Another weekly chap, Hooray.
The author didn't explain Uncs ability so I cooked up one.
Enjoy.
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45 minutes ago.
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"Haiz... There's not much I can uncover. That kid left him there at the orphanage. I couldn't even tell whether it was a boy or a girl with all the snow."
Returning from his 'memory lane,' Yoo Jinhyuk brushed the snow off his clothes and ranted about his niece's request.
He didn't find anything beyond what his assistant had already discovered.
At first, he had hoped to see his parents who had left him. But seeing Kim Hajin left at the orphanage as a baby said otherwise.
[Did Kim Hajin know his parents from another source or not at all?]
That was what Yoo Jinhyuk deduced from his trip.
"I have to find that orphanage first. Then I can find any record of a boy born around the time he was admitted to the orphanage."
Yoo Jinhyuk wrote a note, then handed it to his assistant along with Hajin's information folder.
He then turned to his worktable. There lay a portal travel log and a birth certificate, Shiki's. With a frown on his face, Yoo Jinhyuk picked up the papers.
"Damn... This is unprecedented. All I have are these. Not a good start already."
"How the hell did they hide someone so well? It's starting to scare me shitless."
If not for Yoo Yeonha's request, he would not have tried to investigate Shiki at all.
True, having no information on oneself might look like a major boon to anyone. But in a world where anyone's information can be bought in the blink of an eye, that 'boon' become the biggest hazard flag one could have.
There is nothing more dangerous than an unknown enemy.
And to have the means to conceal oneself from the 'Violet Banquet' indicates he is most certainly more dangerous than even the strongest of Heroes.
Tucking the only lead he had on Shiki into his coat's pocket, Yoo Jinhyuk left his office.
After moving a few minutes away from his workplace, Yoo Jinhyuk took a deep breath before he started his usual routine.
"Here goes nothing..." He said, holding out arguably the only two links to Shiki's past.
The mana surrounding Yoo Jinhyuk began to fluctuate and pass through the papers. Space began to warp and collapse upon the man.
Soon, Yoo Jinhyuk disappeared, leaving a wormhole in his place. This is how Yoo Jinhyuk can experience someone's memory.
By using someone's belongings or objects linked to their identification as an anchor, Yoo Jinhyuk can create a personal sub-space, a fake dungeon based on that person's past.
In another term, it's TerritoryCreation. However, it's a low rank one considering Yoo Jinhyuk is still a human being.
There, Yoo Jinhyuk can visit memory like a video gallery, fitting to his identity as an investigator.
The mana consumption depends on how much information the object(s) have on the person and how far into the past Yoo Jinhyuk chose to go.
Unfortunately, since all he has is a birth certificate and travel logs, Yoo Jinhyuk decided to start from a few months before his niece attends Cube. He will the go slowly further to the past.
By doing so, Yoo Jinhyuk hopes to uncover Shiki's goals and motives for becoming a cadet.
Also, It would ensure Yoo Jinhyuk at least digs out something while conserving his mana.
With the mana left after his first trip, Yoo Jinhyuk could at only rewind continuously for another hour or two if nothing happened to him.
NOTHING THAT IS.
Life doesn't work like 'Interstella' or 'Back to the future' or. Even if it was a perfect time thief or multiverse theory, Breaking space and time always has consequences.
And now, the consequence has arrived at his doorstep. And Yoo Jinhyuk had no idea what was about to hit him.
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————[King Crimson]————
In the past, human has once wanted to conquer the stars. To do so, they had studied, built, and researched for centuries. All in the hope that one day they can reach the starry sky.
"So this is how it feels, to travel in space like Star Trek. It's not a bad feeling if not for the situation I'm in right now."
Yoo Jinhyuk commented as he rewound Shiki's memories. As time traveled backward, Yoo Jinhyuk's mind was filled with questions and confusion.
"Is this even a memory or did the process fail?"
When the sub-space opened, immediately came in front of his eyes was a sea of stars and nothing else.
Never once did he encounter this phenomenon. Memories are supposed to be the flashback of one's life, not space documentaries.
At this point, Yoo Jinhyuk wondered if Shiki even existed before his admission to Cube.
All of a sudden, voices sprang in his head; and space twisted around him.
Voices were filled with static and vision was blurred. The speaking was like an influx of information crashing into him. His mind couldn't process it given the static.
All of that caused a spiking pain in Yoo jinhyuk's head. His eyes bloodshot, his vein popping. A massive recoil from his own power.
