The Underground City

There's nothing special going on now, as a young boy, probably the same age as N04H, seems to be celebrating something alongside some of his friends. It's actually pretty common around this city anyway, so why bother. But it doesn't seem to be happening in the present, more like some months ago, being simply a small memory.

As for who the boy is, hard to say for sure. He seems to be a student, or maybe a graduate from the schools. But that doesn't matter for now, as it doesn't take long before the boy notices a strange closed area as he wanders around the city. Curiosity might kill sometimes though, as he separates himself from the group he was with and goes towards that area alone, without entering it at first, having the feeling that something is waiting for him over there, so as he gets closer, he hears a voice calling for his name, RY3. He gets even more curious and enters the closed area in the end, looking around the walls of the buildings to find the person.

But as he finds himself at a dead end, the person he was trying to find finally makes his appearance. A strange looking figure, wearing very long clothes in order to hide himself from the light, or what these beings call them, crevaator clothes, wearing also a weird insignia on his arm representing him as a part of that group. Even his face is almost impossible to see, but you still can if you struggle for a while.

[Crevaator]-RY3!

The boy looks behind, noticing the figure that stands to block his path out, getting all of a sudden terrified because of it. As you look at the face of the figure though, you can actually see blood all over his mouth, with such a look that can paralyse you the moment you see it.

[RY3]-W-What do you want??

[Crevaator]-Oh, nothing special, little boy. I was simply wondering...

The figure looks straight in the boys eyes, almost as his true intention is to terrify him till he faints. But it doesn't take long before he decides to speak again.

[Crevaator]-...are you interested in a deal?

21.02.1642

The Southeast Military Base

17:23

But now we are finally arriving in the present days, where it seems that N04H started training as he finally got his approval on the role "Investigator" from the Leader. LUK3 is helping him learn martial arts, as now he is his teacher for a year, while KYR4 is watching them and adds some things whenever she thinks it's needed. LUK3 seems pretty good in fighting techniques actually, but he can't help but make himself a fool sometimes. N04H, on the other hand, seems exhausted.

[LUK3]-Good, good! Come on! At least five more minutes and we take a break!

[N04H]-I can't... hold... another... minute.

[LUK3]-Man, you sure don't do physical exercises very often!

[N04H]-We are training continuously... for one hour! Without any... kind of break...

[LUK3]-Then what the hell were you doing during the P.E. classes??

[N04H]-...We had breaks even back then!!

[LUK3]-Oh, gods... Okay, take a break, you little baby! These are literally the simplest exercises, I can't even imagine how you would act at the others later!

[N04H]-Simple in my ass! It was simple what the teachers were showing us at school, not these!

[KYR4]-Oh, I've never imagined N04H getting angry. You sure have a talent to awaken what's worse in people, LUK3.

[LUK3]-Shut uuuup! ...Okay, yeah, the exercises from school are easier! But this is military level, N04H! You compare it to the kids' games they teach you at school??

[N04H]-Yeah, but without any kind of break!? I can't even have two seconds to breath!

[KYR4]-Well, LUK3 doesn't know how to teach.

[LUK3]-HEY!!

[KYR4]-Of course you need breaks because you aren't used to our style. We trained like this for years, we don't even realise if we are tired or not from the effort. But you are used to the school style, which is "kids' game" as LUK3 said. You have to learn to endure it sooner or later, even if you don't like it.

[N04H]-*sigh* Okay, okay... Let's start the training once again.

[LUK3]-Okay then! Let's see how good you are at fighting this time!

[N04H]-What!?

[LUK3]-Hahah! Don't worry! I won't attack you at all! You just need to hit as hard as you can, okay, buddy? I wanna do a small test to see your level of fighting!

[KYR4]-Eventually, pretend he is your biggest enemy! Don't hesitate to knock him down if needed.

[LUK3]-Yeah, thanks for the help...

LUK3 puts his arms to form some sort of shield in order to defend himself and the little recruit starts fighting him. He doesn't seem to be the best at it, but at least he tries. Meanwhile, a figure enters the room. It seems to be the Great Leader, CHE5TER, looking for someone.

[CHE5TER]-Officer KYR4?

So as the girl hears her name, she stops watching the two boys training and looks at her Leader.

[KYR4]-What is it, Master?

[CHE5TER]-The Council has contacted us. There will be a meeting in some hours regarding a problem. They didn't give the details yet, but we need to be present to discuss with them about it.

[KYR4]-*sigh* What could it be this time?

[CHE5TER]-I don't know. I guess we will have to wait until the meeting comes. I already informed Officer RY4N, so make sure you will be ready for our leaving.

He stands a bit and wonders of what could possibly be the meeting about. But then He looks at the recruit fighting.

[CHE5TER]-How is the training going so far?

