《After Hour: Bounders》 Prologue Nightfall in the bustling metropolis. It is after working hours, yet the city is vibrant with lights and music. The streets are filled with tourists and night markets, and neon lights paint the skyline with multicolours, reflecting off mirrored skyscrapers and polished streets. Crowds thrived under the manufactured glow, capturing memories of landmarks and buying over-price commercialised foods. The metropolis displayed perfection in every corner ¨C concrete streets led to luxurious bars and restaurants where chandeliers sparkled like constellations, and five-star hotels offering every indulgence imaginable ¨C a heaven crafted for those who could afford it. However, Valencia had long since learned to look past the invisible blind. Beneath the celestial facades were something more notorious: the human¡¯s dark triad and whispers of mysteries. Beneath certain areas of the urban landscape lies a darker history, one social media review never mentioned. The city was built over the remnants of an ancient town infamous for occult rituals and many obnoxious crimes. Legends spoke of knights buried alive as part of a ¡°cultural belief¡± that their spirits would guard the town even in death, their restless souls were believed to be bound to the land until today. Recently, there have been rumours of more missing persons in tourist districts, gathering of underground dealings behind those unnamed alleys, and the flickering streetlights that locals swore hid shadowy figures all added to the unease. Nevertheless, rumours were just that ¨C rumours. Though many believed in the supernatural, the stories were little more than tales to scare children or entertain over drinks. There was no concrete evidence, the capital was officially considered one of the safest places in the world. Or was it? ¡°So that was the forgotten history of this city. That¡¯s it?¡± Valencia disappointingly huffs, snapping the antique book shut with care, she pushes aside of a stack of media articles about the latest news of missing persons. The young woman then gets up from her working table, stretching briefly before walking to the library¡¯s south wing. The room almost felt like a sanctuary and chilling, dimly lit by the soft yellow glow of overhead lights, and rows of worn-out leather books and ancient artifacts lined neatly in the locked glass shelves. Valencia opens one of the shelves and gently places the book inside back to where it belongs.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Valencia is a 26-year-old woman, with sharp features and eyes that carry the weight of knowledge and something¡­something deeper that few others shared. The long light blue-haired woman walks back to her usual desk in the library archives, surrounded by piles of documents and a range of books with the strong scent of old paper. During typical working hours, Valencia is a contract archivist who worked for, The Obsidian Vault, an independent library specialising in collecting rare historical documents and artifacts. The Obsidian Vault, lay in a quiet corner of the metropolis¡¯ old district, forgotten and away from the dazzling landmarks and shopping centres. Its exterior was like any other typical two-stories European-style architecture. Surprisingly, it is still well-preserved for centuries due to the owners¡¯ love for this place as it is a treasure collection of forgotten knowledge, with shelves that reach the ceilings and an admirable beauty of the interior, the perfect reading location. The noise of the city nightlife is muffled here, replaced by comforting silence and the sound of the shuffle of pages and footsteps from very few visitors. Just when Valencia was about to finish her late shift, her phone buzzed on the table. She glanced at the screen; the sender named ¡°Yei¡± had sent her a message regarding the commission. ¡°Another commission, another mystery to solve¡­A spirit, again?¡± She murmurs to herself while skimming through the text, shutting down her work laptop at the same time and locking the door she is ready to leave. ¡°Time for my side hustle,¡± she utters and leaves the library only with a single small white handbag holding her house keys and wallet, which is quite emptyhanded for an individual who is about to solve some mysteries. While walking, the sound of her leather ankle boots stomping against the imbalance-cobblestone street echoes through the dimmed alley. Above her, loomed towers and steel buildings hidden with secrets the city wasn¡¯t ready to face. The woman¡¯s eyes reveal a deep and vibrant azure colour, and with a deep breath, she steps into the shadows, where her ¡®real¡¯ work began. Chapter 1 - A Unique Side Hustle Valencia steps through the small apartment¡¯s front door, and a chilling gust of night air swirls onto her skin following her inside. It is almost 10 p.m., and the city outside is alive with beats of music and chatter. Yet, from the outside, the apartment building feels lifeless as if it is abandoned. Inside, the stairwell is dimly lit, the white bulbs casting uneven shadows on the narrow walls. As the young woman ascends the stairs, she encounters a university student around the corner, his arms full of textbooks. He pauses, looking at her curiously. ¡°Are you new here?¡± he asks with a friendly and soft tone. Valencia stares at him for a moment, and without a word, she shakes her head and continues up the stairs. Her silence leaves an awkwardness hanging in the air. He watches her ascend quietly, his gaze lingering until she vanishes up the stairwell. Then, with a small shrug, he retreats to his room. Inside the designated apartment, idol posters and Japanese-style artwork line neatly on the walls, the showcase shelves are filled with dust-free figurines, and several pots of indoor plants that are turning brown. The light blue-haired woman stands silently in the living room, observing her surroundings. The air inside here is thick, lacking any sign of ventilation, and feels suffocating. The oddest thing, however, is how the apartment seems completely sealed off from the outside world. Every single door and window are locked with multiple locks and chains as if the occupant is keeping themselves safe or someone ¨C or keeping something ¨C out. All the blinds are tightly shut, preventing any light from breaking through and that explains the unnaturally chilly despite the typical tropical climate here. The sun hasn¡¯t reached inside for quite some time, Valencia thought. Moments later, the client enters the room. She is an average woman of normal height with short dark hair. She moves with a slight hesitation and stiff, in her hands, carrying a tray with store-bought snacks and beverages for the once-in-a-lifetime guest. Her posture is slumped and a faint tremble on her hands is visible as she sets the tray down and sits across Valencia at the dining table. The woman appears weak and exhausted, thinner than a person should be, her skin pale as though she hadn¡¯t eaten properly or seen sunlight in days. ¡°You¡¯re from The Lotus group, right?¡± The woman begins nervously. Seeing the visitor nod, her voice tones down as she continues, ¡°They told me someone would come. May I ask for your name?¡± ¡°It¡¯s safer for both of our security if I keep my name anonymous,¡± Valencia explains. ¡°You can call me Lotus,¡± she says with a faint, polite smile. ¡°Ah, I see,¡± she says awkwardly, glancing away. ¡°My name is Mali. Thank you again for coming at this hour¡­¡± The female client nervously introduces herself and pauses, looking slightly hesitant when catching on Valencia''s appearance. The woman¡¯s dark suit seems very out of place in this weather, a peculiar choice for a country where summer dominated year-round. No visible equipment, no tools or instruments to suggest she is prepared for this commission. The light-blue-haired woman lightly smiles at Mali, anticipating her to speak out her scepticism¡­ Mali, a notable V-Tuber, has gained a sizable number of subscribers and has once been known for her energetic gaming streams and charming personality with a charismatic V-Tuber model. But things had taken a darker turn. It all started after the new year. She had started hearing whispers¨C unintelligible murmurs of multiple people¨C that seemed to come from nowhere during her livestream. At first, she had brushed it off as her neighbours talking or her imagination playing tricks on her, but the whispers grew more frequent, especially past midnight when the noise seemed to grow louder and more distinct. She had assumed it was her neighbours, but when she visited them to ask about it, she discovered all lived alone and had no guests. The noise didn¡¯t stop. In fact, it grew clearer as the weeks passed. It sounded like the voices of a male group discussing something, a plan to do something¡­obnoxious. ¡°A new victim for us. How should we do it?