Yoo Jihyuk wasn't allowed to know what's happening. He didn't come here by himself but by trailing Shiki's memory.
ITis a metaphysical location. One cannot simply follow another's footsteps to arrive there. Even if they did transverse into the dimension, they would met another deadend as IT alsoexist outside of time at the same time.
Not only that, who know what would happen if someone tresspass this space with incoventional ways. Hence, this was a lucky case for this 'intruder'.
Yoo Jinhyuk could only clutched his head and jumped pass this memory while enduring the ingrain in his head.
Eventually, the voices stopped and everything came back to clear space again. The pain was subsided. Yoo Jinhuyk grasped heavily.
But before he could sigh in relief, a chilling sensation crept up his back. His breath immediatly froze. Someone is watching him from behind.
A WARNING...
He is sure of it. It was stronger but similar to his brother's and father's threatening glare. Even the cold gaze etched into his spine is the same.
He didn't dare to look back. Yoo Jinhyuk closed his eyes, focused all he could to get out of the sub-space.
*Poof*
Warm light hit his eyelids and the dreadful feeling dissipated. Yoo Jinhyuk opened his eyes to see civilisation.
Paved roads, Old houses, light posts, food stalls, and people. It was a traditional town. One that is similar to where his family's, his father's specificly, house is.
The architecture and wording of the local store showed that he was probaly be in Japan. Finally, something, hopefully, relatable to Shiki.
The lively surroundings with nostaliga scenes calmed him down. Maybe one day he could retire in a place like this.
However, Yoo Jinhyuk soon realised something was amiss.
He looked around the town to find that a lot of things were missing. Things that were necessary in his world.
"Where are the Heroes? The Hunters? Or even a smartwatch?"
The scenery seemed too peaceful at this period of time. No signpost advertising guilds or agencies. No people carrying weapons and armor around. Not even a fence at the border of the town It was as if the Outcalls never happened here.
"Where the hell am I? Is this even Earth anymore?"
Numerous hypotheses appeared in Yoo Jinhyuk's head. But he may not have enough time to identify which is correct.
*Booom* *Rumble*
Correction, He may not have any time to linger at all.
A disaster had struck the Land of the Rising Sun.
In an instant, the serene and warm autumn was engulfed in flames and destruction. Smoke rose, people running and screaming. It was as if Mother Nature decided to cleanse herself.
Yoo Jinhyuk was shocked to see thing went from tranquil to hellscape too suddenly. Staying here could be dangerous; not staying here would be losing him of precious data.
He was comtemplating on what to do. So fate made the decision for him.
*Rumble*
A loud crashed explode behind his back. A looming shadow shot upward, covering his whole body and more.
*Screeecccchhhh.*
Something had appeared behind him. Something living.
From the shape of the shadow, it was like a bean stalk had just risen from the ground like from the fairy tale of David versus the goliath.
Yoo Jinhyuk slowly turned around to see what it was, hoping to devise a way out of this hell.
But what came to his eyes was horror, despair, and terror.
A tentacle-like creature had come from the ground, as if it had just dug its way out from the underworld itself.
Its body trailed back like a giant serpent slithered in this ruined town. Countless eye-like crystals were spotted on the being's body.
And when Yoo Jinhyuk accidentally looked at one of them. The 'iris' inside the crystal moved in a perfect sync and 'Looked back' at him.
Somehow it had spotted Yoo Jinhyuk, someone who should have been invisible to any living being here.
"Yeah... nope. Time to dash."
Yoo Jinhyuk immediately tried to cut trigger his connection to the memory and escape the 'dungeon'. But to his horror, he found out that his connection had already been severed without his knowledge.
And yet he is still here. It only meant one thing.
He no longer has control over this space.
"SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT!!!"
Instinct took over and Yoo Jinhyuk dashed. His mind was scamble but his body still worked it miracle. He had to run now in hope of regenerate enough mana to forcefully expel himself back to 'reality'.
However, a cruel truth was waiting if he manage to survive until then.
A twisted fate will soon to be unfold... And a cruel reuion will come after.
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In the meantime. At another location outside.
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Inside a white paneled room with simple decorations, a tall, tanned man with white hair pondered for a moment before he called out to another man.
"Master of Humanity, I sensed another 'me' appeared in another space."
He was once the greatest Threat To Humanity. He who master it all.
"Huh?"
