“There is nobody better to accomplish our objectives than Catalyst and her team. She dissected entire dragons, essences of lost gods, primordial creatures, almost everything within the [Bestiary]—”
“I have reservations concerning your…” Seraph pressed her lips together. “...safety regarding the research into Fragment Carn. Since we’re going off of Conqueror’s Fragment theory, we have to assume that anything relating to the cosmos is possibly toxic for mortals. In other words, us.”
“Which is why we will practice the necessary precautions,” answered the Righteous Jin Tiehan, “according to the Global Guards’s protocols and whatnot, of course. Assigning this task to the Martials make the most sense rationally. Of the Big Four, we have the most experience in this field. We dedicate billions, trillions of standards into alchemical research and production; we rival specializing pharmaceutical corporations. Well, we are superior to those criminals but that is subjective opinion.
“But I digress. Catalyst is one of the longest-standing Journeys in the history of our guild and her team is hand-picked—you know how strict she can be. Of all the guilds, ours is best, simply put.”
Jin Tiehan was, unfortunately, correct. The Martials did have the expertise required to tackle such a project; Catalyst, although sour and intense at best, was considered to be one of the top alchemists globally. And it’d be functinoally best to consolidate all tasks in one guild: the first being intelligence extraction from Carn’s brain using mentalists, and the second researching his body itself.
But this was Jin Tiehan. He had ulterior motives.
It’d be illogical to persist in transferring the project to Angels or another guild, lest she wanted to annoy him. However…
Seraph followed, “Speaking as the leading Slayer in Ordo’s defense, this is uncharted territory. I’ll have Rector send one of my alchemical teams and whatever else to your facilities, plus Royals and Glory if I’m able. We need all hands on deck here.”
“Your enthusiasm is as expected from you, but that is too many hands on a single, delicate body. At that point, four different teams will cause the research to come to a halt and be largely ineffective. And despite our place in an, err, apocalypse, we will be hosting the artisans of rivaling guilds in our own workshops and labs. There will be fears of guild espionage. My people would not accept it. Not three outside teams or even two.”
“But one?”
“A fifty-fifty chance, I’d say. Conflict, however? That is guaranteed. So I continue to insist that this project will be handled solely by Martials within Martials ground to provide effective results quickly for the benefit of your Slayers. Otherwise we may not give you accurate intelligence you desperately require in a timely fashion.”
And so he looped back around to his initial demands. This argument reminded Seraph of her conflicts with the Global Guards—God, she was becoming like them. They always wanted to know more about the inner workings of Angels, wanting more involvement, subtly threatening investigations and forcing them to partake in tedious amounts of paperwork and surprise inspections.
But that was a tangent. Jin Tiehan argued this: any form of third-party oversight would inevitably make the research process slow and results lackluster. It was in her benefit to give complete freedom to the Martials.
On the surface level.
This was not her first conversation with the Perfected Conqueror nor was she ignorant to the rumors surrounding him and the inner workings of Martials Guild.
Jin Tiehan was subtly threatening her by intentionally prolonging the research if she didn’t comply with his demands.
She couldn’t accuse him of this, nor could she accuse him of using Carn for personal means. While she couldn’t pinpoint the exact crime, it was certainly unethical and downright begging an apocalypse at worst. Accusing him would mean worsening their relationship, potentially jeopardizing future operations and further unseen consequences after the Disaster's climax.
Jin Tiehan had no need for emotions or selfless ideals. She couldn’t appeal to his sense of duty as a Slayer, of camaraderie as fellow high-rankers, working for humanity’s safe future—unless they were in a public square where he’d be forced to keep such pretenses. Of course, they weren't as this was a private discussion.
He simply will not give up his position through fancy and considerate words.
Not when Catalyst already had Carn in her possession. From the beginning, Seraph was in a losing position. If she could salvage an ounce of control then that would be a monumental success.
