Hunting: Memories (I Transmigrated as a Memory Hunter)

The Core Part 6

Chapter 54

“Anyway, we need to deal with this matter first.”

Zireon opened his tablet and turned on his file viewing function. As his files appeared before them, Zireon swept them away carelessly. But despite his reckless movements, all the hologram files settled at the center anyway.

It showed a compiled video clip. A person who did not even cover his face attacked them at once using a normal-looking gun. Until its bullet exploded and destroyed the whole teleportation portal.

“Aren’t they afraid of attacking in public? Is there no law enforcement handling this type of problem in The Core?” Nephrite couldn’t help but ask.

“I understand your shock. But if you die from that explosion, it will capture your quantum light. The Committee will only recognize it as Soul Hunting since you're not officially registered as a memory hunter yet. Once we put the fragment at the Center then your identification will update itself.” Xei explained.

“Aside from that, even if they hurt Xei during the explosion, he will not die. Like what you both experienced earlier. You, on the other hand, will disintegrate. Even that destroyed portal was luckier. If you go to the 28th district right now, you’ll find that it’s already fixed.” Zireon added.

“Under normal circumstances, they would not deliberately attack like this. We found out after the investigation that they suspected us of staging Agase’s death and helped your friend escape. They came for revenge and asking for payback.”

Nephrite’s heart thumped. He had a vague idea but was afraid to assume. He forced his voice out, shaking, “W-What do you mean?”

Zireon switched to another hologram file. Nephrite froze. Zireon dragged the hologram file in front of him, “Feel free to read.”

It showed Agase’s profile.

There are many details about Agase in it but there were a few important details that caught his attention.

“With Agase's absorption skill, they think he survived.'' Ram started to explain. “They suspected Agase’s ability upgraded to another level. When he disintegrated after that clash in the hospital, he dispersed himself into a microstate and now hiding from the Reapers. But,” Ram paused, contemplating.

“Professor, please tell me what you think,” Nephrite grabbed his hand and pleaded. Xei twitched as he observed Nephrite’s expression.

Ram assessed his thoughts. “It is just a theory but I think his main ability was not absorption but energy dispersal. If it is the case, then the skill he used when he disintegrated back then is a high-level ability. Agase not only proved he could absorb other energies but that he can spread his state to hide. He must be powerful. Even so, he dispersed himself and scattered his soul to different worlds.”

Dumbfounded, Nephrite stared at Ram. Agase is alive?

“Agase probably did it to make it look like he took away your Q-light so the Reapers will target him instead. However, he did not know that the Reaper's have a mole in the Record Bank. Agase's original intention did not even pass on their heads. Now, they even think we helped Agase and made things more difficult,” Xei said. “We already expected an attack sooner or later since they needed your Q-Light. But they learned a bit of Agase's secret. Even so, he did not expect these people will conclude things this way. Now, the Reapers were provoked and affront. They seemed to be scared of him working with us.

Nephrite scanned Agase's personal information again, "Wasn't his post in their organization normal?" Agase's job description was a soul collector. Soul collector's job focused on fighting if necessary and harvesting Q-Light from the target. Nephrite shivered as some unnecessary thoughts entered his mind. It was the reason why Agase stuck with him for a long time. His expression turned lukewarm.

"They suspected that we were trying to destroy them from the inside. So they rather attack now than let us take the upper hand."

Zireon whistled, “This is an indirect declaration of challenge.”

Nephrite pulled his hand away from Ram and clenched his fist. “So, if Professor Ram’s theory was true, it would become a declaration of war. Is there a way to refute them?”

“Useless. They will still attack one way or another so let it be this way,” Xei took his hand. It surprised Nephrite but he did not pull away. “Do you want to find your friend?”

Nephrite did not answer right away. “I… Have so many questions for him. But I wanted him to be safe more than that. If we found him and the enemies followed us, would they kill him and take away his ability?”

“Most likely,” Xei answered.

“Then let it be.”

Ram was still worried but he did not say anymore.

Nephrite spoke in a calm manner, “Let us finish the remaining task at hand. Also,” he looked at the three of them. “Please help me get stronger. I need to learn how to fight, I can't stay protected like this forever.”

_________

Xei observed the space traffic flow in the Star River as he leaned on the glass balustrade.

The stars sparkling amidst the black space, nothing luminous except for the stars’ bright lights. It was shining and brilliant. Every few moments, Space vehicles would pass by with the speed of approximately 186,000 miles per second, leaving a dazzling line of light cutting through the darkness then slowly dispersing as if nothing happened.

Like how Nephrite disturbed his monotonous life.

“Relieved that he did not ask to find your rival?”

Xei turned his head towards the door. Zireon went in with two cups of protein shakes and handed one to him. Xei nodded his thanks. Afterward, he asked, “Do you really believe Agase’s movements were as simple as that?”

“How would I know? I’m not your rival.”

Xei glared at him, “That day, he entrusted Nephrite to me without second thoughts.”

“What idea do you have, then?” Zireon leaned his back against the balustrade, both of his elbows over it. “It’s not like we know him personally.”

“If he knew me in the past...” Xei did not continue.

“Impossible. Those who know you forgot all about you the moment you sealed all your memories in the archived.

“But I remembered you.”

“That’s a different matter. Our souls are tied with each other. So of course, the moment we met, your memories got triggered as well.”

Xei did not push the idea anymore. Though he felt something was still off, he was not the type to talk nonsense either.

“So, why are you so unwilling to tell him what happened between the two of you?”

Xei frowned, “There is no use even if I tell him.”

“I’ve never figured how much of a coward you are.”

Xei ignored his remark, “How was the situation?”

Zireon took a sip from his drink, “Nothing new. Still waiting for the mouse to fall in the trap,” he said lazily.

They did not notice the shadow moved away from the door, holding back the desire to confront that person.

Nephrite sighed. It was not his imagination. Xei was keeping something from him.