I am once again roused awake by the grinding of steel against steel. The shrill sound of
machinery underlaid by a current of sparks and the sound of pneumatics.
It's 5:00am. They always begin their work at this early hour and it had since become an
alarm clock for me. Now I have to leave the warmth and sweet smell of my recently cleaned
bed sheets.
Then I place one of my feet onto the cold concrete ground, my leg hairs standing up from
the piercing needles of the winter coldness. I don't have the money to use the oil radiator. I
should probably have switched to an electric one at some point, though it isn't all that
much cheaper.
So I rip the blanket from my body and fully stand up to face the world. I take my phone
and activate the torch on it. It's winter, so it's also dark at this hour.
I look from one gray concrete wall to the next, just to make sure that no Eidolon was
lodged inside of one again. I am still in disbelief of that. I walk over to the wall by the exit
of my bedchambers and flick the light-switch, illuminating my room in a soft amber glow.
Motes of dust swirl through the air, not weighed down by the smell of construction and
common muck.
Wading over the wet mossy ground, through the doorway, toward my wardrobe. My
apartment is one of the better ones still. Three rooms not including the bathroom and at
least the possibility of having air conditioning and heating, plus the walls are reinforced
concrete with insulation. The Landlord isn't even half bad either.
Choosing to look through my wardrobe and pick out my underwear and my formal
clothing. A white shirt, gray vest, navy tie, black long-coat with navy details and black
jeans, all of which having silver details. I remember this ensemble costing me a fortune
back when. It's starting to show its wear and age and it also is a little too small for me now,
but it still works well enough.
Some butter falls into a pan on the stove, then head into the bathroom to check myself in
the mirror. I fix my pompadour haircut, put on some cheap cologne and take my eyedrops. Looking back at me in the mirror is my tan skin, blonde hair, full beard and green
eyes.
I head back to my kitchen and prepare breakfast. I plunder my fridge for whatever remains
inside. Some eggs, bacon, pre-baked croissants, some leftover waffle batter, some
tomatoes. It'll have to do. I just have to remember to buy more groceries when I get the
chance.
As I prepare my breakfast an actually pleasant smell fills the air. The sounds aren't enough
to drown out the steelworks neighboring my apartment, but it still is a reprieve from the
gloom that is all too common nowadays. I honestly don't know how people still argue it
was worse in the past.
As I start to plate my meal-to-be, the mail falls through the chute of my door. I pick it up
and it's the same as always. More deaths, more Eidolon sightings, more Sin corruption,
more bogus products. Actually, no. Something is different this time. An Eidolon equipment
pawn shop?
It's something I shouldn't pay attention to, I mean, I am not one of them. I would be a Link
1 I think, so I shouldn't be engaging in this. Well, I actually do have one Eidolon
equipment. The one that decided to just get itself stuck inside my door one day and hasn't
moved since.
I look over to a small table in the corner of the room atop which rests an old steel and brass
Gauntlet covered in gray veins that occasionally pulse in an eerie green light. It has been
lying in that corner for a good month or so now, as such being covered in dust. I attached a
note to it when I got it Identified.
'Avaritia-09-2-022' nicknamed 'Judge Gauntlet', capable of restoration to a limited degree.
I was told that I am capable of using it, though no further elaboration was given.
Before I head outside, I decide to pick up my revolver and 19 rounds for it that I found one
day during a corpse retrieval side-hustle. I still wouldn't know where it came from as
firearms are exceedingly rare. As such I hid the revolver. Not because of legal reasons, but
because I don't feel like being mugged any more than usual.
After deliberation, I placed Avaritia-09-2-022 on my hand, equipping it. Then I open my
front door and stepped outside.
The stairwell of my apartment was soundproofed so it left me in eerie silence and more
darkness, though each step down echoed multiple times. I fumbled around in the dark with
my keys as I walked further down, unlocking the front door and stepping outside.
