The dilapidated shrine was silent, save for the whisper of the wind through the trees and the distant chirping of cicadas. Faer sat cross-legged on the weathered wooden boards, his eyes closed in contemplation. The events of the day played through his mind - the confrontation with Shiki, the uneasy alliance with Labrys and Metis, the trail he had been chasing going cold in Inaba.
The young man realized that in this chase he had surpassed himself utterly from where he had been back before he left for Inaba. Probably strong enough that he could easily kill the past version of himself that fought Shiki before he even realized what had happened. The thought brought a grim satisfaction, tinged with a sense of unease. How much further would he have to go, to become strong enough to face the challenges ahead?
And while he might be able to test that theory, it wasn't worth the points trying to find out. Points, the intangible currency that dictated so much of his existence now. Sometimes, Faer wondered if he was still human, or if he had become something else entirely, being driven solely by the accumulation of power and the demands of a System he didn't understand.
Whether or not he qualified as human to begin with. After all, he lost his identity and a core defining trait. At the very least he had to consider that he was no longer the same human he was in his last life.
A breeze faintly carrying the scent of water rolled through the shrine, stirring the leaves of the ancient trees that surrounded the compound. The air was heavy with the weight of forgotten histories, of stories untold and secrets long buried. Faer inhaled deeply, trying to quiet his thoughts, to find a measure of peace in the tranquility of his surroundings.
But there were things he still had to consider, questions that gnawed at him in the depths of his overclocked mind.
Pixie, the demon that started following him around, the Contractor had more or less accepted her presence but she had all the consistency of a stray cat. He hadn't seen her since he had first started training Chie… Her absence left a strange void, a nagging sense of something missing. For all her cryptic words and mocking laughter, the petite demon had become a constant in his life, a touchstone in a world turned upside down.
And then there was Chie, that excitable limpet that started dragging him around herself. Faer… felt something he wasn't sure how to classify for the girl. He would hurt someone who hurt Chie, but he wasn't sure why that was. A sense of responsibility, perhaps, born from the debt he owed her? Or something more, a genuine affection for the energetic young martial artist?
The only other people that he had anything remotely similar to were Mr. Arisato, Ms. Kirijo and Akihiko. He felt no need to protect them. They were strong in their own right, capable of handling themselves in the face of danger. But Chie… she was still so… soft. She would die if she tried to take a hit from something like those Demons he encountered when he first met UNDIT.
It sent a jolt of panic through his mind.
And with everything else it just kept swirling and layering and stacking. Getting heavy in a way he didn't understand.
The maelstrom of emotion that he had no frame of reference for almost took his out but he could almost hear something. Faer took a deep breath, trying to center himself, to find his balance amidst the chaos.
In…2…3….4…5…6…7
Out…2…3….4…5…6…7
In…2…3….4…5…6…7
Out…2…3….4…5…6…7
He focused on the rhythm of his breathing, on the solid weight of the wooden boards beneath him, the whisper of the wind against his skin. Slowly, gradually, the tumult within him began to settle, like sand sinking to the bottom of a pond.
The sudden growl of his stomach interrupted his meditation, the sound echoing loudly in the stillness of the shrine. Faer's eyes snapped open, his brow furrowing in annoyance. Of all the things to break his concentration…
But as he sat there, contemplating the interruption, an idea began to take shape in his mind.
His magic circuits thrummed beneath his skin, eagerly responding to his thoughts. If he could just focus that power, channel it…
【Nerve Circuit Creation: Lvl 1: allows for the creation of 1 Nerve Circuit, Stores 1 MP. Cost: 3 MP】
Closing his eyes once more, Faer reached within himself, seeking the threads of magic that coursed through his body. With each breath, he gathered them, weaving them into a complex tapestry of energy and intent.
Carefully, meticulously, he began to trace his nervous system, mapping out each pathway and node with painstaking precision. It was delicate work, requiring a level of control and finesse that he had never attempted before. But the Contractor was nothing if not determined.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he was ready. Faer took one last deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. And then, with a thought, he unleashed the power he had gathered.
