Langston poured himself another cup of tea.

“Do you want one?”

Ansel shook his head.

“I hope I didn’t scare you away by answering your question.”

“There is no reward without some amount of risk,” Ansel replied, in a composed manner.

In reality, he was scared. He wanted to become a Genomer, but the risks associated with it threatened him a bit. Losing his mind, being deformed, or even dying in the process are all things that make him worry. However, he knew he must take this path to have a chance to return home.

“A very wise statement,” Langston commented.

“How powerful is a Genomer?” Ansel finally asked the other question on his mind.

“At the starting codons, a Genomer isn’t that powerful. Most can easily be killed by normal humans using weapons. However, the closer you get to the final codon, the more your powers could be considered godly.”

“Do you think I can become a Genomer?”

Langston looked at him seriously.

“Is that what you want?”

Ansel nodded.

“We are part of the Phantasmal Guild. Like any of the big guilds, we possess the complete codons for at least one Genome and many codon recipes for other Genomes. Your best bet to become a Genomer is through the guild.”

“What do I need to do?”

“Your job. Your performance is the key. Find ways to make a positive impact on the guild through your performance at work.”

“What is my job exactly as a consultant?”

“You’ll have texts and manuscripts to read, or maybe to translate. If you find important information in them, you will let us know. I’m also giving you another task, patrolling.”

“Patrolling?”

“Yes. Go in the streets, observe, and listen. You may find interesting things.”

“Do I get a gun?”

“Do you need one?”

“If I’m to be in the streets…”

“I’ll think about it.”

“I have another question.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“What is this Red Zone?”

“Ah yes. You need to know this as well. The Red Zone is a quarantined space. We are currently in what we call the Antechamber.”

Langston pointed behind Ansel to show him the white curtain.

“Behind the curtain is another door that leads to the true space. There are five guardians inside at all times. It is forbidden to enter it without authorization. Even if you do have authorization, you must remain cautious.”

“What is inside?”

“It was originally a prison designed to hold very dangerous people. Though it still serves that function, we don’t put as many prisoners in it as we used to. You will find inside ingredient lists to create various codons vials, rare manuscripts, and Forbidden Relics.”

“Forbidden Relics?”

“They are items of great power which make their very existence a threat to humanity. They must be used very carefully if they are to be used at all.”

“I’ve never heard of such relics before.”

“That means the various guilds are doing a good job keeping their existence hidden. There are three types of Forbidden Relics. An A-Type Relic can be used as long as some precautions are taken. An S-Type Relic can only be used if approved by the high echelons of the guild. An X-Type Relic is not to be used in any way. If there was a safe way to destroy an X-Type Relic, we would do so. It’s much safer to permanently get rid of them than keeping them around.”

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

“They seem like troublesome items.”

“They are,” Langston said while opening a drawer.

He unfolded a big poster. There were several wanted pictures on it. Most had a red X crossing them.

“The ones with the red X were either killed or captured. However, the other ones remained at large. Look at them closely.”

Ansel nodded.

Langston pointed his index finger at one particular picture. It was a middle-aged woman wearing a dark blue robe with a long red scarf. She had long black hair and blue eyes.

“Alisa Rizal, she is the most wanted criminal on our list.”

“What did she do?”

“She’s in possession of an X-Type Forbidden Relic.”

“That’s all?”

“X-Type Relics are by no means to be used. The fact that she did not hand it over to a guild to permanently store it away is telling us she intends to use it. Hence, the reason we must find her. If you find anything about her whereabouts, tell me immediately. Do not attempt anything on your own. She is a Genomer and a powerful one. You will be throwing your life away by acting alone.”

“I understand. What Relic does she have?”

“The Relic is a reddish toad with a scroll on his head.”

“A toad?”

“Yes, a toad. There is no need to say more. I assumed you met the old man?”

Ansel nodded.

“He has some texts we would like you to work on. You can go now.”

Ansel nodded again and turned to the door.

“Wait.”

Ansel turned around.

“Yes?”

“Two more things. First, you can receive your first week's salary from the old man.”

“Really? I haven’t done anything yet.”

“You don’t have to take it if you don’t want you. We can donate it to a charity.”

“I’ll take it. What is the second thing?”

“The Phantasmal Guild Temple. If you’re ever in trouble and need refuge, you may go there. Remember these words, I am a Knight of Phantasm, a follower of Selene. Whether this life or the next, both in life and death, I shall devote myself to her. It’s the secret creed of the Phantasmal Knights. Say those words to the Keeper before addressing your request.”

“I am a Knight of Phantasm, a follower of Selene. Whether this life or the next, both in life and death, I shall devote myself to her.” Ansel repeated.

“Go now.” Langston sent him off.

Ansel exited the antechamber of the Red Zone and walked back to the elevator. He pressed the only up button and was brought to the ground floor. He went to the old man and told him Langston sent him.

****

“So the leader is putting you to work right away.”

“I’m eager to start.”

“That’s the spirit. Oh and before I forget, here is your weekly pay.” The old man handed him 5 silver coins.

“Thank you,” Ansel said before putting the money away in his pocket.

“Now that we’ve taken care of that, let’s get to work. You are an archeologist, right.”

“Yes, I used to teach as well.”

“A scholar, very good. We’ve come by many texts and manuscripts over the years. My limited education can only take me so far. A man of your expertise is definitely needed.”

“I’ll do my best to help. What have you been working on recently?”

“Follow me.”

The old man took him to the back of the archives. He opened a drawer and took out a few parchments and pages that he put on a nearby table.

“These are from Wilem Von Shroeder. However, they are not like anything else he wrote.”

“Why?”

“It’s written in a language no one understands. Many people believe it’s some kind of secret code to hide important information or discoveries. Also, Von Shroeder scattered the pages all over the world. There’ve been many copies circulating. I don’t think anyone has come close to collecting everything.”

“Really? Why are the guilds letting it out in the open like that? I would think they would want to keep whatever information inside those pages to themselves.”

“Normally, you’d be right to assume that. However, the writing has yet to be deciphered. They hope by allowing the pages to circulate freely, someone may be able to break the code and understand its contents.”

“It makes sense. But I’ve never heard of such a work from Wilem Von Shroeder before.”

“Well, this particular one is bizarre. Only fanatics of Von Shroeder and people who like to study him know about it. Moreover, we don’t know how long it is. As I mentioned before, they were scattered all over the place. Therefore, they are commonly known as Von Shroeder Infinity Tome.”

“Because we have no idea of its length?”

“Correct.”

“Are these pages all you have?”

“Yes, it’s what we have so far. You can take a look.”

Ansel picked one parchment randomly and froze when he looked at the writing. The perceptive old man didn’t miss his reaction even though it was a brief one.

“Do you see anything you recognize?”

“No. It’s such unique writing. It looks to me like another language.” He lied.

“Indeed. That alone shows you the grandeur of the man named Wilem Von Shroeder. He even invented a new language. It’s a pity though he didn’t teach it to anyone.”

Invented a new language? Give me a break! This is French. He wrote in French! What are the odds he’d write in my first language? Wait… Doesn’t that mean Von Shroeder comes from the same world as I do? Was he originally French? Or was he from a French-speaking country? But why write in French? No one in this world would understand it.

Ansel couldn’t help himself and started reading.