The moonlight only barely illuminates the streets, though that isn't much of an issue. This
isn't the first time I walk these streets so I do not mind the dark. What I cannot see can't
see me either, unless it's a certain type of animal or Eidolon, but in that case it doesn't
matter anyhow.
Usually on days off like these I tend to wander to a park for fresh air or buy groceries,
though I often end up just doing a side-hustle for a little bit of extra money. It would still be
a few hours until that so called Eidolon Equipment pawn shop opens, that being at
8:00am, so I have a few hours to spend.
There are many options for someone like me. I could look for more side jobs to do, retrieve
some corpses, apply for a better job, buy groceries, or maybe even continue my studies into
spiritual magic.
The last one doesn't even sound all too bad. I didn't have much time for it recently and
spiritual magic can be quite nice. It's expensive usually, but my family – being the coupon
hunters they are – managed to get some discounts and trials for me in hopes that I can get
a nice job for it or at the very least reduce my odds of death.
Spiritual Magic can be quite nice. I've been focusing on basic incantations for Yokai
summoning, but should probably work on sealing magic soon. I mean, the world isn't my
responsibility, but the existence of at least one less Eidolon in this shithole would already
make a noticeable difference.
The school of occult arts it is then. I take a sudden left turn as my decision falls,
coincidentally making a pickpocket stumble from behind me onto the paved path, before
they scamper away from me in fear of what I may do to them. I didn't plan on anything,
but I'd imagine a pickpocket like them having countless bad experiences from when they
were caught.
I continue to walk through mostly empty streets, being leered at by those less fortunate
than me to the degree that they are homeless or similar, though I believe most to just be
jealous of my looks that are quite well for the standards of these parts. Through the dim
light I can make out the occasional office worker, but besides that most work harsh
industrious jobs.
When I look at my phone as I arrived at the school, It reads 5:52am. Pushing open the
door, I am immediately comforted by a wave of warmth and the smell of incense. This time
it smells like sage, lavender and maybe sandalwood. The inside looks very pleasant and
rustic with wooden floor, a nice rug, painted brick and plaster walls. This place really
stands out from the rest in terms of luxury, though I suppose it makes sense. The rent here
is far cheaper and it still lies at the border of the gamma echelon zone, though technically
belonging to delta already.
Inside I am greeted by a young female receptionist, probably in her twenties. She has fair
skin with freckles, short and curled brunette hair, hazelnut colored eyes and a soft smile.
She wears a grayish blue sweater with a beige overcoat and long blue jeans. She also has a
set of round glasses and a hairpin in the shape of a flower. Beside her on the counter lies a
hand-knit scarf. She looks me up and down for a moment, as if judging whether I am rich
enough for their establishment or to be chased out with a broom, before she speaks up:
"Welcome to the Timoria Institute of Occult Arts. Are you new here?"
It has been a long time since I was last here and when I was it was brief. It makes sense I
am not remembered.
"No, I've been here before. I'm Nathan Verren. I've studied basic Yokai incantations
here before, though this time I would like to learn a basic incantation for sealing in
case I come across some corrupted."
She eyes me with an inkling of suspicion hidden behind her faux surprise as she glides her
fingers over the keyboard on her desk, looking for my name in their database.
"Ah, I see. You're in luck. There is one such class taking place at six, so you're just in
time for that. It's in the 'Seafarer' room. Oh, I'm Mary Ebberay by the way. I'm new here, so
the nameplate hasn't been made yet you see."
I smile softly at her explanation and nod as I take a step towards the door left of the desk.
"It is nice to meet you then Ms. Ebberay. I wish you the best here."
Then I proceed through the door afterwards. Mary seemed like someone that grew up in
gamma, though I could imagine that part of her family originally came from delta, the
same part of town as the one I live in. She just has that small fraction of familiarity.
