Chapter 50: Captured.
After hours of walking, dusk fell. The last rays of sunset faded. Darkness shrouded the world. The group of five walked in the same direction as the merchants' carriages.
Aoto was not tired. His eyes glowed in the dark. He pulled up his hood to hide his ears.
"What are we going to explore in there?"
Takeshi shook his head.
"First, we need more money to maintain trips like this. We will go there and find a job."
"Second, we will travel everywhere and discover everything. Anything strange to us is new. How would I know exactly what we will discover?"
"Third, we don't just travel. We travel while finding ways to get stronger. To not be bullied. To protect everyone."
"Basically like that."
Aoto marveled. "Oh."
"I see. I decided to go with everyone. I will definitely protect you all. Don't worry."
Kazuka glanced over.
"Then shall we have a fight when we enter the city?"
Airi, walking ahead with Ayaka, immediately replied:
"We will rent a room. There is no open space for us to practice or anything."
Kazuka sighed in disappointment.
"So boring."
Airi: "If things go well, we will buy energy stones. Absorb them to make the energy gate and energy well larger."
Takeshi's eyes lit up with anticipation.
"Great!"
Airi: "Don't celebrate too soon. That is only an 'if'."
Takeshi immediately slumped in sadness. Aoto patted his back to encourage him but still smiled brightly.
Kazuka asked curiously.
"Hey Aoto, how big is your energy gate?"
Aoto put his finger to his chin. Eyes looked up. Thinking face.
"Probably about one-tenth of one energy unit."
Takeshi raised his head and sighed.
"Mine is a bit smaller than yours."
Kazuka laughed.
"My energy gate is more than half of one energy unit. But actually, using that much in one strike costs too much. It makes my body tired and drains energy. That is not good in combat."
"So I usually use one-tenth of one energy unit too."
Aoto nodded.
"Oh, you are quite smart in combat."
Airi turned her head back.
"Don't be delusional. He is an Elemental. His energy well is enormous. One-tenth of one energy unit might be equal to half the energy in your wells."
Takeshi and Kazuka gaped in surprise.
"Really?"
Aoto scratched his head and laughed.
"Actually, the Elemental race has energy equal to demons and angels. But you and I are still young. The gate and well will expand as we get stronger."
Airi: "Maybe you two forgot, but the old wolf said it before. One unit of my energy equals three units of Takeshi's."
Takeshi cried in sadness.
"In the group, am I the only one with the smallest gate and well?"
Ayaka smiled and turned back.
"I have little energy too."
Takeshi spoke with an annoyed voice.
"What do you mean 'little'? Shooting arrows with large energy continuously and you're fine. Yet you call it little."
Kazuka: "That's why we are trying to get stronger. Don't worry."
Airi: "Maybe you don't know, but Elementals have the greatest talent for energy. Therefore, when we only increase a little energy, he might already have a giant gate and well."
Busy talking, the group reached the city gate. They walked in. There were no guards at the gate, but four soldiers stood watch above. They saw the sun had set and turned to leave.
Ayaka looked around in confusion.
"Why are those merchants sleeping outside? They reached the city but didn't enter?"
Airi shook her head: "Who knows? Merchants are often weird."
Takeshi: "Maybe they don't want to waste money on an inn."
Walking deeper inside, before them was a large stone road. But it was strange. There were no glowing stones here. It was deserted. No one was outside.
This silence made the whole group stop simultaneously without a word. Eyes glanced around warily.
Kazuka: "What's happening? Why is it so quiet?"
Fortunately, although the sun had just set, the sparkling stars appeared. They shone down, helping the group observe more easily.
Ayaka: "Not a single soul. Where are they?"
Takeshi looked toward a house window. A bit of light leaked through the slit.
"They are inside. I see a sliver of light from a window."
Ayaka immediately drew her bow. She aimed the arrow at the ground. Ready to shoot if danger appeared.
"Is there some tradition here? It just turned dark."
Aoto: "Is that why those merchants slept outside?"
Airi: "Everyone stay alert. Who knows what might rush out?"
Kazuka looked at the ground. His shadow vibrated. Like swaying on water. His heart suddenly beat fast.
"Huh? Am I seeing things?"
He rubbed his eyes and opened them again. The shadow suddenly shrank as if pulled away. It left his sight. He followed that elongated shadow to a wall.
At this time, Takeshi also looked down. He widened his eyes.
