West Tivian, Coal Ash District.
In the afternoon, a large black carriage is parked by the roadside in front of the Coal Ash District police station. Inside the chief’s office of the police station, Edmond, the stationed captain of the Tivian’s Serenity Bureau, sits lazily in the police chief’s chair, gazing at the district map on the wall.
At this moment, Edmond’s Hunters are busy organizing crime files brought from the archives, marking the crime locations on the map. Seeing the dense cluster of points in the center and the sparse distribution radiating outward, Edmond nods silently.
"Concentrated in the center, sparse on the outskirts... This radial distribution is a typical manifestation of a mystical ability whose intensity decreases with distance. Sigh... It seems this wave is indeed within our jurisdiction. There’s no escaping responsibility..."
Looking at the situation on the map, Edmond sighs. The pattern on the map is clear: the densest point is the source of some kind of mystical radiation. It could be an out-of-control Beyonder or a damaged mystical item. Regardless, this is undeniably their responsibility.
"Uh, sir, may I ask why there’s been such a sudden surge in crime in the Coal Ash District recently..."
The police chief standing beside Edmond nervously asks, to which Edmond casually replies.
"Yes, there are indeed hidden factors at play. Don’t worry, we’ll handle it."
Edmond’s response makes it clear that this incident is caused by a mystical ability capable of long-range, large-scale mental influence—either a Beyonder or a mystical item.
Hearing Edmond’s words, the police chief breathes a sigh of relief. The rapid deterioration of public safety in the Coal Ash District over the past half-month has put immense pressure on him. The sheer volume of crimes could easily lead to a charge of severe dereliction of duty.Fortunately, the higher-ups have recognized the unusual nature of these incidents and sent professionals to investigate, confirming that hidden forces are at play. This shifts the primary responsibility away from the regular police, and the anxious police chief finally feels a weight lifted off his shoulders.
"Understood... These cases are quite severe. We’ll do our best to assist in your investigation. Please let us know if you need anything."
The police chief speaks with relief, and Edmond waves his hand dismissively.
"Generally, we won’t need much. Just do your jobs as usual, and don’t cause any trouble." Edmond says, and the police chief quickly nods in agreement. At this moment, a Hunter approaches and reports to Edmond.
"Captain Edmond, we’ve finished organizing all the files."
Hearing the report, Edmond puts his feet down from the desk and stands up from the chief’s chair. He leisurely walks over to the map on the wall, with the police chief following closely behind.
Looking at the map, Edmond focuses on the densest area in the center. After staring at the location’s name for a moment, he turns to the police chief and asks.
"Charcoal Junction... Is there anything suspicious about this place?"
"Charcoal Junction? Suspicious... Let me think. Ah, sir, there’s a house at that junction that was burned down in a fire. The fire was quite severe—it killed an entire family. Fortunately, it was extinguished in time and didn’t spread to other buildings. The place has been abandoned for a long time, and only homeless people sleep there now."
The police chief reports, and Edmond nods in response. He then turns to his Hunters and says.
"Change into plain clothes. Let’s go take a look."
"Yes, Captain."
Soon, Edmond leads his Hunters out of the chief’s office. After they leave, the police chief visibly relaxes. He walks to the window and watches as the Hunters board their carriage and drive off into the distance. His expression grows serious.
…
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit, luxuriously decorated small room, a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties sits on a sofa. The man, dressed in simple robes with messy gray hair, has a glass of red wine and a plate of fresh, bloody meat in front of him. In his hands, he holds a massive, peculiar scepter. The scepter’s shaft is as thick as an arm, and its head is spherical, the size of a basketball, wrapped in red canvas. The man sits with his eyes closed, gently stroking the canvas-covered spherical head.
"Hah... I didn’t expect the ’Black Dogs’ to arrive so quickly. Coincidentally, they’re here at the same time as the star and her entourage... It seems the Coal Ash District is quite alluring..."
As he strokes the scepter, the man murmurs to himself. He looks at the Coal Ash District map on the table next to the red wine, his gaze fixed on Charcoal Junction.
"In that case, why not arrange a little ’encounter’ for you?"
The man continues, a faint smile curling on his lips.
…
West Tivian, Coal Ash District, Charcoal Junction.
Charcoal Junction is a triangular intersection in the Coal Ash District. Like the rest of the district, the ground and buildings are covered in a thin layer of ash. The intersection sees a moderate flow of pedestrians and carriages, but it’s not particularly bustling.
On one side of the intersection stands a charred stone building that stands out among the surrounding structures. This three-story building, which was once engulfed in flames, is quite noticeable, but the locals have grown accustomed to its presence, so it doesn’t attract much attention—except from those who have just arrived at the intersection.
At one corner of the intersection, Adèle and Ed, disguised with hats and sunglasses, stand together, gazing at the burned-out building not far away. After examining the charred structure for a moment, Ed whispers.
"This seems to be the most suspicious spot in the entire intersection. Adèle, do you sense anything?"
"Not yet. So far, I haven’t detected anything unusual. There doesn’t seem to be any trace of the Desire Dancer’s ability here. We might need to go inside the building to find something."
Adèle responds quietly, her gaze fixed on the blackened building. From afar, Dorothy uses a raven marionette flying in the sky to observe the intersection and then flies into the building for a preliminary inspection. Finding nothing unusual, she has Ed continue.
"Hmm... The source of this out-of-control Beyonder abilities should be nearby, and that building is the most likely candidate. I’ve already sent my animal marionette to scout inside. It’s just empty ruins and homeless people’s straw beds—nothing special."
"Perhaps... there’s something hidden inside using mystical power, or some kind of mechanism? Maybe we should go in and take a look. Many mystical traces can’t be detected by marionettes." Adèle suggests, and Ed nods in agreement.
