Much to my surprise, I was able to sit without saying a word for the next couple of minutes. I did feel the urge to say some nonsense, but I held myself back.
"The Thoughtpressor."
"....."
The few ahead paused and looked at me before looking away.
Ehm.
Then the image on the wall changed, and I found myself looking up.
A swimming pool appeared on the screen.
It was a rather large one, with lanes stretching beneath a high ceiling and a viewing gallery running along one side. Several lights reflected against the water.
The bottom wasn't visible.
[Gate — The Pool]
[Rank: ]
"The water level?"
Adrian stood beside Vera's desk, looking at the figures beneath the image.
"Still rising. The latest readings match the previous ones."
"And the people inside?"
"Seven confirmed. The scouts moved them to the upper gallery. Two need assistance walking."
I straightened a little.
So that was what they were discussing.
A rescue.
Tessa brought up another image. Several people sat against a wall above the pool, wrapped in blankets while a scout checked the equipment beside them.
"Supplies are in place. The forward team will remain with them until we arrive."
"Good."
Adrian nodded.
I looked from the image to the map beside it. A route marked in blue led from the entrance, passed through a narrow section, and stopped beneath the gallery.
Most of it was underwater.
"How deep is—"
"The return route needs checking again."
Adrian spoke to Marcus, who immediately leaned towards the screen.
I closed my mouth.
Ah.
Perhaps he didn't hear me.
"Especially the service passage."
Adrian continued, looking extremely serious.
"We aren't taking stretchers through there until the line is secured."
"The equipment team is preparing the fittings. They'll be ready before we depart."
Vera enlarged the image.
A red line appeared below the gallery, followed by another farther up.
"At the current rate, they have at least thirty-six hours before the water reaches them."
"And if the rate changes?"
"We move earlier. The scouts are sending readings continuously."
I watched the red line climb the wall before stopping beneath the ceiling.
Eventually, there probably wouldn't be anywhere left to stand.
Or breathe.
'A rather unpleasant pool.'
I was starting to understand the rank.
It wasn't simply a matter of swimming towards the people and bringing them back. The route to the entrance was already half submerged, and carrying injured people through it seemed rather troublesome.
"How did they measure the rise?"
This time, Vera looked towards me.
For a moment, I thought she was about to ask for my input.
Instead, she turned back towards Adrian and changed the display.
Several recordings appeared beside each other.
The first showed a scout fixing a narrow strip to a pillar. Small markings ran along its length, with a camera positioned opposite it.
Another showed a sensor being lowered into the water.
"We compared the fixed markers with the pressure readings," she said. "Then checked both against the scans of the room. It isn't an issue with the camera angle."
I looked at the numbers beneath each recording.
Someone even marked the position of the water against the same tile at different times. The images overlapped, showing exactly how much the surface moved.
Oh.
That was quite thorough.
"The pool is overflowing into the surrounding passages," Vera continued. "But none of the visible drains are lowering the level."
"Blocked?"
Marcus asked.
"Not the ones we checked."
Tessa tapped her screen.
A small machine moved through a grate near the edge of the pool. A thin cable followed behind it, stretching into the dark passage as the camera turned.
Several pipes appeared.
Then a familiar section of tiled wall.
"The circulation lines return to the pool."
She started explaining.
"We traced them with dye and confirmed the route with the camera."
"So we need another outlet."
"Yes."
I leaned forward.
Honestly, I could barely understand what was going on.
They seemed to also be ignoring me. So the only thing I could do was nod from time to time, pretending to understand.
"I was beat as a child."
The best part?
I could say all the nonsense I wanted without any repercussions.
Right now, I could let my inner thoughts out.
"So I beat my father to death."
I was an orphan, by the way.
On the next recording, a faint cloud of dye drifted through the water. Tessa paused it several times, marking the direction before laying the results over the map.
Some of the lines disappeared into sections the scouts couldn't reach.
The last recording stopped when the camera's light no longer reached anything besides the water in front of it.
"No clear images beyond that point. We brought it back rather than risk losing the cable."
Adrian nodded.
"We'll inspect the remaining routes once the civilians are secure."
"What about pumping the water out?"
I asked.
Marcus reached for the open case on the desk.
"We're bringing two larger pumps."
He spoke towards Adrian.
"The portable one couldn't keep up. These should keep the entry area usable, but we shouldn't rely on them to drain the pool."
"Understood."
"....."
I slowly leaned back.
"...I am secretly a girl."
Still ignored.
Wow.
For the next several minutes, they went through the equipment. Breathing sets, lights, harnesses, and a frame that would let them pull the injured through the passage without carrying them the entire way.
Tessa brought up an image of it.
Marcus pointed at one of the straps.
"That needs to release from either side."
"It does."
"Even under tension?"
"I'll check it again."
Nobody sounded particularly worried.
They weren't being careless either. Every time one of them mentioned something, another brought up a recording or checked a piece of equipment.
It was quite pleasant to watch.
"Crow."
Huh?
I looked up.
Adrian was finally looking at me.
"Yes?"
"What Order are you?"
I tilted my head.
"Third."
His expression paused.
Vera looked towards Marcus. Tessa stopped moving her finger against the screen.
Then they all looked back at me.
"Third Order?"
"Yes."
I nodded, wondering if they would ask me a third time.
It would fit quite well. Third Order, third time?
Adrian's brows drew together slightly, although he didn't immediately say anything.
I glanced towards the display.
"Is that a problem?"
"We need to know what each member can do."
"Of course."
I looked around the room.
"And you?"
Adrian rested one hand against the desk.
"Fifth Order. Warden Decree."
Oh.
Same as Mirelle.
"Vera is Fourth Order. Hunter."
She nodded.
"Locating people and tracing their movements will be my responsibility."
"Marcus is Fifth Order. Sentinel."
Marcus closed the equipment case.
"Stay within the area I secure. Especially if we need to stop along the extraction route."
I nodded.
"And Tessa is Fourth Order. Mender."
"The injured will be my priority," she said. "Don't move anyone until I've checked them."
Fourth to Fifth Order.
All four of them.
They were certainly quite a capable group. Between locating the victims, protecting them, and treating their injuries, it was becoming easier to understand their confidence.
Then there was me.
Third Order.
Wearing a cheap shirt that somehow untucked itself without me realizing it.
I adjusted it a little.
"And your Decree?"
Adrian's question made my hand stop.
"Well..."
There were quite a few to choose from.
I couldn't exactly tell them that.
I needed something useful enough to justify being here without making them too interested in me.
'I guess I'll go with...'
"Sonorous."
I could almost feel the Conductor laugh in delight.
"....."
The room grew quiet again.
Somehow, their expressions became even less enthusiastic.
Vera lowered her gaze towards the file beside her keyboard. Marcus looked at Adrian, while Tessa slowly returned her attention to the equipment list.
I remained seated.
A sound-based Decree wasn't bad.
It was quite good, actually.
Perhaps I needed to say it more confidently.
Adrian took a deep breath before I could try.
"For now, you'll assist from the staging area. Any entry into the Gate will require separate clearance. Your restrictions still apply."
"Understood."
So much for finding out what I could do.
Not that I intended to complain.
"Alright, you may leave for now. The Gate raid will be tomorrow. Please get some rest."
"Alright."
I stood up and picked up my temporary card.
The moment I turned towards the door, Vera brought the map back onto the screen.
"The lower passage..."
Their conversation resumed before I even left.
I paused with my hand against the door, then smiled and stepped outside.
Well, this was going to be fun.
I looked down at the card.
