Chapter 13: Interrogation
"Our target suffered backlash by the Sealed Artifact, limiting his ability to move. It's been less than a day, so he likely hasn't gotten very far. Based on the Scene Recall, he didn't take the subway and went straight out of the station," Detective Isengard explained as he led Ebner and Xio.
"When a person suffers backlash from a Demon-pathway Sealed Artifact, he'll crave a human soul filled with intense desire — a sacrifice that could appease the backlash."
Then, with the intent to test his new student, he asked, "So, Enber, tell me — where around here would you find people with the strongest desires, who would also make easy targets?"
Enber thought for a moment before replying, "Intense desire… Could he have gone to a nearby brothel? Or maybe the estate of a noble or wealthy merchant?"
Isengard was momentarily speechless, astonished that his student seemed to equate lustful patrons with the nobility. "Desire comes in many forms. Also, there are no brothels in Chorwood, and charging into noble or wealthy estates would be too risky without preparation. Guards would surely be there." With a sigh, he provided a hint.
Realizing his knowledge of Backlund's underbelly was still shallow, Enber hesitated. But Xio quickly stepped in, confident:
"Bars! There are no brothels in Chorwood, but many women looking for money go to upscale bars to find targets, while lustful men are always drawn there. And bars also have underground gambling and all sorts of entertainment. That's where you'd find people driven by the strongest desires."
"Correct!" Isengard said approvingly. "There are four bars in all of Chorwood. One is too far from here, so it's unlikely. Two are exclusive clubs near Saint Wind Cathedral, where Justicar teams patrol — that would deter someone like him. But the fourth bar is only three blocks away: the Blue Spirit Bar. My investigation also indicates he headed that way."
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In a corner of the Blue Spirit Bar, two groups of six drunken men faced off, bottles raised high. Their shouting grew louder, insults sharper, until shoving broke out. Just as the brawl was about to explode, a figure crept from an unnoticed shadow nearby, grinning cruelly as he raised a trident-shaped dagger, waiting for the chaos to ignite a bloodbath.
And he succeeded.
The sudden bloodshed spread like fire in dry grass. Both groups grabbed whatever they could use as weapons and lunged at each other. In the midst of the frenzy, the shadowy figure slipped through the crowd, striking again and again. Each flicker of movement left another man lifeless on the floor.
When all ten lay dead in pools of blood, the figure retreated into a dark alley beside the bar. Wiping the dagger clean, he finally realized something was wrong. Despite the noise, no bar security had intervened. Strangely, he hadn't even considered this oddity until now.
He was instantly alerted and tried to melt into the shadows and flee. But his attempt failed. A command in Ancient Hermes echoed faintly in his ears:
"No shadow-stepping here."
"Judge… Nightmare…" The titles flashed in his mind, sending terror coursing through him. Why would Sequence 6 and Sequence 7 Beyonders be after him?
Before his thoughts could form, a faint floral fragrance drifted past. His instincts screamed danger, but he collapsed into unconsciousness before he could resist.
At that moment, the phantasmal veil lifted. The Blue Spirit Bar returned to normal. The men who had seemed to fight to the death now raised their glasses again, laughing and drinking as though the brawl had been nothing but a drunken dream.
'It really was a dream…' Enber thought, moving with Xio as they dragged the captive into a secluded alley. The combination of Nightmare, Judge, and Apothecary abilities took down a Sequence 8 Beyonder without a sound. Even weakened, that's no small feat. Both he and Xio were awed by Isengard's methods.
Isengard slipped a ring from his finger and, with a smile, explained, "This is one of my sealed Artefact. It used to be classified as 2-081, made from the remains of a Sequence 6 Reader who lost control. It allows me to recognize, observe, remember, and simulate any supernatural ability I've encountered. But the stronger the ability, the greater the chance of failure. And even when I succeed, there's always a big gap compared to the original."
Enber, already familiar with the item, kept his reaction hidden. Still, he couldn't help but think: 'Since this ring originated from a Beyonder characteristic, maybe my Pure White Eye can analyze the potion formulas hidden within. Once I move into Teacher's home, I'll study it more closely.'
