After developing the Water skill, Eric found himself free to do other things, like train his other skills or finally find out the reason that there was a difference in the knowledge that his pursuers knew.

  “If I’m lucky, and now that I actually think about it, I don’t see how it won’t be the case, I’ll even figure out how all of this began,” Eric reasoned, getting ready to return to his normal patrols.

  Just because he could focus on other things didn’t mean that the world would line up his schedule with that of Lu Feng. Eric was training some of his basic hand to hand combat, trying to bring forth what little he remembered and combine it with what little the other people on patrol used. But he had barely gotten started when Lu Feng knocked on his door.

  Apparently, he wanted to take his investigation into the attacks in a new direction. He hadn’t accounted for the fact that his people never really interacted with any of the strange people that came to his city, not really anyway. Most of their interactions ended in the strangers’ deaths, or having escaped, there wasn’t much time to exchange information.

  That wasn’t to say that keeping Eric isolated in the patrol barracks hadn’t produced some type of result, because it had.

  While the attacks on the patrol hadn’t stopped, they had diminished enough for Lu Feng to notice the same thing that Eric had, that some of the attackers knew who their target was and that others didn’t.

  And considering that the attacks had diminished after removing Eric from the patrols, it wasn’t hard to put two and two together. It was actually while talking with Eric that Lu Feng outwardly reasoned his observations and ultimately ordered Eric to return to patrolling with the others.

  “—That is why I believe that you are the ultimate target, regardless of how little information we have to back it up,” Lu Feng said, pacing in the courtyard, his hands behind his back. “Don’t mistake me,” he added, pausing briefly. “I do not believe that you are guilty of anything. Just like you said previously, I am inclined to believe that you have no idea as to why you are being pursued, or at the very least, you don’t know why or how it began.”

  Eric just watched as Lu Feng paced back and forth, as he himself sat on a couple of steps.

  “Taking all of that into consideration. I am determined not only to find out the reason behind the attacks on my patrols, but also, help you in finding out the reason as to why you are being targeted.” Lu Feng stopped pacing and looked down at Eric. “You are just lucky that the two happen to be related, because if they weren’t I would have already sent you on your way.”

  “Yeah, um, why haven’t you?” Eric asked, casually, as if they were friends and not just two people who have met a little more than a handful of times. “I mean, if I had someone at my home that I knew was the cause of some of the issues that kept popping up, I would have just gotten rid of them, one way or another.”

  Lu Feng eyed Eric, his gaze steely and cold. “Because here, we do things by following the Emperor’s law,” he said, his tone firm and targeted. “It is by the heavens that he was ordained, and it is by the heavens that his laws are meant to be followed. You best remember that, in case you ever find yourself in these lands in the future.”

  “Will do.”

  “Now, to the matter at hand,” Lu Feng continued. “You will be returned to your original patrol unit. And just like during your original patrols, you are to keep an eye out on those that manipulate the energies of the world in ways that hinder the normal operations of the good people of this city. Especially those that use said energy in a way that breaks the law. Understood?”

  “Yes,” Eric said, standing up. “When do I return?”

  The morning of the following day inevitably arrived, and before the sun could even begin to rise, Eric was already changed into his patroller uniform, a red martial artist garment that appeared to be one piece but was actually a shirt and pants that were held together with a simple red belt. He began to think back to when he had accepted the quest.

  He had done so because he knew that it was a false choice. There really wasn’t a future on this floor if he chose the “no” option. At least that was what he thought when he had gotten the quest. It was only later when he realized how correct he was with his original thinking.

  During one of his first pursuits, when he made it to the top of the highest surrounding peak, he noticed that, as far as he could see, this city was completely isolated.

  Later, during his forced stay at the barracks, he found out that the city’s only purpose was to connect a desert land to the south that was called the bloodforge and a city with an ancient gate array that functioned like a portal to the north. This array, from what Eric gathered, was a bunch of magic symbols carved into two giant, circular and identical stone platforms, whose space became one when operated in conjunction. Of course, the way that people spoke about it made it so Eric wanted to yank his hair out with all their metaphors.

  Regardless, what little information he had gathered from these two cities suggested that not only were they months away on foot, but they also had far more intense security than the city he was currently in.

  The bloodforge was apparently a frontier with a dangerous region that required not only the constant presence of the imperial army, but also a stronger security force to keep the strong people that arrived looking for adventure in check.

  While the city with the gate array had higher security because they connected to more central cities, like those that had a direct connection to the imperial capital or other important parts of the empire.

  It was because of this that accomplishing his quest to steal from merchants was far more doable while in the city of Thousand Lanterns, and not in any other place that he currently had knowledge of.

  Letting his wandering thoughts settle, Eric left his small room behind. Inside was a small cupboard still holding the few changes of clothes that he had purchased with what little meager salary they paid him. Closing the door, he decided to return later.

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  Even if I decide to leave today—which I don’t think I will—I’ll still come back for those clothes. Too much of it gets destroyed for me to be able to afford to leave any behind.

  The patrol team he would be with was the same as his original one, the flame and water wielders, and one more, someone more specialized in using pure mana as a method of attack. It wasn’t that Eric didn’t know their names, it was more that they appeared to already have rules in place when it came to interacting with people like him, and one of those rules was not sharing names.

  I wonder if a skill like Inspect can make their attempts at hiding their names useless. Eric thought, looking at his fellow patrollers. Or perhaps the System helps them with their hiding attempts. And if it does, would a higher level Inspect be able to bypass it? Maybe that unique version of Inspect that Stella mentioned that that one guy had, that was able to see titles. Though, it does make me question why Lu Feng gave me his name so easily. Hmm, maybe it’s not his real name at all. Questions, questions, all I have are questions, but all I really want… Eric’s mind began to wander, forming an intricately detailed image, are those steamed buns from that old lady on the main street.

