Grinning at Eiden, Cerlon's eyes glow red as the air around them turns cold, emanating an eerie feeling of death. "Since you already awakened your power," as his finger stretched, palm facing toward Eiden, "Why don't we test it right here?"
Suddenly, Cerlon pounced forward as his first star shone, his body engulfed with shadow while he darted forward, CLANG! The shadow claw clashed against the silver-coated sword.
Cerlon released a flurry of attacks as the second point of light shone. Faced with such pressure, Eiden pushed back against the overwhelming blows.
Eiden noticed the First and Third point shone behind Cerlon's back; his joints felt heavy, before his body turned completely frozen in place.
He pulled out his revolver as the power left his body, BANG–BANG–BANG–BANG, four bullets flying into a figure resembling a ferocious dark wolf.
Three out of four bullets landed on the wolf's body as it flattened upon contact, as one missed and made its way into the wall.
A shadow claw approached, and in a blink, it landed on his neck.
Eiden's figure shattered into glass, as Mirror Fragment symbols behind his back glowed, the silver bullet embedded into the wall shone.
Eiden's blurry figure emerging behind Cerlon
The first innate ability: Mirror Traveler
The man's tight muscle swells, before launching himself forward, SHRRK landing a violent slash upon Cerlon's left arm.
"Is his flesh made of iron?" his voice wavered, his nosebridge wrinkled as his eyes wandered on Cerlon's bare left arm.
He retreated, his elbow pointed towards Cerlon, before he spun his sword beside his head towards Cerlon.
The shadow and silver danced, sending sparks with each collision.
Cerlon's eyes widened, muttered, "Sonas mercenary Swordmanship Principle."
It's his second innate ability, Mask.
Capable of copying abilities based on the level of understanding.
Cerlon swept his claw in a brutal arc. The air itself screamed as the force cleaved outward, crushing everything that came too close.
Eiden slid back, boots grinding against stone.
"Tch—no opening." his jaw is tightening. "Is this even a test now?"
Behind Cerlon, the first star pulsed.
A wolf-shaped sigil unfolded beneath it.
From Cerlon's shadow, darkness peeled away—one shape, then many. Black wolves emerged soundlessly, their forms half-solid, half-ink, eyes fixed on Eiden as they charged in unison.
"This madman doesn't know when to stop," Eiden muttered.
His left arm snapped up.
Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang.
Six shots in perfect rhythm. One wolf dissolved mid-leap, another collapsed as Eiden reloaded without looking, breath steady, eyes sharp.
They're fast—but predictable.
He tore through another—
—then the rest slammed into him.
The pack crashed forward, forcing him back. Fabric ripped as claws scraped across his coat. Eiden twisted away, barely keeping his footing.
"Tch—!"
No time.
He jumped.
Spinning midair, his body gracefully spun, resembling an acrobatic—
Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang.
Six bullets streaked toward Cerlon, each shot placed with surgical precision.
They hit.
And flattened, before making their way into the floor.
Eiden landed smoothly on the hard ground, breaking the impact, eyes narrowing.
"…Didn't even flinch?"
Not a scratch.
Then he noticed it.
The wolves—fading. One by one, dissolving back into shadow.
A transfer-type summon….
He surged forward.
Steel met shadow. Blades and claws clashed in rapid succession, sparks and pressure bursting with every exchange. Cerlon didn't retreat. He welcomed it.
Then—
The second star ignited.
Another wolf sigil bloomed.
"Awooooo—"
The howl tore through the field. Eiden staggered.
"What—?"
His vision blurred. Balance slipped away as something invisible wrapped around his chest, squeezing inward. His heartbeat stuttered.
Sound-based? No—mental interference…!
Pain lanced through him—not physical, but deep, invasive.
"Guh—!"
As he tried to dodge, his body fractured.
Glass-like reflections shattered outward as his form broke apart, reforming on the far side of the field. He stumbled, one hand pressed to his side, breath uneven.
psyuu—psyuu—
He fired again, shots cutting clean through the air—
—but the first star glowed red.
Cerlon charged.
Darkness surged around his body, swallowing the bullets before they reached him.
"Tch—!"
Eiden's eyes widened.
The third star burned to life.
The world dropped.
An overwhelming weight crushed down on him. His limbs stiffened, muscles refusing to obey. Thoughts slowed, dragged under something vast and suffocating.
This pressure—intimidation? No… It's worse.
His knees trembled.
Move.
Move—!
His body stopped listening.
Then—
It moved anyway.
Not by will.
Not by instinct.
But, like he was possessed!.
His arm rose on its own. The revolver roared as every remaining round discharged in a single breath. Six bullets flew—only to halt inches from Cerlon's approaching silhouette, frozen in the darkness.
Eiden's eyes pried wide in confusion.
"Since when—"
The madman struck immediately.
Eiden was thrown back, skidding across the stone until he came to a stop, breath torn from his lungs.
Silence fell.
Cerlon straightened slowly. His brow furrowed, eyes narrowing as he studied Eiden with something new—something sharp.
"…Third mask?" he muttered.
He exhaled through his nose, fingers flexing as the pressure receded.
"What a terrifying ability," he said quietly.
"Perfect absorption never means there is no price to pay."
His gaze locked onto Eiden.
"The fragment is absorbed, so on everything that came along with it."
He walked towards Eiden, who was panting, half-breathed.
"This power was never meant to be taken carelessly, since there is no such thing as power without a price."
Straightening his arm as his palm opened in front of Eiden.
Before he helped him stand up.
On the second floor railing, there Connor learning at the railing, "This recruit—,"
His jaw tense, while furrowing his brow, "perhaps had a pure heart behind that cold, reckless demeanor."
He turned before his figure disappeared into a dark hallway.
"Mad Shard." Connor's lips curled as he glanced at Eiden. "Every person in the Interpreter ranks has their own codename," he explained. "It makes communication easier without revealing our true identities."
The two of them walked out of the training ground.
"That's enough for today. You can take your leave," Connor said, before suddenly halting. "Ah—the infirmary is that way." His eyes slid toward the limping Eiden as the silence turned awkward.
Eiden bowed before parting ways with him, then left the HQ and took a horse carriage home.
He leaned against the carriage wall and opened his pocket watch. His eyes narrowed faintly as it lingered with doubt—a black-haired woman, her gaze alluring, her beauty striking.
"Why did you leave me…" his voice trembled, followed by a hint of grief.
"I'm getting closer to finding you."
CLAP
He snapped it shut.
"Those swordsmanship, acrobatic movement, and the quick draw," he furrowed his brow. "I've never learnt that."
His voice filled with unease.
Turning his head, he stared out the window at streets washed in dim lamplight. Reflections passed over his face like fading memories.
—
Inside Team Eight's office, Connor leaned back in his chair as they discussed the recruit.
"So," he set the document aside, "what are your thoughts after facing him?"
Cerlon rolled up his sleeves, revealing his wound. He glanced at it briefly.
"This recruit's adaptability and shooting skills are exceptional. Though lacking in close combat, he's very capable."
"His instinct is rare among his peers," Connor hummed with faint amusement. "After a month of training, he'll be handling Interpreter cases." He raised his cup and took a sip of coffee.
"Until then, assign him to regular night patrol."
"As you wish." Cerlon nodded once before taking his leave.
Connor slicked back his hair and let out a heavy sigh.
"Please don't die again this time…"
His shoulders sank.
"The superiors are already questioning me."
His voice trembled slightly.
Before raising his hand, he drew a sword-shaped symbol facing upward across his face with two fingers.
"May His Might be with you."