Chapter 202: Threat Confirmed

Another squirrel.

That was the plan, but this time I added one more variable to make sure I knew what I was dealing with. If this amulet was helping me resist the memory erasure, then what happens to someone without it?

Beep!

[Found anything, Cael?]

“I found something, but I need to confirm it first.”

[And it is?]

“I just need you to remember that I’m holding a squirrel, that’s it.”

[That’s it?]

“Yeah.”

[Okay… but how is this important, exactly?]

“Well… call it an experiment. I’ll call you soon once I’m done.”

[Well… I hope your experiment goes well, then.]

“Love you.”

I could hear Evelina chuckle through the transceiver.

[Yeah, love you too.]

Beep!

Perfect. Now that was done, this new experiment of mine could finally get underway. Then I’d be out of here in no time. The last thing I needed was to stay here longer than necessary. If something could survive the full force of my black flames, then it’s definitely not something I want to deal with.

I might like to fight, but I’d rather not fight something stronger than me if I can help it. I’m still a pragmatist.

[Holy Flame Manipulation]

“Down you go.”

Fwoosh!

I tossed the squirrel below once again and waited for it to land.

THUD!

A few seconds later…

[The Serpent’s Amulet Resisted Memory Erasure]

H-Huh?

What was I doing again?

[The Serpent’s Amulet Resisted Memory Erasure]

Right…

That was definitely tripping me out. Even with resistance to memory erasure, that brief second where I forgot was incredibly disorienting.

Now that I think about it, though, it could be useful—as a pet or as a disposal method—if… well… it could be contained consistently enough.

But enough theories.

Beep!

[Hey, done with the experiment?]

“Yeah. By the way, did I talk to you about a squirrel?”

[A squirrel? What do you mean?]

Yeah, that pretty much confirms it.

“Can you tell me what I said during the previous call?”

[Well, you were planning on doing something, right? That’s about everything you told me. Why?]

“I think I’ve finally figured out why this place was abandoned—or, more importantly, why all the weird things have been happening around here.”

[Really? Then don’t waste time there. With the way you’re describing it, I don’t want you staying there any longer.]

“Got it.”

Beep!

That confirmed it. Whatever was underneath there erased the existence of whatever it attacked. Memories, existence, everything and everyone. Terrifying—but more importantly… what does Nyx have to do with something like this?

“Well… it seems contained for now, but I should make sure.”

[Dark Step]

I teleported to the building’s entrance, closed the huge steel gate, and welded it shut with black flames. While it didn’t seem like the thing could get out of its hole, I wasn’t taking any chances.

Death was fine for me, but I couldn’t risk being touched by something like that—let alone letting it touch Evelina.

Death wasn’t permanent in this world, but whatever that thing did? It was definitely more permanent than death.

And I’d rather not have the two of us forget each other when that thing somehow escapes and creeps up on us.

“That should do it.”

No way anyone could go in or out now unless they teleported inside. And considering almost everyone in this entire city had forgotten this place existed, no one would be able to teleport in.

And even if someone did find a picture that led inside and also had the ability to teleport, they wouldn’t be my problem.

***

[Dark Step]

“So, what did you find?”

Evelina turned in her chair, crossing her legs as she waited for my report. Behind her was a tall stack of papers, each one meticulously scanned and marked with notes as she cross‑referenced every detail.

She was planning to dominate the inner district by using the outer district—to make the inner district dependent on her. She wasn’t just leeching; she was aiming to make the inner district completely reliant on her.

“I don’t think we can rebuild the mining company,” I said. “There’s something strange there—a monster that can erase the memories of whatever it attacks.”

Evelina tilted her head, clearly recalling my earlier question about a squirrel.

“So the squirrel…?”

“Yes. You’d forgotten about it.”

“But why do you remember?”

“This.” I gestured to my amulet.

“That’s lucky, don’t you think?”

“Well, everything seems to be lucky when it revolves around you.”

Evelina smiled, then turned back to her desk. She began scratching out several items from her notes—everything related to the mining company.

“Do you think it can escape?” she asked.

“It seems to have been trapped there for years, as far as I know. Either that, or it erased all traces of whatever it hunted until today. For all we know, it might come out from time to time.”

“That’s a problem…” Evelina leaned back in her chair, tapping her fingers against her elbow.

She couldn’t exactly move forward with her plans while a strange, powerful entity lurked just outside the city. Even if she had me—someone who could resist its memory erasure—it was still incredibly risky.

“How far is it from us?”

“If you drive at full speed, a few hours away. And judging from how fast it moved when it attacked me, it’s much slower than that.”

“So there’s no need to panic just yet,” she said. “Just check whenever something feels off with your memories. I might forget, but you won’t. If it doesn’t act for a week, we can assume it’s trapped. If it does… well, then we’ll have to report it to the academy and let them handle it.”

“I’m guessing you’d prefer the first option?”

“Of course. Do you know how useful that thing would be if we could contain it?”

Evelina turned to me again, a dangerous smile spreading across her face. It was the kind of smile that promised many enemies and threats would disappear. It might have been a double‑edged blade, but she had me to keep track of what was being erased.

“Good job. I’m almost done here, thanks to you,” she said. “I suggest you go train for now. I’m much stronger than you now compared to before, don’t you think?”

“There’s no arguing with that.”

“Then go train. As far as everyone knows, you’re still the same as before. It’ll be dangerous if you don’t get used to… that.”

She nodded toward me, implying all the changes I’d gone through ever since the Shadow Society troubles.

“Already on it. But promise you’ll call me as soon as you’re finished.”

“No need to remind me~.”

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