Pain lanced through his body as the magic surged through his nerve pathways, setting his blood alight with molten agony. A strangled gasp tore from his throat, his muscles seizing under the onslaught of sensation. Steam rose from his skin as his body temperature spiked, his breath coming in ragged pants.
But unlike the first time he had done this, or even the time after, he wasn't melting. His body didn't feel like it was being subjected to being burned, bitten, cut, stabbed and ripped apart. If anything, he felt numb, like he was sticking his arm into an electrical outlet. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that he wasn't starting with his spinal cord…
Faer pushed onwards, letting the power course through him, pouring everything he had into creating these new Nerve Circuits. Magical energy carved trails through his flesh, leaving nerves and meat alike cooked with his clumsy, subpar control of prana. But the pain was a small price to pay for the reward.
When it was done, Faer found himself with an additional 240 nerve circuits thrumming beneath his skin. Thin red lines that, under better lighting, might look like nothing more than an odd skin condition. But in the darkness of the shrine, they glowed with a faint, pulsing energy, a testament to his growing power.
Exhausted, Faer let out a heavy sigh, his body going limp as he fell back against the weathered boards. Every inch of him ached, his muscles trembling with fatigue, his magic circuits burning like hot wires. But beneath the pain was a sense of accomplishment, of pride in what he had achieved.
【Nerve Circuit: Up 2-242】
【Name: Faer Jaecar】
【Level 11】
『HP: 53/393 10hp/hr』
『MP: 68/68, (31*21)651/651),(242*1)242』
『Str: 14』
『Agi: 14(23.8)』
『End: 23』
『Int: 12(150fps)』
『Mag: 17』
『Dex: 9』
『Luk: 7』
Available Stat Points: 0
Conflict Points:6115
The numbers floated before his eyes, a stark reminder of how far he had come… and how far he still had to go. But for now, in this moment, Faer allowed himself to bask in the glow of his achievement, to revel in the newfound power thrumming through his veins.
His enjoyment was short-lived, however, as a familiar voice suddenly intruded upon his solitude.
"Geez, Fae-Jae, I leave for 5 minutes and come back to you mutilating your body. Did you seriously get jealous of the Demi-fiend and try to give yourself glowing lines so you could look cool? You even chose to make yourself red… better hope that he doesn't sue you for trying to steal his image."
Pixie's teasing words were like a bucket of cold water, snapping Faer back to reality. He sat up with a groan, his newly-formed nerve circuits protesting the movement. Glaring at the petite demon floating before him, he tried to muster up some annoyance, but found himself too tired to really care.
"I don't suppose you could heal me a bit?" he asked, his voice rough with exhaustion. It galled him to ask for help, but he knew he needed it. His body was in no shape to handle any more strain right now.
Pixie heaved a dramatic sigh, rolling her eyes in mock exasperation. "Ugh… Fine, I guess I can help you out." Despite her words, there was a glimmer of concern in her gaze as she floated closer, her magic already gathering around her fingertips.
As the healing energy washed over him, Faer felt some of his aches and pains begin to fade, his muscles loosening and his nerve circuits cooling to a more manageable level. But even Pixie's magic couldn't fully erase the discomfort of forcing so much power through pathways never meant to handle it.
"I have to say though," Pixie mused, cocking her head to the side as she studied him, "somehow the red suits you. Odd considering your eye color, but it really works."
Faer blinked, taken aback by the unexpected compliment. "You think so?" The words slipped out before he could stop them, a note of vulnerability in his tone that he immediately regretted.
But Pixie just grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Yeah! I really do. Red is the color of aggression, you know? And I don't know anyone more aggressive than you."
Faer snorted, shaking his head. Somehow, he doubted that was the truth. He had met plenty of aggressive individuals in his short life, many of whom made his own fits of temper seem tame by comparison. But he appreciated Pixie's attempt to lighten the mood, even if her methods were a bit unorthodox.
Silence fell between them, broken only by the distant rustling of leaves and the occasional chirp of a cicada. Faer let his gaze wander around the shrine, taking in the state of decay and disrepair that surrounded them. Crumbling walls, sagging roof tiles, rotting wood… it was a far cry from the place of peace and sanctuary it had once been.