The hallway I entered has a set of doors on both sides with a bathroom at the end of the
hallway, where it continues around a right bend. Each room is decorated in a specific way
and each have a unique incense blend they like to burn. They have only a few rooms, as
there aren't many classes being held, even during the busiest hours. There are the
'Dreamer', 'Seafarer' and 'Hunter' rooms for their lessons as well as the special 'Priest'
room reserved for special occasions, though I have been here too seldomly to know about
the details of what those may be. I have no clue since all parts of spiritual magic are taught
here except for the creation of Sin Equipment.
Talking about Sin Equipment, I've been told that my long-coat was a 'Sloth' type Sin
Equipment, which sounds interesting, but I never really asked what it meant since I didn't
notice anything off about it in practice.
I enter the 'Seafarer' room and notice the distinct incense smell simulating that of the sea.
This room is colored in vibrant hues of blue with wooden flooring, soft bean bags and a
large aquarium against a wall filled with various fish. Inside are three other people, two of
which students and the last the teacher. In the middle of the room is a small table with a
tea set of what seems to be herbal tea. The teacher looks in my direction, though their eyes
remain on my worn gauntlet for an extended moment before peering into my eyes.
"Greetings, sir. We were just about to start. Please, take a seat."
Once I nodded and settled into one of the bean bags, the teacher poured me a tea and
refilled his own, then asking one of the other students, a very built and stern man in his
thirties:
"Would you also like a refill?"
The student nods and he refills their cup, though I notice them slightly lifting their thumb
from the handle of the teapot, revealing a small hole on it. I think I remember hearing the
term for that kind of pot. I think it was 'Assassins Teapot' or similar. It allows the pourer to
pour 2 different beverages, depending on which of the holes are covered on the pot, thus
allowing them to poison certain people, like that student most likely.
I will keep quiet though. I am not being poisoned and that teacher is obviously a master at
spiritual magic, likely at least a Link 4. I feel sorry for the guy, but this isn't a kind world. If
you stop to care for others, you just end up endangering yourself, making enemies where
you could avoid it. Besides, even if I wanted to be a hero, I would have to be far more
powerful than I am now. Maybe actively fighting back against a high-tier Eidolon.
Then I look at my phone again out of habit, checking the time once more. 6:02am it reads.
I know someone that would make a joke about being late, but I don't make such childish
jests.
The teacher presents some basic sealing magic with their incantations. Most importantly is
his warning though. I shouldn't use sealing magic unless someone is more than halfway
corrupted, otherwise there are severe consequences. Hearing some of a pretty high Link
talking about 'severe consequences' is actually quite terrifying. I mean, something the likes
of a Link 6 or 7 could be considered severe for a Link 4, though I have the feeling that it's a
taboo that shouldn't be broken, no matter ones placement in the Chain of Purity.
It makes sense, I suppose. These incantations are there to prevent Corrupted individuals
from becoming Eidolons, so using it on someone that isn't at risk of becoming an Eidolon
makes little sense, but there being active consequences surprises me.
I actually further inquire about it, since I am kind of curious. He does indulge the question
with a sigh that is comparable to a dad having to explain to their child why playing with
scissors is a bad idea. According to him the sealing banishes the person to the Underworld,
unless it's an Eidolon, in which case it is ineffective. Those banished to the Underworld
rightfully because of their Corruption are bathed in the 'waters' of the river Phlegethon by
the Lord of the Underworld. The issue is that any other person is still banished when the
sealing incantation is used on them. Since they don't belong in the Underworld, they are
returned, though similar with how resurrection has consequences, this does to. The Lord of
the Underworld is actually very prudent when it comes to rightful punishment, so abusing
this incantation to inhibit or cripple a person doesn't sit well with him.
Well, this does confirm my initial suspicion of the 'severe consequence' being something on
the level of essentially instant death. I mean, they'd have to invent a Link 8, nay Link 9 to
classify the power of the Lord of the Underworld given how the stories go. That being is the
only proven being that has the powers akin to a god. Any other deity here is usually just a
hoax, a cult or a pyramid scheme. The church of the true god as well as some others do
hold a lot of traction though, so I suppose I shouldn't slander potentially real gods.
