Previously: Amid growing tension, Yuri submitted his investigative report to Sir Golder, suspecting certain colleagues within WCM. But Golder’s unexpected response set Yuri on edge, questioning his intentions and loyalty. With Bruno—once Yuri's assigned partner—emerging as a prime suspect, Golder handed Yuri a badge granting him authority to question elusive figures, including Specter. Yuri’s distrust toward his team deepened, especially after Golder warned him of the Dark Fang, a legendary figure who once infiltrated Site 22, leaving chaos and secrets in his wake.
Meanwhile, Yuri’s silent but determined resolve led him to confront Pinnochi in the dimly lit corridors. Their conversation revealed shared unease and an unspoken curiosity about the true nature of Site 22. Pinnochi’s strange amnesia hints at hidden manipulations at play. Yuri left with answers that only raised more questions, and as Pinnochi pondered Yuri’s words, he couldn’t shake the feeling that darker forces lurked behind every locked door in Site 22.
“Ready, Pinnochi?” Sir Techno asked, his gaze fixed on Pinnochi’s expression.
Pinnochi nodded subtly, and they both stepped into motion, their footsteps echoing softly in the hallway.
As they walked, Sir Techno glanced over, studying Pinnochi. “What was your father like?” he asked, breaking the silence with a question as casual as it was unexpected.
Pinnochi paused for a moment, his eyes flickering with memory. “He dreamed of the impossible,” he replied, a faint, reminiscent smile crossing his lips. “That was the best part of him—he didn’t let anything feel too far away.”
“Interesting,” Sir Techno murmured, nodding. “Was he a scientist, by any chance?”
Pinnochi shrugged, the smile lingering as he thought. “I don’t really know if he was an official one… but I classified him as one.” He added a quiet chuckle, as if his father’s image still held mystery even for him.
Sir Techno’s expression turned serious. “Unfortunate that you don’t know even your father’s name.”
Pinnochi’s gaze dropped, his expression hardening. The realization of how much he didn’t know cut deeper than he’d admit. “Since learning the Hireups aren’t even human…” he thought to himself, “it gives me chills.” Then, with a smirk, he added, “But I’ll give you credit. You all do a pretty good job acting human.”
Soon, they reached what appeared to be a dead end. Pinnochi examined the wall, his brow furrowing. “A dead end?” He turned to Sir Techno, who stepped forward with calm assurance.
“Step aside,” Techno said, placing his hand firmly on the wall. The solid surface shifted, parting smoothly to reveal what looked like an elevator entrance, concealed within the concrete.
In Pinnochi’s mind, surprise registered quickly, followed by intrigue. “So, this is one way in,” he mused, absorbing the sight. Never would he have guessed such a hidden passage existed.
“Alright, step in,” Sir Techno prompted.
They entered the hidden elevator, the walls surrounding them with an unsettling silence. Moments later, the doors slid open again, revealing a massive door, taller and more imposing than anything Pinnochi had expected.
As they stepped out, Sir Techno gestured to the door ahead. “Alright, this is it. Beyond that door is the heart of Site 22. I’ll give you two minutes. Take care of whatever you need to do.”
Pinnochi let a faint smile cross his face. “Very well, then.” As the door groaned open, he took a slow breath, stepping into the unknown with cautious confidence.
Now inside, Pinnochi let his eyes rest on the expansive machine before him, a marvel of intricate gears, screens, and endless wiring humming with power. He placed his hand on its cold, polished surface, tracing its edge as if reconnecting with an old friend. A faint smile crossed his face. "Never thought I’d see you again this soon."
His thoughts shifted darkly. "Still... to be here this easily, no resistance, no interference… almost feels too good to be true. But that doesn’t matter now.” His fingers tightened slightly on the metal. "Time to spice things up… make this a little darker."
The door slid back open, and Pinnochi stepped out, a faint smile lingering. “That felt good,” he said with a chuckle, half-joking. “I think I can actually sleep well tonight.”
Sir Techno gave a careful nod, eyeing him with interest but also caution. "Without a doubt, he’s his father’s son," he mused. "If I can harness him properly, we might accomplish what we’ve failed to do for so long. I’ll keep him close… at least until he’s no longer useful."
Yuri stood in awe, gazing up at the massive structure before him. "Site 54," he thought. "One of the seven main sites of the World Cyphone Management… who knew I’d get to see it up close." He took in the guards posted at every entrance, their stances rigid, watchful. "Getting in is no easy feat… and getting out must be just as tough."
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As he entered the building, Yuri approached the reception desk and handed the receptionist an access card—a privilege granted by a Hire-Up. The receptionist inspected the card, scanning it with a practiced motion.
“Purpose of visit, sir?” she asked politely.
“I’d like to speak with Specter,” Yuri replied, his tone even.
The receptionist noted his request, offering a polite nod. “Very well, sir. But before you proceed, we’ll need to scan you for any items.”
Yuri sighed, rolling his eyes slightly. “Wasn’t I already searched before coming in?”
“Just a precaution, sir,” she replied, her tone unwavering.
After the thorough scan, the receptionist gestured for him to continue. Yuri exhaled sharply, muttering under his breath, "What a hassle." But he proceeded onward, his mind set on the task ahead.
At the door of Specter’s office, Yuri paused briefly, then stepped inside. The room was chaotic, papers scattered across every surface, some spilling onto the floor. Yuri ran a hand over his head, letting out a resigned sigh as he spotted Specter slumped over his desk, fast asleep amidst the clutter.
Carefully, Yuri brushed aside a stack of papers from the chair in front of him and sat down, crossing one leg over the other. “You can stop pretending to be asleep now.”