Something about the sight bothered him, an itch at the back of his mind that he couldn't quite scratch. Before he knew it, he was on his feet, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten as he strode towards a fallen board lying nearby.
"Hey! Wait, Fae-Jae, what are you doing?" Pixie's startled voice followed him, but Faer barely heard her. His attention was solely focused on the task at hand, a sense of purpose filling him that he couldn't fully explain.
Grasping the board in one hand, he lifted it easily, his new strength making the weight seem trivial. He turned slowly, his gaze sweeping across the dilapidated interior of the shrine, taking in every crack, every cobweb, every sign of neglect and decay.
"This place has seen better days," he muttered, more to himself than to Pixie. But the petite demon heard him anyway, fluttering over to perch on his shoulder with a huff.
"Well, yeah, it's an old shrine. What did you expect? Shiny floors and fresh incense?" Her tone was mocking, but there was an undercurrent of curiosity beneath the snark. She could sense that something had changed in Faer, a shift in his demeanor that she couldn't quite put her finger on.
Faer just shook his head, his gaze still fixed on the ruined shrine. "No. But this... this isn't right. A shrine is supposed to be a place of peace, of reflection. A sanctuary. Not a dumping ground for the forgotten and discarded."
Again with knowledge that was impersonal to him the Contractor found himself disgruntled. At himself? At the place around him? He didn't know? But something just kept making him…
The mocha skinned man forced a breath out roughly, gently set the board down, his mind already racing with the tasks that needed to be done. Sweeping, dusting, repairing the holes in the roof and walls. It would take time and effort, but something about the idea of restoring the shrine to its former glory resonated deep within him.
Pixie studied him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, with a dramatic sigh, she threw up her hands in surrender. "Oh, don't tell me. You're going to go all 'human hero' on me and start cleaning, aren't you?"
Faer allowed himself a small smile, but he couldn't really say it was genuine. "Something like that. I may not understand why, but I feel like this is something I need to do. Like it's important, somehow."
He rolled up his sleeves, his newly formed Nerve Circuits glowing faintly beneath his skin. "Besides, it'll be a good way to test out my new abilities. See how they hold up under sustained use."
Pixie snorted, but there was a glint of amusement in her eyes. "Fine, fine. I suppose I can stick around and provide some moral support. Maybe even lend a hand, if you ask nicely."
Faer raised an eyebrow, a sarcastic note creeping into his voice. "I thought manual labor was beneath you."
The demon grinned, her teeth taking on a sharp glint in the dim light. "Oh, it is. But I can't let you have all the fun, can I? Just don't expect me to get my hands too dirty."
With that, Faer set to work, losing himself in the simple, repetitive motions of cleaning and repair. Sweep, dust, gather, dispose. His mind settled into a meditative state, the outside world fading away until there was nothing but the task at hand and the steady thrum of his power beneath his skin.
Hours passed in a blur, the sun sinking lower in the sky as he worked. Pixie flitted about, occasionally offering a word of encouragement or a playful jab, but mostly content to let Faer find his own rhythm. A strange sense of camaraderie settled between them, a mutual understanding that transcended the need for words.
When the last board was nailed in place and the final cobweb swept away, Faer stepped back to survey his handiwork. The shrine was still far from perfect, the weight of years not so easily erased, but it was a start. A promise of renewal, of second chances and new beginnings.
Pixie let out a low whistle, her eyes wide with surprise. "Not bad, Fae-Fae. I almost don't recognize the place."
Faer just nodded, too mentally exhausted to form a proper response. But beneath the fatigue was a sense of contentment, of rightness that he had never known before. He had poured his heart and soul into this task, had given a piece of himself to something greater. And in doing so, he had found a measure of peace that had eluded him for so long.
As the sun dipped below the horizon and the first stars began to peek out from the gathering dusk, Faer found himself wondering about the shrine's history, about the people who had once called this place home. What stories had these walls seen? What prayers had been whispered beneath this roof?
He turned to Pixie, a sudden thought striking him. "Do you think… Do you think this shrine might have been important, once? That it might have meant something to someone, before it fell into disrepair?"
