Vision 7 - What is this? (3)
The containers were filled with a water-like substance, but I am certain it is anything but water.
I walked further, though I didn't truly want to.
I already know what is happening here, and I intend to ignore it all—but the problem is that I was being watched by the Nubeculas.
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[ The Nubecula 'Whose Heart Bleeds For Heartbroken' did not like the scene. ]
[ The Nubecula 'Who Likes Cigars And Candy' is frowning. ]
[ The Nubecula 'Dionysus' is observing you. ]
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Some Nubeculas dislike scenes like this, but of course, there are others who enjoy it.
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[ The Nubecula 'Gumiho' comments, "Woah. What is this place?" ]
[ Some Nubeculas are curious about the facility. ]
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I understood her curiosity. As someone who thrives on rumors, Gumiho would definitely be interested—and I am sure she already knows what is happening here.
Facilities like this existed all over the world, conducting the same experiments. This isn't the only place.
Curiosity.
A dangerous feeling. People could go to extreme lengths to satisfy it.
I moved deeper inside since there was no other way forward. I tried not to look at the pods, but my gaze still wandered.
[ Subject- 1141
Species- Demihuman (Fox Race)
Duration- 4 years T || 2 years I
(T = Total years, I = Years inside the pods) ]
[ Subject- 1121
Species- Vampire
Duration- 2 years T || 1 year I ]
[ Subject- 987
Species- Elf
Duration- 6 years T || 2 years I ]
[ Subject- 1101
Species- Human
Duration- 8 years T || 4 years I ]
[ Subject- 1041
Species- Human
Duration- 3 years T || 1 year I ]
There are all kinds of species here, each with their eyes closed as if sleeping, oxygen masks strapped to their faces. I also noticed that the test subjects were numbered above a thousand—meaning at least that many had been used here.
I walked past them, refusing to look at the pods anymore. I pretended like they didn't exist.
I'm only here to take what I need and leave.
I reached a metallic door that clearly required clearance. It didn't open for me, but a map beside it caught my attention.
I studied the layout.
Three levels—we were on the first. Two more floors were below this one.
The second floor had multiple rooms. I knew instantly what they were.
Definitely avoiding that.
Then I examined the third floor—a long hallway leading to a single large room at the end.
A smile tugged at my lips. One big room means a big treasure room. I decided that was my destination.
I searched the map for an elevator and found one on the opposite side of the room. I headed toward it.
Persephone stayed beside me the entire time, silent. She didn't comment on me ignoring the pods or anything else I did.
I stepped into the elevator and pressed the button marked 3. The doors closed, and we descended in silence.
Persephone stood next to me. I couldn't help but laugh—a muffled chuckle escaping me.
"What?" she asked, tilting her head.
"Just thought of a scene from a thriller. Usually, there's a moment like this mid-mission—two people in an elevator. The silence gets awkward, their eyes meet, and suddenly, they kiss out of nowhere." Obviously, they had a lot more history and situations which led to that.
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[ The Nubecula 'Gumiho' comments, "I've seen a movie like that." ]
[ The Nubecula 'Dionysus' nods in agreement. ]
[ The Nubecula 'Who Likes Cigars And Candy' scoffs, "You need a girl for that, you weird loner." ]
Of course, the Nubeculas couldn't see Persephone. To them, I was just talking to myself.
"You wanna do it?"
Sigh…
I expected her to tease me, but she responded way too fast. I wouldn't fall for it that easily.
I glanced at her—and stiffened.
She was staring at me dead serious.
"Wanna do it?"
Gulp.
She asked again. Was she serious? The atmosphere grew heavy, suffocating.
Ding.
The elevator doors slid open. I stepped out immediately—if I'd stayed any longer, I might've collapsed.
For some reason, Persephone had become far more intimidating since we left Bob's house.
The hallway ahead was made of white marble, pristine and sterile. In my dark outfit, I stood out like a sore thumb.
Persephone, in her black dress and aubergine hair, was just as conspicuous—even if no one else could see her.
After walking for a while, we reached a massive metal door. Pure silver, marked with a red plague symbol and a danger sign.
"They made it look so dramatic."
It was almost comical. Anyone else would've turned back immediately.
Persephone studied the door. "There's a strong security barrier."
She's right. The Church loved portraying themselves as righteous, so their security measures had to be strong and look virtuous.
"Hmm… It's a life-affinity barrier. Only those with high-grade life skills or items can pass."
The Church had plenty of life-affinity artifacts—items that enhanced vitality.
"So it shouldn't be a problem for you."
True. I had Zoe's Heart, a high-tier life skill. Passing through would be easy.
"I don't have a skill like that."
Huh? That was a first. She had no life-affinity skills? Then she must rely on something like Self-Preservation or One-Existence-Capability.
I nodded and reached for the door—then paused.
Wait.
Why hadn't I thought of this before?
Could I share my skill with her? Normally it should not be possible but Zoe has a consciousness.