I still needed to find out where I was sleeping.
And now there was work tomorrow.
'Who would've thought I'd have to work the moment I got out?'
-x-X-x-
I woke up and stared at the ceiling for a moment.
It was quiet.
There was no one standing on the other side of a glass partition, looking at me as if I were some sort of dangerous object.
I wasn't.
There were also no footsteps stopping outside the door either.
I slowly sat up.
Then I fell back against the pillow.
"…Oh."
That felt rather good.
The mattress sank a little beneath me, and I pulled the blanket farther up before closing my eyes again. Even the temperature seemed just right.
I couldn't remember the last time I woke up feeling this refreshed.
'I could get used to this…'
The Guild Master was a man of his word.
This was a good room.
A very good room.
Ding! Ding!
My phone vibrated on the bedside table.
I reached towards it with my good hand, bringing it closer as a message appeared on the screen.
[Report to the equipment bay. Preparations are starting.]
"….."
I read it twice.
Then I looked towards the ceiling again.
"Oh, right."
There was a Gate.
**
Before I could reach the equipment bay, someone directed me towards an examination room. Apparently, even though I left the hospital, I was still forced to take mandatory checks from the doctors.
"Sit down."
Ugh.
I almost sat on the table.
The doctor checked the screen beside him before looking towards my wrist.
"You're not to use your nodes. For any reason."
"Yes, I've been told."
"I'm telling you again."
"…You're kind."
He looked at me for a moment before reaching for the cuff around my arm. Once it tightened, I stopped moving and watched the numbers appear on the screen.
"Your vitals seem fine."
"That's good."
"Any dizziness?"
"Not at the moment."
He nodded and entered something into the computer.
"What about an itch around your nose?"
My nose twitched.
"….."
I kept my hands on my knees.
"No."
"Nothing at all?"
"No."
It was a rather persistent little itch, too.
I resisted the urge to rub it as the doctor turned back towards the screen. Thankfully, he didn't repeat the question.
Instead, he checked my temperature, shone a small light into my eyes, and asked me to follow his finger.
I followed it.
Then I followed it some more.
At this point, I felt that I was becoming quite good at being examined.
"Your bracelet."
I looked down.
"What about it?"
"Take it off for a moment."
My fingers stopped near the clasp.
The doctor reached into a small case beside his desk and took out another bracelet. It looked similar to the one I was wearing, although the band was slightly thicker.
"It's a stronger version of the one you have now. It should help you better."
"…Oh."
I looked between the two.
Then I unfastened mine.
"Thank you."
He handed me the replacement, and I carefully slipped it around my wrist. A little of the pressure behind my eyes eased as I secured the clasp.
That was rather nice.
I turned my wrist once before putting the old bracelet in my pocket.
"This doesn't change what I said about your nodes."
"Of course."
The doctor studied me for another moment before moving the case aside.
Clank!
Right then, the door opened, and another person came in. Judging from his white robes and pad in his hand, he was likely another doctor.
I sighed.
'Looks like this will take a while.'
***
"Where is he? Isn't he supposed to be here already?"
"…I've been told he'll be a little late. Something about a medical check-up."
Marcus turned towards Adrian, his brows tightly furrowed.
"What exactly is the Guild thinking?"
Adrian continued checking the information on his tablet.
"I don't know."
"Third Order. We're supposed to take him along and babysit him?"
"He'll remain at the entry staging area. His limited clearance came through this morning. No diving and no node usage unless necessary."
"Wow, and that's supposed to be better? If he's not allowed to use his nodes, then what even is his use?"
Vera placed her equipment case on the counter.
"Has anyone heard of Emile Crow before?"
Nobody answered.
She looked towards Tessa, who shook her head while testing the clasp on a harness.
"I checked the file. There isn't much."
"Then why assign him to us?"
Marcus asked.
Adrian finally lowered the tablet.
Two Fifth Order members and two Fourth Order members. Every person on the team held a specific role, and they were accustomed to working without needing to explain each decision.
An unfamiliar recruit was another responsibility.
One they weren't particularly pleased to receive before a rescue.
"His assignment has already been approved."
Adrian said in a low voice.
"That's all I know."
"Sonorous could be useful."
Tessa pulled against the clasp before setting the harness aside.
Marcus looked towards the changing room.
"Provided he listens when someone tells him what to do, we won't have any problems."
Nobody immediately responded.
Eventually, Adrian turned back to his tablet.
"We'll keep him at the staging point with the support crew. Focus on the extraction."
The others nodded.
When Seth came out, they were already checking the next case.
***
The Gate stood beyond a line of barriers, with Guild vehicles parked along the cleared approach.
Several personnel were checking equipment beneath a temporary shelter. Thick hoses ran past their feet, connecting to the pumps waiting near the entrance.
Seth stopped beside the others, adjusting one of his sleeves.
His face remained uknown to the rest due to his disguise. From time to time, he'd hear people asking about him. Some even pointing at him.
"Water level?"
Adrian approached the person monitoring the scout feeds.
"Still within the projection. The upper gallery is dry, and all seven civilians are accounted for."
"The return line?"
"Secured and checked. The scouts are waiting for you."
Adrian studied the latest images before looking towards his team.
"Crow, you stay at the entry point. Don't follow us into the flooded passage."
Seth didn't answer at first.
Only when he recalled he was Crow did he nod.
"Understood."
Marcus picked up the last case, muttering something under his breath. Probably nothing nice.
They entered.
The smell of chlorine reached them almost immediately.
Water covered the lower steps beyond the entrance, reflecting the lights that stretched along the ceiling. Farther ahead, the passage opened towards the pool hall.
The same lane ropes from the recordings floated on the surface. But the water had risen several tiles higher along the walls.
A scout stood beside the equipment on the entrance landing.
He pointed ahead.
"The line follows the left wall. There's a turn before you reach the gallery stairs."
Adrian nodded.
"Show Marcus."
While the two checked the route, Vera crouched beside the water.
She rested her fingers against the damp tiles, her attention moving towards the passage as she activated her node. After a moment, she traced a route across the map on her wrist display.
"They're still together. The civilians are above us, beyond the tunnel."
She marked the position.
"I don't sense any movement away from the gallery."
Tessa stopped the scout before he could follow Marcus.
"Your hand."
The scout looked down.
A strip of cloth wrapped around his palm was dark with blood.
The scout raised his hand slightly.
"It happened as I was fixing the line."
"Let me see."
She removed the cloth and held his wrist. A faint light gathered beneath her fingers, spreading across the cut before its edges slowly drew together.
"Can you move it?"
The scout flexed his fingers.
"Yes."
"Then check the spare breathing sets. We'll need them ready for the injured."
He nodded and moved away.
Marcus secured the extraction line to a support beside the steps. When he pulled on it, the fitting tilted slightly.
He frowned.
After adjusting it, he activated his node. A faint barrier appeared beneath his hand, holding the fitting in place.
He pulled on the line again.
This time, it didn't move.
"Ready."
Adrian checked each of them before looking towards the water.
"Vera leads. Marcus secures the turn. Tessa, we assess the two injured before moving anyone."
They responded almost together.
Behind them, Seth remained near the equipment, watching without saying anything.
Adrian was about to step down when Vera raised her hand.
"Wait."
Her gaze settled on the strip fixed to the wall.
The water moved past one of its markings.
Then the next.
Tessa looked towards the monitor beside the pumps.
"That's too fast… The water is rising too fast."
"Could be displacement."
The scout suggested, his eyes similarly on the markings.
Vera shook her head.
"Nobody else entered. It can't be displacement."
