The path the red-haired woman described was simple. Follow the drainage channel deep beneath the sewers, and it would lead into Sector Zero.
But every time she mentioned "Sector Zero," her face darkened, as if the very name was a sin. Seeing that expression, Yujin paused.
"Why that face?"
"…Because it‘s a place filled with nothing but bad memories. Honestly, I want to stop you from going there."
"Why?"
"Because it‘s a place you can't change. Not in here, not out there. I realized that too late."
Thinking she was speaking in riddles, Yujin turned to leave. But the woman stood at the sewer entrance, staring at him blankly.
"You might be shocked. I don't know what Kazdel is like, but it's different here. Other places might be the same."
"If you're just going to try and scare me with vague warnings, I'd rather you didn't say anything."
"That‘s not it. I‘m telling you to arm yourself. Not your body, but your mind."
Tapping her temple, the woman turned her back.
"Thanks for the help. I have things to take care of too."
"Right. Go on."
With that, Yujin left to find his way. The rough map she had drawn was already memorized in his head.
He walked through the sewers, following the path. Wary of potential surveillance, he moved cautiously.
Yujin grimaced at the sickly green glow of the sewer water. Mixed in with the filth was the faint, unmistakable scent of blood, adding to the repulsive atmosphere.
Why is there a smell of blood in the water?
Ignoring the scent that an ordinary person wouldn't catch, Yujin pressed on. The further he walked, the stronger the smell became—and the stronger his reaction to Originium grew.
"…Why?"
Blood and Originium. He didn't know the relationship, but it didn't seem like a coincidence.
Trying to clear his mind, Yujin shifted his thoughts to the Champions League and his likely opponent in the finals.
The Darknight Knight. Tola.
Judging from the match he had watched, Tola‘s power was overwhelming. In a duel, variables mattered, but an overwhelming gap in power was hard to overturn.
Even in their brief conversation, Tola had spoken as if his place in the finals was guaranteed.
If I face him, what will happen? Can I win, even going all out?
He didn't know. You never know until you cross blades. But a true duel might require him to risk his life, just like when he fought Buldrokk.
Buldrokk hadn't foolishly used the same tactics over and over. He adapted and made choices different from Yujin‘s.
Remembering Buldrokk‘s absurd strength gave Yujin a headache, but he had found ways to cope. That was how he had sparred with the Wendigo.
"Ugh, seriously. When can we quit this job?"
"How should I know? Staying here is going to drive me insane."
Deep in the sewers, just as he thought he was close, voices reached him.
Yujin quickly hid behind a wall. Two figures in heavy protective suits walked by, conversing.
'Originium hazmat suits? In the sewers?'
Those were suits designed to prevent Oripathy infection in high-concentration zones or during Catastrophes.
"Seeing the ones outside... I can't help but feel sorry for them."
"Don't. They're just Infected. Think of it as them contributing to the nation before they die."
"Still..."
"I used to think like you. But you can't survive here with that mindset. You have to change how you think, or you'll really go crazy."
"Ugh..."
"If you're done, let's go. Coming here to check is a pain."
Taking a sample of the sewer water in a vial, the two disappeared. Yujin‘s face twisted in disgust.
They're doing something with the Infected. And judging by the talk of needing to abandon sympathy to stay sane, it was something horrific.
"Why...!"
Living in a different world, Yujin couldn't understand these people. Infected, ordinary humans—the only difference was Oripathy. Why did people scorn them so much?
Suppressing his emotions, Yujin exhaled a long breath and continued walking.
He could subdue them if discovered. Even the two he just saw wouldn't be a challenge.
The truth was right in front of him.
"…I didn't expect you to come here."
"I offer free protection, and you push gratitude aside?"
Daniel sighed as he watched the Darknight Knight gulp down tea. Only one match remained. Yujin‘s final opponent stood right before him.
"Why are you helping? Technically, aren't we enemies?"
"I desire an honorable duel. I don't want noise from the outside interfering. But lately, I‘ve been hearing unpleasant rumors."
Tola set down his teacup and looked at Daniel. His burning red eyes were those of a hunter.
"They say the Merchant Association wants Yujin dead."
"…Haa."
"I came out of interest, but the knight himself is nowhere to be seen. So, I figured I should at least protect the head of the house."
Daniel didn't understand the leap in logic, but he nodded. Having a knight of Tola‘s caliber guarding the estate was reassuring.
There was no doubt it was the Association‘s doing. Just as Yujin despised them, Tola—the Darknight Knight—felt the same. He was another who had clashed with the Association and turned his back on them.
Moreover, the conflict between the Sport and Campaign Knights seemed to be fizzling out. Both factions, ready to tear each other apart, had to fold their hands as two independent knights reached the finals.
The situation was ideal, but...
"Sigh."
Thinking of Yujin entering the slums near Sector Zero made Daniel sigh. He had placed too heavy a burden on an outsider he had known for only a short time.
How could he repay this debt? Even into the next generation, Yujin would have to be treated as a benefactor.
A political marriage might work, but Raquelamalin would probably tear anyone else apart if he suggested it. And Daniel only had a son, Kiril. Branch families weren't an option either.
Furthermore, as soon as the Darknight Knight arrived, securing the mansion's defense, Larin had left immediately. Likely to search for Yujin in the slums.
BANG!
"…Master Daniel!"
Daniel‘s prayer for a peaceful resolution was shattered as the butler burst into the room.
"Young Master Kiril and the girl, Kisha, have disappeared!"
What am I looking at?
His eyes registered the scene, but his mind refused to process it.
Yujin retched, letting out a sound like a broken machine. The scent of blood piercing his brain and the visibly floating Originium particles were terrifying.
He turned his head, but everywhere he looked...
Corpses, turning into Originium, slowly rotting away.
Bodies swollen to the bursting point, leaking glittering dust.
The dust vanished into the air like ash from a fire. Then, the particles sparked like a fuse, and the corpses literally exploded.
"…Ah."
An Infected returned to the earth. It was a death of absolute nothingness.
"Ugh, ah."
Yujin fell to his knees, staring at the dust that remained. Before him lay a pile of ash that had been a person just moments ago.
"…This isn't right."
He couldn't hold onto the ashes even if he wanted to. Watching the particles slip through his fingers like sand, Yujin screamed.
"We‘re all human! You can't do this—!"
Looking at the bodies discarded without care, Yujin roared. Among the corpses were children, and Sarkaz.
Dry heaving, Yujin slammed his head into the ground. Then, a voice pierced his mind.
[Originium is a device of compressed information. It records data and will build our world.]
Records information.
Why did those words surface now?
Yujin was here without a hazmat suit, wearing only rags. He couldn't control the Originium particles filling the air.
If it records information... then that recorded information can be read.
"No... don't."
Sensing something, Yujin stumbled back. But there was no escape.
Then, the memories began to be read.