This lesson is really dragging on though. In moments like these I wish for a sort of Eidolon
Equipment that acts like a skip button. It'd probably be called 'Acedia-16-5-XXX' or
something like that. Ah, but I learnt at least the most basic sealing incantation I guess. I
even was given a vial with powdered angelica in a saline solution as a sort of protection
charm. It is also something that can be used for the incantation, as some incantations, like
the one I learned, require some physical items, solutions and similar to be cast.
I finally leave the 'Seafarer' room and make hastily steps outside. Even though the pleasant
incense smells are nice and far better than the outside, it really doesn't sit well over time. I
think this was for the better, as I heard a thud soon after closing the door behind me,
which is likely that one student collapsing onto the ground. I don't feel like being involved
with that so I left immediately.
I take a bit of a detour to that pawn shop just to enjoy the sunlight a bit. It's finally started
to show itself, though even with it, the colors are still dim and muted. That's one of the
reasons I hate Winter. As if on cue, snowfall begins to inconvenience me further.
The light at least allows me to see the cheap concrete apartment blocks strewn about the
place with their entire wear and tear. I also get to see the signs of corruption on few of the
denizens. Probably around the 10-20% mark though, so I have no reason to do anything,
not that I'd be inclined to should they be more than halfway corrupted.
Well, the detour was through the Park. Probably the only plot of green within walking
distance of my apartment, though during winter it's about a sorry sight as any other here.
The grass is covered by snow, the trees carry no leaves and the lake is frozen over. On
occasion one might spot children playing, joggers running or the elderly relaxing here
during spring to fall, but currently it's dead silent and empty.
Still, as the snowfall erases my footsteps and I distance myself from the cacophony of
noises and smells of the city, I can at least feel some sense of peace. A feeling that maybe
the future will be better. That I'll be able to afford some amenities and luxuries maybe, or
that I don't have to fear death as much.
This park also holds many memories for me. Here is where I celebrated my birthdays and
many other things that I hold dear now. Though, I suppose someone like me doesn't
deserve this reminiscence. Maybe I am condemned to just live on like I usually do and it'll
never change, though I don't believe it.
I don't believe I'd allow myself to stagnate, that's not who I am.
It's about time for me to head along. Everything in moderation. I feel like I can't remain
still for too long in any place. I don't want to emotionally tear myself apart in reminiscence
again because I thought too much, fell too deep into despair.
The soft crunch of the snow below me is soon again drowned out by people talking and, in
this case, the sounds of a terrible busker, how lovely. This street is unfamiliar to me. It's a
bit further away than I usually travel and incidents are far more common here.
Eventually I reach it though, just a few minutes after its opening. 'Clarksons Eidolon
Equipment pawn and second hand store'. A very drawn out name, but at least it is more
daring than the usual desperate peddler of likely stolen wares. I can only imagine this guy
affording to pawn Eidolon Equipment with stolen money or similar.
As I stop in front of the entrance, someone that was expecting me to walk past the
storefront bumps into me.
"Sorry, I believed you not to be the kind of person interested in this kind of thing."
This person glances down, spotting the gauntlet.
"Actually, I must apologize again. My prejudice is unfounded it seems."
"Ah, well, you would be right about me not being the type. I just randomly stumbled
upon it and was hoping to sell it here."
His red eyes convey that he can understand me, though he personally disagrees.
"I wouldn't sell it. It is more valuable in protecting you. Seeing as you're wearing it,
you can use it I imagine."
He is correct, but I just don't like the attention this thing draws. People actively wearing
Eidolon Equipment are scary, no matter who, no matter what.
The reason? The most profound fears are the fear of the unknown and the fear of death.
Seeing my lack of resonance with his words, his expression growing more solemn. I also
notice his more… 'odd' features. He is corrupted 25-40% I estimate. Not very rare per se,
but still not common either.
"I also plan on entering this establishment, so would you mind it if we were to
continue this chat inside?"