"Where is Ayaka's shadow?"
Everyone looked down. Ayaka was startled. She widened her eyes. Her shadow stretched into a dark corner between two distant houses.
"Where is my shadow?"
Everyone's eyes were suspicious.
Takeshi: "Shadows again? I don't like shadows at all."
Now, Kazuka's voice trembled. His body shook. Eyes fixed on the wall.
"You... guys... shadow... my shadow."
Everyone turned and looked in the direction of Kazuka's shadow.
His shadow stretched and printed onto that wall. But it moved. It swayed. The shadow raised two hands. Its mouth laughed loud and wide. The eyes and that expression carried a sense of delight.
Everyone began to touch fear. Eyes wide. Panicked expressions.
Ayaka immediately raised her bow and pulled it tight. The arrowhead pointed at the shadow on the wall. She leaned down once more to observe her own shadow, then looked up again.
"My shadow is still being pulled away like Kazuka's."
Takeshi was very confused. But seeing Ayaka draw her bow, he blocked her with his hand.
"Wait. Don't act recklessly. We don't know what it is. What if it's a trap? We need to be careful."
Airi clenched her fists. Anxiety was clear on her face.
"What on earth is it?"
Takeshi: "Shadows? I hate them."
Airi bit her teeth in frustration.
"Why does our group always encounter trouble?"
From a house, the door creaked open. Inside was no light. But a dim figure of a person appeared. An old woman stood there watching.
"If you don't hurry to the inn, things won't be good."
Everyone noticed the voice and turned. But the old woman had closed the door.
Airi observed the surroundings with tension.
"Where is the inn?"
Suddenly she turned back. She was horrified. The entrance was gone. Her voice trembled.
"You... guys... the city entrance disappeared."
Everyone turned at once. Takeshi widened his eyes as if realizing something.
"What?... Not good. It seems when I asked for directions, they said the city gate was to the North. But we entered from the West."
Ayaka, Aoto, and Kazuka were extremely panicked. Throats choked up.
The shadow on the wall stepped out. It stood there looking at the group. A cold wind blew past. It increased the gloom.
Ayaka also stood watching. She suddenly realized her shadow had returned under her feet.
"Great! Guys, my shadow is back."
But no one cared about Ayaka. Their attention focused on the shadow standing before them.
Aoto's voice trembled:
"Hey... can we destroy it?"
Airi: "Don't hurry. What if the shadow is linked to Kazuka? That wouldn't be good."
Takeshi: "But standing here and being terrified like this, aren't we being passive?"
Aoto: "Airi is right. Let's stay like this for now. It hasn't attacked us yet. Let's observe."
Suddenly the shadow's eyes narrowed. Its mouth opened into a loud, wide smile. The whole group shuddered at that smile. But alertness remained extremely high.
Kazuka's hands shook violently. Stuttering voice. Sweat poured out more.
"It... it's smiling?"
The shadow under Ayaka's feet on the ground no longer matched her shape.
Ayaka was still focusing her attention on Kazuka's shadow in front. She didn't notice her feet. Instinctively, she looked down.
She widened her eyes in surprise.
"What?"
The shadow pounced on her. It enveloped her body.
"Aaa!"
Ayaka's scream barely escaped her mouth. The whole group turned. They only had time to widen their eyes in surprise. They didn't have time to act.
Ayaka immediately disappeared into thin air. Without any other movement.
The group was stunned. Airi and Aoto ran to where Ayaka had disappeared. They observed.
Airi panicked: "What the hell?"
Aoto with a worried look: "She disappeared before our eyes."
Takeshi: "How is it possible? She was clearly standing right there. Something enveloped her body and she vanished."
Kazuka didn't turn back. He was still stunned because his shadow was standing before him and laughing. Still keeping that smile. Its mouth moved as if trying to say something.
The sound echoed in Kazuka's mind, making him extremely confused.
"You will become my clone."
Takeshi didn't look away long. He immediately turned back to Kazuka's shadow. Alertness remained.
Suddenly, like Ayaka. The shadow rushed toward Kazuka extremely fast. No one could react. Kazuka too. It covered his body. Immediately, Kazuka disappeared before the group's eyes.
The three stood frozen. Eyes wide with shock. Expressions of disbelief.
Takeshi yelled: "Kazuka!"
He turned around in panic.
"You... guys see that? He just disappeared instantly."
