Days bled into weeks within the shelter. Rumors swirled like echoes, some even suspecting Hiroki and his group of causing the trouble. Miyu's search through the book and the research library proved fruitless. Tight censorship and limited resources hampered their investigation. Yoru, ever pragmatic, proposed joining the P.H.G., the central union for hunters and guards. The financial rewards were tempting, enough to cover their living expenses.
"Living together?" Miyu blurted, and the thought conjured chaotic images in her mind feeling a little embarrassed. "Is this a good idea ?"
Kenji, ever the realist, interjected, "They do offer basic free rooms for newcomers. A room for each one – perfect for us, we may then choose a place for all of us to meet most the time."
Meanwhile, Nao sat in her office, her brow furrowed in concentration. Intuition whispered that the book might be connected to the capital in Yumix, the largest kingdom's seat. Perhaps it belonged to the king's own daughter? But solid evidence remained elusive. (Knowing that she knows nothing about the book that Yoru has)
A gentle knock interrupted her ruminations. The door creaked open, revealing Hiroki's group, their expressions a mix of little hesitation and determination.
Hiroki, mustering his courage, spoke first. "We'd like to request leaving the shelter."
Nao raised an eyebrow, surprise morphing into suspicion. "Join the P.H.G., you say? Why this sudden decision?" Her sharp tone hung heavy in the air, causing a ripple of unease among them.
Hiroki stammered, searching for an explanation. "We… we might be a burden on your resources."
Nao's gaze held theirs, the tension thick enough to cut. With a final sigh, she acquiesced. "Whatever. I'll inform the higher authorities."
Relief washed over them, erupting in a flurry of whispered celebrations as they exited the office. Nao, however, couldn't help but feel a pang of happy sadness for the peaceful days they'd shared.
"Don't be strangers," she called after them. "I hope y'all remember my kindness."
Hiroki offered a small smile. "We will. We'll drop by with news soon."
Night cloaked the city as the promised day arrived. Signing the final paperwork at the observation office, they officially stepped outside. Suddenly, a large woman in her mid-thirties, radiating an air of authority, stood before them.
"Excuse me," the woman said kindly, a curious glint in her eyes. "Does this shelter accept people at the moment for entrance or leaving?", there was a deeper meaning behind these words.
Yoru, ever-cautious, replied, "Yes, it's always open and available."
"Yes it is, hmmm, Good." the woman responded cheerfully, a slight undercurrent of something deeper lurking beneath the surface. She apologized for the interruption and introduced herself as Honoka Kurosawa, an investigator for the area.
Surprise rippled through the group for a moment, but anyways they continued their walk.
Then later, back at the shelter, Honoka visited Nao at her office. "You can enter" Nao requested sharply in cold way, as if she was aware of her arrive.
"About that incident," Honoka began, her tone devoid of warmth. "I require some basic details for private inquiries."
Nao responded to her question with a tone of astonishment and wonder almost like ignoring. "Why would such information be sought from a mere shelter?"
Honoka remained unfazed. "This matter is beyond my control. It's by the kingdom's decree." With a resigned sigh, Nao divulged some information that seems the not attracting Honoka for now.
After a while, Honoka seemed to grasp the situation. "So, Hiroki Kurogane one of the people who came from that incident, interesting, he would be the least relevant person in this entire ordeal, is that correct?" she inquired.
One final question lingered: "Where did they headed?" Honoka asked, a hint of suspicion coloring her voice.
Nao offered a curt reply, her voice laced with indifference. "How would We know? You can't peer into someone's mind. It's their own decision, so revealing their destination is entirely up to them."
Honoka, surprisingly impressed by her sharp answer, acknowledged her limitations. "Indeed. No point in prying. Thank you for your time." She left the office, convinced no one had tipped the group off about their intentions.
It seems that Nao's plans have succeeded now, so by answering this, she planted the belief that no one knows about the whereabouts of Hiroki and his group, so that she does not ask those who are here.
Back to Hiroki team, after they took an old camper van they had stopped it at night to take them to their destination, rumbling towards the city center a few kilometers away. Frugal souls, they pooled resources, sold food and old belongings amongst the shelter group to save on transport costs.
The driver, a burly man with an air of suspicion, eyed them with surprise. "You're heading straight for the heart of the city?" he rumbled. "Dangerous times for travelers. Especially the gangs on the outskirts of the city center, people who are extremists and fanatics of the old Yumix", which surprised Hiroki and was followed by a little tension. Yoru, ever-composed, responded, "We can handle ourselves." Her confidence calmed their concerns.
The driver chuckled, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Alright alright, am impressed by your spirit, girl". He glanced at Yoru, a look that causes confusion and awkward, before she subtly shifted away. Their journey continued in a tense yet oddly companionable silence until they reached their destination after 20 minutes – a bustling city center teeming with late-night shoppers and wanderers, which they had already expected. Kenji fidgeted, muttering, "We look like outsiders here."
