The elevator descended silently, its movement so smooth that Mirac barely noticed the change in level—though his heart pounded harder with anticipation.
At one point, the cabin stopped with its usual faint ding, and the doors opened to an environment completely different from the upper floors.
Mirac retrieved his Association Identity Document from the slot and stepped forward, exiting the elevator.
He paused for a moment, his eyes wide beneath his mask as he took in every detail.
The air was cooler, almost sharp, and the smell of parchment and ink was even more intense, mingled with a metallic note, like ancient mechanisms recently oiled.
A vast underground hall stretched before him, illuminated by lamps hanging on the walls, emitting a cold, white light that reflected off the smooth gray stone.
The shelves here were different: no longer dark wood but matte metal, with reinforced edges and intricate locks that suggested valuable contents.
Some volumes on the shelves were thick, others thin, but all were bound in materials ranging from glossy black leather to covers woven with luminescent threads.
But what struck Mirac even more deeply, almost making him flinch, was finding other people in this secret level!
Hooded figures or those in cloaks in muted colors moved among the shelves, some engrossed in consulting texts, others discussing in small groups, their voices reduced to a respectful but energetic murmur.
Some wore masks like his, while others revealed faces marked by experience.
'What kind of place is this?' Mirac wondered as the elevator doors closed behind him with a soft sound.
Driven by curiosity, he advanced slowly, his footsteps barely echoing on the stone floor.
To his right, a semicircular counter dominated the scene, presided over by a woman with long hair and bangs, her expression calm but piercing.
She wore a gray outfit with golden trim, and a small key-shaped badge hung from her neck.
When her eyes met Mirac's, a faint smile crossed her face.
"Welcome to Level -1, young boy," she said in a clear, melodious voice, but with a tone that betrayed authority. "I assume you're new around here…"
Mirac stopped, his gaze shifting from the woman to the shelves, then back to her.
"What exactly is this place?" he asked, getting straight to the point, his voice slightly uncertain.
The woman chuckled softly. "What, they didn't tell you at the Association? This is the Secret Archive of the Intercontinental Association Against Dangers. Well, one of its many locations scattered across the globe, actually. It's a place reserved exclusively for Association members of the seventh rank and above."
She paused, scrutinizing him carefully, and pointed to the card Mirac held in his hand.
"Your Association Identity Document activated the -1 button, which means you have the necessary rank to access this level."
Mirac stiffened slightly, his mind racing.
'The Secret Archive, huh?' he thought, glancing at his card before slipping it into his pocket.
Discovering that his rank granted him access to such a place left him momentarily speechless.
"The Archive holds confidential knowledge and information far beyond what you'd find in ordinary libraries," the woman continued, sensing his hesitation.
"These books," she gestured elegantly toward the shelves, "contain the ancient and modern history of every kingdom, old alliances and political intrigues, maps of various islands, and even detailed accounts of certain missions and Raids conducted by the Association's private teams. Needless to say, you cannot take or remove any material from here, nor disclose its existence: the Secret Archive is protected by Level 2 anti-disclosure safeguards. And if you read the contract you signed carefully, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about…"
Mirac swallowed, his interest igniting like a flame.
'Still, I doubt there's anything new—or different from the usual—about the Demons…' he thought instinctively, with a hint of disappointment.
"Alright, thank you, uhm…" Mirac replied finally, his tone inviting her to introduce herself.
The woman's smile tightened, but didn't fade. "I'm sorry, but I'm not authorized to reveal details about my identity."
'Well, that was predictable.' Mirac didn't comment and nodded in understanding.
Then he moved toward the shelves, his steps resolute but cautious, feeling the curious and vigilant gazes of some of the people around him.
As he walked through the aisles of this "secret library," Mirac slowed his pace, carefully observing the plaques attached to the first shelves of each row.
They were dark, almost blackened metal plates, with thin, luminous characters that seemed etched with fire, casting a faint but steady glow.
Mirac paused for a moment, reflecting.
He decided he would read a couple of books from each section: a small sample of knowledge, just enough to satisfy his curiosity and savor the variety of information stored in this place.
And so, Mirac headed toward the first section:
"Ancient History"
The shelves there were laden with massive tomes, some with cracked black leather covers, others bound with dull metal plates.
Soon, however, as he carefully leafed through a couple of those volumes, Mirac realized that, while rare and nearly unobtainable in ordinary libraries, they contained nothing he didn't already know.
Many of those topics had been the subject of in-depth study when he was still frequenting the prestigious Royal Library of the Strongholds, where he had passionately devoured most of the texts.
So, with a sigh, he gently closed "Dawn of the Dragons" and returned it to its exact spot with the precision of someone who respects the sacred silence and order of a library.
Then, without haste, he moved to the next section:
"Classified Missions and Raids"
He stopped in front of the first shelf to his left, letting his gaze slowly scan the titles etched in thin, silvery characters:
"The Labyrinth of Zareth"
"The Abyss of Khar"
"The Giants of Ghalor Mountain"
"The Silver Wolf Lineage"
The books here were rather thin, so Mirac leafed through several, immersing himself in the firsthand accounts of Monster Hunters, men and women who had lived those experiences themselves.
