Dana: ...

A long silence was shared by the many people gathered together in the same room. A few sent worried glances as they watched the scene unfolding before them. This occured during the reception of the Stray Dogs, leaving only those who did not participate in the battle to observe... this.

Standing by a table, the director of the Library was holding the head of her assistant, her cold eyes scanning his face with a calculated gaze. In her grasp, the worker did not budge from his spot, not like he had the willpower to do so.

Below him, at his feet, a red pool was forming due to the constant crimson rain coming from his opened head. One of his hands was trying its best to cover the injury caused a moment ago. Angela disregarded the wound staining her hands and clothes and remained focused on making sure she wasn't missing anything.

Around her, a silent fury could be felt by the assistant librarians.

The AI, while attending to her personal helper, kept a part of her attention on the battle currently ongoing, counting each moment slowly passing by in her mind with impatience.

Yuri: ...I-Is mister Y/N going to be alright? His head is b-bleeding profusely.

Hava: Even if he wasn't, there's not much we can do to stop an injury this deep.

As she answered Yuri's worries, the sound of footsteps could be heard, catching the workers' attention. Zophia, who stood next to them, grabbed Hava by the white blouse she wore due to Olga's page and pulled out her black tie.

Before anyone else could do anything, she walked away with her loot and began tying it around the wound to the best of her capabilities, whispering something in his ears as she did so.

Her words would forever remain a mystery to those not involved in the conversation, not like much was missed. The bleeding librarian nodded back and formed a feeble smile.

This scene was the result of a mere exchange made out of politeness minutes ago, one that no librarians could have expected, not even the victim.

...

...

Y/N: ...Sweepers, huh?

Once the duo reached the entrance the guests would arrive at, one of them sent a look at the other. Both of them knew what that particular word meant and after Roland's explanation, there was no doubt. They were one of the many creatures the employees of L Corp had to defeat during the 50 day cycle.

...And apparently, their upcoming guests were trying to get them involved in some sort of plan, or at least that was what it felt like to the ex-captain.

Angela: It seems like the large number of them far exceed the capabilities of Fixers.

Y/N: Good thing for you that they only came in small numbers then, otherwise you would still be sitting in that chair of yours in that facility.

Angela: And you would still be suffering alongside me.

Y/N: Unlike you, I don't tend to remember.

There was no spite, nor anger exchanged between them. At this point, blinding anger had long since boiled down, replaced by cold & snide remarks. The hatred and annoyance remained but in a much more hidden form, one that would not lead to mutual destruction yet.

With their commentary out of the way, a flash of light snapped back to the main goal of their walk. Standing in front of them, a group of tough looking thugs were sending a shared glare that barely hid their bloodlust.

However, despite that, the assistant kept a smile. The director did the same as she was reciting her catchphrase.

Angela: Greetings dear guests. I am Angela, the director and the librarian of my role's namesake.

Y/N: I am Y/N, Angela's assistant, pleasure to meet all of you-

Suddenly, and to the surprise of the librarians, the one acting as the leader, a man named Gyeong-Mi, stepped closer and and cut them off with his rough voice.

Gyeong-Mi: Scratch that! Let us in, we're in a hurry.

Behind him, one of his goons called Dino let out a low sigh while a second one named Zulu shook his head slightly. Both of them were used to this behaviour, it was nothing new to see.

The smile of the machine dropped after the sudden interruption but she continued nonetheless.

Angela: You are rather impatient, I see.

Gyeong-Mi: I said shut up and let us in!

Sensing the growing hostilities, the agent of the Central Command team stepped closer as a form of neutral ground while showing his hands as a way to indicate that he was unharmed.

Y/N: H-Hey, it's fine, no need to be so hostile. I'm sure we can-

Gyeong-Mi: Shut it, you're wasting our time! Get out of our way!

As he yelled his order, a breeze of air formed. At first, the assistant didn't understand what caused this sudden change but that confusion merely lasted an instant. The next one, everything became a blur.

Unlike what one would have suspected, the man with a short temper was not the culprit but rather one of his subordinates. A solid hook was sent into his skull and made his body basically freeze on the spot.

With a bloodlust finally unleashed and many augmentations in the form of tattoos, the attacker went for a second strike that fully opened a wound on the one who tried to calm everyone down.

