บท 19: Chapter 19: I Wonder
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Cross-over from various games, books, anime, manga, and movies.
The familiar characters you see here belong to their respected authors and owners.
"Speech"
Time*
Chapter 19: I Wonder
A few hours later*
Alucard has wandered off somewhere, clearly bored with my efforts to set up traps. Not that she ever offers to lend a hand; assisting me is undoubtedly beneath her. It leaves me pondering the purpose of her forming a contract with me instead of simply seeking out another partner. What could possibly be the rationale behind her choice?
I wipe the nonexistent sweat from my brow after finishing the last trap. With everything in place, I consider heading off to inform the others about the traps' locations and triggers. But then again, perhaps it's unnecessary. I mean, no one's going to stumble into these traps, considering how specific I've made them. Besides, if I said I installed all these traps myself, it might raise a few eyebrows—it's simply too much for one person, even in this mansion. It's better to keep it under wraps for now.
Honestly, without the powers granted by Sequence 9: Hunter, setting up this many traps in just a few hours would be impossible. The whole process would've dragged on for days, especially considering the mansion's layout. I remember telling Sebastian it would take nearly a week to fully inspect the place, not to mention installing all the traps. But here I am, wrapping it up within a day—a feat no ordinary human could achieve.
Now, what to do? I've already wrapped up the task of fortifying the mansion, transforming it into somewhat of a fortress—far more secure than it was before, which, to be honest, wasn't saying much. The only defensive measures I can conjure up off the top of my head involve the servants here, aside from the old butler and Sebastian. But even with them, there are only three who can be counted on for any sort of vigilance.
As for Sebastian, despite his formidable prowess, he tends to indulge in the chaos that surrounds Ciel. His habit of allowing Ciel to be kidnapped for his own amusement often puts the boy's life at risk, and that's hardly the kind of reliability I can trust when it comes to defending the mansion. With such limited support, I find myself considering the next steps to ensure our safety and security. Perhaps I should devise a plan that accounts for these weaknesses, or maybe it's time to think outside the box and find more allies who can contribute meaningfully to security.
I switch over to the Card of Fool, feeling the subtle shift in energy as I prepare to delve into the unknown. With practiced ease, I reach for a random Card of Blasphemy, allowing fate to guide my hand. Performing a reading at this time feels like the right move—if anything significant has occurred tonight, the cards will reveal it to me.
In my hand rests the upright Card of White Tower. A symbol of authority, wisdom, isolation, sacrifice, and clarity—these are the themes that came to mind. Now, to expand on these themes and feel them out.
Authority: Ciel and Sebastian.
Wisdom: Unknown Choices.
Isolation: Phantonhive Mansion.
Sacrifice: Free Time.
Clarity: Answers.
I piece the themes together. It appears that I will have a meeting with Ciel today or perhaps tonight, with Sebastian likely involved. There are choices ahead, ones that will require me to stay within the mansion for the rest of the evening. Duties or decisions will consume my free time, but in exchange, I will gain answers to mysteries I've yet to uncover.
Satisfied with the reading, I let the Cards of Blasphemy disappear, their purpose fulfilled for the day. Of course, I could always venture to the Sefirah Castle to gain an exact prediction, but something tells me to refrain. There's a reason—most likely tied to Ciel and, even more so, to Sebastian. The hints are subtle but enough to warn me off from seeking further insight tonight.
I switch back to the Card of Red Priest, feeling the familiar shift in perception, a heightened awareness that allows me to glimpse the darker paths reality might take. As I scan the mansion, subtle distortions appear—routes and sequences of events that, if followed in just the right order, would lead to tragedy. It feels almost like an echo of something I sensed earlier while installing the traps, a shadow cast over my thoughts.
Then, it hits me again.
The screams. I can hear them—the raw, gut-wrenching screams of horror. Pleas for mercy, desperate cries for help, and the mocking laughter of hunters toying with their prey. The sounds reverberate through the mansion, and in the corner of my eye, I catch the moon—a blood-red moon, no longer the pristine white I had grown so accustomed to.
The hallways darken, bathed in a crimson glow. The flames rise around me, devouring everything in their path. The walls crack, crumbling, scorched black from an unseen inferno. I can feel the suffocating weight of it—the destruction, the chaos. It's almost tangible.
Dark whispers fill my ears as I walk through the hallways, each step accompanied by sinister murmurs. I frown, aware of the illusion but still shaken by its intensity. My pace doesn't falter, and slowly, everything fades. The mansion returns to its usual state as though nothing had happened at all.
But I know better. This wasn't a simple lapse of control, a Beyonder's slip into madness. No, this was something else—the City of Calamity's influence seeping into my perception. I hadn't expected something like this to manifest here, not so suddenly. I can only be thankful it was merely an illusion this time.
Though, in the back of my mind, I wonder—how long will it stay just an illusion?
Note to self: Be ready for more surprise illusions in the near future. It seems the City of Calamity is slowly 'awakening' if my guess is correct. It is best to stay alert, as reality may blur more frequently now.