Aoto and Airi stood behind. Both swallowed their saliva.
Airi: "We... we saw it."
Aoto: "How... how could they disappear right before us? Using teleportation stones or spells wouldn't be this fast."
Suddenly, a terrible headache struck the three. Like a sledgehammer hitting their heads. The three clutched their heads in pain. Teeth clenched. Pupils dilated. Grimacing expressions…
"Aaa!"
Airi and Takeshi collapsed on the ground clutching their heads in agony. Aoto still tried to stand. The terrible pain made him repeatedly punch his own head.
"Aaa!"
"What the hell?"
"My head hurts so much!"
"Aaaaa!"
The pain made the three drool from their mouths. Airi clutched her head and rolled on the ground in pain. Takeshi gripped a stone on the ground, crushing it to pieces. Aoto knelt on the ground, clutching his head.
Grimacing faces. Painful expressions. The cries of the three echoed in the silent space. Eyes narrowed in pain.
Then the three gradually closed their eyes. Bodies went limp. They fainted immediately after.
At this time, in the distance, in the night lit by the moon and stars, on the roof of a large three-story house. Two figures stood there. They watched Airi's group writhing in pain and then fainting.
Both wore black cloaks. In front was a man with a mask. On the left cheek of the mask was a distorted smiling face. The rest was just black. He had black hair. He looked quite young. The bright moonlight only allowed his sharp, cold eyes with a sinister black color to be seen.
Behind was a girl. She did not wear a mask. Delicate face. White skin stood out in the night. But her red eyes carried death. Short black hair. A sword with simple patterns hung at her hip.
A light breeze blew. It made the hair and cloaks flutter.
The man spoke. His voice showed he was quite young.
"This group is quite interesting, isn't it?"
The girl standing behind nodded respectfully. Very clear voice.
"Yes. A group with two individuals of different races."
"This plan is mainly for fun. But it's convenient to create 'it' too. If possible, help me do it early."
"Yes. Last time you also said: 'If it can be completed, it's fine. If not, it's also fine.' I think we should let them do it. We go elsewhere."
He nodded slightly. Eyes looked far away, where the three lay on the ground.
"Yeah. Let's do that."
The girl jumped down. The man was confused seeing that. He shouted:
"Hey! Help me down!"
Next morning. The sun was high. Light shone down on Kari city. Outside, people went to work. Noise echoed everywhere. The opposite of this place at night.
Aoto and Takeshi instinctively opened their eyes and sat up at the same time.
Aoto: "You guys...?"
Takeshi: "Kazuka... Ayaka!"
Both were lying on small beds in a room strange to them. Confusion was clear on their faces.
Takeshi: "Where is this?"
Aoto threw off his blanket. He rushed to the window. He looked out. People were busy walking, buying, and exchanging goods.
He pointed outside and turned to Takeshi.
"Hey Takeshi? Outside everyone is walking normally. Is this the city we arrived at?"
Takeshi stepped over and observed below. He seemed very surprised.
"It really is."
Aoto: "Where is this?"
Takeshi: "I just asked that."
CRASH!!!
The door was kicked open. It was Airi. She stepped in. Annoyed voice:
"Just woke up?"
Takeshi stepped up. Voice full of questions.
"Hey Airi? Where is this?"
Airi: "This is an inn."
As if knowing what Takeshi was about to say, she signaled him to stop. She stepped to the bed and sat down. Serious face.
"I asked a few people here. The phenomenon we met last night has happened for two years. They still don't know how to solve it."
"About Kazuka and Ayaka, they only said they were 'taken away'."
Takeshi moved close to Airi to ask clearly. He spoke loudly:
"What does that mean? Why taken away?"
Airi shook her head. She didn't know.
"I only know a noble once brought troops here to solve this. But it failed. No one has solved it since."
Takeshi moved closer to Airi and raised his voice.
"But there must be at least some clue! Things like this are clearly not good."
Airi spoke with an annoyed voice. Sharp eyes looked at Takeshi. She stood up abruptly. Takeshi, standing close, had to step back.
"I am trying! It's not like I can find it just by wanting to!"
Takeshi: "But..."
Takeshi wanted to say more. But Aoto patted his shoulder hard. It made him stop and turn.
Aoto smiled.
"Calm down. You are losing your cool."
Airi said nothing more and left the room.
Takeshi sat on the bed. A bit sad and worried. Aoto sat at the window and observed.