This action, fueled by many emotions, was immediately returned in the form of a burst of light that tore the assailant into pieces. The man could barely let out a scream before his everything turned into chunks of meat that vanished into golden pages.

On the other side of the room, Angela had a hand raised, her golden eyes were locked onto the remaining Stray Dogs that watched one of their colleagues perish in an instant. Her barely restrained anger was kept in check by a cold:

Angela: May you find your book in this place.

Of course, many screamed words of vengeance, wishing to pulverize the director that openly killed one of them but they were quickly shut down by their aggressive leader, who prefered to care about their deadlines.

Not long after, the room grew silent, leaving behind a bleeding helper and a furious puppet master.

Y/N: ...

Angela: ...

Without any words exchanged, the AI closed the distance between them and grabbed the agent. His head, to him, felt like a floater on a stormy sea, going from left to right slowly. His ears were ringing and the blood going down his face made him feel much more colder than he was used to.

All of these sensations combined made Angela's touch feel unimportant, leading to him not reacting to her approach.

With him in her grasp, she snapped her fingers, bringing to both of them away from bloodstained floor.

...

Hava: Not too shaken up?

Y/N: ...I'm fine.

Trying his best to ignore the still open wound, the exhausted assistant replied as he raised his head, looking at the ongoing battle that Angela was observing. Her already frigid demeanor only grew worse alongside her mood.

There was a reason after all: as long as the guests remained standing, she couldn't afford to let go of her focus to fix him up. Without her there to stop the Abnormalities' effects on the librarians to go out of control, the risk of one of them going against their own allies could become a possibility.

Unfortunately, doing so meant leaving the bleeding ex-employee to his own devices. The black tie did its best in the meantime.

Zophia: You should probably save that for when this is dealt with.

Dana: How did it even reach this point?

Hava: Not that hard to guess, especially with how our current guests fight.

The girl with red eyes pointed her thumb towards the window they had to watch the current Act. Just like she said, the Stray Dogs used their bodies as their own weapon against the librarians, which proved to be quite effective to some extend.

On the other side, those not involved in the reception saw Roland and his assistants fight for their lives, enduring the many jabs sent their way as they lowered the number of opponents they had to deal with, one by one.

As they did so, the cold machine could feel her already slow perception of the world become slower than it was.

Until, finally, one final slash took down the final enemy remaining. The very instant the end was confirmed in her perfect vision, before anyone else could potentially react, she snapped her fingers and cut the feed while turning to attend to the bleeding ex-captain.

Her rather quick movements were not left unnoticed by a certain someone who had enough backbone to speak.

Hava: Well, look at you, you certainly didn't waste your time~

Angela: Please remain silent.

Hava: Fine fine, if miss director's saying so~

Netzach's ex-employee and now assistant flashed her usual grin and dramatically stepped away to allow Angela to perform her duties. Soon enough, what looked like a major injury became a mere image of the past, leaving behind a groaning doll.

Y/N: I'm definitely gonna feel that punch for the rest of the day...

Angela: ...You can all go back to your floors now.

Not paying attention to what he said, the AI stood up from her seat and walked out of the room, probably to receive the book Roland and his allies were about to bring with them. Now all on their own, the remaining group exchanged many silent looks.

Zophia: I'm gonna need a drink after this.

Dana: You barely did anything.

The only thing that followed after Dana's claim from Yesod's second helper was a raised hand pointing at the black tie still around the recently wounded one's head. This only made the first assistant roll her eyes.

Hava: Speaking of that, I'll be taking this back, thank you~

A still smiling Hava raised a hand and quickly snatched her "borrowed" tie from the captain of the Central Command team's head. Once she did, she placed it back around her neck and fixed it up, completely ignoring the blood still soaked in it.

A few seconds later, trails of red went down the white blouse for everyone else to see.

Yuri: A-Ah, it's still full of blood!

Y/N: ...Heh, nice paint.

To the bewilderment of everyone else present, the one who caused the still present pool of blood let out a dry chuckle. Of course, per usual, the devilish agent paid no mind to it and even gave him a finger gun in return.

Dana, afterwards, grabbed his shoulder and slowly but surely walked him out but not without letting out a few words.

Dana: "Nice paint", let's get you rested up before you end up collapsing. The lack of blood is already making you have weird thoughts.

