Chapter 79 - Researching
Theo and Ethan moved deeper into the restricted area, their footsteps echoing faintly through the empty streets.
The further they went, the quieter it became, until even the distant traffic faded away.
Ethan slowed beside him, scanning the surroundings.
’’We’ll start from here,’’ he said. ’’This is where most of the sightings were reported.’’
Theo nodded once.
The two split slightly, though still within a few meters of each other, checking the nearby alleys and corners.
’There are so many homeless people here,’ Theo thought, glancing at them in pity.
For a moment, he remained silent.
’If I hadn’t gotten the system... would I have been one of them?’
He shook his head, forcing the thought out of his mind.
Just then, a loud rumbling noise echoed out in front of him.
Theo’s head snapped up instantly.
Ethan immediately ran back to his side, his eyes scanning the area.
’’First right corner in front!’’ he shouted, pointing ahead.
That’s when a faint figure stumbled out of a small, dark corridor.
Theo stepped forward without hesitation.
’An E-rank?’ he thought.
Its figure was still cloaked by the shadows, making it impossible to see clearly.
The moment the figure noticed them, its head snapped up.
Then it started stumbling towards them — slowly at first, then in a full-on sprint.
Theo didn’t hesitate.
His spear shot forward in a clean motion, piercing deep into its chest.
The creature let out a loud screech, struggling violently.
Theo narrowed his eyes, pouring in a tiny bit of lightning mana.
Yellow lightning instantly crackled out from the spear’s tip, coursing through the creature’s body.
The creature’s body dropped immediately, spasming violently under the electricity.
Theo pulled the spear free, glancing down briefly.
’...Weak.’
Ethan approached a moment later, already putting on gloves.
’’Don’t move it too much,’’ he said, crouching down.
Theo stepped back slightly, watching.
Ethan lifted one of its arms, turning it slowly.
’’There it is...’’ he muttered.
Theo narrowed his eyes.
’’What?’’
Ethan pressed lightly against the skin.
It caved in without any resistance, almost like a soft spot.
’’This is one of its weak spots,’’ he said. ’’Though from the extreme softness, I can only say that it transformed very recently.’’
With that said, he reached into his bag and pulled out a small vial together with a small knife.
He scraped the knife lightly against the skin, collecting the sample in the vial.
Ethan sealed the vial carefully before slipping it back into his bag.
Then, he turned back to the body.
Without hesitation, he plunged his knife into its forehead, ending its life on the spot.
Ethan straightened again, wiping the blood from his knife.
’’I’ll call someone to take it back,’’ he said, turning to Theo. ’’I’ll dissect its body in the afternoon.’’
Theo nodded once, his gaze lingering on the creature.
A hint of pity appeared in his eyes.
’To think such a thing was... a human before.’
Ethan took a few steps away, his phone already in his hands.
After a moment longer, Theo also took a step back.
As Ethan finished up his call, he turned to him.
’’Let’s keep going,’’ he said. ’’I want to try and find a homeless person that’s about to turn.’’
Theo froze for a brief moment.
His eyes shifted to Ethan.
’’Wait for one that’s... about to turn?’’
For a second, the thought didn’t sit right with him.
Watching something like that happen... even waiting for it.
It felt wrong.
But just as quickly, his expression steadied again.
He understood perfectly well that there could be vital information in the transformation process.
And... there wasn’t a cure either.
He exhaled quietly.
’’Alright.’’
Ethan studied him for a moment, then gave a small nod.
Without another word, the two of them turned and continued deeper into the streets.
Time passed slowly as they searched.
They passed dozens of people, even stopping to inspect them up close.
But nothing seemed off in the slightest.
During this time, Theo gained respect for Ethan.
He hadn’t backed off from a single creature and had made difficult choices that other people their age would struggle with.
’It’s like he was made for this job,’ he thought, glancing at Ethan.
Even so, he hadn’t forgotten the lie Ethan had told him.
’I wonder what’s going on with his affinity,’ he thought, calmly observing him cutting open another body. ’But let’s not press him on it... at least not now.’
As the two of them continued, time almost seemed to blur together.
By the time they decided to head back, the sky had already begun to lighten slightly.
Theo glanced at the horizon, dark circles under his eyes.
’...4 AM.’
Ethan stood up, sealing the last vial before placing it back into his bag.
’’This should be enough for now,’’ he said. ’’I’ll analyze it and see if anything comes up.’’
Theo nodded once, turning back to face him.
Without another word, they went back toward the inner streets.
As they passed the barrier again, one of the government hunters glanced at them briefly—then looked away, clearly uninterested.
A few minutes later, they stopped at the edge of the district.
’’Good work today,’’ Ethan said, nodding earnestly.
Theo nodded, smiling despite the exhaustion.
’’Thank you,’’ he said. ’’Though I doubt I’d get far in research if I was doing this alone.’’
Ethan’s expression didn’t change, only giving a small nod.
’’I’ll contact you tomorrow night,’’ he said. ’’Then we’ll go again.’’
Theo gave a small nod.
’’Alright.’’
Without another word, they both went their separate ways.
By the time Theo reached his apartment, his eyes had almost shut and his entire body felt heavy.
’’Ugh,’’ he muttered, rubbing his head. ’’I have to wake up in four hours for training again...’’
The moment he stepped into his room, he dropped his bag with his weapons and walked straight to his bed.
He didn’t even bother changing.
The second his head hit the pillow, he fell into a deep sleep.