CITY OF BOLAIRE

A prosperous city located on the center of a huge lake where the city takes its name. Gifted with natural resources and a river that connects the lake into the sea, Bolaire is destined to become wealthy.

But the wealth commonly just go to the elites who run the huge city as despite the appearance of wealth and beauty, the nobility rules with absolute discrimination against peasants.

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Grand Ecstasy is curious as on the other side of the road are soldiers meticulously inspecting every wagon leaving the city while the one that enters the gate have easier access.

"What do you think happened?" Fleur asked as the concentration of soldiers makes her think.

"There must be a criminal on the loose." Mateo's answer.

"Well, that's not our concern anyway." Beltrand non-chalant reaction.

After the successful escort mission and accepting their payment from the wealthy merchant. The Adventurer guild - Bolaire branch is now full of the same adventurers as they wait for the result of what Grand Ecstasy's inquiry is.

"Welcome to Bolaire's Adventurers guild. How can I help you?" The beautiful receptionist asked with a smile.

Mateo place a sack on the table which make a loud thud.

"Hello Miss. We want to identify this man. I hope you can help us as we have no idea on who this is." Mateo calmly says. The receptionist becomes worried.

"Man? What is this exactly?" She asked as she look on the sack with concern.

"Inside this sack is the head of a bandit leader we don't know so we want to know its identity."

"Understood." The receptionist gulped as she open the sack, prepared to see a head. Her eyes widen as she quickly walk to the door beside her.

After some time. The receptionist returns now with a middle-aged woman who looks professional. She's Bolaire's guild leader, named Fellina.

Fellina opens the sack to reveal the frozen head of the Bandit Leader that the adventurers defeated. She shows interest and concern.

"Interesting..." Fellina says calmly.

"Do you know him guildmaster?" Beltrand asked as he got curious on the lady's reaction.

"Yes. But I'm more concerned on what this man doing on this part of Grimael to begin with."

"What do you mean?" Claustrine asked. The adventurers also become curious as they listen with intently.

Fellina rotates the frozen head so it face the adventurers.

"Everyone. This man is a wanted criminal called Molten Fist Igor, a leader of the infamous Mercenary group turned bandits called Rockcliff band.

The adventurers murmurs.

"The name doesn't ring a bell to me." The battle hardened adventurer commented.

"Yes. This is the first time we heared such wanted criminal name." Fleur agrees, Norm nods.

"Because him and his gang is not supposed to be in this side of Grimael. As Rockcliff band's area of operation was on Far North."

The adventurers talk becomes louder.

"Now that explains why all of us have no idea who is that man." Claustrine commented.

"But why his gang even doing near Nattunia and Bolaire?" Mateo asked but Fellina just shrug.

"Who knows. And we can't just ask this head right? Anyways, how you guys manage to defeat such powerful criminal?"

Grand Ecstasy and others tell the story of how the entire fight went. Fellina listens with interest.

"I see. Rockcliff band are still a criminal huh? Do you caught any living members to interrogate?"

Mateo shake his head.

"They're so skilled and crafty that they might do something if we try to subdue any of them." The battle-hardened adventurer replies.

"Understood. How many casualties on your side?"

"Four." The battle-hardened adventurer answers. Fellina saddened on the news.

"I hope Vivvily guides their soul to the promised land. Back on topic, who gets the killing blow?" Fellina asked.

"It was Grand Ecstasy. They're the one the fight him head on." Helyna vouch as she proudly points on Mateo's group. Fellina's eyebrow rise.

"You guys are Grand Ecstasy?" She asked with amazement.

"Yes."

"Then no wonder you guys manage to defeat Igor. You have some powerhouse on your team. His personal bounty is all yours to claim."

Mateo smiles.

"Ms. Fellina, we don't want to claim the glory to our own. Igor and Rockcliff Band's defeat is a team effort as without others doing their best, we might get overwhelemed." Mateo humbly explains their side honestly. His friends and the adventurers nods as they agree on Mateo. Fellina smile.

"I understand. Well then, to all participating adventurers who join the extermination of Rockcliff band. I want you to list your names on the receptionist so we can collaborate the info with the Merchant and collect the approriate bounty to the Northern branch. As for the ones who perished, we also give their share to their loved ones. It might take days before you recieve your reward so be patient ok?"

The adventurer cheers with happiness as they got more money than what they expect.

After listing their names, the Adventurers now leaves with smiles on their face except Grand Ecstasy, Helyna, Fleur, Norm and the battle hardened adventurer as they stay outside of the guild.

"This is a farewell. It's been an honor to fight alongside you." The old adventurers says.

"What is your name sir?" Mateo ask.

"My name is Roland."

"Mr. Roland. Your leadership skills are top notch. Without you, we might lose more fellow adventurer."

"I'm just doing my part. Anyways, I have to go now. I hope we got a chance to go on another mission together."