[KYR4]-I guess... it is going well. He is still weak, but we just need more time for him to get in touch with everything. That's all.

[CHE5TER]-Very well then... Hope that LUCAS doesn't go too hard on him though. I understand that he never taught anybody before, but the recruit is still learning.

[KYR4]-He's gonna do whatever he wants anyway. It's not like someone can stop him from being himself.

[CHE5TER]-Even so...

Then, LUK3 stops the little man and points at the Great Leader. He observed them both chatting for some time now, so he probably just wants to be the center of attention again.

[LUK3]-And now, for a real demonstration of martial arts... I challenge you, Great Leader CHE5TER of the Underground City... to a duel!

[KYR4]-LUK3!

The Leader doesn't seem to be bothered by LUK3's challenge though. When you look at Him, He is actually smirking.

[CHE5TER]-It's alright, KYR4. I enjoy a little training myself. It's been a while since I've made some exercises anyway.

[KYR4]-I don't think it's a good idea...

[CHE5TER]-One time. Just for the fun. Let's see what you're made of, LUCAS.

A smirk appears on LUK3's face when the Great Leader's words are spoken, as he gets into his position and runs towards his Leader in order to attack Him. CHE5TER doesn't seem as He wants to move from His though, neither to take a position of fighting, He just let's His opponent get closer to Him. LUK3 finally makes his way close to the Great Leader and starts attacking Him, but even as experienced as he is, not even he can touch the Great Leader Himself. CHE5TER easily dodges his attacks, and when He sees His opponent in a weak spot, He strikes down at the legs in order to knock him down. It was a pretty quick fight, nothing interesting. He then pulls his hand in order to make him scream in agony and the man begs for surrender. N04H does seem as he wants to laugh about the situation as he finds it funny, as well as KYR4.

[CHE5TER]-So... will you dare challenge me again in the future, LUCAS?

[LUK3]-...No! Not at all, Boss! You win!

[CHE5TER]-*sigh* What a pity... I do so enjoy a small fight, no matter the opponent.

[KYR4]-Master?

Yet it seems like from the fun KYR4 had watching LUK3 kissing the floor, she switched it into a more terrified look all of a sudden seeing her Leader.

[CHE5TER]-Hm?

She points at His face as she notices blood flowing from His nose. It looks like the Great Leader stretched out a bit too much when knocking His opponent, but why would that cause blood to flow? CHE5TER looks at her pointing, putting His finger under His nose and looking at the blood taken on it after.

[KYR4]-...You should take a rest before the meeting. Enough with the training.

[CHE5TER]-It's just a drop of blood, nothing serious. If anything, I had my plans of paying MY4 a visit now anyway. Continue with the training, recruit N04H! I do hope you learnt something from this short demonstration.

So, the Great Leader leaves before anyone could say another word while also trying to wipe out all the blood under His nose. N04H was a bit confused after seeing Him like this for the first time, yet the others seem pretty used to it.

[N04H]-...Why was He... bleeding?

[KYR4]-*sigh* Let's say He has His past. He just needs some time to recover, that's all.

Yet LUK3, still standing on the ground, does make his own affirmation.

[LUK3]-...Recover or not... He could still take me easy while fighting next time... It hurts like shit!

The Council of the Underground City

21:06

Now seems like it's the time for the meeting of the Council. As for what the Council is, it is said that it's the most powerful group of people from this city. All the Leaders and one of their Officers standing together to discuss about the problems of the Underground City. Besides them, there should be also the ruler, the Great Leader, the one responsible for anything that happens in these lands and with His people, even ruling over the Leaders themselves. All of them, they work together to protect the Underground City at all costs. As for the names, each of the Leaders are using a formal name to address themselves in this room, even if each of them have a simple name as well.

The Central Base Leader has the name EM3RY, specialised in all the equipment the military bases have. Each sketch made by the soldiers arrive in this base's hands, which later on is made into a real equipment given back to the other bases. The North Base Leader goes by the name of M1SH4M, specialised in the rescue missions around the City of Above. All the survivors of the executions that now live in this city were once people that got saved by his team. The Northwest Base Leader is N3MES1O, specialised in justice. Anybody that doesn't obey to the rules of the Underground City is punished by his base, and put "behind the cells". The East Base Leader goes by R4YMOND, specialised in protecting the entrances to the City of Above, the direct ones and the ones from the tunnels. Since each entrance is being hidden in the City of Above, his people are making sure each day that nobody from the people who live there manage to find these entrances. The South Base Leader is M4EK0, specialised in spying around the City of Above to collect information of what's happening around there. Most of the missions and all decisions depend on what her people find around the city. 

