The next morning came too quickly. The air in Jinzhou was crisp, sunlight spilling lazily all over the rooftops. Rover stood in front of me, her golden eyes catching the light, soft with a tenderness that made my chest tighten. She leaned forward, brushing her lips against mine in a gentle goodbye kiss.
"Take care, Rover, And don't let Chixia and Yangyang overwork you too much."
I murmured, my voice low, trying not to let the ache of separation creep in.
She smiled, that easy, disarming smile of hers. "You take care too."
I smirked despite myself. "Relax, I plan to take it easy today. And you're probably just going to farm echoes on the outskirts of Jinzhou anyway so you can get home early."
She laughed, her shoulders rising and falling as if she hadn't a care in the world. For a brief second, it felt like time had slowed like this moment, this version of her, was etched into me forever. The way she laughed was enough to make me forget the unease gnawing at the back of my mind.
She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around me, holding me with a warmth that made everything else fade. When she pulled back, her voice trembled with sincerity. "I love you. Don't you ever forget that."
The words caught me off guard, My throat tightened. Yesterday's confessions still hung heavy between us.
I hesitated but I had to own up to it. "I love you too," I said, quieter than I intended, though the weight of it was no less true.
Her cheeks pinked, and before she could respond, I leaned in and kissed her longer this time as though trying to seal the promise in. She smiled against my lips before finally letting go, walking off with a glance over her shoulder that burned into me.
And then she was gone.
———————
I made my way to the training grounds, pushing myself against simulated Tacet Discords until sweat stung my eyes. Danjin sparred against me hard which was pure fucking torture, the recruits pressed me further, and by the end of it my body screamed with exhaustion.
Collapsing onto the bench, I let out a ragged laugh. "Guess I still fucking got it, huh? I thought I'd be rusty after two years of combat Inactivity."
Before I could sink into the comfort of fatigue, my terminal buzzed. Chixia's name flashed across the screen.
I answered with a groan. "Chixia just called me. I wonder what this is about… Oh no. Did I fucking break the law or something?"
Her voice immediately snapped back, exasperated. "Huh? Is that your first reaction? Come on, Jeff!"
I chuckled. "Alright, alright. What's up? How's Rover?"
"Your darling Rover is fine," she said, her tone teasing. "Actually, she's kicking some serious Tacet Discord ass right now you should've seen it. But anyway, that's not why I called." Her tone shifted, serious now. "We've been getting a lot of missing persons reports lately. Nobody saw them assaulted or anything… they just vanished. Some of them were even Resonators, or ex-military."
I straightened, a chill crawling down my spine. "These cases might be connected."
"That's what I thought too." She sighed. "Since you're always in the city, and the three of us are tied up, can you keep an eye out for anything suspicious? Anything at all?"
I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Sure thing. Just promise me you'll take care of Rover."
"You got it. Thanks, Jeff I knew I could count on you. Ring me if you spot anything sus, yeah? Laterz!"
The call ended, leaving me in silence. That was when another notification buzzed, the message cold and eerie.
The Séance Society
Solitary visitor in Jinzhou,
Feeling weighed down by the burdens of the past that you cannot share? Is there someone beloved you wish to see again?
We, the Séance Society, understand your pain, as we all carry regrets of lost loved ones. Join us. We offer a solution.
(Coordinates attached)
A pit formed in my stomach.
"Oh, shit…" I muttered under my breath. "I fucking knew where this was going. How the hell did I trigger this quest?"
Rover was supposed to be the one handling this shit, I thought bitterly, tugging my jacket tighter as I slipped into the forgotten backstreets of Jinzhou. But fuck it. Guess I'll just go and see for myself.
The city's lively hum was far behind me now. Here, only the whisper of the wind moved, carrying scraps of paper across cracked stone.The coordinates led me deeper, until the alley finally opened into a dead end where he was waiting.
A man stood there, his figure thin, almost brittle, like a scarecrow left too long under the sun. His eyes hollow, and unfocused lifted to meet mine.
"Oh…" his voice cracked, but a faint smile tugged at his lips. "So you've accepted my invitation, Jeff."
I stiffened. "Are you from the Séance Society?"
He gave a short, trembling bow. "Well, yes. My name is Lirong." His gaze softened as if remembering something far away. "Since you are here, you must have lost someone, too."
Before I could respond, a small voice piped up.