"Yeah. Take care Mr. Roland."

Roland leaves respectfully as the other waves their hand.

"It was truly fun to be in your company." Fleur's appreciation.

"Yeah. Beside the bandits ambush, this might be the best mission we have." Norm agrees.

"I'm glad you guys feel the same." Sophia smiles.

"I learned a lot with this mission. Thanks a lot!" Helyna bows her head.

"I hope we meet again sometimes." Beltrand happily wish.

"If opportunity calls for it." Fleur's happily answers.

"So what you going guys to do next?" -Claustrine.

"I'm going to take a delivery mission yo Zelestre then visit my dad. I have so many stories I want to tell to him." Helyna shows excitement.

"Us for two of us, we just gonna do some minor missions and relax a bit. The escort mission takes a toll on us." Fleur chuckle.

"Well then, before you leave."

Mateo opens his Bag of Storage and give small paper pouch to three of them.

"This is the candies you give to us during the journey right?" Norm says with excitement as he look on candies with assorted fruity flavors.

"Yup. I see that you guys love them so much so." Mateo smiles.

"Thank you very much Sir Mateo!" Helyna's gratitude as she now have something to give to her father as souvenirs.

"Oh boy I'm gonna savour these sweeties as long as I can." Fleur's sweet tooth kicks in.

The three then says their farewell and leave. Leaving Grand Ecstasy behind.

"So what now?" Claustrine asked.

"We should rest before going to another mission."

"Ahhh finally. Then we should go to the inn right now. I really really want to wash myself for so long." Beltrand's words as he sniffs himself. Revolted on his own smell.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Same! A steamy bath would relax us all and I'm sure Bolaire have that luxury!"

"As if you guys didn't use my magic to wash yourselves." Claustrine's comment with unimpressed reaction.

"That's completely different. We can't even wash longer during that mission as we need to be on alert and not have enough free time." Shirna complains.

"Geez. Fine, to the inn we go." -Claustrine.

"Well then. Let's go." Mateo's command brings the party on a walk.

~~~~~~°~~~~~~

Grand Ecstasy decides to go on a bathhouse first to clean themselves and then proceed to walk on the residential street to find an inn. But their search got interrupted when a group of Bolaire soldiers run towards them in hurry. Grand Ecstasy move aside to give them way. They got more curious as they see another group of soldiers running on another street, observing the surroundings. As if they're looking on someone else.

"What's happening?" Shirna asked as he watch the soldiers panicly observe the area.

"I feel that it's more than a mere criminal they're searching." Beltrand watch the soldiers talking to the citizens, each shaking their head showing no knowledge on who the soldier is searching.

As Grand Ecstasy stay on their spot. They didn't notice a middle-aged lady tending her flowers.

"You don't know?" The Bolaire grandma suddenly enters the discussion.

Grand Ecstasy's attention caught by the woman's sudden entry on their conversation.

"Yes ma'am. We just got here so we have no idea." Mateo answers.

"No wonder. It just happened 2 hours earlier. Those soldiers are now looking on a suspect that killed a lot of Noble kids."

"W-what?" Claustrine is dumbstuct.

"Insane right?"

"But it seems you know your stuff ma'am." Beltrand asked.

"Who doesn't? Everyone in the city right now knows what just happened. Days from now, this is going to be a talk to nearby kingdoms. Someone manages to sneak and kill a lot of powerful heirs? That's something would so hard to ignore and hide." The granda continued while while watering the plants.

"What happened really?" Mateo now curious on the sudden event.

"Well, that's something that I don't know. But good riddance I guess." She shrug. Her expression shows apathy.

Grand Ecstasy look on each other's eye.

"Should we visit the academia?"

"For what?" Beltrand questions Mateo's proposal.

"I think this is going to become a bounty mission for us adventurers. So it's good to have a knowledge on the suspect right?"

"Hmmm... Fair enough." Beltrand agrees on Mateo's reasoning.

~~~~~~°~~~~~~

In front of Bolaire Academia. Grand Ecstasy is facing a guard in front of the Academy gate.

"Sorry but non-authorized personel are not allowed to enter." The soldier guarding the entrance says.

"We're Gold Ranked adventurers, we want to help." Mateo calmly says.

"I'm sorry sir but the nobles strictly wish to put this matter on their hands only. They command us to not let any outsiders enter the school. But they might post a bounty request on the guild later so please just wait." The soldier's honest answer.

"I understand."

The door of the main building suddenly opens and two soldier holding a wooden stroller exits. Grand Ecstasy sees a dead lady with drill blonde hair as the soldier pass it to them to bring on the body to the waiting carriage outside, her hands and legs are decapitated and her limbs are not cut cleaned. Mateo's eye widen when he see a clean circular wound on its forehead.

"What?" Mateo questioning her vision. He give his eyes a quick scratch then look on the lady again. His eyes didn't betrayed him.