Although she could counter using her absolute authority, that had untold consequences similar to making that unfounded accusation. This required a gentle, nuanced touch.
The best counterplay for Jin Tiehan in a private setting would be…
“I’m still concerned about your safety; I have no doubt that your people have memorized the protocols from A to Z. But this is a cosmic entity we are referring to. Not a dragon or a fallen god, but something we do not understand for the life of us. I need observers there. I need people to reassure me that you and your people will be safe.
“No matter how confident you are, you cannot be lax.”
In other words, she was going to send observers anyway in a show of power. That was how you dealt with him. Jin Tiehan had the choice of making things difficult and refusing them access, or allowing them inside his facilities for close observation. The former opened a list of options (using brute force, suspecting probable cause of foul play, et cetera), and the latter tied both their hands a little.
“Ah.” Jin Tiehan chuckled after hearing her words. “I am beginning to think that I am untrustworthy in your eyes.” Of course, your father has taught you dominance over kinship. “I joke. I assume that your ‘observers’ won’t be members of your own guild or any of the others? To prevent any possible…wrongdoing during a time of crisis.”
Your taunting won’t work. I’m well aware that you have other plans for Fragment Carn. “Of course, I'll send you a list of available personnel for us to decide on.” Who will be in guilds and organizations affiliated with Angels. And Royals, once I gain permission from Monarch. She has always been wary of you. “I have to compliment you and Catalyst for handling the start of the investigation without any hiccups.” It’s not a coincidence that Catalyst happened to appear immediately when Carn was uncontested, and when my people are confused and aimless.
Jin Tiehan nodded, having accepted this proposal. “There is no need for compliments. We are doing our jobs. And speaking of, I have some people in mind as well. Are we settled?
Seraph didn’t like the outcome but this was the best she could do. “Yes.”
Jin Tiehan smiled, and Seraph recognized the disdain within his cutting white teeth. “Good.”
~~~
[How was the meeting?] asked Blackviper in Mandarin. They were walking on the sidewalks of Raksha Avenue, undisturbed by the action present.
Her superior’s expression was flat. Like he was staring at disgusting rats scurrying across the pavement. [We’ll have ‘third-party’ observers where we each pluck one. It isn't the best outcome but it was for her. A small impediment that we will work around. A trivial matter, she won’t find what she needs.]
[What about Alma and Shinzo?]
Blackviper was aware of Jin Tiehan’s scheme from the beginning. Alma had obviously been burned but Shinzo was catching on if she hadn’t already. She had told the Baptists about the cognitive hazard, which implied that she deduced its true nature. Shinzo was a good, honest woman dedicated to her work.
Too good for Martials.
She should’ve stayed in Japan and remained a shrine maiden.
[Alma has a fragile mind, but Shinzo has a good doctor’s selflessness. She will be more reactive—defiant. I suspect she already knows of my plans and takes its success as Alma’s submission.]
[Not yet, though. Shinzo and the Baptists unintentionally rescued him from his own dark thoughts.]
[Yes. What a fortunate thing to have happen.]
Blackviper recognized his expression and for a moment she was back in her old world working for that bastard in the Lei Group. Taking hit after hit: rivals that pushed too far, old friends forgetting their place, journalists snooping where they shouldn't be, anyone who didn't keep their eyes to themselves. These threats had turned into nuisances, and each consecutive order meant less and less.
It was easy to forget the value of a human life when you were at the top. It was easy to forget when life itself had little meaning.
[We’re not killing Shinzo,] Blackviper told him, adamant.
Jin Tiehan’s flat expression faded and he turned to her somewhat shocked. [I was not thinking that—]
[Cut the bullshit, I know the look. Logically-speaking, Seraph is already suspicious of you. She’d want an investigation into a Journey’s death, and no matter how far we bury the bodies, she has the tools to dig as deep as she wants. Not to mention your father—]
[My father will not bat an eye if any of the Journeys were to meet a tragic death. Except for Catalyst. But you're correct. You've always been smart. Absolutely, it’d be too troublesome. Especially if we're speaking about the same Shinzo—ah, I personally voiced my disagreement against her but Father has other plans.] Jin Tiehan took a second to think to himself. [For now, I will task Shinzo across the city and keep her far from our laboratories, and ensuring that none of her confidants are involved in the research.]
