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She told me what happened and here's what I learned.

The expander team found a large vault when they're expanding the ancient city. The vault was created by some country in the past. Who created it isn't important, what's important is that the vault is in the way of Synth's plan to expand the city.

Synth sent some people to make contact with them and offer them to abandon the vault and live in the city, but they refused. Synth tried a few times to end things peacefully, but the vault sternly refused.

Having no choice, Synth resorts to violence by sending a few Honors to destroy the vault. However, they didn't expect the vault to also have Honors and also a mysterious technology that absorbs half of their power and weakens them.

Synth asked Igor and his friends to participate. They agreed.

Igor, a genius architect, is able to predict the vault's layout just by seeing it from the outside. Igor managed to find a way in.

This helped Honors to infiltrate the vault and kill everyone inside. Men, women, elders, children, pets. No one remain.

However, there were a few formidable Honors of the vault that are still on their toes. They were powerful and their tricky powers made them terrifying foes.

At the time, Synth just discovered a mech that can dodge attacks and can neutralize an Honor's power, but it has its own will and is impossible to control. 

Luckily for them, they can control it by using a contract. 

This was the same as what Yurim told me, I thought to myself and added, except she doesn't tell me the whole truth.

However, Hansel didn't go into full detail about the contract, only mentioning it briefly.

The mech fought valiantly and eliminated its enemies. With no enemies remain and it has fulfilled its part of the contract, it was Synth's turn to fulfill their part.

However, Synth discovered a loophole in the contract and terminated the mech with great difficulty.

After that, Synth destroyed the vault, looted its technology, resources, and knowledge about the shadows. One could say Synth earned a lot from this battle.

I listened carefully when I noticed something was missing, so I asked, "I didn't hear about Calvin's death."

"It was the mech that killed him. When it was in its last moments, it suddenly created a dome and trapped whoever was inside. We don't know how it happened, but when we realized, Calvin was inside. We tried to save him, but it was too late. The mech exploded itself." She took a sip, perhaps to calm herself after telling the past.

The air became heavy and solemn. I could feel melancholy and regret from her words.

"Why is Calvin there in the first place?" I frowned slightly.

"There are some groups that knew about the event and opposed it. They'd do anything to stop it, even as far as killing an innocent, so leaving Calvin alone would be dangerous.

"We don't know how Calvin ends up there, but we believe it has something to do with Igor. They got into an argument before it happened. It is just my guess, but perhaps Calvin wanted to prove something to Igor, but got trapped with the mecha.

"What kind of thing Calvin wanted to prove, well, I lack knowledge. Perhaps Will or Chosen knew." She explained calmly.

Will and Chosen were the Honors involved in the massacre.

Will can make a clone and create almost perfect memories from a dead person. Chosen can create any technology from his surroundings. This is the only thing I knew about them, just a glimpse of their power.

Even though my info about them is short, I knew they mustn't be underestimated.

"Will and Chosen, huh?" I repeated those names, feeling a bit troubled.

"What's wrong?" She turned her head to me, "Are the two of you not getting along?"

"Something like that." I nodded slightly and got up, "Thanks for telling me all of that." I fished out a coin with 500 carved on it and gave it to the bartender. He accepted it, pulled out a shelf and put the coin in.

"Going already?"

"Yeah, I don't have a lot of time, you see. Why ask?"

"Nothing peculiar, it's just, someone has been watching us from outside," she said calmly.

I immediately heightened my senses, and just like she said, I picked up someone not far from us.

Perhaps he noticed that I'd discovered him, he vanished from the spot.

"He ran away. Who do you think he is?" I shifted my eyes to her.

"Now that you know about that massacre, perhaps someone from the Grim's Kitchen is sent to erase you."

"Isn't this great? I've always wanted to be on the run and chased by assassins." I said sarcastically. 

"Have fun." She smiled.

"I'm not serious saying that. By the way, do you know someone from the Grim's Kitchen that manipulates blood?"

"Manipulate blood," She pinched her chin, "You're speaking of Teru. His powers aren't powerful, but terrifying. His powers can be manipulated easily just like your smoke and its properties can change. That alone isn't what makes him a terrifying foe, but its capability to control anything his blood covers." she explained slowly.

"Is there a way to defeat him?"

"Kill him before he could use his powers or neutralize his powers."

Just before I could open my mouth to say anything, she quickly asked, "How is Calvin?"

I was stunned for a few moments before answering, "He's fine."

"That's glad to hear. I can't help much with Igor's son, but come to me if you need anything." She raised her palm and created an orb of light. It slowly floats towards me. I accepted it as I grabbed it. 

After which, a blue gem covered the orb, and two long chains extended from it. I stare at it for a few seconds before wearing it around my neck.

"You can call me three times." She rose three fingers with others closed, "I'll meet you here." She then pointed to the floor with her index.

"Thank you."

"It's the least I can do to someone that helps Igor's son. I wanted to help the kid, but if he got involved with me, he'd be in more danger." She shook her head and explained, her tone mixed with gratitude and pain.

"But Hansel, I–" I wanted to say something before stopping mid way. I shook my head. 

"What is it?"

"No, it's nothing."

She looked at me for a long time, "I don't know your reason for helping the kid, but as long as he's fine and well, I'm not going to kill you, but if something happened to him, I'll kill you." Her tone became deep and ice cold.

"Rest easy. I won't let anyone harm the kid."

"I don't trust your promises. They're always broken."

I smiled bitterly and said solemnly, "This time, I'll not break it."

She observed me silently before smiling, "I expect great news from you then."

I gave her a slight nod and all of a sudden, I remembered, "Speaking of which, did you meet with Igor after he lost his son?"

"Yeah, I was trying to support him. As I'm a rather famous Honor back then, I can't meet him casually or rumors would spread between us. 

"I don't mind rumors, but Igor is an important man. A scandal can ruin his career, but I guess I should be bold anyway if he's going to die." There were some regrets in her tone.

"Do you know how and why Igor brought Calvin back to life?"

"Will's and Chosen's power is already an answer." She replied briefly, "At the time, I already knew they were planning to do that, but they successfully made me think they didn't do it.

"How foolish of me, easily swayed by sweet words and a few proofs." Her eyes on the table, flickering with regrets and tinge of fury. She fell silent for a few moments.

"Sorry." I couldn't help but to say that. I caused her to remember a painful past, after all.