They see that more soldiers are going to exit with wooden strollers so they give them way. Grand Ecstasy watch as they see the number of dead being carried outside. From teens to teachers. They see the same small hole on their head.

"This is more severe than what I imagined." Beltrand commented as he observe the train of dead bodies.

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"Are you fine now?"

"Y-y-yes."

Grand Ecstasy overhear the student and officer under the tree behind the metal fence. The officer is talking to the student which still visibly shocked.

Instead of joining the two, Grand Ecstasy decides to quietly listen.

"Do you know the culprit?" The Royal Officer asked. The student gritted his teeth.

"Y-y-yes! I-it was that disgusting commoner!" The male student screams with spite.

"Her name is Dereia right?"

"Y-YES!"

The officer nods as the student's words collaborated with other survivors' statements.

"How you managed to survive?"

"T-t-the moment that I see the others running in panic, I q-quickly run on wherever my feet brings me."

"Did you face the murderer? Can you gives us details on how she did her killings?"

"O-of course not! W-why I want to see someone that caused everyone to run for their lives?!"

"Ok calm down now."

The student breath deeply to calm his nerves. Then the calmness makes him remember something.

"How you know that it was caused by Dereia?" The investigator asked.

"The fleeting students is screaming her name, warning us to escwpe."

"Can you tell us how you managed to escape?"

"I hide on storage room on fhe combat areai. W-what I can only t-tell is when I'm h-hiding on one of the wooden lockers in the storage room. I know she also enters the room I hiding with. I don't see her at all but... I can hear the footsteps, and... that sinister whistles she's doing."

"Whistling?"

"Y-yes. She whistling an unfamiliar song. She did that for a while and then..."

The student starts to shiver as he remembers the event.

"A-and t-then. S-she found someone h-hiding on another l-locker! I can hear her t-target begging for her l-life yet she d-didn't even let her finish talking! I just hear a l-loud exploding sound and then she's back on whistling again until it dissappears..."

The student hugs his knees.

"A-and then w-when I e-exit the locker. I see another f-female student slumped on the floor, I can see the pool of blood f-flooding under her head."

Mateo is starting to feel unease as she listens on the student's story. Shirna also feel the same as her mind gives her unnerving implications.

"Did you remember the melody of the song she's whistling? That might help us on some degree."

"F-For what?! As if you don't know the suspect! Just visit her goddamn family on some disgusting boonie and ask them and everyone! D-Destroy them all if they decide to hide her!"

"We already sent soldiers there. But it's more likely she hide somewhere else instead of returning to her hometown. So please, if you can. You can share what song she's whistling. Any information counts for the murderer's arrest."

The student breaths heavy to calm himself again.

"Fine! Give me my bag."

The officer gives the leather bag beside him and the student open it to retrieve a flute. The student starts to play the music he hear that time.

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Mateo's eyes widen as his entire body engulfed by dread. Shiver runs down on his spine as he listens to the tune.

A melody he's very familiar with. A melody he listens so many time as it becomes a dark meme. A catchy song which is used as an anthem for a very specific problem in USA. Mateo just stand, cold sweat flowing on his forehead as the student finishes what he can play.

The officer then whistles the melody as he remembers it for further documentation.

"Are we done h-here?! I w-want to home. Just h-hearing that sound again makes me panic!"

"Yes. You can now stay on the quarters where other survivors stay. Thank you for your cooperation mister."

"!!!"

"Mateo?"

Claustrine, Beltrand, Sophia and Shirna are surprised to see Mateo suddenly walks away. They follow him to ask why he suddenly depart.

"What's wrong Mateo?" Claustrine asked.

"We need to go back on Nattunnia ASAP."

"ASAP?" -Sophia.

"As soon as possible."

"But why? Is something bothering you Mateo?" Beltrand is concerned.

"Yes. And the killer must be on her way to Nattunnia as we speak. So we need to go back and follow her trail."

"But you seems agitated for someone that trying to arrest a random wanted criminal." Beltrand is confused.

Mateo stops and look on his friends' dumbfounded reaction.

