"Creak!"
Standing at the door of the Detective Agency, Ashen walked straight in and pushed open the slightly ajar door.
The first thing that met his eyes was a spacious and bright hall, furnished with soft classical sofas, cushioned armchairs, and log-colored coffee tables.
There was also a reception desk, styled like a bar counter.
At this moment, three individuals—two men and one woman—were seated on the sofas or armchairs, seemingly waiting for something.
One of the men, wearing a gray double-breasted trench coat, was holding a document with a livid expression. His gritted teeth made it seem as though he might tear the paper to shreds at any moment.
"I'm looking for Aiur Hanson." (Check whether his name is Aiur Hanson or Ai Hanson)
Ashen's gaze swept across the three as he spoke slowly.
"You're the newcomer?"
Upon hearing this, all three turned to look at Ash. The man in the trench coat even shot him a hostile glare.
The expressions of the other two were also rather strange.
"I am Aiur Hanson," the middle-aged man in the trench coat said, standing up and walking directly toward Ash. He didn't bother with politeness. "You're the worst newcomer I've ever seen!"
Ash calmly observed Aiur Hanson. He couldn't understand the intense hostility, but since this was just an NPC, he could tolerate a bit of attitude for now.
He'd deal with him—after the mission.
Except for Patch, he thought.
"Do you have any prior experience with this kind of work?" Aiur Hanson asked, annoyed that Ash hadn't retorted.
"No."
Ash shook his head gently. He didn't even know what a Night Watcher was.
"None?!"
Aiur Hanson's voice rose a notch, his furious expression suggesting he was one second away from throwing a punch.
"Eyre!" the black-haired woman, around thirty and dressed in men's clothing, warned sharply.
"I know!"
Aiur Hanson took a deep breath and said gruffly, "Newcomer, come with me. Lucky for you, you're heading out on a field mission right away."
The lady and the other man—an indifferent gentleman with a facial scar—looked surprised but didn't object. Instead, they silently stood and followed Aiur Hanson toward the back of the agency.
Ash followed silently.
As they passed the sofa, he glanced at the document Aiur Hanson had left behind:
Name: Ashen Black...Given this member's special abilities, his initial weekly salary can be slightly higher than that of ordinary members, tentatively set at 100 pounds per week.Furthermore, during special periods, the denomination may assign missions as appropriate. However, if the member has a legitimate reason, he may refuse, and no one is permitted to compel him.
Ash withdrew his gaze.
So that's why Aiur Hanson had reacted so badly.
"I will call you Ash from now on."
"Follow us."
(T/N - Bro is lucky not to be called 'BOB' :😢)
They walked through a corridor until they reached an office at the far end. Aiur Hanson pushed open the door—revealing not an office, but a grayish-white stone staircase extending downward.
Elegant gas lamps lit the walls, their steady glow dispelling the darkness.
Descending the stairs, they reached a stone-paved hall. Metal-grilled gas lamps were embedded at intervals, casting long shadows.
On the walls, spaced evenly, were emblems—symbols similar to Ash's own Night Emblem, yet subtly different.
Eventually, they reached a pair of massive black iron doors engraved with seven holy emblems.
Aiur Hanson walked up and knocked.
The doors slowly opened. An old man in a black robe appeared silently in the doorway.
"We're here to retrieve sealed artifact '2-049'," Aiur Hanson said in a respectful tone.
The old man gave a silent nod and turned back into the darkness.
He soon returned, carrying a black iron box.
Engraved on its surface were brilliant stars and a crimson full moon, radiating an eerie aura of containment.
"Grade 2 sealed artifact. Dangerous. Use with extreme caution and restraint," the old man warned, handing the box to Aiur Hanson. "Once it leaves Chanis Gate, its suppression becomes your responsibility."
"Understood," Aiur Hanson replied solemnly.
As the box passed beyond the threshold, the group visibly tensed.
They're afraid.
Ash observed silently.
Afraid of that box? What's inside?
The next moment, Ash saw all three do something strange—
They bent and extended their arms, over and over again in a repetitive motion.