And lastly, the Southeast Base Leader, who is supposedly RY4N LENKOV in this room, even if in reality, his brother is the actual Leader. They are specialised in collecting official documents from the M soldiers from the City of Above, a reason behind the dangerous missions of theirs, even though nobody from this room knows exactly how are they getting their hands on the documents. But strangely, for them, the one that rules over this entire city is just a simple man that the room knows by the name of M4TTH3W LENKOV, the Great Leader of the Underground City. Even though, this is not the truth, because the true current ruler is someone else, that being CHE5TER LENKOV. Besides all of those names, there are the Officers from each base that are only assisting to help the Leaders, as well as the Clan Leaders with the same names of their clans, the XANTH3 Clan and the EZR4H Clan.

But as you look at it, it's just a room full of people that don't seem to get along that well. You can notice the Leaders of each base along with one of their Officers as said, as well as the important clans that help with the balance of the city, arguing between each other by any kind of subject possible. To think that this is the legendary Council of the Underground City... It just gives you the vibe of a school class where the students hate each other no matter the case.

The people seem to argue about something before the Great Leader arrives, ending even in chaos. Seems like even the people from legends can be childish in the end. But as time passes, three figures enter the huge room. From them, you can notice Officer RY4N and Officer KYR4. But alongside them, there is an unknown figure, not seen before, at least by us: a tall man with white hair and blue eyes, with a long white coat with the symbols of each military base that exists, as well as the clans from the Council. When He enters, the chaotic atmosphere becomes one quiet and organised, almost as if people fear Him.

["M4TTH3W"]-It seems that everyone is present. Should we start the meeting then?

Everyone approves silently. They do seem to respect this man at all costs, for whatever reason.

["M4TTH3W"]-Very well. So, Mr. M1SH4M, you informed me this morning regarding a problem with the North Base and demanded an urgent meeting of the Council, refusing to give me any more details. Mind explaining yourself?

[M1SH4M]-With pleasure, Master M4TTH3W!

The Leader of the North Base gets up and points at a man that seems to be the Leader of one of the clans.

[M1SH4M]-Mr. XANTH3 here informed us a while ago that he will stop the productions of Verha for our base until a certain date, which he didn't specify. Our base is in need of new equipment for the rescue missions at the moment, and when I asked him for at least the emergency supplement, his answer was simply negative, without adding any kind of detail!

A woman gets up and starts talking as well, which seems to be the Leader of the South Base, pissed by the situation.

[M4EK0]-That's because our spies told us that the M soldiers got their hands on our secret currency and we suspect the reason behind this problem is your base, Mr. M1SH4M! They seem to know about the Verha currency ever since the last time the money got into your possession! We immediately told the XANTH3 Clan and asked if they could shut down for a while the transportation of supplies to confirm our theories!

[M1SH4M]-Are you seri... Mrs. M4EK0, you can't just shut down our supplies' transportation out of nowhere! Every military base depends on them, as well as we do! We already have new weapons at the Central Base that need to be paid so they can be delivered! We cannot just wait until we have approval from Mr. XANTH3 on the money!

[XANTH3]-Mr. M1SH4M, the XANTH3 Clan will reestablish the supplies' transportation in your area when we find out who was the betrayer behind all of this. Now that the General from the above knows about this secret currency, he will suspect that the C borns are currently hiding and try to make their own plans to dethrone their ruler, which will put all the missions in danger. Besides that, you already know that our people are giving a lot of their energy just for this reusable devices, and the fact that my own son refuses to take the clan's business in his hands doesn't help us either. I am sure that he doesn't do anything at the Southeast Base as well. So, we do benefit from making less money until we find more clues.

["M4TTH3W"]-Okay, enough with the arguing! We are here to solve the problem, not to jump at each other's throats!

[XANTH3]-I was just saying, Master M4TTH3W.

[M1SH4M]-Oh, yeah? How come you listened to Mrs. M4EK0 here instead of waiting for the Great Leader's approval? You have no authority to make decisions in this room without even informing Him first, Mr. XANTH3!

While everyone argues about the situation, the figure seems to have stopped listening to get rid of the annoyance caused by the chaos in this room and starts thinking of something. When he notices that, RY4N turns to see Him and tries to whisper.

[RY4N]-What is it? Something on your mind?

["M4TTH3W"]-The thing that Mrs. M4EK0 said just now... The last transportation of supplies to the North Base happened exactly when the new recruits came. If my theory is correct, we might got ourselves a clue of some possible suspects.

[KYR4]-So... there should be one of the recruits at fault, Master?

["M4TTH3W"]-It is very possible, but we do not have any proof just yet. And I actually have someone else to investigate on already.

[RY4N]-So? What do we do?

["M4TTH3W"]-I do have a plan in mind, but this time, I will execute it alone.

[RY4N]-As you always do?

["M4TTH3W"]-Hmph.

The man turns then to the people that argue, starting to speak once again.