The other man exclaimed. That other man was Fujimaru Ritsuka. An innocent soul burdened by what shouldn't have been shouldered alone.
"Didn't you hear me, another me has descended. Someone has accidentally summoned me there."
"I get what you said. But aren't you here already? How is that even possible?"
"Idiot. Being like me, "HIM" and others can manifest ourselves into reality. You had seen that flower mage, haven't you?"
"Ah! Right... Merlin summoned himself once at Babylonia."
"Now you get it, you blockhead. But ultimately, I still nothing more than a copy from the throne, unlike that 'me'. HE is a full being, blood and flesh.
Though restricted by a contract, his pressure is still significant enough for me to sense."
"Wait... Doesn't that mean there's another Beast here? We have to tell Da Vinci change our destination, NOW."
"Worry not, Master of Humanity. He is far away from this planet.
Besides, you have that girl to protect you if anything goes wrong, anyway."
"I see. That's reassuring."
"You should focus on your target, Novum Chaldea. There is no time for distraction."
"You're right. I'm counting on you as well."
"Hmph... Our goals are merely intertwined. Do as you like."
As their journey continue to its final destination. But that is another story for another time.
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Back to Yoo Jinhyuk.
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Though his instinct gave him a good start, he didn't make it far.
He only had enough time to curse his luck before the tentacle-like being sprouted out and blocked his path.
"SHIT!!!"
Yoo Jinhyuk turned around instantly to find another way. But he crashed into something and fell backward.
"What the? What's blocking my..." He looked up to see what was in his way.
Only to see his doom in a human shape.
That standing 'Man' was about his height, but the looming air he gave off does not spell human.
Tanned skin, wearing black and white mage-like clothes tied with red ropes. He is the other anomaly in this 'world'.
"Interesting, Human's magecraft has grown to this point of creating even a past. Even I didn't realise until I found you, insect."
'??? He knew? That this is just a memory?'
Normally, a being in the past cannot gain consciousness in the present. That is the 'fourth wall' of memories.
However, there is one skill that can enable one to be conscious of oneself at any time and in any space.
INDEPENDENTMANIFESTATION.
Passively, it allow user to recognise their being of existence even if it was a replica or a fake memory. It has allowed that 'man' to become a real person.
Then, with that skill, they can manisfest themself without a need for a summoner.
So...
For the first time in history, someone in this world had indirectly summoned a SERVANT.
But that Servant had an original mission. To turn his world back to its starting point. And create a new one without the concept of 'Death'.
The 'Servant' was doing his bidding without a thought of doubt. That is until one of his met Yoo Jinhyuk.
Upon their meeting, he sensed a connection between Yoo Jinhyuk and this 'world', which had tipped him off about his state of being.
So he did what he would: catch the man responsible for him being here and get out of this plane.
The first step was done, the 'insect' is in his hand. Now he just had to leverage the 'insect' to escape this 'world'.
But first, something must be done.
"Damn human, you shall bear the consequences of treating me like a puppet in this plane.
Rejoice human. Only a few had seen me in this form as the king of the 72 demon god pillars...
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GOETIA."
There was nothing more to describe Yoo Jihyuk's fate, or his demise.
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Cube dorm.
Shiki P.o.v
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While resting on the bed, Shiki felt something was off. His nerve went into alarm as his mana picked up a powerful source
'What is this? The ley line is acting up. Also, what is this pressure I'm sensing? Its malice is not toward the planet but the people."
'However, it is suppressed and not harmful to the people, at least for now.'
'Still, something is approaching. I must be careful.'
"PAPA!!!"
A voice bursted Shiki's thought bubble.
"Huh? Yes dear, what is it?" He turned toward the voice.
"Look... It's the dress you and Mama Scáthach bought for me."
Evandel twirled around in her dress-skirt that they purchased way back when she was still a seed. It took a little while for Scáthach to resize the dress to fit Evandel. Still cute nonetheless.
"You look good in it, my little princess."
"Hehe. I'm Papa's little princess." She giggled.
"You sure are. Have you thanked your godmother yet?"
"Uhm. I said it to Mama Scáthach when she gave it to me."
Contrary to her legend, Scáthach is very gentle to Evandel. To her word: "With enough time, she will be a fine witch herself, but she is still too young for now".
So whenever Shiki goes out for groceries, Scáthach would take care of Evandel. To the point that Evandel would stick to Scáthach if Shiki weren't around.