Xio, however, was puzzled. "2-081? What does that mean?" As an independent Beyonder, she had little knowledge of Sealed Artifacts.
"Many mystical items have dangerous drawbacks, so the Churches of the Seven collect and seal them, labeling them with numbers for identification," Isengard explained. "After much negotiation, the churches established a unified system. Levels 0, 1, 2, and 3 indicate the danger level. Level 0s are the most dangerous — items said to be capable of destroying nations, even the world.
"Levels 0 and 1 are reported among all seven churches and given unique numbers that never repeat. For Levels 2 and 3, each church maintains its own list, so numbers can overlap."
With that explanation, the three reached the mouth of a remote alleyway. Isengard knelt and lifted a manhole cover, revealing a dark underground chamber.
"This is one of my safe houses. It's secure — go on down," he said with a nod.
After exchanging a quick glance, Enber and Xio climbed down. Isengard followed, closing the manhole behind them.
When he lit a candle, Enber saw they were not in a sewer but a twenty-square-meter underground shelter about four meters deep. On the east wall, a door led elsewhere.
"That door connects to the actual sewer nearby. If someone blocks the main exit, it serves as an emergency route," Isengard explained, noticing Enber's glance. Then he clapped his hands. "All right, while the sedative still holds, let's interrogate this attacker. I'll use a Telepathist skill to ensure he tells the truth."
Both Ebner and Xio nodded, eager to know if someone else had orchestrated the attack. Under the influence of Mind Reader, the unconscious man's answers spilled forth:
"My name is Turner. I am a Sequence 8 Instigator, affiliated with the Theosophy Order. I report to a Witch named Rena. She is my only point of contact within the organization. I've never met anyone else."
"About six months ago, through Rena, I was assigned to assist human traffickers in selling people without drawing the Church's attention. I assumed an alias — Hicks — and joined a loan shark gang. There, I could fulfill my duties while digesting my potion. I guided the gang leader, Lawson, to draft contracts full of traps, then used my Beyonder powers to convince people to accept the deals. Many were left destitute, and I trafficked their family members as part of my mission."
"A month ago, Rena rewarded me with this trident-shaped dagger for my performance. When I asked her for the Sequence 7 potion formula, she only said my dedication was lacking and left."
"As for that badge, I found it among a debtor's belongings. It's a powerful item capable of cursing someone through their emotions. Unfortunately, it was damaged during the backlash, and I'm not sure it's still usable."
"I also confiscated another odd badge. It looks ordinary and has no obvious function, but the words on it make me think it might be a token from some organization…"
Hearing this, Isengard frowned. He searched Turner's coat and indeed found another badge.
"This one?"
"Yes, that's it," Turner replied under the truth-inducing influence.
The three examined the badge. It was about the size of an eye, with symbols representing fate and concealment on the front, and a cluster of Ancient Hermes characters on the back that read:
"Possession grants membership."
Although Enber didn't know Ancient Hermes yet, Xio read the inscription aloud.
"Maybe it's a clue to some treasure," Isengard suggested, his detective instincts piqued. But Enber shook his head. He hadn't recognized the badge at first, but the phrase sparked his memory.
"This is an invitation token for the Hermit of Fate gathering. It also functions as a communication and tracking device."
"An invitation to the Hermit of Fate… what's that?" Isengard asked, puzzled. Xio also looked at him, waiting for clarification.
"The Hermit of Fate is a secret society founded in the latter part of the Fourth Epoch by several families of the Marauder pathway. Most members still have connections to that pathway." Enber explained briefly, careful not to overstep.
"You know quite a lot about the secrets of the Fourth Epoch, Enber," Isengard remarked in mild astonishment, though he refrained from probing further.
'If I shared what I know about the Third Epoch, we'd all be in serious trouble.' Enber thought wryly. He turned back to Turner and asked, "How often do you report to Rena? And did she know you cursed Xio?"
(End of Chapter)