Chapter 6

After the butler and Zayne leave, I begin to explore the mansion.

While the skeleton is suspicious, neither the Hunter's Watch nor my Evol can detect any Metaflux from it.

ququ: (Maybe it is just a quirky decoration...)

I climb up the stairs. Above me is the collection room on the third floor. Through the door, I can hear two people talking.

Raymond: I've invited you to my home several times before... You only visit when I'm not feeling well... Dr. Zayne, I wonder if you see me as a patient or just a subject for observation.

Zayne: According to the Akso remote monitor, your vital sign data has improved. The equipment also determined your age to be far younger than what it actually is.

Raymond: Aren't you curious about why I haven't died yet?

Zayne: I'll admit I was for a time. However, it was nothing more than that.

The silence in the mansion almost amplifies every sound, making the conversation upstairs anything but pleasant. I'm hesitant about climbing up the steps.

ququ: (...I'll wait for them to finish talking.)

I haven't even taken two steps when a bone- chilling laugh resounds, followed by a feeble coughing fit.

Raymond: ...Your colleague praised you, saying there are things only the two of you can do. I'm very curious now.

Raymond: Xander Sciences will provide you with the best staff, the best lab... and even the best treatment.

Raymond: Dr. Zayne, what you perceive as the limit of your talent is just another beginning in your career.

Zayne: When you reach the finish line, I'll be right there cheering for you.

Lost in thought, I lean on the window sill by the staircase, gazing at the chirping birds outside. The sound of footsteps brings me back to reality. I turn around to see Zayne going down the stairs.

He doesn't look away. On the handrail, his hand has countless, faint scars.

Zayne: Listening in?

ququ: ...Not really. It seems like someone is trying to headhunt you.

ququ: You're good at not giving into temptation.

Zayne: Please don't put me on a pedestal. I'm just a normal doctor. I have no intention of straying from the path I've chosen.

Eavesdropping isn't exactly polite, especially when Zayne's personal matters are involved. I steer the conversation in a different direction.

ququ: A normal doctor who won the Starcatcher Award and is the youngest person to receive the Linde Award? I promise I'll never be late to your appointments in the future.

Zayne: ...

I make a gesture to show I'm swearing on my honor as a joke. Zayne reaches out to put my hand back at my side, but then an almost imperceptible ripple appears in the air-like someone plucked a chord.

ququ: It's Metaflux!

The Resonance Trail leads straight to the collection room. I run up the last few steps, and the Hunter's Watch confirms my suspicions.

Metaflux is gathering at an alarming speed behind the heavy door.

The current situation forces me to kick down the door. Raymond is sprawled out on the carpet, unconscious.

The lights flicker as I sense an invisible pressure weighing down on me. The Wanderer is on the move.

ququ: Zayne, get him out of here. I'll handle this!

Zayne: How long will you be able to last?

Whoosh! An icicle flies toward the Wanderer that appeared. In the blink of an eye, Zayne is standing next to me.

Zayne: Let's make this quick, shall we?

Complete Task Objective

Complete the mission with your Companion.

Zayne: It could appear at any moment. Be careful.

Zayne/ququ: Watch out!

Zayne: Have you recovered? I'll freeze it for you.

Zayne: There comes another attack.

Zayne: You have me if you need someone.

Zayne: It's not over yet.

Zayne: Impressive. As expected of a hunter.

Zayne: Our culprit finally revealed itself.

Zayne: Stay behind me.

Zayne: Are you satisfied?

〔ELIMINATED〕

Zayne: Male, 39 years old. He collapsed from shock because a Wanderer appeared five minutes ago. No external injuries. His heart rate is normal, and his pupils react normally to light...

Zayne: The address is...

After contacting a rescue helicopter, Zayne helps the butler move Raymond to another room.

The Hunter's Watch scans every corner of the collection room, sending data back to HQ.

ququ: Intelligentia Type, estimated threat level to be at least B. Had yet to form a Protocore.

ququ: There are no casualties or any Metaflux. Over and out.

A notification appears, telling me the mission is now considered complete. But I can't shake off this lingering feeling of unease.

While the Wanderer has been dealt with, something's still off about this room.

ququ: (Huh? That's...)

A stunning oil painting hangs on the wall opposite of the sofa. It depicts a brilliantly blue sea with cascading white waves. Each brush stroke feels alive as if countless fairies are jumping out of the water.

At the edge of the sea, the water is gradually stained crimson like something is being torn apart, swallowed, and coalescing into a blood clot.

ququ: (What a peculiar painting...)

I try to scan it, but there's nothing. I place my hand on the frame and try to resonate with it.

The gloomy weather, the sound of the ocean-a salty humidity slowly creeps into my hair.

ququ: This is...

I come back to my senses and realize I'm standing in the ocean.

I turn around and spot a girl by the shore, the lower half of her body submerged in the water. Strange. It's almost like she's crying and laughing at the same time.

The swirling fog carries a faint, ethereal melody on the sea breeze. It sounds like a song, yet is also a lament.

I can't help but move toward her. But the fog becomes increasingly dense, and everything begins to blur. A chilling cold gradually surrounds me...

ququ: ...

Zayne: Snap out of it.

ququ: ...!

I blink a few times. I'm back in Raymond's collection room.

Zayne: Did something catch your eye? You were in a daze.

Zayne frowns, holding a cup that's been completely frozen. Speechless, I touch my neck.

ququ: Seriously? You've been smacking it against my neck?

Zayne: The teacup didn't work. So, I had no choice but to increase the dosage.

Zayne: What happened?

I shake my head and look at the painting again.