At 3 PM, Aruta and the others arrived at an inn. Mr. Wise parked the car and told everyone to get out.
The inn was on a hill, with a beautiful view of the farmland and forests around it. From there, they could also see a village at the foot of the hill.
"Alright, this is where we're staying," said Mr. Wise.
"Damn, this place is creepy," muttered Aruta, eyeing the inn in front of him.
The inn was fairly large but looked old. The wood had darkened, and even the signboard was so aged it was hard to tell how many years ago it was made.
"Our job is dealing with Junoi, and you're scared of a place like this?" Mr. Wise said, walking into the inn.
In a low, authoritative voice, he spoke as they moved, "This mission is to investigate the village you can see from here. According to the scout mage's intel, the villagers have been experiencing strange incidents—people suddenly turning aggressive and losing control. The frequency's higher around the market. So tomorrow, we'll head straight there and start investigating."
Mr. Wise paused. Only the sound of footsteps on the creaky old wooden floor echoed, occasionally letting out unsettling groans.
After a moment, he continued, "Rest up for today. If anything happens, my room's next to Aruta and Zaka's."
No one replied.
"You guys are way too quiet," Mr. Wise said, glancing back-only to find no one behind him. "Huh?"
Mr. Wise immediately ran out of the inn. "Zaka! Raven! Aruta! Where are you guys?" he shouted while running. "Dammit, did they accidentally get hit by that incident too?"
But just as he was about to reach the exit, Aruta's voice suddenly screamed, "WAAAHH!! THEY SELL 'ULTRA-X' ACCESSORIES HERE?!"
"Huh?" Mr. Wise slowed down and stepped outside. He turned to the right and saw Aruta at a stall.
"Oh my god, the 'Number One' gloves?! I've been searching online forever and they're actually here?!" Aruta said excitedly.
Mr. Wise then turned to the left and saw Zaka sitting at another stall.
"Here's your black sticky rice porridge," the vendor said, handing Zaka a bowl.
"Thanks," Zaka replied.
Mr. Wise walked straight ahead, observing the two, and after a moment, thought to himself, "Then where's Raven? Don't tell me she..." He glanced toward the parking area and saw Raven still fast asleep in the car.
"Good grief..."
***
In the room.
Aruta and Zaka, who were sharing a room, entered their accommodation.
The room was fairly simple. Two beds, two wardrobes, and one table. All made of wood.
"This is my first time staying in a place like this," said Aruta.
"Yeah, as long as we can rest, it's fine," Zaka replied, dropping his bag and immediately flopping onto the bed.
After lying down for a moment, Zaka sat up and pulled a lollipop from his pocket, offering it to Aruta.
"Want one?" Zaka asked.
"Sure, thanks," Aruta took the lollipop.
Zaka pulled out another lollipop from his pocket. He unwrapped it and popped it straight into his mouth.
Aruta began eating his lollipop too.
"Oh yeah, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Zaka Manatsubi. You can just call me Zaka," he said, twirling the lollipop stick in his mouth.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Aruta!" Aruta replied.
"I heard you already took down a strong junoi on your first mission," Zaka remarked.
"Hehe, but I had help from Mono and Sako," Aruta said.
"No worries. You just joined us, after all," Zaka replied. "By the way, why'd you wanna join an organization like this? You know this job's life-or-death stuff, right?"
Aruta answered enthusiastically, "My brother Juriko joined you guys first. No way I'm gonna lose to him. If he can save people with his powers, then I gotta save even more with mine. I just saved a little kid recently too."
"Brother? That sounds like a girl's name to me," Zaka remarked.
"Hehe," After saying this, Aruta went quiet for a moment and pulled out a necklace he'd been hiding under his shirt. He stared at the dark blue gem on it, suddenly remembering his dream-where this exact necklace had appeared.
"Besides... I don't know why, but I feel like there's something. Something I need to find out. And the only way is by sticking with you guys," Aruta added.
"Interesting. Anyway, I'm gonna explore the village - maybe find some desserts. You in?" Zaka asked, getting up from his bed.
"Hell yeah!" Aruta answered.
