“Mister, Kaufman. Why do certain Dark beings have their rankings, while others don't?” William asks after looking more into the book.
“Someone could not update its content, or no one could assume the Rank,” Kaufman replies with great implications.
“Not assumed... So that could either be that no one killed such a monster, or no one survived to tell it. The general unassuming nature of some monsters is hard to pinpoint, with hard guesses of their rank or strength. They are incredibly varied, unlike the Walkers, who are just humans with some... extraordinary abilities.” Kaufman further explains.
William nods in understanding and goes further into the following books.
“This... is very complex... This System? It is like some sort of game? What sort of things it could do... are incredible fantastical. Unlike anything in human history.” William opens a beginner book regarding the aspects of the Rank 1 Walkers.
Research on this 6th floor is here since the start of the Emblems. Everything that has been uncovered ever since those times is high-value information that is very important. The research on the 6th floor has those elements. Be it from the Federation's own research, the Academy's, or the information that has been shared in the past.
“There are also very clear problems with all of this. One could not be ready with their respective System at the beginning. It is not an infinite path, because affinity exists. The strange source of the Emblems' fundamental origin, and their waves or matter inside. Named Acranite. A matter that holds a vast amount of energy, and corresponding effects with the affinity of the Walkers. It all sounds so fake and strange...”
“System, strange matter, and fighting monsters for what? I don't get this at all, but it is all here, in front of me.” William goes through the inner monologues while going through more books that follow his hands.
Hours follow. Kaufman remains silent, with occasional comments to William regarding some topics.
William completely forgot about the tablets around. Going from a book to book, to at least grasp the notions of information inside of them. One could get a few glimpses of the future from them to understand some meanings of the bigger picture. William trust that this is very important. This is not fictional, since everything within those books is real, even though he wishes it was not the reality.
Kaufman coughs to turn William's attention to himself.
“I suppose this is about everything. We are done here.”
“I want to keep studying this,” William says with determinations, which would not disappear.
“Stubborn kid. Take the goddamned card, but remember, don't follow or reach out to restricted knowledge outside of your scope. It would not end well if you know too damn much. Do you understand?” Kaufman, to William's surprise, tosses a card back to him.
“Where did he get it back? I don't remember giving him that card.” William ponders.
“T-thank you very much. I still have over 5 weeks to go. I won't waste this at all.” William grips the card that he catches with determination not one bit weaker.
“I meant it. Do follow my advice. The beginning is not that important, but at least, make sure to understand everything here... for the better of you.” Kaufman says while sounding rather apprehensive. So little that William could not notice it.
“I will do so.” William resolves his mind and goes back to the books.
Sighting, and frowning, Kaufman already gives up on giving him any pointers. He still had some left, but he would figure it out at one point by himself. The beginning of this path is usually lonelier than one would think.
Kaufman leaves the room that has to be opened with a card as well. Indicating William to let him go, he left. He could not give him more information, even if he wants. Seeing William so into the newfound knowledge. It slightly reminds him of his own past, but that one... differed from the current age.
William goes through many places and wonders in his mind. The Walkers, cursed lands in the world, Dark beings, and many descriptions of everything that one Walker would need. Only a beginner, but that has already been plentiful to William, who finds this interesting. Much more than the lower floors. He feels like he is uncovering the secrets of the world that are hidden underneath the shrouds of mysteries.
Not like it is something crazy helpful. After all, the knowledge and practice differ from being face to face with a Hellgar. William knows it. He experienced a few glances from the books.
Right. Not everything within those books is all good, but many familiar terms, photos, and sketches of the Dark being are familiar to his memories. William has seen a few hordes in his life. Sights that he would rather not see.
Kinds of monsters... A horror. Once, in the very last camp prior to the Roshwell, he has seen the approaching horde of the Dark being. At that time, humans shaped natural stone walls to make a defensive fortress in the mountains. Almost a hundred feet tall walls led to many defenses, with even bigger mountains that made a perfect hiding spot for thousands of people. It had a lack of ground and farms, but it was better than nothing.
Standing there, 12 or 13 years old, William's duties included the general surveillance on top of the walls. It was a boring way to make kids from orphanage works. Well... until the horde came and swept the camp walls. Walkers could help no one. Only a flee or a continuous play of a waiting game, that is the bunkers that are popular against the Dark beings. At least for the regular folks. One could only hope that the horde would not include a powerful Dark being capable of breaching the bunkers.
Sight from that time is hardly anything that William wants to see again. Unfortunately for him, he is a Walker, and such sights are more than normal. He has yet to comprehend the drastic, and ferocious System, that changes every Walker to a different level.
Both literary and mentally.
Outside of the room, Ellie watches as Kaufman leaves the room without William in a row.
Growing nervous, she approaches Kaufman, who is remaining in a wandering mind.
“Sir Kaufman. What about William?” she asks.
Turning his head around, Kaufman sees the naïve face of a girl. He knows her well.
“What is it? Do you fear I ate him inside?” Kaufman jokes around.
Ellie remains silent. Not knowing what to say to such words.
