"Let's move before they start chasing us," said the man with the longsword.
He and the rest of the team headed south toward their safehouse. Kaine stayed quiet, glancing back over his shoulder at his home one last time.
Everything had changed. Kaine now understood the truth about The Inheritance.
He realized the weight on his shoulders was massive, and joining NOX was the best option he had right now.
"Kaine?" Lara called out.
Kaine turned, nodded, then ran after her along the city's main road, heading south.
Luckily, none of the LUX members noticed them leaving.
The five of them stopped in front of an old two-story house, sitting in an overgrown garden full of tall weeds and neglected soil.
But that was the point.
It was the perfect simple camouflage to hide a safehouse in the south of Varith City.
They went inside. The place was a mess—furniture scattered everywhere, dust coating the floors. But this wasn't the real base.
The team captain crouched down, brushed away the dust on the wooden floor, and revealed a round button.
He pressed it, and a hidden floor hatch slid open, leading to a secret basement.
One by one, they went down, with the man entering last.
Kaine stepped down the stairs and froze. The basement was lined with clean ceramic floors and walls, far more modern than the wreck above.
There were two rooms, a living area, and even a meeting table. Kaine was stunned.
The captain walked to the table and pressed his watch against its surface. The system reacted instantly. A holographic panel appeared above the table, displaying a full map of Varith City.
More menus popped up. He selected the call option, connecting to NOX's Region Three Captain—Sullivan.
The hologram shifted into a square panel, like a video conference screen.
Everyone focused on it and snapped into a salute as a white-haired man with a stern face appeared.
"Reporting in. Evacuation and rescue were successful. The target is secured," the captain said firmly.
[Good work, Gerrard]
[Proceed with recruitment protocol. Bring him to Mordeus]
"Understood. Alpha-1 Team requesting an extraction."
[Approved]
Once the report ended, the video feed shut off. Gerrard sheathed his sword and ordered the team to help restore Lara's condition.
"We rest tonight. Tomorrow, we head to Mordeus."
Gerrard shot Kaine a sharp look. Kaine chose to act normal. Not long after, Gerrard went into one of the rooms to store his gear.
One of Gerrard's Alpha Team members approached Kaine. He looked much calmer than Gerrard and asked Kaine a lot of questions.
One of them was about Kaine's contract.
While at the Asylum, Jack had warned Kaine not to tell anyone about his Host Contract until he was used to his powers.
Jack feared there might be an infiltrator inside NOX. If that person found out, Kaine would be in serious danger.
"I don't know," Kaine answered.
"You don't know?"
"Is that… wrong?" Kaine asked.
"Not really."
"Some Host accidentally form contracts with demons or spirits. Maybe you're one of them."
The man was Lucas. He raised a hand and gently patted Kaine's shoulder.
"Don't be afraid. NOX is a safe place for you."
Kaine nodded. Lucas told him to relax for the night—the earlier fight must have drained him badly. Kaine agreed.
Lucas went to relax in the living area. Gerrard stayed in his room, while Lara was being treated by Myrcella.
As the night grew deeper, the three Alpha Team members fell asleep.
Kaine didn't. He needed to confirm something about his power.
He quietly opened the bedroom door and slipped into the room where Lara was resting.
Lara was clearly asleep, her condition partially recovered. Myrcella was there too.
Without making a sound, Kaine pulled down the black cloth covering his eyes. His eyes slowly opened, his pupils glowing bright gold.
Something unexpected happened.
A mysterious status panel appeared the moment Kaine opened his eyes.
[Investigator Eye:]
[Name: Lara Winscroft] [Age: 24]
[Status: Demonic Host]
[inheritance: Roe Cat Demon (A-Rank)]
[Condition Details]
[Emotional Stability: 85%] [Body Control: 88%] [Corrupt Energy: 25%] [Killing Intent: 15%]
[Conclusion: Stable]
Kaine used Investigator Eye to determine which Host were stable and which weren't.
Thanks to his completed Ascension, his power had awakened—but his eye was different. Every time he opened his eyes, Investigator Eye automatically activated.
Jack said I'd gain a lot of abilities. I just don't know what they all are yet.
Now it was time to check himself.
His golden eyes flared as he looked at his palm, and the panel shifted.
[Investigator Eye:]
[Name: Kaine Vale] [Age: 18]
[Status: Angelic Host]
[inheritance: Thrones Angel (SSS-Rank)]
[Condition Details]
[Emotional Stability: 80%] [Body Control: 95%] [Corrupt Energy: 12%] [Killing Intent: 10%]
[Conclusion: Stable]
Throne's inheritance was stable. That was good.
On the second attempt, a sharp throbbing pain hit the back of Kaine's eyes. A warning panel appeared immediately.
[Investigator Eye usage limit reached] [2/2]
[Increase level by killing monsters]
[Level: 1] [EXP: 0/1000]
So the ability had limits.
Kaine closed his eyes, activated his sonar-like Eye, then pulled the black cloth back over them.
"What was that?"
Kaine flinched at Myrcella's voice. She was sitting on the sofa, facing him. Somehow, she'd stayed awake and pretended to sleep.
"What?" Kaine asked.
"You took off your blindfold. Your eyes were glowing. What was that?" Myrcella pressed.
"It's nothing," Kaine replied.
Myrcella fell silent. Something about Kaine felt off. An eighteen-year-old should've been restless, nervous—easy to read.
Kaine wasn't. She couldn't tell what was going on in his head.
"It's not something bad, right?" she asked.
"No."
"…Alright," Myrcella said, letting out a slow breath.
She stood up and walked over to him.
"Everyone has the right to hide their inheritance. No one's going to judge you."
"You're a Host. So am I. What matters most is staying alive," Myrcella said calmly.
"You?" Kaine asked, turning to her, "What's your inheritance?"
Myrcella smiled, closed one eye, and raised a finger to her lips in a cute pose.
"That's… a secret."
Kaine couldn't see Myrcella's inheritance. His Investigator Eye usage was already limited. He also didn't know whether the limit would reset tomorrow—or if it had a cooldown.
"Miss Myrcella," Kaine said.
"Can you help me?"
"With what?"
"I need to know more about NOX, LUX, and the Host," Kaine answered.
"You want me to tell you a bedtime story?" Myrcella teased.
"Sure," Kaine said, "If it gets boring, I'll just fall asleep."