"Alright, let’s find a quiet spot to—"
Just as Ed is about to continue, Dorothy, using the raven marionette for aerial surveillance, suddenly notices something. Through the marionette’s vision, she sees a black carriage approaching from a distance.
Although the carriage looks ordinary at first glance, closer inspection reveals that its cabin is slightly larger than usual, and the horses pulling it are noticeably stronger. The carriage is also cleaner than most in the Coal Ash District, with no ash covering it.
Seeing this somewhat unusual carriage stop at Charcoal Junction, Dorothy immediately stops Ed from suggesting they enter the building. Instead, she continues to observe the black carriage. Several men in plain clothes step out and immediately turn their attention to the charred building, discussing something.
"What’s wrong?"
Noticing something unusual about Ed, Adèle whispers, and Dorothy has Ed respond in a low voice.
"Hold on. Some other people have arrived, and they seem to be targeting that building too. Let’s wait and see."
Ed warns Adèle, then glances at the group of men by the black carriage across the intersection. Adèle, noticing their presence, tenses slightly and nods, agreeing to Ed’s suggestion.
After spotting the black carriage, Ed and Adèle decide to hold their position and observe. Meanwhile, on the other side, Edmond, who has just stepped out of the carriage, exchanges a few words with his subordinates before turning his gaze to the charred building.
"That’s the place, huh? Well, this area’s most suspicious spot is right there... Let’s take a look."
With that, Edmond leads his team toward the burned-out building. Hidden in the shadows, Ed and Adèle silently watch, deciding not to engage with these mysterious newcomers and instead observe before making a move.
…
In the dimly lit, luxuriously decorated small room, the man stroking the scepter suddenly opens his eyes. His brown eyes gleam with a piercing light.
"Quite sharp, aren’t you, starlet... You noticed the ’Black Dogs’ as soon as they arrived. Impressive…”
"But if that’s the case, you won’t cross paths. Well then, let me give you a little push..."
Murmuring to himself, the man closes his eyes again, then stands up from the sofa. He raises the abnormally large scepter in his hands, and the spherical head wrapped in red canvas begins to emit a strange glow.
…
Charcoal Junction.
Edmond is about to lead his team to the charred building for further inspection when a commotion catches his attention.
"Hey! Watch where you’re going! Are you trying to pick a fight?"
"I walk where I want! What’s it to you? Are you looking for trouble?"
Hearing the loud voices, Edmond stops and looks toward the source of the noise. At the intersection, two young men are arguing fiercely, shouting at each other.
"Admit it! You were trying to mess with me, weren’t you?"
"So what if I was? I’ve had enough of you!"
The two men are in the middle of the intersection, loudly arguing and even pulling out knives, seemingly ready to fight at any moment.
Although their argument seems intense, a closer listen reveals that they’re quarreling over trivial matters. The reason for their fight? They bumped into each other on the street and took offense!
But it’s not just these two. Behind them, other pedestrians suddenly start arguing loudly as well. A pedestrian argues with a beggar, a waiter argues with a customer, a married couple argues, and a fruit vendor argues with a customer.
"Hey! Hey! Is that all you’re giving? You’re dressed so well, can’t you spare a little more, you cheapskate?"
"Be grateful I gave you anything! Want a punch, you stinking beggar?"
…
"What kind of service is this? Is this how you talk to customers?"
"This is how I talk. What are you gonna do about it?"
...
"You jerk! Did you just check out that woman? The one with the sunglasses? I’ll kill you!"
"Go ahead, you hag! I’ll kill you and marry someone new!"
...
"Your scale’s off. This isn’t 16 pounds!"
"Are you looking for trouble? Just say if you want it or not!"
...
In an instant, the entire intersection erupts into chaos. People are arguing over the most trivial matters, their faces red with anger. The arguments quickly escalate from verbal insults to death threats, and soon, weapons are drawn.
The small Charcoal Junction suddenly becomes the scene of over a dozen heated arguments, with tensions rising rapidly. It seems like a bloodbath is about to break out.
Watching this scene from the roadside, Ed and Adèle frown. Adèle looks at the chaos and says gravely.
"This is the Desire Dancer’s ability..."
"The Desire Dancer... stirring up so many conflicts at once... Is your ability this powerful?"
"Yes... This is our specialty. We can take a fleeting moment of dissatisfaction and inflate it into a deep-seated hatred, turning complete strangers into mortal enemies ready to kill each other…”
"This scale of ability... My teacher must be nearby! Let me calm the desires stirred up in their hearts."
Adèle says, then focuses on the chaotic crowd, using her own ability to soothe the boiling emotions.
Meanwhile, the sudden chaos also catches the attention of Edmond and the Hunters. Edmond looks at the frenzied crowd, his previously relaxed expression now tense.
“This... is a Beyonder ability, and it’s the same one that’s been affecting the Coal Ash District recently. It’s manifesting on such a large scale now?”
Watching the scene, Edmond thinks to himself. Faced with this rapidly escalating situation that could lead to numerous casualties, he feels a sense of urgency.
“This Beyonder ability is causing harm again, and this time on such a large scale. If we don’t stop it immediately, it’ll lead to a massacre! We must act quickly and find the source of this mystical power!”
As he thinks this, Edmond begins scanning the area, trying to locate the source of the mystical influence.
In his eagerness to save lives, Edmond’s desire to "find the source of the mystical power" grows stronger. Unbeknownst to him, an unseen force begins to guide this desire in a specific direction.
Guided by this urgent desire, Edmond looks across the street and spots a man and a woman standing there. Amidst the chaos, they appear calm, intently watching the commotion.
To Edmond, this seems unnatural, especially the woman in sunglasses, who now stands out in his eyes.
"Found you... the mastermind behind this."