Encore 68 — Verglas: The Black Iced Fiend (IV)

The Sendai Trust Tower.

The tallest building in Sendai. Inside, Verglas walked around the basement of said building. Coincidentally, it was the same building that Yuma and company were staying at. They were staying in the hotel of the Trust Tower.

"Hopefully we get our heroes to test the prototype out, right, Daren?"

Verglas looked over at the boy in the corner of the room. He had a unique hair colour of pink and his eyes were green.

"Of course. The Khine Family want results, so we can't disappoint them. The ceremony will be complete by midnight, right?"

"Before midnight. Before midnight, we'll have an entity similar to the Fire Dragon Nuri, but weaker. Since we can't find it, we need others to."

Verglas narrowed their eyes, turning to the boy.

"But, it perplexes me..."

The boy tilted his head, unsure of what Verglas was implying.

"Why would the Khine Family, a family who do not like outside interference or aid, ask me for aid?"

Daren shrugged.

"It was the Patriarch's decision. Find someone who agrees with the idea and help them cultivate the True Magic spell. You agreed and so here we are."

"Then what is your purpose in this?"

Daren froze.

"I may be a killer but my goal is to create heroes able to withstand such a beast. What about your family, Daren?"

"That is none of your concern, Verglas. The Khine Family have their own goals that no one needs to know of."

"Is the World Origin a part of it?"

Daren swiftly turned, glaring at Verglas. He was emanating ominous bloodlust. Verglas put their hands up mockingly.

"How do you know that?"

"The World Origin. It is something that has a mind of its own and is under no affiliation whatsoever. It is the origin of the world and works alongside the world powers to keep it alive. For example, it agreed to brand anyone under the guise of 'Fiend' with Stigmata. However, of course, not even the World Origin's abilities are limitless."

"I asked you a question, damned Verglas."

"Your goal—no, let me rethink that. Part of your family's goal is to give the World Origin substance. To rephrase that, you want to give the World Origin a vessel so that it can achieve limitless power. Your family, the Khine Family, who give the vessel will take the credit, causing it to be in your debt. Your patriarch is known for deception and control. I bet he wants complete control over the World Origin."

The boy took a few deep breaths and let them out before shaking his head slightly. He had calmed down. He looked at Verglas, alert.

"I don't know where you got that information from but... you're correct."

He admitted.

"Still, not many know of the World Origin excluding nobles. I'm surprised a Fiend such as yourself knows about it."

"All I can say is that your family's plan will most likely fail, whether you succeed or not."

Verglas began walking away as Daren furrowed his brow.

"What do you mean?"

"The World Origin... is not the omnipotent power you believe it to be..."

Verglas shut the door behind them, leaving Daren in a room with a large magic circle, engraved into the ground. He scratched his head.

"Ah, shit."

He swore in frustration.

·———·

"Gah!"

Isla woke up in a rush. She laid up on her bed, breathing heavily. She was sweating profoundly. Isla put her hand on her head, feeling a minor migraine developing.

"Another nightmare... I've been having those too often."

A nightmare of the days of the past. When everything was fine and in order. When everything seemed vibrant.

"Tch!"

The girl struggled to move. When she removed the sheet, she saw that her waist was covered in bandages.

"Right... I was stabbed by Verglas."

She muttered to herself.

She stood up. The pain was only temporary. As she walked around the room, she got used to it and adapted.

The door to her room opened. Yuma, Rika, Shou and Aria entered.

"Hm? So you're finally awake, you useless twat."

Aria scowled.

"Hm? Finally? How long have I been out for?"

"It's around 6 pm now, so... Around a day."

"A day?!"

(Crap, we've wasted too much time!)

She looked around for her jacket. She found it on the table beside her bed and put it on.

"Hold on, Isla, what happened to you?"

Yuma asked.

"I encountered Verglas."

"And you didn't think to call for help?"

"Verglas already knew that I would attack them from the moment I turned to look at them."

Aria grumbled in dissatisfaction, while Rika asked for a question.

"Are you worried about what the Fiend said?"

"Yeah. Verglas wanted me to find them, but they didn't say where exactly."

Shou narrowed his eyes.

"What did Verglas say?"

He said in a cold, almost toneless, voice.

"Something like, 'I'll be trusting you to find me' and 'I'll play with your tomorrow night."

"A hint."

Shou said.

Everyone turned to the boy, perplexed as to what he meant. It only took a few seconds for Yuma to understand.

"I get it. Trust."

"What?"

The girls questioned simultaneously.

"Aria, where are we right now?"

"Uh, well, that would be the Sendai Trust—OH!"

The green-haired man nodded.

"It was a hint. Whatever Verglas is plotting is being done here. We have until midnight, you say, Rika?"

"Yeah."

"Then we'll start now. This time, we'll split into proper groups. It'll be Rika and I while you three are together. This is for optimal performance."

Aria glanced over at Isla before flicking her head away. Shou bowed toward Isla as a form of respect.

"We're on the middle floors, so we'll have to go each way. Your group will go all the way down while we'll go up."

The rookies nodded in agreement.

"Even if it may be a false alarm, you should probably head straight to the ground floor and warn the reception to evacuate everyone. It's the safest choice."

Rika advised.

"Alright, let's go. If either group finds Verglas, tell the other group before engaging."

"Yes!"

And with that, they separated.