Kumo POV:

“Um... Is this thing still working?”

Artifacts: proof that the Primordial Ones, a superior race, excelled at technology far beyond our current understanding. They used Ki in such versatile ways that it revolutionized the whole world. Even to this day, no one understands just how they did it, much like how the Forbidden Zones are still a mystery.

I fiddled around with the outward components before turning the artifact back on. I didn’t know what I was doing despite the numerous books I'd read on artifacts, but somehow I’d managed to get it to work again. I think it just felt sorry for me though.

“This is Kumo speaking~”

I sat down on a chair in front of a small box that stood on four extended legs. I did this whenever I wanted to spend some time alone or if the situation in District 4 was really bad.

“Kumo doesn’t know where to start and time is short, so Kumo will tell you quickly, okay?”

Ever since the District Leader found out about the damage the Senior Vices and Holder sustained from the battle in District 3, something changed or rather, everything changed.

Our District Leader stopped giving orders from above, refusing to show himself to the public while the atmosphere grew heavier and heavier in District 4 as time passed. He used to actively speak to the young and old, to members of the Organization and to the locals living in the District, but now, no one heard a word from him. He had locked himself away in his room, and hardly anyone was allowed to see him.

“However, Kumo was allowed to see him. Why? Because Kumo is a Vice Administrator!~”

It’s true. I used to work directly under Administrator Brunaulf, but that was only until recently, when he found out about the condition that Vice Denise was in.

I say recently, but to be more specific, it’s been two weeks since that happened. He doesn’t leave her side, nor does he respond to people when they talk to him—it’s like he’s stuck in a trance or something like that.

“In other words, Kumo is one of the people keeping this District running smoothly! It’s difficult, but Kumo can do it!”

If I don’t encourage myself in these uncertain times, I’d easily get depressed. The war between Enigma and the Royal Guards showed no sign of slowing down. As a result, the influx of people seeking refuge in District 4 continued to grow day by day.

I had reported that to the District Leader, who sat slumped against the tall chair, but there was no reaction. Whenever his unfocused gaze would rest in my direction after I finished reading a report, it made me feel scared and sad.

His hair had grown longer and became messy. His clothes still torn and bloody from the day he fled the hospital in desperation. The bags underneath his eyes grew darker every time I saw him. He had lost a lot of weight, and the sides of his cheek sunk inwards, emphasizing the skeletal structure underneath.

He was our Leader, yet he looked so broken. I often forgot that he was just a child, but there was something in those sad, ocean blue eyes that made me have hope.

“...Put them all... In one area... Have the Watchers... And some Vices... Surround the perimeter...”

“Y-yes, Leader!”

Once I had closed the door behind me and calmed down, I easily understood his intention.

“You see, Kumo is pretty smart, but so is the District Leader...”

What would you do if there was a constant influx of people rushing in from a district where you had suffered major losses? Most might force them away, but some would probably put them under surveillance, and that’s what he did.

The surveillance acted as both a way to protect the refugees and to keep them in check in case anything happened. It was a win-win situation, especially since there were many skilled workers among them.

“Battery Low.”

A white indicator flashed on top of the small box, followed by a monotone voice. I let out a sigh as I rested my hands on my cheek.

“Kumo knows... Kumo knows...”

What was going to happen in the future? Was the end fast approaching? Would the Leader lose his place, making things go back to the way they used to be? Thoughts swirled around in my head, but no answers came. I just knew that we couldn’t possibly take on District 1 like this.

My hands trembled as I turned off the artifact. I would need to charge it with my Ki for a few days before it’d turn on again. I didn’t want to go back to those lawless times when people were kidnapped and sold off, when drugs polluted the streets, and prostitutes went round knocking from door to door to find work.

I hated those days.

“I guess I should get back to work.”

I stepped outside and closed the door to my room. It was going to be another busy day.

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***

Holder POV:

I sat up in the bed and opened my eyes. I couldn’t see anything, of course, but it was already an ingrained habit.

“How are you feeling?”

A pleasant, flowery scent wafted into my nose as I felt two warm hands rest against mine. Her voice was like sweet honey that caused my heart to melt over and over again. I didn’t think I was that much of a romantic till I spent more time with Frida.

“I’m alright, but I feel bad since you’re always looking after me... I... Uh... do like it... Your company I mean...”

My cheeks flushed as my inexperience in talking with women showed. I hoped that I didn’t offend her. I just didn’t want her to feel tied down to looking after me. That’s all.

“You’re sweet, but you needn’t worry. I’m not going to disappear once you get better.”

She stroked my hand softly, and the corners of my mouth instantly rose. Frida saw right through me; I really couldn’t hide anything from her.

“Frida, how is Vice Lissandra doing?”

“When she’s not training the others, she stands outside Master Lyon's room. She is conflicted.”

'Conflicted? It wasn’t her fault at all. The Leader would have found out one way or another.'

I tilted my head to the side as I thought about it deeply.

“I believe it’s because she has been standing on the sidelines willingly, and that comes at a cost.”

I didn’t understand what Frida meant, but from the way people talked about Vice Lissandra, you’d sometimes think that she was far stronger than the Leader. I put aside those thoughts for now; there was nothing I could do in my current state either way.

