Chapter two

Dellor Street is a small town tucked away in a valley, surrounded by lush vineyards and rolling hills, with quaint little houses that stretch out along the hillsides. The town's architecture evokes a Tuscan feel from another world, with brick buildings blending seamlessly with wood, offering a perfect harmony of tradition and modernity.

In the morning, Dellor Street is gripped by a crisp chill. A gentle breeze carries the fragrance of pine trees and freshly baked bread from the bakery in the town square. A light mist blankets the mountain peaks, as the town comes alive with people preparing for the Christmas festivities.

A towering Christmas tree adorned with multicolored lights stands proudly in the square, decorated with handmade ornaments crafted by the locals. Tourists in cozy coats wander about, snapping photos of the houses and the stalls, which are decked out in thousands of sparkling lights.

Not far from the square, there is a hidden café nestled in an alleyway—"Sawada Café". It's a warm, Japanese-style café with a blend of traditional European charm. The sliding wooden doors open to reveal simple wooden tables, with large glass windows offering views of the street and passersby. Aém Sawada, the café's owner, is busy behind the counter, grinding fresh coffee beans, filling the air with a soft, aromatic scent.

Aém is a young man with a relaxed demeanor, a far cry from the life he left behind in his father's ninja school. He decided to abandon the path that never felt like his own and started anew in Dellor Street, a town he loves for its peaceful atmosphere and artistic spirit.

This morning, some regular customers begin trickling in to sip hot coffee while discussing their Christmas plans. Aém greets them quietly, familiar with the people in town.

Meanwhile, on a hill that offers a clear view of Dellor Street, there stands a unique two-story house that draws the attention of tourists who often stop to snap photos. The house belongs to Max Masnet, Aém's close friend, and Tae Nobelo. With its modern, futuristic design combining glass and sleek metal, it stands out amidst the town's traditional architecture, looking like it belongs to another time.

On this particular morning, Max locks his house and mounts his electric bike, heading down the hill toward Aém's café. With a hurried pace, he takes a moment to inhale the chilly air and admire the bustling Christmas atmosphere.

As usual, Aém greets his handsome friend with a smile. Max walks over and sits at his favorite corner by the window, pulling out his transparent phone to scroll through videos for relaxation.

The world they live in is full of diversity and oddities. Ordinary people walk side by side with martial artists practicing inner strength, or even wizards using magic in everyday life. These elements are mixed with advanced technology that governs the town's operations and the convenience of daily life.

It's a sight that might seem disjointed, yet everything flows together in a life that never stops moving. The people of the town accept these differences as a natural part of life. Max isn't surprised to see a boy in dark robes casting sparks in a corner of the square or a drone flying past an elderly man wielding a sword.

Max continues scrolling through his phone while the aroma of Aém's hot coffee is placed in front of him.

"What are you watching, man?" Aém asks with a chuckle as he sits down opposite Max.

"Just a funny video, nothing special," Max responds with a slight smile, reaching for his cup of coffee as they begin to chat casually.

Not long after, the soft sound of the doorbell rang as a tall figure in a perfectly tailored suit, Tae Nobelo, stepped into the café. The warm atmosphere that had once filled the room shifted immediately. Several customers looked up from their coffee and newspapers, their eyes fixed on the man known as the CEO of Nobelo Industries.

Whispers began to ripple through the room. Some even pulled out their phones to sneak a photo. Tae, however, paid no attention to the stares. He walked straight toward the corner table where his two friends were sitting.

"Tae..." Aém looked up from his coffee, surprised. "What brings you here?"

Tae didn't speak immediately. He pulled out a chair and sat down, his serious demeanor making both of them realize that something important was happening.

"Something has come out of the Dark Continent," he said in a low voice, his sharp eyes fixed on Max and Aém. "A reconnaissance drone has located the position of a mysterious submarine. It's moving from White Rose Island towards the port city of Pashioris. It's time to gather the team, guys!"

Aém fell silent, his expression showing hesitation. Behind him, Nina, his girlfriend, stood calmly at the counter. She seemed to understand the situation without needing to say a word.

"Go ahead, Aém," Nina said softly before he could speak. "I'll take care of the shop. You have important work to do."

