The cadets stepped once more into the shadowed streets of Gebraucht, boots clacking on damp cobblestone as the Victorian city loomed before them—aged, eerie, and still abuzz with the plague's unnerving presence. But unlike previously, their steps were more confident, their gazes sharper. This was not a group returning to survive.
Yulli shifted the sword strap on his shoulder, peering into the foggy alleys. "Less frightening this time."
Bruce snorted. "That's just trauma talking."
Lawlet leaned slightly closer, looking back over his shoulder at Julius. "So what's the mission this time, sir? Because if it's another 'bait the beast with your face' situation, I'm gone."
Julius, his hands in the pockets of his coat, appeared as nonchalant as ever. "Cathedral wants us to locate a zone in Gebraucht with a low plague concentration. Perhaps a secure zone they can reinforce into a forward base."
Bruce groaned. "Low plague zone? What's next? A spa with beast-free massages?"
Remi scowled at him. "You have very poor standards for hope."
"Hope almost got us eaten alive last time," Bruce said. "I'm just saying, how do you plan on finding a room clear of the grime in a house that's been on fire for ten years?"
"I think I might have a thought," Remi whispered, stepping forward. She knelt and laid her hand on the fractured stone. Mana flowed from the ends of her fingers, spilling into the earth like shimmering veins.
"She doing the thing again," Bruce whispered to Yulli.
Yulli herself leaned forward. "What are you doing, exactly?"
"Feeling the ley lines," she said, her voice abruptly steady, concentrated. "The flow of natural mana and how the plague interferes with it. If I locate where the flow is less corrupted, it means less corruption. A potential safe zone."
Lawlet blinked. "You're actually speaking to the dirt."
"Yes."
Her mana emanated from her palm and into the earth like filaments of light moving through a web of ages. Her body locked in place, she sensed the ley lines beneath the city—life lines that flowed deeper than decay. With delicate precision, she began "listening" to the ground, finding points where the corruption of the plague was thinnest, mapping out the zones.[1]
"I can feel it…" she whispered. "There's a place… east of here. The energy current is cleaner. It's not pure, exactly, but compared to the rest of this zone, it's… breathable."
"Are you certain?" Julius asked, his brow furrowing slightly.
She nodded. "Nature doesn't lie. The earth's healthier there. Less plague buildup."
Julius nodded. "That's where we're going, then. Sharp eyes and mana ready. We don't know what's calling home there right now."
Bruce folded his arms. "Sure. Last time, at least, it was a harmless demon spawning from a corpse. Perhaps this time it will be cupcakes."
"Dibs on the red velvet if it does," Lawlet muttered.
"You're all insufferable," Remi sighed.
"Yet you still heal us," Yulli said with a smile.
"Barely," she grumbled, adjusting her coat.
Julius uttered a low laugh as they fell into line, marching east into the deepening fog. The plague might have seethed deeper into the city's marrow, but the cadets did not walk like victims anymore. There was iron in their stride.
Lawlet whistled softly. "Guess this is it then. Round two."
Yulli shifted the sword's position behind his back and breathed out slowly. "Yes… but now we're going in prepared."
Julius flashed a weak smile. "Very well then, cadets. Let us see what the stronger versions of yourselves are truly capable of."
The cadets halted as they arrived at what seemed to be a forgotten corner of the Victorian city—a park. In contradiction to the rest of Gebraucht's gray rot, this place was alive. Trees bowed in the breeze, grass grew in real patches, and sunlight—real sunlight—appeared through the clouds.
"The air feels. different here," Yulli said, taking in a deep breath. "Fresher?"
You probably just got used to the smell of rot," Lawlet snarled.
Remi fell to her knees, laying her hand on the ground. A gentle wave of mana illuminated the grass under her hand. "The plague's hardly affected this place. It's practically untouched."
What the hell is this?" Bruce said, eyes narrowing on a squirrel as if it was some foreign creature. "I don't trust it. This place is too good. That squirrel's up to something.".
"It's literally eating a nut," Yulli said.
That's what it would have us think.
Julius moved ahead, folding his arms. "This is the low-infection area. The Cathedral needed us to find areas such as this one. We're setting camp here, but stay on your toes. Peaceful doesn't always mean safe."
Aye aye. Fresh air first, now flower demons are on us," Bruce complained.
Remi grinned. "Unusual, but. nice. As if the world paused for an instant."
I'm resting as well," Bruce replied, plopping down on the grass. "Hunter life? Worth it for this.".
Yulli laughed. "Let's just not waste the quiet."
Julius scoffed. "We'll see how all of you feel when the grass starts to whisper in the evenings."
"Wait—what?"
I'm joking," Julius replied.
.Are you?
He said nothing.
"Yes, you're terrible," Bruce complained.
For a while, time appeared to slow down. The gentle rustle of leaves, the warmth of the sun on their flesh, the distant trill of birds—things they'd nearly forgotten still existed in this world full of plague. They sat or stood quietly, savoring the rare peace like a rich banquet.
Bruce flung his arms over his head, lounging back in the grass. "Man, I'm gonna die today, I'll die happy. After dinner, preferably."
Don't talk of that kind," said Yulli, poking him with a stick. "You'll curse it.".
I'm serious," Bruce smiled. "Another hour of this and I'll be writing poetry.".
"I'd pay to see that," Remi chuckled, her fingers drawing patterns in the grass.
Her smile abruptly vanished.
Her fingers clenched.
Her eyes narrowed.
"Guys." she whispered, then yelled out loud. "Guys—we've got company!"
Everyone froze.
Then the noise—low growls ringing out among the trees. The serene air was distorted, thick with a malevolent buzz of oncoming threat.
Lawlet was already standing, guns loaded and twirling on his fingers like a part of his hands. "Let's see if all that blood, sweat, and screaming was worth it."
Yulli unsheathed his sword in a quick movement, blade flashing. "Be ready. No second chances here."
Bruce clenched his fists, cracking his neck as he emitted a manic grin. "All right! Let's make 'em into meat pies!"
"I don't think that they're edible," Remi grumbled as she stacked mana onto her hands for defense buffs.
Julius remained behind them, arms crossed, silent witness. No words were necessary. This was their battle now.
Trees twisted and struggled. Growls grew stronger. Shadows threatened. And then—
"RIGHT!" They cried out together, their voices distinct and determined as they raced to confront whatever emerged from the woods.
The time of tranquility was lost. Then the storm arrived.
[1] The reason why she's able to do this is through transmission! she was able to involve her skill to feel and communicate organic matters.