Dusk settled over the compound like a velvet curtain. I sat near the outer fence, tossing my knife at a wooden post and watching it thud into place every time. Each throw felt more controlled—sharper. My aura flickered dark purple around my fingers, whispering to the blade like a second heartbeat.
"You're getting better," said a voice behind me.
I turned to see the doctor, white coat dusted with ash from his ever-burning incense pipe. He watched the knife with interest.
"Still feels like it's doing all the work," I muttered.
"Maybe. Or maybe you're finally learning to listen."
The girl approached, her arms crossed. Her presence still hit like a sudden winter draft. Kai trailed behind her, floating lazily, its glowing horns dim in the twilight.
"He still has a long way to go," she said.
The doctor grinned. "That's why it's time for his first field task."
I raised an eyebrow. "Already?"
"There have been sightings of an Umbral Claw near the train station. Same breed as the one you met in the field."
She frowned. "He's not ready."
The doctor waved her off. "He doesn't need to win with style—he needs experience. Let him test his instincts."
I stood, flicked my wrist, and the knife returned to my palm. My pulse steadied. "Let's go."
We reached the edge of the city under cloak of night. Neon lights from the station flickered in rhythm with the buzz of vending machines and late-night trains. Then I felt it—a distortion in the air. A ripple.
Three Umbral Claws emerged, hunched and twitching, eyes glowing like coals. They hissed, baring jagged teeth. I stepped forward, aura crackling, the knife pulsing in sync with my heartbeat.
The first lunged. I ducked low, slashing its side and rolling away. The second circled fast—too fast—but I focused, channeled the Psycho Trance, and caught it mid-strike, hurling it into the wall with a scream. The third screeched but faltered as I charged. With one clean motion, I cut through its chest, dark mist exploding around me.
They dissolved into shadows.
Breathing hard, I turned. She was watching from the overpass above. No emotion. But I saw the flicker of something behind her eyes—approval, maybe.
We extracted the monster cores, their black light dimming now that they'd been defeated. The doctor joined us shortly after.
"You didn't die. Good job," he said, tossing me a pouch. "Time to trade in."
We took the freight elevator behind the station—hidden under false crates and rusted rails—and descended into the Underground Market. A world of flickering candles, whispering traders, and shops built into cave walls opened before us.
Monsters roared faintly in the distance. Metal clanged. Someone chanted in an unknown tongue.
We stopped at a booth lined with blades and glowing vials. I handed over two cores.
"Potions for recovery. And one cursed page," the doctor said. "Something to help strengthen your Psycho Trance."
The vendor handed me a bottle of shifting silver liquid and a book that thrummed with dark energy. As I took them, my fingers tingled like they'd touched lightning.
"Be careful with that," the girl warned. "Psycho Trance amplifies more than power—it deepens whatever's already inside. Even the rot."
I nodded slowly, the weight of her words settling in. The knife at my side pulsed once more, like it agreed.
Power had a price.
And I had just started to pay it.
As we prepared to leave, the doctor waved a folded note. "Ah, one more thing. Madame B sent word. She needs a delivery—grimoires."
The girl sighed. "She always needs something."
We navigated deeper into the winding corridors until we reached a silken stall glowing with soft violet light. As we approached, a trio of shady figures stepped from the shadows. One pointed at our satchel.
"Hand those over."
The girl's hand moved to her spear. I raised my blade.
The fight was fast—vicious. Two went down quickly, but the last one pulled a twisted dagger and came at me hard. I disarmed him with a quick feint and knocked him out cold. As he slumped, his sleeve pulled up, revealing a serpent tattoo coiling into its own mouth.
"Ouroboros," the doctor muttered. "Lovely."
"Who are they?" I asked.
"Fanatics. They believe their 'savior' is coming. Rituals, chaos, sacrifice—the whole lot. Dangerous folk."
We carried on and finally arrived at Madame B's door. It opened without a knock, revealing a room that smelled of perfume and incense. A girl no taller than my waist stood with an amused expression. But her eyes… they were old. Too old.
"So this is the boy," she said, clasping her hands. "Delightful."
She took the satchel and handed the doctor a rolled parchment. Then she turned her gaze on me.
"You've seen the void. Tasted it. Still walking. Curious."
Before I could reply, the world warped. I stood in a field of endless mirrors. Voices echoed from each one. My memories, regrets, failures.
"What are you?" her voice teased.
I growled, pulled the knife from my side, and slashed the nearest mirror. Light spilled out. Everything shattered.
When I blinked again, I was back in her room. She pinched my cheek with a laugh.
"Unconventional. I like that."
The girl stepped between us, her tone cold. "Don't play games with him."
Madame B winked. "He's strong.
As we left, I turned to the girl. "She's weirdly nice."
She stopped and looked at me sharply. "Don't be fooled. In this life, trust is a luxury. Not everyone is who they seem."
Her words lingered like smoke as we ascended the stairs into the city light once more.