[And Alma?]
[He will be kept close, perhaps slaving through a mountain of tasks. I—] Jin Tiehan’s head perked up, the System alerting him. He gestured for Blackviper to follow him inside the nearest building to take a private call.
His father.
Master Jin Junjie came on the screen, his garments dirtied from his latest activities but he looked as stalwart as ever. Always did he wear an intense gaze, expecting nothing but perfection.
Blackviper bowed her head in respect.
[I hear that you have captured this…Fragment Carn, my son?] asked the Guild Master, momentarily glancing at Blackviper before giving his child, and second-in-command, his fullest attention.
Jin Tiehan nodded, placing his hands behind his back. [We have, Father. Allow me to update you on the operation’s conclusion…]
He informed his father about Operation Wolf Prowl from the moment after the bombings had subsided, about the Apocalyptics and Carn, about Fragments and what became of the Predator of Predators. And the scheme that he had concocted, making sure that Martials would be the one to take ownership of the research project.
At the last part, his father allowed himself a satisfied smile.
No one despised the other Big Four guilds more than Master Jin Junjie. Anything they could gain over their competitors was a risk to be taken no matter the ethics. That was one of the reasons why Martials had survived for so long. Not because of its adaptability to the times but merely because they cross the lines first, when no one would.
So it wasn't dissimilar to the battles between mega-corporations.
[Good,] said the Master, [allow me to monitor Shinzo so you can better focus on the spoils you've seized for yourself. As long as we defend ourselves against Seraph and her surveillance, we will be able to extract materials from a cosmic entity for ourselves. I imagine that Catalyst is excited at the possibilities, no?]
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
[In her own way.]
[Of course. And how is the other task I have assigned you? Both of you?] Master Jin Junjie focused his pressuring gaze on them. [Of Slayer Shen and the Dawn Baptists as a whole?]
The son was the first to speak: [He is as I expected: a hidden prodigy buried deep in mud. He performed beyond my expectations. I have taught him [Mana Impact] and he already developed [Sprint]. Once he is aware of [Mana Fusion], he'll easily conquer that as well. I’m sure you know of the ambush, yes?]
The Master nodded. [I do. Is this claim accurate?]
Blackviper stepped in, [It is. I was at the scene myself shortly after it ended. Ten Slayers, including one C-Rank. Nine dead, save the middle-ranker.]
[And the rest of the strike force?]
[They are…] Blackviper thought back to her time with the Baptists. [...more effective than I anticipated. They dealt with the Apocalyptics, killed them. I say this specifically for Slayer Team Alba. Despite their relative inexperience, they were able to hold their weight and for their leader, Conqueror, your son has already praised him. He demonstrated combat capabilities and leadership far beyond his rank.]
[I see.] Master Jin Junjie sighed and shut his eyes, deeply thinking. A silent minute came and went before he spoke again, [How hypocritical, don’t you think? That Seraph suspects us of foul play while she commands this carefully selected strike force. Are you aware of Slayer Shen's Growth Potential? I recovered his medical records.]
They shook their head.
[A D-Rank.]
[Oh.] Jin Tiehan’s lips began to curl. First he fruitlessly attempted to restrain his growing excitement but his countenance shifted into an uncharacteristic thrill. [A candidate for a Second Emergence, I should've known. Seraph had, most likely, which could explain why she took an interest in him. Perhaps he reminded her of Kosmos.]
[That's the likely theory, but there is still key information that we are missing. Why had Seraph involved that man in this war so soon? Is it prestige? Is it renown or does she seek something else entirely? And why did she involve four of Slayer Shen's close peers, including his own sister and the half-demon of Duskfire?]