I really don't want to continue this small talk, but it still is a better choice than making
things awkward instead so I force a smile and nod, entering inside and holding the door
open for him.
The LED bulb inside reveals more of his features, so I look over him again, since I like to
have a clear mental picture of people, especially those that are potentially dangerous (or
just beautiful women, I mean, can you blame me?)
This guy is very tall and muscular, looks like he is in his forties, has a wrinkled face of a
grayish skin color and a scarred right cheek. He has deep red eyes, a fringe haircut with
black hair and larger brass earrings. He wears a large closed checkered black duffle coat
with cargo pants below. His corruption is visible as his left hand has obsidian scales and
claws on it, his left pupil is larger with a black sclera, below which rests another smaller
eye, and the half of his face also has the same obsidian scales that slightly shift and writhe
along his skin. The hair on his left side has deep purpur thorny vines running through it.
I look around the store afterwards. It's decent considering where we are in terms of design.
Obviously lacking, but the effort is evident. A few items that I presume to be Eidolon
Equipment are laid out in display cases, though most are empty. At the desk is a pretty
average looking guy that is, surprisingly enough, not corrupted. You'd imagine someone
holding onto Eidolon Equipment like that to be at least 40% corrupt or something, but he
is eerily normal.
Then I place my Gauntlet on the counter and start to talk about the item, starting with it's
code, though am cut off.
"Avaritia-09-2-022 aka 'Judge Gauntlet', right?"
I was taken aback by his knowledge quite a bit. I mean, this only semi-recently got
discovered because of my decision, so only I should know of it, right?
"How did you know that?"
The large muscular and corrupted man steps in.
"You don't even know about the book?"
The book? I look to the book he is holding up. It reads 'Eidolon Register' noting its print
date below, which was like 4 months ago.
"Uh, no. Is that like a list of every discovered Eidolon or something?"
I asked this as a more or less rhetorical question, since I imagine myself being correct,
though confirmation couldn't hurt.
As both other people nodded, I confirmed my suspicion, so I immediately followed up:
"Where would I get hold of something like it?"
The muscular guy searched for an appropriate answer for a moment, though couldn't quite
find one so gave me an excuse:
"It's right weird. There ain't one way about it."
Well, since it wasn't in any ads or similar, I could already imagine some kind of answer like
it. I mean, that book would be able to probably save me from death a few times at least.
Eidolons are the largest threat to life for the average person, doesn't matter if you're rich or
poor, and all of them are unique, so having notes on them sounds very helpful.
I think about it, but likely wouldn't be able to get my hands on a copy, even if I pried
further so instead I inquired upon the value of my Eidolon Equipment.
"Ehh, its nice because of its restoration ability and all, but it's a bit weak, so I could
only give you like, hmm 2 Phalite[1]?"
That is way more than I expected. Is Eidolon Equipment really that valuable? I am very
tempted by this offer, but then I recall what the muscular guy just said about it being better
to be used for protection. I have never actually used it to be fair. I would be lying if I said I
wasn't scared of becoming corrupted, but even a 'weak' Eidolon Equipment like this can be
worth a couple thousand Gael.
[1] About 2 million KRW (~1400USD). 1 Phalite is 1000 Gael and 1 Gael is 1000 Levan. 1 Levan ≈ 1 KRW.
I mean, hypothetically, what if I were to use this gauntlet to fight my way into getting more
Eidolon Equipment, which could fund certain expenditures to boost my combat abilities
even further, leading to more and stronger Equipment. Sure, this isn't easy and could kill
me, but depending on how good the restoration effects of this gauntlet are, well, I could get
away with courting death.
"Actually, on second thought, I might just hold onto it a bit longer."
The shopkeeper seems slightly annoyed, but can read my face well enough.
"I could make it 3 Phalite instead, but I don't think you'd change your opinion."
In the meantime the other guy stepped passed me and placed a silver necklace on the
counter. The necklace had a brass pendant attached to it that displayed a depiction of the
stars in amethyst.