Then—bang!
A violent knock came from inside the box.
Thump... thump-thump... thump-thump-thump...
The pounding grew more frequent.
Ash instinctively thought:
There's a puppet inside.
It was a scattered memory, surfacing unbidden.
Aiur Hanson's movements began to falter—like rusted gears. The woman beside him quickly pushed him, resetting the motion. Aiur Hanson recovered, picked up the box, and continued walking.
The other two kept doing the arm motions as they followed behind.
"What are you standing there for? Keep up," Aiur Hanson barked. After a few steps, he added, "Also—if you don't want to die, do the movement. Don't say I didn't warn you."
Ash silently joined them and copied the motion.
But soon, the black-haired lady's movements began to stiffen.
The scarred man pushed her quickly. Aiur Hanson handed over the box. They rotated like this whenever someone showed signs of being affected, until they returned to the agency.
At that moment, three unfamiliar Extraordinary individuals appeared in the hall—two men and one woman.
One of the men, mature and composed, clearly held the highest status.
Beside him stood a girl with long chestnut hair and delicate dimples. She smiled gently.
"Simon, Eve. We'll leave the agency to you," Aiur Hanson said.
"Don't worry," Simon replied with a smile. "Just make sure you survive, or you'll miss Eve's and my wedding next month."
"Bad omen," muttered Lorotta, rolling her eyes. "I still don't see what Eve sees in you."
"Lorotta, safe trip."
Eve stuck out her tongue playfully and waved goodbye.
To minimize the artifact's influence, the group didn't linger.
They boarded a carriage waiting outside.
The lady placed the box in the carriage and exhaled in relief before taking the driver's seat—she had just been affected, so she would be safe from it again for a while.
Still, she lamented—this was the third time she'd been hit recently.
Inside the box, the thing continued pounding—relentless, tireless.
Soon after, the indifferent man took over the reins.
"What is it?" Ash asked as the carriage rolled forward.
"Sealed artifact '2-049'," Aiur Hanson said indifferently. "It slows down people around it. If undetected, those affected gradually come under its control. It only influences one person at a time, focusing on the closest humanoid within five meters. But it won't affect the same person twice in a short span."
"So with at least three people nearby, it can't spread further," Ash reasoned aloud.
That's why they took turns.
But a box... with a puppet that could slow people?
Hmm?
Ash frowned.
Why haven't I been affected...?
His sixth sense suddenly screamed at him.
He quickly stopped the arm movement.
Aiur Hanson's face changed. He opened his mouth to scold Ash—but just then, an invisible pressure descended.
Ash raised his left arm.
"Clang!"
Parry.
"Bang!"
The pounding inside the box stopped abruptly—as if stunned.
"You were affected?""You broke free?!"
Aiur Hanson and the woman asked at the same time, exchanging glances of sheer disbelief.
............................................................................
"
It's like doing the robot dance when one is affected by 2-049… If all of us are under its influence, wouldn't we be some awkward dance squad…
„
— Klein Moretti
on Lord of Mysteries, Chapter 71
The Antigonus Family Puppet is a Grade 2 Sealed Artifact. Its abilities resemble the Sequence 5, Marionettist of the Fool Pathway.
Artifact 2-049: Power and Limitations
Power:2-049 periodically slows down those around it—both physically and mentally. Once a person is caught in its influence, they become progressively immobilized and mentally subdued. To break free, the affected individual requires outside intervention—typically a physical tap or contact from another person. Without timely rescue, the victim gradually loses all control over their body and mind, falling completely under the artifact's domination.
2-049 primarily targets humanoid creatures within a five-meter radius, prioritizing those closest to it. Normally, it can only affect one individual at a time. However, when in berserk mode, it can simultaneously influence two targets.
Downside:The artifact's power is indiscriminate and periodic, affecting everyone around it—including its user. Nevertheless, it will not repeatedly target the same individual in quick succession, providing a brief reprieve after each influence.
Latest Possessor(s)Church of the Evernight Goddess