[That I do not know.] The son glanced at Blackviper before continuing, [I suspect that Alba is aware of Seraph’s motivations but they wouldn't tell me.]
[We ought to uncover the truth soon, then, otherwise Angels’s hold over this city will harden and become unbreakable. If Seraph has taken an interest in this Conqueror, then Kosmos has by extension. Any bright soul who has their attention deserves ours as well. Continue to maintain your relationship with the Baptists. But do not forget: your first priority is the Sungrazers. There cannot be a Martials Guild if the very city it lies in is destroyed. Your second, though, is to further our objectives. Am I clear?]
[Yes, Father.]
[Yes, Guild Master.]
[Excellent. I have high expectations.]
~~~
Alma was ordered to return to Grendel Arsenal for his own duties. As expected, Yatsar and Thunderstrike Hammer went back to manufacturing the superweapon as stated, utilizing the broken pieces of Gigantomachia’s [Godslayer Claymore]. They did not suspect, or rather care, about possible misconduct from Jin Tiehan and Catalyst.
And Shinzo had been called across the city to assist Master Jin Junjie. No doubt that his son had informed him of his scheme. Which meant they were trying to separate the two Journeys physically.
As for the System, they could still message each other. No one could hack into the System and see another user’s private messages—you’d essentially be hacking the Earthwill itself—but Alma couldn’t bring himself to send the first message.
Knowing how cowardly he’d been.
It’d ultimately be up to her if she wanted to reach out, but in the likely scenario that she'd deduced Jin Tiehan's scheme, then she knew Alma couldn’t be relied on. Trusted. Of course, that was the only reasonable reaction.
Everyone in the Five Distinct Journeys had suffered to earn their seats in a brutal meritocratic environment. You either had to prove yourself through extraordinary talent or drag people down to ensure your success at the great expense of moral degradation, or both—politics, here, were a necessary skill in order to survive. Alma wasn’t an expert. He was the former: a heightened genius.
But perhaps precisely because he refused to engage in unbecoming behavior, it was the very reason for his current predicament, and why it had weighed so heavily on his mind.
If only he was heartless like Catalyst.
His great accomplishment had turned into a weapon used against him by fouler minds. Who knew what will happen to his soul in the next few days?
[How will I go on…?] Alma muttered to himself in his mother-tongue, Arabic, and began muttering prayers to himself.
[As you always have, Haytham.]
Alma startled and channeled mana to his fingertips, waving his hands at the source of the voice. He didn’t recognize it. It was an echoing, genderless voice. Was it through his mind? No, it wasn’t. Someone was speaking to him. Someone who knew Arabic as well.
[Who are you?!] he demanded.
[Just a mere edifice amongst the stars, nothing significant in the complex machinations of the multiverse. I’m not like those cosmic rats from the Space Beyond, nor am I a Fragment like that rabid anarchist. I'm someone who wishes for your success as I always have.
[So why in the Lord’s name did you choose Martials? At least you were smart enough to avoid the Society.]
Alma was baffled. [I was seduced by the resources it has. Who are you to judge me, mysterious voice in the sky?]
[Haha, I can’t say I have a good argument. I, too, was seduced and was pulled along for another tiring journey. One that I pray would be my last because I'm sick of these adventures. Haytham, we are always subjected to greater forces than our own. Our mortal comprehension allows us to understand the consequences of these things. The scope expands, our minds contract.
[So don’t think yourself as special or unique. Let that thought wither and die, and if it hasn't already, take the nearest book and hit yourself until you’re done being idiotic. You are not, that man thinks of you as less. Empty space cannot will itself to be a star.]
[What are you trying to say?]
[What am I trying to say? It’s such a simple lesson that I’m appalled that you haven’t gotten it: you are not empty space. You're a being capable of change. Maybe not now, maybe not for a long time perhaps, but that is the potential of man. We were granted that from our moment of birth.]
