Around a week ago, within a certain tavern that socially accepts Mutants, sometime after Grey completed the Progressive Mission: [Rise of Alien Civilization (Part Two)] without a hitch because of the sudden appearance of Borax Doranfell, the Shadow Guild's Guild Master known for his worldwide information gathering capability.
"Do you think the Lumen Goddess discriminates against the other races?"
Out of nowhere, Grey opened his mouth to speak, casually throwing out such a philosophical question to the woman lost in her own world sitting on the wooden stool beside him.
Taking a glass of wine he did not bother to know the name of since he wouldn't get drunk anyway, Grey cast his glance to the side for a moment, seeing a beauty that seemed otherworldly.
Jet-black strands similar to flawless silk cascaded past her shoulders; and pale and unblemished skin without any signs of impurities. Added to that, her eyes were crimson, deep and strong.
With her hands cradling the glass filled with red-colored drinks, the woman opened her mouth, her voice serene,
"I am not fond of philosophy. Ask somewhere else. However, your question shall better be suited to be answered by a Priest of Light or a Saintess of Luminosity."
"Light and Luminosity… that's just bad naming sense. I mean, isn't that roughly similar?" Hearing Grey's sudden question, the woman finally gazed at him.
At that moment…
"Pfft…! Hahaha!" The woman laughed.
Seeing this, Grey scoffed. He was not fully cognizant of this world's common sense, prompting him to look at her with questioning eyes.
"If a devoted just hears what you've said, your body will be burned at the stake. Haha!"
"Ah! So, that's blasphemy. I guess that reveals my ignorance, eh? I don't know this country's custom since I'm from a faraway land." Grey said before he added, "By the way, I'm Grey. You?"
The woman had taken some time to calm down. She then responded,
"I'm Moly. What brings you here in a Mutants' known comfort and safe place? There are those who do not mind our existence, but most of the time, we're still under the other's scrutiny. Ah, wait! Are you even a Mutant? You look normal to me apart from your uniform which makes you look like a mad scientist who doesn't take a bath since it's a waste of time."
'I didn't expect she's this talkative. Is it because of the alcohol's influence?' Grey thought, already knowing the woman's identity based on the Shadow Guild's Guild Master's preliminary information during their talks in front of intoxicated Old Dwarf Heskan that night.
"There's a woman he's always keeping by his side at night time. From her, try whatever you can to find out more about Alex."
"Are you kidding me right now? What makes you think she'll talk about her lovey-dovey?"
"That's your job. I just provided you a tip."
"Ah. You see, I'm not actually a scientist. I just mimicked them because they inspire me in a way." Grey chuckled.
"Wait, wait! You are a shapeshifter, aren't you?" Moly said before drinking a mouthful of wine.
"Huh? H–how do you know that?!" Grey was surprised. It was a pretentious display though since the Extraterrestrial System had already profiled this certain individual, and that everything about her was integrated into Grey's mind through [Knowledge Assimilation].
It was a passive, ancient skill.
[Lost Eye of the Blood Sun]
Alien Archive Description: [This information has been collected through an unknown existing Anon Folder named "Fated Path" or labeled as the Pre-Reincarnation Data.]
[According to the information stored, the perceived Dark God ruling the Dark Lands gouged the eyes of the Blood Sun God, leaving only the existence of the black sun governing the Dark Lands. To the wielder of this legacy, he or she would be able to inherit the skills related to the Blood Sun, and he or she would be able to discern miniscule truths about one's existence, only… only if it could be defined.]
When Grey first learned this information, he couldn't help but wonder just what kind of hellhole he was thrown into. After all, the more he unravels this world's mysteries that were seemingly and silently threading towards disorder, even if it's done unintentionally, Grey suspected that…
"Hehe! That's a secret! But I'll tell you if you answer my question!"
Waking up from his little reverie, Moly's words rang in his ears.
"Wh–what question?"
"Hmm…" Moly pondered for two seconds.
"If you manage to know what kind of Mutant I am, then I'll tell you how I'm able to easily guess what you are."
Without an ounce of hesitation, in less than two seconds, Grey answered
"You're a Vampire, a type of Demonic Mutant."
"S–so fast!"
***
From that moment on, the bond between the two seemed to naturally develop.
After some time, as they left the tavern before sundown, Grey opened up,
"Moly, my ability as a Mutant isn't actually limited to changing my body. It's reading memories… With that said, forgive me, but I've noticed that something's wrong with you… I think it's about someone named Alex?"
He then explained the situation simply.
"W–wait… He's using a high-level charm on me to weaken my power?"
It was the truth.
For some reason, the Blood Sun-related skills were the weakness of Vampires, but no one exactly knew why that's the case aside from the word 'sun' attached to it.
"Yes. Try to jog your memory. Is there a time you've sparred with him and you utilized any Blood Sun-related skills? It's probably that moment he realized it. Maybe he even trembled in fear of the unknown."
Moly paused on her strides, falling into deep contemplation.
Everything was just information collected based on Moly's memories.
Upon confirmation, as though a hazy red fog was finally retreating from her mind, she clenched her fists, bit her lip, and then muttered,
"I–I will kill that fucking bastard…!"
"W–wait, calm down. Let's help each other. I'd also like to try something." Grey's expression was peculiarly in delight, which suddenly caused chills to run down Moly's spine.
'What the… why's he grinning like that? And his eyes…'
"Grey, tell me. If you are inspired by scientists, which is why you're impersonating them by wearing a laboratory coat… Does it mean you're also unhinged in a sense? Like you have a principle that if it's for the cause, I can be as evil as I can be?" She abruptly asked.
"I don't know what's with the sudden change of discussion, but you are talking about a mad scientist, Moly. There's also an existence known as an ethical scientist. Remember that." Grey responded.
"Anyway… take a look at this…"
It was then that Grey retrieved a mercury-liked blade. It possessed an amethyst eye on its handle as it oozed an ominous grey aura.
[Anon Spell Blade]
Alien Archive Description: [A self-repaired Anon Blade formed through the finalized Anoboids. It possesses multiple functions, but the most intriguing one is the Weapon Skill: Knowledge Intertwining. This will allow the Host to share the wisdom with the desired target acquired through Knowledge Assimilation. However, if any skills or technique is shared, only by using this blade shall a person draw out its maximum proficiency and potency.]
Ding!
[According to the particular information collected through the Anon Folder: Fated Path, the Aruminasa Spell Arts is compatible with the inheritor of the Blood Sun God's legacy.]
[Would you like to share the Aruminasa Spell Arts through the Anon Spell Blade's Weapon Skill: Knowledge Intertwining?]
"I'll tell you another secret, Moly."
***
In the present, another body disappeared overnight without a trace.