  Eric paused his advance, raising his head slightly. Is hunger induced desire, a form of emotion?

  Discarding the question almost as soon as it appeared in his mind, he determined to continue with his noncommittal attitude toward his own secrets. His lack of desire made it incredibly easy for him to move on, even from topics like this that could quite possibly determine the entirety of his life.

  Putting on an impassive face, more akin to what he usually had before the integration, and especially before he had so many conflicts with who or what he was, he approached the others. Despite his expression, the others still greeted him like they wanted him there.

  When Eric joined up with the group, the pure mana wielder patted him on the back, welcoming him once more into the fold. The water wielder handed him a cold drink and a small paper with the route, which Eric quickly burned.

  “Let’s go,” the fire wielder said, turning to walk as soon as the paper in Eric’s hand went up in smoke.

  ----------

  Ready for his first day back to be like when he left, Eric was visibly surprised when the first tower challenger that he met was actually someone that he somewhat recognized. He hadn’t seen him that well, mostly side glances during his final fight on the first floor, yet the clothes were unmistakable.

  With their red hood down, a pale white figure stood a few meters in front of Eric, seemingly waiting for a store to open for business.

  Their red robes and flickering blue flame on their chest made them stand out from everyone else. Even other tower challengers wore clothes that fit the style of the floor, whether it was to not draw attention or just because they liked to fit in was irrelevant to Eric, he just knew that it was something that he noticed them doing.

  Yet now that the street was empty and there really wasn’t anyone else to compare the flamebearer to, they didn’t really feel that out of place. The lightly misty morning somehow melded perfectly with their pale skin, and snow-white hair.

  Even though Eric had seen someone similar before, the cold woman that had crushed a part of his neck, there were still some obvious differences between the two people. For one, the woman was more ice, while the person before him was more like snow, at least in terms of complexion.

  Turning to the other patrol members, Eric’s expression turned somewhat serious. His role in the group was mostly to detect the usage of mana, while the others fought and took care of whoever he pointed out. Just because he knew how to fight, didn’t mean that he could do it well, or at an appropriate level. He still had only been training for a few weeks on this floor, and barely a few months total in the tower.

  So, his fellow patrol members quickly got into a ready stance. But before they did anything, Eric quickly urged them to calm down.

  “I don’t know why, but I think that he’ll be the best chance for us to find out why I’m being targeted,” Eric said, his sight inevitably moving to the lanterns on his waist and the blue flame that was dancing inside four of them. “And… I’m also not entirely sure if we’re enough to take them on,” he added, remembering how the giant mushroom was covered in a faint blue flame.

  “What?!” the fire wielder exclaimed, not out of pride, but genuine surprise.

  “Just wait here,” Eric said, already walking toward his target.

  I think that this is the perfect opportunity for me to feel fear, Eric thought. My mind should be bursting with questions and what ifs. Like, what if that blue flame burns me until my newly acquired bloodline’s power is extinguished? What if that takes days, or maybe even years? Eric nodded to himself while he walked. Yeah, those questions seem appropriate for right about now. Good thing I’m not wondering about these things, otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to do dumb things like this.

  “Hello,” Eric said, casually, raising his hand and pointing at the flamebearer. “First floor, giant mushroom, right?”

  The flamebearer only turned to look at Eric, confusion evident on their face.

  “Or do you all dress the same?” Eric asked.

  The flamebearer inclined their head to the side, more confused than before.

  Eric, not really the conversationalist, and unsure of what else to say that might jog their memory or get them to answer, also inclined his head to the side, the same side.

  The strange stance in which the two tower challengers didn’t last long. The flamebearer soon adjusted themselves, touched the flame on their chest and answered as if they hadn’t behaved oddly only moments before.

  “Yes, you are correct,” they said, their eyes focused on Eric’s. “My first-floor trial did indeed include a giant mushroom. Though, by the purifying and warming guidance of my flame, my path was clear of impossible tasks, for with the aid of the great flame, nothing is impossible.”

  Their voice was more normal than Eric expected. He wasn’t sure what he expected, or why he expected something different at all. It was either because of his unique appearance, or because he was a flamebearer, but he didn’t question it, regardless, Eric’s original thoughts were wrong.

  Shit, they’re one of those believers, Eric thought, groaning internally. Those that really believe in whatever it is that they’re into.

  Easily keeping his expression in check, Eric continued the conversation. “Do you have time to talk?” he asked, gesturing toward an empty bench.

  The flamebearer looked past Eric and at the patrol members behind him. Then, he seemed to have noticed that Eric was wearing the same clothes, and the temperature became both warmer and colder.

  “Wait!” Eric exclaimed, his urgency feigned. “This is about a quest,” he said, gesturing at his clothing. “It has nothing to do with why I want to talk to you. The reason I want to talk to you is more personal. You might know the reason that something strange has been happening to me ever since I finished the tower’s—”

  “You’re carrying a treasure,” the flamebearer said, his answer swift. Once more reaching for the flame in his chest, he rested his open palm on it. “Come, let the flame illuminate your path. Let it reveal that which has caused you issues and that which will solve them.”

  Turning away from Eric, the flamebearer began to walk away. Eric turned to his patrol, unsure if he would be allowed to walk away on his own. And before he could get an answer from the others, the flamebearer spoke.

  “Are you coming?” he asked, having stopped a few meters from where Eric had last seen them.

  They didn’t turn, but they were clearly waiting for something that confirmed that Eric was following behind.

  “Ok, let’s go,” Eric said, more curious about answers than anything else.

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