Across the hall, the lane ropes started moving.
Not towards the passage.
But upwards.
One scraped against the bottom of the gallery stairs before coming loose. Water spilled over a step that had been dry just moments ago.
Adrian stepped back.
A voice crackled through the scout's earpiece.
"The stairs are going under. We need to move now."
"How fast?"
There was a short pause.
"…Very fast."
Marcus stepped in front of the lower stairs and raised his arm as water rushed towards them. A barrier appeared, stopping the water before it could reach the equipment.
"Move the cases!"
Tessa and the scout immediately reached for them.
Adrian placed his hand against the wall.
For a moment, the water stopped rising.
It didn't fall, but the pressure against Marcus's barrier weakened.
Then Adrian's jaw tightened.
"It's starting again."
The marker disappeared beneath the surface.
The scout stared at it, his breathing heavier than before.
"H-how is this possible? It shouldn't be at this level yet!"
Marcus adjusted his footing.
Above them, a light flickered.
Flick!
Then another.
Flick! Flick!
A sharp sound came from across the hall, and an entire row of lights went out.
Vera immediately switched on her flashlight.
Before she could turn towards the others, the remaining ceiling lights went out.
Darkness took over.
***
I lifted my head.
For a moment, there was nothing beyond the narrow beams moving across the water.
The pool looked considerably larger without the lights.
Or perhaps I just couldn't tell where it ended anymore.
My brows rose as a familiar window appeared before me.
"….."
I looked at the window that appeared before me and blinked twice.
This was supposed to be a Ranked Gate.
Now it was an .
"That's funny."
I muttered the words under my breath.
-x-X-x-
"We need to move."
Adrian's voice pulled my attention away from the equipment.
Water washed over another step, forcing Marcus to adjust the barrier in front of him. His light pointed towards the passage, but there wasn't much to see beyond the first turn.
"Crow. Stay here and watch the equipment."
I looked towards Adrian.
"Keep the spare breathing sets ready. Move the cases higher if the water reaches them."
"Alright."
I shrugged and stepped towards the equipment.
He was already turning away.
I guess I was going to be left behind.
"Vera, lead us through. Marcus, stay behind Tessa."
The scout picked up an extra bag and secured it to his harness. After checking the line one last time, he followed Vera down the steps.
Her light slipped beneath the surface.
Then Tessa's.
Marcus lowered his barrier as Adrian placed his hand against the wall again. The water settled just long enough for them to enter without being pushed back against the steps.
I watched their lights move through the passage.
One disappeared around the turn.
The others followed.
Adrian was the last to leave.
For a moment, his light remained visible beneath the water. Then it moved farther away, leaving me standing beside the equipment.
Alone.
"....."
I looked around.
"I want to say something stupid, but there's no one here. It kind of defeats the purpose."
I scratched the side of my neck.
The fact that I couldn't say something stupid really irked me.
That aside, the place was looking rather creepy.
The light near the cases reached the steps and part of the wall. Beyond that, the water was black. Occasionally, a small ripple caught the beam, only to disappear before I could properly follow it.
I picked up one of the spare lights and pointed it towards the passage.
There was nothing particularly interesting.
Just water.
Quite a lot of it.
?Marcus, I'm moving forward.
Vera's voice came through my earpiece.
?Go. I've got the line.
A quiet splash followed.
My neck itched again. What if I used the comms to say some nonsense...?
"No, I'm better than this."
I lowered the light and checked the cases. Everything seemed to be where it was supposed to be.
Breathing sets.
Harnesses.
Several other things I wasn't particularly interested in touching without knowing what they did.
I moved the nearest case up another step before looking towards the water again.
?...Adrian, where are you?
?Behind you. Keep moving.
Their voices sounded close through the earpiece.
Looking at the passage, it was difficult to believe they were actually not that far from me.
I couldn't see a single light anymore.
"Hmm."
I tilted my head.
A small wave washed against the lowest case.
I pulled it back.
Then I moved the light higher too.
There wasn't much else to do.
*
Time passed rather slowly.
From time to time, the comms broke the silence, giving me a brief idea of what was happening.
?The line is clear.
?Watch the railing on your right.
?I see it.
I looked down at the steps.
There were fewer of them now.
Not because they were disappearing, naturally.
I just couldn't see them anymore.
The water was slowly covering everything.
A faint scraping sound came from somewhere in the passage.
I lifted the light.
Something pale drifted into view beneath the surface, moving along the wall.
My hand stopped.
Then I recognised the small floats.
Another lane rope.
It caught against the edge of a step before the water lifted it free.
"....."
I watched it drift away.
'Who would've thought a pool would be this creepy?'
?Targets located. All seven.
I looked up.
That was Vera's voice.
?We're at the gallery.
Another voice came through shortly afterwards.
?Two can't walk. Bring the frame up.
Tessa.
At least they were there.
I rested my hand against one of the cases and listened while they started moving people around. There was a voice in the background, followed by Tessa telling someone to keep breathing normally.
They sounded rather busy.
I felt a little sorry for them.
This was supposed to be a rescue mission. Go inside, collect the people, and bring them back out.
The increase in rank made things a little more troublesome, but since they weren't trying to clear the Gate, all good, right?
'Right, they only need to leave.'
With their Orders and all the equipment they brought, that should still be possible.
?The water is rising even faster!
I looked down.
A thin layer of water spread across the step beneath my boots.
"...Oh."
I moved back.
Then I dragged the nearest case after me.
Alright.
Perhaps a little more than troublesome.
Still, as far as I knew, there wasn't a scary monster waiting to attack them. The scouts said that the only issue was the rising water. They didn't detect any anomalies.
That was all.
'At least we don't have to worry about something swimming around down there.'
I looked towards the passage again.
Yes.
That was good.
Good...
?Ukh—!
A sharp cry burst through my earpiece.
My fingers stopped against the case.
?Tess?
There was a splash.
A much louder one.
?Tess! Where are you?
"....."
I slapped my lips.
'Fucking jinxed it.'
Several voices started speaking at once.
?She was right here.
?Move them away from the edge!
?Tess, answer me!
Something struck the microphone. The sound was loud enough that I pulled my head slightly away, although that really was stupid since the noise was coming from my ear.
?I've got her!
Marcus's voice followed a moment later.
For a moment, the voices quietened.
But it wasn't for long...
?Her harness. I've got her harness.
?Shit! Pull her up.
?I'm trying!
I looked at the water. It seemed to have become ever darker than before.
?Something's caught her leg!
?The railing?
There was a short pause.
Then a hoarse voice followed.
?Something moved!
My lips slowly pressed together.
Right.
Of course it did.
?Adrian, beneath the stairs!
?Keep hold of her.
?Tess! Tess—!
The voices overlapped again. Someone was shouting for the civilians to move back, while another kept calling Tessa's name.
I could hear water splashing through the microphone.
I could also hear it from the passage in front of me. It was faint, but I could hear it.
That made me pause.
The gallery was not far from where I was. The splashing in front of me sounded closer.
I lifted my light.
The beam moved across the surface, catching the wall before settling on the empty passage.
There was nothing ahead of me. Only darkness as a small wave travelled towards the steps.
Then another.
Neither was particularly large.
I watched them reach my boots before looking farther out.
?Don't let go!
A shout cracked against my ear.
I pulled the earpiece out.
'Right, that's too loud.'
For a moment, I held it between my fingers while several people continued speaking through it. I couldn't make out a proper sentence anymore.
That was becoming rather troublesome.
I brought it closer to my ear as the darkness enclosed me from all directions.
