Path of the Unmentioned: The Missing Piece

[Kyle's Apartment]

Kyle stood in the small but clean kitchen. Holding a wooden spoon in one hand as he stirred the thick curry bubbling gently in the pot.

The air was rich with the scent of turmeric, cumin, garlic, and a hint of chili.

All blending together into a warm, mouthwatering aroma.

A bit of steam rolled up from the surface, fogging the glass window near the sink.

He gave the pot another stir. Making sure nothing stuck to the bottom, then lowered the flame.

The curry had been cooking for a while now, and the spices had blended into a deep, rich color.

It looked good, better than the rushed meals he usually made, and he hoped Aurelia would like it.

With one hand still on the spoon. He reached for his phone on the counter. Unlocking it with a quick swipe.

His eyes moved across the screen. Scanning the latest financial updates.

Among all the boring data and charts. One company name made him stop.

Veyron Industries.

Their stock graph was a steep red line going down. Bad numbers.

Another scandal. Some news about failed experiments. Investors were jumping ship.

But Kyle's lips curled into a slow, knowing smirk.

In the novel. Veyron Industries had made a major breakthrough in mana-core stabilization.

A game-changing discovery.

Within three months, their stock had surged. And people who had bought in during the slump had become rich overnight.

'No one else knows what I know,' Kyle thought. Setting the spoon aside and covering the pot with its lid.

He wiped his hands on a towel and walked to his room. The floor quiet beneath his socks.

He opened the drawer of his desk and pulled out something sleek and black.

His mask. The artifact he borrowed (stole) from Aurelia.

Dian Vorsk's face.

It wasn't just a disguise.

The artifact changed his voice.

Distorted his mana signature, and gave him the presence of someone older, sharper, and dangerous.

It was the identity he had once used to infiltrate the Viper Gang. He hadn't put it on in a while.

He secured the mask over his face.

A faint hum passed through him as it activated. Fitting snugly and shifting his features into someone else's entirely.

Then. He tapped the glowing blue comm-crystal on his desk.

The holographic screen blinked to life.

Flickering for a few seconds before settling on a sharp logo: Gray Owl Consultations.

A stylized bird with golden eyes staring from the shadows.

Two rings. Then a face appeared.

A man in his late thirties filled the screen. Marcel.

His salt-and-pepper hair was slicked back. His dark green eyes calm and unreadable.

He wore a suit, the top button of his shirt undone. Making him look both professional and dangerous.

"Gray Owl Consultations. Marcel speaking."

Kyle leaned back. Fingers steepled in front of him. His voice came out deeper now, colder.

"Marcel. It's been a while."

The older man blinked in recognition. "Dian. Still breathing. I see."

"Barely," Kyle said with a dry chuckle. "But I'm not here to chat. I have a proposal."

Marcel raised an eyebrow. "Another gang infiltration? Black market deal?"

"Nothing so flashy," Kyle said. "I want to invest. Quietly."

Marcel's expression shifted, more serious now. "In what?"

"Veyron Industries."

A pause.

Marcel leaned forward slightly. "Their stock is sinking fast. Everyone's pulling out."

Kyle gave a small shrug. "Which means it's cheap. And I happen to know they're about to make a recovery. A big one."

Marcel squinted at him. "You have got inside info?"

"Let's say I have… reliable predictions," Kyle replied. Choosing his words carefully.

Marcel sighed. Pulling up a floating data screen of his own. Numbers flickered across it.

"How much are you putting in?"

"100,000 crystas. For now"

That got Marcel's attention. He paused mid-type. "That's not pocket change."

"It will be once the stock triples," Kyle said confidently.

Another long pause. Marcel looked at him through the screen, eyes sharp.

"Alright. I'll move the funds through your usual channels."

Kyle nodded. "Keep it discreet."

"Always. Send me your authorization."

Kyle tapped his crystal again. Transferring an encrypted confirmation file.

Marcel glanced down at the file in his hands. Then looked up at Kyle through the flickering hologram.

"Alright. Got it. I'll take care of the rest," he said, voice calm but edged with caution.

"But if this blows up—"

"It won't," Kyle interrupted, firm and quick.

Marcel paused for a second, watching Kyle's face.

Then he sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Fine, fine," he muttered.

There was a soft rustle as he moved the papers around on his desk.

