pressure there.
Unlike the ground floor which was completely empty, the fifth floor was totally packed with people.
The moment we entered, all the eyes fell upon us, most likely Irina and the other four.
The building was guarded heavily on the outside but no one without a mask was present inside.
By my estimation around 200 people were attending which meant there were only a little more than 200 Relic Users in the whole region.
"Are all the people with supernatural powers rich?" I said while following Irina.
"All the Relic Users take advantage of their Relics so most of them are pretty wealthy."
That Pig Guy bought an entire restaurant to show off, so I can't imagine how lucky the next guy would be to become the Leader of all these people.
The dark light which already made it hard to see, in addition to the masks it became impossible to recognise anyone, that's why I was walking extremely close to Irina, which may be the reason I was getting a lot of glares.
As the school's weird loner, whispers and stares on me didn't hurt but these guys just felt dangerous and being in the crowd of more than 100 people was already suffocating enough.
Irina was being greeted by almost everyone present.
"Go around with Mark and Harry, I'll contact you later."
Saying that, the group of Irina, Robert and Sera separated from us three.
"We should go somewhere." Mark said to me.
"Let's go somewhere in the corner, I don't want to get lost like a child here."
"Stick close ok?"
Saying that Mark started making way while both Harry and I followed, soon we made all the way towards the corner of the room, where there was another elevator.
After a few minutes a person got on top of the stage and started speaking -
"Thank you all for gathering today at Confluence, as everyone would know the reason why we all have gathered here but there is one more concerning news that I would like to disclose."
"Wait, why is the Enchanting Healer in charge of Confluence instead of Leader?" Somebody near me spoke.
"You haven't heard the news yet? You won't believe it but Spider died yesterday at the hands of Invisible Hunter."
"What? I did hear it but that can't be possible!"
"I thought that but even Mr. Controller said the same thing."
Healer and Spider? After eavesdropping on these guys I heard similar words in the speech of the new Leader-
"Yesterday the Hunter's next victim was none other than our Leader, Spider because of which I will be acting as the temporary representative of our region's Freedom for now until any further official discussion."
I thought I'd gain a lot of information by hearing more of the Leader's speech but I was already informed about the rest of the content.
"Hey let's go somewhere else." I said that and got inside the elevator in the middle of speech. Harry and Mark followed.
"So where do you want to go?" Mark asked.
"Who knows? What are the places here?"
"Hmm let's see, there's the main place where we take requests at the ground floor, underground garage, staff offices and meeting rooms at 1st, Special room at 2nd, management offices at 3rd, comms at 4th, we are at 5th, 6th to 10th floors are common rooms and Executive Areas are at the 11th and 12th floor."
"This building is quite boring."
"The roof is pretty sick though." Harry spoke in between.
"Good let's go there."
After deciding our destination Mark put some sort of card on a scanner on the elevator and we started moving.
After that all three of us stepped outside the elevator when we reached the empty rooftop of the building.
The rooftop had leaves and plants covering the top and flowers spread throughout the area.
"Also, if you are looking for snacks they won't serve any on the rooftop.
"Why would I be looking for snacks here?"
"I mean when we last met, you were munching down a lot."
"That was because I was not interested back then."
"So are you interested now?"
"Not at all."
I looked down from there and could see a nice view of the surroundings of the building, a clear lake glistening by the reflection of sun which was followed by a green plain surrounded by a small mountain range, even the weather made the sky look the best with only a few clouds of uninteresting shapes.
I have never learned how to draw, but I was sure that this scenery can be made into a good art piece even if a kid drew it.
"This scenery makes up for the two hour ride." I put my hands on the railing.
"So Harry, I heard your wife finally got out of the hospital." Mark started chatting with Harry.
"Yeah, I was really glad for how everything ended without something serious."
"Something happened to her?" I joined in.
"Well I had a boy recently and the delivery had a few problems back then. Here, wanna see his pictures?" He raised his phone.
"Show me! Show me!" Mark got excited.
From there on they continued to talk. I was totally out of place among these two loud guys... but it wasn't uncomfortable.
Even the people who could be killing people with powers that were comparable to existence outside of our world were just other human beings with normal lives and normal problems.
While enjoying the scenery with Mark and Harry, I noticed the door of the elevator opening and a few people got out of there.
Mark quickly separated from us and greeted them one by one.
"Not everyone has access to all the places in this building. People who have access to the rooftop are mostly more important members."
"Then you're not greeting them?"
"If I was an important person, do you think I would be driving you guys here?"
Sounds sad.
As Mark finished greeting everyone and returned one of the people slowly started walking towards us.
"I was wondering which person can be rude enough to run away during the new Leader's speech and it was you, Mane."
"Oh hey Crow."
It looks like he was Mark's acquaintance.
"Well even if you are one of the important figures of your faction and have known the new Leader for years you should mind your manners or you'll end up in a tough spot."
I didn't know Mark was someone important.
"This guy sticks his head in everyone's business, that's why I hate him." Mark said that looking at me and Harry.
"Like annoyingly telling people what to do?"
"Yeah exactly like that! The guy that won't shut up about formality and elegance or something like regulations to follow."
"So weirdos like this do exist, huh."
"Because I want you to improve Mane! And who even are you?! I don't remember doing something that you'll hate me for!"
"Why do I have to know you to hate you? Or do you want me to know you? Are you lonely by any chance?" I replied.
