Chapter 14: Cursed City(2)
1703 Words
“Hey, cheater, that was my card, give it back.”
“I don’t want to. My diamond dragon monster can steal cards from the opponent, that’s why I took it.”
Gallows Creek, Old West.
Agent I9 and Agent I18 were sitting across from each other, playing cards inside a room at an inn. The wooden table creaked with every rough movement, and several chips were scattered without order, proof that the match had been going on for quite some time.
“Hey, that’s a lie!” I18 shouted, slamming the table. “Let me see the game information!”
“You can’t,” I9 replied with a mocking smile. “The rule is new, it’s in the web version, hehe. Besides… don’t you trust me? Or do you want to fight to settle it?”
As he spoke, he pulled out a staff of light that activated with a soft hum.
“Looks like we finally understand each other.”
I18 stood up from her chair and unsheathed a sword of light, taking a stance ready to attack.
—Shhh!
Before the tension could explode, a massive source of blue light struck the room. The air vibrated, and for a second, only six human silhouettes could be seen inside the glow.
“Ah… looks like they’ve arrived. I had forgotten about them,” I9 said calmly, putting his weapon away.
I18 clicked her tongue but also sheathed her sword as the light began to fade.
Team Neo X became fully visible. F16 stepped forward, serious, ready to speak.
“Agent I18, Agent I9, it’s a pleasure to see you. Today—”
“Uh…” a dizzy voice interrupted. “I think I went blind… I can’t see anything. Guys, where are you?”
“The light-window of my eyes has closed the door! Guys, are you there?!”
F16 fell silent.
Jasper and Neo 8 stumbled forward, bumping into each other, clearly disoriented.
“Uh… does the ground always move like this?” Neo 8 asked, holding her head. “I think the city spun me around before we arrived.”
The mission teleporter was far more radical than the Association’s. Since they weren’t used to it, the damage was obvious.
“Seriously? These are the new team members? Don’t make me laugh,” Slavik scoffed, crossing his arms.
“Guys, just stay still,” Suse intervened, holding both of their arms.
“The first-time effect will pass quickly.”
After a few seconds, Jasper’s and Neo 8’s vision slowly cleared.
In front of them were two Association agents, both wearing white coats and almost identical features. Glasses, the same posture… there was no need to think too hard.
They were twins.
“Ahem, as I was saying, Agents I9 and I18, it’s a pleasure to see you again. Today we’ve come regarding the whole ignetic XCP matter.”
“Yes, yes, Mr. Barbarian, we already know. Looks like they put you in charge of monster groups,” I18 mocked, waving at the group.
“Hey, let’s drop the jokes and get straight to it. Hand over the information,” Slavik replied with clear irritation.
“Relax, kid. I’m a Class One agent now. There’s no need for you to become a piece of charred meat at the moment. First, we’ll explain.”
“According to what we’ve seen in Gallows Creek, there’s an XCP that controls ignetic abilities. Apparently, it’s the same type as you—a human XCP.”
Jasper listened carefully, slightly uneasy. If he hadn’t accepted joining the Association, he would be hunted just like this XCP.
“We confirmed this through intelligence and the way it moves. Everything is calculated, and it never shows itself. Not even we have found it.”
“I see, but haven’t the townspeople said anything?” Suse asked seriously.
“That’s the strangest part of this whole situation. We haven’t started the full memory-alteration process yet, but according to the citizens, they haven’t seen anything.”
I18 suddenly raised her hand, drawing everyone’s attention. Accomplishing her goal, she continued her brother’s explanation:
“So we have two theories. One, either all the townspeople are being threatened or are afraid of the XCP, or…”
“They’re protecting the XCP,” Lin finished, clearly uncomfortable.
“Exactly. And of these two theories, this one seems the most accurate—and that’s why it’s more concerning.”
“I see. Then we’ll have to investigate. If it’s true that the townspeople are protecting the XCP, this will make the mission very difficult.”
F16 pulled several chips from his pocket and handed them to all members of Team Neo X.
“From now on, we’ll split into groups of three to investigate.”
“Neo 7, Neo 6, Neo 8—you’ll go together. The rest will come with me.”
“One second, Mr. F16, why are you putting me next to him? This guy literally wants to use me as a shield,” Jasper complained immediately.