"Don't worry," Yoru reassured him. "Let's just get to our destination quickly."
After reaching the desired location, a magnificent sight greeted them – a sprawling complex with a central union and dormitories nestled behind it. The quiet tranquility defied the city's earlier buzz. They slipped through the door quietly. Inside, a few figures lounged – some talking, one engrossed in a book, another lost in slumber. Unimportant details for them. They approached a window where a worker, a welcoming smile on her face, acknowledged them.
"Welcome, newcomers!" she chirped. "Final registration. Everything you need will be provided, along with rewards based on your performance."
A small salary, a chance to contribute to Yumix's safety, and benefit from people who want to work here – it was more than Hiroki had hoped for. Brushing aside his past, he concocted a story on the spot. "Traveler from afar," he declared, weaving a fictional country of origin. It went unchallenged, and so, it went unnoticed.
Their lack of qualifications placed them in the "new amateur"category. After a brief assessment, the worker congratulated them, with room numbers and additional details. Tasks would arrive via mail – optional or mandatory, with delivery worker ensured if it was obligation.
Surprisingly, their rooms were individual as they wanted, but thankfully, located in a row on the ground floor of Building C. They decided to convene in the outer courtyard the following day for crucial discussions. As everyone dispersed to their rooms, Miyu dove onto the comfortable bed. Hiroki, for the first time in a while, let go of his worries, allowing sleep to claim him.
Days bled into weeks, the nightmares thankfully fading. They'd established a meeting point – a deserted room they arranged, nestled amidst a verdant plain near the sprawling huge forest, and also close to the union, where it does not exceed the limits. Each member had a role in their daily life in the group. Yoru, with her experience, was chosen as their leader, tasked with training and preparing them for assignments. Miyu, enthralled by the P.H.G.'s vast library, dedicated her nights to research, sharing her findings during their evening gatherings.
One day, in the bustling main cafeteria, Hiroki spotted a few familiar faces from the shelter. Among them was a stranger who caught his eye. This guy offered a friendly weird smile, and then returned to his meal.
Later that night, at their regular meeting place, Miyu announced a startling discovery. "Everyone, I have something crucial!" she declared, a hint of triumph in her voice. As the group gathered around the table, she continued, "The girl in your vision, Hiroki, seems connected to this book! I found similar descriptions in references related to the Secret Book of Yumix."
Hiroki's responded with frustration, almost a funny situation. "Oh," he mumbled, "I figured that was the case. This was clear from the vision from the beginning", eliciting a look of comical despair from Miyu. "After all that research…?" she sighed, feigning exasperation.
An amused sigh escaped Hiroki's lips. "Don't worry about it, Miyu. Let's resume and enjoy ourselves tonight."
Kenji, ever the mood-maker, brought food and entertainment this evening with the salary they earned in their first days. Laughter filled the room as they indulged and launched into card games. A playful accusation of cheating flew towards Miyu, amidst her flustered denials. These were precious moments of camaraderie. Hiroki savored every second, a gnawing feeling in his gut telling him they wouldn't last.
Yoru, perceptive as always, picked up on his concern. "Still thinking about that girl?" she inquired coldly. "Is it hard to forget about it?, or there is another reason for that", finished with a sly smile.
Hiroki paused for a moment, It took a few seconds for him to realize the meaning, surprised by her question. He fumbled for a denial, flustered. "No! Not at all…"
The playful banter continued without interruption until the day passed quickly and was over.
The next morning, anticipation crackled in the air as they gathered for their first official mission – a group assignment. They were tasked with securing the perimeter around the giant forest entrance for a specific period, eliminating minor threats, and submitting reports. The seemingly straightforward request surprised Yoru for their inquiry and request for reports, as if there was something there.. Regardless, they geared up and set off.
By afternoon, they decided to split up, covering more ground efficiently. None of them encountered any immediate danger, but the looming threat of the vast, unexplored forest hung heavy.
[Back to a dark corner of the room where the hidden book is kept. In an inexplicable flash, it pulsed with the same usual light for less than a second, before returning to obscurity in a dramatic atmosphere.]
Hiroki found himself near the center of their designated area, his search uneventful but nothing to notice yet. His mind wandered to his past.
He remembered living a boring life, going from high school to his home, where his father and brother's priority was only money and staying up late, they were barely home. As for his mother, she was a distant memory. She has been lost for a long time with no significant information about her. A missing warm presence that he had become accustomed to. A bittersweet smile appeared on his lips for no reason.
And at that very moment, a fleeting shadow flickered past him, a sound that seemed to move faster than its source. He spun around, but saw nothing. Doubting his own senses, he continued his patrol forward.
And while he was in those moments that passed slowly while he raised his head, to notice a dark shape materialized, it's strange appearance is closer to a monster, in front of the now-stationary Hiroki until now. The entity rushes with unnatural speed, hurtling towards him.....
[To Be Continued]