Sudden Absence

The evening sun cast a golden glow over the city, embracing its streets and buildings with a warm embrace before nightfall. As the working hours came to an end, a flurry of activity ensued as people hurried back to their abodes.

With the onset of dusk, the city streets came alive with the gentle illumination of lamp posts, casting their glow upon the darkened corners. The warm lights emanating from the houses added a touch of brightness to the otherwise dim rooms.

In a modest, albeit rundown, apartment nestled within an alley, a flicker of light pierced through the darkness. Though the apartment itself appeared aged, it provided enough comfort for its sole occupant, Shroud. While this place hardly met the standards of a modern abode, he couldn't afford to be too demanding just yet.

Shroud didn't have any money or means to earn a living. Until now, he had relied on the support of Orpheus, but he couldn't remain dependent forever. That's why he wanted to find a way to earn money for himself.

Independence had been a defining characteristic of Shrouds' previous life, as he had chosen to leave his parents' home at an early age. It wasn't that he felt like a burden to them; rather, he yearned to distance himself from his overbearing mother.

"Money isn't something that I should borrow from others, even if it's from a family member. I must find a way to repay Orpheus in the future," Shroud remarked, his fingers dancing across the keys of his laptop.

Currently, he was in the process of creating a website—a platform for his new investigation agency. The website was nearly complete, save for one crucial detail: its name.

Lost in thought, Shroud pondered upon what he should name his newly formed website. Suddenly, a name materialized in his mind. With a sense of pride, he admired his masterpiece—a website named "Veritas Bureau."

In Latin, "Veritas" meant "truth," while "Bureau" implied an agency. Thus, Shroud aptly titled his website the Truth Agency, as it aimed to provide nothing but the absolute truth.

The agency's description was concise yet discreet. The Veritas Bureau specialized in information exchange, guaranteeing the provision of truthful insights on various subjects, individuals, and anything within its capabilities.

Communicating with the agency was a straightforward process. Users were instructed to open the message icon, present their requests, and await a response. In cases where the agency could provide the requested information, users would be charged accordingly.

However, if the agency couldn't fulfil the request, a rejection message would be sent. It was emphasized that once the transaction was completed, refunds were not possible, as the Veritas Bureau only gave information that was nothing but the truth.

Content with his work, Shroud closed his laptop and retired to sleep. Tomorrow being the weekend, he could address his pending assignments then.

The following day, Shroud adhered to his usual routine—rising early for exercise, pushing his training to new intensities. His physique grew stronger with each passing day, and he held the belief that by the end of next year, he could reach the threshold of employing MAA (Mysterious Abyssal Arts).

Following his exercise, Shroud meditated for an hour before taking a refreshing shower. With his assignments completed as planned, he found himself engrossed in internet browsing.

While scrolling through the virtual realm, Shroud stumbled upon an intriguing piece of news—the sighting of a Honkai beast near the city. "A Honkai beast, huh? Hmm, now that I think about it, I wonder how powerful these creatures truly are," Shroud mused, his curiosity piqued by the newfound information.

The newfound information left Shroud contemplating whether he was ready to face such a formidable opponent. Although his body had grown stronger for a ninth-grader, he understood the importance of not making hasty assumptions.

Delving deeper into the article, Shroud discovered that the Honkai beast had emerged near a forest not far from the city's outskirts. Glancing at the date, November 19th, he retreated to his room, grabbed a sticky note, and inscribed the date "23rd November" upon it.

Affixing the note to the wall, he proceeded with the remainder of his day, which followed its usual course. Nightfall summoned Shroud to his bed.

No messages arrived via his website that day, but he had anticipated such a result. Building a profitable business from the outset was an unrealistic expectation. As Shroud settled into bed, his mind began to wander, revelling in the tranquillity surrounding him.

"So peaceful," Shroud murmured. Yet, almost immediately, he added, "It's as if something significant is on the horizon." His thoughts sharpened as if gaining newfound clarity.

This surge of mental breakthrough signalled the unlocking of a considerable portion of his sealed abilities. With each passing second, Shroud's mind grew more lucid.

