6.7: Evening Breeze.

Xavier: ““Only one to walk out of the N109 Zone unscathed,” “Wiped out three important factions in the N109 Zone overnight”...”

Xavier: “You believe that?”

MC: “I’m just curious. If he can waltz into a dangerous place like N109 Zone and leave without a scratch, he must know a lot “

Xavier: “Even if he’s in the know, he might not remember much if he has a bad memory.”

Xavier: “But the more important thing here is, are you interested in him or the N109 Zone?”

MC: “I’m... Did you forget what Captain Jenna said? If we want to investigate the modified Protocore, we need to look into Onychinus and the N109 Zone.”

Xavier: “The mission doesn’t require you to go there.”

MC: “...I wasn’t planning to. I thought I’d take a quick peek.”

Xavier: “Really?”

MC: “I’m well aware... it’s an area you can’t just visit because you feel like it.”

Xavier: “It’s a dangerous place. One mistake, and you forfeit your life. If you really want to go...”

Xavier: “Then you either have to have strength, or you have to blend in.”

MC: “...Care to explain?”

Xavier: “It’s more like a melting pot. Everyone knows where people’s loyalties lie, so they only acknowledge their allies.”

Xavier: “If you can’t use brute force, blending in is the easiest way. But it’s also quite the challenge.”

MC: “How do you know all this?”

Xavier: “This stuff isn’t top-secret. One just needs to dig a little.”

MC: “Yet no one said anything about it to me before...”

Xavier: “That’s enough gossiping for today. This is my house. You should head home, too. The sooner the better.”

MC: “Um... Actually, I live here...”

MC: “...In this building.”

6.8: Your Distance.

MC: (Never would I’ve expected this. Xavier lives on the floor above me...)

MC: “It’s not supervising. A lot of hunters live around here, but the fact that we’re only separated by a floor is a bit too coincidental.”

Xavier: “Actually, I moved in over six months ago. So that makes you more suspicious compared to me.”

MC: “Okay, but you know an awful lot about the N109 Zone. Are you sure you’re... not the suspicious one here?”

Xavier: “Well, what about you?”

MC; “...Huh?”

Xavier: “Is your interest in the N109 Zone only related to the modified Protocore?”

MC: “I... Ok, yeah, I do want to do. There’s something I need to do there.”

MC: “Could you give me some more info? If it’s not too much trouble, of course.”

Xavier: “...”

MC: (Is thay a yes or...)

Xavier: “If you’re so curious, we can meet up tomorrow.”

MC: “Really?”

Xavier: “It’s no problem as long as I get a good night’s sleep.”

MC: “I thought you’d be wide awake right now...”

MC: “Great. Well, thanks in advance. Good night.”

Xavier: “Tomorrow, then.”

6.9: First Visit.

Outside, a flock of birds flies over the apartment, like a cloud of ink spilling onto the sky.

MC: “It’s 11.00 A.M. now... Xavier should already be awake, right?”

Worried that he isn’t , I pace back and forth for another hour. Then I, feelong antsy, immediately head upstairs.

Even when I’m outside Unit 602, I still can’t believe Xavier is basically my neighbor.

*Knock

Xavier: “You’re here early.”

Xavier yawns, looking almost harmless in his simple, white sweater.

Xavier: “Orange juice, coffee, or water?”

MC: “...Huh?”

Xavier: “Are you thirsty?”

He takes two matching mugs from the cabinet and heads into the kitchen. It seems like he just woke up. His hair is disheveled, strands sticking out from the back of his head.

MC: “Water is fine.”

Xavier: “Ice or no ice?”

MC: “It’s okay. Xavier, I’m here because...”

Xavier: “My place is a bit of a mess. You can sit anywhere, though.”

Xavier: “Do you want some breakfast? Fried eggs and toast... Oh, I’m out of eggs. Are sausages okay?”

MC: “Thank you, but I’m not hungry. Also, it’s almost noon...”

I scoot to the edge of the couch, eager to get down to business.

——————————

MC: “I spend all night thinking that...”

Xavier: “That...?”

MC: “You and Lumiere are definitely connected.”

MC: “Ever since we met, you’ve been constantly looking for something.”

MC: “You just destroy Protocores as if they’re nothing when hunters know how important they are. You can kill a Wanderer that even a group of hunters would struggle against.”

MC: “Not to mention, the “gossip” you heard about the N109 Zone is more in-depth than the info in the Association’s database.”

MC: “At the abandoned research base and in No-Hunt Zone No. 7... Maybe your goal aligns with mine as well as Onychinus ‘s.”

Xavier looks at me quietly, then flashes a faint smile.

Xavier: “So are you here to confirm my connection to Lumiere or arenyou here for something in the N109 Zone?”

MC: “It doesn’t matter. I’m just gathering information in a roundabout way.”

MC: “I’d really appreciate it if you could give me some ideas.”

Xavier lowers his gaze, seemingly lost in thought as he stares at his slippers. Then he breaks the silence with a question.

Xavier: “The Protocore we found in the no-hunt zone had a red Protocurve. Do you know why?”

The air seems to freeze for a moment. I feel like I’ve grasped the unspoken meaning behind his words.

He’ll only reveal his cards when he’s certain I’m one the same page as him.

I take a deep breath and say...

MC: “It’s an Aether Core, right?”