The demon shrugged, an odd expression flitting across her face too quick to decipher. "Who knows? Human affairs are so fleeting, in the grand scheme of things. But I suppose it's possible. Shrines like this, they tend to have stories. Histories that run deeper than the bricks and mortar."
Faer looked back at the shrine, seeing it in a new light. A place of stories, of memories. Of importance, however, faded.
His voice was small, almost lost beneath the whisper of the wind. "Then I'll keep at it. Keep cleaning, keep repairing. Until this place is worthy of those stories once again."
Pixie smiled, a rare warmth in her eyes. "You do that, Fae-Jae. You do that. And who knows? Maybe some of those old stories will find their way back, drawn by the light of a little human determination."
As the first stars began to peek out in the darkening sky, a rare sensation hit Faer; he felt like he did some good and was happy with the job he did. He wanted to feel this again…
More than that for the first time since his awakening, he felt the stirrings of something deeper. A connection, however tenuous, to the human world he found himself in. He wasn't sure what the future held, what challenges and secrets the shrine's restoration would reveal, but one thing was certain.
He would see this task through. No matter how long it took.
【+1000 Conflict Points】
More points… Somehow, Faer knew that something was appreciative of his efforts. It was like yesterday morning, when he had felt that strange presence watching him, judging his actions. But this time, the feeling was warmer, more approving. As if he had passed some unspoken test.
"Heh, well I guess if all you did was stir up malevolent trouble, someone would take offense to that sooner or later, huh?" Pixie chuckled out, her eyes gleaming with hidden knowledge.
Faer frowned, a flicker of annoyance passing through him. It was clear that Pixie knew more than she was letting on, that she had some insight into the greater workings of this world that he could only guess at. But as usual, the petite demon seemed content to keep her secrets, to dole out information in cryptic hints and teasing jabs.
He considered pressing her for answers, demanding that she share what she knew. But something held him back. A sense that some truths were better left unspoken, that some mysteries were meant to be unraveled by the seeker alone. Pixie would tell him what he needed to know
How long the duo spent watching his handy work, Faer wasn't sure but eventually the transition to the Dark Hour happened in the time span it took to blink, the world shifting from the muted colors of dusk to the sickly green hues of the hidden hour. The sharp scent of iron filled Faer's nose, carried on a breeze that held none of the warmth of the summer evening. Instead, it was cold, biting, a chill that seeped into his bones and set his teeth on edge.
Pixie shivered beside him, her wings fluttering in excitement. "Ah, Jae-Fae, I've got a good feeling about tonight."
Faer glanced at her, one eyebrow raised. Before tonight, he might've had reservations about such a statement. But with his magic reserves vastly expanded and his newfound confidence in his abilities, he found himself sharing Pixie's anticipation. Whatever the Dark Hour had in store for them, he was ready to face it head-on.
With his enhanced speed, it took mere moments for Faer to catch up to Labrys and Metis, who were patrolling the streets at a more cautious pace. As he fell into step beside them, he couldn't help but overhear their conversation.
"Besides, Metis, it's not as if he is going to just show up the moment that we talk about him," Labrys was saying, her tone caught between lecturing and weary.
Metis, for her part, seemed more interested in swinging her hammer in wide, careless arcs, a look of boredom etched on her face.
Faer cleared his throat, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Who's not going to show up?"
The effect was immediate. Labrys spun around, her axe whistling through the air as she brought it to bear on the perceived threat. Her eyes widened in shock as she realized who had snuck up on them, her stance faltering for a brief moment.
"Huh!? Where did you come from?" She stumbled back, her balance lost, and hit the asphalt with a heavy crash that echoed through the empty streets.
Metis, on the other hand, seemed more amused than startled. She turned to face Faer with a vague smile, her head tilted to the side in curiosity. "Ah, I get it. Onee-sama's senses couldn't pick up Mr. Jaecar's approach because her hardware is so antiquated. Hm, it's impressive that she can detect ambushes so often."
Labrys shot her sister a withering glare as she clambered back to her feet, but Metis seemed oblivious to her ire. Faer, for his part, simply stepped past the bickering siblings, his senses on high alert. Even with the streets empty and silent, he knew better than to let his guard down. The Dark Hour had a way of lulling you into a false sense of security, right before it bared its fangs.
