Chapter 81: Clarification

“It is exactly like Yime said.” Jorg answered. “The full name is Mystic Investigation Office. It’s one of the 12 branches of the Suppression Bureau. They investigate mystic crimes that blur the line between the spiritual and the mundane. They monitor rogue practitioners who operate outside Bureau jurisdiction. You could see them as occult detectives, not soldiers, though many of their field agents are skilled combatants.” He finished.

“Who can I compare them to in everyday life?” Makun got the gist of it but needed a more accurate image.

“Hmmm.” Jorg thought deep, running through the different security services offered by the government in the USA. “Think of them as the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit mixed with Interpol’s reach and the CIA’s ability to operate in the shadows.”

Makun nodded. He had a better image in his head now, resumed in just a few points; highly secretive, transnational task force focused on high-threat, complex, and often border-transcending threats. From terrorism, organized crime, lone actors, to foreign intelligence threats, and more.

He was interested. Only by joining such a force could he get a chance, a chance at knowing his situation. A chance to know the truth about the chains.

From the amount of information Yime dumped on him at the Pier market, Makun knew they had access to a lot of information.

If he could get hold of that information, he might find some answers.

It was a good move, he was interested but one thing he had learned was not to be overly eager in negotiations, or when you wanted something.

Not only was it going to reduce his value in her mind, accepting directly without scraping more information was going to expose him to the unknown.

I need more info. That was everything he had needed ever since he entered this world.

“What are some of the skills you deem necessary to be an agent of the MIO?”

Makun’s vision was farther than what Yime, or Jorg could imagine. If he wanted the truth he had to dive deep into mysticism and to do that, he needed influence and power.

With the MIO as an option, moving up the ranks was a solution. He needed to upgrade quick.

And for that, he had to be sure what skills were needed, and he was going to work on it.

“Excellent question.” Jorg praised. Not everyone was fit for MIO, he knew it best. “The skills necessary, everything that can get a case solved in the best of manners.” He continued. “Investigation, Intelligence, Combat, Analysis, and Diplomacy. If I left any out, Yime will brief you.”

Makun nodded for a second time. He had expected this answer. It was literally named the Mystic Investigation Office. And he was sure each of those skills had their specifics.

He could imagine Tracking, or hunting being part of investigation. Strategy being part of intelligence and so on.

He moved to the next question, but this time he looked at Yime who had sat quiet listening to Jorg speak. “What do you want me for? What is it I am going to do if I join?”

“What you are going to do is simple Makun.” Yime started. “Warriors like you usually do fieldwork. Mostly… you also track targets, and neutralize threats. Sometimes you investigate crime scenes, sometimes you hunt entities from the Deep.”

“The MIO doesn’t just throw you at problems. They analyze first, then deploy. You’d work with a team. Scholars, Seers, maybe another Warrior. It’s not solo work.” She finished her gaze lingering on his bandages. “Is it clear?”

Makun nodded once more, his head hurt from the constant nodding.

That is a good opportunity to get experience. A good opportunity to get epiphanies through lived experiences.

But what is the catch?

From different life experiences, Makun knew there was always a catch. If even ascension and reconnection to the source was not for free, then this would not be for free.

“What do you want from me? You want to use me?”

A smile, neither Makun nor Jorg could see, appeared on Yime’s face. She had never seen someone as straightforward as Makun.

“Everyone uses everyone, Makun. The question is whether you get something out of it and if the thing you get is proportional to what you give. The MIO can train you, protect you from the Council, give you resources. In exchange, you work cases, hunt for us and investigate mystic crimes. It’s a job Makun, not slavery. You are going to be remunerated, with a salary at the end of the month.” She said clarifying his doubts.

When he looked at her, although he could not read her expression, he had a hunch she had omitted something from her explanations. He said nothing. And continued with his round of questions.

As such Makun asked about everything he thought about, the risk of working there, the salary, some examples of cases….. He made sure to clarify everything he could. If he had to take a decision, he needed to be sure.

Who knew? Maybe this was just his life being directed in such a way he fell into a pool of lava. That was the pattern of his life

“Do I even have a choice in the matter? What if I say no?” He asked, his question directed at Yime.

“Technically, yes you do have a choice, but realistically, no. I am sure you noticed you are an anomaly, some kind of walking disaster.”

Yeah thanks for letting me know! Makun grumbled internally but patiently waited for her to continue.

“The Bureau won’t leave someone like you alone. The MIO is offering you structure, training, and a purpose. Do you really want to say no? Makun I have looked at your memory, remember? We both know your situation. The alternative for you is running for the rest of your life or ending up in a containment cell. So yeah, you do have a choice. It’s just not a smart one. And you are a very smart individual.”

From the change in demeanor, Makun could tell Yime was acting as a leader, rather than the merchant he had met at the night market. She had the best arguments to convince him.

“One last question. If I join, can I leave?” Makun did not want to end it. He had sworn he would not be some puppet.

“Not easily.” She said, a sigh almost escaping her mouth. “We invest in you with training, resources, and classified intel. If you want out, you’ll need approval. And even then, you’ll be monitored for the rest of your life. Once you’re in the mystic world, Makun, you don’t leave. You just choose which side you’re on.” She concluded.

A chill went through Makun’s spine. Everything spoke about going down this path for true freedom. The book had mentioned that, Yime herself had said it.

Now she was saying how he could not leave once he entered. Where was the freedom?

Before he could think further, he heard Yime’s soft voice cut through.

“So what do you choose, Makun?”

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