["M4TTH3W"]-If I may, Mr. XANTH3, Mr. M1SH4M is correct. Everything regarding the supplies' transportation is only decided by the ruler of this room. I do understand your intentions, but you had to inform me first before anything done. As for your son, he is doing fine in his position. Whether he decides to continue this tradition or not, it is his decision alone on his own future life. The XANTH3 Clan can also continue with one of the members as holder of the XANTH3 name, no need of the tradition of bringing and adopting kids in the family to continue. You have nothing to worry about regarding this subject. As long as the person is a member of the XANTH3 Clan since a specific time, they can get the name of the clan as well. After all, we are not talking about the Great Leader title. Now, Mrs. M4EK0, do you have any suspects regarding the situation in cause?

[M4EK0]-Unfortunately, no, Master M4TTH3W. We didn't manage to figure out anything about this problem just yet. No matter how many times my spies went to investigate, nobody managed to find any kind of clue about what's happening. As I said, it's just a theory for now.

["M4TTH3W"]-And Mr. M1SH4M, were you in touch with this information regarding the Verha currency before the meeting started?

[M1SH4M]-No, Master M4TTH3W. I'm afraid we only found out about it now.

["M4TTH3W"]-It is very possible that the reason behind the ignorance may be because both the XANTH3 Clan and the South Base kept it a secret from you as they thought that you are the betrayer, but without evidence, Mrs. M4EK0 finally decided to speak about this problem so we can work together and solve it. I do not blame you, but we surely need to find out what is happening soon. If anything, try to keep it a secret from your soldiers. If they know that we are investigating the case, we might as well get rid of any chance of getting our hands on some evidence. I don't think anybody is stupid enough to blow their covers after the investigation is revealed.

[M1SH4M]-I understand. I am truly sorry for the trouble caused, Master. My Officer and I will keep an eye on every soldier from now on and tell you if we find something suspicious so Mrs. M4EK0 can send a spy and supervise the movement of the suspect.

["M4TTH3W"]-Very well then. I suggest we end this whole conversation now until we find more clues. The Southeast Base will provide your people some equipment until everything is over, so you won't have to worry about that matter either. Any other problems encountered?

Everyone stays silent though. The man looks around for a few seconds, then comes to a conclusion.

["M4TTH3W"]-Then I think it's better we put an end to this meeting now. I'm sure many of you already have some work to do, so no need of losing time here if we do not have any other difficulties that trouble us. But before we leave, may I ask you to do me a favour, Mr. XANTH3?

[XANTH3]-Yes, Master M4TTH3W?

["M4TTH3W"]-Maybe it will be something strange to ask you in person, but may I get around... let's say... 500 Verha?

[XANTH3]-Oh? Of course, of course... But I thought that the Verha supplies arrived in the Southeast Base's possession a few days ago. May I ask why?

["M4TTH3W"]-Oh, this does not involve the economy around the Southeast Base. Let's say it's a... personal matter. I will give them to you back later if it bothers you, but I have something to solve with them.

[XANTH3]-I see... Then I guess I can assist you this time with this requirement. But no need of me to get them back. I have no use of them if they are such a low number.

The Clan Leader was a bit confused of the man's request, but he did as He asked. He created for Him personally exactly five pieces of their currency and gave them to Him. Then, everyone starts leaving the room, while the two Officers and the man stand a bit behind. RY4N was confused as well, He didn't understand the plan either.

[KYR4]-Well, that was a quick meeting... I swear, we didn't have such a blessing in years. Not expected, but welcomed for sure.

[RY4N]-Why the sudden strange request though?

["M4TTH3W"]-What's your guess?

[KYR4]-Master CHE5TER, even I don't understand what's in your mind right now. The request is a bit random, don't you think?

["M4TTH3W"]-Oh, what a pity... Well, to put it simple... The M soldiers do not make any kind of problem nor information public to their people. Only the military is allowed to know what's happening around the city. If the people of the above truly got their hands on this currency, the only ones that are suppose to know about it are the General, his soldiers and...

[RY4N]-...the people that got it in the first place.

The City of Above

32:46

A figure wanders the streets for a while now, while the people look weird at Him as He just passes by. But they don't want to say anything, they just mind their own business. Does it bother Him? Not really, as probably that's what He wants in the first place. Yet the soldiers that notice Him do seem to have suspicions on this strange person. After all, CHE5TER is not wearing anything to hide that He is a C born besides some crevaator clothes, which hide His face and hair with the help of the hood, unable for anybody to see His C colour.

He enters one of the bars, as He goes and orders a random drink. Kind of weird for Him to just come for satisfaction, as He stands a bit to empty His glass and then asks the barman for the price He has to pay. Yet, when He takes out His money, they seem to be the exact same coins that He asked Mr. XANTH3 earlier. The barman doesn't seem to be bothered by these mysterious pieces and doesn't seem to have any questions about them either, in fact, he accepts them anyway. Yet CHE5TER doesn't seem as He wants to leave yet, He just moves a bit his left hand around His clothes as if He tries to search for something. And maybe He found it, but all He does now is to ask another question, while a voice simple talks to Him.