Without the voices directly in my ear, the sound of the water seemed considerably louder. It washed against the steps, struck the wall, and occasionally splashed somewhere I couldn't see.
I reached into my pocket.
Then I took out my sunglasses and put them on.
"Right, right."
I let out a slow breath.
'I really should stop going into Gates if things turn out like this every time.'
My attention returned to the water for another moment before lowering towards my wrist.
Or, to be precise, towards my bracelet.
'You're not to use your nodes. For any reason.'
The doctor's words echoed inside of my mind.
I remembered his words very well.
But...
I touched the bracelet.
"Might as well, you know?"
I switched the bracelet off.
A faint pressure started gathering behind my eyes. I remained still until it calmed down, then rolled my shoulder and looked towards the spare equipment.
There was something I wanted to try.
My newest node.
I was rather curious about it, actually.
With everything happening recently, I was yet to properly figure out what it could do.
This seemed like a good opportunity.
Not the one I would've chosen.
But a good opportunity nonetheless. Even if it did put a strain on my nodes, it wasn't like I wasn't used to such situations.
I popped a pill in my mouth and secured one of the breathing sets and attached the light to my harness. Then I pulled the remaining case farther from the edge.
I took a few more things with me in case it would help.
Splash!
Another splash came from the passage.
I looked towards it.
For a moment, the water went still.
Then the extraction line pulled tight.
"....."
I fitted the mouthpiece and stepped down.
The first step was still there.
So was the second as I moved down the steps.
Beyond that, my light disappeared into the water.
I leaned forward.
Splash!
-x-X-x-
The water closed over my head.
For a moment, all I could hear was the sound of my own breathing.
I came back up a short distance from the steps and reached towards my face. After putting the sunglasses away, I fitted the clear mask from the breathing set over my eyes.
'It's a little better.'
I lowered my head again.
The light attached to my harness reached the wall beside me, but not much farther. Everything beyond it remained dark.
I kept one hand on the extraction line and followed it towards the passage.
The water grew deeper with each step.
Eventually, my boots stopped touching the floor.
"....."
I pulled myself forward along the rope.
It was strange how quickly the entrance disappeared. When I looked back, I could barely see the light beside the equipment.
A little farther ahead, the ceiling of the passage almost touched the water.
There wasn't enough room to keep my head above it.
'Right. Under it is.'
I checked the mouthpiece once before lowering myself completely.
The sound changed immediately.
My breathing became louder, and every movement sent small bubbles past my face. I followed the rope around the turn, keeping my shoulder close enough to the wall that I could still see the tiles.
Then the rope moved.
It drifted towards me.
I stopped and pulled a little.
More of it came.
Then the end appeared in front of my face.
"....."
The loose strands spread through the water.
'How nice.'
I let go and placed my hand against the wall instead. The gallery was supposed to be just beyond this passage.
Provided that was still true.
I continued forward.
Once, my shoulder brushed against something hanging from above. I immediately turned my light towards it.
A cable.
I watched it move behind me before continuing.
Eventually, the wall ended.
My light reached a railing, and I followed it upwards until I could see several other beams moving across the water.
Voices reached me as my head broke the surface.
"Vera! Answer me!"
It was Adrian.
"Vera!"
I caught the railing and pulled myself closer.
The gallery was almost completely flooded. A bench stood against the far wall, with several people slumped along it. Straps held their upper bodies in place while a scout checked the breathing masks covering their faces.
Nobody moved when I approached.
My boots found the gallery floor.
The water reached my chest.
I took out the mouthpiece and lifted the clear mask.
"Crow?"
Marcus turned towards me.
His face tightened almost immediately.
"What are you doing here?"
I looked towards Adrian, but his expression wasn't any better.
"You were told to stay at the entrance."
"Yes, I remember."
"Then why are you here?"
Marcus's voice grew sharper.
A faint barrier stretched across the open side of the gallery. Water pushed against it, making the surface tremble while he kept one hand raised.
"We're already looking for two people. Now we need to watch you as well."
"Two?"
"Tessa. Vera went after her."
Adrian pressed his earpiece again as he tried calling for her.
"Tess! Tess!"
Still no answer.
Marcus moved closer to me, his face turning into a scowl.
"Do you understand the situation? You're not helping. You're giving us another person to worry about. You're essentially baggage! I don't even understand what sort of connections you used to get to us, but I'll darn make sure to report this when we get out!"
He was really angry.
But it couldn't be helped. I knew that the Guild had some sort of agenda in trying to bring me here, but since they gave me freedom, I thought... why not pay them back when I can?
This was also partially my fault.
"I like the water."
"....."
"It's wet."
He stared at me.
"...What?"
A light flickered above us.
Flick!
For a brief moment, the gallery became visible.
That's where I got a good look at the surroundings. From the empty stairs, the slack rope hanging loosely from the railing, to the pool.
Flick!
But then, the lights went dark again.
I looked towards it.
"What about the line?"
I asked.
"It's gone."
Adrian pointed towards the loose rope.
"Stay beside the wall. Don't move unless we tell you to."
I nodded.
He was already looking back towards the pool, moving his flashlight across the surface.
"Vera!"
I turned towards the people on the bench.
Their heads rested against the wall. One man's chin kept slipping towards his chest, and the scout lifted it before tightening the strap around his shoulders.
All of them seemed unconscious.
I was about to ask what happened when something disturbed the water beyond the railing.
Splash!
It was a small splash.
Adrian's light moved towards it.
A familiar head appeared as her dark hair clung to her face, partly covering her eyes.
"Tess!"
Adrian moved immediately, recognizing the head first.
Marcus moved his barrier aside, and Adrian pushed away from the gallery, swimming towards her before I could properly look.
"Tess, hold on!"
The thing I found strange was her lack of response.
Her face dipped towards the water.
Adrian caught the back of her head and lifted her mouth above the surface. His other hand reached beneath the water.
Then he stopped.
"....."
For a moment, he remained completely still.
The light on his shoulder pointed towards her face, but that's where he noticed her lack of response.
"Tess?"
His hand reached down, but his expression changed.
Then...
Splash!
He brought her head up.
But... only her head, as water poured from the open end of her neck. A dark strip of flesh hung beneath it, moving against Adrian's wrist as he stared.
"Fuck."
The word came softly as a tense silence took over.
Nobody else spoke as the air grew colder.
I looked at the severed head, and then Adrian.
"Fuck!"
Adrian turned towards the darkness, his light swinging so quickly that I couldn't follow it.
"Vera! Where are you?"
There was no answer.
He looked down again.
"No, no..."
My brows furrowed slightly.
That...
I couldn't think of anything to say.
She was speaking through the comms only a little while ago. Although death was common in Gates, this wasn't the type of operation that should've led to any death.
Marcus reached over the railing and caught his shoulder.
"Come back."
Adrian didn't move.
"Adrian."
Marcus pulled him closer.
This time, he followed.
The scout stopped checking the civilians. His gaze remained fixed on what Adrian was holding, his mouth slightly open.
Adrian returned to the gallery and carefully lowered the head onto a case secured beside the bench.
It rolled a little.
He stopped it with his hand.
Her face was turned towards us.
"....."
Something splashed farther out.
Everyone turned their heads in the direction of the sound.
Flick!
The light above us flickered again, briefly showing a stretch of empty water before leaving us in darkness once more.
Flick!
Marcus lifted his arm.
The barrier spread across the railing once more.
"Stay away from the edge."
His voice sounded rather hoarse.
I looked towards the stairs.
Then towards the passage that led back to the entrance.
