The ivory tower rose above Bastion Castle, and inside, in a large hall that served as an office, Cassie observed through one of her marks placed on the fire guardians that always accompanied her.
On the table was a pile of documents she had ordered weeks ago.
"Let's see, mysterious subject, what are you planning?"
Exactly five years ago, several important figures focused on different areas of the awakened world appeared.
The first was a famous anonymous writer who had never revealed his identity, known as Blue Rose.
He had created several famous works, among them the popular story "How to Make the Northern Duke Fall in Love" and another titled "What Do You Do When You Cause a Romantic Misunderstanding," among others. His debut generated millions of credits in a matter of months.
Cassie looked at another document.
"Then there's the successful businessman named Antonio German. Dedicated to the special creation of weaponry for the government, with weapons capable of generating great damage against awakened beasts."
Just like Blue Rose, he had appeared out of nowhere five years ago, generating immense profits from his weapons and managing to become an indispensable bulwark for the government, securing great deals, even meeting with some legacy clans for weapon distribution.
Cassie moved on to the next one on her list.
Life Dream, just like the previous ones, was someone mundane focused on the entertainment world, dedicated to composing rock songs and romantic songs, managing to achieve great fame and whose concert tickets sold out instantly.
No one knew much about the artist, since he always delegated everything to his manager.
Cassie took another sheet with more information.
"The famous owner of Uzumaki Restaurant."
The owner's name was Uzumaki. A peculiar name, with a peculiar personality, who obtained the Michelin star five times in a row.
"Right, there's also the content creator about nightmare creatures called Sage."
Just like the rest, he appeared five years ago.
Cassie reviewed three other identities: one focused on the mechanical area for implementing the use of motorcycles that were much more accessible than Ptv another who owned an orphanage that took in children from the outskirts, giving access to food, education, and shelter to all who needed it; and then there was a government politician who donated large sums of money to charitable projects.
Finally, she took and set aside the last two sheets. On the first was the blurry image of the leader of Shadow Garden, as well as Sun Jin Woo of Bastion. Why Cassie set them aside: to not leave any loose ends.
All the figures she had set aside had something in common: they all had a five-year span of appearing and causing a stir in their own way, which, although some attributed it to talent, she suspected there was something strange about it.
Cassie began to study the data in her mind. Day turned into night and finally the sun returned.
Finally she had a proud smile on her face observing the scheme she had made.
After many hypotheses and using her ascended ability on many marks she had placed related to the figures she was studying, she had achieved a great breakthrough.
She discovered that they were all connected to each other due to the amounts of money they continuously moved and that were lost after multiple transfers. However, they all arrived at the same point.
"I never thought those three were related. Since I never saw it before, it was so clear."
On a large blackboard were three images.
The first image, which was at the bottom, was the famous weapons collaborator of governments and awakened clans: Antonio German.
Next to him, a little higher in the hierarchy, was the government member named Ivan Yakosnya. At the top was finally the image of the owner of the small food place in Bastion: Sun Jin Woo.
Cassie took a photo and placed it at the top of the hierarchy. It was a blurry photo of the leader of the Garden of Shadows: Dark.
Those four were the most suspicious of all.
Cassie stood staring at the blackboard for a long while, her fingers tracing the connection threads she had drawn with red string. Everything pointed to the same point. Everything converged on a single person.
"Sun Jin Woo..." she murmured to herself. "The weakest link in the chain."
She stood up, adjusting her cane in her hand. She didn't need company for this. She didn't need witnesses. If she was right, what she was about to discover would change everything.
She left the tower without saying a word to anyone.
***
Uriel was quite relaxed. After delegating all his work to Scarlet and taking a special tea for his hangover, he returned to Bastion in his Sun Jin Woo form.
He had been away for a whole month and had to catch up to return to his daily life.
"Nothing can ruin this day."
Opening the door of his restaurant, he began to prepare everything he would need during the workday.
After making multiple dishes, he heard the familiar tinkling sound alerting him of new customers.
Coming out to the counter, he smiled upon seeing Cassie enter alone.
"Lady Cassia. Welcome to my restaurant. Would you like to order something?"
Cassie stood in front of him, her blind but penetrating eyes fixed in his direction. She said nothing for a moment, and Uriel felt a chill run down his spine.
"You can stop pretending now," Cassie finally said. "I know exactly who you are."
Uriel froze on the spot.
"Lady Cassia, what do you mean?"
Cassie took a step forward, her face serious and implacable.
"I should call you Jin Woo..." she said, making a dramatic pause. "Or should I call you Uriel?"
The silence that followed was absolute. Uriel felt his heart stop for an instant, his mind working at full speed.
'Shit, shit, shit, shit, a thousand times shit. How? When? Where did I mess up?'
His restaurant owner smile slowly faded, replaced by an expression of disbelief and resignation.
Cassie remained motionless, waiting. She knew she had hit the mark.
The day that had begun so calmly had just become the most dangerous of his life.