¡± One of the eerie voices had whispered. ¡°We will use the rope when she opens the door¡­¡± Another voice followed, whispering next to her ears. The words sent a cold shiver down her spine. ¡°They¡± wanted her dead. At this point, Mali had begun to doubt her sanity, thinking rationally, she might be hearing auditory hallucinations. She sought therapy, hoping to subside the symptoms, but unfortunately, the phenomenon only intensified. Not long after, strange dark figures began to appear behind her during the stream. Only she could see them, as they were visible on her monitor meant to track her movements for her virtual avatar. Mali saw them¨Cheadless, disfigured shapes of bodies, their faces hidden in darkness. They were just there, stood silently behind her, as if inspecting her every move. Every time she turned around to look, they would disappear, only to reappear when she began a new live stream. The disturbances didn¡¯t stop there. At first, it was just a loud banging on the door. Forceful foot stomps that seemed to come from nowhere, as though someone, or something, was trying to get in. The walls trembled and the sound echoed through her small apartment, laying on her bed she could feel all the slight vibrations. The banding moved from the door to the windows, it was like someone knocking from the outside. This wouldn¡¯t have been strange, except for the fact that Mali was living on the fourth floor. And yet, the knocking came, persistent from all directions. From door to window, from windows to door, beneath her feet, above her head, and all around her. Every sleepless night, Mali found herself living in constant fear, and anxiety destroying her mental and physical well-being. Her V-Tuber persona was slipping away and she was slowly losing her community.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. In the end, she was clinically diagnosed with schizophrenia, and for a time, she believed it. However, things changed when her close friends, concerned for her well-being, decided to visit her apartment. They had heard about the strange occurrences but had dismissed them as part of Mali¡¯s psychotic symptoms. That is, until they experienced it for themselves, the friends had witnessed it all: the eerie murder-intent conversations, the banging, and even the figures¨Cdark shadows that now manifesting clearly before them. The paranormal was real, her friends¡¯, including Mali herself, confirmed that was the final proof that Mali had not been experiencing a mental disorder, but something far more sinister. Desperate for solutions, Mali had contacted monks, priests, even self-claimed and spiritual mediums and sorcerers who claimed to be able to exorcise vengeful spirits¨C people like Valencia. ¡°Uh,¡± Mali continues after a long intense stare from Valencia, ¡°My ¡®agent¡¯ told me that you specialised in exorcising spirits, like a sorcerer?¡± Valencia¡¯s lips curl upward, but she keeps speaking in a professional tone. ¡°We don¡¯t usually use the term sorcerer,¡± she explains, her fingers brushing against the cold glass of orange juice. ¡°We, I mean, What I do isn¡¯t just about exorcising spirits. I don¡¯t see things like you do, but I can feel, interact, and force ¡®them¡¯ to leave the ¡®two worlds¡¯ when necessary, and¡­¡± She pauses, eyes locking on Mali, who is not supposed to know any more than that. ¡°As for the details, I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t share them, as per our contract. Some things are not meant to be known, right?¡± Mali listens in silence, looking even more sceptic than she already is, the strange woman¡¯s explanations are cryptic to her. Is this some kind of scam? She thought. But the anonymous broker ¨C Agent Y ¨C who had arranged this meeting was as official as they come. A private investigator specializing in crimes and unusual cases is highly recommended by those in the circle. Someone like that wouldn¡¯t risk their reputation on something as trivial. Yet, here is a mysterious person, sitting across from her, seemingly without a care in the world. No salt, no incense, no talisman. She is just a lady in a suit in the middle of the warm night. How could someone claim to exorcise spirits without so much as a holy tool or special item? The uneasiness only grew, but despite her doubts, there is no turning back now. She has tried every single possible way to solve this haunting problem that had been tormenting her for the past six months¨C rituals, blessings, moving furniture and even as well as spending her stream fundings to renovate her room to change the ¡°energy flow¡±. Nothing had worked. Absolutely nothing. Even so¡­something about Valencia felt different. It was as though this woman was the only one who could truly help her. Maybe it¡¯s just her composure, Mali thought. Her reassured and confident features¡­maybe they¡¯re the reason why I felt¡­hopeful. Mali takes in a deep breath. ¡°All right, I¡¯ll put my trust in you, Miss¡­Lotus,¡± she begins with a sound of resignation in her voice. Valencia nods, her calm demeanour suggesting she has already anticipated Mali¡¯s decision. ¡°First, I should explain what¡¯s been happening¨C ¡°. Mali began, her voice trembling slightly, but before she could continue, Valencia raised a hand to stop her. ¡°There¡¯s no need for a lengthy explanation again,¡± she says with an unsettling calmness. ¡°I already know what¡¯s going on.¡± Mali blinked, momentarily stunned. ¡°W-What? Wait, I haven¡¯t even told Agent Y the full details of what¡¯s happening in my apartment. How could you possibly¨C¡± Valencia cuts her off, her voice unwavering as she recites the occurrences with unnerving precision. ¡°You¡¯ve been hearing whispers. Not just any whispers, they are more like a discussion plan for murder. You¡¯ve seen shadowy figures when you¡¯re live streaming. The banging that comes from every direction at once. And the last occurrence of the shadow figures makes you contact an exorcist.¡± She tilts her head slightly. ¡°Am I wrong?¡± Mali¡¯s eyes widen, it is shockingly accurate that makes her jaw drop. ¡°That¡¯s¡­that¡¯s exactly right...But how could you know all that?¡± Valencia slowly rises from her seat, gazing down at the woman¡¯s eyes that are filled with fear yet a contradicting feeling of optimism. ¡°It¡¯s my job to know,¡± she says, a faint hint of confidence in her tone can be heard as she smiles slyly. Before Mali could press her further, a sudden, thunderous BANG ripped through the room, followed by another, and another. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG.... Then the entire apartment seems to tremble violently as the sounds come from everywhere ¨C walls, ceiling, floor ¨C as if the entire apartment is being struck by an unseen force all at once. Mali froze, her breath came in short, panicked gasps as she clutched the edge of her armchair. The colour drains from her face, her wide eyes darting frantically around the room. Just as suddenly as it began, the banging stopped abruptly. Suffocating silence hung in the air as if a storm had stopped before a new one emerged. Then, the silence is replaced by chilling laughter. It is soft at first, barely more than a trick of the mind, it grows louder and multiplied. It wasn¡¯t just laughter. It was a celebration. The kind that reeks of something wicked, as if unseen beings reveal their dominion over the living. The sound of high-pitched giggles mixed with guttural murmurs, the disembodied voices echoing from every corner. Mali¡¯s trembling hands rise to cover her ears, whimpering, ¡°Make it stop¡­please, make it stop¡­¡± Valencia stands still with an unreadable expression, she is unshaken by the occurrence. She scans the room with an uncanny stillness, her lips curling into a faint, knowing smile that hints at something far more sinister. With a deliberate step forward, she adjusts her stance, her voice steady and composed. ¡°I shall begin your so-called exorcism,¡± she says, her tone almost mocking. ¡°Starting now.¡± Chapter 2 - Bounders Mali blinks rapidly, her hands still trembling as she clutches them tightly to her chest. Her unsteady gaze sweeps across the now-silent room, trying desperately to make sense of what had just happened. Her eyes dart back to Valencia, who remains unfazed, as though the unsettling events were nothing more than a routine part of her day. Valencia¡¯s eyes lock on the blank space near the dying plants. Without warning, she shifts her focus back to Mali, breaking the heavy silence. ¡°Oh, and take this.¡± Valencia reaches into her suit''s inner pocket and pulls out a small yellow sticky note. It appears ordinary at first glance indeed, but as Mali takes it, there is a faint warmth pulses through the paper, almost like a living being. ¡°What¡­ is this?