Azik stood before a worn oak table, upon which three pistols lay beneath, alongside a black box brimming with bullets. But these were no ordinary bullets—their bluish color stood out even in dim light.
"Why are these bullets blue?" Aziel asked, tilting his head and pointing at them, his brow furrowed.
"They aren't ordinary," Azik said, voice calm "They are specially crafted from Izen stones."
"Izen stones?" Emilia leaned forward, squinting at the box, curiosity dancing in her eyes.
"They're stones that can react to a person's Manifex." Azik explained, brushing a lock of hair from his face. "They absorb the Manifex energy of anyone nearby. It makes it easier for newcomers like you to attack the monsters."
Huh…may be he is not as useless as I thought. Aziel's eyes swept over him.
Everyone began picking up their pistol. Aziel hefted his and tested its weight, nodding silently.
"So… who is the team leader?" Aziel said, his eyes scanning the group.
"Yes, no one told us who is the team leader." Emilia added, frowning.
"It's…. me." Azik said, confusion flickering across his face. "What do you guys mean?"
Huh…
This lazy person is our leader?
No. No. No…
Both Aziel and Emilia exchanged shocked looks, struggling to trust their own eyes.
"Is there a problem with it?" Azik asked.
"No… we have no problem." Aziel said, forcing a small smile
"Good. Then let's move." Azik said.
They dashed toward the lift, the echo of their boots loud in the empty hallway.
When they stepped outside the hotel, a horse-drawn carriage was already waiting. One by one, they climbed in, and the carriage started rolling down the cobbled street.
"Listen carefully." Azik said, leaning forward.
Everyone leaned in to hear him better.
"The case is this: we are heading to a house where a person has fallen into Mindfall." Azik explained, voice low and serious.
"We will see if we can save him… if not, we will have to execute him on the spot."
As they heard the word 'execute,' their hands trembled slightly.
Their eyes flicked away, unwilling to face the thought.
"Isn't there a way to save him?" Aziel asked, his voice tight.
"I have fallen into Mindfall before." Aziel said. "But I was not executed."
Azik paused, letting the words sink in, then continued, more softly.
"I will explain it later." Azik said. "First we need to focus on the mission."
"So… what we will have to do?" Emilia asked.
"You all just need to follow my orders. Don't try anything on your own." Azik said.
"Tell me what your Manifex powers are?"
"What powers…?" Emilia murmured, confused.
But Lucius cut in.
"I can control water and fire elements with my Manifex powers."
Aziel and Emilia exchanged confused looks, their brows knitting as they stared at him.
"You two don't know your Manifex powers." Azik questioned both Emilia and Aziel.
"No," they answered at the same time
Azik rubbed his face slowly, releasing a long, tired sigh.
"Did that idiot… I mean, Ninja did not tell you guys anything." Azik asked.
"No." Emilia said.
Azik lowered his head and ran his hand through his hair. It fell back into place, messy and unkempt, shadowing his eyes.
"Close your eyes and think of nothing." Azik said, pointing at both of them.
Aziel and Emilia obeyed, closing their eyes and following his instructions.
Aziel let his thoughts fade away. The world around him seemed to dissolve, replaced by a vast, silent darkness.
Then, within that emptiness, a light appeared--soft at first, then steadily brighter. Without thinking, he drifted toward it. The closer he came, the stronger a strange familiarity stirred within him, as though he had known this light long before, even if he couldn't remember how or when.
Suddenly, his senses snapped back.
Azik and Lucius were watching him closely.
Beside him, Emilia still had her eyes shut.
"What did you see?" Azik asked, placing a hand on Aziel's shoulder.
"I saw a light glowing… and somehow it felt similar." Aziel replied.
While Aziel was explaining it to Azik, Emilia slowly opened her eyes. Azik then asked her the same question.
"I saw ice." She replied simply.
Azik smiled. "Good. That means you can control ice, Emilia."
He then looked back at Aziel, rubbing his chin in thought. "As for you… I can't tell what kind of power you have."
He straightened. "But it doesn't matter. You guys will only use the guns. Just aim and shoot."
Not long after, the carriage stopped in front of the house.
The house stood apart, built from carefully laid red bricks that showed no sign of age and neglect. Tall, narrow windows lined the walls, their frames trimmed with pale stone.
A short path led to the entrance, clean and well kept. Near the gate stood a finely made mailbox, polished and engraved, a quiet sign of wealth.
The wooden door was thick, reinforced with iron bands.
Aziel let out a low whistle. So… even rich people fall into Mindfall.
"From now on, be careful." Azik said, signaling to them to stay behind him.
Azik moved near the door and kicked the door open.
"I think we are too late." Azik said.
"What do you mean?" Aziel asked, peering inside from behind him.
In front of him…
On the staircase stood a creature that hardly resembled a human anymore.
Its body was pitch black, red veins crawling across its skin like living cracks. What should have been two legs had melted together, fused into a twisted mass, giving its form an unnatural balance.
The rest of its body looked warped, as though it had been reshaped by something cruel and unseen.
Where its eyes should have been were only dark, hollow voids. Blood slipped slowly from its open mouth, dripping onto the steps below. The air around it felt heavy, carrying a sense of dread that made it hard to breathe.
Everyone froze, eyes wide in shock.
Everyone… except Azik, whose gaze held nothing but calm--and something far colder.