The conversation with the bartender had left both Koji and Saik on edge. The way he referred to the "Illuminated" and "Exalted" sounded strangely reverent.
They left the small bar and began walking down the street toward the square the bartender had mentioned. Koji's gaze was slightly distant as his mind was occupied.
"It's not uncommon for bearers to be treated like divine figures by humans under their control, but still, the idea of being in the middle of a seemingly peaceful town without sensing the presence of other bearers is unsettling," he thought.
Despite all the unanswered questions, the town appeared ordinary. People walked calmly along the sidewalks, cars passed slowly, and children played in front of a few stores.
"This is strange," Saik commented quietly. "I don't sense any other bearer's energy, just the wave's."
"Maybe the bearer behind this has a technique to hide their energy. They could be intentionally concealing themselves from us."
"That's very likely. If that's the case, we're dealing with someone tricky."
They crossed a busy avenue with the crowd, eventually reaching the square.
"I've never seen so many kids gathered in one place," Koji thought, raising his eyebrows, his lips pressed into a thin line that twisted slightly to the side.
"I think I know where the guy the bartender mentioned is," Saik said, breaking Koji's train of thought.
"Where is he?"
Saik discreetly pointed with his index finger toward an elderly man sitting on a bench in the shade, wearing a straw hat and sunglasses.
"Look at him, he's practically screaming, 'I'm a local historian.'"
"Seriously? That's the only reason you think he's Juan?"
"Sometimes, it's just intuition."
They approached the man, who lifted his eyes from behind his sunglasses as he noticed the two approaching. Trying to be friendly, Koji raised his hand in a wave.
"Hello, sir. By any chance, is your name Juan?"
"Yes. Who are you? Are you tourists?"
They exchanged glances before the man suddenly stood, adjusting his hat while looking the two of them up and down.
"I can be your guide here. I know everything and everyone in this town. What do you say?" he offered with a smile that was a mix of experience and friendliness.
Saik glanced at Koji and gave him a subtle nod. Koji understood the signal and turned to Juan with a smile.
"Sure! We'd love that! Can we start now?"
"Let's get to it, but hurry! This sun will kill us!"
As they walked along the street near the Cultural Center of Primavera do Leste, Juan began sharing the town's history.
"Did you know that back in the 1960s, this town was called Bela Vista das Placas? The change to Primavera do Leste happened on September 26, 1979, thanks to a man named Edgard Cosentino, a pioneer responsible for the urban planning project in the area."
"This town grew quickly, and by 1981, it was elevated to district status, still part of the municipality of Poxoréo. The goal, though, was always to gain political independence."
Though they were keeping an eye on the people around them, Koji and Saik were only half-listening to Juan's words. Even as their eyes scanned the city, Koji chimed in.
"So, Primavera do Leste almost had a different name?"
"Exactly. Seeing a bright future, twenty-six pioneers, on August 24, 1984, formed the Pro-Emancipation Committee for the district. They chose Darnes Egydio Cerutti to lead it. The first suggestion was to name the new town Primavera D'Oeste, but the State Legislative Assembly rejected that, saying it was geographically incorrect."
Saik moved closer to Koji and whispered.
"Are you seriously paying attention to this?"
"Yeah, I like to… listen to… history… town…" Koji said slowly, with some reluctance.
"Not very convincing."
"Mr. Juan," Saik interrupted, "You mentioned you know everyone here, right? Does that mean… *everyone*?"
Juan paused for a moment, looking at Saik with a cautious yet curious expression.
"Of course, young man. I know everyone who lives here. If I don't know them, they don't live in this town."
"My friend and I met someone earlier—a bartender."
"A bar what?" Juan seemed startled by the word.
"He was the attendant at a small bar we visited. He mentioned the 'Illuminated, Exalted, and Just.' Those people are part of this town too, right?" Koji asked, joining the conversation.
Juan's eyes lit up momentarily, and he smiled after hearing the mention of the "Illuminated."
"Ah, yes, the Illuminated… they're special. But they're one of us. Everyone here has a role to play. They have theirs, and we have ours."
At that moment, Saik's eyes widened in surprise, and he leaned toward Koji, whispering.
"Koji, I'm sensing another bearer nearby."
"Then stay alert, I'll handle thi—"
Ah! Ah! Ah!
"Juan?" Koji looked at the old man, as did Saik. "What's happening?"
Suddenly, Juan began groaning in pain.
Ah! Ah!
His mouth opened, and blood started gushing out profusely. Koji and Saik exchanged confused glances as Juan's neck began to spurt blood, creating a horrifying scene.
"How did this happen, Saik?"
"Nothing touched him. I can feel the bearer's energy, but nothing close enough to do this to him."
In seconds, Juan's head was brutally severed.
Koji looked around, stunned. The square was still full of people going about their routine as if nothing had happened. People chatted, laughed, and walked without reacting to the horror that had just unfolded.
"Why aren't they seeing this? They don't see it?" Koji asked in confusion as Juan's blood spread across the ground.
"They're definitely in a trance. They have no idea what's happening around them," Saik said, equally perplexed.
Suddenly, a loud, malicious laugh echoed through the air.
"Hahaha!"
A man with a sadistic smile, who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, approached, rubbing his hands together, clearly pleased.
"Hahaha! Wasn't that old guy annoying as hell? Man, I *needed* to kill that geezer!" the unknown man said.
The tranquility that had covered the town was about to end.