¡± Mali asks, unsure whether to be confusing or concerned. ¡°It¡¯s a protector,¡± Valencia replies vaguely. ¡°Carry it with you until I¡¯m finished. It¡¯ll keep you safe.¡± Mali stares at the sticky note, uncertainty written on her face. She wants to ask more, but before she can utter another word, Valencia is already ushering the occupant of the room toward the front door. ¡°Now, go take a walk. Maybe grab some snacks from the convenience store,¡± Valencia said firmly, leaving no room for argument, ¡°I¡¯ll be done by the time you¡¯re back. You¡¯re safer outside.¡± ¡°What? Wait¨C Miss¡­!¡± Mali¡¯s protest is cut short as the door is shut in her face. ¡°Lotus¡­¡± Left with no choice, Mali makes her way downstairs, her mind still racing with a thousand questions. Each step feels heavier than the last as if the very thick air around her is filled with unseen eyes, watching her every move, waiting. The creepy sensation of being observed crawls along her skin, leaving goosebumps and a cold chill. She glances down at the yellow sticky note clutched in her hand, the faint warmth and strange subtle pulses from it are still there, a mystery item she couldn¡¯t make sense of. It¡¯s a subtle reminder that whatever was happening in her apartment, including Valencia''s identity, was far beyond her comprehension. With a deep breath, she steps outside the building, the cool night air hitting her face. For a moment, only for a brief moment, she feels a strange sense of freedom. It¡¯s like she has escaped from the curse of her apartment. She shakes off the feeling and begins walking toward the nearest convenience store, her mind still tangled in uncertainty and concern. Meanwhile, inside Mali¡¯s apartment, a well-lit room began to shift. The light flickers purposefully, illuminating shadows rippling along the walls like waves on a dark ocean. They move with a disturbing rhythm as if they are alive, each one imbued with a sinister personality. The temperature drops profusely, the air thick with a bone-chilling cold. Frost crept along the furniture and glass windows, its crystalline tendrils spreading and freezing the room from the inside out. And then, they emerge. Four figures materialise from the shadows, their form twisted and burnt, their skin blackened and peeling like used charcoal. Deep cracks run across their bodies, exposing glowing embers beneath the surface that pulse like the beats of lava. The first figure slightly stumbles forward, headless, its uneven neck stump emitting blackened smoke. Another has limbs contorted at grotesque angles, its skeletal fingers twitch unnaturally and violently, and it appears like it is desperate the grasp anything within reach. The third is cloaked in a shroud of ashes, its eyeless sockets leaking smoke as its eyeballs dangle grievously. The last remains eerily sill, but its upper body twists to face Valencia directly, its spine audibly snapping as it rotates. Its lower half, however, contorted in the opposite direction. ¡°An¡­Ability¡­User¡­¡± one of the figures hisses, its voice an aggressive rasping echo. Valencia¡¯s lips curl into a small, signature smile. She could feel their presence long before they manifested, each one of them now aware of her identity, what she was. ¡°Oh?¡± Her voice is smooth, unbothered by the four-countable entities circling her. ¡°Are we famous in the nonliving world now? That term you use¡­¡®ability user¡¯¡­ feels inadequate for describing the ancient forces that flow through our veins. For your limited understanding, we now called ourselves ¡®Bounders¡¯¡±. The figures pause, their movements hesitant, weighing their next actions. Then, like shadows coiling in on themselves, they tighten their circle around the woman. One lunges forward, its form flickering as it tries to strike, but it¡¯s stopped short, repelled by an invisible force. Then impact sends the entity gliding back, its distorted shape quivering from the failed attempt. Valencia looks down on the pitiful spirit, unimpressed. ¡°A lower-middle rank,¡± she says, her voice dripping with disappointment. ¡°Entities like you can¡¯t cause any real harm. You¡¯re nothing but a parasite, feeding off the fear of the weak, toying with human minds.¡± ¡°Pathetic.¡± She steps forward, a quiet storm of power that seems to swallow the air around her. The spirit recoils, body trembling as it shifts uneasily. ¡°You can¡¯t even lay a finger on a human,¡± she continues, savouring the pain in the spirit¡¯s impotent struggle. ¡°Let alone touch me.¡± The entities let out a low hiss, a sound that resonates with something dark¡ªrage, perhaps, or the frustration of being powerless. The noise vibrates through the living room, an ominous prologue to their looming wrath. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. With no word, Valencia raises her hand, her fingers stretching slowly and deliberately, weaving an unseen thread through the air. The floor beneath them trembles faintly, then shimmers, the blazing light spread outward in a sudden radiant surge. The blinding beam intensifies as the figures writhe and shriek in agony, their form distorting, trying to escape as the light engulfs them. In an instant, they are gone¡ªburned away by the wave of mysterious energy, their forms disintegrating into nothingness, leaving behind only the faintest remnants of ash that quickly fade into the ether. Valencia lowers her hand, the light on the floor tiles fading from her palm as the room returns to stillness. Her otherworldly eyes seem to hold the last remnants of the glow. They are azure blue, luminous and clear, with a faint tint of light lavender radiating from the irises. For a moment, her gaze focuses, as though she¡¯s listening to the story behind the four entities ¨C the whispers of what they once were, only she can hear. The vivid hues of her eyes flicker, and her expression returns to a calm, unreadable mask as the story ends. With a small indifferent sigh, Valencia turns and brushes a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She walks to the small windows, despite their securely shut frames, a simple flick of her wrist unlocks them with ease. Cool night air rushes in, carrying the faint scent of damp soil and distant city light. Valencia takes a long, steadying breath, her eyes lifting to the full vigorous moon hanging high in the sky. Its silvery glow casts soft shadows across the quiet room, catching the waves of her light blue hair, which falls to her back in a smooth-flowing curtain. Her bangs frame her face, glowing delicately in the moonlight like threads of rare silk. Leaning lightly against the windowsill, she watches the moon in quiet contemplation, its light reflected in her azure-lavender eyes. She waits patiently knowing her client will return soon, so she pulls her phone from her pocket and scrolls through her contact list. Pausing at the name ¡°Yei ¨C Agent Y,¡± she taps the screen. As the line rings, her gaze still fixes on the moon. ¡°It¡¯s done.¡± Her voice is calm. A voice from the other answers with a sharp click. The line goes dead before she can say another word. Valencia lowers the phone, slipping the device back into her pocket, and the stillness of the stranger¡¯s room wraps around her once more. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ Abilities were defined as mysterious forces, both gifts and curses. They were passed down through bloodlines that stretched back for millennia. Each individual¡¯s power was as distinct as their lineage, shaped by a combination of ancestral influence and personal characteristics. Some inherited the ability to manipulate elements¡ªfire, water, and others¡ªwhile others were gifted with the power of healing. In certain cases, people exhibited powers that bridged the ancient powers, with few manifesting more contemporary, unconventional abilities. Despite their prominence, the prevalence of these abilities was estimated at less than 0.15 per cent of the world¡¯s population. Yet, this little fraction wielded an outsized influence that shaped the course of this world¡¯s history. Ancient texts speak of ability users who once wielded their powers in brutal battles to eliminate anomalies¡ªabnormalities that threatened the world. These battles were not always fought among enemies; at times, the gifted clashed with one another in greed, and fierce conflicts to protect their kind and their secrets. In the present day, their roles have shifted slightly, though their duties remain vital. Most now deal with spirits and anomalies¡ªalthough, in many ways, the two are similar. This delicate balance is managed quietly by certain groups, often operating from the shadows, as ability users are careful to keep their powers hidden from the public eye. Generations of folklore passed down among the gifted speak of ¡°100 rituals conducted under blood moons, traded for the godly ability. Oaths are sworn to never reveal these powers to society, for to do so would bring calamity upon humanity...