Since arriving in this world, he had never felt such an awakened state. It was as if he could perceive objects, even without direct visual contact. Shroud had accessed one of his dormant abilities—Remote Viewing.

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[Remote Viewing]: Enables clear perception of objects within a certain radius in a 360-degree view.

Current radius: 6.2 kilometres / 3.85 miles.

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Shroud now beheld a detailed view of every nook and cranny of his room, even when gazing at the ceiling. Yet, this newfound ability wasn't his sole focus. He sensed that he had regained something more—a gateway to another mysterious Abyssal Art: Mystique Samsara: {Mystic Insight}

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Mysterious Abyssal Art: Mystique Samsara: Mystic Insight

A passive skill that allows the user to subconsciously predict or glimpse into the future.

Note: This skill operates at an insanely paranormal level. If the information exceeds the bearer's capacity, subtle warnings will be provided through various means.

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Realizing the restored skill, a contented smile graced Shroud's face. Although his sealed mental powers currently hindered its full utilization, the possession of this skill was undeniably advantageous.

With a contented smile gracing his face, Shroud succumbed to the embrace of a peaceful slumber. Today had proven to be immensely rewarding, further fueling his already formidable self-assurance.

While confidence had never eluded him, the acquisition of newfound abilities, namely [Remote Viewing] and [Mystic Insight], had elevated his evasion skills and perceptiveness to extraordinary levels.

As the sun greeted the dawn of a new day, the school once again became a hub of bustling students. An air of discontent enveloped many of their expressions, a testament to the prevailing sentiment that a single day of respite amidst a week's worth of obligations was insufficient.

Amidst this sea of adolescents, a figure of ethereal grace glided through the gates and into the corridors of learning. Her slender form possessed a captivating radiance akin to the glow of polished jade, befitting her given name—Luna.

Boys from different grades, smitten by her allure, couldn't help but surreptitiously steal glances in her direction. Luna found her way to her designated classroom, 8-B, where the day's lessons commenced without delay. And so, as the hours waned and the sun reached its zenith, the familiar call for lunch echoed through the hallways.

Luna, adhering to her routine, made her way to the bustling cafeteria to partake in a meal. Balancing her tray with practised ease, Luna ventured towards the spot where she and a certain senior usually shared their midday repast.

However, on this day, the absence of the senior sent ripples of uncertainty through her mind. Perhaps she had arrived earlier than anticipated, she thought optimistically, as she took her seat and patiently awaited his arrival.

Minutes ticked by, stretching into an eternity of unanswered queries. Still, the senior failed to materialize. Luna's initial assumption crumbled beneath the weight of mounting concern. Where could he be? Was he unwell, or perhaps detained by unexpected circumstances?

These questions danced upon the stage of her thoughts, refusing to be ignored. Soon, the lunch came to an end, and Luna retired to her class, immersing herself in the remaining lessons of the day.

As the final bell rang, signalling the conclusion of another day of academia, Luna hurriedly made her way outside the classroom. Seeking solace from prying eyes, she positioned herself near the entrance of class 9-A, stealthily observing the stream of students emerging from within. However, among the faces that passed by, Shroud's was notably absent.

A tinge of worry crept into Luna's mind. "Could it be that he was truly unwell?" That seemed to be the only plausible explanation she could fathom. Resolving to return, she quietly retreated from her hidden vantage point, concealing her concern beneath a veil of nonchalance.

Meanwhile, deep within a secluded forest, a solitary figure diligently carried logs to a designated location. With the aid of ropes, the logs were meticulously stacked, forming a makeshift cage. Accompanying the construction were various tools—an assortment of shovels, knives, and survival implements.

"I think that it would be better for me to dig some pit traps as well," the person murmured, their vacant eyes glinting with a hunter's instinct, sharp and focused, like a seasonal mercenary.

To be continued...

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A/N: Hope you enjoy the chapter and feel free to comment. Your thoughts and criticism are valuable in helping me improve and stay motivated to write more.