There was no rope connecting us to it anymore. And somewhere between here and there, something was moving.
A small wave passed beneath the barrier and struck my chest.
Splash!
Looking down, I couldn't see my legs. The water was so dark it made it hard for me to see anything at all.
Then my attention shifted towards the bench where the civilians were supposed to be.
They all looked to be passed out, their heads lowered and breathing soft.
Meanwhile, the scout was still looking at Tessa's head, his lips trembling. I reached inside my jacket and took out my sunglasses.
After pulling the clear mask away from my forehead, I put them on.
My gaze moved along the bench.
From one face to the next.
Then I went back and looked again.
"...Ah."
Marcus turned towards me.
"What are you doing?"
I didn't answer immediately.
His eyes settled on the glasses.
"Why are you wearing sunglasses?"
"....."
"Is this a joke to you? Is this—"
I raised a finger to my lips.
He stopped.
For a moment, he looked as though he was about to grab me.
I slowly tilted my head towards the people behind him.
"There's five."
"...What?"
"There's supposed to be seven civilians that you've rescued, but there are five."
Marcus stared at me.
Then he turned.
His light moved along the bench, pausing on every civilian that was present.
I watched his expression slowly change as he started counting the faces. But just as his lips parted to say something, his shoulder suddenly jerked.
"....!?"
His fingers immediately moved to the railing, gripping it hard enough that the metal creaked.
Splash!
But whatever was pulling him was too strong.
I reached towards him.
But it was too late, as his entire body sank into the water, the harness floating back onto the surface a moment later as I stared blankly at it.
-x-X-x-
"Marcus!"
Adrian was the first to react as he moved before the empty harness could drift away. He caught it with one hand, fitted his mouthpiece, and disappeared beneath the surface.
His light swung towards the bottom of the gallery.
Then farther down.
I leaned over slightly, watching the beam move through the water. For a moment, it caught something pale beneath the stairs.
Adrian immediately turned towards it.
The light passed over the same patch again.
But there was nothing.
Only a few bubbles rose to the surface.
"....."
I waited.
Splash!
A little while later, Adrian came back up, one hand catching the railing as he pulled the mouthpiece away.
"Fuck."
Water ran down his face.
He looked towards the spot where Marcus disappeared before turning back to me.
I gave him a small smile.
Probably not the best expression to make.
"You..."
"Nope. Not me."
His gaze stopped on my face.
I could more or less tell where this was going.
"I'm just looking at you like this because there's no point searching right there. He's already much farther down."
I glanced towards the harness in his hand.
"And if his breathing set came off with that, he'll probably drown in the next couple of minutes."
Adrian's expression hardened.
For a moment, I thought he might grab me.
Instead, he turned towards the scout.
"Give me another light. And whatever line we have left."
The scout immediately reached towards the equipment beside the bench.
"Keep the five civilians together."
Adrian continued.
"Check their straps again, and don't let anyone else slip under."
"What about Vera?"
"I'm looking for her too."
He took the line and secured it around his waist.
There was no shaking in his hands.
His jaw was tight, and he kept looking towards the water, but he continued working.
'...Not bad.'
I expected him to lose a little more time shouting at me.
Perhaps I was being unfair.
He was an elite, after all.
I left him to it and lowered my gaze.
There was something else I needed to check.
My nodes.
With the bracelet switched off, I could feel them a little more clearly. The pressure behind my eyes remained, occasionally growing sharper whenever I tried to focus.
I would have to be careful.
Not just because of the pain. Adrian was still nearby, and as far as he was aware, I was a Third Order Sonorous user.
It would be rather troublesome if he started asking questions.
Thankfully, he seemed quite occupied.
I lowered my hand beside the railing, holding it just above the water.
Then I tried to activate my fifth node.
".....!?"
A sharp pain ran down the back of my neck the moment I did.
My fingers stiffened.
For a moment, it felt as though something pricked every part of my body at once. My toes curled inside my boots, and I kept my other hand against the railing until the feeling eased.
My expression barely changed.
I was getting quite good at that.
Unfortunately.
I slowly let out a breath and looked around.
The surroundings remained dark, only patches visible through the pale glow of the torches.
Adrian was adjusting the line around his waist while the scout checked the people on the bench.
There was no sign that anything had happened.
'...Did it work?'
I waited a little longer.
But...
Nothing.
It didn't seem like I did anything at all by activating the fifth node.
How disappointing.
'I even suffered quite a bit to activate it. I guess I'm not using it right?'
The silence around us grew uncomfortable. I could hear Adrian breathing beside me, along with the faint sound of air passing through the civilians' masks.
Beyond the railing, there was only water.
Occasionally splashing.
I was about to lower my hand when something caught my attention.
"Hmm?"
A small red spot appeared on the surface in front of me.
I stopped.
At first, I thought it was blood.
My gaze briefly moved towards the case beside the bench before returning to the spot.
It wasn't spreading.
Even when a ripple passed through it, the red remained in the same place.
I leaned closer and tapped the surface.
"Hey."
I called out.
Adrian looked towards me.
"Do you see this?"
I pointed at the red mark.
His gaze moved towards my finger, then towards the water beneath it.
For a moment, I waited for him to say something.
Instead, he put his mouthpiece back in.
"....."
He checked the line once, then pushed away from the railing and went under.
Splash!
I watched his light disappear.
'I guess not?'
Or perhaps he simply didn't feel like answering.
That was also possible.
I returned my attention to the red spot.
It was quite small.
Barely larger than the end of my finger.
I touched it again.
My finger passed through the water, but nothing else happened.
I moved my hand to the side, stirring the water a little, but the red spot remained where it was.
"...Oh?"
I brought my hand back and looked at my fingers.
There wasn't anything on them.
It didn't seem to be a substance floating on the surface.
A marking?
I tilted my head.
'A marking...?'
My gaze moved towards the darker end of the hall.
Then back to the spot.
An idea surfaced in my mind.
'Maybe it's worth a try.'
I moved along the railing until I reached its end.
The scout was still beside the civilians. His light passed over their faces one at a time, stopping whenever someone's chin slipped lower.
He didn't look towards me.
I checked the light on my harness before pushing away from the railings, my body submerging deeper into the water.
'Just a little farther.'
I kept my head above the surface and moved further away from the first marking. Beneath me, I could see the outline of the pool.
The light on my harness dipped into the water with each stroke. Whenever it did, I lost sight of everything ahead.
I raised my chest a little.
The beam caught the wall.
Then it sank again.
It flicked on and off as I swam through the dark waters.
I continued.
Behind me, the scout called Adrian's name. He even seemed to call for mine, asking what I was doing, but it was my turn to ignore.
'This might not be a good idea, but it's worth a shot.'
I turned my head slightly, but the movement pushed water against my mouth.
I faced forward again.
Right.
Probably best to look where I was going as I craned my neck to keep it above the water.
A ceiling light flickered.
Flick!
For an instant, I could see the wall ahead and the water stretching away on my left.
Something disturbed the surface farther out.
I instantly stopped moving as I turned my head, my eyes blinking as I caught sight of what appeared to be a long, pale finger.
The light went dark before I could get a proper look.
"....."
The surroundings grew silent once more as I strained my ears, my legs moving in different directions as I kept above the water's surface.
There was a small splash.
Then another.
I remained still, keeping myself afloat with slow movements of my legs.
The splashing stopped too.
I looked back towards the gallery.
The scout's light was still there, moving between the bench and the water. It wasn't very far away.
It just felt far away.
I started swimming again.
This time, I kept my movements smaller.