[The potential of man…?] Alma lowered his arm, thinking for a moment before replying back. [Just who are you, really?]
No answer.
[Hello?]
No answer.
The voice was gone.
Alma couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of nostalgia from the stranger’s words of encouragement.
They were correct. About everything.
Man had the greatest potential. It was because of man that the modern world was created and something like peace could exist after centuries of war and strife. That, too, man's creation. Alma had to restart from the beginning then, relearning how to breathe, relearning how to walk.
Doing it step-by-step.
~~~
The Dawn Baptists had returned to Grendel Arsenal and would remain there until Catalyst and her researchers provide results. Then, their next mission would be decided.
Maybe, after all this time, they could finally locate and subjugate a Sungrazer. But for now, a break was in order. The past couple of days had been hard on everyone: Alba and the Alumnus had to fight through the bombing spree, Operation Wolf Prowl, and searched and destroyed Pereyra's demesne; the Problem Children (which now included Votary) had their stint in Darkrealm's Hold; and Firebrand was flying all over the city on Sage's whims.
But Alexander was restless. His body craved action. Craved that adrenaline. But he suppressed those urges, instead using them as fuel for his thoughts. He scoured over the previous missions, turning over every stone, agonizing over the details, seeing if he could draw any conclusions to aid the investigation—and sometimes whenever he recalled his previous stunts, like what he'd done during the ambush or exterminating the Apocalyptics at Gnosis Facilities...
Well, those experiences gifted him a profound insight to his true character. The ideal version of Alexander Shen, the Slayer that would be known as Conqueror in the Previous Earth. The Slayer that was currently building his legacy in the Current Earth, caught perilously in the midst of a battle against the King of Stars, Sirius Aethfell.
Alexander craned his neck to the false night constructed by the Cosmic Beasts dwelling within the Earth's atmosphere, watched as the faux-stars taunt him brighter than any star you'd see in a city—if that—and wondered what the King himself was thinking right now.
"There you are," said a familiar voice, stepping from the long tent that held the rest of the Baptists inside, chatting amongst themselves excitedly.
Leona handed her partner a small water bottle and biscuit.
Alexander smiled with his eyes and rapped a few of his fingernails against the biscuit. Hard as stone. "How am I supposed to eat this?"
"That's why I gave you water. You break off a piece with your teeth—" ("And hope I don't chip a tooth,") "—uh huh, then you swirl some water around in your mouth. It'll soften up. Tastes something like wet bread in a very watery soup."
"That's disgusting."
"Well, I'm sorry. Next time, I'll order us a pizza," she said with a teasing frown, standing next to Alexander, shoulder pressed against his. "What're you thinking about, lovely?"
Alexander shrugged, taking a bite out of the biscuit. Yup, just like biting into a rock. "Nothing."
"Well, while you were out here staring dramatically into the night..." Leona began, "...we were talking about Pereyra's demesne. I thought you'd want to know what Problem said."
"What about it?"
She explained, "Vernon had brought up a good question. You figured out that Pereyra's surveillance powers were hidden in plain sight. In reflections."
"Mhm."
"So, why exactly did Pereyra give his demesne a cognitive hazard that forces us to think it's hidden in plain sight? Don't you think that's a little counter-intuitive?"
Alexander thought about it for a moment while crunching through the biscuit. "Yeah. It does seem counter-productive. The existence of a cognitive hazard is pretty loud, especially if you put it right in the middle of a city."
"Exactly. Problem said this: 'There is a severe disconnect between intention and outcome, one that does not fit the cosmic framework that we expect from the Comets!'" Leona said, mocking Problem's immature voice.
"Yeah, and you'd ideally want to make the effects worse than compelled thought and extreme anxiety," concluded Alexander. "Otherwise, why go through the effort of making one?"
Leona playfully patted his shoulder. "That's what Problem also said. So it's time for a pop quiz—"
"The cognitive hazard wasn't intended to be apart of the demesne," he answered.