¡± As time has passed, those who wield these abilities¡ªknown as Bounders¡ªhave learned to live in the shadows, concealing their powers from the public eye. In bustling places like this vibrant capital¡ªwhere supernatural occurrences were frequent and thrived on being known to the world¡ªsome Bounders live quietly as healers or normal lives. Others, like Valencia, embrace the hefty responsibility of maintaining the fragile balance between the two worlds. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ Mali returns to the apartment after a quick detour to the convenience store, her nerves still on edge as she clutches the yellow sticky note, now cool to the touch. The vibe feels different, and as she steps back inside Valencia is already at the door, her expression unreadable. Without a word, she motions for Mali to follow her as they move toward the living room. The atmosphere is noticeably different ¨C calmer, peaceful, and easier to breathe. Valencia stands near the door, watching her, a small reassuring smile on her face. ¡°The spirits are gone,¡± she says softly. ¡°It will be a peaceful night from now.¡± The words settle over Mali like a warm blanket, and for the first time, she feels a sense of relief. Mali exhales slowly, feeling lighter. The relentless fears she¡¯d been carrying for half the year seemed to melt away. She looks at Valencia with gratitude. ¡°Thank you,¡± she whispers. Valencia gives a slight nod, but her expression changes when Mali adds, ¡°I should probably apologise to my neighbours next door and downstairs, though. All the noise must have also driven them crazy.¡± Valencia¡¯s brown furrows confusingly. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Mali blinks, surprised by the astonishment in her voice. ¡°My neighbours? I had a noise complaint, again, just a few days ago from the woman next door, and the student living downstairs.¡± Valencia ponders for a brief second, her lips pressed into a thin line. ¡°Mali...¡± she begins cautiously, ¡°there¡¯s no one else living in this building.¡± Mali freezes. ¡°What? That¡¯s not true. I¡¯ve been interacting with my neighbours this whole time and I¡¯ve even seen them during the day¨C.¡± Valencia shakes her head. ¡°I spoke to the landlord before I came here. You¡¯re the only tenant left. Everyone moved out many months ago, right after the incidents started in your apartment. No one could take the disturbances and most were afraid of your story. And¡­¡± Valencia hesitates before continuing in a calm voice, ¡°¡­they think you¡¯ve gone mental because of it.¡± ¡°No,¡± Mali mutters, her voice shaking. ¡°That can¡¯t be¡­I just¡­I was just talking with them recently¡­¡± Valencia reaches out, patting Mali¡¯s shoulder gently. ¡°Mali, you don¡¯t need to worry about those ¡®neighbours.¡¯ I reassure you they mean you no harm. You don¡¯t have to think too much about the world that you don¡¯t belong to¨Cat least, not yet.¡± Mali¡¯s doubt deepens, but her vendor doesn¡¯t elaborate either. Instead, she straightens and steps back, her expression unreadable. ¡°Get some rest,¡± she adds with a faint smile. ¡°I¡¯ve already received the payment. And Goodbye.¡± Without another word, she turns and walks toward the door. Mali tries to follow her as the door shuts, but when she opens it, Valencia is already gone. The quiet hallway outside is empty, there is not a sign of her anywhere. Mali stands frozen for a moment, her hand still on the doorknob, scepticism creeping into her thoughts again. Was she another ghost? The question hangs in her head, but the cold yellow sticky note in her hand grounds her in reality. That¡¯s not possible, but how did she disappear so quickly? Confused, Mali shuts the door and turns to face the once-haunted apartment, now quiet and peaceful in the moonlight. Chapter 3 - Agent Y Meanwhile, in the quiet of her high-rise condo, Valencia steps into her spacious apartment, the automated lock door clicking softly behind her. She takes a slow breath, letting the weight of the night settle onto her as she moves through the dimly lit space. The soft voice of the city is muffled, and the stillness of the room feels almost foreign after the chaos of the evening. The clock ticks rhythmically in the background while she walks to the closet with ease, undoes her coat, and loosens the collar of her shirt. The familiar smells of Christmas potpourri and cinnamon drift through the air, a comforting scent of old memories. After a quick shower, Valencia moves to her bedroom and slips into comfortable clothes. With a tired sigh, she slumps into bed, the cool sheets of welcoming relief. With a quiet exhale, she closes her eyes, finally allowing herself to relax. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ The next morning, the noisy ring of Valencia¡¯s phone pulls her from the slumber. It¡¯s an unscheduled call from Yei. ¡°...Hello?¡± Valencia answers the phone in a raspy voice from sleep.
¡°You¡¯re awake, great. Today¡¯s commission is quite unusual,¡± Yei says in a professional tone. ¡°I¡¯ll need you in the office to discuss the strategies by 9 a.m. No vehicle transportation.¡± Valencia doesn¡¯t need to ask why. The cryptic tone suggests discretion, and her mind immediately begins to focus. There¡¯s no question in that implication that she will have to change the means of travel, another ability of hers that she¡¯s long kept to herself. ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll be there,¡± she replies, handing up before any further exchange. She turns toward the digital clock on her bedside table, at 8:10 a.m. With a quiet exhale, she pushes herself up from the bed and moves through her morning routine. The plan is simple, as it always is. By 20 minutes before the appointment, she¡¯s dressed and sipping a hot cup of coffee. She still has a few minutes to spare, so she settles in front of the news, her attention half-distracted as the news reporters discuss the rising influence of a research corporation. Her brow furrows slightly at the mention, but she quickly dismisses it, focusing instead on the final preparation. As the news fades into the background, she takes her last sip then sets the cup aside, and rises from the dining table to leave. She checks that everything in the apartment is in order: all windows and doors are securely shut. She pauses for a moment before retracing her steps back to her bedroom, handbag in hand, ready to leave. The house key remains untouched on the counter--she doesn¡¯t need it. With a flick of her hand, she vanishes. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ In the blink of an eye, the world around Valencia shifts, and she finds herself standing in a plain, unremarkable office room. Nothing out of the ordinary ¨C just a standard working desk, some chairs, and the soft fluorescent light overhead. Yei, on the other hand, stands at the far end of the unfamiliar room, expecting Valencia to appear at that exact spot. The two of them seem to be around the same age. Her light brown hair is streaked with blonde contrasts and the intricate lotus tattoo covers her chest. The design, detailed and flowing, seems almost alive. On her left cheek, a faint Chinese character ¡°24¡± tattooed on her skin caught on attention of anyone looking at her. ¡°Right on time,¡± Yei says, her voice cool but with a slight appreciation. ¡°Let¡¯s head to the meeting room.¡± Valencia gives a small nod as she follows Yei through the long corridors. The Lotus group consists of only a few individuals, with Valencia among the main ones who go out into the field to handle their peculiar commissions. Over the years, Yei has steadily built a reputation as a private investigator specialising in unusual crimes and cases. Through her efforts, she has managed to gather commission for the group. The tasks often involve removing abnormalities in people¡¯s lives or environments¡ªspirits, mysterious creatures, or objects tainted with unnatural energy. On rare occasions, it may even extend to possession in humans, a usually challenging and delicate task that requires thorough strategy.