Abyssal Awakening - Chapter 855

Chapter 855: Abnormal City

‘Have we even seen a person with a side effect on the streets since we’ve arrived?’

The moment she thought about this, Alice could feel her heart rate increasing.

She looked around the store, even those looking for counter agents had no visible side effects.

She rushed out and looked around the streets.

No one had side effects.

People behind windows, people sitting in alleyways. Even a few of the guards walking around.

Not a single person had a visible side effect.

The only person that remained was… the informant that they saw earlier.

[That’s…] Cayla frowned as she too began to feel uneasy.

In a way, it was similar to when Alice saw a hybrid.

Something that shouldn’t be.

Only this time, the entire city felt unnatural.

Extalia, the hub of Abyss Blood, shouldn’t be this ‘clean’.

Alice gritted her teeth.

Just as she was about to jump away, a hand grabbed her shoulder from behind.

“!!!”

Alice was about to swing when she noticed it was Elias.

“You feeling alright? You’re sweating buckets.” He asked with concern as Alice blinked her eyes.

She glanced down and saw that her hands were sweaty and trembling.

“F*ck… No, I need a breather.” Alice sighed, brushing her hair back.

Walking away from the Zenia store, she sat down on the benches while Elias sat next to her.

“Have you noticed?” She asked out of the blue.

“Hm? Noticed what?”

“Side effects. How many people are walking the streets with them? Or even visible to us?” Alice narrowed her eyes.

“What do you mean? It should be pretty easy to spot on-…?!” Elias turned to the crowd but froze.

Alice was right.

No one had a single side effect.

“Strange isn’t it. The only one we’ve seen with a side effect has been the informant. Everyone else is ‘clean’.”

Elias began to frown.

“Do you think they’re… being dealt with? Or are they hidden away. Since the people asking for counter agents are asking for someone at home rather than themselves.”

“I don’t know. But unless I sort out this freaky feeling, I don’t think I can experiment peacefully.” Alice shook her head.

Everything about this city felt wrong now that she’s identified the main issue.

“Where do we even start with the investigation?” Elias asked.

“I think we have to say hi to the weird informant again.” Alice sighed.

As the only one with a side effect in this city and along with being an informant, she was probably the best one to ask.

“Do you want me to have a deeper look around the city while you do? So we cover more ground.” Elias suggested as Alice raised an eyebrow.

“Alone? Are you sure?”

She hasn’t seen him fight at all so she wasn’t sure about his combat abilities. But as a healer, he’ll probably struggle.

“How long do you think I’ve been alone for?”

“First of all, that sounds depressing as hell.” Alice interrupted as Elias’ smile twitched.

“Ignore that. But I can handle myself. There’s been times when my patients have tried to capture me after I heal them and so on. So I’m pretty confident I can deal with most things alone.” Elias shook his head and stood up.

“Plus, I still have the blood bead if anything goes wrong right?” He smirked, pointing at his sleeve that had the blood bead acting as a button of sorts.

“True. Alright, I’ll trust you with the investigations when. And… There’s possibly one Lord level person hiding here. I can’t tell unless I see them so take care.” Alice warned.

There was a large signature of energy present in the city but Alice didn’t know the source just yet.

However, it was clearly above what a six Sigil hunter could produce so it was best to be on guard.

“Hm… Alright. Considering how you handled Theron, I can assume you’ll save me against a Lord right?” Elias asked with a troubled smile.

He might be able to handle himself but fighting a Lord… he’s never tried it yet.

“Depends on what their powers are. But I should be fine.” Alice shrugged.

She’s faced plenty of Lords at this point. If she can’t even kill a Lord, how does she expect to fight against Apostles and Gods?

“That’s reassuring. You still have the coin pouch I gave you right? It should be enough to pay for whatever information she needs.”

Snapping his finger, Elias summoned his umbrella and jumped towards the rooftops for a second time today.

Seeing him leave, Alice smiled before making her way towards the tavern.

She had a serious expression on her face as she made the same order, this time with the added bonus of Yggdrasil Tea.