Slightly worried about the possible effects that could emerge after what happened, Yuri followed after them. Now on their own, Zophia glanced at the last person present beside her.

Simply looking at her grin was enough to make her frown, her expression was akin to facing a monster who faked sympathy in her eyes.

Zophia: You're a weird one.

Hava: Mh~? I'd say I'm pretty sane as a citizen of the City. I'm sure you have your fair share of experience with weirdos, right?

Zophia: ...More than I would have liked.

The blond girl sighed. Just thinking about her office days was enough to give her a wave of depression. Her shoulders lowered and, without saying a word, she left. Hava followed her footsteps but only after cleaning her clothes to the best of her capabilities.

...

Netzach: Hgn... That sounds rough.

The Patron librarian of the Floor of Art opened his eyes and raised his sleepy body to look at the worker laying on the couch he often used to laze about. Behind the furniture, Dana was looking at some of the books present, hoping she could find one that would give them something not alcoholic.

She found no luck in her search.

Y/N: Yea, Angela was pissed, she even tore the attacker apart in the entrance.

The Sephirah slowly nodded along and let out a sigh before opening a can of beer. Out of his kindness, he tossed a second one at the man still mentally recovering from the experience he went through.

Not paying much attention to it, the employee opened it and took a sip before spitting it out on the floor, almost choking on it in the process.

Netzach: Trying to say sober?

Y/N: Ah... S-Sorry, I just got surprised.

A faint trace of red appeared on the worker's face out of embarrassment but it was quickly drowned by the alcohol offered to him as a get well gift.

As he did so, his mind pondered on the brief moment he was able to see before the Stray Dogs signed the invitation. Despite seeming to be just a simple scene of needless violence at first, some information they gained from their exchange made him raise a few questions.

...Said questions quietly came out of his mouth for no one to hear but himself.

Y/N: ...They were trying to get the floorplan of L Corp's Nest. This is strange...

In addition, a second thought confused him even more.

"What was the 'Thumb'?", he heard the trio of thugs briefly mention this word, which only raised question marks in his head. He glanced at the man with green hair, hoping he could find some answers to his questions, only to be met with a sleeping face.

Dana, on the other hand, was seemingly absorbed by a book he couldn't read the cover of with the distance separating them.

His head lowered back against the couch as he pulled up a familiar book. He couldn't remember when he got in possession of it, the last thing he remembered doing with it was placing it on the table next to Angela when the Library sent them a warning about their upcoming visitors.

Y/N: ...Probably just got hold of it as we left.

He opened it, revealing the first page to be filled with small notes. They were not about the world he knew nothing about anymore, nor his own questions but rather an imaginary world he created in his mind, one made from his experience during the 50 days spent underground and his nightmares that came with it.

Ignoring all of it, he turned the page and magically pulled out a pen from one of his sleeves. Then, he did what he was slowly getting used to: writing.

So many strange and still unknown aspects of the City were giving him possible ideas that he put into words. In the end, it'll probably amount to nothing but to his current self, this hobby of his gave him a new reason to wake up each day, a newfound goal.

He never once considered writing a book, it just seemed so out of his league that he never thought about it. Of course, what he was doing was far from what one would call a standard book but the story he made with his notes gave him the basics to create many.

Roland: Writing a book?

Y/N: Yikes, don't scare me like that!

The assistant let out a feeble scream and received the book he was holding right in his face. A chuckle floated in the air, almost mocking his pitiful reaction.

Y/N: When did you get here?

Roland: I just got here, I needed a break. Plus, I heard what happened.

Y/N: Oh, you don't have to worry, I'm fine.

The semi-exhausted worker once more lowered his gaze to the sleeping Netzach on the floor before looking back at the Fixer.

Y/N: Unfortunately, if you wanted a drink, you gonna have to wake him up first.

Although it wasn't visible, an aura of disappointment emanated from the man in a black suit. He made his way around the furniture and crouched down to lightly tap the snoozing Patron librarian's shoulder.

Roland: Mister Netzaaaach, please wake up.

No response.

Y/N: Netzach, your drinking buddy is here.

Angela's doll spoke with a faked monotone voice and tossed his empty can right onto his head. It bounced back and brought a deep breath out of him.

Netzach: Ngh...