My sleeve brushed against something beneath the surface.
I immediately pulled my arm closer.
A loose strap floated past my elbow.
I watched it drift away without touching it.
I didn't particularly want to know where it came from.
Eventually, my fingers reached the wall. I pressed my palm against them and turned so I could keep the gallery in sight.
From here, the scout's light was no longer visible.
Neither was the red spot.
Or perhaps it was simply hidden behind the railing.
I wiped some water from my sunglasses before lowering my hand towards the surface again.
'Let's try one more time.'
My fifth node stirred.
The pain returned immediately.
Sharper this time.
My shoulder jerked, and I pressed my lips together until I could properly control my breathing again.
For a moment, I wanted to close my eyes.
But I didn't.
There were quite a few reasons not to do that.
I watched the water beneath my hand.
One second.
Then another.
A small red spot appeared.
My eyes widened slightly.
'That's it!'
I moved my hand away, and the spot remained.
"...Ah."
So it really was a marking.
But what did it do?
I was confused, and just as I was wondering, a notification appeared before my eyes.
[Markings 2/4]
My eyes lit up.
I was about to push away from the wall when something closed around my leg, right above my ankle.
"....!?"
My fingers scraped against the tiles.
But it was too late.
Splash!
My head went under.
-x-X-x-
SPLASH!
I went under before I could take another breath.
The wall slipped away from my hand, and the light above me disappeared as something pulled me deeper.
Everything went quiet.
'Uhkh!'
Only a dull pressure against my ears as bubbles escaped past my lips. My hand immediately moved towards the mouthpiece hanging beneath my chin.
Before I could reach it, something caught the hose.
My harness tightened across my chest.
Then a sharp tug pulled me sideways.
"....!?"
Bubbles rushed past my shoulder.
I caught the mouthpiece and brought it closer, only to stop when I saw the torn end of the hose floating in front of me.
'Right.'
That was no longer useful.
I let it go and looked down.
The light on my harness caught my knee, then part of my other leg. Beyond that, there was nothing.
I couldn't even see the thing holding my ankle.
But I could feel it.
Fingers.
Long enough that they seemed to overlap as they tightened around my leg.
I kicked once, but the grip didn't loosen. If anything, I started moving down faster.
My hand rose towards my sunglasses. Perhaps if I adjusted the light and looked properly, I could—
No.
What even was the point? The sunglasses weren't goggles. There was no way I could see much even if I tried.
With a heavy heart, I had no choice but to activate one of my nodes.
[Trait Transfer]
To be specific, the Voidwalker's new skill.
"...!?"
A sharp tingling spread through my body the moment I activated the node.
It started behind my eyes before running down my neck and into my arms. My fingers stiffened as something like electricity passed through them.
For a moment, the pain almost made me open my mouth.
I just barely managed to keep it closed.
The grip around my ankle loosened.
Then it passed straight through.
'Good.'
I pulled my leg up, letting the effect fade before kicking towards the surface.
My feet caught the water again as I moved up. A few bubbles passed my face, and I followed them upwards, keeping my arms close before reaching forward.
But just as I was about to reach the surface, something caught my wrist.
".....!"
My body stopped.
The pull came from the side this time as my shoulder twisted, dragging me away from the surface.
I turned my light towards my hand, just barely managing to catch sight of the pale fingers wrapped around my wrist.
'Fucking...!'
Another tug pulled my shoulder farther back.
I activated the skill again.
Pain shot through my arm.
The fingers slipped through my wrist, and I immediately pulled it against my chest before kicking upwards.
I couldn't keep the skill active.
Not with the way my nodes were reacting.
A short moment was enough to get free.
After that, I needed to swim.
Unfortunately, whatever was down here seemed quite interested in stopping me from doing that.
Something brushed the sole of my boot.
I pulled my knee up.
Then my other ankle.
I kept moving before it could properly grab me.
The surface was somewhere above, but I could hardly see it. The only thing that helped me know the distance were the bubbles coming out of my mouth.
But the more came out, the less air my lungs had.
My chest started hurting as a result.
I pressed my lips together and reached forward, pulling through the water as hard as I could. My injured wrist throbbed with every movement. Even though it had been a while, it still hurt from the mimic's actions.
'A little farther.'
A faint light flickered above me.
For an instant, I saw the surface.
It wasn't far.
Several strokes, perhaps.
I reached towards it as something moved beneath my stomach. When I looked down, I saw my something pale reaching towards me, its fingers spreading as it came closer.
I twisted away.
The fingertips scraped against my jacket.
Then caught it.
My chest jerked downwards.
"....!"
A few more bubbles escaped my mouth.
I watched them rise past my face.
My nodes stirred again.
This time, the pain spread across my back, making my legs straighten before I could stop them. Without hesitation, I let go of the jacket as I rushed back up.
My body wanted to breathe.
Something like a lump tightened beneath my ribs.
Then another.
I swallowed against it and kept my mouth closed.
'Not yet. Not... yet!'
My arms felt heavier.
Each stroke took a little longer than the last, and the light above me kept moving in and out of view.
I reached up.
My fingers broke through the surface.
Splash!
Then something passed in front of my face.
A hand.
Its fingers curved towards my throat.
I saw them clearly this time.
The thumb pressed beneath my jaw just as I activated the skill.
[Trait Transfer].
The hand passed through my neck as I kicked upward.
I kicked.
Splash!
"Ha...!"
My head broke the surface.
I tried to breathe and coughed instead, water running from my nose as I pushed my chin higher.
"Ha... Haa..."
The next breath went in.
So did the one after.
Neither felt like enough.
I kept moving my legs, afraid that stopping would let something close around them again.
The gallery was off to my left.
Farther away than before.
Whatever pulled me down also dragged me away from the wall.
I looked towards the water beside me.
Then I pressed my hand against the surface.
My fifth node stirred.
"Kh..."
Pain tightened around my skull.
My hand almost went under before I managed to hold it steady.
A small red spot appeared.
[Markings 3/4]
I stared at the notification.
Then at the water.
The darkness remained, and something splashed a short distance behind me.
"Shit."
Still one more.
I looked towards the far side of the hall.
There was a stretch of water beyond the drifting lane ropes that I was yet to reach.
I started turning towards it.
Something closed around my calf.
Splash!
My face went under again.
This time, I was ready.
I activated [Trait Transfer] before the grip could pull me any deeper, twisted my leg free, and pushed myself back up.
SPLASH!
A sharp pain ran through my jaw.
I tried to ignore it.
There wasn't time to sit here and feel sorry for myself.
I took a breath and started swimming.
I kept my movements short.
One arm forward.
Then the other.
My light dipped beneath the surface, showing the water directly in front of me before rising again. Every time it went under, I expected to see something reaching back.
At first, there was nothing.
Then something cold brushed my shin.
I kicked harder.
Just barely, I managed to slip away from them.
'Keep moving.'
A loose lane rope floated across my path.
I pushed it aside, only for the floats to catch against my shoulder. For a moment, I felt something pull on my shirt.
My heart jumped, but when I turned, I realised it was just the rope.
"....."
I shoved it away and continued.
The wall ahead appeared beneath a brief flicker from the ceiling.
Flick!
It was closer.
I could make i?!!
Something cold closed around my boot. Then another pressed against the back of my knee.
Instantly, my leg folded.
I went sideways, my mouth dipping into the water before I could lift it.
"Kh—!"
I activated the skill.
The pain came immediately.
My vision blurred, and for a moment, I couldn't tell whether the hands were still there.
I pulled my leg forward, and kicked the water again, pushing myself forward.
