Erwin sat motionless in the center of the cold, bearly bright waiting room. The walls, a seamless blend of steel and glass, gave the space an industrial yet sterile feel. The faint hum of electricity coursing through the walls filled the silence, occasionally punctuated by the soft whirring of the surveillance orb hovering silently in the corner. Its glassy surface reflected the dim light, and Erwin could feel its unblinking gaze fixed on him.
He exhaled slowly, his breath visible in the room's frigid air. The Revients had placed him here to stew, but Erwin refused to let the isolation chip away at his focus. Isolation was something he'd grown accustomed to long before the Paradox World had shattered Earth's reality.
His mind replayed the interrogation. Each Revient's demeanor, their choice of words, and even the subtleties of their body language were dissected in his thoughts. Reynard Vos's pointed questions had been precise, almost surgical in their approach. He was clearly the type who sought to corner his prey with logic and evidence, leaving no room for evasion. Velara Sable, on the other hand, seemed more interested in playing a game, testing his nerves with her sharp tongue and mocking smiles. She thrived on intimidation, but Erwin had seen through her act. She was dangerous, yes, but predictable in her need to dominate conversations.
Then there was Evelyn Mora, the quiet observer. Her green eyes had studied him with a level of intensity that suggested she was piecing together a puzzle. She hadn't said much, but her silence was more telling than words. And Garran Thorn—the brute of the group—seemed disinterested in him, focusing more on asserting his authority when necessary.
"They're not invincible," Erwin muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible.
The orb twitched slightly, almost as if responding to his words, but Erwin ignored it. He leaned back against the cold metal chair, letting his thoughts shift to a more pressing realization.
Time.
Something was off about the passage of time here. He'd deduced it during the interrogation but hadn't dared to show his confusion. The Revients spoke of guilds and systems with a familiarity that suggested years of integration and experience. Yet Erwin knew, with absolute certainty, that only three weeks had passed since the "Day of the Calling." It wasn't enough time for humanity to adapt to the system, let alone establish guilds with sprawling hierarchies and specialized roles.
The more he thought about it, the more questions arose. Was time accelerated in the Paradox World, or had something else occurred that he hadn't yet grasped? Either way, it was clear that the truth was far more complex than he'd imagined.
The faint sound of footsteps echoed from beyond the door, pulling Erwin from his thoughts. The heavy metal door creaked open, and a young soldier stepped inside, his armor polished but his movements hesitant.
The soldier's eyes darted nervously to the surveillance orb before settling on Erwin. "I'm… here to deliver something," he mumbled, holding up a sealed container.
Erwin studied the soldier, noting the tension in his posture and the way his hand trembled slightly as he placed the container on the table. It was a simple meal, nothing more, but the soldier lingered, his curiosity evident.
"Are you… really unregistered?" the soldier asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Erwin's expression remained neutral. "That's what they've been saying, isn't it?"
The soldier hesitated, glancing over his shoulder as if expecting someone to burst in. "I've never heard of someone unregistered surviving this long. Most rookies don't make it past their first mission, let alone a portal breach."
Erwin shrugged. "I've been lucky."
The soldier frowned, clearly unsatisfied with the answer. "Still, it's strange. The guilds monitor everything. If you're unregistered, it means you don't exist in the system."
"And yet, here I am," Erwin said, his tone calm but edged with finality. He wasn't about to entertain the soldier's curiosity further.
The soldier seemed to realize this and nodded awkwardly. "Right. Well… enjoy your meal." He turned to leave but paused at the door. "If I were you, I'd keep my head down. The Revients don't take kindly to anomalies."
With that, the soldier disappeared, the door shutting behind him with a heavy clang. Erwin's gaze lingered on the door for a moment before shifting to the container. He had no appetite, but the encounter had given him something more valuable than food—information.
The soldier's slip of the tongue confirmed what Erwin had suspected: the guilds' surveillance capabilities were vast, and unregistered individuals were considered anomalies. It was a dangerous position to be in, but Erwin couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. His lack of records made him unpredictable, a variable they couldn't control.
He leaned back in his chair, his thoughts turning once again to the Revients. He knew they were watching him, studying his every move through the orb. They wanted him to falter, to give them a reason to label him a threat. But Erwin was determined to give them nothing.
Minutes stretched into hours, or at least what felt like hours. The absence of natural light made it impossible to tell how much time had passed. Erwin's mind, however, remained sharp. He observed every detail of the room, from the faint scratches on the table's surface to the rhythmic hum of the ventilation system. Each observation was cataloged, stored away in case it became useful later.
The door creaked open again, but this time, it wasn't a soldier. Velara Sable stepped into the room, her silver hair catching the light as she closed the door behind her.
"Well," she said, her voice smooth and laced with amusement. "You're certainly a patient one."
Erwin didn't respond, his eyes meeting hers with an unflinching gaze.
Velara sauntered over to the table, her gloved fingers trailing along its edge as she circled him like a predator sizing up its prey. "You've caused quite a stir, you know. Unregistered players are rare, but ones with your… composure? Even rarer."
"I aim to be unique," Erwin replied evenly.
Velara's lips curved into a sly smile. "Oh, you've succeeded. But don't mistake our curiosity for trust. The Council of Guilds doesn't take kindly to mysteries."
"Good thing I'm not here to cause trouble," Erwin said, his tone neutral.
Velara leaned closer, her piercing eyes locking onto his. "Everyone causes trouble eventually. The question is… when?"
Before Erwin could respond, a sharp alarm blared through the facility. Velara straightened, her smirk replaced by a frown. She pressed a finger to her ear, listening intently to the voice on the other end of her communicator.
"Another portal breach," she muttered, turning to leave. She paused at the door, glancing over her shoulder at Erwin. "Stay put. This isn't over."
The door slammed shut behind her, leaving Erwin alone once again. The alarm's echoes faded, replaced by the hum of the surveillance orb.
Erwin leaned back in his chair, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. The game was far from over, and he was just getting started.