Focusing, I willed Zoe's Heart to extend to Persephone.
[ You have requested to share your skill 'Zoe's Heart' through SoulContract. ]
[ Skill-sharing with your soul partner has been initiated. ]
A message appeared. It is possible.
Then, a faint pulse echoed in my chest—odd, but not painful.
[ Zoe has denied the skill-share request. ]
What? She refused?
Now that I thought about it, Zoe's Heart is a Character Skill—a skill tied to a sentient entity. It had its own will. Normally, that should be useful—if it fully supported me, it would do anything to help.
But now?
"What's wrong? Go inside."
Persephone's voice snapped me back. I was still standing there, hand outstretched.
Frowning, I tried communicating with my Zoe again.
"Please."
[ Zoe wishes to protect only her king. ]
Her king? Since when was I a king?
This was the downside of Character Skills—they had opinions.
I glanced at Persephone. Oddly, she was already watching me.
'Protect her too. I need her for now.'
I spoke the words in my mind—no way I'd say that aloud.
Zoe still resisted, but finally—
[ Zoe has granted temporary skill-sharing. ]
The moment the message appeared, surprise flickered in Persephone's eyes. She must've received a notification like:
[ The lower existence 'Arthur Xander' has shared 'Zoe's Heart' with you. ]
But then, another message followed—an added condition.
[ Zoe has limited the skill's duration. ]
[ Duration: 1 Hour ]
I saw surprise leave Persephone's face, replaced by a frown. She must have received the same message. The realization of the situation dawned on her.
"She didn't grant the request to share the skill at first, right?"
She asked the obvious question—after all, I had said 'please' out loud. I gave a slight nod to confirm.
She stayed silent, and I sure as hell wasn't going to say anything—I could feel her anger building again. But why is she angry?
This is exactly why I avoid associating with women more than necessary. I just don't understand how their emotions shift so quickly.
Without delay, I touched the large silver door—and then it vanished. No, the door didn't disappear. We had moved inside the vault. The metal door that had been in front of me was now behind us.
Persephone stood beside me, momentarily confused before quickly regaining her composure. I looked ahead—and shocked would be an understatement.
The sudden shift in surroundings had distracted me, but now I saw it clearly: the vault was enormous.
It was filled with sections of suitcases, jewelry draped over sculptures, and items displayed on metal plates. I walked to one of the suitcases and opened it—gold bars. Another suitcase—more gold. I moved to a different section and found silver bars.
I checked every section. Four in total: gold, silver, diamonds, and hard cash. Each had at least fifty suitcases, each containing thirty bars.
"Wow, we really hit big. You were right to come here."
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[ The Nubecula 'Gumiho' comments: "Woo, it's a heist!" ]
[ The Nubecula 'Whose Heart Bleeds For Heartbroken' is happy for you. ]
[ The Nubecula 'Who Likes Cigars And Candy' comments: "Take everything." ]
[ The Nubecula 'Hwang Jini' comments: "It was a good decision." ]
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This is a massive haul. Fifteen hundred bars each of gold, silver, and diamonds—and that wasn't even counting the fifty suitcases of cash. The jewelry alone looked like a thousand sets, all gold and diamonds.
"There's something wrong."
"What are you talking about?"
But there was a problem. How does a small church have this much wealth? I'd hoped for something valuable, but not on this scale.
It doesn't make sense. The amount here surpassed the wealth of any noble in the country—maybe even rivaled the leaders of entire nations. It was as if all the churches had pooled their riches here.
Then it hit me. A memory from my dream surfaced.
A new message appeared:
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[ You have remembered an event from your dream. ]
[ Dream related to the event is automatically opening. ]
[ Your perception has increased. ]
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The scene unfolded in my mind—another dream.
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[ Dream_139 ]
<"We need to find the criminals."
The sergeant's voice was tense. Complaints and robberies were rising.
"Calm down. There's illegal activity everywhere in the country."
"I'm telling you, it's the church people."
"You keep saying that, but we have no proof—">
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[ Dream_151 ]
< Around a round table, white-robed church officials sat in a circle.
"Legion officials are getting closer. We need to act."
An old man at the head of the table spoke gravely.
"You worry too much, old man."
"Language."
A childlike figure grinned, while a woman across from him corrected him sharply. The old man sighed.
"Since you're so relaxed, I assume you've taken action?"
"Yes."
The childlike figure beamed. The old man gestured for an explanation.
"I gathered all the church's wealth and stored it in a small church."
Silence. The others stared, expressions ranging from disbelief to fury. Then—
"You bastard!"
"Wait. It's a smart move. No one would suspect a small church, and searching the entire country for one vault is impossible."
The old man's reasoning calmed the furious man in the corner—somewhat.
"He should've asked first! He moved everything!"
"You're accusing me again? That hurts."
The childlike figure clutched his chest dramatically. >
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Now I understood. I couldn't contain my smile, I felt really lucky this time. This was pure luck.