The wall was still ahead.
'A little closer!'
My fingers shook as I drew closer towards it.
My head was starting to feel heavy.
The pressure behind my eyes no longer something that I could ignore. It grew worse with time, each node activation making the pain almost unbearable.
But I was close!
I only needed one more.
Just one marking!
Splash!
Something splashed behind my shoulder.
I didn't look.
Another sound came from my right.
Splash!
Closer.
I kept swimming.
The wall appeared again.
I reached forward, and this time, my fingers touched the tiles.
My fingers barely stayed straight as I reached towards the fifth node.
"....!?!"
The pain took away the remaining air inside of my lungs as a new notification appeared before me.
[Markings 4/4]
At the same time, fingers slipped beneath the back of my collar, dragging me down.
Splash!
Not before I managed to mutter one last word.
"Pasture."
-x-X-x-
The water closed over my head rapidly.
I reached towards the wall, but my fingers found nothing. The hand beneath my collar tightened, pulling me lower into the darkness as the faint light above disappeared.
My chest hurt.
There wasn't much air left to hold.
But…
I could feel the four markings.
Something was happening.
And a moment later, thin lines stretched from one to the next within my mind. They connected, then extended downwards, slowly revealing the space beneath the water. Almost as if it was forming a sort of cube.
For some reason, I gave up my resistance the moment I caught sight of it.
The hands dragged me down further.
But as they did, I could almost make out my surroundings within the darkness. I could make out the stairs descending beside the gallery, the original edge of the pool, and the deep basin beneath my feet.
All of it appeared together.
Not as a flat picture.
There was depth to it. I could tell how far the bottom was, where the railing ended, and where I was sinking without turning my head.
It was like looking at a small version of the hall.
Except it was inside my mind.
"….."
At the same time, several dots appeared within it.
Most were red. Some moved along the bottom, while others hovered beneath the gallery. One appeared right where I was, clinging to me as we continued sinking.
There were yellow dots too.
A small group near the bench, and a few more beneath the surface.
'The others…?'
My attention briefly settled on them before returning to the red dot beside me.
That was the thing holding me.
I still couldn't see its face, but I knew exactly where it was. More strangely, I felt as though I could reach it without moving my hand.
It was a rather difficult feeling to describe.
The entire area felt connected to me. Wherever I focused, I could sense what was happening there, and the longer I looked at the dot, the more certain I became that I could make it move.
This place…
This pasture.
'I reign supreme.'
The thought appeared quite naturally as one of my nodes flared up.
[Herding]
My body suddenly stopped moving.
The hand beneath my collar was still there, but it wasn't pulling anymore. Even the fingers reaching towards my ankle stopped just short of touching me.
"….."
I focused on the red dot.
'Let go.'
The fingers slowly uncurled.
I could feel them moving, almost as though they were my own. It was only when the fabric loosened around my neck that I realised the thing was actually following my thoughts.
My eyes widened slightly.
'This…'
I tried making it move away.
The red dot shifted immediately, and a pale arm passed beneath the light on my harness before disappearing into the darkness.
There was no resistance.
That was what surprised me the most.
I avoided using Herding because of my condition. Trying to take control of an anomaly inside an Ranked Gate could put too much strain on my nodes, especially if it resisted.
But now…?
It almost felt effortless. Not just that, but all my nodes.
The strain on them had reduced significantly, and so did their power.
There was still a faint tingling behind my eyes, but the sharp pain I was used to never came. My fingers weren't stiffening, and I could move my arms without feeling something run down my back.
'Is this what my fifth node does?'
Create an area where the power of my nodes increased significantly.
My attention moved through the area again.
Several red dots were heading towards the edge of the Pasture.
I watched one reach the space between two markings. It stopped there for a moment before moving to the side, following the line until it reached another corner.
Then it tried again.
But…
It didn't cross the boundary set by the two dots. Almost as if an invisible wall had been placed before them.
'…Oh?'
Another tried leaving from somewhere beneath the gallery. I felt a faint pressure as it pushed against the boundary, but that was all.
Neither could get out.
A smile slowly formed on my lips.
'How interesting.'
I was starting to have quite a few questions. How large could this area be? Could I maintain it for as long as I wanted, or would—
My chest tightened.
"….!"
Right.
I was still drowning.
I pushed the questions aside and kicked towards the surface. The hand beside me remained still as I passed, and for once, nothing caught my leg when I tried to swim.
What a pleasant feeling.
It feel good being able to use my nodes again.
Splash!
"Ha…! Haa…"
I came up coughing, keeping my chin raised while I struggled to take a proper breath. Water ran down my face, and I wiped it away before looking towards the gallery.
The scout's light moved across the bench.
He was still there.
Adrian wasn't, but I could now tell where he was without needing to look for his light.
Three yellow dots were close together beneath the surface. One moved between the other two, occasionally pulling them a little higher.
'He found them?'
I couldn't be certain until I saw them properly.
But before I could move closer, two red dots started heading in their direction.
Hmm.
I tried to feel my node again. The distance was quite far, but for some reason…
[Herding]
I felt like I could reach them.
And it did as a faint sting passed behind my eyes, and the red dots stopped moving almost at once. Even those pressing against the boundary became still as the strange connection spread through my mind.
I could feel their hands.
Their fingers…
I could feel their every movements, as if ready to act on behalf of me.
All of them were under my service.
"….."
I slowly rose out of the water.
My wet shirt clung to my body as I stopped just above the surface, remaining in the darkness beyond the scout's light.
Then I looked down.
There was nothing to see besides the black water, but that no longer mattered.
I could feel everything within the Pasture.
"…How very nice."
I let out a slow breath, feeling the last of the tightness in my chest ease.
For a moment, I even thought about taking one of the anomalies for myself.
They were quite strong. Strong enough to pull Marcus beneath the water, and there were probably a few things I could learn by examining them properly.
But I eventually shook my head. Such anomalies only seemed to be useful for the water.
I didn't think I was going to go in the water anytime soon.
Raising my hand, I tapped the side of my head once and gave them an order.
Since those hands were strong enough to tear through breathing equipment and rip someone's head off, then they could use them on themselves.
Tap!
I tapped my temple once more.
The water beneath me stirred.
The first red dot remained in place, but I could feel its fingers curling back towards its own body.
Shortly after that, the red dot disappeared from my sense.
Another vanished shortly afterwards.
Then another.
The water stirred as a pale figure broke through the surface a short distance away. Another one followed right after that as I remained where I was, watching more and more of the anomalies rise up at once.
Or what remained of them.
There wasn't much for me to do.
All I needed to do was remain put as the anomalies tore themselves apart.
That was…
Quite something.
A few bubbles rose beneath my feet.
By the time they reached the surface, the last red dot was gone.
I waited for another moment before checking the area again.
Only the yellow dots remained.
"….."
The water was quiet.
I tried to feel the nodes in my mind. There was still some pain, but it was still manageable. Another thing I realised was that once set, the Pasture didn't consume any of my nodes. But I also could feel its power waning with time.
'I really needed to understand this node better.'
There was a lot of testing that I needed to do.
Preferably somewhere I could stand without worrying about drowning.
A light appeared beneath the surface before I could think further.
The three yellow dots were moving upwards.
I lowered myself back into the water, turning towards them just as a hand broke through.
Splash!
"Ha… Haa…!"
Adrian surfaced a short distance away.
One arm was hooked beneath Marcus's shoulder, while his other hand gripped Vera's harness. He struggled to keep both of their faces above the water, his own chin dipping beneath it whenever one slipped lower.
