Chapter 9

Rafayel Studio

ququ: He's here, right? *walkin in*

Mo Art Studio

ququ: (I sense energy traces behind this door...) *open the door*

??: Who is it? The studio is closed...

??: Wait, aren't you the hunter from before?! You...

ququ: !!!

Rafayel: ...Move! *falls on ququ*

Rafayel: Ugh! Ow, that really hurts...

ququ: ...

Rafayel: I didn't think you'd be that quick. I'm not sure if I should call you heartless or decisive.

Sit in sofa and drink coffee

Rafayel: I really can't tell if it's destiny or bad karma for us to meet again after two days.

Rafayel: Anyway, you're not here to check on the fish, are you?

ququ: You know that I'm a hunter, right? I'm here to deal with the Wanderer problem.

Rafayel: Oh? I had no idea there was something dangerous at the studio.

Rafayel: Ah wait... Now I remember. I did hear some weird noises while I was painting earlier.

Rafayel: It was very annoying.

Rafayel: Thomas sent you, huh?

ququ: Mmm.

ququ: (A Wanderer chewing on his canvas...? Could be connected.)

ququ: So where are they

Rafayel: I'm not an animal that can use my ears to locate some prey.

Rafayel: It's probably downstairs, upstairs, or somewhere else...

ququ: ...

Rafayel: In any case, Wanderers are everywhere. Literally. I even heard there's one that's sorta like a lemon. Am I wrong?

ququ: (He likes to talk a lot... Unlike the Rafayel in those magazine interviews...)

ququ: Is this what you use to make your paints?

Rafayel: ...Thomas let you have it?

ququ: Other than rocks, do you use anything else that's weird?

Rafayel: Well... Nothing is weird if you can get color from it.

ququ: Ahem...

Rafayel: ...Fine, do mummy bandages count?

Rafayel: Different refinement processes don't necessarily produce the same tint of brown, though.

ququ: That's not what I meant. What else is there?

Rafayel: You've asked me sooo many questions. Yet you're not here to solve my issues, are you?

ququ: What are you...

Rafayel: I've only used this batch of coral stone pigment for one painting.

ququ: ...So you knew about Raymond. His erratic behavior is related to you.

Rafayel: What sort of twisted logic is this? And why are you only thinking about everyone else? I'm a victim, too.

Rafayel: Also, that coral stone is mine. Give it to me, now...

ququ: You're not going to tell me the truth, are you?

ququ: If your art causes any more problems, it won't be just me next time. *leaving the sit*

Rafayel: Really, a hunter can only be patient for three minutes? I wasn't done talking.

Rafayel: Let me check first. I also would like to know if the problem here is the coral stone. *Put the coral stone in ququ hands*

ququ: (...It's hot!)

ququ: !!!

ququ: Illusions...

Rafayel: Well, that explains why I started hearing things right after getting a paper cut.

ququ: (Fluctuations...)

ququ: Do you have a lot of valuables here?

Rafayel: Depends on who you ask–

ququ: Answer me.

Rafayel: Not really.

ququ: Then you should hide, now.

ququ: Leave the Wanderer to me.

Rafayel: Excuse me? This is my house!

Rafayel: You should be the one hiding. Don't damage my treasures!

Complete Task Objective

Complete the mission with your Companion.

Rafayel: I don't see any Wanderers. Is it up ahead maybe?

Rafayel: Snow crabs? In this economy?

Rafayel: It's trying really hard to act tough, huh?

Rafayel: This is taking foreeever, and I'm barely doing any damage to it. Shouldn't we team up?

Rafayel: We destroyed one layer! Good job.

Rafayel: Our teamwork is definitely getting better, don'tcha think?

ququ: Yeah!

Rafayel: It's definitely easier to deal with now.

Rafayel: I guess fighting in a team can be pretty fun.

〔ELIMITED〕

Back to Mo studio

ququ: (The Metaflux is stronger... Is it because of Rafayel's blood?)

Rafayel: Phew, looks like they're all A-OK. The Wanderer was nice enough not to harm them...

ququ: I see this coral stone is imbued with some Metaflux. Where did you get it?

Rafayel: You can't just buy coral stones from the market. I might have bartered with the Sardinian locals. Or maybe...

ququ: Your memory cannot be that bad...