Max leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms, and looked at Tae thoughtfully before asking, "So... how are we getting there?"

...…

The airship floated gracefully in the deep blue sky. It moved majestically like a whale in the sky. A perfectly-sized airbag hovered above the structure of the body beneath, gleaming with silver reflections in the sunlight. The geometric patterns on it seemed to belong to another world, a vision of the future. Below the airbag was the body of the airship, the size of a bus, made of a lightweight yet sturdy composite material.

On either side of the airship were sleek, flat wings that helped steer and stabilize it in the air. The front of the ship had a large glass window that offered a panoramic view of the sky, the slowly drifting clouds, and the vast land stretching far below.

Inside the glass room was a round meeting table, its smooth surface made of translucent material that allowed the faint flicker of internal lights to shine through. The ship's AI controlled the navigation seamlessly, and it ran on 100% clean energy, producing no waste.

Max, Tae, and Aém sat around the table, which was designed with a holographic screen to display information if needed.

"I once read an ancient manuscript," Max began, staring out the window. "It recorded that a giant meteorite fell onto the Dark Continent millions of years ago."

Aém raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Just a chunk of rock from space, huh?"

"It's not just any ordinary rock," Max replied calmly, his gaze still fixed on the view. "The manuscript says its power was strong enough to destroy the entire land. It possessed a power that humans should never approach. That's why the order of priests had to close off that land—not because of the demihumans, but because of the meteor's power."

Aém leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as he thought. "And... has Dr. Kal ever secretly explored that land?"

Max shook his head slightly. "As far as I know, no one has been able to enter. Even he, who has been there for almost thirty years, hasn't been able to. The barrier that holds the land closed seems alive. It chooses not to allow anyone to pass, even those with technology superior to ours."

Aém murmured, "That sounds creepy... So, what do we do if it escapes?"

Tae, who had been listening in silence, reached out and touched the holographic screen in the center of the table. A map of the port city appeared in the air, reflecting off the glass window.

"The submarine has been anchored in the same position since last night," Tae said firmly. "And until now, there has been no movement."

Max furrowed his brow as he took another sip of his coffee before asking, "Is it possible that the Dark Continent has suddenly become more advanced under the sacred veil?"

Tae nodded. "I think that's the case too... The meteorite ore could be a key factor. It might have led them to develop at a rapid pace. The submarine—right now, it's emitting energy far beyond normal levels."

Aém looked at the holographic display. "We've got a big problem on our hands."

Tae quickly stood up. "That's right. And I've just finished some new gear for you guys. Follow me."

The two stood and followed Tae through the quiet, automatic door. Tae walked to a modern-looking weapons storage area, where lights illuminated shelves filled with meticulously designed equipment.

He picked up a sleek, black bow and handed it to Max. "Here's your new bow. I designed it to be lighter and more accurate. The drawstring is a Magnetic Bowstring. And this…" He picked up a quiver that had compartments for different types of arrows, opening it for Max to see.

"There are various special arrows here," Tae pointed to the compartments. "Explosive tips, smoke, electric shock, and more. You can select the type of arrow from the button on the bow handle, here… And if you put on the headphones, you'll know which head you're selecting."

Max took the bow and aimed it at the corner of the room. "I can't even say how much I appreciate this, man. Thank you so much."

"You're welcome," Tae said, before handing a pair of gloves to Aém. "These are for you. I designed them for situations where you need to move quickly in hard-to-reach places."

Aém examined the dark gloves that seemed simple but sleek. He tried them on, and they fit his hands perfectly.

"You don't need to press any buttons. Just flick your wrist and synthetic fibers will shoot out," Tae explained, demonstrating the motion.

"It can handle a lot of weight," Tae continued. "Also, the gloves are designed to grip walls or vertical surfaces. You'll be able to climb or scale walls easily, just by applying pressure with your hands."

Aém raised his hand, flicked his wrist, and fibers shot out, attaching to a pillar in the lab. He gave it a small tug, and it held strong.

"Whoa, this is amazing! I can just chill on the wall now!" Aém said excitedly, then reached out to touch the wall. He found that the gloves held tightly, and he lifted himself slightly to test climbing the wall.