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. Judging by Yei¡¯s urgency, this mission seems likely to fall into that rare category. Nevertheless, this isn¡¯t Valencia¡¯s first time having an unusual mission like this, and she is prepared for whatever comes next. The meeting room is just as featureless as the office room; however, it resembles a small investigation space, with walls lined with shelves stacked with documents, maps, and a mix of photographs pinned to the corkboard. A faint scent of old paper and coffee lingers in the air. It¡¯s the kind of place that speaks of constant analysis and quiet contemplation, the kind of environment that welcomes urgency and strategy. Yei walks to the far end of the room and turns on a projector. The light dims, and a clear image of a middle-aged man and a company title appears. ¡°The client is affiliated with Aether Research Corporation.¡± Yep begins, her tone lower and serious. ¡°You¡¯ve probably heard of them¨C ¡° ¡°Nope,¡± Valencia cuts her off flatly, arms crossed, leaning against the table. Yei glares at her and smacks the top of Valencia¡¯s head with the remote projector without hesitation. ¡°I¡¯m explaining, and you¡¯ll listen quietly,¡± she snaps, rolling her eyes as Valencia rubs her head with an apologetic smile and gestures for Yei to continue. Yei exhales sharply before clicking to the next slide. Aether Research Corporation is well-known for running prestigious training programs and funding scholarships for so-called ¡®gifted individuals.¡¯ They partner with all the top-ranking universities around the world to support research projects and internships, and they develop advanced medical treatments for rare diseases as well. ¡°Their glowing reputation isn¡¯t as pristine as it seems,¡± Valencia comments. Yei pauses mid-sentence, she considers responding, but she doesn¡¯t say anything. Instead, she exhales and clicks to the next slide, choosing to let the comment linger unchallenged or supported. Yei continues to describe the client¡¯s position, he is a head of research at the corporation, a man of high status who has requested to remain anonymous. He is referred to only as Mr. R, and he had confided in Yei an unpleasant issue: he had been feeling strangely drained as if something were extracting away his energy. During the day, he felt fine, but at night, a different hunger overcame him¡ªan insatiable craving for fresh, uncooked meat. It wasn¡¯t long before Mr. R¡¯s nightly consumption of red meat became more desperate. He tried to stop, concerned for his health, but the cravings didn¡¯t subside. Eventually, he woke up one morning to a disturbing discovery of a dead cat, half-devoured, torn apart as if something had feasted on it in the night. Valencia, sitting quietly, begins to deduct the possible source of this mystery as Yei¡¯s words fill the room. When the story reaches its darkest part, Valencia, who has a neutral expression on her, calmly raises her hand, stopping Yei mid-sentence. ¡°That¡¯s enough for now.¡± Understanding, Yei nods and clicks to the next slide, revealing a detailed plan of action and things to take precautions. ¡°Mr R lives alone, which is fortunate, as there won¡¯t be any unexpected witnesses during your mission. However¨C¡±. Yei continues looking serious. ¡°This case involves the client himself. Unlike other commissions, like the last one, there¡¯s no outsider to witness what happened. This means you need to be extra careful in solving the problem without revealing your visible abilities to him.¡± Valencia falls back against the chair, her gaze fixed on the projector screen, she recalls the news from this morning about the rising influence of an unnamed research group. She finds some distance correlations in the stories, but not in a way she likes. Then, Valencia¡¯s eyes gleam with a sudden idea. She straightens up and turns to Yei, her tone shifting to one of quiet determination. ¡°I need you to get something for me, you know, the D-code,¡± Valencia says with a hint of inappropriate excitement. Yei knows exactly what she meant. ¡°Asking someone who works in the line of the justice system to get illegal goods? Really?¡± ¡°But we¡¯re not official anyway, are we?¡± Valencia smirks. ¡°Come on, this isn¡¯t our first time doing this.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t even get me started on how you almost got caught using ¡®that¡¯ for other past commissions¡¯...¡± Yei sighs and gives in if it¡¯s something that would help keep Valencia''s ability hidden, ¡°Fine. And I wish it went well this time. We both know the risks.¡± Valencia gives a small nod and signature smile, ¡°It will be fine.¡± ¡°Lastly, the client expects you at his residence tomorrow night at 8. I trust you¡¯ll handle this with precision, as always.¡± Yei clicks off the projector, saying her final words. After finalising the plan, Valencia stands up, ready to leave. She pauses for a moment and glances back at Yei with a slightly soft expression. Her voice fills with a rare warmth as she addresses her best friend and work partner. ¡°¡­And as always, if you need any help with your normal investigation, I¡¯ll always be happy to help you, Yei.¡± Yei sighs, brushing off the offer with a dismissive hand wave. ¡°I can handle my job, Valencia.¡± Valencia gives Yei one last glance before she leaves in the same way she came. Yei watches her go, her mind elsewhere. She stands there for a long moment and stares into the space Valencia had occupied, connecting something lost in the past. She says quietly to herself, is she still feeling guilty about that incident? Chapter 4 - An Ominous Artifact The faint sound of the city and the station announcement fade into the background as Valencia steps off the sky train and into the residential area. As she continues walking through the bustling street, she gazes slightly over the vendors lining the sidewalks near the station, their trollies overflowing with sizzling cuisine and colourful sweets. Groups of people, mostly office workers, gather eagerly and chat about their work. Valencia blends through the crowd effortlessly, her pace steady but unhurried. Even with her unique hair colour of a light blue that should catch many eyes from a distance, she manages to remain surprisingly unnoticeable in the large crowd. As she moves deeper into the district, the lively sound diminishes, replaced by the flickering streetlights and the occasional sound of rustle of leaves. The appointed location lies ahead, a shining two-story house settled in a wealthy district, its modern design and landscaping screaming the prosperity of its owner. Valencia eyes the house judgmentally; her gaze lingers on the modern architecture. A scientist, wealthy enough to afford this, yet desperate enough to call for an exorcist before seeing a doctor? she contemplates, ringing on the doorbell near the polished steel gate. Footsteps can be heard rushing from the distance, the automatic door slowly slides open with a man greets Valencia in a rush. The middle-aged man is pale, his clothes quite dishevelled, and the faint stench of decaying flesh clings to him. Despite his professional credentials, he seems restless and fragile. ¡°The Lotus?¡± ¡°And you must be Mr. R,¡± Valencia says in a steady voice. ¡°Ah, yes, yes. That is me. Please, come in,¡± Mr R says, his voice shaky but polite as he guides her into the living room. The minimalist d¨¦cor immediately catches her attention, with neutral shade walls and sparse furniture with the same colour tone. The space feels clinical like it was designed to be functional rather than comforting. A single abstract red painting hangs on the wall, and a low coffee table sits in the centre. Mr. R gestures for his guest to sit, offering a tray of refreshments with a forced smile. He sits down across her and tries to calmly explain his strange situation. He tells Valencia the same story Yei had reported: feeling the drained and irresistible craving for raw meat that overtakes him at night. Valencia listens, allowing him to continue without interruption, his words are filled with desperation, and it¡¯s clear that he¡¯s already convinced that what he¡¯s experiencing is something supernatural. When he finishes, there¡¯s a brief silence before he looks at her, expectantly. ¡°¡­Can you sense anything? Do you feel anything¡­unholy?