Michael Miller adjusted his glasses as he scanned the crowd. Only once he had everyone's attention then he began speaking.
"This orientation session will be your first-hand introduction to the truth of the world. In this session, we will tackle the secretive area beneath the city, our roles here, and the dangers on the surface that we need to be cautious of."
Michael shifted his gaze to the side. He held a small device, and once he pressed it, a bright light from the ceiling suddenly illuminated the board behind him, revealing the words:
"Introduction to Awakened Ones."
Seeing this, Luke almost jumped in surprise. He couldn't help but wonder if this was another supernatural ability, similar to the one he saw from the woman earlier.
"This is a projector. A product of advanced technology developed by our researchers." Michael explained, "Here in the underground, the technology has advanced decades ahead of what exists above."
He continued, "This progress is due to the unique nature of this place. Everything here has an involvement with mystical powers. With these powers, mankind could achieve greater heights in their scientific research. However, these advancements can't be shared with the surface city because mass production isn't yet possible."
The projection changed to an aerial map of Marin City, a circular metropolis divided into sections.
At the heart of the city, exactly at the center, is where the government offices are located. It is also home to the rulers, noble families, businesspeople, and those who have made significant contributions to science and the improvement of the city.
The area surrounding the center serves as the business district, where one can find markets, factories, retail stores, and entertainment establishments.
Beyond the business district lies the educational area, which is divided into four districts: North, East, West, and South. Each district contains one major university, as well as numerous schools designed to prepare students for higher education or vocational training.
Luke lives in the southern district, a walking distance away from Marin Southern University. His house is located on the border between the educational area and the residential zone, which occupies the outer circle of the city.
The residential area is wide and diverse, with parks, small markets, and a mix of primary and secondary schools scattered throughout.
Due to the city's design, a class system has unintentionally developed over time.
The closer one lives to the center, the shorter the travel time to workplaces, making these areas more desirable and expensive. As a result, the affluent tend to reside closer to the center. Conversely, those living in the outermost areas are often the poorest of the poor.
At the edge of the city stands a towering wall, built to protect the city from invaders and to keep out outside influences. The military is stationed along the wall, next to the slums.
The people living in the slums are those who live too far from the city center, and their opportunities to work are greatly limited. As a result, they often choose to join the military in hopes of changing their circumstances.
On the other hand, some find alternative ways to survive, such as providing recreational services for the soldiers and other secretive travelers.
"Although the city isn't perfect and there are still many who suffer, it is still beautiful with its history, architecture, and design," Michael said.
"However, a city is still a city. It cannot stand alone. Have you ever wondered where people get their agricultural produce if there are no farms? How about metals if there are no mines?"
"One might think that we get all of these by importing from the outside. But in reality, all the raw materials we have come from here, in this place."
Michael then showed some photos of the underground farmlands and mines.
"These photos show the same place we are currently in, here underneath the city above. We call this area the Underworld..."
"But!" A man suddenly interrupted, "I've seen people leave the city and come back with the produce. How can you say all of it comes from this place?"
"Well, what you've seen before is when you can't see the strings around," Michael replied. "But if you could, you'd realize what I'm talking about."
Michael then switched to a video. There, Luke saw something he had seen before.
On the screen was a man with all-white eyes. His movements were mechanical and stiff, similar to Professor Thirty-Four from his psychology class.
"This is what we call the 'Hollows.' They are not real humans but a kind of automation or puppet. They maintain order in the city and ensure it functions well with our natural resources lacking."
"They can be our farmers. They gather our fruits and vegetables. They are miners, providing us with minerals. They hunt and fish. They are responsible for everything integral to the city's survival."
Someone clarified curiously, "So, they really didn't go outside but instead are teleported here, the underworld?"
"Yes," Michael confirmed. "In fact, there is an even more horrifying truth to this that we all failed to realize."
"Why do we need the existence of the Hollows to maintain the city?" Michael paused, his voice growing more serious. "The truth is… this city is our entire world."
"There is really nothing outside the city!"
"..."
This revelation caused everyone to gasp in surprise. Rogan, sitting next to Luke, shook violently, repeatedly saying, "Impossible."
Luke, on the other hand, grew even more serious. Courtney just lowered her head as if absorbing the new information.
Michael spoke seriously, "Of course, that is only one of the speculations among us. In fact, we don't know a lot of things as according to our records, the first Awakeners can only be traced back 18 years ago. You can say that the underworld is still young."
"There are many speculations," Michael continued, explaining them carefully.
"One is that our world doesn't spread horizontally, but vertically. Aside from the underworld, there might be something above, the place where the strings come from. And there might be a place beyond the strings above too."
"There is also something further down than the underworld, and it has been confirmed as true. Many have traveled below the underworld and discovered a lot, but presently, less than 10 percent of that place is known to us as it is extremely dangerous. I will discuss it more later."
Michael paused to give everyone time to think it over before continuing.
"The second speculation is that the city is trapped. This theory arose after learning that there is a barrier encasing the entire city. This is one of the most famous theories in the underworld. Most Awakeners believe that this city is a test, and only when we pass it will we be introduced to the outside world."
"This then brings us back to the first theory. How do we pass this test? How do we break the barrier? The answer might be somewhere below the underworld... or somewhere above."
Michael glanced around. His gaze was scrutinizing.
"This is why a system was created in the underworld. Everyone wants to pass this test and be freed."
"One outcome of this system is this orientation session. Through it, newcomers can quickly be introduced to the laws of the underworld and some of the truths about the world. This will then allow you all to waste time and can immediately give help in finding ways to break the barrier."
Hearing this, Luke's blood boiled. He wanted to know all the truth and be involved in unveiling them too.
'Since the place above is also unknown, I guess I have no choice but to start with the exploration underground. But to do that, I need to obtain powers similar to that lady's from earlier,' Luke thought.
Afterward, the screen flashed, displaying five different words.
"We all know about the Hollows," Michael said, pointing to the first word, then sliding his finger to the second.
"'Pure'. This is the term we use to call for those who still cannot see the golden strings. Their defining characteristic involves having an emotionless gaze like a doll."
"This word comes from 'purity,' because the world they see is still clear of any mystical phenomenon."
He then pointed to the third word.
"Awakened, or Awakeners. This is what we call those who can see the golden strings around them."
He laughed lightly and added, "There's a debate about whether we should call ourselves 'Pure' instead and label the others 'Impure' because the world we see is the true one. But many still have family members who can't see the strings, and they don't want them to be called such term."
Michael continued, "There are many ways a Pure can become Awakened. One way is by accidentally being involved in a mystical event aboveground."
"Second, it's just simply their time to awaken. We don't know much about when the right time is. It could happen to a child or an old man. It just happens naturally. In fact, it is widely believed that all Pures will eventually awaken..."
Michael stopped expounding further. His gaze then shifted to Luke and continued.
"The third method is to stimulate a pure by informing them about the true state of the world."
Rogan glanced at Luke, while Luke pretended not to notice.
"However, we prevent... No. We forbid any Awakeners from stimulating the pures as much as possible."
Michael's gaze became even colder.
"Why?" Luke asked. After staring at Michael for two seconds, he glanced at Rogan with concern.
"It's because of this." Michael pointed to the fourth word.
"Fallen."