Specter cracked one eye open, slowly straightening up with a yawn. “You know, you could at least knock. Where are your manners?”
Yuri raised an eyebrow, glancing around the disorganized office. “Well, maybe you could clean this place up first.”
Specter shrugged, casually waving a hand. “It’s my office; I’ll keep it however I like. Besides, I don’t usually get visitors, so why bother?”
“Not sure if you’re aware,” Yuri began, “but the whereabouts of the Grand Architect were leaked, and as it stands, anyone could be a suspect… even you, so—”
Specter cut him off with a lazy wave. “You want to investigate me, right? Sure, sure, go ahead and get it over with. I’d like to get back to my nap.”
Yuri gave him a long look, his thoughts racing. Specter’s part of the Special Division, one of only three. He’s known for his ‘blank mind,’ meaning he hardly thinks, and he’s terrible at hiding his emotions. If he’s lying, I’ll know—no lie detector needed.
With a sigh, Yuri continued, “Alright then, just one question. I can’t stand the smell of paper piling up around here anyway. Did you have anything to do with leaking information about the Grand Architect’s location?”
Specter grinned, shaking his finger. “Me? I may deal with the data flowing in and out, but that doesn’t mean I’m responsible.”
The lie detector beeped, scribbling “true” on the screen.
“See?” Specter shrugged with a lazy smile. “Told you.”
Now Specter leaned forward, a glimmer of seriousness breaking through his carefree demeanor. “So, when did the 1st Division start hearing about someone as classified as the Grand Architect?”
Yuri met his gaze, slightly taken aback. Who knew he could look so serious? “I was only assigned this investigation by a member of the High-ups.”
Specter chuckled, leaning back with a sly grin. “The fact that they gave you this case means your chances of joining the Special Division are high.”
Yuri shrugged, glancing around at the messy office. “Not sure I want ‘hectic’ jobs like yours.”
Specter smirked, throwing up his hands. “Hectic? Who told you we do ‘hectic’ jobs?”
Yuri gestured around the room, raising an eyebrow. “Maybe your environment speaks for itself.”
Yuri’s thoughts wandered as he studied Specter. I am genuinely curious about this ‘Grand Architect,’ but how can I bring it up without him clamming up or dismissing me? Still, he decided to go for it.
“Hey, Specter… who is the Grand Architect?”
Specter laughed, his carefree attitude in full display. “You’re investigating him, and you don’t even know the basics?”
Yuri rolled his eyes. “You said it yourself—1st Division isn’t supposed to know classified information. So how would I?”
Specter shrugged again, still smiling. “Even I don’t know much. Just that he’s the one pulling the Hire-Ups’ strings. They take his orders, then pass them down to us. It’s kind of funny, don’t you think?”
Yuri leaned in, intrigued. “So he’s not at the top?”
“Not quite.” Specter shook his head. “I know he’s the founder of it all, but the highest rank? Even I’m not sure. Strange, isn’t it?”
“Well, I guess that’s enough about the Grand Architect,” Yuri said, standing up. “One more thing. Turns out Dark Fang is back.”
Specter’s eyes widened in shock, his usual casual demeanor slipping for a moment. “Dark Fang? That guy disappeared about three years ago! Robbed the government and even the WCM blind. Who the hell pulls off something like that?”
With a wave of his hand, Specter leaned back, his carefree attitude returning. “Not that I really care, anyway.”
Yuri gave him a sharp look. “Oh, weren’t you the one assigned to that case back then? But it looks like even you couldn’t catch him.”
Specter straightened, his pride flashing in his eyes. “Who said I couldn’t catch him? I almost had him, this close.” He held his fingers a fraction apart. “Then he vanished without a trace. But if he’s back, I’ll catch him for good this time.”
Yuri chuckled, leaning back. “You think Dark Fang would be dumb enough to make the same moves as before? You’re kidding yourself if you believe that.”
“Maybe,” Specter replied, his eyes narrowing slightly, “but we know his target is data, and Site 54 holds some of the most valuable. If he’s planning anything, I won’t stray too far. I’d hate to end up like the last person Dark Fang stole from.”
Specter’s tone shifted, his expression growing unexpectedly serious. “You know, Yuri, Dark Fang isn’t the only one who’s tough to track down. Why’s everyone so focused on him when there are so many other paths to follow?”
Yuri’s eyes widened, caught off guard. “What do you mean?”
Specter leaned forward. “Ever thought about Chronolux? They stole data from HQ once, and I’d bet they knew something about the Beta Vault’s whereabouts before we even got any info on it. And what about the Red Blood Cult? They terrorized Atherium City once. Yet no one investigates them. Everyone’s hung up on Dark Fang and the Vault when there are other dangerous players out there. You remember Z, right? He’s worse than Dark Fang, but the Hire-Ups aren’t even batting an eye at him.”
Yuri’s face turned serious. “Maybe it’s because the Grand Architect doesn’t want to act on them yet. Who knows what goes on in the Hire-Ups’ heads.”
With a sigh, Yuri straightened, glancing once more at the disorganized room. “Anyway, I’m heading out. Try cleaning up this place sometime, you slob.”
Specter smirked, waving him off. “What are you, my mom? I decide how I want my office. Besides, it’s not like anyone inspects it.”
Yuri chuckled, heading for the door. “Alright, see you around—once I’m in the Special Division.”
Specter grinned. “And see you once I’ve retired.”
As Yuri stepped out, he thought, I’ve got all the information I need. Now I know exactly who to deal with.