An uncomfortable chill from the hard concrete floor made Jin regain consciousness. After slowly sitting up, he looked around to gather himself.
It appeared he was left exactly where the old beastkin had knocked him out. Rusted cargo containers formed wide halls, stacked on top of each other all around him. Past the gaps in the walls of metal sheets, deep, orange rays of sunlight slipped into the level.
Judging by the setting sun, he must have slept for a while—enough time for him to lose track of his brother. "Damn cat…" He had been so close too if Jubei hadn't interfered.
He rubbed his eyes to clear his vision and push away a growing headache. In his sleep, his mind showed him rather strange dreams, leaving him feeling somehow more tired than before. When he tried to dwell on the things he saw, that same impenetrable blackness stopped him.
Once he picked up his sword lying nearby, Jin got up. His mind didn't get to rest, but the pain from his injuries had been lessened to an extent. "Hmph…" He might have survived his encounter against the Mad Puppeteer, but it still left a bad taste in his mouth.
The battle had served to prove the half-beastkin correct. Even after he had managed to successfully summon Yukianesa, the strength behind his attacks came out weaker than he wanted. Not being at his full capacity was a hindrance he wished to be rid of soon. But according to her, it was an unavoidable downside of his current body.
He readjusted the hood from the cloak provided to him and pulled it over his head. Ready to leave this place, Jin set a foot in the direction opposite the exit way leading down. Just then, it occurred to him that he had to decide where to go next on his own without hearing any sort of commands.
In the days spent traveling after getting out of Sector Seven, Jin quickly noticed a strange phenomenon. The less focus he held onto, the more this 'presence' attempted to take over his actions and thoughts by force. At most, it could only speak to him while he had the strength to keep it at bay.
Curious, Jin closed his eyes to relax. He waited, but nothing happened. "Hey, can you hear me?"
Silence followed.
"Tsk, of course, you're quiet now when I want you to talk…" The last time he heard anything from it was when that man had apparently messed with his head. Perhaps the confusion he suffered then turned into a small stroke of fortune. Ever since he had escaped from the trap, it had faded away and remained mute. Jin wondered if it would return in due time.
Bringing Yukianesa with him, he activated the grimoire equipped to his mantle. Once the full effect of the stealth ars magus kicked in, he went on the move to continue his hunt by himself.