After the two Scouters deem Jun a non-imminent threat, the lamp-carrying Scouter leads Jun away from the street beneath the old Clock Tower. They stop before an old brick wall sealed by a rusted tin roof at the end of a narrow alley.
Issac speaks with a sharp, strained voice: "Don't wait here." He scans the surroundings with his eyes, moving like a soldier entrenched in hiding.
The place they reach is the remnants of an old tavern named 'The Mountain Mug.' The wooden doors are chained shut, and the window panes are shattered. In this part of Mistveil, there is no need for complex codes or fingerprint systems; silence and authority are sufficient protection.
The lamp-carrying Scouter gently unlocks the rusted padlock. As the door creaks open, a puff of warm air, a mix of stew and earth, hits Jun's face.
Scouter (Whispering): "Inside is our spot. It's temporary."
They proceed past the dilapidated bar counter towards the back. Tables covered in dust and moldy wooden crates clutter the view.
At the back, a narrow brick staircase leading down is hidden beneath a torn rug.
As Jun descends the stairs, a warm, humid air envelops him. The cellar is the old tavern's storage room, spacious and vast. The walls are made of cracked stone, with patches of mold clinging to the corners.
The cellar's only light comes from three low-energy yellow bulbs, casting a faint, weak glow. It resembles an old bomb shelter more than a secret rendezvous point.
In the center of the room, a sturdy, steel-framed long table holds maps of the Mistveil region and various arcane objects.
The lamp-carrying Scouter completely removes his hat. His hair is a pale blonde, matted and messy from prolonged exhaustion. His face is marked by deep wrinkles and an old scar, presumably from a past battle, tracing from the corner of his left eye toward his ear. His eyes are pale blue but overshadowed by constant fatigue. He exudes the gravity of a good leader.
Issac removes his hat, revealing his dark hair and severe facial features. His eyes are a charcoal black, fixed and emotionless. Though young, his expression gives off the aura of a calm, cold executioner. His body looks taut and robust even beneath his clothes.
Markus Volken (Scouter with the lamp): "Alright, boy. Let's talk. My name is Markus Volken. He is my subordinate, Issac Richter. We are both members of 'The Watchers.' We have two other members out on watch duty."
'Watch duty?' Jun thinks to himself.
Issac leans his rifle against the table, intently watching Jun.
Markus: "We come to Mistveil every three months to investigate unusual occurrences and individuals with supernatural powers. We haven't decided yet if you are someone we need to arrest or utilize."
Markus nudges a stool towards Jun with his foot. "Sit down. Start talking. What are you? Explain why you want to come here."
Jun sits down immediately, not a trace of fear on his face.
Jun: "I've sat, Mr. Markus. I want to start with your first question. What is an 'Aethernal' as you call it? What does that mean?"
When Jun directly asks for the definition of an Aethernal, Markus's tired eyes fix on him. Markus gently shakes his head and picks up a coffee mug from the table.
Markus: "An Aethernal is what we call those who are unusual, boy. More precisely, those who have various Triggers awakened due to the residual effects of the Chaos Impact."
'Chaos Impact?'... 'Triggers?' Jun murmurs internally.
Issac taps the table with his hand, his posture a warning.
Issac Richter: "The Chaos Impact destroys the Emotional Core that stores and balances human's vital emotions. It allows people to convert Negative Emotions into energy. Those affected by the Chaos Impact have only two choices."
Issac rests his elbow on the table and holds up two fingers.
Issac Richter: "1. Resist and become a Rejector? 2. Fail and become an Acceptor?"
Markus continues the explanation.
Markus: "A Rejector is what we call those with a strong Soul Essence that can withstand the Impact, boy. They awaken various Triggers and gain extraordinary powers... they are called Aethernals."
Markus: "They possess hyper-sensory perception and use strange supernatural powers related to their awakened Trigger. However, they must constantly control themselves. Because when their control loosens, their spirit is consumed by the madness the Impact creates. The worst-case scenario is that they turn into the mindless Forsaken..."