...I smell enemy.

[CHE5TER]-Could you give me another drink, if I may ask?

The barman doesn't say anything, but he turns around to take another one as He wished. Then, suddenly, he seems as if he feels unwell, something bothering him around his stomach area. The reason behind it... is that as he looks down, he notices that he has been stabbed. When he turns, he sees the face of the man that he served behind him, holding His weapon, a simple sword, as He just acted before he could even notice that He moved from His chair. Seems like He has activated a device that spreads the gas which affects their immunity, which may be the thing He was actually searching for in His clothes, as He now disables it. And so, the barman falls to the ground, taking one last breath before he closes his eyes and starts his eternal rest.

The Great Leader takes His money back, as He knows they don't belong to these people, and then He takes out the vanishing device from His pocket. He gets the corpse in His left hand and activates the device, not long before a group of soldiers make their appearance. They seem to have been alarmed by CHE5TER's strange appearance on their streets, but He already knew this movement coming the moment He decided to come in these clothes. He waits for the soldiers to investigate the area and leave, so He too can make His way out, along with the man He killed by His own hands.

The Crevaators' Area

33:14

This is a strange part of the Underground City, one hidden in darkness almost as if the people that live here do not like the light from the city. The only source of light for them would be the fires around the tents in which they live. The whole area seems to be covered in blood as well, almost as if the war from 250 years ago actually happened here. The people here are not normal either, as you can tell by just looking at them all. They are the monsters that all the other people fear, almost even categorised as creatures, not beings. Some of them are enjoying a small fight between each other, but a wild one, while others are feasting on corpses of dead people from the city.

One of the crevaators gets back and announces their leader that a person is approaching their area, so their leader heads to the specific direction. He sees the strange figure, and it doesn't take long before he warns Him, rather from his annoying feeling that he got when he saw Him than out of pure anger.

[ESTVA4NH7SE]-If you didn't bring anything valuable, I suggest you leave now. I'm not interested in chatting with any of you at the moment, mortals. This is a warning, not an advice.

The figure doesn't say anything though, He just takes out a cut hand and throws it to the leader, so he then smirks a bit and looks at the person.

[ESTVA4NH7SE]-So I suppose you came here for more information, Mr. CHE5TER? You sure know how to satisfy me. What is it this time? Their equipment? Their newcomers?

[CHE5TER]-More like... our currency.

The leader stands for a while to see what He could say about it, before He starts talking again.

[CHE5TER]-I heard that the M soldiers got their hands on the Verha currency for a while now and I know for a fact... you are behind this whole problem, aren't you?

[ESTVA4NH7SE]-How come you ended up with that conclusion?

[CHE5TER]-You think I can forget so easily that you send our money to the City of Above? The moment I heard about this problem, the first suspect that crossed my mind was you.

[ESTVA4NH7SE]-Hahahhah... Oh, I'm indeed honoured!

[CHE5TER]-Cut the bullshit. Tell me why did you do such a thing in the first place.

[ESTVA4NH7SE]-Oh, dear friend! You know our rules: if you pay us what we need, we give you everything in exchange, no matter the requirements. You know already that the M soldiers have business with the crevaators from the above ever since the end of the war. If anything, I'm afraid that without us, they would have gone broke in no more than two years as they surely like to waste everything from one breath.

[CHE5TER]-And I think you forgot our agreement regarding my city and your people. You either keep everything a secret, or get killed in the process. I let you live in this space of ours because I knew you can provide me of useful information from the above, but if you put this city in danger, you will leave sooner than you might think.

[ESTVA4NH7SE]-Hahahah... Mr. CHE5TER, everything regarding this secret is unknown to the M soldiers. Why such a scene for some coins? They paid the crevaators from the above to give them more of your currency, as they still think we have supplies of them. We simply had to get more to give them.

[CHE5TER]-And instead of the old currency that they are aware about, you decided to take from the secret one?

[ESTVA4NH7SE]-Money are money, dear friend. What does it matter so much? It's like saying different corpses have different tastes. They don't, really. The value behind them are the title of the deceased one. That's why there is a saying between us that if we eat the body of a powerful being, we become as powerful as how the being was.

[CHE5TER]-I don't think you realise something, Mr. "Leader". The problem that you've caused may cost even your people's lives. Now that the M soldiers are aware of the Verha currency, they know we are hiding somewhere as a large group and try to stop everything they did so far. Don't you think they will get suspicious if they discover a new currency all of a sudden? Sooner or later, they will find out about our city, and after they are done killing us all, they will get rid of your people as well. You are just parasites to both of the cities, you do not benefit anybody of anything. So, they will have nothing to do with you after they are done with us.