"Daddy…"
From behind his legs, a little girl peeked out—no older than eight, with pale skin and wide, glassy eyes. She clung to his tattered coat, her voice small, fragile.
"Now, Yuanyuan," Lirong whispered tenderly, brushing her hair back with shaking fingers, "no need to be afraid. He's not one of those evil Patrollers. You're safe with me."
My stomach dropped. The way she blinked mechanically, delayed the way her movements stuttered like a freaking clanker. This must those mechanical dolls that freaking madman created.
I swallowed hard. "Is this… your daughter?"
Inside, bile rose. This has to be the puppet. That fucking bastard using their tech to create disgusting imitations of people's dead loved ones. Looking at her… it makes me sick and sad at the same time.
"Yes," Lirong said proudly, his chest swelling. "My daughter… Her name is Yuanyuan. My only precious."
Yuanyuan tilted her head, voice flat yet sweet. "I am Daddy's precious?"
"Absolutely, my dear," he said, his lips trembling as though he'd cry. "We will stay together… nothing can take you from me again."
His hands gripped her small shoulders too tightly, desperation etched into every line of his gaunt face.
"She was taken from you?" I asked quietly.
Lirong's eyes burned as he whipped his head towards me. "Ah, yes… once, we were separated by an unfortunate turn of events. But now I have her back, thanks to the Séance Society's help…" His hollow smile widened, too wide. "Truly a miracle, is it not?!"
He stepped closer, his hollow eyes glinting with a feverish light. "And you… yes, you too can be reunited with your loved one. Just join us, Jeff. Don't you want that?"
The temptation twisted like a knife in my chest. What a fucking cruel offer. But I'm not delusional like them. I can't stand things like this.
"So… your daughter is fucking dead?" I pushed.
His face snapped, fury flashing. "No! She didn't… she was never gone!" His voice cracked into a shout. "Can't you see? Yuanyuan—she's still alive! Alive and well!"
"Daddy…?" the little girl whimpered, her voice glitching faintly, like static. "You're scaring me…"
I clenched my jaw. Shit. He's unstable. Is he Overclocking?
"Calm the fuck down, man!" I raised a hand, trying to ground him. "I'll get you a doctor, alright?"
"No!" he roared, clutching Yuanyuan tighter, his nails digging into her artificial skin. "No doctor! I don't need anything!!"
His face was twisted now, veins rising on his temples, his breathing shallow and fast. He turned his wild gaze back down at her. "You're not leaving Daddy, right, Yuanyuan?"
"Wah…" the girl faltered, eyes flickering in digital distortion. "I…"
Every muscle in my body tensed. His grip was too tight. The madness in his stare was too far gone.
He might hurt her. I gotta act fast.
"Yuanyuan!" Lirong's voice cracked as he shook the girl by the shoulders, panic and obsession blending into something ugly.
"Stop!" I barked, stepping forward, hand half-raised. "You're going to hurt her you bastard—"
"Shut up!" His eyes went bloodshot as he whipped his head at me. Spit flew from his lips. "Take your hands off her NOW!"
"Daddy!" Yuanyuan shrieked, her scream piercing through the dead alley, glitching at the edges like static tearing through a broadcast.
Then another voice, calm but sharp, cutting through the madness like a blade.
"That's enough, Lirong."
I froze. Right on fucking time.
From the shadows, she stepped forward, poised and deadly Yinlin. Her presence filled the space before I even processed her words. Long red hair, half bound in a high bun while the rest cascaded down like fire. Pale skin, and those magenta eyes her pupils stark white, as if she saw straight through people and down to their bones.
Holy shit, I thought, unable to stop myself. She looks drop-dead gorgeous.
Lirong stumbled back, clutching Yuanyuan close. "Urgh…!?"
"She'll be safe in my care," Yinlin said, her tone commanding yet oddly gentle. "You still have other things to do, remember?"
Lirong's face twisted. "Huff… ugh… No! Don't take her! Yuanyuan!"
"Lirong." Her voice sharpened. "Do you want to lose your daughter again?"
He froze mid-breath. The veins in his temples pulsed. Finally, with a guttural groan, he slumped. "…Fine. I'll… I'll leave it to you."
I forced my expression into something neutral. Better play dumb first.
"Do you know him?" I asked, trying to keep my tone casual, though my eyes lingered warily on her.