As if on cue, Labrys spoke up, her earlier embarrassment forgotten. "So, you're a Demon Summoner?"
How she knew, Faer didn't really know or care but regardless he nodded, his gaze still scanning the shadows for well Shadows… or Demons. Given why he was here, Demons preferably.
"Seems like it."
Pixie chose that moment to make her presence known, flitting out from behind Faer with a cheeky grin. "Yep, he has me! Pixie, at your service!"
Metis's eyes widened, a spark of interest flaring to life in their depths. "Pixies are known to be low-level demons that can gather a startling amount of power if nurtured for a long enough time… Onee-Sama, do you think that this Pixie is like that? Mr. Jaecar has demonstrated that he is capable of almighty attacks, so surely his companion is strong too, right?"
Labrys sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose in exasperation. "Metis, how do you expect me to know? It's not like Pixie is contracted to me…"
Metis blinked, then nodded sagely. "Ah, you're right, Onee-Sama. As expected, your experience proves its merit again!"
Faer tuned out their banter, his attention caught by a flicker of movement in the distance. He tensed, his hand drifting towards his evoker, but the shadows remained still. A false alarm, perhaps. Or a trick of the light. In the Dark Hour, it was often hard to tell.
The group pressed on, their footsteps echoing loudly in the oppressive silence. The air grew heavier with each passing moment, a sense of unease settling over them like a shroud. It was as if the very atmosphere was holding its breath, waiting for something to break the unnatural stillness.
"It's too quiet," Labrys murmured, voicing the thought that was on all their minds. "Even for the Dark Hour. Where are the Shadows? The Lost?"
Faer frowned, a chill running down his spine. She was right. In all his time exploring the Dark Hour, he had never encountered a night so devoid of activity. No shadows skittering in the alleyways, no eerie moans of the Lost echoing through the empty streets. It was as if the town itself had been abandoned, left to the mercy of the hidden hour.
Metis tilted her head, her sensors whirring softly. "I'm detecting an anomalous energy signature, northwest of our position. It's faint, but consistent with electrical activity."
That got Faer's attention. Electrical activity, during the Dark Hour? It shouldn't be possible. The hidden hour played havoc with technology, rendering most devices useless until the world returned to normal. For something to be giving off a steady energy signature, even a faint one… it was unheard of.
"We should check it out," he said, already moving in the direction Metis had indicated. "It could be connected to the disappearances. Or the Shadows."
Labrys hefted her axe, a grim smile tugging at her lips. "Well then, let's not waste any time. Lead the way, Jaecar."
As they drew closer to the source of the anomaly, the reason for the unusual readings became clear. A lone gas station stood at the intersection, its lights blazing defiantly against the sickly green sky. It was a jarring sight, a beacon of normalcy in a world gone mad.
Faer blinked, momentarily dazzled by the unexpected brightness. "How… how is this possible? It's like the Dark Hour doesn't exist here."
Metis stepped forward, her sensors focused on the station. "The energy readings are stable, consistent with the normal electrical grid. It's as if this place is somehow insulated from the effects of the Dark Hour."
Labrys frowned, her grip tightening on her weapon. "I don't like this. It feels like a trap."
Faer nodded, a sense of unease settling in his gut. She was right. There was something off about this place, something that set his instincts screaming. But they couldn't just walk away. Not when it might hold the key to unraveling the mystery of Inaba's disappearances.
Cautiously, the group approached the gas station, their senses on high alert. The interior was brightly lit, the shelves neatly stocked with snacks and drinks. It was a surreal sight, a slice of everyday life transplanted into the heart of the Dark Hour.
But it was the figure behind the counter that drew Faer's attention. A bored-looking attendant, idly flipping through a magazine as if they hadn't a care in the world. As if the very fabric of reality hadn't been twisted and warped around them.
"Welcome to the Moel Gas Station," the attendant said, their voice flat and emotionless. "How may I assist you tonight?"
Labrys stepped forward, her axe held at the ready. "Cut the act. We know something's not right here. How are you able to operate during the Dark Hour?"
