September 26, 20XX. The number of people suffering from Lifeless Syndrome began to increase. Because the cause was still unknown, some people believed the disease was a curse.
Consequently, many people began to profit from this, selling amulets that claimed to ward off the syndrome and offering various strange therapies to try to save victims. The group reported to be the most active in offering "healing and preventative therapies" for Lifeless Syndrome was Lumina.
Before the Lifeless Syndrome outbreak began to spread in Himinn Stigi, Lumina was a religious organization. Lumina had a large following and its own place of worship. Anyone wishing to convert to the religion had to be recognized by the Lumina leader, known as Laterna. However, some people, or even Lumina adherents, still considered the Lumina religion merely a local tradition, as it had existed since the founding of Himinn Stigi.
After the Lifeless Syndrome outbreak, much of the community became paranoid and began to take the Lumina religion seriously. On the other hand, Lumina produces and sells several amulets that are said to soothe the hearts of its followers. Although these amulets are expensive, people insist on buying them. As a result, the Lumina organization continues to grow.
Neopjevan School, one of the most famous schools in Himinn Stigi, is a target market for Lumina's amulets. Lumina chose this school because many students have fallen victim to the lifeless syndrome. As a student at Neopjevan School, Niezalezny was disturbed by the behavior of the Lumina organization.
"Danger had filled the city of Himinn Stigi! No one can say for sure who the next victim of the lifeless syndrome will be! But it's not too late to repent! Buy our amulets! Our god, Svetloba, will help you all!" shouted a man wearing a large white robe with a symbol resembling a red triangle on it. The man offered the amulets around the school as students approached. The amulets were small leather pouches the size of business cards with the word "Svetloba" written in large letters in the center. It was unclear what was inside the pouch. Some students bought them, looked at them, and wondered about the effects of each amulet. Nieza simply stared at them in amazement.
Arriving in Nieza's classroom, 3-D, she was greeted again by her classmates, especially the boys.
"Nieza! You were at the hospital yesterday, right? What happened?" asked one of the boys worriedly.
"Yes, Nieza. We're worried about you!"
"If there's anything wrong, you can tell us, Nieza," said one of the girls.
These caring and beautiful words were something Nieza usually heard when she had to visit the hospital for her routine checkups. For some reason, Nieza couldn't feel the sincerity in them.
"...thank you, guys. I just had a routine checkup, and the results were normal. No problem. Hehehe," Nieza said with a weak smile.
"Oh, thank goodness! Then Nieza, wear this amulet! Lately, the danger of lifeless syndrome has been spreading around this school," said the young man with messy black hair, offering the amulet on a necklace.
"No, Nieza! Just wear mine! My amulet is of a higher level than his cheap amulet!" said another young man hastily, offering a necklace that looked even better, adorned with beautifully carved stones.
Nieza couldn't help but wonder how much money they'd spent on such a ridiculous item.
"Erh... guys... thank you for your concern, but I already have my own amulet," Nieza said, smiling and walking away from them to her desk.
At the same time, a tall, thin man entered Class 3-D. He was wearing a white shirt and a dark blue sweater and carrying a thick book with Himinn Stigi culture written on it. This man was the Chemistry teacher for Class 3-D, Forta.
"Class has started, class. Come take your seats."
All the students in class 3-D immediately took their seats.
As Nieza sat at her desk, her attention was drawn to the empty table in front of her. She recalled fond memories of her friend, who was always enthusiastic and cheerful. The one who accepted Nieza as Nieza wasn't someone to be given special attention. She remembered the harsh reality: that her friend was currently hospitalized as a victim of lifeless syndrome.
Vesely, forgive your friend. Nieza said to herself painfully. The image of the young woman with short, shoulder-length hair still echoed in Nieza's mind.
*
The lunch bell rang. Nieza stretched her arms, welcoming the arrival of recess. Nieza usually left the classroom early during recess. She did this to avoid being invited by her friends to eat lunch together. Especially her male classmate.
As Nieza opened the classroom door to leave, she saw a man in a fur jacket. His black hair was disheveled, and his gaze was fixed on a small wooden sign outside that read "3-D." It was Kira Rainhard.
"...you?!"
"This is 3-D class...oh, Nieza? The timing is perfect, huh?" Kira said, smiling.
"What are you doing here? At my school?"
"I wanted to see you...what else?"
"Didn't I already say our goals are different? What else do you want?" Nieza said, annoyed.
"No. Our goals are still the same. I have something to discuss. It's about Code: Doomsday in the area around Neopjevan School."
"But-"
"Hey, what business do you have with Nieza?!" shouted one of the boys in class 3-D.