Hours later*
Finalizing... Idle S9Criminal survived for a year.
Idle S9Criminal brought back 1% of Abyss Pathway - Sequence 8: Coldblooded's Potion's Ingredient Collection.
Acting Progress... 42%. 3x Boost in effect... 100%.
Further progress requires collecting all the Potion's Ingredients for Sequence 8: Coldblooded.
Unlocking Beyonder's Abilities of the Abyss Pathway's Sequence 9: Criminal.
1. Weapon Mastery: Regardless of the weapon, be it a knightly sword, a dagger, a longbow, a pistol, a rifle, a six-barrel machine gun, or a spoon; they can utilize all of them to kill a target effectively.
2. Physical Enhancements: They possess a strong body, keen instincts, and a variety of criminal abilities.
Well, that's a stroke of luck. Gaining the Potion's Ingredients for the next Sequence during the same adventure? That was certainly unexpected. It does make me wonder if the Cards of Blasphemy played a role in this or if it was just pure chance. Either way, it's a fortunate turn of events—I'm already ahead in preparing for the Abyss Pathway's next Sequence.
I let the Cards of Blasphemy fade from existence, their purpose fulfilled for now. As I step into a random room, I find myself drawn to the large window, gazing out into the darkened night.
But my thoughts drift. How long until Sebastian finds me to inform me that Ciel is ready for a conversation? It's only a matter of time before that meeting comes to pass, as the Card Reading suggested. It's just a question of when.
A knock on the door pulls me from my thoughts. I turn, watching as the door swings open to reveal Sebastian standing there, his expression as calm and composed as ever.
"Young master Ciel wishes to see you." Sebastian states with his usual calm manners, stepping aside slightly, his gesture a silent invitation for me to follow.
I nod in acknowledgment, not bothering to say a word. Instead, I walk out of the room I had only been in for a short while, barely ten minutes, but it seems that the anticipated conversation with Ciel has arrived right on cue.
A few minutes later*
"Greetings, young master." I offer a slight bow before straightening up.
"Chikao Fukui, correct?" Ciel begins, lifting a sheet of paper from his desk. I recognize it as a dossier, undoubtedly filled with details about my past—at least, the version of me that existed before I became a Beyonder. His eyes flick over the document briefly before locking back onto mine. "What reason were you forced to leave Hellsing? Someone with your past experience would typically make others think twice before letting you go. Yet, Sir Integra released you in under a week."
Before I can answer, Sebastian interjects, "If I may interrupt, young master. I believe it may be related to the young lady who seems to have left the mansion at some point and wandered off."
Sebastian smiles faintly in my direction, his gaze sharp yet playful, as if enjoying the subtle tension his words have injected into the conversation.
"Quite." Ciel acknowledges, his tone neutral but probing. "Speaking of which, where did she go? Do you happen to know, Chikao?" His piercing gaze settles on me as he places the paper back on his desk, awaiting my response.
"She went on her usual walk… a long walk of who knows how long." I reply, my voice dull and flat, deliberately void of emotion. "Don't ask me where she went. Even I don't know."
Ciel frowns, rubbing his forehead in clear frustration before letting out a deep sigh.
"Right." Ciel mutters, gathering his thoughts. "Either way, I have two options for you. One: I can send you back to Hellsing. They seem to be looking for you—perhaps wanting to recruit you back into the organization. Two: You stay here, but be aware that the workload will be overwhelming, especially since we're short on staff. Of course, Sebastian can easily handle the work of a thousand men alone." He smirks, casting a glance at his butler. "But I'd be glad to have you working for me. Unlike Sir Integra, I have no reason to push you away."
"I'll stay." I respond without hesitation. There's no need for me to mull it over—my decision was already made. "However, I do have a question before we move on."
"Oh?" Ciel raises an eyebrow, leaning his right hand against the desk. "What is it?"
"It wasn't stated on the flyer, but how much am I being paid here?" I ask in a serious tone. "And… is it alright if I record random things around me? I have a side job recording videos and uploading them online."
Ciel leans back slightly, considering my request, while Sebastian watches the exchange with amusement dancing in his eyes.
"Honestly? If you need to buy something, just ask. I can have Sebastian call the bank to get you cash or help with any payment process." Ciel replies, his tone casual but direct. "Our line of work isn't exactly ordinary, so we don't handle things like a typical employer. As for your side job, I have no problem with it. But there will be times when I won't want you recording, so I'll ask you to refrain then." He pauses briefly, watching my reaction. "If we're in agreement, then it's official—you have the job."
"Great." I nod, satisfied with the arrangement. "Is there anything else we need to discuss, or should I head off to find a bedroom of my own?"
Ciel leans back slightly, thinking for a moment. "That should be everything for now. Sebastian will show you to a room. If there's anything else you need, don't hesitate to ask."
With that, I give one last nod before turning to follow Sebastian out of the room and to a bedroom assigned to me for the duration of my employment under Ciel.
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