DARIA — AKATSUKI HOUSEHOLD
Mrs. Akatsuki sat quietly in the summerhouse, with the three sisters seated across from her.
"Thank you for making time to come over. I'm relieved you were available to help me with this assignment. I don't care what the cost is. I need you to retrieve someone.
"His name is Derek. I sent him to follow a suspicious woman who had been stalking my daughters, but he never returned. It's been months now."
She paused before continuing.
"She goes by the name Marcelline Veyra, and from everything I've gathered, she has deep ties to the League of Assassins."
"If the League of Assassins are involved, then this matter should be handed over to the Elite Warriors rather than the Guild."
The three sisters spoke in perfect synchronization.
"I know. That's exactly why I called you instead. There is classified information that I cannot allow to reach the higher-ups or be recorded by the Guild, which is why I don't want the Elite involved."
She calmly took another sip of her tea.
A guard entered the summerhouse and bowed.
"Lady Akatsuki, according to our latest report, Eiravon was the last place Derek was seen. His trail ended there."
"I see. Then he must have been captured by the woman he was watching. Tikka... that's where he should be held."
The sisters answered in perfect synchronization.
"What I need is quite simple," Mrs. Akatsuki said. "Bring back Derek... and the secret document. I don't know where it's been kept, but it should be protected. I'm hoping you can retrieve it as well."
The three sisters rose to their feet.
In the next instant, they vanished without a trace.
The guard looked toward Lady Akatsuki.
"My lady... do you truly believe they'll succeed?"
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"I'm certain they will."
---
TIKKA — THE PALACE
The massive doors of the throne room swung open as Freya Brann stepped inside.
King Charlotte sat upon the throne, her posture relaxed. From the expression on her face, it was obvious she was bored.
Freya stopped before the throne and bowed.
"My lord, we've located the Black Market. However, the Special Force assigned to the operation isn't ready yet. Should I transfer the assignment to the War Minister instead?"
She remained silent, awaiting the king's decision.
"No."
King Charlotte leaned slightly forward.
"This is an opportunity to see what Alric Lot is truly capable of. If he proves to be of no use... then we strip House Lot of its title."
"Understood, my lord."
Freya bowed once more before turning and leaving the throne room.
---
DARIA — CAPITAL
CARNAGE CRESCENT STREET
Carnage Crescent Street was alive with activity.
Merchants called out to passing customers while colorful stalls lined both sides of the street. Humans and demi-humans traded as though there were no differences between them.
A blacksmith haggled over the price of enchanted ore with a fox-eared merchant, while a lizardman butcher sold fresh meat beside a human baker whose shelves were packed with warm bread and pastries.
Children ran through the crowd, laughing as adventurers browsed weapon shops and potion stands.
Among the bustling crowd, Hesper and Cassandra strolled down the sidewalk, each enjoying a stick of freshly made mochi.
"What party are you planning on joining, Hesper? I'm sure you've received a lot of invitations."
"I haven't decided yet," Hesper replied. "If I'm joining a party, it'll be one of the stronger ones. I talked about it with that lady."
"What lady?"
"You know... the one with the white fur and blue eyes."
She paused to think.
"Selene Frosttail."
"Oh, her."
"She told me there are two parties that stand above the rest. Both have members who've reached the Gold Rank."
"Wow, that's awesome!" Cassandra said excitedly.
"The first is the Moonveil Party. There are only three members... and all three are Gold Rank."
"The three sisters? Serenya, Serelia, and Seranya?"
Cassandra smiled.
"They're practically my aunts. I heard they'll be visiting soon once they finish a job."
Hesper blinked.
"Seriously? You're so lucky. That makes things much easier."
She took another bite of her mochi before continuing.
"The other party is the Ironcrest. They have four Gold Rank adventurers and one Silver Rank member, if I'm not mistaken. That's the party I'd love to join. Since they still have a Silver Rank member, I might actually have a chance."
She smiled.
"I'm Silver Rank Three, though I'm sure that Silver Rank member has far more experience than I do."
She clenched her fist excitedly.
"I can't wait to get started."
"Hey! Wait up!"
Someone called from behind.
The two girls turned around.
"Is that Ori?" Hesper asked.
Ori Kaito came jogging toward them.
The moment she got close, both girls suddenly stopped.
"What was that?!"
The two shouted at the same time.
Ori scratched the back of her head and smiled awkwardly.
"Sorry about that. I forgot to turn it off."
"Turn what off?" Cassandra asked, pointing at her. "Whatever that is... don't bring it anywhere near me. It feels weird."
Ori burst into laughter.
"I'm sorry! You should've seen your faces."
Hesper folded her arms.
"So... are you going to explain what we just felt?"
"I'm not completely sure myself," Ori admitted. "But it has something to do with my clan's ability."
"Clan?" Cassandra frowned. "Both your parents are human... aren't they? Last time I checked, they were."
"They are."
Ori grinned.
"And before you ask if I'm really their daughter... yes, I am."
She laughed.
"It turns out our family belongs to a very rare clan."
"I'd believe that," Hesper said. "I've spent almost my entire life in Fulton, and I've never felt anything like that."
"You know how I'm able to create thousands of clones?"
The two nodded.
"Well... that's only possible because of our clan ability."
"So your clan's ability is cloning?" Cassandra asked.
Ori shook her head.
"No."
She laughed.
"It's the ability to absorb and convert energy into Eno, which I then use to create clones."
Hesper and Cassandra froze.
"Hold on..." Cassandra said.
"Are you telling me every clone you've ever made... isn't actually made from your own Eno?"
"Exactly."
Ori raised a hand.
"I'm able to turn all kinds of energy into Eno and then channel it through that sphere-shaped thing. That's what you guys felt."
She paused.
"But it's invisible to your eyes... and even to mine."
She smiled.
"That's pretty much it. Then I can create as many clones as I want."
Ori's expression became slightly more serious.
"I'm still learning how to perfect my clones."
"They already look perfect," Cassandra replied. "Every single clone carries your energy signature and looks exactly like you. What else is there to perfect?"
"My grandpa's clones."
Ori's eyes sparkled with admiration.
"They can pass for real people."
"Huh?"
Cassandra stared at her.
"What do you mean by real?"
"They have blood... organs... everything."
Ori answered casually.
"They can stay active for weeks or even months if he wants. If they're killed, they don't disappear. They remain as actual corpses unless he chooses otherwise."
She continued without hesitation.
"They can even regenerate and continue fighting. They can eat, sleep, train..."
The two girls went completely speechless.
"...Perfect clones."
"That's incredible," Cassandra whispered.
Hesper remained quiet.
Perfect clones...
"So," Ori said cheerfully, "where are you two heading?"
"The Guild," Hesper answered.
Ori blinked.
"Wait... you two are adventurers?"
"Yep!"
Cassandra beamed proudly.
"We took the entrance exam and aced it. We're both Silver Rank adventurers now."
"That's amazing!" Ori said. "I wish I could join too, but I've got somewhere else to be."
She waved as she stepped away.
"I've got to go. Take care!"
"You too," Hesper replied.
As Ori disappeared into the crowd, Hesper's thoughts drifted back to what she'd just heard.
Perfect clones...