"Good girl." Shiki stroked her little head.
"Hehehe... Papa praised me."
"Now C'mon, little princess. Let's go get some snacks." Shiki went to the fridge.
"Yayyyy."
Like a little duckling, Evandel followed him behind.
The small dorm made moving around the kitchen a little hard for two people. Fortunately, one of them is a kid.
The father and daughter duo managed to wiggle their way back to the table with some fruit slices to nibble on.
'I should really get a property around here. But I don't know any real estate agent... Wait, I do know a powerful person though.' Shiki thought.
Opening his smartwatch, Shiki tapped away. His contact list only has a few numbers. He isn't much of an outrovert. That's why he traveled alone.
Luckily, One of his acquaintace happen to be the daughter of a powerful family in Seoul.
Shiki: [Yeonha, you there?]
Yoo Yeonha: [ What do you need to buy, Mr Magician?]
Shiki: [Impressive, as expected. How did you know?]
Yoo Yeonha: [I took a guessed. There aren't many reasons for you to message me first. Someone also contacted me to buy something before.]
Shiki: [True... Anyway, you know any real estate agents?]
Yoo Yeonha: [You want to buy a house?]
Shiki: [Yes. So, you know anyone?]
Yoo Yeonha: [I'll see what I can do. Any price range? Requirement?]
Shiki: [ Big enough for two adults and one kid. Price is no problem. Close to Cube if possible]
Yoo Yeonha: [Got it. Give me a few days]
Shiki: [Okay.]
At another dorm.
Shiki: [Okay.]
Looking at her message, Yoo Yeonha's brain automatically went to work. She analysed the requirement sent to her. It was what she asked for.
'Two adults... That means the miss Scáthach is most likely the one who will move in.
But one kid? No idea who that is. His relative? Or her? Or could it even...'
Inside Yoo Yeonha head now is a rather non family-friendly context. A man, a woman, and a child finding a house to move in? It would fill a young girl's mind with enough fantasies to write a whole book about their story.
'No stop it Yeonha. He is still a cadet... But cadets are considered adult so it possible...
Argh.... What am I thinking? I better get to work. Mom should know better than me at this field.'
With little redness on her face, Yoo Yeonha began scrolling through her contact list and called her mother.
"Mom, do you have some time?"
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Monsday. Cube.
Shiki P.o.v
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A new week has arrived and the final is closing in. The exam create a difficult situation for me, specificly the practical exam.
From what I had heard, it will span for a whole week. Also, we will not take the test at Cube and will travel to somewhere.
I wasn't sad that I won't be able to see Evandel for a week. I can always talk to her via Scáthach. The two of us can set up magic mirrors to chat.
The only problem I had was staying away from them for too long. If anything happens, I won't be able to supply mana to Scáthach given the unknown distance and telepathy lag time between us.
Burning too many Command Seals would leave us vulnerable to future threats. That presence still came across my mind from time to time. I don't know if it was one or many. Therefore, I will take no chances.
I have to find a way for both of them to come with me to the exam venue.
I'll think about this later. For now, there is a competition I want to see.
As soon as class was over, many cadets started moving toward one destination, the shooting range.
I waited for most of the cadets to leave before heading there myself.
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—————At the shooting range—————
People had gathered here today because of a rumour, a duel. It started with just a slip of the tongue in our class. From there, things spread like wildfire.
From an outsider pointview, Veritas class, our class is the center of Cube. With the majority of top students in this class, any spark here would most likely travel all around Cube.
After finding myself a seat, I looked toward the standee. Two people were there, the stubborn idiot number one, who is easily triggered, Chae Nayon. And the stubborn idiot number two who initiated the duel, Kim Hajin.
"These two... Would it really kill them if they didn't bicker for a single day?" I sighed.
"It has become a routine for our class. I don't think they're gonna stop at all."
A voice greeted me from the side. I turned to see it was my real estate agent, Yoo Yeonha.
"Hey." I greeted her.
"Hello." She greeted back.
"So... How is the thing I asked going?"
"I found some places that suited your preferences. Are you free anytime soon?"
"After this, I have some time or we could do at the weekend."
"Weekend is fine."
"Which payment method do you prefer? Cash? Credit? Or something else?"
"Something else? What is this something else you're talking about?"
"You know... Item... Magic... Equipment."
"Huh? Are you serious?"
"Of course I am.... Hold on, they are about to begin. We'll message it later."