"Follow me."

~~~~~~°~~~~~~

On the outskirts of Bolaire city. Grand Ecstasy are just standing. They're looking on Mateo as they waiting for answers.

"So what's the problem Mateo?" Claustrine asked.

Mateo instead opens his Bag of Storage and pulls his phone. His friends watch as he search a song on his music player. Plays a song and forward it to a specific sound. It's the same whistling tune the student play earlier.

"Hey is that the same-... Ohhhhh.... Oh my Goddess." Claustrine gasp as she finally realized why Mateo is feeling unease.

"But how?!" Beltrand asked.

"You supposed to be the only otherwordler in our world, right?" Sophia asked with uncertainty and concern.

Grand Ecstasy feel shivers on their body.

"Now, that's not the case anymore. We can only know the answer once we find the killer."

"Wait a minute! The students says the killer is also a fellow student on that school. How is that possible?" Claustrine asked.

"It must be a reincarnator that transfered to that student they looking. And I have a little lead on who is this visitor truly is."

Mateo starts to walk back inside the city as he puts his phone back on his Storage.

"We need to go. I'm scared on what kind of havoc she might do in Nattunnia if we don't stop her quickly."

Everyone follows Mateo, matching his quick pace.

"But we don't have any idea what she looks like. We don't even known her name yet." Beltrand asked.

"The killer's name is Dereia Carmen."

"How you even know that?" Beltrand asked.

"I heared on the talking soldiers."

"Fine. We have the name now. But we still don't know her appea-"

"16 years old, 28.5 Bricks in height, Long waist lenght red hair, fair skin."

"Nice hearing you got there Shirna. But that's not enough to narrow down everyone in Nattunia." Beltrand's impressed yet followed by unimpressed reaction.

"Bahala na. Let's just go on Nattunia and hope for the best." Mateo's only word.

The wagon they going to ride back on Nattunia is inspected by soldiers and after some time. They finally allowed to leave. With other silent passengers, Grand Ecstasy also stay quiet but unease are brewing within them.

~~~~~~°~~~~~~~

Grand Ecstasy after a week of travel, they finally reach Nattunnia. They decides to start on Taverns and Restaurant first. Grand Ecstasy enters their favorite restaurant where they always visit when planning and celebrating.

"Ohhh! Welcome back Grand Ecstasy! We currently full right now but I wish you can wait for a table to become available. Is that ok?" A teenage girl working as server greets them with a smile. She's the daughter of the owner of the restaurant and a friend of them.

"We're fine. Thanks."

"Okeeeey!"

The girl cheerfully leaves and tend the other costumers. Grand Ecstasy starts to observe the patrons inside and to their dismay, their information is not really useful as there's numerous girls with red hair. Some are out with their age and hair lenght but a sizable number of potential target still exist.

"We can't just start asking them one-by-one without alerting the real killer." Beltrand commented.

"Assuming that the killer is here to begin with." Claustrine added.

"Should we seperate?" Sophia asked.

"No, we can't risk everyone's safety. What we dealing now is a killer that manage to murder Magic professors and combat teachers of Bolaire academy." Mateo's answer.

Grand Ecstasy walks deeper on the restaurant and Mateo suddenly feel someone tugging the helm of his clothes.

It's Shirna.

"What's wrong Shirna?" Mateo asked.

Shirna instead of speaking, starts to sneakly point his finger on a direction. Mateo looks on the spot and his eyes widen when he see a young girl sitting alone on the far back table of the restaurant. But what really caught his attention is what the girl is doing.

Mateo sees the red haired girl holding something invisible. But with his long time in Earth. He can clearly tell that the girl is like holding, cleaning, reloading and pointing an invisible pistol.

"We found our target."

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Dereia is so focused on cleaning and admiring the pistol only her can see that she didn't even notice a group of people approaching her.

Before she even react. The group of people quickly sits on the empty chairs beside and in front of her. Two man sandwiched her while two woman and a girl sits on the empty chair in front.

The group is Grand Ecstasy who hastely take their positions to corner Dereia and prevent her on doing something drastic.

"Can we sit here miss? The restaurant is so full and this is the only spot available." Mateo asked calmly with a smile.

"Sorry everyone but the chairs are already reserved. I'm just waiting for my friends." Dereia's friendly response.

"Is that so? It's weird for someone to have a friend here in Nattunnia when she just recently did a killing spree alone in Bolaire."

Dereia's smile falters when she realized what the Grand Ecstasy is doing."

Mateo and Beltrand points a dagger on her side, the act is hidden under the table. Everyone suddenly becomes tense.

"Don't make any move. We got you cornered in every posible ways." Mateo's stern warning. Emphasizing how trapped Dereia is.

Dereia follows their warning. She can feel that unlike the students and teachers she killed, the group is really more skilled especially when they already denied her a chance to escape.

"What are you saying sir? I'm just a lonely girl trying to eat delicious food. Why you trying to ruin my day?" Dereia's appeal of pity. She acts sad.

"Stop pretending. We already know that it's you who massacred a lot of students and teachers in Bolaire. Whatever you do is useless especially when you got caught cleaning that invisible gun of yours."

Dereia's expression darkens further after hearing Mateo's words.

"Yeah that's right. We already know who you are Dereia Carmen. Or I should call you on your real name..."

Mateo gives a sharp, soul-cutting stare.

Josh Williams."

Dereia's expression becomes really serious as she gives a murderous stare on Mateo.

"It seems my assumption is correct huh?" Mateo gives a confident smile.

"Who the fuck are you? Why you know my name?"