Jun's expression shows a slight comprehension of the Emotional Core and Aethernals. However, the strange phenomenon known as the Chaos Impact and Forsakens leaves him with unanswered questions.
Markus takes a sip from his coffee mug.
Markus: "We have reason to suspect you might be an Aethernal. Normally, not even Alchemists or those with strong Soul Essence can make their eyes glow this deep violet. Not every strong Soul Essence user gets unique physical changes. That's why we come out."
(Markus and Issac rush out because when their attention is drawn to the noise Jun makes, they see Jun's deep violet eyes glowing in the darkness.)
Jun's composed gaze instantly vanishes. A look of genuine bewilderment appears on his face.
Jun's thoughts: 'Alchemist? Soul Essence?'
Jun frowns, appearing utterly confused.
Jun: "What are you talking about, Alchemist or Soul Essence?"
Markus looks surprised by Jun's genuine expression of ignorance. Jun is not hiding a secret, but is simply completely ignorant of World Knowledge.
Markus: "You... you truly don't know what Soul Essence is? That's Fundamental Theory. Listen. Soul Essence is..."
Just as Markus Volken prepares to answer Jun's question, a sharp, vibrating sound pierces the cellar. It comes from a small, steel-framed portable device on the table: the Aetheric Signaller, ancient technology of The Grand Sunderheim Empire.
Aetheric Signaller Sound (Loud, with static and a whistle)
"...Markus! Markus! Do you read me! It's Clara! Answer quickly! We... bad situation... tell Issac too!"
Markus Volken and Issac Richter both leap from their stools. Their expressions harden with tension and alarm.
Markus Volken quickly snatches the Aetheric Signaller and replies with authority.
Markus Volken: "Clara! What happens! Are you still in Alpha Sector! Explain the situation clearly!"
Aetheric Signaller Sound (More frantic): "Not there! We're East of the Clock Tower! We... we find a group of people dead on the street! Their bodies... all decayed! It must be the work of an Aethernal!"
Markus Volken's eyes immediately fix back on Jun. His thoughts seem to be in turmoil.
Markus Volken: "A new Aethernal? Clara!?"
Aetheric Signaller Sound (Fading into static): "Jik... Jik..." The Signaller line goes dead.
Markus Volken fiercely slams the Aetheric Signaller down onto the table. His gaze meets Jun's.
Markus Volken: "Is that new Aethernal you! If not... we have two Aethernals in Mistveil!"
Jun is obviously now under extreme suspicion. He understands that no explanation suffices in this situation.
Markus Volken: "Issac! You know the situation! This boy might be a dangerous Aethernal."
Issac Richter instantly grabs the rifle he leans against the table and aims it at Jun with a calm, icy demeanor.
He briefly takes his charcoal eyes off Jun and looks at Markus Volken.
Issac Richter: "We don't have enough force if we have two Aethernals, Markus. We need to restrain him with the Sealing Restraint immediately."
Markus Volken nods. "Do it! Then you stay here and watch him. He'll try to escape no matter what. I'm going to Clara. We must examine the bodies before they are destroyed."
Issac Richter wordlessly opens a small steel box and takes out the Sealing Restraint—a black leather strap with metal rings.
(The Sealing Restraint is a magical invention created by Magus-level Alchemists to capture Aethernals and those with strong Soul Essence. In a frontier town like Mistveil, where magical knowledge is scarce, only street magic and fortune telling are commonly known.)
Issac Richter moves behind Jun and, with swift, experienced movements, pulls Jun's arms back and binds them. The leather straps, designed to suppress Soul Essence energy, tighten firmly around Jun's wrists.
Jun remains calm and emotionless, his deep violet eyes fixed on Issac.
Markus Volken quickly departs. In the cellar, Issac Richter places the rifle on his lap, watching Jun without blinking.
Jun lets out a long sigh—not one of despair, but of acceptance.