¡± he asks with the hope that perhaps she can provide an answer. Valencia does not respond immediately. Instead, she watches him for a brief moment and sensing his vulnerability, she decides to test him. ¡°Run around your house three times,¡± she commands as if it¡¯s the most natural thing people do. ¡°It¡¯s part of the ritual,¡± she elaborates like that is making any more sense. Without a moment of hesitation, Mr. R nods and heads out the door, following strange instructions without a question. As he jogs around his own house, Valencia''s lips curl into a sly smile. It wasn¡¯t just a command to test his trust¡ª there was something far more deliberate in her plan. She knew the task was absurd, but the simplicity of it would occupy him long enough for her to carry out the next part of her strategy. While rummaging through her handbag for the necessary items, she couldn¡¯t help but think, how could a man like him qualify as a scientist? And he¡¯s the head researcher at Aether? Even Mali is more sensible than this. With quiet, seemingly practised movement, she slips a dose of sleeping drugs into the glass of refreshment Mr. R had set down earlier. The technique may seem generic, but it makes things less complicated when working with a potentially possessed person. The last thing she needs is a witness seeing her using out worldly ability, and in most cases like this, pills are often the most effective method. Now, it¡¯s only a matter of time before he returns to drink from the glass. When Mr R is back, exhausted, he subconsciously takes the drink from the glass Valencia has spiked without her making any effort to persuade him. He slowly slumps onto the sofa, unconscious within moments. Valencia crosses her legs and waits, her fingers tapping lighting against the armrest. ¡°Alright,¡± she mutters softly, her tone sharp as she calls out, ¡°Show yourself. There¡¯s no point in hiding now.¡± The man, supposedly in a deep sleep, jolts upright. The man¡¯s eyes snap open, revealing an unnatural, inhuman glow¡ªmilky white, devoid of black iris and emotion. His entire demeanour changes instantly, movements slow yet deliberate, like those of an older person weighed down by both time and malice. His voice, no longer shaky, is gravelly and dry. ¡°¡­Don¡¯t step in between me and my prey¡­I shall empty its insides and feast¡­!¡± Valencia¡¯s eyes narrow, expecting what¡¯s to appear in front of her. ¡°Hm. A type of ghoul from the east. However, the likes of you typically possess women or children. What¡¯s so special about this man?¡± The entity rises with a sickening creak of joints, movements more animalistic than human. His back arches unnaturally as he drops to all fours, a low growl rumbling from his dry throat. Valencia steps back. The air grows colder around them, and she feels the weight of the entity¡¯s presence pressing against her. She flexes her fingers, readying herself. ¡°¡­I¡¯ll ask again, why are you possessing this man?¡± she repeats, her voice lowered with suspicion. She steps forward, her eyes locked onto the possessed form in front of her. The ghoul responds in a high-pitched scream, its lips peeling back to its ears revealing countless teeth too sharp and long to belong to any human. It crouches, muscles coiled tightly, ready to spring at her. But its movements are slightly slower than expected as if it¡¯s not used to its new body. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Valencia¡¯s brow furrows as she dodges the attempted attack, her mind whirring elsewhere. Something is definitely wrong. She can sense it, this isn¡¯t just a ghoul, not one like any she¡¯s encountered before. The presence inside the man is¡­ layered. It¡¯s not just a spirit, not just a possession¡ªit feels like something dangerous, something far more ancient. ¡°You shall be my next prey.¡± The voice and growl are no longer coming from the man¡¯s mouth, it¡¯s an echo, a whisper in the back of her mind. Valencia stifles a shiver, surely this is no ordinary spirit. She tightens her fist, channelling her ability, ¡°Imagination¡±, deep within her. With a thought, she could bring almost anything into existence, manifesting whatever she needed to confront this entity. But this time, she is holding back, she needs to be careful as she doesn¡¯t know yet what she¡¯s up against. Her fingers twitch as she taps into the power within her, summoning a thin veil of energy that wraps around her entire body. The air around her vibrates with a low hum, an invisible current flowing through her as she draws on her ability to peer into the layers of the entity. The truth, hidden beneath the monstrous form, begins to unravel. She focuses, on searching for its core, its vulnerabilities. The creature¡¯s presence feels indeed ancient, bound by dark forces. The creature moves again, it lunges immediately toward her, and its body moves too fast for a normal person to follow. Valencia reacts immediately, not wasting a single second to form an attack. Her hand extended and her mind swirled with possibilities. From thin air, a glowing blade materialises in her hand, its shape fluid, liquid light hardened into a sharp edge. She attacks preemptively, swinging the blade with precision, cutting through the air as it glows brighter with each movement. The creature tries to dodge, but its body is too slow and heavy. With a swift slash, the blade cuts through its torso, and the entity shrieks in agony. The ghoul stumbles back, its body flickering like a distorted image in a broken mirror, pieces of its form beginning to unravel. Valencia doesn¡¯t give it a chance to recover. With a swift motion, she raises her other hand. A ball of fire materializes in her palm, crackling with intense heat as she channels her energy directly toward the target. The flame expands rapidly, hurtling toward the creature with blistering speed. The fireball slams directly into the ghoul¡¯s chest, and with a violent explosion, the creature¡¯s form is engulfed in flames. Its body writhes in agony as the fire consumes it, the once powerful form disintegrating into ash and smoke. The ghoul lets out a shrill, inhuman scream before it¡¯s reduced to nothing, dissipating in the air. As the last of the ghoul vanishes, Mr R, whose body had been a vessel for the spirit, collapses onto the ground, his body suddenly disconnected from the malevolent force that had controlled it. He doesn¡¯t appear injured, fortunately, just exhausted and under anesthetic. Valencia stands still, her eyes watching the unconscious man, her breath steady but her mind still alert. The battle is over and the suspicious ghoul is no more. She lowers her hand, the flame fading as the last traces of energy are absorbed back into her. The room grows quiet again, but the remnant of the mysterious energy remains. She inspects the whole area until she comes across the corner of the room where the wooden box still rests, the very thing that had drawn the ghoul¡¯s wrath. With an exhausted sigh, she moves toward it, feeling the weight of its dark power pressing against her senses. It¡¯s time to uncover its secrets. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ Setting the wooden box that has been oozing mysterious dark energy on the table that once was set to accommodate the guests¡¯ refreshment, Valencia takes a deep breath. The faint, otherworldly whispers coming from the artifact sent a shiver down her spine. It feels almost alive, pulsating with an energy that is both foreign and ancient. She steps back as she places it on the table, her eyes narrowing as she studies it. Meanwhile, Mr. R is still unconscious on the same spot, the ghoul¡¯s possession having left him as lifeless as a puppet with its strings cut. He had been a mere vessel, a food, and his body was now nothing more than a discarded shell, recovering into the normal state. Valencia glances at him once, making sure he is still breathing, before shifting her attention back to the box. Her fingers hover over the surface of the artifact, an intense pulse of energy still emanating from it. Speculating closer, the power within it wasn¡¯t just raw and chaotic; it was¡­ controlled, and contained. She knows immediately that this is not a normal relic. Whatever was sealed inside, was meant to stay that way. But for how long?
