INSURGENCY IN THE NORTHEAST

Mario and Mari both receive a text containing their next mission. For Mario, it's his first official mission. A squad, mostly comprising junior hunters like Mario, is put together, and Mari is named squad leader—an unexpected choice, given that he only just barely survived his trial.

There has been growing speculation that an unnatural force is operating up north. The north, of course, is home to a terrorist group—bigots with extremist principles, by all standards. Squad Mari's mission, appropriately named "North Sweep," is to infiltrate the area and observe if there is anything supernatural going on, without engaging in combat. Apparently, this is the reason HQ has added junior hunters to the squad—such hunters are only sent on missions with low combat probabilities.

After making the necessary preparations, both young men take their bags and head out, with Mari leading the way. They are dressed casually, and Mario's sword is hidden in his luggage. After walking for a while, Mario suddenly stops.

Mario: Where are we going?

Mari: Huh? To the train station, of course. We're not gonna walk all the way to the north, are we?

Mario stiffens. A sharp, unwelcome memory flashes through his mind.

Mario: I don't want to travel by train. More like… I can't.

Mari: What do you mean you can't travel by train? I'm not gonna drive for hours just because you—

Mari stops mid-sentence, eyes narrowing as he watches Mario clutch his right shoulder, his gaze distant. With a sigh, Mari turns around.

Mari: Fine. I'll make other arrangements. I'm really stressed. This calls for a lollipop.

He digs into his pocket and pulls out a wrapped lollipop, then peels off the wrapper and pops it into his mouth.

Mari: Hmm. This is good stuff.

Mari gets a cab instead. It takes a long time to convince the driver to even consider taking them north. They don't mention they're headed northeast, avoiding unnecessary questions. The plan is to rendezvous with the rest of the squad at Tora, a northern city. The driver finally agrees, but only at double the usual cost. Mari doesn't mind. Why? All expenses are covered by DDI.

As the journey begins, Mario leans back and glances at Mari.

Mario: Toro… how did you meet?

Mari: He freed me, and I decided to follow him. That's all I can say.

Mario: That leaves more questions than answers… but okay.

They make multiple stops at different motels as the journey progresses. After days of driving, they finally arrive at Tora. As they step out of the cab, Mari prepares to pay the fare. That's when the driver suddenly starts asking questions.

Driver: What are you here for, anyway?

Mario: Tch. Nothing illegal.

Driver: I'm not about to leave two southern kids in the middle of a northern city without knowing the motive behind your travel. What's in the luggage?

Mario: It's nothing. Clothes and a bunch of other personal belongings.

Driver: Guess there's no harm in me taking a peek then.

Mario exchanges a glance with Mari, who simply watches the driver calmly. The man grabs Mario's bag and starts to open it.

For people heading north, government officials don't conduct luggage searches. Luggage is only searched when leaving the north—for some reason.

Mari steps forward, his tone light but firm.

Mari: Please don't search the luggage.

Driver: I thought you had nothing to hide.

Mari: We do.

The driver raises a brow as Mari continues nonchalantly.

Mari: We're part of an underground organization that ensures public safety. Not even the government agencies know about this. There's a sword in that bag. I'm a member of House Real, and he's a Daline. Well… he was, I guess.

The driver gawks in astonishment. So does Mario.

Mario: What the heck, Mari?!

Mari: It's fine, O. We can trust this guy. (To the driver) Today, we're going to sneak into the northeastern part of the nation. I also have a driver's license, by the way.

Driver: You kids are crazy. I'm definitely calling someone.

Mario: (to Mari) Now what, genius?

Mari reaches into his pocket, and the driver, now on high alert, starts dialing an emergency number.

Driver: What are you doing?! Take your hands out of your pocket. I'm warning you!

Mari: Take a chill pill. I'm just reaching for my glasses.

Slowly, Mari pulls out a small case, opens it, and puts on a pair of eyeglasses. Then, raising his hands in the air, he glances at Mario.

Mari: (to Mario) Do as I do, O.

Mario: (to Mari) Are you nuts?

The driver stares at them in utter confusion, lowering his phone slightly.

Driver: Who are you people?

Mario clenches his fists, stepping closer.

Mario: Is that your idea of a prank?

Mari: Hush, O.

He turns back to the driver.

Mari: You're a taxi driver, aren't you? You brought us here for a whole lot of money.

Mari pays the fee, grabs their luggage, and starts walking away.

Mari: Have a safe trip back, sir.

The driver blinks, rubbing his temple as if trying to remember something.

Driver: Thank you… Even though my memory is still a bit fuzzy.

Mari tosses Mario his bag.

Mari: Let's go, O.

Mario glares at him.

Mario: You're just gonna let him go?

Mari: Just trust me and keep walking.

The driver starts his car and pulls away.

Mario: What's the big idea? You tell him everything, he freaks out, and you let him go?

Mari: It's not an act. He doesn't remember anything from the moment we got into his car, and those memories aren't coming back.

Mario: … Do you mean the glasses…?

Mari: Yes. This is just one of many ways in which they come.

Mario: Yeesh. You didn't think it wise for me to know all this before now?

Mari: Don't whine. Just enjoy the view.

Mari takes out his D-pad and checks the map.

Mari: We're close to the rendezvous point. We're hours late.

Mario: Isn't that bad?

Mari: It is, but I'm the squad leader. So, they'll have to wait.

The map leads them to a hotel room. Mari knocks, and they are allowed in. Inside, most of the squad members are already there, greeting him respectfully.

Mari: Sorry for being late.

Yash: It's really you. CIT Mari in the flesh. Can I touch you?

Yash grins in excitement.

Jolie: What an obsessed freak. He's been waiting for this moment his whole life.

Mari: Let's introduce ourselves then.

Humberto: I don't mean to be rude, sir, but I think I should inform you that a member of this squad refused to wait for you and left on his own.

Mari's expression shifts.

Mari: Who?

Humberto: CIT Renard.

Mari freezes, his grip on his bag tightening.

Mari: No way… Renard is part of the squad? This is bad…