1:30 PM at the barangay hall
Adrian: "My name is Adrian Malinaw(fake surname). We're videographers from the Department of Tourism, and these are my assistants, Ramel and Elayna."
Ramel and Elayna gave a polite nod as Adrian and the Barangay Captain shook hands.
Marco: "I'm Marco Malabanan, the current Barangay Captain of this town. What brings you here today, sir?"
Adrian: "We'd like to ask for your permission to film a short feature about this place — the scenery, the hospitality of the people, their livelihoods, and more. This town, in particular, is one of the most underrated spots in the Visayas region. With your permission, we'd love to create content that could help attract more tourists and highlight what your community offers."
Marco: "Of course, I can permit that."
Adrian: "Thank you. Would it also be possible to conduct a short interview with you?"
Marco: "Of course. Ask away."
Adrian: "What does the community mainly do for a living?"
Marco: "well, the majority of the people here work in farming — primarily planting rice, thanks to the land's rich soil. If we have surplus stock, we sell it outside to help the community grow. And some of the mountain folk earn by working as guides for hikers."
Adrian gave a thoughtful nod, then asked the important question.
Adrian: "Have there been any significant incidents or notable events that have occurred here recently?"
Marco's eyes widened. A thin sheen of sweat began to form on his forehead. Even his secretary, who had been quietly sorting papers, stumbled and dropped a folder upon hearing the question. Elayna noticed that the dropped folder was labeled Medical Records.
Marco: "There's none… uh, in particular, actually. I mean—if there's a conflict, we… uh, try to reconcile things here at the barangay."
Elayna's gaze shifted to Ramel. She noticed it — the way he licked his lips. A small, telling gesture. He only did that when someone was lying.
She remembered what Andaya had told them earlier that day about their roles in the mission.
[Flashback]
10:04 AM – Briefing with Andaya
Andaya:"I'm going to split your group. The first team will be Ramel, Elayna, and Adrian. Your sole focus is gathering any information related to the incident — because even the exact date it happened, we don't have any information about it. That's why I want you to start with the higher-ups in this town. Which means..."
Ramel:"We're going to start at the barangay captain."
Andaya snapped his fingers and pointed at Ramel.
Andaya:"Right. Surely they have some information about the rumors we received."
Elayna:"Wait… so the only thing we know is that someone got murdered by an Aswang — and we're supposed to piece the rest together?"
Andaya:"Technically, yes. That's why we need your ability. Ramel, what do you feel when someone is lying?"
Ramel:"It tastes sour."
Andaya:"Adrian, you're in charge of talking to the barangay captain, while Ramel will confirm if the captain is lying. If he is, find any documents related to the incident."
Ramel:"Yes, sir."
Andaya shares some secrets with them.
Andaya:"Just keep in mind: in our world filled with supernatural beings, the Agimatayo only moves when a rumor defies common sense. That's also one of the weaknesses of our organization. By the time we hear about something, there's a real chance the rumor is already weeks, months, or even years old. That's why only a Tangan Panabla or a Pato is allowed to take this kind of mission."
He paused for a moment, then added more context.
Andaya:"Honestly, I was planning to take this mission alone — until the Punong Albularyo told me… this was a Ban - Se command."
Venus: "Wait… you mean—"
Andaya:"It means we're already too late. Many have already died. We're just here to save what's left."
All of them fell silent because of the revelation.
[Present]
2:02 PM
At the barangay hall, after speaking with the barangay captain, Elayna and Ramel gathered outside to discuss their next steps.
Elayna: "Yeah, that person is lying. Even the secretary stumbled when she heard the question. Ramel, what did you find?"
Ramel:"Just like you, it left a sour taste, but we don't have to jump the gun yet. We still need a deeper understanding. There's still a chance Marco might know something different about the incident. We need to make sure."
Elayna noticed that Adrian was still not there, so she turned to Ramel.
Elayna: "By the way, where's Adrian?"
Just then, Adrian joined them, a slight smile on his face.
Adrian: "I'm here so, what's the next step?"
Ramel: "We'll wait for them to finish their work. Elayna, you stay here. After most people head home, try to gather any documents or information you can find about the incident. As for me, I'm going to look into the rumors and visit the family of the missing kid named Tasyo Estenosa — I saw a poster about him on the barangay's request board. And you, Adrian — you put the sticker on him when you shook his hand, right?"
Adrian: "Yeah."
Ramel: "Then follow him. We can catch up later — as long as he has the sticker, we can track him."
5:40 PM
After the sun went down, only the Tanods were guarding the barangay hall. Elayna waited quietly by a tree, watching and timing her move. With a determined leap, she jumped an estimated 33 feet, using her dagger to stab into the wall to slow her descent. Once she secured her position, she climbed up to the window on the third floor.
Slipping in through the small window, Elayna found herself inside the private cubicle of the barangay captain's office. She carefully stepped out of the cramped space and noticed a wall filled with framed photos — pictures of all the previous barangay captains, leading up to the current one.
Elayna: "So he was elected three years ago. Before him was his father, Troy Malabanan. The people must have trusted them, considering the son also became barangay captain."
She turned her attention to a neatly stacked pile of papers on the captain's desk and began scanning them for any reports or details about recent incidents — specifically, anything related to a pregnant woman.
Elayna: "Damn... why are there no reports about that murdered woman?"
She muttered under her breath, growing frustrated by the lack of leads. As she sifted deeper through the pile, her fingers brushed against something unusual at the bottom.
Elayna recognized it — it was the folder containing the medical records.
Elayna: "This is the folder the secretary dropped earlier..."
She opened it and began reading the contents.
Elayna: "What the heck? These are records of money owed to St. Igcoron Hospital — eight digits in total for 78 patients... and suddenly, it was all paid? How could this happen in such a remote place?"
She paused, thinking back to her conversations with the villagers, how they mentioned their lives revolved entirely around farming.
Elayna: "They said they only make a living through farming. This doesn't add up. Andaya needs to know about this. There has to be a connection to the incident."
Just then, the door handle rattled.