Death Leveling Chapter 41

[ … words ]

The perspective of Angelo:

“Sir Angelo, I’ve got a rather peculiar report for you—it’s regarding a spike in activity directly around the walls.”

“Activity?—a new MANA byproduct again?” I replied indifferently, with no expectations.

“Not quite—organ hunters have been sighted meddling with departing Players.”

I raised my eyebrow. “Organ hunters?—what could they possibly want from Players?”

Glanced back at the desk filled with papers—a stack that would make any employed man vomit from just the sight.

“To skip the queue for you: we think they’re after MANA—no other reason to go after players.”

Organ hunters are notoriously famous for going after children and women, they avoid adults and men at all costs—going after System users would be suicide, they should be taught that from birth to end.

“Are you certain they’re… organ hunters?”

Still multi-tasking all the paper work and this conversation, the depth of my ponderance was but feet deep.

“This information is certain. In all likelihood, it’s a change of market—their employers seem to have a shift in priority and value,” answered Scar.

“Is anyone on this case yet?”

Yet again, my eyes weren’t focusing on the conversation.

“Of course, highly reliable Players as well!”

“Good, good—update me as soon as possible.” Then upon abrupt remembrance, added, “and is Fisk here yet?”

“Huh, it’s only 5 PM—is he supposed to be this early today?”

Nodded my head faintly and solely for myself, still buried in paperwork. “I’ve got some business to attend to, so I asked him to take his shift early—he agreed.”

“I see… I could call him if you so wish, although he’s likely just asleep,” Scar pondered, for the first time in this conversation breaking his consistently firm disposition.

“I’ll just stop by his place—you take over for an hour or so until then.” He immediately rubbed his eyebrow, letting out a gesture of quiet resignation.

Left the building, down the elevator and exited the building.

City lights and MANA—knowing the exact infrastructure does make you feel different walking around here, doesn’t it?

“Third floor was it…”

Rang the doorbell and… nothing. Sigh.

Entered—could do so freely.

So dirty—cans of energy drinks all over—typical for a nightshifter, isn’t it?

Peered the bedroom door open… just slightly.

“Fisk… fisk…” whispers carried my voice.

“Uhhhmm… Angelo, dat you?—why’re ya here?”

“Wakey, wakey!”

“Man, why are you entering people’s apartments like this—this is power-abuse,” he whispered sleepily, still in a daze… “wait, wait—don’t look!!” yelled the last part…

Immediately, a cheeky grin popped up on my face—I had to see his face!!

Then, sat up on his bed holding his palm over his face—his hand began glowing blue, and then he moved his hand away and yet again his face had his typical get-up: jester’s makeup—a clown.

“Tehe!” he let out… sassily.

“I don’t get why it’s such a big secret with you people—why do you keep hiding your faces under masks?—do you go on dates like this too?” I inquired in genuine curiosity.

“Dates? My life is my work!” proudly, he exclaimed…

“Why are you stealing my lines?” I replied, knowing that that was a line I had previously told him in multiple instances.

“Why would I… why would I…” he said as he playfully bobbed his head from side to side, with sparks emitting almost miraculously.

Fisk… one of the few Players that don’t use their System at all.

Guy’s a genius with MANA—he was initially rejected by the Soul, but then he ended up not waiting for adjustments to be made for him: learned how to harvest his essence all on his own.

“Have fun on your date, Angelo!” upon saying that, yet again he put his palm over his face—quickly moved it away, and his expression changed from indifference to a giddy smile.

“Quite in character, aren’t you?”

“Of course!! What’s wrong with that?!” In jest, he puffed his cheeks saying that!

Then raised his hand and… “boo!”

He whispered in my ear, appearing behind me while still sitting cross-legged on the bed.

Suddenly, the version of himself on the bed started flaking out and rapidly vibrating.

“Feed my cat before you go, won’t ya?” he asked rhetorically, not leaving me any choice in the matter.

And then, the version of himself that stood also began emitting the same symptoms as his earlier clone.

I know that they’re not actual clones, but his technique truly is terrifying—how does he get these mirrors to act in-character with himself when he’s already elsewhere?—how does that work?

I happen to be a hopeless System abuser, so I wouldn’t know how to actually manipulate MANA—and I don’t particularly think there’s any need for me to change that, so I’ll remain ignorant for the rest of my life.

Fed his cat; returned to my place; dressed up and left—went straight for McDonalds.

Sat down and waited for her.

“Hi, hi—did you wait long?” she asked as she sat down.

“Not at all—just got here myself.”

McDonalds is quite the restaurant—they got extremely widespread after the boom, therefore somewhat looked down upon in terms of being a sustainable job, but the food is otherworldly… literally… and expensive for that very reason!

“Can’t believe you’re treating me to this place!! What do you even work as?!” she inquired playfully yet inquisitively.

“Ah, I work for the government—at a big Information Center— it’s boring stuff, you wouldn’t want to know.”

She’s pretty, but I do admit that I prefer white girls. I’ll have to see how her personality holds up…

“I see, I see… You always go to fancy places like this?”

Awkwardly chuckled, as I put my hand behind my head.

“Some— sometimes, you know— when I can.”

A couple of hours passed and…

“I fumbled again, didn’t I?”

Stepped and stepped, on the rainy concrete now with darkness surrounding the city.

I suppose, I really should prioritize work… can’t be chasing chicks, can I?

Sigh.

Walked back to my apartment and lied down—a feeling of loneliness breezed through me, in solitude I closed my eyes and departed into deep sleep.

“Organ hunters, though… I wonder what’s that about…”

I’ll leave the thinking to my tomorrow self…