"Going with these people is quite interesting. Not long after stepping out, things happened. Unlike being inside the barrier, bored to death."
"Takeshi seems quite worried about those two. Seems they are close."
"I just met them, it's hard to comfort him."
"Airi is still gathering more information. I probably need to do something to help the group too. But what now?"
"At the moment, the thing to do is definitely rescue those two."
"Last night's event was truly messy. But someone definitely did it. And it has existed for two years."
"Now there are only two most reasonable deductions."
"First, someone set up a barrier and made this place like this. But no matter how sophisticated a barrier is, that noble surely had strong subordinates to detect it? Yet they didn't. I am an Elemental and I didn't detect it either."
"Then it's definitely the second one. Possibly under this city, someone placed something to cause this. This is the hypothesis I find most reasonable."
"Although there is another hypothesis: someone did something to our group and made everything turn out like that last night. But last night the group didn't contact anyone. Even when meeting the merchants' carriage, we didn't ask to go along."
"Or did they spread energy here beforehand? Impossible. My energy perception is good. Or am I overestimating myself?"
While thinking, he glanced at Takeshi. He seemed to be thinking a lot too.
"Hey, don't worry. Calm down."
Takeshi sighed.
"But I can't stop thinking."
"They are very close to you, right?"
Takeshi nodded.
"Yeah. Kazuka is the closest. Although I met Ayaka not long before meeting you. But since we are friends, I can't help but worry."
"I think you should go eat something to reduce the worry. Otherwise, you'll get tired easily. I'm going out for a bit."
Takeshi: "Huh?"
Aoto reached out his hand. The cloak blown by the wind reached his hand. He put it on and tumbled back out the window.
Takeshi tried to call after him.
"Hey, wait! Where are you going?"
Aoto walked on the street. He pulled his hood tight to hide his long ears. He walked while observing passersby and the surroundings.
"Everyone seems very normal. It seems last night the houses near our group knew and didn't care. Only one old woman in a house opened the door a crack to speak."
"This place is too strange to me. I don't even know the way. Don't know if I can find anything useful."
He turned back and looked at the large inn he just left to memorize it.
"Now I should find a sewer to crawl down and see what's underneath."
"But I wonder if that noble tried checking the sewers? Did only I think of this?"
"What if something is even deeper than the sewers?"
He widened his eyes at his own hypothesis.
"It makes sense. Then I need to find a sewer."
After walking for a while, he went outside the city and walked along the city wall.
"What kind of city has only tiny drainage holes? None are large. I wonder how people drain water if there's heavy rain. Truly confusing."
While walking, Aoto heard a fairly loud sound of flowing water. He ran far away from the city toward that sound.
A distance away from the city, it was a rugged place with many large and small rocks.
He stepped behind a large boulder. Before him was a small stream. He stepped closer. It was a water path flowing horizontally into this small stream. His eyes lit up.
"Here it is. Found it."
It was a large sewer pipe flowing into the small stream. He jumped down and landed in the sewer.
The sewer was quite large and dark. In the middle was a stream of water. He walked on the left edge of the sewer. His hand created a green energy ball. it lit up the dark space.
Moss covered the walls. Cobwebs hung everywhere. The water below had many leaves, debris, glass jars…
"Lucky this sewer doesn't smell much."
"Now think again. Assuming that noble checked even this sewer and found nothing, then something is definitely hidden under this, or behind these wall layers."
He brought the glowing hand near the mossy wall to look closely. And leaned down to the stone floor.
"I have a certain feeling that something is under here. Until now, my reasoning has been okay, hasn't it?"
"What if I discover it?"
He was stunned realizing this was a difficult problem.
"For example, if there are guards, it will be troublesome. If there are few, I can fight. But if many, definitely not. This sewer is so narrow, it's very hard to escape."
"Airi is gathering information. Takeshi seems quite depressed. I'll go alone. Just improvise. Must be very careful."
He reached a crossroad in the sewer. It made him stand still in confusion.
"Which way?"
"Behind is the entrance. Ahead is probably deeper. The two sides might also have bends going deeper. Let's just go straight."
His energy, like a wind, surrounded his body. It lifted him into the air. He flew over the flowing water. He continued walking.
"Finding it now is quite vague. But sitting idle is not good. So I think my decision is fine."
The energy in his hand reduced its brightness.
"Better reduce the brightness. Too bright and it will reveal my position."