The Great Leader becomes a bit angry, while the leader just gets annoyed by what He is saying, yet He continues.

[CHE5TER]-I want to know exactly how did you put your hands on this currency.

[ESTVA4NH7SE]-You know this information costs more than just a hand, right, CHE5TER?

[CHE5TER]-Don't worry about the payment. I brought the whole body, just in case.

[ESTVA4NH7SE]-Heheh... Very well then... It's not something complicated. I put my people a while ago to go around the city and get some more money for us to give the soldiers. One guy from the group in cause terrorised a new recruit from the North Base and made the little guy give him some coins. He told him that if he doesn't give him what he demands, he will eat him alive. So, the young boy brought everything he could find at the moment. I think his name was RY3, if I'm recalling it right from what the crevaator said. I was suspicious on the strange looking coins at first as well actually, as even I wasn't aware of this currency. In the end, I put someone to go back in the city and see if the coins are actually money, so I gave them to the soldiers when I heard that they are indeed. Until a few days ago, I thought they are some kind of new currency ready to be released.

[CHE5TER]-So now you are terrorising my people just for your illegal business?

[ESTVA4NH7SE]-Oh, don't look at it that way, young CHE5TER. Terrorising is not even the worst thing my people can do. I can always arrange some of my crevaators to kill anybody I want if I wish to do so. With more people joining our clan, we simply need more corpses to feed them after all.

[CHE5TER]-Do not take me as an idiot. I know your true intentions and everything regarding your people's past, remember? And it's not like you need to eat them or anything. Even if you don't like it, we are the same type of living beings.

[ESTVA4NH7SE]-So? Everyone has their tastes. When it comes to ours, we do not like to wait a lot of time to satisfy them. Ever tasted blood to even argue with me? It's not my fault that you, simple-minded people, do not like to eat just because of "morality" and throw hate against our clan. And if we are on this subject... I will like to see my payment! Now!

The Great Leader leaves angrier than before to bring what the man demanded. When He comes back, He gives the corpse to the man, with the face of the body covered up, so that the leader of the crevaators doesn't see his face. But when he reveals the face of the corpse, the man's expression turns into fear.

[CHE5TER]-...You recognise the man? Of course you do... He is one of your clients after all, isn't he?

[ESTVA4NH7SE]-...H-How do you know our business people from the above?

[CHE5TER]-Little crevaator, I do not only supervise the movement of the M soldiers. Your deals, your transactions, everything is already known by me, as well as all the people you work with. You think just because you work for me, I will spare you from any investigations? As well as you know some information about my people, I am aware of all of your people as well. Your tricks are nothing but a child's game to me.

The man couldn't say a thing, neither to move his body, as he got shocked from this new information.

[CHE5TER]-I have a request for you. Stop giving the M soldiers our money, whether if it's the old currency or the secret one. Let them starve for power. If I hear they got their hands on our money again, I will make sure the next meal your people will have will be their own beloved leader. And I know very well you do not want that to happen, am I right? After all, "it's a curse to feast yourself from your own leader's body", isn't it?

The man looks at Him straight into the eyes. An emotionless expression that the Great Leader gives him, just like always, but this time, with the goal of terrifying him. The fear increases by each second, one that the Great Leader is very well aware of.

[CHE5TER]-Also, make sure that none of your people gets any closer to my city ever again. I do not want to hear that you guys terrified my people once more. Did I make myself clear?

The man approves silently. He doesn't dare speak any word now.

[CHE5TER]-Good. I will come back to you again when I will need more information. Until then, I hope you will do as I demanded, Mr. ESTVA4NH7SE.

The North Military Base

34:06

Now, it seems as we are witnessing a young man standing at the balcony of the base in which he works. He looks at the city from the above, and who wouldn't? It is indeed a beautiful view, as the city is so lively at this hour. He seems to be drinking something as well while enjoying the view and probably his break.

But then, he notices a weird figure standing in the direction of the base, looking at him. He gets a little confused, but ignores the person at first. Then, when he looks again, he sees that the figure walks towards his direction, stopping after some meters and pointing at the young boy. He gets a bit scared indeed when he notices that. From pointing at him, now the person makes a sign for him to come, so the boy was now even more terrified than he was before, but follows the command.

He finally arrives closer to the figure, only for it to start moving, as if it wanted him to follow. Then, they arrive at a closed area, hard for anybody to see them, both standing alone. The boy couldn't see the person's face properly, only the mouth.

[CHE5TER]-...Are you the one called RY3?

So the boy got terrified hearing the person saying his name. He thought of a possible person he probably knew at this point, so he just started speaking out of fear.

[RY3]-Look... I-I will bring you the money in some hours, I promise! Just, please, I want to enjoy my bre--

[CHE5TER]- --You don't have to pay them anymore, little one.