Even with a mask we could see him getting irritated and he took a few steps towards us, but after lightly sighing he said -
"Bye! We'll meet again Mane, Exorcist and you!" Pointed his finger at me as he walked back into the elevator.
"What the hell was that?"
"He got angry after you saw through him, he really came here because he was lonely."
"I see".
"But Mr. Shade be completely vary of that guy, he is the right hand man of a rather notorious Executive. He may not look like it but he is as cunning as a horse."
"I don't remember horses being a cunning animal?"
"Exactly, he's a fucking idiot with a huge authority."
"Scary."
We both didn't say anything after this but Harry broke out laughing.
I could somehow feel a weird bond between the three of us which was deeper than my relationship with Irina, as we talked with mocking smiles behind our masks while looking at the same scenery.
"Hey Mark, I heard rich people use Relic User's powers, how does someone contact a member of Freedom?" I asked.
"Well the rich people who we usually call Clients mostly just send requests and the members take it if they're interested."
...
"What if they are asking for a particular person? Or do people even know most of the members?"
"Well you can do that but the User should be one of the Executive or close to one. And no, only people like Executives have information about every single member of Freedom."
"So this is where you were? I was shocked that Mane would come here but I guess you were enjoying some old memories."
Our conversation was interrupted by another person who seemed to be looking for Mark.
"Ah! Leader, you were looking for us?!"
"Sorry we came here for a bit."
Leader? I could not recognise it but the person who got on stage was a woman and looked like someone I may have seen on the fifth floor.
Everyone present on the rooftop was looking at her from a distance enough so that no words could be heard.
I didn't want to interrupt them so I just stared ahead at the view.
"I don't mind, I saw Crow walk out of the elevator of the fifth floor so I guessed he might have returned after greeting you."
"Something like that but of course we would have rushed back if you called for us."
"Not required, if the Crow was elsewhere I would have found you through the other way."
As said by Crow, Mark was indeed close to the Leader and could talk normally in front of her.
"And what are you so busy looking at?"
Huh?! Me?!
"Nothing..."
"Are you acting like you don't know me or are you seriously not recognising me?"
"Huh?"
"Shade please say it's the prior."
"I-Irina?!" Aside from her dress which I miserably failed to recognise, her white mask with azure blue design was unique.
"It makes me sad that you didn't recognise me. You could have at least listened to my speech till the end."
I didn't recognise her, mostly because I only saw her in that dress when we were leaving and I mostly looked at her face, which was also before the two hour ride and everyone's voice in the mask sounded the same. And then you came as Leader and they-
"Wait, then you were the new Leader?!"
"What part of "I'm the highest level Executive after the Leader" didn't you understand when I said it yesterday."
"That part where you didn't say it to me directly, big things are supposed to be said."
"Do I look like someone who would say such obvious things to people?"
Irina being the Leader was indeed obvious, she was second in authority but her group was said to be stronger. Why I didn't notice this was because it's too weird for me who is also involved in her normal life.
"Let's just return inside Enchanting."
"Don't call me by that word." She replied quickly.
'Enchanting Healer' her codename, aside from 'Healer' 'Enchanting' truly suited Irina, her looks, her personality, her voice and her overall existence can be described as enchanting and that won't be a lie.
"If I call you by your real name, what will be the purpose of having another one?"
"Call me by my name when we are alone, and call me Healer only when we're not."
She is more aggressive and bossy today for some reason.
"What about the use of Ms., shouldn't I be talking in a formal tone?"
"You didn't call me Ms. Irina from the start like others, did you? So just call me Healer."
I got on the elevator with Irina and waved to Harry and Mark goodbye.
Irina pressed a button and removed her mask.
"With that we will be free to stay on the elevator."
"So, what other way could you have used to find me?"
I was genuinely curious about that since she said that.
"There are cameras all over this building, if you look around the first floor you can find any person you want."
"Next question, why did they make you the Leader?"
That Pig Guy was easily in his later 50s or in his early 60s, even Irina's subordinates like Robert and Harry look to be in their 30s, while Mark and Sera are also at minimum in their mid 20s, it's just weird for them to choose Irina who isn't even one-third of their previous Leader's age.
"It just means I'm that capable."
Not much explanation, not many words, just a simple answer? That was not unlike Irina.
"You totally must be, Ms. Enchanting."
"I told you not to call me that." Saying that she mercilessly stamped on my foot with her heels.
Her heels looked like they could stab a person to death but the shoes I'm wearing turned out to be quite durable, I barely felt a thing.
"It's not like I want to be called that." She added.
"Really? Then who makes these names?"
"As I have told you, Order registers a person gives them a codename to label them as a recognised Relic User, without a name if you are found with Relics you'll be arrested and recognised as a member of Revolution."
I don't know if she is saying all this because it's really important or because she's flustered.
I learned a new thing today about Irina, she usually had a poker face or an angry one but when she got flustered she constantly avoided eye contact and blinked continuously from time to time.
It was an adorable act performed by such a serious person, and her long eyelashes made it even more obvious so it was hard not to notice.
Her ears look red, is it because of the air conditioner or hiding embarrassment?
Thinking that I gently touched her right ear.
"It got red."
"Y-you!"
"...That was a girly voice and a nice face. I wish I could have taken a picture." I said with a smirk that was hidden behind my mask.
Unable to comprehend, Irina lightly slapped away my hand and wore her mask, while facing the door and continued.