For the past couple of weeks, my ability had refused to activate. I was caught off guard by this unexpected side effect, but I reasoned that it was most likely temporary. I didn’t have time to think much about it because something even stranger happened.

Whenever I opened my eyes, I began to see faint traces of Ki around me. The traces took on the form of small butterflies floating around idly at different locations, and the time it would take for them to disappear varied. Sometimes it took a few seconds, other times, a few hours.

There was a time when they gathered around Frida, forming a shining outline of her body. I had spoken to her about this phenomenon as soon as it happened, but she wasn’t sure what was going on. Frida did theorize that my Ki could be trying to compensate for my loss of sight, but that would mean that...

I am permanently blind.

'I wonder if there’s anyone I can ask here about this...’

“Frida, why don’t you try and talk with the Leader?”

I decided to get back to the main topic at hand. The Leader's health was deteriorating rapidly—he needed help.

“...I have told Master Lyon everything he needs to hear already.”

There was a hint of sadness in her voice as her soft fingers interlocked tightly with mine. If Frida said so, then there was nothing more to be said about it.

“Focus on your recovery, Holder.”

“I will.”

I nodded and rested my head back against the pillow, unable to stop the blood rushing to my cheeks from her touch. I watched the green and blue butterflies dance around in circles before vanishing into the void.

***

Jess POV:

I gazed down at the streets below as I pulled my knees into my chest. It had been so busy lately with people from District 3 desperately trying to cross the border. It was my job to make sure there weren’t any hidden schemes going on. Why? It’s because I am a Watcher.

“Ahhh! Jess, look. I was speaking with Tessa, and then I brought up how I hang out with you, and guess what? She totally blew me off! Gave me the cold shoulder and everything...”

He slumped down a few meters away from me and let out a deep sigh. Honestly, it was irritating how Miles constantly felt the need to talk to me about his girl problems. Always asking me for advice and my opinion—I hated it.

“Miles, I have no interest in your love life.”

He raised an eyebrow as his brown eyes sparkled.

“Ohhh~ You’re jealous, huh? Don’t worry. You’ve always been number one in my heart!”

I rolled my eyes while I gazed at him. We had been working together for months now, and we got on surprisingly well—too well.

“You know you’re smiling right now while staring at me.”

“Huh?”

My eyes dropped down as I belatedly noticed the corners of my lips curved upwards into a stupid smile.

'Ugh... Don’t know why this happens.’

I fixed my expression quickly, turning my head away in the process. First, he complains to me about other girls, then he tries to make me feel better.

So annoying.

“I think... I’m noticing a pattern here. Whenever I talk to other girls and you get brought up, they always look at me like a weirdo. It’s strange really. Why is your rep so bad?”

He sat cross-legged while he placed a hand to his chin. I don’t know why Miles felt like his sudden realization of such an obvious fact was worth thinking about so deeply.

“Do people always need a reason to dislike others? I don’t like being around other people. I like fulfilling my duty to the Organization, and that does not entail being buddy-buddy with everyone.”

“Um... Jess, the District Leader said we’re a community so... Isn’t not trying to build those connections with other people kinda going against what he wants?”

I clicked my tongue and glared at him.

“Fine. Sure. I never said I hated them. My connection with them is strictly as acquaintances. That's only if they’d be so kind enough to call me that.”

He stared at me quietly. My eyebrows quivered slightly, and I broke eye contact as I looked away. I didn’t like getting close to people, but here I was, having a conversation with him again. I had lost track of how many times we spoke; he just somehow made me lower my guard. I didn’t understand why and I definitely didn’t like it.

“Jess, when’s your next day off work?”

“...What are you talking about Miles? Can’t you see the droves of people trying to get into our District? We have a duty that needs to be carried out. I don’t need, and I don’t want any days off!”

I got to my feet and folded my arms. It was ridiculous that he would even ask me such a thing in this situation. Everyone’s been on edge, especially since the District Leader has isolated himself away from everyone else.

Miles wasn’t fazed by my words, instead, he rested his cheek in the palm of his hand while leaning forward. His hair: a bundle of tight curls that formed a flat top.

“Jess, you need to learn to relax. All of that accumulated stress will end up dulling your judgement and your reflexes.”

“I am fine.”

“Really?”

“!”

His voice came from beside me, but I had failed to notice him move even though I had been looking at him the whole time. We were similar in terms of abilities too, so this made even less sense to me. Am I really that stressed?

“Truthfully, I don’t like how they talk about you. I don’t like how they judge you either. But do you know what I do like?”

He put his hands in his pockets as the moonlight shone over the two of us. My heartbeat quickened for some strange reason, and I immediately placed my hand over it to see if there was anything wrong, but there were no abnormalities.

“...What?”

I didn’t care about his answer, but my mouth moved despite my insistence on staying quiet.

“The scenery. This District. The people here. It’s amazing what change can do, right?”

It was like someone dumped ice-cold water all over me. My heartbeat returned to normal, and I felt incredibly irritated. I watched him grin as he looked at me while I sighed inwardly.

“...Right. You’re right.”

My thin lips rose slightly as I stood next to him. The sounds of people screaming and shouting could be heard near the border once more.

“Well then. Shall we get going, Jess?”