With a steadying breath, she uses another of her abilities, ¡°The Truth¡±. Her gaze becomes intense, her consciousness shifting into a deeper state as she reaches out, trying to peak into the hidden layers of the box¡¯s essence. The seals are formidable, carefully crafted to suppress whatever force had been trapped within. As she digs deeper, she feels something unsettling: the force inside the box straining against the barriers, as though it was waiting for an opportunity to break free. The energy pulses, desperate, almost alive, clawing at the seals with an intelligence of its own. Then, a ripple of voice surges through her mind. Theodore. The name hit her like a wave of clarity. The artifact had belonged to him¡ªthe late owner, Theodore, the founder of the Aether Research Corporation. The truth becomes clearer. This artifact wasn¡¯t meant to remain hidden for long. It was meant to be sent to him soon by Mr. R, or Robert Hare, the very man who had fallen victim to the ghoul¡¯s possession. The plan had been for Mr. Hare to deliver it directly to Theodore, a trusted agent tasked with bringing it to the Aether Corporation¡¯s leader. Valencia¡¯s heart sank. The pieces of the puzzle are falling into place. The artifact isn¡¯t simply an ancient relic. It is a weapon¡ªan object of immense power, coveted by Theodore for reasons far darker than mere pseudoscience curiosity. She knows that with his knowledge and resources, the Aether Research Corporation would seek to abuse whatever power is contained within this box. ¡°Why would a high-profile scientist like him want an artifact of this kind? Unless he¡¯s¡­¡± Valencia¡¯s mind puzzles, piecing together the fragments of what she had learned. Valencia¡¯s grip tightens around the box as a fierce determination sets in. There is no way she is letting him get his hands on it. She takes a deep breath, forcing herself to focus. The box feels heavy in her hands, and even though she tries to seal its strong presence with her ability, its dark energy still simmering just beneath the flat surface. She couldn¡¯t let it say here. Theodore¡¯s agents could be closing in at any moment, and the last thing she needs is for them to collect the artifacts in this house. ¡°Sorry, Mr. Robert,¡± she mutters quietly, her voice barely audible the tension in the air. With the wooden box safely secured in her possession, Valencia slips out into the cold night, the weight of her decision settling on her shoulders, carrying the responsibility of stopping a catastrophe. And with that, she disappears into the shadows, leaving Mr. R behind. Chapter 5 – Framed (i) In the following days, as the dusk settles after the commission¡¯s successful completion, Valencia sits in her apartment with the wooden artifact lying on the table next to her, its dark energy still around it. The tension from handling the ancient thing lingers in her muscles, and she knows she cannot afford to let her guard down or carelessly leave the dangerous material in her place. It had been a long time since she had needed to perform any form of protective magic, Valencia thought. Her usual focus is on battle¡ªthe direct confrontation with spirits, ghouls, and anomalies¡ªpurely using her raw ability. For this situation, she needs to ensure that the true nature of the artifact remains hidden from prying eyes. Valencia kneels beside the table, clearing her mind. It is time to draw a sigil¡ªa protection barrier, something to shield this box from being noticed by anyone except her. The sigil would conceal its presence, keeping it hidden from any who might come searching. She retrieves a small vial from her closet, containing ink made from crushed obsidian. It has been ages since she had drawn a sigil, and the act requires intense concentration, energy should be channelled into every stroke. All ancient symbols have to be perfect, or the barrier will fail. The blue-haired woman set to work, her fingers moving steadily as she sketches the sigil on the ground with the ink. Each stroke is deliberate, forming interwoven lines that pulse with glowing light as they take shape. As the sigil emerged, she could feel the magic functioning, its protective aura beginning to wrap around the targeted object. As the last stroke of the sigil is completed, a faint shimmer of white light surrounds the box, its dark energy now veils beneath the protective barrier she has just created. Valencia let out a quiet breath of relief, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. Just then, her phone buzzes, and it is a familiar contact¡ªYei. She answers, her voice cool yet very distracted, ¡°Yei, What¡¯s up? Is there another commission already?¡± On the other end, Yei¡¯s tone is professional yet laced with slight concern. ¡°No, it¡¯s not about that. I need to talk to you about your new phone. It¡¯s risky to keep using it for calls, especially with a detective like me. You should let Anurak put some security protection on it.¡± Valencia sighs, rubbing her temples. She has already been thinking about that. Her life has only become more complicated since the artifact was taken, and keeping her communications and identity safe is, and always, a top priority. ¡°I know. I¡¯ve been meaning to. But honestly, I¡¯m tied up with something else for the next few days.¡± Valencia glances at the wooden box that now appears to look like a normal container. ¡°I¡¯ll stop by next week to let Mr. Anurak take care of it.¡± Yei didn¡¯t press further, but there is an unspoken understanding. ¡°Alright. We¡¯ll talk soon, Valencia.¡±The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ Meanwhile, at an undisclosed location, Robert Hare¡ªknown to few as Mr. R¡ªis far from the safe haven he has once thought he¡¯d return to. The door to his small, dim room creaks open, and Theodore steps in. He is a young man, his appearance striking in a way that makes the air feel tense around him. His dark hair is swept back on one side, a few strands falling elegantly over his face. On his right ear, he wears a golden rhombus-shaped earring that catches the faint light in the room. His slender frame is deceptively firm, with the quiet strength of someone who has been honed by more than just physical training. His piercing purple eyes glowed faintly in the dark, piercing through to the very soul of anyone who dared meet his gaze. Every movement of his is deliberate, his presence commanding attention without the need for words. Theodore exudes an air of both elegance and menace¡ªan unsettling combination that makes it clear to anyone in his proximity that he is not someone to cross. ¡°Robert. You¡¯ve failed.¡± Theodore¡¯s voice is sharp, like the edge of a blade. Robert¡¯s eyes are bloodshot, his face pale and trembling. Robert has been expecting this visit, and he knows it isn¡¯t going to end well. He falls to his knees in front of Theodore, his hands clutching at the floor. ¡°Please, Sir Theodore, I¡­ I didn¡¯t mean for any of this to happen! I didn¡¯t mean to lose the artifact!¡±
Theodore clicks his tongue in irritation, ¡°Tch. I almost get to see the result of my work. Not only has a mere human sorcerer managed to get rid of the spirits, but they dare to steal what is mine,¡± his eyes narrowing with cold fury. ¡°How are you going to take responsibility?¡± Robert¡¯s desperate pleas are lost in the chill of Theodore¡¯s gaze. ¡°Please, I didn¡¯t want to fail you. I-I didn¡¯t know what to do. It was too much. I never thought she¡¯d¡ª¡± Theodore cuts him off in a deep stern voice, commanding his subordinate behind him. ¡°Clean him up. Get rid of this¡­failure.¡± His eyes flicker with distaste as he turns, walking toward the door. Before the door closes, Theodore¡¯s voice lingers in the air. ¡°And find the missing artifact the woman sorceress had stolen.¡± ©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤ The whispers of rumours begin to circulate among the anonymous researchers at the Aether Research Corporation. Robert Hare, once a trusted head of the research team, has supposedly resigned and left the country. His recent erratic in the months prior behaviour was noted, but no one suspected the true reason behind his disappearance. But in the shadows, Theodore¡¯s wrath is far from over. In a desolate, forgotten corner of the city, far from people, the body of Robert Hare is disposed of. Another Bounder, silent and efficient, is tasked with ensuring there is no trace left behind. A blast of crimson energy lit up the night as the figure channels its power. With a cold and precise movement, they incinerate Robert¡¯s remains, turning his body to ash. The only remnants of the man were the faint wisps of smoke that disappeared into the darkened sky, leaving no evidence or memory. The burning of Robert Hare is the final act of cleaning up after the failed delivery of the artifact. Theodore would not let his plans be hindered, and those who stand in his way¡ªwhether knowingly or not¡ªwould be dealt with swiftly. Valencia, however, remains unaware of the full extent of Theodore¡¯s reach, and as her footsteps grow heavier with each passing day, the truth will soon catch up with her¡ªwhether she is ready or not. Chapter 6 – Framed (ii) The soft sound of equipment fills the dimly lit room as Theodore sits in his high-backed chair, his purple eyes fixated on the large monitor in front of him. Streams of footage play from the hidden cameras he had installed in Robert Hare¡¯s home, yet every video feed was distorted as if cloaked by an unseen force. Glitches rippled through the screen as Valencia walked in the frame, rendering every attempt to view the critical moments futile. Theodore¡¯s finders tap on the desk in irritation. ¡°Malfunctions?¡± one of his subordinates suggests hesitantly, standing nearby. ¡°No,¡± Theodore replies, his gaze narrows. ¡°This is no ordinary interference. Someone has tampered with it.¡± ¡°Give me Robert¡¯s phone.¡± Switching tactics, he accesses Robert¡¯s phone records. Scanning the recent contacts, one entry caught his attention. ¡°Exorcism Agent.