"Let's go," Zaka said, blowing his lollipop stick straight into the trash can.
"Hah?! That was fast!" Aruta blurted out, his own lollipop still noticeably large in his mouth.
***
4 PM.
After walking and enjoying the view of the vast fields, Aruta and Zaka finally arrived at the village entrance. A large sign read: "Harvestvale." The two stepped inside. The village was full of kids playing-climbing trees, running around chasing each other, and so on. The villagers were going about their usual routines too. Some laughing on porches while sipping coffee, others playing chess, and the like.
"Hmm, any food stalls around here?" Zaka asked, scanning the area.
"Let's ask someone," Aruta replied.
Just then, a man carrying a hoe with a towel around his neck passed by-likely heading to the rice fields.
"Excuse me, sir!" Zaka called out.
"Oh, hey there, kids. What's up?" the man replied.
"Do you know where we can find food around here?" Zaka asked.
"Oh, plenty at the village market. Just took a break there myself. It's that way," the man said, pointing.
"Over there? Got it. Thanks!" Zaka said.
"Yep," the man nodded. "By the way, I haven't seen you two before. You outsiders?"
"Yeah," Zaka answered.
"Well, just be careful at the market. Weird stuff's been happening lately," the man warned.
"Will do," Zaka said.
"Alright. Well, fields are calling. Have a nice day Kids" the man said, taking his leave.
"Thanks again, sir." And with that, the man walked away.
***
At the village market.
Zaka strolled around while Aruta trailed behind him. Before long, they spotted a small shop. Aruta and Zaka checked the sign-turns out the place sold sponge cakes.
"Hmm, looks tasty. Let's grab some!" Zaka declared, immediately dragging Aruta along.
"H-hey!"
They headed straight for the shop.
"Excuse me," Zaka called out as they reached the tiny storefront.
"Oh, hello," a voice answered from inside-but no one was visible.
"Huh?" Zaka blinked in confusion while Aruta, "Waahh?!" Spooked, instantly hid behind him.
"Was that a ghost?" Aruta whispered.
"You're scared of ghosts?" Zaka asked.
"Hey! Granny's down here!"
"Huh?" Zaka and Aruta lowered their gaze and finally saw a tiny elderly woman-who was, in fact, just extremely short.
"Hello there, what would you like to order?" the old woman asked.
Aruta let out a relieved sigh turns out it wasn't a ghost and stood beside Zaka.
"Uhh... one chocolate sponge cake, please," Zaka answered.
"Alright, just a moment," the granny said.
Aruta and Zaka sat on the chairs in front of the stall, and soon enough, the old woman returned.
"Here you go." She handed them a box of cake.
Zaka immediately opened it. The rich aroma of baked goodness instantly filled the air.
"Hmm, smells amazing," Zaka remarked. "Go on, take some, Aruta."
"Eh? Thanks!"
They both picked up their first slices. And at the first bite-
"SOOO GOOD!!" they shouted in unison.
"Ohoho, you two are quite enthusiastic," the granny chuckled, climbing onto a stool. "By the way, you're not from this village, are you? I've never seen you around," she said.
"Yeah, we've got some business here," Aruta replied, still munching on his cake.
"Oho, I see. Well, I hope it goes smoothly. But this village… it's in a bit of a bad state lately. You've heard about the strange happenings, haven't you?" the granny said.
"That news about villagers suddenly turning aggressive?" Aruta asked.
"Yes. I don't understand how such strange things could happen," the old woman replied.
"How does it happen, Granny?" Aruta pressed.
"Don't know. People just start screaming out of nowhere. But there's one person Granny suspects - a woman who's been hanging around the market lately. Though it's just a hunch," she said.
"I lived here since childhood and seen three strange incidents," the old woman continued.
"What were they?" Aruta asked eagerly.
"This is the third one. The first was the Vector City incident. It's old news but still famous today," she answered.
"Did you see it happen, Granny?"
"Not directly. Though our village is close to that dead city, it was too far to see clearly. No villagers dared approach Vector City back then. But we could hear the riots and explosions clearly - the noise carried all the way here. We could only call the police at the time," she recalled.