Her expression dropped into a heartbreaking disappointment. "You didn't let me finish—"
"I know," he said, not letting her finish. "But I'll be nice. Tell me, Professor Ahn, how was the hazard created?"
Leona played along and stood in front of him, pushing up her imaginary glasses. "My pleasure, Mister Shen. First, answer this: Why does the uncanny valley exists?"
Alexander recalled the concept: something about the cognitive reaction to an object that resembled human appearance. "I don't know, I'm not a psychologist but let's say: evolution. Survival instincts."
"Good enough! Humans will naturally be wary of something that's supposed to appear human but has something 'wrong' that we can't explain. So here's my second question: What if we apply the same line of thinking to the demesne?"
“The same line of thinking…?” It took a few seconds for Alexander to come up with the answer: “Oh, I get it now. Pereyra tried to make the demesne appear natural to us."
Leona's eyes brightened. “Correct! And Pereyra failed for one simple reason: it's not human. It can't fundamentally understand us. Couldn't. So the demesne's intended effects mismatched with our cognitive process of perception and brought out extreme anxiety instead—thus, creating the hazard. And the compelled thought? Pereyra's original intention that was mixed in."
"Amazing reasoning." Alexander raised his partly-drunken water bottle as toast to her genius. "Did you come up with that yourself?"
"You're hilarious."
"I try."
They stood together again. Alexander finished his water and hard-biscuit—much to his teeth's dismay—and stared above at the night. Content in each other's company.
"Hey," Leona began after some time had been spent in silence, "do you think Carn deserved what happened to him?"
The image of Carn's final state sent shudders across Alexander's body. "I wished the worst for him and he got it. But honestly? I don't know. I don't really care. Carn's an afterthought now, and all I'm focusing on is tomorrow and the Sungrazers."
"You're right." A few heartbeats passed between them. "It's strange. Everything I wanted, it happened."
"What do you mean?"
"I wanted to follow Mom's and Dad's footsteps. That happened. I wanted Carn dead. That happened. And I wanted you to see yourself how I see you. That happened."
"You believe the last part?"
"Of course I do." Leona tilted her head towards him, her eyes sparkling. "You're not Alexander Shen anymore. You're Conqueror. You saved dozens of people during Scorcher, took on Apocalyptics by yourself, and soon you'll slay a Sungrazer—"
"Okay, I can't do that—"
"Maybe you're wrong! Who knows, we can't predict the future anymore and I love it. But as always, I just... I just hope that everyone comes out safe and sound. Can you make that happen, Conqueror?"
Alexander immediately responded, "Without a doubt, Empress."
Behind them, someone knocked on the thick and heavy fabric on the tent, lifting the flaps open. It was Hei-ran. "Hey you two, since we have the time, Damien and Problem are going to tell us what happened on their end."
The pair nodded, gave each other a comforting glance, and went inside the tent.
Damien sat on his cot with Devoy, in his staff form, laying against the side. Once the two came in, he waved. "There you are. You'd want to know what happened during our mission."
Problem nodded, oddly stiff. "We received unexpected intel, too, from a mysterious individual."
"Mhm. And maybe Votary can tell us about herself."
Votary's cheeks turned partly pink. "I'm not going to share everything about myself, demon."
"Just tell them what you've told me, killer nun—"
"Can you stop calling me that—?"
Alexander sighed, rubbing his eyes. The Baptists got a little more livelier.
~
[Expedition Team - Dawn Baptists]
Expedition Leader: Seraph
Co-Leader: Sage
Slayer Teams Slayer Team Alba
Team Leader: Alexander Shen
Co-Leader: Leona Ahn
Members: Althea Shen, Vernon Hugo
Alumnus
Team Leader: Gul
Members: Forest Master, Uprise, Victor
Problem Children
Team Leader: Problem
Members: Damien Fayer (w/ Devoy), Votary
Solo Members Seraph, Sage, Firebrand