"I'll set up the shell accounts like you asked. But you remember my cut, yeah?"

"Five percent," Kyle said. "Straight from the profits."

Marcel gave a slow, satisfied nod. "Pleasure doing business. As always."

The call ended with a quiet beep. The hologram shimmered for a moment.

Then disappeared completely, leaving the room dim and still.

Only the faint hum of the mana crystal powering the device remained. Buzzing softly in the background like a distant insect.

Kyle sat there in the silence for a moment. Eyes lingering on the empty space where Marcel's image had just been.

Then he leaned back. Rubbing the tension out of his neck.

It was done.

Now, all he could do was wait.

———

Kyle pulled off the mask and placed it back into the drawer.

He let out a small breath. Then stretched his arms high above his head, feeling the satisfying pop of his shoulders.

He stepped out of his room and walked back to the kitchen. The soft padding of his socks barely making a sound on the floor.

The smell hit him stronger now. Warm, Rich, and slightly spicy.

The curry had thickened while he was away, and the scent of turmeric and cumin floated through the apartment like a gentle embrace.

His stomach gave a loud growl in response.

Kyle lifted the lid from the pot and gave the bubbling stew a careful stir.

Chunks of tender meat, soft potatoes, and carrots moved through the thick golden-brown sauce.

It looked good. The kind of meal that felt like comfort.

He moved to the rice cooker and peeked inside. The rice had finished steaming, each grain perfectly fluffy.

He turned the heat to low, just in time.

Just then. He heard the familiar sound of keys jingling at the front door.

A soft click followed, and the door slowly opened.

Aurelia stepped inside.

She looked tired. More than usual.

Her light jacket hung loosely over one arm, and her usually neat instructor uniform was wrinkled from a long day of work.

She had tied her dark hair up in a loose, messy bun, with a few strands falling over her face.

Her blue eyes, normally sharp and alert. Looked heavy with exhaustion.

She kicked off her shoes at the entrance and paused.

Then she inhaled deeply, her expression softening. "It smells amazing in here." she said with a tired smile.

"Is that curry?"

Kyle turned slightly. Still holding the wooden spoon in his hand. "Yeah. It's almost done. Go freshen up."

"Thank gods," she said. Her voice light but worn. "I'm starving."

She hung up her jacket and walked slowly down the hall to her room. Her steps quiet but dragging a little.

A few minutes later. They were sitting across from each other at the small wooden dining table.

Kyle had already scooped rice into two bowls and was now carefully pouring the hot curry on top.

The steam rose in soft spirals. Carrying the rich scent of spices.

The room felt warmer, cozier. Like all the tension of the day was melting away with every passing second.

Aurelia picked up her spoon and took a bite. She paused mid-chew, then smiled.

"Mmm. This is really good," she said, already going in for another bite. "Better than the one you made last time."

Kyle smirked. "Thanks."

He let out a quiet laugh and dug into his own meal.

The curry was thick and flavorful. The heat just enough to warm the mouth without overpowering it.

The rice soaked it up perfectly. It wasn't anything fancy, but it was hearty, and filling.

They ate like that for a while in silence.

Not the awkward kind. But the kind that felt easy. Comfortable.

The only sounds were the soft clinks of spoons against ceramic and the faint hum of the ceiling fan spinning above them.

After finishing a bit more than half her bowl. Aurelia looked up, still chewing, and asked, "How were your classes today?"

Kyle swallowed before answering.

"Same as always. Instructor Crater gave this long talk about world politics and demon gate activity. Said midterms are next week."

Aurelia nodded. Her expression turning more serious. "Right. Study hard," she said.

She Pointed her spoon at him like it was a weapon. "I want good marks from you this time. Not average."

Kyle gave an exaggerated sigh. "Yeah, yeah. I'll try not to shame the household."

Aurelia gave a short laugh. Shaking her head. "You're such a brat sometimes."

But her voice was soft. Teasing.

They went back to eating. This time, they chatted more, about little things.

A shop that had opened near the academy.

Rumors about a new dungeon being discovered in the eastern district.

Whether it would rain tomorrow. Nothing deep. Nothing serious.

For now, with the warm curry in their bowls. The soft light filling the apartment, and the smell of spices still lingering in the air.

It felt like a rare kind of peace.

———