Urashin and Yamikuro entered further into the town of Aisrus, with Yamikuro feeling proud of being able to use Seikodo. He wasn't too sure how he did it, but it happened.
The lower-class sat or lay on the ground, covered in sheets, while coughing. The buildings were even taller when looking straight above.
'It's so unfair the rich get to live up there, while the lower class has to suffer.' Yamikuro thought to himself, walking beside Urashin.
Urashin seemed unbothered by the scenery around them, as if he didn't care. It was hard to tell what he was thinking, especially with the sunglasses he had on.
"Yamikuro," Urashin said, catching Yamikuro's attention.
"Yeah?"
"I'll have to leave you alone for a bit. There's some business I need to take care of before we get to the cabin."
Yamikuro's fingers twitched. He didn't want to be left alone in a town filled with shadows and stinging coldness, along with people he wasn't too sure about trusting. He felt bad, but they could've been desperate for resources.
"It's fine, I've seen your potential in fights. Just stand by the door and don't do anything unnecessary."
Yamikuro heistately nodded, without giving a clear response. He felt humbled, hearing Urashin see potential in him, but Yamikuro didn't see that in himself.
They arrived before a wooden door with two hefty locks, keeping away any intruders. There was no sign or indication as to what it could've been, but Urashin seemed confident in it being his location.
He entered without saying a word to Yamikuro, and shutting the door with a bang and a few creaky lock turns.
Yamikuro had no choice but to stand awkwardly as a few people stared at him like he had done something wrong. He didn't want to lean against anything or sit anywhere.
But very quickly, Yamikuro got bored, and curiosity got the best of him. He wanted to take a little tour, not too far, but just something to fill his mind.
The people seemed to be dangerously sick, as if it wasn't obvious by the coughs, but their skin was a clear indication of something more serious than a cold.
Parts of their faces had changed into a tone as dark as a shadow, their eyes in the affected area turning blind.
Yamikuro clenched his fists, even though he didn't want to catch the possibly spreading disease; he wanted to help these people. It was pretty clear they hadn't done anything wrong, considering what had happened earlier.
These people were cast away down here, while the others lived a luxurious life above.
A woman prayed, her hands crossed as her eyes were glued to the ground. She wanted to be freed from this cruel reality.
Yamikuro could feel his blood boil; even among Resonants, there were those who mimicked Lucian.
As Yamikuro stepped through the dark streets, his eyes, for a second, were glued to the alleyway, where rustling was heard.
"You want to help them, don't you? That's good, but dangerous." A friendly voice said next to Yamikuro.
The voice didn't sound like someone who had been sick. Yamikuro couldn't help but turn to the voice.
Before him stood a guy about his age, his hair short, but covering his forehead, while wearing tan-brown pants, with the same colored coat and shoes.
That's the type of person Yamikuro had imagined running freely above these people. However, he couldn't help but be amazed by the style.
"So you're the type of guy who requires a proper greeting before speaking? Expected from such a person as yourself." The person spoke in a praising tone, his lips curved upwards.
He had noticed Yamikuro stare at him, even taking a few glances up and down. The person took it as a sign that his hypothesis was correct.
"Anyway, where are my manners. Greetings, my name's Seth Azalea."
Yamikuro snapped out of that state by rapidly shaking his head.
"It wasn't anything like that-" Yamikuro tried to deny, but he stopped himself, realizing the place he was in. Being seen as a higher-regarded person could've been beneficial.
"My name's Yamikuro Asaki. It's a pleasure to meet you as well."
Seth kept up his smile, hearing that answer.
However, he couldn't give an answer straight away himself.
The rustling Yamikuro had heard in the alleyway earlier turned into something more serious. It was as if a heavy bag dropped to the ground, followed by a groan.
Both Yamikuro's and Seth's minds thought about the same thing: Was a fight breaking out?
A torch was lit, considering the people in there couldn't see, just like Yamikuro and Seth.
That's when they saw a half-dead, beaten man, cornered by two men wearing helmets without armor.
They didn't say anything; however, the man on the ground kept begging them to spare him. It was just like back then, when Yamikuro and Urashin ran into the man getting beaten by a guard.
But those weren't guards; they were something else, possibly belonging to a different group.
Seth glanced at Yamikuro, trying to see if he'd react. To his surprise, Yamikuro was already trying to gather Seikodo.
With his slightly widened eyes, Seth stretched his arm before himself in an instant. Did his body react before his mind did?
Sand particles hovered around Seth's arm, along with the men in helmets. It didn't take long before the men's feet were covered in sand.
Yamikuro picked up on it, feeling sand bounce on his face. He didn't say anything, considering how fast everything that followed happened.
The sand gripped their feet, climbed up their bodies, and forced them still. Their muffled screams died in their throats as the grains sealed their mouths. With a casual flick of Seth's wrist, they collapsed unconscious.
Seth didn't hesitate. Was that strength, or cruelty? Either way, Yamikuro looked away on instinct, unable to bear the sight before him.
The men screamed; however, Seth covered their mouths.
"Asaki, was it? I'll try to remember that." The calm words followed Seth's actions as he wiped his hands clean.
Yamikuro felt disgusted, looking at Seth with an off-putting look.
"They belonged to a dangerous guild. I wouldn't recommend feeling too sorry for them. Besides, I can feel the sinister force deep within you; you can't hide it from me." Seth responded, his voice slightly changing tone on the last sentence.
"But I was going to step in either way; you didn't need to do all that."
"Seeing you save the man from the guard inspired me. I hadn't expected someone from the capital to step in and save the day."
"The capital? How'd you know I was from there?"
"Some things are written in places you can't see. You'll understand, eventually."
Those words sent chills down Yamikuro's spine. Just who exactly was Seth?
Seth took a glance at the sky, using it as his way of telling time.
"I have to keep moving now, take care, Asaki." He took a step past Yamikuro.
It only took a few steps before Seth stopped, the aura around him completely shifting.
Seth patted Yamikuro's shoulder as he passed.
"The thing that intrigued me into talking to you in the first place was that you possess more than one soul within you. We'll definitely meet again, perhaps in battle."
By the time Yamikuro blinked, Seth had disappeared into the sickened crowd, as if he'd never been there.
Yamikuro wasn't sure what had just happened, but he had to keep an eye out for Seth, if that was even his name.