"That day - 10:00 - Date 20-11-2987
Tamim and Fahim were strolling along.
"I saw some police cars near the Butterfly Lake a while ago, and the place seemed chaotic. I thought it was related to the Soul Sorcerer, but it seems it wasn't because police don't usually work with the Soul Sorcerer. What do you think happened there?" Fahim asked Faria.
"How would I know? That's not my concern," replied Tamim.
"To be honest, being a regular human isn't that safe these days," Fahim remarked.
"Why do you say that?" inquired Tamim.
"I mean, with Soul Sorcerers and soul made a huge impact on normal human lifestyle and now these new superhumans stuff all over the world , normalcy seems uncertain. Most souls aren't harmful, but people are scared of them. I've encountered soul existence in my mini lab a lot, but I've never felt any fear. I wonder how they truly look," Fahim pondered aloud.
"I believe humans fear souls because humans themselves are the real danger. If I may say so, humans are the reason why the world isn't safe. While only 1% of souls can cause significant impact or harm, every human has the capacity to kill. Every individual harbors a potential monster within," Tamim concluded.
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That Day - Inside Nextera Esports
"Wow, that's amazing! You literally used math in the game and wiped the squad from a very long range," Samia praised Faria.
"Yeah, there's a Japanese national player who's able to do that, but seeing someone from our country nail it like that is rare," Fahim chimed in, acknowledging Faria's skill.
"I'm really glad I found you, Faria. You're a top-tier player, but you're not that well-known. Have you thought about doing live streams?" Samia asked.
" Well I used to play for only time pass. I didn't had much interest in this things" Says Faria
Meanwhile, Tamim was lost in thought. "This girl had a fight today, and she seems so composed. Honestly, I can't keep that level of composure. But to be fair, she doesn't seem to conform to typical 'girly' expectations; she's more reserved, not big on makeup, and, most importantly, incredibly skilled at the game. I never expected an under-19 female player to excel so much with a sniper."
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That afternoon, Tamim walked home with Fahim.
"Alright, see you tomorrow. Bye," Fahim waved and headed his way, leaving Tamim alone.
"I wanted to discuss today with her, but she took a taxi. It's clear she wouldn't walk with both of us," Tamim thought to himself as he continued strolling. He stopped at a vending stall and bought a drink called "Rin," taking a sip as he observed Faria stepping out from a nearby store. Their eyes met briefly. Faria finished her shopping and began walking toward Tamim.
"Sorry for today," Faria apologized.
"Sorry? For what?" Tamim was puzzled.
"Everything that happened today was kinda part of my plan," Faria admitted.
"Your plan? What are you talking about?" Tamim questioned.
"When we spoke yesterday, I sensed a recorder placed nearby. It looked the same as any other recorder I found which was clearly a spy cam . I deliberately spoke about Butterfly Lake to lure them there. As I expected, they showed up, providing the police with valuable evidence, thanks to you," Faria explained.
"So, you used me?" Said Tamim
" Yah, kinda. Again sorry for that" Said Faria
"I don't really care as long as I'm alive. But, about the police, how did you know they got information from me? I'm sure you have connections with them," Tamim suspected.
"No, I don't. And don't attempt to inquire further," Faria defended herself.
"Your defense only confirms my suspicion that you're somehow linked to the police," Tamim remarked.
"If that's what you think, I can't do much about it. Here's a SIM for you," Faria handed a SIM card to Tamim.
"A SIM? What do I do with this?" Tamim questioned.
"Keep it in your phone. It's for our private contact. With this, we can text each other without any third-party interference, ensuring our safety," Faria explained.
"Ah, I understand," Tamim acknowledged.
"For now, I'm leaving," Faria said, ready to depart.
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That night - 11:50 PM - Tamim's home
Tamim's phone rang, displaying a call from Faria on the SIM she had provided.
Tamim answered, slightly curious, "Who is this?"
"It's Faria. Listen carefully. The police have located a hideout and are heading there. If you want to join me, meet at Nigah Roads backside as soon as possible. Dress inconspicuously and bring a bag with spare clothes to conceal your identity. I'll wait for 5 minutes, and if you're not there, I'll leave," Faria relayed and abruptly ended the call.