Chapter 7 – The Clown and the Doctor
Modern Era — Third Era, Aven Era
Mis, 19 Jes 910 AC — 9:15 AM
On the same busy street in the industrial city, the red bricks of the buildings seemed to absorb the gray morning light.
Inside the Dragon White Eye flea market, the air smelled of ancient dust and objects steeped in history.
Behind the counter, Professor Yin, with his silver hair and eyes, observed the young girl in front of him.
A girl with a strange, almost unreal face, divided in two:
— On the right, a pure golden eye, split by a white cross, matched with immaculate white hair.
— On the left, a dark red eye, split with a golden cross with a black dot in the center, matching hair a black deeper than night.
Aliss.
She clenched her fists.
— I can't contact them. If I join this family… I will die.
Yin tilted his head slightly.
—Are you sure? Or do you have proof?
—Not really... but I need information. For several weeks, shadows have been following me. There is a strange, unique energy. I'm sure I smelled it when I was a baby... even if my memories are fuzzy.
The only time I felt it again... was when I came here. She...chased me.
Yin's gaze became more serious.
— Next time, ignore her. You couldn't handle it in your current state. This is… Void energy.
And above all, never repeat this name. You will only be able to apprehend it in the Cosmos Martial Realm.
Aliss nodded, his throat tight.
— So… what do I do? I cannot contact any member of my family. If I speak to someone close to me, they will report me to the patriarch… or the matriarch. And reaching an Elder… it's impossible.
Yin sighed.
— Seeks information. You're good at this.
But be careful. Come back… in one piece.
- All right.
She put on a dark coat and left the store.
Outside, the crowd moved like a colorful river of contemporary clothing.
Aliss stayed close to the flea market, observing, thinking.
Find a solution… a reliable source of information. Without a direct link to my family... But the further away someone is, the more difficult the connection will be... I need someone who knows everything, absolutely everything...
A movement across the street caught his attention.
A dealer discreetly slipped a bag into a customer's hand — a second before the police car drove by. Perfect timing.
Aliss's eyes widened.
Obviously... Dealers are incredibly knowledgeable.
They know everything before anyone else... even in prison, their networks never sleep.
Information…that's what I need.
EUREKA.
Without hesitation, she crossed the street.
She slipped between passers-by, without bothering them, without attracting attention.
She followed the dealer.
A few minutes later, in a secluded alley, she grabbed him roughly by the sleeve and threw him against a wall — quickly, cleanly, quietly.
The dealer raised his head, ready to shout... then stopped abruptly.
Before him stood a clown.
A little high hat.
White makeup, painted smile, disturbing look.
It was Aliss in disguise.
—Who are you?! the dealer growled.
"Right now... I'm a clown hungry for information," she replied in a soft, icy voice.
The dealer stared at her, disconcerted.
—What is this madness? Are you a cop?
- No. I want to join your company.
I need to know the boss… and above all, the informant.
The dealer hesitated... then shrugged his shoulders.
—If that's it… OK. But don't do stupid things.
Aliss tilted his head slightly.
- All right.
— Follow me.
They disappeared into the alleys.
---
1:00 PM — The Lair
In a dark room, lit by a single flickering bulb, a large sofa sat in the center.
Sitting on it was a thin man, dressed in a white coat, looking more like a scientist than a criminal.
His dark brown hair fell over his forehead, and he slowly pushed up his tinted glasses.
His nickname: The Doctor.
When Aliss — still as a clown — entered, his lively gaze stopped on her.
—Who are you?
She bowed slightly.
— Right now... I'm a clown 🤡 hungry for information.
The Doctor smiled slowly, intrigued.