"I see," Aruta said, swallowing his last bite of cake. "What about the second one?"
His hand reached for the box to grab more cake - only to find it completely empty.
"As for the second..."
Aruta turned and gaped - Zaka had somehow devoured the entire cake.
"Whaaa?! So fast!!"
"Seconds, Granny!" Zaka called. "Make it three!"
"That's too much!" Aruta muttered.
"Ohoho, young men and their bottomless stomachs! Granny will get more," the old woman chuckled, climbing down from her stool to fetch a fresh box.
Aruta, too focused on catching up to Zaka's eating speed, completely missed the rest of Granny's story.
***
Meanwhile...
Sako was asleep with three empty coffee cups on her desk. She'd dozed off in that classic "hand-propping-up-head" position. Her head kept bobbing-almost dropping several times before jerking back up. This went on until finally her face hit the desk, jolting her awake.
"Ah?! Huh?" Sako glanced around. Only two customers remained. The cafe was dead quiet.
She gripped the nearest cup so tightly her veins popped as she screamed internally,
"WHERE THE HELL DID MR. GREN AND BELA GOOO?!!"
***
That night.
In the dead of the silent night, Aruta suddenly woke up.
"Damn it, why do I gotta pee in the middle of the night?" Aruta grumbled, clutching himself between his legs.
He started to leave the room, only to be greeted by the pitch-black hallway of the inn. Dark, quiet, as if something lurked in the shadows. Aruta immediately retreated back inside, slamming the door shut behind him.
"Huh, it's too damn dark. Heh, no way it's really that dark. Maybe my eyes are just still sleepy," he muttered.
Aruta opened the door again and peered into the hallway, now dimly lit by moonlight but just as eerily silent.
"Ugh, this inn sucks. Where's the damn bathroom anyway?" he complained under his breath.
Giving up, he went back inside, deciding to wake Zaka, who was sound asleep in the next bed.
"Zaka," Aruta called once. "Hey, wake up!"
No reaction. Just snores and sleep-talking, "Sweet stuff... toast... next, pudding..."
"Hey, wake up." Aruta reached out, trying to shake him.
But suddenly, Zaka's hand shot up and grabbed Aruta's wrist, stopping him before he could make contact. Yet, Zaka remained fast asleep. Aruta tried again with his other hand, but in an instant, Zaka blocked it with the same hand. No matter how many times Aruta attempted to nudge him, Zaka effortlessly deflected every move. All while using just one arm.
"Don't touch... zzz... my mochi..." Zaka mumbled in his sleep.
"Dammit, I can't pee myself here. I've got no choice!" Aruta mustered his courage and stepped out of the room. He began creeping slowly down the pitch-black hallway.
"Heh, I've faced scarier things before. Juntoshi mages deal with creepy stuff all the time, right? This is nothing!" he muttered to himself, desperately holding it in. Suddenly, the floorboard beneath him creaked.
"WAAHH?!" Aruta startled and immediately sped up. He kept walking while singing nervously on his way to the toilet.
"Haha, I'm a Juntoshi mage,
I deal with demons every day,
But now I really gotta pee,
Where's the damn toilet, why's it so far away?"
Midway, Aruta accidentally spotted a shadowy figure with long hair standing in the middle of the hallway. It was small. Its eyes glowed red.
"WAAAHH!!" Aruta spun around and bolted.
"What kind of creepy inn is this?!" he screamed internally. "Was that a ghost?! No, no. I just need to pee and get back to my room. Aghh, where's the toilet?!!"
After finishing his business in the toilet, Aruta headed back to his room. But this time, he felt someone following him. He quickened his pace, yet still sensed the presence behind him. At that moment, he didn't dare look back at all."
"Hah, probably just my imagination. No way anyone else is awake at this hour, heh… heh…" he tried to reassure himself.
Then-a small, icy hand grabbed his shoulder.
"WAAAAHHH!!!" Aruta shrieked and sprinted away in sheer panic. Meanwhile, Raven, who had just tapped his shoulder, blinked in confusion as she watched him flee.
"Uh? What's wrong with him? I just wanted to say hi," she said.