Now the boy was more confused than ever when he heard these words. He couldn't understand who was this person if He wasn't a crevaator.

[RY3]-...What?

[CHE5TER]-Did I stutter? I said that you don't have to pay them anymore. I fixed your problem with your "small friends".

[RY3]-H-How did you do that? No, wait... Who exactly are you? Are you one of them or not?

[CHE5TER]-I managed to convince them to not terrify you ever again. Now you don't have to fear them anymore. If they do try so, they will pay the consequences.

[RY3]-T-That's amazing! Thank you so much! B-But--

[CHE5TER]- --I want you to do me a favour though. Let me know if they try anything ever again, or at least get any close to you. If they will, just call me whenever you think it's the best time.

The boy was happy to know that his problem was solved, but wanted to know this person's identity. Looking closer, he notices a scar on the man's face, so he was now sure he doesn't know Him.

[RY3]-...Who are you?

The man finally looks straight into his eyes, so the boy finally sees His voothrav colour of the eyes themselves, and an emotionless expression that was watching him.

[CHE5TER]-...Call me Seven Two, if you wish so.

And with that, the man then leaves him behind, only for him to stay and think of this person more. He swears he saw Him somewhere before, but there is no help in finding out who He truly is now.

The Southeast Military Base

36:13

Officer RY4N stands and reads one of the books that he found in his brother's office, staying alongside MY4, who was looking at him worried. They chatted for a while now, as the Officer wants to know about his brother's condition.

[MY4]-...RY4N, you know I can't do anything when it comes to what He wants to do. I cannot force Him into doing something He doesn't want to.

[RY4N]-*sigh* I know. He is the same stubborn child that I ever knew. But we can't just stay and do nothing about it. Great Leader or not, I do not want to lose him as well, MY4!

[MY4]-Maybe I can rearrange His schedule in His less busier hours, so that He can have more time for His rest.

[RY4N]-There is no point in doing so. He will cancel it over and over again no matter the case. It's not about how busy he is, it's about whether he wants or not.

[MY4]-Then what are our options, RY4N? His wound doesn't seem to heal as He keeps forcing Himself because of the work. I'm trying to force it to heal itself, but no matter how hard I try, the wound stays the same. The gas still affects Him as well and that doesn't help me either.

[RY4N]-Then our only option remaining is to end this war faster, is it not?

[MY4]-And how are we suppose to do that? We fight in this war for 250 years now and we barely made any progress! It's impossible for us to just end it all now! Look at how many people we've lost just by trying, RY4N! Look at what it costs us to end it!

Some tears appear on the girl's face though. They both know that ending this whole war is an unbearable pain, and the one who has the destiny to make this possible is an injured man. But before any of them could say another word, the Great Leader enters the room. He seems to be surprised to see MY4 present, even confused when He notices that she is crying.

[CHE5TER]-What's happening here?

So the girl wipes her tears and tries to stay strong, so that she can respond to Him calmly.

[MY4]-...Nothing. We were just discussing.

Though she was too scared to ask Him where was He all this time, His brother was more confident.

[RY4N]-Where have you been all this time?

[CHE5TER]-*sigh*  We are starting well... I went to solve the problem regarding the currency. I told you, I have my own plan. And... it went well... I guess. The problem was indeed coming from one of the new recruits. I found out who was behind it and managed to discuss a bit about the situation with him. But now that I explained myself, it's time you tell me what were you two discussing.

[RY4N]-You know very well my answer, Brother. Why bother asking?

[CHE5TER]-So it's about the whole incident again... I told you already, to both of you, there is no point worrying about it. The wound in cause will heal itself eventually. There is no need for me to lose time staying and doing nothing. Besides, the whole treatment is the same as the way I affect it. Opening the wound forces it to heal itself. These are your words, MY4.

[RY4N]-But the opening itself needs to be done by a professional, not by forcing your body while working! Why don't you want to understand that!?

[MY4]-...CHE5TER, the wound barely healed in these months since you got back to your work. Because you kept forcing yourself, you didn't give your body the time to recover.

He looked for a while to both of them, but He made His decision long time ago. Nothing can stop Him.

[CHE5TER]-And you are aware of the fact that I won't stay and watch everything burn. I either do something about it, or die in the process. I already lost too much time back then and look at how the problems progressed. No words can change my mind now. I'm sorry.

He takes one last look at them and leaves, only for both of them to watch Him vanish in fear.

...Look at you. You call yourself a Leader, but you can barely calm everyone down. Your brother is disappointed in you and I'm sure your father is as well. Now even the one you love doesn't seem to be by your side. You betrayed them, CHE5TER. Don't you see that?

"It's either me... or them. The price of war's ending."