Her lips curled into a faint smirk. "Now, hand over the girl.You see, that man is her father. Why do you want to separate them?"
She cocked her head, studying me with that unnerving gaze. "He's dangerous," I continued, voice low. "He looked insane and manic just a second ago."
"Oh, well. Whatever," she said dismissively, then turned to the puppet. "Yuanyuan? Come here, please."
The girl as if in a trance obeyed instantly. "Yes…"
"Good girl." Yinlin's smile softened as she placed a hand on Yuanyuan's hair. "Stay here."
My chest tightened. "What did you do!?"
Her eyes snapped back to me, narrowed with amusement. "And why would you be concerned? Smart boys know how to mind their own business."
She tilted her head, studying me again—longer this time. "Oh… your face looks familiar. Aren't you the one who beat Yhan in a sparring match? Jeff, right?" Her lips quirked. "You're quite the fighter. Hmm, how about…"
My jaw clenched. "How the hell do you know that? We're not gonna fight, right? Because I can go on if you want." this woman is a spy, and a freaking double agent, with broken resonance ability to booth. I can't let my guard down around her.
Her grin widened, sharp and sly.
Then the sound of boots echoed through the alley—Patrollers approaching, their voices cutting through the quiet.
Yinlin's smile slipped into something colder. "Shh. They're coming." She leaned closer, her voice a silken whisper meant only for me. "It's the Patrollers. Can't let them find out about Yuanyuan."
My gut sank.
"Now, if you don't want to get into trouble, better do as I say." Her magenta eyes glowed faintly in the dim light. "I'll explain everything later… including what's happening with the Séance Society."
"Oh hell nah," I shot back.
"Oh, don't be so pigheaded." She smirked again, tilting her head, as if savoring my defiance. "What if I pinned the blame on you? Say… for trying to abduct this little girl?"
Her hand rested on Yuanyuan's shoulder. "You'd have a real time talking your way out of that. Right, Yuanyuan?"
"Yes, Miss Yinlin," the puppet replied flatly, eyes flickering.
"That's fucking cheating," I muttered through gritted teeth.
Her smile returned, softer this time. "Good. Then you understand."
Guess I'll have to do as she says—for now.
"Now," she said, gesturing to the scene of chaos, her eyes gleaming with authority. "Come give me a hand. We need to hide the traces of struggles here."
The alley still smelled of overturned crates and dust. Jeff crouched, sweeping splintered wood back into place, his hands quick but steady. His shirt clung to his back with sweat, not from exertion but from the pressure of keeping his nerves under control.
"Cover up the traces," the woman said calmly, her voice cutting through the tension like silk over steel.
Jeff glanced up. Yinlin stood half-hidden in the shadows, her posture relaxed but sharp enough to have a commanding presence. Her magenta eyes caught the faint lantern light, reflecting like shards of glass, and her ponytail swayed slightly as a breeze curled through the alley.
"While you don't look like the typical upstanding citizen," she added with a faint curve of her lips, "I doubt you'd want any extra trouble."
Jeff bit the inside of his cheek. His eyes darted to Yuanyuan unharmed, no marks on her wrists or face, no signs of Resonance controlling her. Still, the girl had obeyed every command without hesitation. His stomach turned at the thought. Then why is she listening to her so easily? I forgot how they worked in the game.
He stacked the last crate and nudged it flush against the wall. Dust puffed into his face. "Everything's back to where they were before…" He muttered, brushing his palms against his pants.
His hand brushed against something wedged inside a box. A folded slip of paper. He pulled it free, eyes narrowing as he scanned it. "Transaction record. Today's date. Four… Reincarnation Puppets? Signed by… Lirong. Guess he forgot this."
He tucked the note into his pocket, masking the flicker of unease with a neutral expression. "That should do the trick."
Yinlin stepped closer, her boots clicking softly against the cobblestones. Her gaze lingered on him with a strange mixture of intrigue and amusement. "This should be good enough to get past their eyes. You seem… practiced in this."
Jeff forced a small smirk, though his shoulders stiffened. "Let's just say I have experience cleaning up messes."
Inside, though, the thought hit home more than he wanted to admit. Yeah, experience in erasing evidence of a crime. Not exactly the kind of résumé I should be flashing around.
The sound of boots and clipped voices carried from the mouth of the alley. Patrollers.