As he moved along the shelf, one title particularly caught his attention: "Raid on Thalor Island," written by President Jun Rassing himself.
With a raised eyebrow and a faint smile, he opened the book and found a detailed account of the mission and the creatures that had infested that island—including an entire chapter dedicated to the battle against the Boss and its sudden metamorphosis that had complicated matters.
However, the text lacked a detail Mirac knew to be crucial: the fact that the Varkhul had transformed into a half-demonic creature.
As a result, Mirac deduced that even President Jun—in the Secret Archive of the organization he himself led—could not put information about the Demons in writing.
'I suppose, though, that even if less intensely, rumors about the Varkhul's metamorphosis must have spread among the high-ranking members…'
Slowly, Mirac closed the book—not too thick but heavy with meaning—and headed toward another section.
He reached another area, labeled:
"Wanted by the Association"
This section occupied a single wall of shelves, not particularly extensive, but instead of books, it held neatly bound dossiers, each marked with the—sometimes cryptic—name of the wanted individual.
Each file seemed dedicated to a person considered a threat by the Association.
Mirac paused, letting his gaze drift along the titles, then grabbed a dossier at random, titled:
"Janet Venshal – Profile and Operational History"
Opening the file, the young boy found a portrait of a woman with fierce eyes, her face marked by two scars crossing both cheeks.
Slowly, Mirac flipped through the pages and began reading in a low voice:
Identity: Janet Talvren, former Taekwondoka of Inlaid Blade rank at the Intercontinental Association Against Dangers.
Crime: Theft of the Artifact "Winged Boots" from Artifact Storage A-6.
Case Details: On November 12, 1402, at 00:16, a group of unidentified individuals, cloaked in long black mantles, conducted a nighttime raid on Artifact Storage A-6, a highly secure facility housing ancient and potentially dangerous artifacts. During the operation, which involved silently neutralizing the facility's magical and physical defenses, one of the incapacitated guards claimed to have recognized Janet Talvren's face, despite her disguise, as she donned the "Winged Boots" Artifact.
Operational Profile: Until that moment, Janet Talvren had an impeccable record within the Association, known for her strategic prowess, disciplined rigor, and adherence to security protocols. Her alleged involvement marked an unprecedented event in the Association's recent history, shattering trust in high-ranking agents.
Current Status: Since the day after the theft, no trace has been found of Janet Talvren or the other individuals involved. She has been placed on the Intercontinental Wanted List. Her capture, along with the identification of her accomplices, is considered a priority for global security and the protection of the stolen assets.
The dossier contained additional files filled with meticulous details, but a question kept nagging at Mirac's mind, preventing him from focusing on the reading:
'Why would someone with such an impeccable record have betrayed the Association?'
There was nothing in the file that suggested a motive.
No mention of grudges, debts, or external pressures.
It was as if Janet had acted on impulse.
But Mirac knew it wasn't really like that.
'Maybe all her impeccable behavior at the Association was just a façade? Maybe Janet had been sent undercover as a spy by a secret organization, with the goal of locating the Artifact Deposits?' thought Mirac, drumming his fingers on the cover of the file.
It was then, with his gaze lost among the pages, that he noticed two lines at the bottom of the first page that he had completely missed at the start of his reading, almost hidden in the folds of the paper:
Reward for Useful Information: 50.000 Quorins
Reward for Direct Capture: 100.000 Quorins
Mirac's eyes widened.
'Huh?! One hundred thousand Quorins?! Well, I'm not a greedy person, but for that amount, I might actually consider becoming a bounty hunter myself! Maybe tonight I'll suggest it to Carmen…' he joked to himself.
Among the various pieces of information in the dossier, there were also the Magical Data related to the wanted individual: values from before her disappearance, which might now differ, not ruling out hypothetical training sessions that could have made her even more powerful.
Magical Nature: Incompatible
Syntony: None
Mana Core: Present
Mana Core Layers: 35
Mana Core Orbits: 81
'What?! She doesn't have a Syntony? No, maybe she does, but she kept it hidden. But even if she did, she still managed to reach the rank of Inlaid Blade? Then she must be excellent at using Mana for physical enhancement!' Mirac thought, before carefully closing the dossier, definitively abandoning the idea of hunting down dangerous individuals like Janet.
Curious, however, the young boy decided to explore the "Wanted by the Association" section further.
He browsed through other dossiers, picking a couple at random.
The second dossier he opened was titled:
"Dren Kolvar – Profile and Operational History"
On the first page of the file, Mirac found a portrait of a man with sharp features, short, tousled light brown hair, and a brazen smirk that seemed to challenge the viewer. A thin scar crossed his right eyebrow, giving him the air of a seasoned rebel.