Jun: "Mr. Richter. If you examine the bodies closely, you'll know the killer and I have no connection. But... you choose suspicion instead."
Issac Richter says nothing. He shoves Jun back against the stone wall and pulls the restraint tight one last time.
Issac Richter: "Listen, Aethernal. Survival outweighs suspicion. We have two Aethernals, one Alchemist, and me—a mere Vitality user. But I'm enough to blow your head off. What are you? A spy? A Mercenary? Tell me the truth now."
Jun notices Issac Richter's Vitality power—the Body Enhancement.
Jun smiles—the start of a negotiation.
Jun: "Mr. Richter. Your force—a mix of Vitality, Alchemist, and Aethernal—you know it's not enough to face what's newly appeared in this city."
Issac Richter: "What makes you so sure of that?"
Jun: "Because the instant you hear about the savagely killed bodies over the Signaller, both your face and Markus's go utterly white with panic. A newly awakened Aethernal wouldn't cause that reaction, would they? This must be an Aethernal who has been awakened for a long time."
Issac Richter's mouth drops open in shock.
Issac Richter: "H-how do you figure that out...?"
Jun fixes his deep violet eyes on Issac. Issac's rigid composure dissolves; confusion begins to flood his mind.
Jun: "I'm not a spy, nor a Mercenary. I am a Seeker of Information. What if your enemy is committing murder simply to divert your attention? Who knows—he might be searching for something right here in Mistveil."
Jun's primary purpose is to read Issac's reaction.
Issac Richter's eyes narrow. Jun's words clearly unsettle him. Fear and anxiety then appear on his face.
'Mission Accomplished,' Jun thinks to himself.
Jun: "Mr. Richter, think clearly. If I were that powerful, I would have fought back before you put on the Sealing Restraint. And this is the Scouters' secret base; if I were the murderer, I would have already killed you and taken the information I wanted."
Jun's astute logic makes Issac's expression immediately shift to reluctant acceptance.
Issac Richter: "You make a good point... But don't imagine that confusing me a little means I'll let you go."
Jun smirks.
Jun: "Do you truly believe that keeping me locked up will help you find the killer, Mr. Richter? I am an Aethernal. I can use supernatural power... Don't you think I could be of help to you?"
Issac Richter: "How can I trust a stranger I just meet like you?"
Jun ignores the constraint on his wrists. His deep violet eyes glow with a calculating light.
Jun: "Trust? Mr. Richter... You don't need to trust me."
Jun pauses, staring straight into Issac's charcoal eyes.
Jun: "You only need to use me. Use my power. Your Rival has been awakened for a long time. It's highly possible he belongs to another organization... or even a Mercenary as you suggested."
'A Mercenary?' Jun muses internally, considering the type who would monetize their Aethernal power.
Issac's eyes widen. His face looks pale and bloodless. Jun's hypothesis suggests a possibility their leader hasn't even considered.
Then, a sudden, terrifying sound from the ceiling violently shakes the entire cellar. It is the harsh shriek of stone and metal dissolving, being eaten away by a potent acid.
— Fizz... Fizz-fizz-fizz... —
The sharp smell of acid and hot fumes begins to seep down the stairs. Issac Richter's cold face is completely overwhelmed by sheer panic. This is the very same power that dissolved the civilian bodies Clara finds.
Issac Richter (Whispering): "He... how does he do that..."
Issac forgets he is aiming the rifle at Jun, his gaze fixed on the exit. Their enemy is not waiting for Markus Volken—he is attacking immediately.
Jun: "Mr. Richter. Your enemy is smarter than you think. He's not wasting time. If you don't release me right now... this cellar will become your grave and mine."
Issac Richter has no choice. He has to choose between the distrusted aid of an Aethernal and certain death. Issac grabs the lock of the Sealing Restraint and furiously tears it open.
— Click! —
As the metal rings drop, Jun gains his freedom. His focus is entirely on the enemy descending from above.