“It’s obvious, rookies. I have to supervise what you do as your leader,” Slavik snorted arrogantly.
“I understand your differences, Snow and Slavik, but you’re quite compatible in terms of the skills required,” F16 replied, trying to calm the fire between them.
"Alright, with that settled, we’ll move out. Investigators, where should we start?” F16 asked the twins.
“Well, in a nearby town there was an attack on a bar. Everything indicates the XCP was responsible.”
“Good. Snow, Neo 8, and Slavik—you’ll go there. Lin, Suse, and I will investigate here. Move out, team.”
“Yes, sir!”
***
Having received their captain’s orders, all of Team Neo X set out.
“Yes, and in that mission everyone realized I was the best, and that’s how my path to greatness began.”
Near the entrance to Ash Hollow, Jasper, Neo 8, and Slavik began approaching the town.
Slavik spent the entire walk talking about himself. No doubt about it—he was a classic small-time braggart.
Or at least, that’s what Jasper thought after listening to him talk about himself for… I don’t know, about thirty minutes straight.
“Hey… we’re already here,” Jasper said with an obviously fed-up expression.
“Oh, right. Fine, I’ll tell you about my training with the legendary Miss V8 later,” Slavik mocked, walking into town with the others.
Like a classic Old West town, Ash Hollow stood out for how empty it felt, as if no one could truly live there.
The outdated houses and the slow steps of the few locals made the town feel rather sad.
In a world full of modernity and technology, it was strange to see places that had chosen to refuse change.
“Good afternoon, travelers. How can we help you today?”
To their surprise, a charismatic woman approached them to welcome them. She wore a wide-brimmed hat and a visible badge pinned to her chest.
The woman introduced herself with great enthusiasm:
“I’m Lidia. I’m the sheriff of this place.”
“Oh, hello. I’m Eduard, this is Newman, and this little one here is Dayla,” Slavik quickly introduced them.
“Oh, I see. Hello, Newman and Dayla. So tell me, travelers—what does the big city want with this humble little town?”
Not letting Slavik take all the attention, Jasper decided to speak:
“We’re journalism students. Dayla is my sister. We came to investigate an incident that happened at a bar here. They say it burned down—it could be a good story.”
“Oh, I see, I see.”
The woman began scanning the group from head to toe. After a moment, Lidia simply yawned and turned around.
“Alright. If that’s the case, follow me.”
The team got the message instantly and began walking behind her.
After only three minutes of walking, they arrived at what used to be the Red Octopus bar. The group wasn’t surprised—they had expected something like this.
The place was completely charred. All that remained was a wooden frame and piles of ash from what it once was.
“This used to be the bar of our lovely town. Yesterday there was a fire, and it ended up burning down.”
Lidia’s voice sounded calm, almost nostalgic. Her eyes rested on the ruins; you could feel the sadness in her gaze.
Jasper frowned.
“Yesterday?”
“Yes.”
Neo 8 slowly crouched down, nudging a piece of burned wood with the tip of her shoe.
“This is strange,” the girl murmured.
Slavik ignored her but began to grow cautious.
“Oh, I see. And do you know what caused it?” Jasper asked, seeking information.
For a second, Lidia didn’t respond.
The wind passed through the burned boards, lifting ash into the air. The silence became uncomfortable.
“Yes.”
Lidia slowly turned her head and smiled.
“It was my brother.”
“Wait… what?” Jasper asked, stunned.
The cold came before the pain.
Jasper felt something bite into his leg. A dry c***k echoed from the ground up to his knee. When he looked down, his leg was encased in ice.
“s**t…!”
He tried to move, but the ice didn’t give even an inch.
“Great, rookie. You let yourself get caught.”
Slavik reacted immediately, stepping back as he pulled out his staff. Energy began to gather at its tip.
“Neo 8, get back.”
Neo 8 was already retreating, eyes wide open.
“I knew it… the town was way too quiet…” Slavik reaffirmed arrogantly.
Jasper lifted his gaze nervously.
Lidia was no longer the same.
Her irises had turned black, and her pupils glowed an intense, unnatural blue. The air around her felt colder.
“Did the Association send children to hunt us?” Her voice carried an amused tone—excited.
“Looks like I’ll have to tell my brother that we’ve got visitors.”
Jasper felt a chill that had nothing to do with the ice.
There were two XCPs at the scene.
- Writer