Neither seemed capable of helping him.
I looked at them, somewhat surprised.
He really did find them.
Adrian's light passed across my face.
"What are you waiting for!?"
He pulled harder against Vera's harness, his voice hoarse as he looked straight at me.
"Help me!"
-x-X-x-
"Send the second team in."
The man standing beside the monitors raised his voice, pointing towards the Gate as several people hurried past him.
The first rescue squad was already inside. Another group waited near the entrance, checking their breathing sets while someone secured a fresh line to the support beside them.
"What's the latest?"
"Conditions are still worsening. We've lost contact with Keller's team."
"And the classification?"
The operator looked up from the screen.
"A-Rank."
"….."
The man's expression tightened.
He looked towards the Gate before reaching for his radio.
"Notify the Guild. We need another team on standby, and get more medical personnel here."
Someone behind him immediately started making calls.
The area was considerably busier than before. Equipment cases stood open beneath the shelters, with people moving between them while the pumps continued running near the entrance.
One of the monitors briefly showed a section of the flooded passage.
A light moved beneath the water.
Then the image froze.
"Can you get that back?"
"We're trying."
The man leaned closer, watching as the operator changed the feed.
Before another image could appear, several people near the vehicles stopped moving.
A black car pulled up beyond the barriers.
At first, nobody paid it much attention. Vehicles were arriving constantly, bringing equipment and additional personnel.
But when the rear door opened, the agent nearest to it immediately straightened.
"…Guild Master?"
The words reached the others.
Several heads turned.
The Guild Master of Obsidian Bastion stepped out, one hand resting on his walking stick as he looked towards the Gate.
His dark blazer shifted slightly in the wind.
For a moment, the man beside the monitors simply stared.
Then he hurried over.
"Guild Master. We weren't informed that you would be coming."
There was no answer.
The old man continued walking.
People moved aside as he approached the entrance, occasionally glancing towards one another. Nobody seemed to understand why he was here, but none of them were willing to ask.
He stopped a short distance from the Gate.
Placing the walking stick in front of him, he rested both hands over the knob.
His back remained straight.
"The rescue teams are entering now."
His secretary explained next to him.
"We're still trying to establish contact with those farther inside. The change happened too quickly."
The Guild Master's gaze remained fixed ahead.
His fingers tightened around the knob but he remained silent, staring silently at the Gate.
The secretary stopped speaking and turned towards the waiting rescue squad.
"Go."
They entered one after another, their lights disappearing beyond the Gate.
The wind picked up.
The hem of the Guild Master's blazer fluttered, but he remained where he was. His hands didn't move from the walking stick.
A voice suddenly came through the radio.
⎯We've reached the gallery.
Everyone near the monitors stopped.
"Status?"
The reply broke apart beneath a sharp burst of static.
The operator adjusted something, leaning closer.
"Repeat. What's their status?"
⎯We're bringing them back.
The Guild Master's grip tightened further.
"Prepare the stretchers!"
The medical personnel moved towards the entrance.
For several seconds, nothing happened.
Then the Gate fluctuated.
A figure stumbled out.
Adrian.
His hair clung to his forehead, and both arms were stretched across the backs of the people slumped against him.
Marcus hung heavily from one shoulder.
Vera from the other.
Adrian tried to take another step, but his knee buckled.
Several people rushed forward.
The Guild Master's gaze moved past them.
Another figure emerged behind Adrian.
Seth.
Water dripped from his clothes as he stopped near the entrance, looking down at something caught against the torn strap of his harness.
It was… something pale. Almost like a hand.
He stopped for a moment, stunned. Then, taking the hand, he looked at everyone and started waving it.
"Hello."
The Guild Master watched the scene in silence as everyone was too stunned to speak. What sort of…?
Then his fingers loosened around the walking stick.
"Help them."
He turned away.
The man beside him paused, apparently expecting something more, but the old man was already walking back towards the vehicles.
"Guild Master…?"
The walking stick tapped against the ground.
He didn't stop.
Behind him, the rescue personnel helped Adrian lower Marcus and Vera onto the waiting stretchers.
"Where are the civilians?"
Adrian tried to answer, but a cough interrupted him.
The Gate fluctuated again before he could speak.
The first rescue team came through with the scout and the civilians. Some were carried, while others needed support to remain upright.
The operator counted them as they passed.
Five.
He looked towards the scout.
"There were seven."
The scout lowered his head as covered case hung from his hand. He kept it close even when someone reached over to help him.
"Get them treated first."
The man beside the monitors turned back towards the Gate and lifted his radio.
Two civilians were still unaccounted for.
And judging by their expressions, nobody needed about the missing member of the squad.
***
"You used your node?"
I sat with one arm extended across the small table, watching the doctor go through the results in front of him.
"…Hmm? Well, just a little."
He looked at me.
I looked back.
"You shouldn't have."
"Couldn't be helped."
My clothes were finally dry, and there was no water beneath my feet. It felt nice to be dry again.
Although I could still smell the pool.
And that was despite washing myself twice. Apparently, that wasn't enough.
The doctor lowered his gaze towards my wrist before checking the screen again.
"You were supposed to remain at the staging point."
"Yes."
"And yet you went into the water."
"The water was coming to me anyway."
"….."
He opened his mouth, then stopped.
After a moment, he shook his head and removed the equipment around my arm.
I slowly pulled it back.
The skin beneath the cuff felt a little tender, but otherwise, I could move it just fine. My injured wrist was another matter, although even that wasn't hurting as much as I expected.
The doctor seemed to find that strange too.
He went through the results once more before picking up my bracelet.
"Keep wearing this. It'll help."
I accepted it and fastened it around my wrist.
A familiar pressure eased behind my eyes as I felt my nodes starting to close off.
Well, I felt better.
"The damage doesn't appear to be worse, but I'd still be careful. That doesn't mean you can keep using your nodes without consequences."
"I understand."
"You said that last time."
"And I understood last time too."
His attention remained on me.
I wasn't sure what else he wanted me to say.
I mean, I understood. But just because I understood it didn't mean that I would listen to him if the situation made it so that I had no choice but to act. Especially when there were hands trying to drag me to the bottom of a pool.
Eventually, he picked up his things.
"The choice is yours. We can explain the risks, but you're the one who has to live with them."
"Right."
"Get some rest."
He left shortly afterwards.
I watched the door close before slowly leaning back.
My room was quiet again.
"Never again."
No more swimming for me.
I looked down at my hand.
There was nothing on it, but I rubbed my fingers together anyway.
"…Hoo."
I rested my head against the pillow and closed my eyes.
Almost immediately, the outline of the pool came back to me.
Not the dark water or the hands.
The area formed by the four markings.
Pasture.
My eyes opened again.
A small smile slowly formed on my face.
I could still remember the sensation that I felt when using [Herding] on all of those anomalies. Even the ones near the far side of the gallery stopped the moment I used Herding.
There was barely any resistance. Usually, it wasn't this easy.
The strain on my nodes when using [Herding] was also quite high. But this time…?
I could actually do it.
Not only were my abilities enhanced, but so were my nodes.
And the pain…
'I almost felt normal.'
I turned my wrist, looking at the bracelet before letting my arm settle against the blanket.
How long could I keep the Pasture active?
How large could I make it?
There were quite a few things I wanted to test.
Not now.
For now, I was going to stay in this bed and make sure nobody sent me anywhere near a pool.
But afterwards…
"Pasture."
I muttered the name quietly one more, my smile lingering as I looked towards the ceiling.
I could do quite a lot with that.