Isaac couldn't shake the feeling that something extraordinary had just entered his life. I can't believe it, he thought, his mind racing. How did I find someone like that out of the blue? Is it sheer luck, or are the gods trying to tell me something? His thoughts drifted back to that fateful day when everything had changed two months ago.
It had seemed like any other day at first. The evening light outside was fading, leaving the hospital's waiting hall bathed in artificial light's soft, dim glow. Shadows stretched longer, and the day took on the quiet stillness that comes as night approaches. Isaac was anxiously waiting for his doctor's report. The hall was crowded, a sea of weary faces and restless bodies, all marked by the strain of a long day nearing its end. The atmosphere hinted that he wouldn't see the doctor anytime soon. As he sat there, feeling the weight of time pressing down on him, a familiar sensation crept up his spine—an ominous shift in the air that only he could detect. The purger in him, constantly vigilant, decided to investigate.
Isaac turned to Andrea, who was seated beside him, scrolling through her phone. "I'm going to look around," he said, his voice calm but carrying a subtle undertone that hinted at his true intentions. Andrea glanced up, one eyebrow raised. "Work, huh? In a hospital waiting room? You really can't switch off, can you?" she remarked, mockingly smiling. Isaac chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Some things don't wait, and you know how to contact me," he replied before closing his eyes and appearing to doze off.
Without any visible transition, Isaac stood in the ethereal, shadowy version of the hospital—a place where spirits lingered, trapped between life and death. The Second Realm was a familiar place to Isaac, especially in hospitals where spirits often clung to the last vestiges of their former lives.
As Isaac began his stroll through the hospital's Second Realm, his hands clasped behind his back, his mind wandered. This is where many spirits gather, he thought. They stay close to places important to them in life if they retain any memory. That's common among Level-4 spirits. He sighed, recalling the countless times he had encountered such spirits, each tethered to a life they could no longer fully remember.
But here in the hospital, he mused, where death is a frequent visitor, most spirits are harmless Level-5s, barely aware of their surroundings. Today, however, something was different. The usual crowd of spirits was absent, leaving the Second Realm eerily quiet. Is it the advancement of medical technology keeping spirits at bay, or has someone already purged them?
Isaac's senses sharpened as he continued to walk, searching for any sign of the spirits that should have been there. As he moved through the spectral corridors, he noticed strong, unmistakable, and recent traces of internal energy. I guess I'll have to go with the second option, he thought grimly.
This realm territory was typically managed by the Horta Family, a well-known team of purgers responsible for maintaining balance in the area. Isaac knew the internal energy signatures of each member of the Horta family, but this energy felt different. It was almost unique in intensity, far more potent than he used to. How long do I have to walk to find its origin point? Isaac wondered, feeling a mix of curiosity and urgency.
He followed the trail of energy, his pace quickening as he neared the hospital morgue. There, the intensity of the internal energy spiked, nearly overwhelming his senses. The explosion of energy here was powerful enough to obliterate all the spirits in the vicinity in an instant. The sheer force of it suggested someone with immense power—but a complete lack of control. This wasn't done by a seasoned purger, Isaac realized. This was the work of someone powerful but inexperienced—a novice.
He checked the time: 20:40. The energy density indicated that it had occurred only a few minutes ago when he first felt that chill. The realm resets at 21:08, Isaac reminded himself. I only have a few minutes to find them, he thought as his slow walk turned into a brisk stride. Otherwise, all traces of this energy will be erased.
The lack of control was evident. Whoever had unleashed this energy had yet to learn how to harness it properly. I have to find this person, Isaac resolved. They could be an essential asset for the future, but they need guidance. Without it, their power could become a danger to themselves and others—perhaps even a catastrophic threat if left unchecked. In the wrong hands or without the right direction, their abilities could unravel the delicate balance between realms, bringing devastation on a scale I dread to imagine.
Just as he was about to delve deeper into his search, his phone buzzed. A message from Andrea: he was next in line. Isaac glanced at the time again and cursed under his breath. Not enough time, he thought. But he couldn't ignore the appointment.
With no other choice, Isaac marked the core of the energy with his light energy, emitting a red flare. This signal would alert the purgers in the second realm nearby. Someone will notice if this person is anywhere nearby and tap into their internal energy. I hope to find them as soon as possible, for the good of this world, Isaac thought, and a sense of urgency gnawing at him.
A sudden blaring horn yanked Isaac back to reality. He blinked, realizing that his car had reached its destination. I hope to live a few more years to see the kids grow and deal with situations like this. Isaac thought, feeling a pang of hope mixed with the weight of his years. He stepped out of the car, his mind still churning with thoughts of his sensed powerful presence.
Once inside his home, Isaac took a bath to clear his head. The warm water soothed his tired muscles, but his mind remained restless.
I must find this person before those guys Isaac resolved this once more. I guess I'll have to involve myself in this. For the good of this world—and maybe even for my peace of mind.