Boom, boom, boom.Shin's heart was beating steadily and forcefully, fighting to stay alive.
He was currently in the police station, where the medical team—composed of robots—was giving him intensive care. Shin was in bad shape, but not beyond recovery; moreover, he was already regaining consciousness and some of his color.
"Cough… Damn… I'm alive."He said with a satisfied smile as he noticed where he was, and especially the familiar face of Nurse Duck, who was assisting the robots with his healing smoke.
"You really do things your own way, don't you? Look at me, having to come all the way here just to take care of you."The nurse sighed as Shin's condition visibly improved. Despite the pain, Shin mustered a superhuman effort to respond.
"It's just that, besides my father, you're the only one in the city with a healing gift. And hey, at least you get work because of me."
It was true that healers were rare among the Awakened. After all, you had to reach at least Level 1 to get a Gift—a unique ability that reflected your wildest desires.
Duck and Shin's father, for example, both had healing Gifts, but they were completely different. However, these came at a price: for instance, Duck had a severe addiction to all forms of drugs, which he had to consume to use his Gift.
After an hour, Shin was back on his feet, without a single scar on his body, as if it had all been a nasty nightmare.
"Honestly, if my parents weren't in the city, you'd be the best doctor around, sir."
"Don't get me wrong, I'd rather avoid falling into addiction."
"Sorry, but when it comes to healing, no one beats Dad, and even less Mom, when it comes to surgery."Shin sighed. Indeed, his parents were both Level 1 Awakened, specialized in medicine. Specifically, his father had a healing Gift and his mother a Gift that enhanced her surgical skills.
"Well, my work here is done. I'm leaving. Try not to scare me like this again."Said the nurse, yet he paused before leaving and finally asked me:
"What could have caused these injuries? An Awakened criminal with a transformation Gift? Or some weird martial art?"
Curiosity and concern were obvious on his face, yet some mysteries are better left unopened.
"The station will probably make an announcement about this, don't worry. Besides, I assume there's a meeting about it somewhere right now. I have to go, thanks again!"
Shin walked away as fast as he could, not giving the nurse a chance to get the answers he was looking for. He didn't know it yet, but there were only 28 hours left before the disaster.
Now that I was awake, it was also time for me to start finding answers to my questions. Running through the corridors of the station, I eventually arrived in front of the same office where we had been introduced to the team and our mission: investigating Rubis.
Upon opening the door, I saw almost the entire police team, plus the Special Forces—including Manu and Grid—and, to my surprise, the high school principal and mayor of the city was also there, sitting at the other end of the table, sipping a coffee.
He was a very tall man, though shorter than Tom the giant. He had long, silky golden hair tied in a half-ponytail with a small bun, giving him the aura of a powerful feline. His calm yet piercing eyes, along with his muscular build, were a bit intimidating. He was simply at the top of the city's food chain, worthy of being called "The Fang."
I guess I'll never get used to seeing him, especially as he's my principal and several levels above me.
"Shin?"He said, almost stunned, as he saw me enter. Taking a step back, it was understandable: I was supposed to be in intensive care, and here I was, still in my bloodstained clothes. But, well, who cares?
"Good evening, Mr. Principal. I assume the emergency meeting hasn't started yet. I'll join the other interns."
Everyone looked at me with stunned eyes as I walked over to Manu, who looked especially shocked, his eyes wide as if he'd seen a ghost.
"Well, I guess we'll start the meeting. But do we really need to keep the interns here, Mr. Mayor?"Asked Tom, looking directly at me. I don't know what he's thinking, but I'll make sure Tom pays when I get the chance.
"Go ahead. After all, we'll be stuck with them for another eight months."
Tom sighed upon hearing Céline's words, and even more so when he saw the mayor remain silent, essentially approving her statement.
"The situation is serious. We've discovered that Rubis, in one way or another, has managed to recreate the monsters."
The whole room was in shock. Silence returned, but this time there was no buzzing fly—only the murmurs of people and the stunned expressions on the mayor's and Céline's faces.
"I didn't believe it either, but… look at this photo."
The photo, showing me covered in blood next to the monster's corpse, made Manu and Grid swallow hard. The others were used to horrors like this, but what shocked them was indeed the monster's body beside me.
"This is a matter of the highest order, indeed."Concluded the mayor, rubbing his forehead.
"We suspect Rubis is behind all this, but…"The Fang shot him a dark look, forcing him to continue instead of wasting time. He finally yielded.
"Rubis has connections with Valhalla, even the Warrior Queen, which limits our actions."
See? When he wants, it's not that hard. It's just the Warrior Queen… Wait, what!? Valhalla!? The Warrior Queen!? Are we sure about this information? We're talking about one of the ten kings, right?
"We'll have to revise our plans… we can't act without a strategy. I'll contact the government to see what we should do."Said the Fang, leaving the room with poise.
Everyone was in shock, especially Manu and me. Yet I couldn't agree with what the mayor suggested: yes, it's Valhalla we're talking about, but the lives of the city's inhabitants—and maybe the entire country—were at stake. We have the ability to handle it, but we're just going to wait? I guess I need to prepare.
"Manu, I need to talk to you."
"Huh?"Manu was still in shock, processing the information, even though it was only our second day of the internship.
"Do you remember the promise we made when we became friends?"
He took a deep breath, regaining his composure.
"Tell me what to do."
I then gave him a set of very important instructions, and he dashed off at full speed to execute them. Our time was running out… but if we have to become demons to save this city, so be it.
"Shin? Are you okay? Where did Manu go?"
"Huh? Yeah, I'm fine. And don't worry about Manu."
"Can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Sure, follow me if you want!"
As Haru and I left the meeting room, Céline watched us from the shadows, her face dark and ominous.
The hour of disaster was drawing ever closer—the gears were now in motion.