Capítulo 2: Chapter 2: Confronting the Unknown

As the sun set and dusk settled over the land, a large, luminous moon rose into the night sky, casting a gentle glow. The air was filled with the soothing melody of crickets as they began their nightly chorus.

The trees created long shadows that stretched across the grassy fields, while the fragrance of blooming flowers mixed with the earthy scent of dew. As dinner approached, a serene ambiance enveloped everything under the moon's soft light.

Walking down the street, a grandfather and grandson exchanged nods and engaged in a steady conversation. Passersby occasionally greeted them with warm salutations.

Jin Tatsuya, an esteemed elder, was well-known not only within his clan but also among the hero and mage communities.

Before long, they reached the entrance of Eiyu, the city of heroes. As they ventured further inside, Sam noticed a welcoming sign displayed prominently.

The guards stationed at the city entrance, responsible for maintaining security, recognized the duo and allowed them to pass without interruption.

Now, let's delve into the city itself.

Eiyu was a captivating blend of magic and advanced technology. Nestled amidst lush forests and shimmering lakes, this city was dedicated to heroes and embodied the pinnacle of progress and mysticism.

Eiyu stood proudly, carved into the mountainside, resembling a bowl with multiple tiers and expansive roads spiraling toward a central spire visible from miles away.

Within Eiyu, two powerful factions existed: the sword-wielding heroes and the scholarly mages. Each had their distinct place in society, a division that would endure for centuries.

The inhabitants of Eiyu enjoyed the benefits of modern amenities such as automobiles, cell phones, and laptops. They had acquired knowledge from Earth, often referred to as the blue planet, given its abundance of water. Earth was just one of the many planets in their galaxy.

Magic seamlessly intertwined with everyday life, offering protection against radiation, noise disruption, and other challenges.

In this technologically advanced world, the integration of magic had revolutionized every aspect of daily life, bringing forth remarkable advantages.

The harmonious fusion of magic and technology not only propelled the advancement of magic and cultivation but also led to the development of numerous enchantments that enhanced and safeguarded the well-being of the populace.

One notable application of magic was its ability to shield against harmful radiation. Mages had crafted powerful enchantments that generated protective barriers, shielding people and their habitats from the detrimental effects of radiation.

This was achieved by channeling mystical energies, ensuring that the residents of this world could live free from radiation-related concerns, thanks to magical barriers and technological advancements promoting health and safety.

As they journeyed through the city, Sam observed people adorned in attire embellished with symbolic patterns. Both mages and heroes opted for modest, loose-fitting garments that covered their bodies.

The mage community was overseen by Luther Von Winson the Third, revered as the greatest mage king of all time. In contrast, the hero society was governed by a council of elders who made crucial decisions for the community.

However, it's important to note that even in this seemingly idyllic world, conflicts and challenges persisted. Differences and problems were inherent wherever there were people.

Now, returning to our story.

Soon, they arrived at the territory belonging to Tatsuya's clan.

The announcement of "Elder Jin's arrival" caught Sam's attention, and he spotted four members of the Tatsuya clan approaching them.

These individuals possessed an imposing stature, clad in gleaming armor. Two held sturdy spears, while the others brandished finely crafted swords.

As they drew closer, Sam could sense their formidable presence, although they were stronger than him, they paled in comparison to his grandfather's power.

"Greetings, Elder Jin," they politely greeted.

Sam recognized these individuals as they were among the few who knew about his not-so-secret secret. Their expressions, however, seemed troubled, as if they were facing a significant predicament.

"Elder Jin, what's going on?" Sam's curiosity piqued.

"We urgently need you to examine something," a man with a spear spoke, running his hand through his short brown hair.

"Daiki, just tell me what happened," Jin's expression turned solemn.

"It's happened again, but this time at the border between our territory and the mage's land," Daiki answered anxiously, urging Jin to take action.

Jin and the four clansmen swiftly departed for the scene, leaving Sam to make his way alone to his grandfather's mansion, where he currently resided.

Before long, he arrived home.

A lady dressed in a maid's uniform greeted him with her white hair and blue eyes. She didn't appear much older than Sam.

As soon as she spotted him, a smile spread across her face, and she cheerfully said, "Welcome home, Young Master Sam. How was your day?"

"What trouble did you get into this time, Aunt Yuki?" Sam sat on the couch, a teasing smile on his face.

"Well, I accidentally broke your grandfather's antique pot, so as punishment, he made me work as a maid in our own house." Sam nodded, trying to suppress his laughter.

"Can you believe him? I'm his daughter, but he values that silly pot more than me!" Aunt Yuki sighed, reflecting on her misfortune with her nephew.

"Yuki, let Sam relax for now," Sam's grandmother interjected, entering the room with a tray of dinner.

Her appearance mirrored Yuki's, sharing the same facial features, hair color, and eye color.

"I'm not bothering him, Mom. I'm just bonding with my only nephew," Yuki retorted, looking mischievously at her handsome nephew—tall and slim, with messy black hair and blue eyes.

While he could be exasperating at times, Yuki had secretly set a standard: if she ever married, her husband should be as attractive as her nephew.

"I understand. Now come and serve dinner. By the way, where is your grandfather?" His grandmother paused for a moment, as if recollecting something, before asking Sam.

"I'm not sure. Something happened, and he went to the border with the city guards to investigate," Sam replied hesitantly.

Yuu, his grandmother, nodded and sighed, as if deep in thought, contemplating whether she should share something with Sam and Yuki. A minute later, she sighed again, appearing to have made a decision, but she remained silent, not revealing anything to Sam or Yuki.

However insignificant, Sam couldn't help but notice this action with his keen observation skills.

"Grandmother Yuu, is something going on?" Sam inquired while taking a bite of chicken. He also noticed Yuki's attentive presence, eavesdropping on their conversation as she ate her chicken.

"Sam, you've only just arrived in Eiyu yesterday. I'm not sure if you've noticed, but strange events have been occurring around the city of Eiyu," Grandma Yuu reminisced, her gaze fixed on the window.

Having recently arrived in Eiyu from his hometown of Kinley, located within the mage's domain, Sam had indeed noticed the heightened security and increased presence of guards in the city. He also observed that the usually bustling city seemed unusually empty. However, he hadn't given it much thought.

For generations, the Tatsuya clan had been entrusted with defending major cities in the hero country, particularly Eiyu, which had been under Tatsuya control for thousandsof years.

"I did notice the heightened security in the city. Perhaps there was an escaped prisoner or a burglary?" Sam wondered aloud.

While major incidents such as invasions were rare in Arcane, it was not uncommon for murders or a series of killings to occur sporadically. So Sam assumed it might be one of those incidents, unaware of how wrong he was.

"No, it's not that. Our patrol guards discovered the bodies of rogue heroes on the outskirts of the dark forest near our neighboring city. What's unusual is that they didn't die from fights or other typical causes," Yuki responded.

"How did they die then?"

"We don't know. When the guards found them, the bodies were disfigured and mutilated. What's even more perplexing is that there was no trace of blood in the area," Yuki's revelation was almost startling.

"How can bodies be mutilated without any blood spilled?" Sam expressed his confusion. After all, if you cut someone, they would bleed. Mutilating dozens of people without leaving blood on the ground seemed absurd.

"Once again, we have no answers. Your mother, being an expert in supernatural research, accompanied our team to examine the bodies for any possible clues," Yuki explained, envisioning her older sister, who bore an uncanny resemblance to her.

"But that's not all," Grandma Yuu interjected.

"Is there more?" Sam asked, his curiosity growing, and his grandmother nodded before continuing.

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