The bartender raised an eyebrow at Alice’s order but didn’t question it.

She handed Alice a slip and left.

Looking at the directions, Alice noticed it was a different entrance than before.

This time, it was actually behind a bathhouse.

Handing the slip over, Alice stepped into the elevator and waited.

[Do you think she’ll have the answers for you?] Cayla asked curiously.

‘Probably. I’m assuming she’s been here for a while. And if she’s been here for a while, she’ll definitely know why the city is the way it is.’ Alice narrowed her eyes.

With the elevator taking a while to start, Alice assumed it was because the lady was busy with another client.

Taking this time, she created a thin layer of blood mist and dispersed it through the gaps of the elevator.

She leaned against the wall and closed her eyes, focusing her senses on controlling the blood mist.

Right as she was about to have it scout out ahead of time, a rush of energy lunged towards her, forcefully establishing a link.

“Dear client, as this is your first strike, I’ll kindly warn you. Do not use such abilities within the premises of the Underground. It is a sign of respect towards us as the host and the other clients who have placed their trust in us.

“If you ignore this, we will have to remove your participation from our future services.”

The voice rang out directly in Alice’s mind, surprising her.

Just as she wanted to respond, she felt it retreating.

A smile appeared on her lips.

In that instance where he established a link with her, Alice had already used Cayla to observe the flow of energy.

She analysed and memorised the skill.

She’ll need a moment to recreate it but relinking herself to his tethers?

That was easy.

“My bad. I didn’t think it would be bad since my ride was taken a while. I don’t suppose my informant is busy right now.” Alice smirked.

Hearing her voice, the unknown person was clearly surprised but kept his cool.

“The elevator will move once she is ready to receive you. During that time, please wait patiently.”

“Heh~ Why don’t we chat for a little bit. Why the rush to leave?” Alice narrowed her eyes.

“Unfortunately, I am not an informant. I will not have what you require dear client.”

“How are you so sure? I haven’t even said my request yet.”

“The informant will have what you desire.” He replied once more. But this time, the tether was abandoned as Alice shrugged.

‘Guess I’ll have to behave a little. The fact that I don’t feel eyes on me… it’s probably a network of detection I assume.’ Alice mused to herself as Cayla nodded in agreement.

Soon, the elevator began to move.

It traced a familiar path as the elevator hopped rails. Once more, Alice could see the underground markets through the gaps.

This time, she made sure to observe all of the clients and even store owners.

She wanted to see if they had any visible side effects.

But once again, not a single one of them had it.

All of them were ‘clean’.

*Cacha

The elevator hooked against the final railing and led Alice to the room.

As the door opened, she saw the informant sitting facing Alice.

“Welcome back. I hadn’t thought you would come visit me so soon. Or do you perhaps miss seeing a pretty lady like myself? I must admit, I’ve received a few strange requests over the years, perhaps due to my ears.” She chuckled elegantly.

“Though I’m sorry to say but I offer no such services. If anything, it’ll be a risk to the client since I might get a little… hungry in my passion.” She licked her lips, pulling up her dress to reveal the mouth that was drooling a little.

“No I’m not here for that. I have a question for you and it’s to do with the city.” Alice shook her head, sitting opposite the woman.

Before Alice could say anything else, the woman held her finger over her lips.

“It seems like the young lady has noticed the strangeness of this city. But are you sure you wish to learn it from me? Why not experience it for yourself then come visit me afterwards.” She narrowed her eyes.

Alice tilted her head in confusion.

“Surface, Void, Abyss. Three realms that exist side by side. Then there is the unknown realm beyond the three. Those who come from there are known as the Outer Gods. The young lady knows this much yes?” The informant crossed her legs, resting her chin on her palm.

“And each of these realms contains a Realm Ruler. Thought the Abyss is a little unique in that regard. The Void now slumber while the surface has long perished. But that’s diving a little off topic. Instead of answering your question little miss, why don’t I pose you a question instead.” She stood up, circling Alice before leaning down, whispering into Alice’s ear.

“How do you think one would go about artificially creating a new, fourth realm? One of nightmares and blood?”