"This is way easier than I thought," Aém said, satisfied.

"I'm glad you like it," Tae replied with a proud nod.

… Meanwhile, the airship entered the airspace of the city of Chopia.

The AI's voice notified them, and Tae turned to look at Max, seemingly waiting to see what would happen next.

"I think I should make a stop here. I'll request backup if things go south," Max said.

"Sounds good, Robin Hood," Tae said, understanding his friend. Then he walked toward the control room at the rear of the ship.

…

The dawn of the city of Chopia began with the sound of a melodious bell resonating from the tower in the heart of the city. The sound was soft but echoed throughout the city, which was enclosed by towering ancient stone walls, covered in moss and vines that hung down like a natural curtain.

Inside the walls, Chopia was filled with tranquility and beauty. The houses with curved roofs, adorned with green tiles and gold patterns, cascaded down the slopes of the land. The hills surrounding the city were lined with tall pine trees, forming a second layer of walls. A small river flowed from the mountains, passing through the wall and stretching out to the green fields as far as the eye could see.

At the center of the city stood Princess Zan's palace, magnificent and made from dark hardwood, intricately carved with patterns that spoke of meticulous craftsmanship. Surrounding the palace was a vast garden filled with plum trees and lotus flowers in large ponds. In the middle of the garden, a wooden pavilion stood prominently, its curved roof adorned with porcelain, reflecting the morning sunlight as if coated in gold.

Princess Zan sat in the pavilion, dressed in a white silk gown embroidered with red plum blossoms. She sat gracefully on a cushion, the long hem of her gown trailing down to the wooden floor. Her skin was smooth and pale like jade, and her long black hair was neatly tied up. Her eyes were gentle yet full of resolve.

"Your Highness," one of her maidservants entered and stopped in front of the pavilion, bowing slightly in a respectful manner. "A young man named Masnet has arrived and is waiting at the palace gates. He requests an audience with Your Highness to discuss an important matter."

Princess Zan lifted her gaze from the pond's surface, raising an eyebrow slightly, before smiling with delight. "Masnet has come here, has he?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

Princess Zan nodded gently. "Please bring him here to me."

"As you wish."

Once the command was passed on, the maidservant hurried away from the pavilion, leaving Princess Zan alone. The sound of the fountain in the pond continued softly, and a breeze carried plum blossom petals around her. She sighed quietly, as if preparing herself for a meeting with someone she had not seen in a long time.

"Masnet..." she murmured his name under her breath, narrowing her sharp eyes slightly. "If it's not something truly important, he wouldn't come to see me."

…

The sleek submarine floated motionless above the water's surface, as if equipped with futuristic technology that perfectly maintained its balance. It seemed unaffected by any wave, as if time itself had paused around it.

Aém leaned against the old wooden bridge railing, his eyes fixed on the mysterious submarine before him. The quiet of the harbor was broken only by the sound of waves crashing against the rocks and the gentle breeze, while Tae walked around, inspecting the submarine with a serious expression.

A small white drone hovered behind Tae like a shadow, buzzing softly and projecting a faint blue hologram into the air. Information was being processed swiftly, like a moving, living computer. Tae reached out and touched the hologram, calmly reviewing the data.

"It seems the owner has a special lock system," Tae said without turning to look at Aém. "But if I'm not mistaken, the GPS of the key and the vessel are connected."

"So, what's next?" Aém asked, sighing, frustrated with the silence and Tae's slow pace.

"We need a little more time... just be patient," Tae replied while his hands continued to move over the hologram controls.

Aém glanced toward the horizon. "Do you think it's a vampire or a mermaid driving this ship?"

"Do your mermaids drive submarines?" Tae replied firmly, but without taking his eyes off his work.

"Or maybe it's a werewolf..."

Finally, Tae looked up with a small smile at the corner of his mouth. "Done!"

"What's the verdict?"

"We've located the owner's position," Tae pointed at a red dot flashing on the hologram.

"Let's go find them then," Aém said immediately.

Tae nodded.

The two quickly left the harbor, leaving the sleek submarine floating still in the water as if it were watching them leave, waiting for the return of its true owner.

…