Yinlin lifted a finger to her lips, her expression calm, almost serene in contrast to the storm in Jeff's chest. "Shh. They're almost here."
Jeff's breath hitched as the heavy footsteps grew louder. He shifted closer to the shadows, pulse quickening, trying not to look like a man caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The alley fell into silence just as two shadows cut across the dim light. The metallic clink of armor and the rhythm of boots on stone made Jeff's throat go dry. Shit. Patrollers.
"—You there." A young voice, sharp but unsure. A Junior Patroller stepped forward, hand resting awkwardly on the hilt of his baton. His brows furrowed as he scanned them. "We heard some commotion coming from this area. What's going on?"
Before Jeff could open his mouth, the woman moved. Yinlin's tone was smooth, almost bored, her smile polite but carefully measured. "Nothing, officer. We were just hanging out."
The Junior squinted. "Really? Then what was that loud banging and shouting?"
"Oh, that," Yinlin replied, tilting her head toward Yuanyuan. The girl clutched her sleeve tightly, eyes wide, lower lip trembling in practiced innocence. "This little one tripped. Nearly cried her eyes out, poor thing. I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding."
The Junior's expression softened. "Is that so…? Then what did you do after that?"
Yinlin's answer came without hesitation, her body angled protectively in front of the child. "She couldn't find her father. We were just trying to help. Right, Jeff?"
Jeff's pulse spiked. He felt every eye in the alley swing his way. He swallowed, forcing his voice steady. "Huh? Oh… yeah. Exactly."
The Junior brightened immediately, relief spreading across his boyish face. "I see! So they're just being kind."
Jeff let out a slow breath, but it caught halfway when the Junior's gaze lingered. His eyes narrowed, lips parting like he was grasping at something familiar.
"Wait…" the rookie muttered, snapping his fingers. "You look familiar. Don't I know you from somewhere?"
He recognized me? I haven't done anything illegal have I?. Jeff's stomach dropped, his posture stiffening as the Junior's eyes lit up with sudden realization.
"Wait—aren't you the one who kicked our instructor's ass the other day?"
Jeff blinked, then huffed a short laugh through his nose. "...Words do spread fast, huh?"
The kid's face broke into a grin, admiration flooding his features. "I knew it was you! We even saw you practicing with Miss Danjin. The balls you must have had to do that—man, you were a hot topic among us recruits!"
Jeff rubbed the back of his neck, heat crawling up his face. Great. Just what I needed. Fangirls, but in uniform. He forced a crooked smile, unsure whether to own it or run.
"Knock it off, rookie." A deeper voice cut through the moment like a blade. A Senior Patroller stepped forward, posture rigid, eyes sharp with authority. "Leave the girl to us. We'll help find her father."
Yinlin didn't flinch. She shifted her weight lightly, one hand smoothing down Yuanyuan's hair. Her tone remained honeyed, patient. "Thanks, but we've got this. Little one's shy. She's just warming up to us. Wouldn't want to trouble you further."
The Senior's eyes narrowed. "You're not bothering us. It's our job to help civilians in need."
Yinlin's smile curved sharper, her voice velvet but firm. "Trust me, I understand how tedious a Patroller's job can get. That's why I want to help. The name's Yinlin. I'm also a Patroller… here."
She produced an ID with casual precision, handing it over without breaking eye contact.
The Senior scanned it, his features softening. "Oh… a fellow Patroller."
The Junior leaned in, skepticism painted on his face. "You sure this is real? I've never seen her around. But if Jeff's here then—"
"Do you think I can't tell a fake ID when I see it?" the Senior snapped, shooting him a glare. "Shut your mouth."
Yinlin chuckled lightly, as if brushing off dust. "No reason you would've seen me. I don't work here. Just visiting Jinzhou on vacation."
The rookie nodded quickly, chastised. "Ah, makes sense."
The Senior handed the ID back, expression easing into respect. "Then we'll leave the girl to you. Thank you for your help. If you can't find her dad, bring her to the Patroller Station. Come on—we're leaving, rookie."
The Junior gave an awkward wave as he jogged after his captain. "Enjoy your day! Have fun in Jinzhou!—Wait up, Captain!"
Their footsteps faded, leaving the alley steeped once more in shadows and tension. Jeff released the breath he hadn't realized he was holding, hands flexing against his thighs.
Holy shit. That was close.