Extra's Descent

76  Curse [1]

"More than enough."

"I see."

Brandon slowly closed his eyes.

Opening his eyes, Brandon pursed his lip.

"That's all I needed to know."

Kracka!

Blue sparks of lightning started to coil around Brandon like a snake.

At the same time, a wind barrier had formed and meshed around the lightning.

Step–!

Walking towards Oliver who's eyes were shot wide open, he was being pushed back onto the wall by the wind pressure.

Cr… Crack.

"Khh… W-hat are you—"

Brandon suddenly grabbed his neck. Narrowing his eyes, Brandon tightened his grip on Oliver's neck.

Of course, if it was a normal fight, Oliver would be leaps and bounds stronger than Brandon.

But that was if Brandon was any other regular mage.

[Mana Disruption]

No matter what kind of skill Oliver would use, it wouldn't materialize. He didn't know how to counter Brandon's outrageous skill.

Not like he was actively trying to hurt Brandon in the first place.

But still, it was absurd.

"Wait—Ukh!"

Brandon gripped his neck even more tighter. Oliver's veins had started to pop out and his face was slowly turning purple.

Holding onto Brandon's hand, Oliver tried to formulate his words.

"T-this is… a misunderstanding—Khh!"

Squinting his eyes, Brandon's lips parted open.

"What am I supposed to be misunderstanding here?"

"Let me go… first—Khh!"

But Brandon didn't budge.

"....!"

All of a sudden, the area around Brandon had started shifting.

Widening his eyes, Brandon looked around .

Green flames had started to wrap the area. The space around him was slowly becoming isolated.

Brandon knew what this was.

[Zone]

Oliver used his Zone.

At that very moment, green flames had started to form around Brandon's hand and slowly crept up on his arm.

"Akhhh!"

The green flames had started to burn his entire arm, and his grip on Oliver's neck immediately gave out.

Massaging his neck, Oliver looked at Brandon.

Snap—

With a snap of his finger, the green flames had disappeared.

His voice then reached Brandon.

"Like I said, you're misunderstanding everything."

Brandon knew he was acting on impulse.

But it couldn't be helped. Oliver was way stronger than him.

The surprise attack was his only advantage.

But Brandon kept his guard up and turned to look at Oliver.

Narrowing his eyes, Brandon's mouth parted open.

"...What do you mean?"

"I need your help."

Brandon's eyes widened.

Oliver continued.

"You're the only one who actually cared about the missing person case. All the other cowards actively ignored it. You're the only one I can ask…."

All of a sudden Oliver kneeled down and pleaded in front of Brandon.

"Please, help Everglade."

At that, Brandon's eyes shot wide open.

It was for that reason that he decided to approach him once he found out that the other sections didn't have any quests.

It could've been Vanessa, but she wasn't there when they were debriefed about the quests.

And most likely, she didn't even know.

But why him?

Oliver was way stronger than him.

If Everglade was in trouble, then he could've done it alone. Much less, ask help from the Academy.

But as if his thoughts were seemingly read, Oliver turned to look at him.

"I can't do it alone. I've pleaded… I've fucking pleaded with the Guild. But they… They wouldn't help a small city like Everglade…"

He clenched his fist and as soon as he did, green flames had started to form.

"I've told them everything, and yet…"

The green flames had started to wrap his behind like an aura.

"They think it's a fucking joke. Children have gone missing for the past year, and they won't even let me meet with the strongest Ranker."

He turned to look at Brandon with pleading eyes.

"This was the only thing I could do to get the Guild's attention. I know it's ridiculous to ask a student, but…"

Oliver looked down with a sad expression. Clenching his fist, his mouth parted open.

"Please, help me."

With widened eyes, Brandon was taken aback. His mouth opened but no words came out.

He couldn't find the right words to say as silence filled the entire zone.

There were others he could've asked for help from.

With his thoughts gathered, Brandon eventually broke the silence.

"You could've asked Evelyn, or Vanessa. In fact, Vanessa's already here."

"I've already done that."

"Oh…."

Brandon blinked.

"Then what about Evelyn?"

"I couldn't ask her directly. But I've left some clues behind."

"..."

'Is this guy serious?'

What's with being so cryptic about it?

The entire trip wouldn't have happened if he had just asked Evelyn directly.

But in the first place, Evelyn probably wouldn't accept it unless it had anything to do with Wraithbounds.

Looking at Oliver, Brandon asked,

"But if you've already asked Vanessa, then why did she approve of this trip?"

"I told her everything after we got here."

"..."

'This guy…'

He had dragged everyone into this mess out of their own volition.

It wasn't right.

Oliver wasn't right.

But looking at him, he seemed to look desperate.

No, it wouldn't be a stretch to say that he might have a screw loose in the head.

If this was his last attempt in saving his city, then it was a stupid plan.

He could've done something else.

But no, this was the conclusion he had come up with.

In the end, Brandon could only offer his assistance.

After all, it was related to the missing person case.

All to save Emma Aurae.

It's not like he was doing it to score points with Sarah.

No.

Just the thought of a little girl out there lost and crying made Brandon's heart heavy.

Once again, this world…

It was garbage.

At that, Oliver started to recount everything that had happened in Everglade.

***

After leaving Amy back at the hotel, Raven decided to roam around for more information

Despite Brandon assuring him that the current information was sufficient, Raven decided to offer additional help anyway.

The first thing on his agenda is to go to the nearby police station.

Entering inside the police station, there were officers who sat around everywhere.

They looked incompetent.

There were empty cups on the floor and donuts laying around the table.

Some of the officers were asleep, while some were fiddling on their phones.

"..."

Raven was taken aback.

The entire station was a mess and it seemed like none of the officers took their job seriously.

With such thoughts, Raven called out to them.

"Hey!"

At his call, some of the officers were startled as they looked back at him. While the ones who were asleep continued in their slumber.

Raven then retrieved something from his pocket.

Flashing it for everyone present to see, their eyes were wide open.

"...Oy wake up. A Special Force officer is here."

"Nghh, shut up."

Smack—!

One of the officers smacked the one who was asleep.

Rubbing his head, the officer frowned.

"Fuck was that… for—"

He then noticed Raven's appearance.

"O-officer, what can we do for you…?"

Breathing out a sigh, Raven stepped forward.

"I need all your documents regarding missing person cases."

"All of them?... Officer that's a bit–"

"Now."

Raven squinted his eyes.

Realizing the seriousness in his tone, all of the officers quickly got to work.

It took more than an hour for the officers to gather all the documents. And by the time they were done, the sun was about to set.

For the next few hours, Raven sat on one of the chairs and thoroughly scanned each document.

Flip–

Flipping each document, there was nothing peculiar about them. Or at least, nothing that had caught his attention.

After flipping for the 267th document, Raven's eyes widened in surprise.

"....What?"

[Missing Person]

[Date: October 30, 2142]

[Oliver White]

"Six years ago…?"