“Rest well, Ellie. You've got quite work for yourself. He could even like you, or not? I wonder that myself.” Kaufman chuckles while stroking his thin beard.
“SIR!” Ellie shouts with embarrassment and a flustered face. Not believing the words of the man before her, but as well... knowing the truth.
“It is good being young. Heheheh. Take the bait. He will catch it sooner or later.” He tells as he walks away.
Still flustered, Ellie stomps the ground in anger, but still respects the Kaufman... in her own ways.
“That old man... I swear...”
Time flows on, but unlike the 6th floor, devoid of people and Walkers alike, Kaufman has a sudden accompaniment of a visitor.
A cloaked figure is walking as both of them are descending the stair towards the 1st floor.
“Sir Kaufman?”
“Richards?”
Both assume each other while implying nothing with their words. They know each other, so making it more awkward is not so good.
“What are you doing here?” Kaufman asks as if the figure is not on his left. After all, he appeared in a flick of a moment.
“What do you think of that boy named William Gale?” Richards asks.
“Why is it a concern for you? Were you spying on me, or are you privy to something? The upcoming assessment of the examinations will happen soon”
“You know it all too well, sir Kaufman. I would do the same thing as you for your own place of importance.”
“I already gave this place to my daughter. I can do whatever I can do now.”
“You? I would not call you a jokester even at the gate of the death.”
“Really? I thought I could make people laugh. How sad and depressing.” Kaufman replies in a sarcastic tone.
“Anyway, your answer?” Richards insists.
“Well, he reached Rank 0 when he was 5 years old. I can guarantee the truth.”
“In all seriousness? How old is he?”
“He will turn 16 in a month according to the numbers I've got.”
“Over 10 years... That could be interesting.” Richards ponders, while the cover of the cloak doesn't show his face. One could understand that his words caries wonder, doubt, and curiosity.
“Why you ask? I doubt your job requires much about this.” Kaufman asks.
“They tasked me with potential recruits. Surname Gale piqued the interest of someone in the Assembly, so I ask to get more information from digging more into it.”
“Riiiichards... I am being seriouuuuusly askiiing you the true question.” Kaufman stops and gazes at the man named Richards, between the 4th and 3rd floor. Pronouncing his words in increasing syllables, one would get a sudden gist of his approaching emotion. Whether good or not, is hard to guess.
“Oh... I am half truthful, alright. Only half a truth. Not too much. Calm yourself.” Richards blurts out as the nervousness of Kaufman's tone which means danger, makes him rather nervous.
He knows this monster of a Walker very well. His legends are clear as anyone in the close rank as him.
“I am wondering why you showed up today. Against me... I am not fond of spying.” Kaufman keeps his gaze on the men before him.
“You are... correct. I should have told you that beforehand.”
“Why William then? Is it because of my involvement? Or is it Mi-Yung?”
“Mi-Yung... right, right? She is the source. She has some... connection with the person interested in the Assembly. Name' Gale is probably the cause, or it...”
“... it doesn't matter to me at all. I gave you something to work with, while I am not sure about the kid who is reading about the world of Walkers for the first time...” Kaufman says as he interrupts Richards's words.
“So it is true?” Richards asks.
“No idea, you dumb fox. The kid spent the last 10 years Outside. No one knew about him, until the recent issue of his age, that is ripe for taking.”
Richards ponders for a while, before giving his final answer, before disappearing as he appeared.
“I am thankful, sir Kaufman. I will contact you further in the future, so I am hoping for your cooperation.”
“Whatever,” Kaufman utters a single word that contains a whole monologue of how much crap he gives.
Only a blip is all it took for him to disappear. No undulation or anything was visible. Not like it needed to be, since there is no one apart from Kaufman, who knows the person named Richards and his abilities.
“Oh, boy... William will surely dislike those guys, so I am not worried about his choices, but still... I dislike where grown-ass adults are fighting over the kids. Unfortunately, it happens a few times a year, and it is the same every goddamned time.” Kaufman shakes his head in a helpless manner while taking off his cowboy hat. Massaging his temples, a comforting feeling goes through his eyes. A small thing that he likes to do, whether he is angry.
He likes his hat, because he found it decades ago, still intact, within some debris. He doesn't know its origin, but its quality remains the same. Although, some styling is needed every few years, so it would remain crisp to his style.
As a Walker, one has to make a certain impression. Especially the Walker of his caliber.
Shaking his still intact hairline, he soon feels better as he brushes his hair with his fingers. Sighting, he put his hat back, and goes through the rest of the day, as he expects.
On the 6th floor, William remains in the gore and fascinating stuff of the Walkers and Dark being alike. It is only the beginning aspect of this world, and his interconnecting knowledge from the Outside makes it more interesting.
What had he learned while growing up seeing the world Outside? A world in the middle of the Apocalypse, with dangers of the Dark beings. William can get to know everything much faster than a Walker that could live all his life in the Federation.
Of course, that includes the fact that the Federation is taking care of many young Walkers. Their importance for the future is way too big, and the directors, and leadership of this nation, know their reasonings quite well. Although, this reasoning is hidden by the veil of oblivion and secrecy that is not known by anyone but them.