Several boys and girls in class 3-D walked up to Kira and Nieza. Their gazes were cold and annoyed as they looked at Kira.
"Um, guys...it's not what you think..." Nieza said, trying to calm the suddenly rising tension in her class during lunch break.
"Don't bother Nieza! She's our friend!"
"I'm not bothering her. I just wanted to invite Nieza to lunch and chat. Just the two of us, of course," Kira said casually.
"You speak as if you don't know Nieza's condition! She has an illness that makes her physically weak! You should know your place!"
Nieza remained silent when her friend said this. For some reason, she always felt annoyed when someone said something like that.
"Well...what should I do? I need Nieza by my side right now," Kira said innocently.
Suddenly, the entire class of 3-D was shocked when Kira said that. Most of the female students in class 3-D screamed with joy upon hearing Kira's last sentence. Nieza, who heard this, suddenly felt awkward. Her face turned red. Nieza quickly grabbed Kira's hand and went to the rooftop of Neopjevan School.
*
The blue sky that afternoon was clearly visible from the rooftop of Neopjevan School. Nieza, who had managed to carry Kira to the rooftop, looked exhausted.
"I can't believe… *COUGH!* *COUGH!*….what you did *COUGH!*…earlier."
Nieza's words were interrupted by a coughing fit as she held her chest.
"You pulled me too hard. Sit down and rest," Kira said, sitting on the only chair on the rooftop.
Nieza sat down and took a deep breath. She took a few capsules from her school blazer pocket and swallowed them.
"Regular medication, huh?" Kira asked.
"That's it… sorry, after I take my medicine I have to eat first, so—"
"Want some of my food? I made two on purpose. Wouldn't this allow us to chat?" Kira said, offering Nieza her homemade cheeseburger with a smile.
"…you seem to have planned all this."
"Yep, that's it."
*
"I'm surprised. A scamp like you can make such a delicious hamburger…" Nieza said coldly.
"Are you complimenting me or teasing me?"
"Both. So, what do you want to talk about?"
"About the victims suffering from lifeless syndrome around Neopjeva School. Are you investigating that too…?"
"Is that interfering with your business…?"
"No. This is also related to my main goal."
"That's a lie. If you want to save your mother, you should be more focused on finding the clan leader connected to the robbery that occurred at the Malaya Bank yesterday!"
"I've investigated with Aigis's help. According to her, there were two robberies at two different banks besides the one at the Malaya Bank two days ago."
"What?! "
"Those two banks were Independent Bank and Citi Bank. The results were horrific. Everyone in the bank at the time was affected by lifeless syndrome, and all the cash in the bank was looted."
"…how cruel," Nieza said irritably.
"You know what I mean, Nieza? I can't stop them all alone. I can only solve this chaos if I find and kill the clan leader. With your help, of course. I need you, Nieza."
"Oh? So you think that by helping me solve this problem, you think I'll become your ally and help you achieve your personal goals? You're selfish! Don't be naive in front of me!"
"Well...at least your statement answered my first question. Of course I trust Nieza. I remember during the battle at Bank Malaya, when you were willing to help me while I was healing you."
"I-It was just a coincidence! I was just carried away at the time!"
"Even though your words were sharp, I'm sure Nieza is a good person who won't forget a debt of gratitude to anyone."
"W-What the hell?! Saying such naive things in front of me! I don't like it when people my age say things like that!" Nieza said hurriedly, her face flushed.
"I'm 21 years old. Does that mean you like what I said earlier?"
"You?! 21 years old?! And you still say that? Aghhhh! Why do I always act like this only in front of you?! "
" Maybe it's because you trust me too. Hehehe," Kira said with a grin.
" Don't grin like an idiot!"
" For now, I'll help you solve your problem regarding Code: Doomsday. I promise to stay with you until it's over," Kira said seriously.
" W-why…"
" ...?"
" Why are you bothering yourself with other people's problems…?"
" Because I need you to save my mother."
Nieza fell silent. Her face flushed.
"…do you have a fever? Your face is red. Let me check…" Kira said, approaching Nieza's reddened face while examining her face.
" D-don't look at me!" Nieza said, turning her head away.
" Oh, sorry. Erh…if you're sick, maybe we can talk about this some other-"
" …your promise," Nieza interrupted.
"…yes?"
" I remember your promise. "If you break your promise, I'll be the first to kill you in Konets Sveta. Keep that in mind!" Nieza said, staring back at Kira sharply. But it didn't last long. Nieza's face turned red again, and she turned away again.
"Thank you, Nieza. Alright, then we can begin this investigation now. Aigis! You can come now!"