Y/N: Miss Tiphereth is not going to be happy to find you like this.

Netzach: ...Give me a break.

Simply hearing the name of the small girl with an almost permanent frown on her face was enough to partially snap him awake.

Y/N: I'm kidding Netzach, she's not even here... or at least for now.

The duo made of the unwanted guest & the depressed drunkard soon went to do their own things, allowing the ones left behind to be in silence.

Plus, them doing so also meant they couldn't be associated to any... pathetic scenes if Angela found the both of them passed out drunk. Her assistant remembered how that went the previous time and he didn't want to be involved.

Dana: They really are careless, aren't they?

Y/N: I wouldn't say that... they probably just enjoy drinking, even if Angela caught them completely knocked out.

Dana: ...I suppose the correct term would be "carefree".

...

...

Y/N: Hey, Dana, can I ask you something?

Dana: ...As long as I can answer it.

Now that he got her attention, it was probably the best opportunity he could have without butting into what she was doing.

The one associated to no floors rose up from his laying position and looked at the girl with a ponytail.

Y/N: Do you know what the Thumb is?

At the mention of that last word, the girl with red hair froze slightly before raising an eyebrow, seemingly confused about the strange question.

Dana: I don't know much about them, only from the passing rumors I heard before joining Lobotomy Corporation.

Y/N: What rumors?

Just as he asked for more details, the sensation of an arm wrapping around his neck made itself known. His eyes glanced to his left and saw a familiar red eye.

Hava: What do we have here, talking about the Fingers are we~?

Y/N: ...The what?

Dana: The Fingers. They're 5 large Syndicates spread all around the Backstreets, all their names are based around the names of the fingers of a hand.

Y/N: Makes sense.

The captain did not expect to suddenly get a lesson from the duo around him. He hurriedly adjusted his posture and gave himself a few seconds to fully focus. He didn't want to miss anything important.

Y/N: So, what are they like?

Dana: Huh... They're...

Hava: A bunch of nutcases, if I were to put it in terms that a certain Roland would say.

Dana: As I said before, I don't know much about them, most of what I do know is just chatter that I've overheard during my life.

The one working under Yesod's order averted her eyes as she finished her sentence. Starting to spin his internal gears together, Angela's assistant slowly pieced parts together and asked a question.

Y/N: If they control most of the Backstreets and you've only heard rumors about them... does that mean-

Hava: Mhm, we've got a Next resident right there, not that surprising for a company like Lobotomy Corporation.

Dana: ...I can assume that you're not, judging by your reaction.

Hava: I definitely wouldn't be the person I am if I was, that's for sure.

Y/N: I don't... remember where I came from.

The third member of the "study group" awkwardly let out his own reply. The last he could think of was his first day during L Corp. Apart from the mention that he had a mother, father & sister, any information about his last residence or simply his childhood in general was unknown to him.

Would the Backstreet even be a good condition to foster a family of 4? That question haunted his mind. From what he saw so far with the guests they received, the Backstreets felt like a hostile environment.

Maybe it was just his imagination, maybe not.

Hava: I've had my fair share of struggles in the trash & dirt. I have to admit that where I was born was far from ideal. L Corp felt like a paradise compared to my old place.

Dana: Which District did you come from?

Hava: Haha, sorry but that's a secret~!

Y/N: ...Still, I'm glad that you managed to keep going. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't be here like this.

The remark made by the fatigued employee sent the red-eyed devil into a deep silence. She quietly looked back at his face for moment, almost scrutinizing his expression to see if he was mocking her or not until finally, her smile returned.

Hava: I suppose I did save you and Alter Ego more than once, huh.

Y/N: Yea, we owe you a lot.

Hava: Heh, you're not wrong~

The girl with long brown hair placed a firm hand on the man's head and gave it a pat before a pair of footsteps echoed inside, putting a stop to the conversation.

Malkuth: ...Has any of seen Roland?

Y/N: Uh... I think he's in the back? Want me to go look with you?

Malkuth: Oh, thank you Y/N!

With a sudden appearance taking away a key member of the conversation, the duo remaining went to their own activities but not before hearing a shocked voice coming from Malkuth. Next to her, the ex-captain was, if they had to take a guess, telling her about the events that occured at the entrance.

In his hands, his personnal book was present, taken with him before he could potentially forget it.