"Gula-12-5-381. How much does it cost?"
The shopkeeper looks at him with a slight shake of his head already telling him that he
wouldn't be able to afford it.
"You are correct, this IS 'Sought Destruction', but it'll run you 95 Phalite."
The muscular man nods as if he was well aware, though still wanting confirmation. It did
reveal something to me at least. He is either afflicted with Gluttony or perhaps is
Temperant. I can't say which of the two, but I'm certain it's one of them.
Now that I have nothing left to do inside of this shop, I leave, though as I start to open the
door, the muscular person calls over.
"I could take you to someone that can get you a copy of the book."
He says it pretty casually, as if it wasn't anything impressive. With my plan to actually hunt
them (maybe) the value of that book skyrockets. If you know yourself and you know your
enemy, well, I would still get my ass beat either way, but it's about the principle. As such
my answer was honestly just easy to find.
"Lead the way."
The man steps out of the door past me, then turns back and looks at me.
"Just call me Revenant."
"Got it. I'm Nathan, Nathan Verren."
Revenant smiles as he slithers between the people of the street at a fast pace difficult to
keep up with, before delving into the system of alleys. We walk through winding paths and
emerge back into normal streets, just to dive into another winding path.
After enough twists and turns I start to lose track of where I am, though I can assure
myself that I am nowhere near home.
After even more twists and turns we emerge into a pretty empty street given the hour. Most
people seem like criminals or miserable wretches, the buildings are half collapsed and held
up by duct tape, sheet metal and jury-rigged electronic contraptions.
This is the epsilon eschaton.
The steps of Revenant suddenly become slower and he opens his coat, revealing a set of
leather armor and two sheathed blades, one of which rattles inside of its scabbard, the
noise of which I hadn't registered due to the loud ambiance.
I take out my revolver, noticing the tension in the air. Revenant is intrigued by my firearm,
though isn't shocked by any means. I then spot what he spotted before. The few people on
the street by the end of the street seem to be running away from something. Either they
dash in our direction, or they scurry into side alleys. Nobody is standing their ground. A
clear sign of an Eidolon.
"You can fight, right?"
Revenant suddenly asks and I sheepishly tell the truth:
"I haven't been tested, though I'd imagine to be a Link 1 maybe?"
Revenant seems pretty disappointed. I know I'm just a lowly Link 1 and not even a Link 2.
I have never been in a real fight, you should just be happy I'm not a Link 0. Well, I
shouldn't be angry at him. He is the one that has to carry dead weight here, or well so I
thought.
"You're damn lucky, you know that? Don't touch this bastard under any
circumstance, so just riddle it with holes, got it?"
As it just so turns out, I am oddly well suited for our foe. Also, damn, his eyesight is good.
What is he seeing that I'm not? Well, he has one more eye than me I guess.
I grab the revolver with both hands and try to recall basic gun safety when shooting I read
online. Not ideal, but it's just a revolver, it can't be too bad.
Something finally comes into my view, running in our direction on all fours. They're still
pretty human, but look like a puzzle. Their left leg looks like it belongs to an ogre with fetid
skin and a bloated bare foot, the right arm looks like that of a person with pale skin that is
just skin on bones with no muscle and their face looks like it was frankensteined on, being
black in color with mismatched eyes, a nose akin to a botched surgery and an open creepy
mouth with a long tongue dragging alive across the grimy street with crooked and rotten
teeth. His torso and other limbs look like they belong to the same 'normal' person though.
This isn't the Eidolon, no, but probably what happens to their victims.
"I'll kill the lackey and hold off the Eidolon, you try to steady your nerves and aim. It
should still be weakest in the head and chest areas, though very agile."
I take a deep breath as I prepared myself. I encountered Eidolons before and saw them
before, though it was always at a distance or I just ran away and hid. This time though, I
fight back.
This is it, my first real fight.
Revenant gave me only one last comment as the Eidolon stepped into view:
"Invidia-00-2-073, code-name 'Denied Beauty'."