23.02.1642

The Council of The Underground City

19:53

The meeting seems to be going for a while now regarding the last problem spoken, but the Great Leader doesn't seem to be present. As always, with His absence, the room becomes a chaotic atmosphere. Everyone is fighting regarding old problems and new ones. The "Leader" and the Officer of the Southeast Base are present, but don't want to get involved in the fight at all. Officer KYR4 is trying to calm everyone down though, but Officer RY4N is only thinking about something.

Then, the Great Leader finally makes His arrival, and everyone calms down as they see Him entering. A man, one of the Leaders, raises his hand waiting for the Great Leader's approval to speak.

[EM3RY]-Greetings, Master M4TTH3W! You've informed us that the meeting of today will be around the discussion regarding the problem with the Verha currency. From what I understood, Mrs. M4EK0 told us that the situation seems to get worse for us.

[M4EK0]-Affirmative. Not only that, but we still didn't find any clues about who might be behind this whole situation. Were you informed about something these days that made you decide to start this meeting?

The Great Leader finally sits down and closes His eyes, as if He was annoyed, or even tired.

["M4TTH3W"]-...There is no problem about the currency anymore. At least, for the time being. There will be no more money for the M soldiers to find. The only problem we need to focus will be the matter regarding our safety. Now that they are aware of our presents, they will try to find us at all costs. We will need more people inside their city to be sure they do not find ours. I have a feeling that the crevaators' area will be their first place to supervise, and they don't seem so good at hiding their entrance. It's a good starting point to watch over. Understood?

Everyone was shocked when they heard His words, but also a bit curious to find out the truth. Of course, no one dared to say a word for now.

[M4EK0]-Y-Yes, Master! We will send more people to investigate the situation in the City of Above in the area of the crevaators to make sure they do not blow our cover. Besides that, I will try myself to look around what's happening regarding the soldiers in the city.

[R4YMOND]-I do not think that the M people are such a threat as you say though, Master M4TTH3W. I've protected the entrances of the Underground City for years and none of the soldiers were able to even get close to them. But of course, if you do indeed think it's best for the entrances to be guarded, I will do everything that's in my power.

["M4TTH3W"]-Very well. Then, if everything is solved, we can close this subject for now. No need of speaking about it until we get an update regarding it.

The North Base Leader raises his hand and waits for the Great Leader's approval. He seems to be the only one brave enough to ask for the truth.

[M1SH4M]-Master M4TTH3W, I have to say, I'm impressed by how you managed to fix this problem so quickly. But if I may ask, and I think I'm asking for everyone present in this room, how did you manage to solve it so suddenly alone?

The Great Leader looks at the Leader before He says a word. He knows some things are not to be revealed to the public eyes, not even to the people He works with.

["M4TTH3W"]-I have my ways to solve problems. Don't think about it too much, it's simply not that important.

Everyone starts whispering, maybe trying to make at least an idea of what could have possibly solve this problem. Even His Officer was curious, but nothing shown from His brother. He didn't seem to know about the truth either, but he was focusing on something else at that moment.

[KYR4]-Master, I know you have people everywhere, but there is no way you can solve a problem like this so soon. I really need to know how you managed to do this!

["M4TTH3W"]-...Let's just say a certain "friend" kept his promise this time.

The City of Above

17:01

But this time, seems like we are witnessing a Sergeant entering one of the rooms from a building of the above, looking at a man that stands in his chair, watching something that he holds in his hand, before the Sergeant speaks.

[MSergeant]-General C4E5AR, we've been informed that the crevaators refused to give us money in the past two days. We've tried to negotiate with them today, but with no results. The Captains demand more supplies for their equipment and we barely have any money left to satisfy all of them. Any orders?

[C4E5AR]-Heheh... I see... Well then, inform them that the city will go under the red code. Stop the usage of the money for pleasures and keep them for urgent situations and for the researchers. If they really want more things for free, we will start to use more of the survivors from the execution rooms.

[MSergeant]-Yes, Sir! Understood!

Yet the man doesn't stop looking at his hand, holding what it seems to be one of the secret money that he found recently. He seems to be thinking of something, but refuses to tell anything until the Sergeant leaves. So when he does so, the man speaks.

[C4E5AR]-...So they finally decided to revolt against us and try to shut us down. How foolish... You saw him, didn't you? The one they call a "Leader" is nothing but a child who is putting his people in danger in every second of his life, even his own self. If he really thinks he will save them all, he can keep on dreaming. The place where they belong is Hell, where all the monsters are.

Then he looks down, along with his smirk. A cold face, you know you can't negotiate with someone like him. As he is the General of the City of Above, the one that controls the whole city and every C born fears, and the same person who declared the law against the C borns 236 years ago, right after M1NERV4's death. As for his reasons, it is for us to find in the future.

[C4E5AR]-I must say, I'm curious myself. Where do you think they were hiding all these years...

"...Officer DU5TIN?"