Identity: Dren Kolvar, former Swordsman of Tempered Blade rank at the Intercontinental Association Against Dangers in the Kingdom of Ardorya.
Crime: Unauthorized disclosure of classified information regarding a low-level Dungeon.
Case Details: On March 3, 1421, Dren Kolvar was caught sharing operational details of an Orc Dungeon in the southern region of Kragmar with a group of unaffiliated mercenaries. The information included maps, strategic data on internal traps, the location of valuable resources, and the creatures' weak points.
Operational Profile: Dren was known for his impulsiveness and unorthodox approach to missions but had no prior record of betrayal. The information he provided was intended to allow the unauthorized mercenary team to clear the Dungeon before the Association's official team arrived, enabling him to collect a higher reward than he would have received by joining the official suppression mission.
Current Status: Caught in the act, Dren Kolvar was pursued by Association agents but managed to escape. Since then, he has disappeared and been placed on the Association's Wanted List.
Reward for Useful Information: 150 Quorins
Reward for Direct Capture: 350 Quorins
Mirac raised an eyebrow.
'A real troublemaker!' he thought, shaking his head. 'And with such a low bounty, it's not even worth the effort to track him down!'
Compared to the theft of an Artifact, Dren's transgression seemed almost trivial, more a desperate act of greed than a calculated plan.
He was so uninterested in the case that he didn't even read the rest of the dossier, which included Dren's Magical Data from before his disappearance.
With a decisive gesture, Mirac returned the folder to its place and picked up another, titled:
"Pamela Sandren – Profile and Operational History"
On the first page of the file, as was customary, a portrait of the wanted individual was attached.
This time, the illustration depicted a woman with delicate features, long black hair gathered in a tight braid, and green eyes that seemed to peer beyond the page. A shadow of determination darkened her gaze, as if she were guarding an unspoken secret.
Identity: Pamela Sandren, former Healer of Emerged Plant rank at the Intercontinental Association Against Dangers in the Kingdom of Verdlith.
Mirac was surprised to find a dossier on a wanted individual from the Kingdom of Verdlith in an archive in the Kingdom of Ardorya.
However, a quick glance at the other dossiers on the shelf revealed that there were files on wanted individuals from various kingdoms across the continent.
Perhaps, Mirac hypothesized, this was simply a consequence of the Secret Archive being located in the same city as the Association's Headquarters, which occasionally received information on cases from other kingdoms.
The masked young boy didn't dwell too much on the matter and continued reading Pamela's dossier:
Crime: Manipulation of an expedition report, false testimony, and murder accusation.
Case Details: On July 19, 1405, Pamela Sandren participated in an exploratory expedition in an uncharted area of the northern part of the Eldren Forest: a forest within a vast underground cavern. During the exploration, however, the team was attacked and decimated by an unidentified creature. Only Pamela and one other expedition member survived, but the latter fell into a coma. During her testimony, Pamela concealed the existence of the mysterious creature, attributing the attack to a Dark Fairy. However, a few weeks later, the surviving teammate awoke from the coma and revealed the truth, exposing Pamela's lie.
Operational Profile: Considered a reliable asset until then, Pamela had never shown a tendency to prioritize her own interests—especially at the cost of breaking rules. Her actions caused no direct harm but compromised the transparency and integrity of the Association's investigations.
Current Status: Sentenced to four years of imprisonment, Pamela was arrested, but during her transfer to Khreal Prison in the Kingdom of Kragmar, the carriage transporting her was attacked while passing through the Verdlith Forests. The two guards were killed—hence the murder accusation—and since that day, no trace of Pamela has been found.
Reward for Useful Information: 300 Quorins
Reward for Direct Capture: 900 Quorins
And again, as he flipped through the dossier, Mirac found the data related to the wanted individual's magical nature:
Magical Nature: Syntonic
Syntony: Elemental
Element: Nature
Syntony Grade: Second - Heart Level
Mana Core Layers: 31
Mana Core Orbits: 39
Mirac's eyes, hidden behind his mask, lingered for a moment, staring at an indeterminate point among the metal shelves.
'An unidentified creature, huh? Could it be a demonic race? That would explain why there's no description of the creature in the dossier…' Mirac reflected, his mind buzzing with thoughts. 'Come to think of it, it's not out of the question that the creature itself helped Pamela escape. If that's the case, knowing its physical appearance would be crucial for capturing the wanted individual. So, the hypothesis that the "unidentified creature" belongs to a demonic race seems the only plausible explanation for the absence of any description…'
Pamela's case intrigued him more than the previous one.
It wasn't just the mystery of the unknown entity that piqued his curiosity, but also the woman's behavior.
'A person with an impeccable operational profile, with no prior instances of insubordination, wouldn't lie about such a serious event without a valid reason. So, what drove her to betray the Association?'
As he pondered the question, Mirac noticed a hooded figure watching him from a distance, standing still, clutching an open dossier to their chest, their eyes blending into the shadow of the hood…