¡± Theodore¡¯s lips curl into a scary smirk. He activates his ability, a unique skill that allows him to trace digital imprints to their source. The agent contact¡¯s details begin to emerge but are heavy: no name, no image, no digital footprint. Each trace ends in fake IP addresses and ghost servers. It is a level of security he rarely encounters. However, among the fragments, one significant clue surfaces, ¡°the client list for...¡± Theodore¡¯s eyes gleam as he focuses on a single name: Valencia. With deliberate precision, Theodore begins cross-referencing the name. It didn¡¯t take him long to piece together her profile. A photo surfaces of a young woman with sharp blue eyes and an air of calm confidence. Further digging reveals her past involvement in the official Bounders organisation¡ªAstraea, though she has since gone off the grid. Blood-bound. Not a simple sorcerer but someone born with a unique and troublesome power. ¡°Hm¡­¡± Theodore grins, leaning back in his chair, the golden earring on his right ear catching the dim light from the monitor. ¡°A blood-bounder with an experience like hers¡­ she¡¯ll make a fascinating test subject.¡± Plans begin to unfold in his mind. He executes his plan to frame Valencia, he spreads carefully fabricated evidence among several Aether Corporation insiders and the underground network, accusing her of stealing artifacts and classified data. Valencia¡¯s name and face quickly spread like wildfire, marked as a high-priority target with an enormous bounty on her head. In both the shadows of the underground world and the corridors of Aether¡¯s associates, whispers of the ¡°hunting blood-bounder¡± spread, painting her as a dangerous thief and a threat to the balance of power. This bounty attracts attention from all sides¡ªmercenaries, seasonal bounty hunters, and opportunists¡ªall eager to claim the reward and win favour with Aether¡¯s influential network. Valencia is now not only fighting to survive but also navigating a world where every ally could be a potential traitor. __________________________________________________ Anurak leans back in his chair, his fingers speeding over the keyboard as he reinforces the network¡¯s firewalls. His brown eyes scan the streams of data with perfect accuracy, searching for any lingering traces of the breach. On his left cheek, the familiar Chinese character ¡°24¡± tattooed on his skin caught the soft glow of the monitor¡ªa shared mark of trust he bore alongside Yei. Though a normal human with no ability, Anurak has built a reputation in the shadow of both mundane and supernatural worlds as a cybersecurity genius. His vast knowledge of bounders and their secrets made him a rare and valuable ally. It is no wonder Yei placed her unwavering trust in him. ¡°Whoever this is...They''re good," Anurak mutters, ¡°However, not good enough to outwit me!¡± Smirking, he shows a flippant attitude. His confidence grows from years of experience. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Yei paces behind him, her emerald-green eyes glowing lightly in the dim light of the office. Her mind races with worry. Valencia is more than just a colleague; she is the only closest friend she has. The thought of her in danger sends a surge of urgency through Yei. ¡°Can you find out who¡¯s behind this?¡± Yei asks, her voice steady despite the concern in her tone. Anurak nods, his fingers still dancing across the keyboard. ¡°Not yet, but I¡¯ve traced the attempt back to Robert Hare¡¯s account. The method used is high-level, likely someone inside Aether Corporation.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve locked down everything I could from here, but whoever¡¯s targeting her knows their way around. It will only hold them off for so long.¡± Anurak continues, his voice low and reassuring. Yei clenches her jaw and attempts Valencia¡¯s number again. Each unanswered ring built up her tension. ¡°She¡¯s not picking up,¡± Yei mutters, frustration flickering in her tone and body language. ¡°She might be busy, but we can¡¯t assume she¡¯s safe,¡± Anurak replies, typing rapidly. ¡°I¡¯ll reroute any trackers and obscure her traces further. If they manage to piece together her movements¡­we might have to go on the field.¡± Yei didn¡¯t hesitate, she grabbed her coat and headed for the door. ¡°Keep working on it. If you find anything, contact me immediately.¡± Anurak gives a short nod, already focusing on the next layer of encryption. However, before Yei could steps outside the exit, Anurak¡¯s brow furrows as he detects a new spike of activity on the network. His heart skips a beat when the familiar red alert flashes across his dashboard again, signalling a successful intrusion attempt. ¡°Oh shit,¡± he mutters under his breath, his voice lacing with both urgency and disbelief. His fingers flew over the keyboard, navigating through layers of code and security logs. ¡°How in the world¡­?¡±
Yei comes running back to the room, stopping mid-step. ¡°What is it?!¡± ¡°They¡¯re persistent,¡± Anurak says, his tone clips as he quickly isolated the breach¡¯s origin point. ¡°It¡¯s the same signal from Robert Hare¡¯s account, but now they¡¯re escalating. Whoever this is has access to resources¡ªserious resources.¡± ¡°What are they after?¡± ¡°Valencia¡¯s personal information. Again. They have got it this time.¡± Anurak clicks through a series of logs, cross-referencing timestamps and server activity. ¡°They¡¯re going for more than just data. They¡¯re scanning for real-time coordinates. It¡¯s like they want her physical location.¡± Yei¡¯s eyes widen, she should¡¯ve seen this coming but got overwhelmed with her emotions. She takes a deep breath, ¡°Can you block them?¡± Anurak pauses and signs in defeat, ¡°It¡¯s too late.¡± __________________________________________________ In a high-tech control room, Theodore stands before a wall of monitor screens. His purple eyes glow in the dim light as he watches the heeds. One by one, the screens display blurry images of Valencia¡¯s past movements from scraps of surveillance footage. ¡°She¡¯s good at covering her tracks,¡± Theodore muses, his fingers fidget on the golden rhombus-shaped earring. ¡°But not good enough. We¡¯ll flush her out soon enough.¡± A subordinate approached, bowing slightly before speaking. ¡°Our team is en route to her last location. What are your orders if she resists?¡± Theodore¡¯s expression remains neutral, in fact, smiling, ¡°I don¡¯t care what methods they use as long as they¡¯re bringing her to me, alive.¡± The subordinate nods and leaves, leaving Theodore alone with his thoughts. He stares at Valencia¡¯s image on one of the screens, a calculating smile on his lips. ¡°Let¡¯s see if you can get away, Miss Valencia.¡± __________________________________________________ Across the city, Valencia is deep in the archives of a library, pouring over ancient texts related to bounder artifacts, including one in her possession. The dim, golden light of her workstation reflects off her face as she meticulously takes a long list of notes. Her phone vibrates silently on her table, but she doesn¡¯t notice, her attention entirely consumed by the research. As night falls, Valencia finally enters her apartment, her bag slinging down her shoulder. She pulled out her phone to check her messages and frowned at the endless missed calls from Yei. ¡°What now? That¡¯s concerning,¡± she murmurs, unlocking her phone to see the urgency in Yei¡¯s messages: ¡°You¡¯re in danger. Call me back immediately.¡± Before she could dial back, a sudden crash shatters the stillness. Glass rains down as a group of armed figures break through her apartment¡¯s windows, their movements swift and precise. Valencia''s instincts kick in, but not fast enough. A sharp pain erupts in her stomach as a bullet grazed her side. She stumbles, clutching her wound and analysing the situation. Despite the surging pain, her gaze locks onto the artifact, low lying exposed on the table amidst the chaos. Her heart pounds as she realises the intruders aren¡¯t just after her¡ªthey want the artifact. The way their eyes dart toward it, the subtle shift in their stance, it is clear. Gritting her teeth, she pushed past the agony and dove for it, snatching the artifact with trembling hands. The moment her fingers curl around its surface, a faint pulse of energy resonates through her. She cradles it protectively against her chest. The armed figures close in, their weapons trained on her, however, Valencia isn¡¯t ready to give in. Summoning the last of her strength, she conjures a burst of bright energy, a disorienting flash that fills the room. The attackers recoil, momentarily blind and stumbling over each other in confusion. When they regain their postures, Valencia has disappeared into thin air.