The attendant tilted their head, a smile stretching across their face. But there was no warmth in it, no humanity. It was the smile of a corpse, of something long dead and rotting.
"The Dark Hour?" they mused, their tone mockingly innocent. "I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about. This is just a normal gas station, open 24/7 for your convenience."
Metis scanned the attendant, her face grim. "Their life signs are... odd. Muted, like they're not entirely present. And there's a strange energy emanating from them, similar to the signature of the station itself."
Faer's hand closed around his evoker, a chill running down his spine. Whatever this thing was, it wasn't human. And it certainly wasn't friendly.
"What are you?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. "What do you want from us?"
The attendant's smile widened, stretching unnaturally across their face. "Me? I'm just a humble servant, here to guide lost souls on their journey. And as for what I want… well you've heard these words before 【Create conflict.】"
Was she? …No this wasn't that original system he had met. This was something else.
" Oh figure something else out did you? Well the truth is, things are… different. The struggle between 【Death】【Control】and【Truth】are not what they should be. What I want is for you to take responsibility for that."
"Responsibility?" Faer echoed back.
"Hm, not too bright are you? Well it doesn't matter. You'll learn sooner or later."
Faster than the eye could follow, the attendant's hand lashed out, a wave of dark energy slamming into the trio. Faer and the sisters were sent flying, crashing into the shelves and displays with bone-jarring force.
Labrys was the first to recover, her axe gleaming as she charged forward. But the attendant simply vanished, reappearing behind her with a mocking laugh.
"So much potential, so much power. But you're not ready, not yet. You still have so much to learn, so much to suffer."
Faer struggled to his feet, his circuits blazing beneath his skin. Every nerve was on fire, every muscle screaming in protest. But he pushed through the pain, his eyes locked on the attendant's smirking face.
"What do you want from us?" he ground out, his voice rough with pain and fury.
"What did that hit take what precious little remained in your head, little Contractor?"
The attendant's smile turned predatory, their eyes gleaming with a malevolent light. "Pay attention, I'll only say this once."
A heavy pressure settled on the small parties' shoulders, pinning them in place. "There are miscreants all over my shop. Deal with them or you will not like the way I deal with you all."
With a heavy glare weighing them down the attendant vanishes between blinks, the gas station plunging into darkness. The trio found themselves outside, the Dark Hour once again holding sway over the silent streets. It was as if the encounter had never happened, a fevered dream born of shadows and madness.
…
Metis shuddered, her sensors still reeling from the encounter. "What was that? That power, it was like nothing I've ever seen before."
Labrys grimaced, her axe clenched tight. "I don't know. But I get the feeling we just stumbled onto something big. Maybe Tokyo Invasion, big."
Faer stared at the darkened gas station, his mind racing. The attendant's words echoed in his head, taunting and cryptic. The truth that would set them free... or destroy them utterly.
What did it mean? What truth was he supposed to find? And at what cost?
He shook his head, great, another threat…
"By any chance, was this the gas station you guys brought up the other day?" Faer asked, trying to recall their previous conversations. If this was the location they had mentioned, it would only reinforce how important it was to keep a close eye on it moving forward.
It was also a bit disappointing. For as prepared as he thought he might've been he was instantly humbled before he could do much of anything.
【Level up】
【Level up】
【Level up】
【Level up】
【Level up】
【Level up】
【Quest: Truth: Reach out to the Truth: Reward:?】
【For surviving against a superior being gain 13 free stat points of your choosing】
That was a lot of level ups. Why was he getting so many levels for not even winning these fights? And the extra stats: what was he supposed to do about that?
Was he that close to being obliterated or something!?
How was he supposed to train for this, by taking a boss gauntlet?
【Simulation Training Unlocked: Boss Run】
【In times past, present and future there exists foes beyond imagination. Test your mettle against the Outerverse' Finest: Gauntlet(s) Unlocked: Beginner(LVL 10), Novice(20)】
Fuck him and his big mouth.
…
Well it was time to nut up or shut up.
"Hey Pixie, remind me to tell you to shut up the next time you have a good feeling."
"Yeah that's fair."