The archery contest began and Hajin had already missed the target. His second attempt was also a miss.
"That idiot..." I facepalmed.
"It's either he played around too much or he didn't even try to practice. Maybe a bit of both." I commented.
Yoo Yeonha looked at me for a while. She was about to say something but the contest continued, pulling her attention away.
Meanwhile, Chae Nayun hit her first two shots. The spectators broke into applause. Chae Nayun was an amazing archer. That's what everyone felt. The crowd began to praise Chae Nayun.
"Chae Nayun's posture is amazing."
"She's been doing it for a long time."
"Yeah, but still, how can it be so perfect?"
Kim Suho, Shin Jonghak, Yoo Yeonha, and Yi Yeonghan, who didn't know much about archery, naturally listened in on their explanations.
'It's only natural if that's the only thing you can do.' I remarked silently.
Despite the audience currently cheering against him, Kim Hajin persisted.
After 'throwing' his two lives, Hajin proceeded to hit every shot afterward. His posture improved as his timing was impeccable, immediately shooting right after Chae Nayun's arrow hit the target.
The target's distance slowly widens; each shot requires more and more accuracy.
At 550 meters, Hajin whisper somehting into Nayun's ear and...
*Whoosshh*
She barely hit the target.
Curiosity took over and I 'Reinforced' my ear to listen in. And I wasn't disappointed.
He was criticising Chae Nayun's decision to give up the sword. It dealt a heavy blow to her mind.
*Whooshh* Chae Nayun missed the first arrow, at 600 meters.
Objectively, Hajin's usage of verbal assault is allowed. Personally, I would say that he knows how to tick people off.
He provoked Chae Nayun again by calling her a scaredy cat. The mental warfare continued.
*Whooshh* Chae Nayun missed the second arrow, at the same distance.
At this rate, the contest would be over.... Eventually.
...
"But with a bow, you won't be able to kill a single Djinn, much less get revenge for your older brother."
After another criticism, Hajin put the nail in the coffin by mentioning her brother. Nayun released her final arrow. It flew straight into empty skies.
She lost.
Everyone was shocked, obviously.
There was no way they would expect Chae Nayun to lose to someone in the third digit rank.
Yes, they did see Hajin's extraordinary performance at the midterm. But they thought it was just a lucky stroke. One of his wins was a forfeit after all.
Silence washed over as people slowly left the shooting range. There were mumbles but it wasn't anything else beside the duel.
"Well, that's that. I'll be leaving. We'll check the places out in Saturday, okay?" I said.
"Yeah.... I'll be seeing you then." Yeonha replied.
I walked out just in time to hear Hajin quietly said: "Sorry... "
————[King Crimson]————
Time flew by as the usual livelyness was missing in class. There was no scene of Kim Hajin and Chae Nayun bickering which made everyone feel a little empty.
Despite their daily arguments, most thought that they weren't serious. But the contest had proven otherwise
Luckily, their relationship hasn't degraded as a Kim Hajin had said sorry to Nayun for instigating her. Only those who stayed late to comfort the girl knew, and they aren't the kind to gossip, or too prideful to do so.
Therefore, the scene of them saying hi to each other cause a confusion among the cadets.
"Didn't they just fight that other day?" They said.
Questions rose and yet no answer was given. Thing between them could only stayed as a mystery.
Enough of drama, Saturday's here. And I am for one not too excited for it.
Why? Well...
"Nooo... I want to play with Papa today."
Evandel is being a spoilsport today and she surely won't take no for an answer.
"No, Evandel. Papa and Mama Scáthach have work today. I'm sorry..."
Scáthach will be living with us as well so she insisted on coming along. I pray that the houses are up to her standard. God knew what would happen otherwise.
"Then take me with you. I promise I'll be a good girl. Take me."
Evandel used the puppy eyes technique. *Critical weak*
'Damn it. Who taught you this trick.'
But bringing her along is bound to have misunderstandings. She is uncannily similar to her mother.
But the cost of saying no is too great. I have to make some compromises.
"Fine... Fine, I'll take you with me for today. But I have a few conditions, okay?"
"Yayyyyy..."
Evadel ran around the house in joy, knowing that I agreed.
"What a parent I have become... *Sigh*".
'I'm so sorry, future me. I don't have the heart to refuse our daughter'
Don't worry, past me. I can't, either. She's too strong for us to handle.
This is only the beginning of parenthood. I prayed for my future path.
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