Chapter 5) Looking For Something?
" Vey, I need to tell you something." Cael said quietly. "My system is… different."
Vey raised a brow. "You say that like you're special. Everyone's got a system."
"I know," Cael nodded. "But mine doesn't show. No interface. No notifications. No shiny level-ups. Nothing."
"Right," Vey snorted. "So you're just… guessing?"
"No." Cael's voice was flat. "It's real. I grow stronger through pain. Through loss. That's how it works. The more I break, the more I evolve."
Vey laughed, shaking his head. "You realize how that sounds? You're telling me you level up through trauma? Come on, man."
"I expected you wouldn't believe me." Cael reached into his coat, pulled out a short hunting knife, and without hesitation, pressed the blade against his left hand.
"Wait…"
A clean slice. The tip of his finger hit the ground with a soft tap.
Vey recoiled. "Are you insane?!"
Blood pooled , dark, steady , but Cael didn't even flinch.
He simply sat down on a nearby crate, silent, waiting.
Seconds passed. Then a minute.
And slowly , impossibly , flesh began to knit itself back together. Bone, skin, nail.
Within moments, the missing finger was completely regrown. No scars. No tremble in Cael's expression.
Vey's eyes widened. "What the hell…?"
Cael looked up. "Passive regeneration. One of the first abilities I gained. It activates without my control. Just one of the things I've earned."
Vey took a step back, then forward again, uncertain.
" Now it all makes sense. But why tell me about your system? What if I betray you?"
Cael smiled faintly.
"I don't give a damn. If you betray me, I just get stronger. Literally."
Vey blinked at him, baffled.
"You idiot. If the top brass finds out about this, they'll torture you until you lose your mind and use your power for their own gain."
Cael met his eyes, calm and certain.
"I'm not losing my damn mind. They won't even touch me... unless you talk."
Vey gave him a sideways look.
"Are you stupid, or just pretending to be?"
"Shut up. I already trust you enough," Cael replied.
Vey laughed bitterly.
"If I were some undercover spy, you'd already be a lab rat by now."
"Screw off. Let's just start the plan to take down the Arcane Division," Cael said flatly.
"You're seriously a dumbass. They're not just strong, they're terrifying. There's a reason they're at the top."
"Then we change the plan. We escape this damn Zone first. I'll come back for them later."
Vey stared at him.
"You decide things way too fast... Fine. Let's make a plan. But you're still too weak."
Cael shrugged.
"So what?"
"Go pick fights on the street with random system-users then. See if that toughens you up."
"Are you kidding me? I just got home. That's a quick way to die."
Vey sighed.
"Fine. We plan first, then you start leveling up, alright?"
Cael nodded.
"Alright, alright... one more thing. Is it just the two of us escaping the Zone, or do we have others?"
"Haven't found anyone else yet. Honestly, I came to you first because I wanted you to work for me..."
Cael snorted.
"Wouldn't have worked anyway. Whatever. Let's start."
"Yeah, step one , brainstorming."
Cael raised a brow.
"Or maybe we find people first? A lot of them might not like our plan once they hear it."
Vey folded his arms.
"And where exactly are we supposed to find someone like that? We got lucky just finding each other."
"The Zone's massive. Most people won't even tell you they want to escape."
"Right, they'll think it's a loyalty test. And then no one in the Zone will trust us again."
"Still, we need at least four people."
"Let's first think how we're gonna find them."
"We could try the Zone's Black Market... they say rumors spread fast there, and it won't reach the top brass."
"Problem is, it's almost impossible to find. If we do , great, we've got allies. If not , we're suspicious, and the Black Market boss will blacklist us."
"Who's the boss?"
"How the hell should I know?"
Cael stood up.
"Alright, let's go find the Black Market."
Vey groaned.
"You always decide so damn fast... it's annoying, but effective."
They both left and stepped into the street.
---
The streets were drenched in shadow under the heavy, starless night sky. Dim streetlights buzzed quietly, flickering occasionally. Neon signs glowed with a sickly light. The concrete was damp with a mist that never fully lifted. Trash skittered in the wind. The Zone never really slept , but it never really woke up either.
Cael looked around, hands in his pockets.
"This is day one of finding that damn Market. Not a single clue yet."
Vey snorted.
"Are you seriously going to count the days?"
"Yep."
---
Day One:
They checked dozens of alleyways, backstreets, and hidden courtyards. Spoke to strange dealers and washed-up mercs. All dead ends. No one knew a thing , or pretended not to.
---
Day Two:
They followed whispered rumors to a derelict subway station. But it turned out to be a dead hacker hub. Another false lead. Someone had clearly spread fake info.
---
Day Three:
They found a strange sigil under a broken bridge. But it led to nothing , just an abandoned outpost. More disappointment. Hope began to fray.
---
Day Four:
They split up, hoping to cover more ground. At the end of the day, they planned to meet in a designated sector near the slums.
As Cael wandered a narrow alley, he heard a voice from deeper within:
"Damn Black Market got robbed... nothing left. You're not coming out the same after this, that's for sure."
He stepped forward.
"What happened?"
The man turned , mid-40s, rough face, scar over one eye, wearing a beat-up jacket and gloves with half the fingers torn off.
"What the hell do you care, kid? Get lost before I break your damn fingers."
Cael didn't flinch.
"I heard the Market was hit. I might be able to help."
The man laughed coldly.
"Help? Go help your own sorry ass. Get lost."
Cael stepped closer.
"Old man… I control Void Magic. Watch your words."
The man froze.
"What...? I heard people with Void Magic are... monsters. But... I don't even know what that is."
Cael's voice lowered.
"Don't be afraid. I'll explain everything. In return, you tell me where the Market is. Deal?"
The man hesitated, fear creeping in.
"But… but if they find out I told you, they'll kill me..."
Cael's gaze turned cold.
"If you don't tell me, I'll kill you."
Terror overtook the man. Cael began speaking, his voice steady:
"Void Magic is ancient. Born not as a gift, but as a result of countless cruel experiments. Only those with the blood of the first Void Mages can wield it. In this Zone, you won't find a single system-user who truly understands it. Your systems? They're just fragments , broken pieces of the original Void."
He raised his hand slightly.
"If you don't believe me, I'll show you. But I won't be responsible for what happens."
The man quickly held up his hands.
"No, no , forget the Market, I'll take you there! Just don't tell them I helped you!"
Cael nodded.
"I've got no reason to talk."
The man whispered,
"I'll guide you there. No address, just hidden paths."
Cael followed him. They weaved through endless alleys, tunnels, and forgotten corners of the Zone.
Cael thought,
"Did he really believe all that? That story I made up on the spot… it's just a myth."
Finally, they stopped in front of a strange, rundown building with no signs, surrounded by rusted scrap and flickering lights.
The man turned, a sly smile spreading across his face.
"You really are an idiot, Cael..."
Cael froze.
"How do you know my name?"
"We know you've been looking for the Market," the man said.
"We?"
"Yeah. We, dumbass. Get him!"
Before Cael could react, several men lunged from the shadows.
Then everything went black.