Rafayel: Wanna check my collection log?

ququ: You have a log?

Rafayel: There are millions of colors. Some people even create samples of their own paint.

Rafayel: ... If there's actually a problem with the source, how are you guys gonna deal with it?

ququ: Investigate. Might have to close off the area.

Rafayel: I won't just give it to you for free. Unless...

Rafayel: We get an alternative. Coral stones can be found near Linkon City. I was planning to have a look-see.

Rafayel: It's a shame I got injured today. I can't even lift a paintbrush. I'll be in trouble if I encounter any danger.

ququ: ...All right. What do you want?

Rafayel: I saw how you fought-quick and precise. That final strike was unlike anything I've seen before. If you could be my bodyguard...

ququ: ...What?

Rafayel: Protect me on our journey together. If we find an alternative, I'll happily give you what's in my hand right now.

ququ: ...

Rafayel: Don't worry, I can wait. Consider this a private commission from yours truly.

Rafayel: The door's over there.

ququ: (This mission is too important. So... I have no choice but to play along for now...)

ququ: All right, I'll do it. But don't push your luck.

Rafayel: Great, I'll let you know the time and place. *holds her hands* closes her hands*

In Hot Pursuit

I look out the train's window. The scenery rapidly fades into the distance.

Above the glass dome of the train, looming,

metallic skyscrapers gradually appear.

The neon lights flicker in the rain, their kaleidoscopic colors reflected on the windows.

ququ: ...The coral stone's Metaflux is faint. It must not be easy to detect, huh?

Tara – online: Don't worry, I'll let you know the results as soon as we get them.

Tara – online: But we did stumble upon something new at the abandoned research base. Interested?

ququ: What did they find? A box with illegally sold Protocores?

Tara – online: No, no, a stele! It's got all these weird patterns and symbols... They found it in the area we've been keeping an eye on.

ququ: But wasn't the base specialized in researching Protocores? How did this happen?

Tara – online: Who knows. Sadly, part of it blown up. Nero mentioned something about it...

As the train enters the tunnel, a whistle

reverberates. Tara's voice becomes muffled. And alongside the sharp noise are ripples in the air.

ququ: (Something's not right!)

I look up, the glass dome reflecting weary faces illuminated by the screen's glow. It's evening rush hour, and the train is mostly filled with office workers and students.

Passenger: W-what is that?!

Amidst the panic, the train exits the tunnel.

At that moment, accompanied by an alert from the Hunter's Watch, a shadow passes the dome.

Tara – online: It sounds pretty loud over there. Is something happening?

ququ: There's a Wanderer outside the train. Sync up with my position, now!

Tara – online: Got it. Switching to the emergency comms channel. Stay on your toes!

Train Announcement: We are approaching Universum Station. Please get ready to exit the train. Passengers should use the doors on the left.

The energy fluctuation monitor inside the station has already sounded the alarm. I quickly leave the train and grab the arm of a staff member who was pushed to me by the crowd.

ququ: I'm a hunter from UNICORNS. Evacuate everyone. Until the alarm is lifted, do not let anyone reenter the station.

The young man with grayish-brown hair stands in front of a vending machine. He moves his wrist near the green code scanner. Click. He slowly bends down.

He's waiting for the energy drink to roll into the compartment, seemingly oblivious to the chaos around him.

Jenna – online: You got a new mission. Go help out your new teammate.

When he lifts his head, a figure enters his line of sight. They gracefully walk on the train's dome and leap over the platform, landing several meters away.

Xavier: ...

Jenna – online: We didn't expect things to escalate so quickly. I've sent you the rendezvous coordinates. You'll also receive her personal info.

The hunter fastens the strap to the specialized hunter zip line and gives it a strong pull. Whoosh! He disappears, a dot in the night sky

Xavier: No need to bother. We've met before.

Jenna – online: You know her already? Regardless, her abilities are unique compared to the rest. You need to protect her.

Xavier looks up, staring at the dark clouds in the sky that have encroached over the city.

Xavier: She doesn't need protection.

Lightning illuminates the night. Thunder roars as heavy rain engulfs the neon-lit Linkon.

To Be Continued...

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