Cursed Flower - The Hunt Begins

After that, the four of us headed to District 4 to meet someone named Weston, traveling by car with Dante driving and Arion acting as the navigator.

Meanwhile, Joshua and I sat in the back as passengers.

While waiting to reach our destination, Joshua and I ate our lunch.

After a while, the vehicle drove through narrow streets lined with old buildings and fragile-looking houses.

Occasionally, we passed groups of people busy with their activities, some of whom glanced at our car with curious looks.

I turned my attention to Joshua, who was enjoying his sandwich.

"Where exactly is the slum where this person lives?" 

"The area is right behind District 4. Unfortunately, I don't know his exact house. But everyone in this district knows him, so we can ask them."

"We're almost there," Arion informed us.

The car came to a stop in front of the main street leading into the slum area.

Arion stepped out first, followed by Dante, then Joshua and me.

We stood facing the slums ahead, a place teeming with harsh life and despair. The narrow streets were filled with garbage, and the air was heavy with unpleasant odors. The ramshackle houses appeared fragile and cramped, as though waiting for the moment they would collapse.

"Let's go."

We followed Arion into the slum.

The already narrow streets became even tighter, forcing us to walk closer together.

Ragged figures stood at street corners or sat along the paths, watching us without blinking. I felt their stares—heavy, suspicious, and unwelcoming.

"Eira," Joshua's voice was low behind me, just loud enough for me to hear. "I don't think they're too happy about us being here."

"What were you expecting?" I replied curtly, keeping my gaze fixed straight ahead.

"Do you need something?"

Our steps came to a halt as a deep voice broke the silence.

I turned to look in the direction of the voice. A burly middle-aged man with a faint scar crossing his right cheek and a rugged frame was seated with a group of people in front of a shabby bar. His sharp eyes studied us intently, unblinking.

Joshua swallowed nervously, but I remained silent.

"We don't get visitors often, especially ones who look like you," the man continued in a cold, suspicious tone.

I glanced to the side where Arion stood, his arms folded.

"We're just looking for someone," Arion said simply, his tone cold and direct.

The man raised an eyebrow, as if demanding further explanation. "And who might that be?" he asked.

"Weston," Arion replied flatly, causing an abrupt silence to fall over the area.

Some of those who had been sitting in groups began exchanging glances, their expressions shifting from suspicion to caution.

Arion then revealed the emblem of the Eden organization to them.

"I need the information he has for further investigation about the Blightwalkers in Clementia City."

There was a brief silence. The man then stood up, the chair he had been sitting on creaking loudly.

He gestured to a few people around him.

"Stay here and keep an eye on this place," he said before turning back to us.

"Follow me. I'll take you to him."

Hmm, I didn't expect him to cooperate.

Noticing my puzzled expression, Joshua began explaining to me. 

"Many people remain neutral or willingly assist the Finire, especially those from the Eden Organization." 

"Why?" I asked. 

"Because we only handle Blightwalker cases. After all, the cities in this kingdom can function as they do thanks to this organization." 

I see...

We began walking behind him, heading deeper into the slum.

After walking for a while, we arrived in front of a dilapidated house that looked neglected, with a rocking chair sitting on its porch.

Joshua moved closer to me and whispered,

"Does someone really live here?"

"This is Weston's place," I replied.

Before I could respond to Joshua further, the man had already answered him.

Bang! Bang!

The sound of loud knocking echoed.

"Weston! Come out!"

The man knocked on the door again, harder this time.

"Weston! I know you're in there!"

After a few moments, the sound of shuffling came from inside the house, followed by the loud creak of rusty hinges as the door slowly opened.

Standing there was a man in his thirties, with messy hair and a thick beard.

The smell of alcohol was heavy in the air, but his eyes were sharp as he looked at each of us in turn.

"Is now really the time to yell like maniacs outside my house?" Weston muttered.

"They want to talk to you," the man said.

"I can see that. Come in."

The man gave us a brief nod before stepping back into his house without much ceremony.

Arion and Dante followed him inside, with Joshua hesitating slightly before entering as well.

The interior of Weston's house was just as grim as its exterior. Dusty furniture, creaking floorboards with every step, and the smell of alcohol filled the air, giving the entire place an air of neglect.