The elevator rattled as it descended. It was a rough, jarring sound, metal shrieking against metal. The floor vibrated with every grind, as if the whole thing might snap apart. The sign said it could hold three hundred, but with maybe a hundred bodies crammed in, Mori felt the press of elbows and sweat on all sides. Someone's bag jabbed him in the ribs. A man's breath was hot on his neck. The air was thick, heavy with nerves. He swallowed. His stomach twisted. Suddenly, a wave of dizziness hit, and he leaned forward, way too fast.
⠀
"Hey."
⠀
A hand shot out, grabbing Mori's shoulder just before he hit the floor. The grip was strong, almost bruising.
⠀
"You alright?"
⠀
"Y-Yeah, I'm okay!"
⠀
Mori blurted the words, a laugh stuck somewhere between panic and embarrassment. He tried to shake it off, but his hands were still trembling.
⠀
"N-Never took a ride like this... Especially not one this huge..."
⠀
"Easy there. I'm Yuhuan. 4th District. You?"
⠀
"Thank you. I'm Mori. Mori Ryunosuke. Uh, from the 6th District."
⠀
"Family name, too? Well, mine is Lau."
⠀
Yuhuan lent Mori his hand and effortlessly lifted him from the ground.
⠀
"Whoa..."
⠀
Mori straightened, eyes flicking up. The guy (Yuhuan, he'd said) looked sharp. White clothes, blue thread curling over the sleeves, the kind of outfit that screamed money. Mori tried not to stare, but he couldn't help it. He'd never seen threads that clean outside a storefront display. Yuhuan caught the stare, smirking like he was used to it.
⠀
"Your... clothes... they're super nice!"
⠀
"Yeah, this? Hand-me-down. Parents made me wear it. They said I had to look respectable for the crowd. Big first impression, right?"
⠀
"Right, the 4th District is pretty luxurious."
⠀
"So, what brings you here? Or, I guess it's pretty obvious. I should rephrase: what kind of Fixer are you aiming to become?"
⠀
Mori's throat tightened. He knew why he was here. Antollio said to sign up, so he did. He still wasn't sure if he even wanted to be a Fixer, or what kind he was supposed to be.
⠀
"...I... think I want to join the Argus Directorates, 7th Division."
⠀
"I see. Argus Directorates. What do they specialize in?"
⠀
"...I... uhm..."
⠀
"You don't know..."
⠀
Mori's mouth opened, but nothing came out. Before he could fake an answer, a hulking guy shoved his way through the crowd; his voice was loud enough to cut through the elevator noise.
⠀
"You serious, kid?"
⠀
He was massive: broad shoulders, arms thick as steel pipes, a face carved in sharp lines. The kind of guy who looked like he chewed nails for breakfast.
⠀
"You're kidding, right? You're signing up for Argus, and you don't even know what they do?"
⠀
"I-I was told to apply..."
⠀
"They're ARCH hunters."
⠀
The elevator went silent. Even the gears sounded quieter for a second.
⠀
"ARCH. You've heard of those, right?"
⠀
"Uhm... Would you mind repeating that...?"
⠀
The guy rolled his eyes and crossed his arms with a heavy, deliberate thud, like he wanted everyone to see how unimpressed he was.
⠀
"'You an outsider of the Ring, or somethin'? Why don't you know anything?"
⠀
"N-No! I'm just trying to understand it, is all!"
⠀
"Tch. Alright, listen up. Maybe you'll make it past the first round if you know this."
⠀
About three years ago, the DaeSyndicate caused an unexpected ordeal. The direct cause was human experimentation. DaeSyndicate researchers discovered that pushing the human psyche to its absolute limit and forcing it to align with a specific emotion produces astonishing results. After these initial experiments, researchers witnessed entities emerging in the test chambers alongside the subjects, seemingly out of thin air. These entities, named ARCHs (Agony Resonance Catharsis Harmonies), were so-named for their origin. With further experimentation, DaeSyndicate observed that ARCHs exhibit consciousness and sharp emotional awareness, depending on their emotion type. The organization cataloged these entities and assigned them colors as follows:
⠀
Red::Acrimony - anger and bitterness; harsh or biting sharpness.
Orange::Tenacity - mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship.
Yellow::Euphoria - a feeling of well-being or elation.
Green::Trepidation - a nervous or fearful feeling of uncertain agitation.
Blue::Tribulation - distress or suffering caused by oppression or persecution.
Purple::Apathy - a lack of feeling or emotion.
Pink::Lust - an intense or unrestrained longing.
⠀
One of the heavyweight guy's friends joined in on the explanation.
⠀
"It's easy to remember the colors because they follow the rainbow!"
⠀
"Be quiet, you idiot!"
⠀
One night, something snapped. Every ARCH broke loose. Most got put down, but some slipped into the city. Thousands lost it, whole blocks collapsing into panic. New ARCHs popped up everywhere, tearing through the districts. They called it the Season of Folly. That's when Fixers started changing. People awakened, some became Elegies, able to handle ARCH power without losing their minds.
⠀
The elevator creaked louder.
⠀
"Now, everyone's got ARCH in them, or at least the potential to create one. But don't think your ARCH would have anything on an ARCH like big Gun or nothin'!"
⠀
Yuhuan's eyes widened. Mori jerked back, heart thumping.
⠀
"...!"
⠀
Mori snapped to attention, his eyes locked on the man. Something in his gut twisted: fear, maybe, or something nastier.
⠀
"What if a human... What if a human tried to communicate with an ARCH... what then?"
⠀
"Ryunosuke, you're talking about the scene last week with the boy and the Gun ARCH, right?"
⠀
"Yes. I am."
⠀
The man leaned in, glare cold and flat. The joking edge vanished, replaced with something hard and mean.
⠀
"Kid, don't waste your breath. ARCHs don't care. They're monsters pulled out by people's ugliest moments. If I got mad enough to make one here, you'd be flattened before you could blink."
⠀
Mori kept his ground.
⠀
"You're wrong!"
⠀
"Oh, really? Have you ever spoken with an ARCH?"
⠀
"Yeah, I have!!"
⠀
"What?!"
⠀
"What do you mean, Ryunosuke?"
⠀
"I'm... I'm the one who faced the Gun ARCH!"
⠀
"..."
⠀
The man paused.
The people listening nearby stared in utter silence.
Suddenly, a fist slammed into Mori's jaw. The world spun. He crashed to the floor, cheek burning, the taste of blood in his mouth.
⠀
"Hey! The recruitment hasn't even started! You can do that later!"
⠀
The man turned to Yuhuan, grinning.
⠀
"You want some, too?"
⠀
"...I'm not saying I won't fight, but you shouldn't."
⠀
Mori, from the ground, spoke with confidence.
⠀
"You... want proof?"
⠀
"Proof of what, kid? You and this guy are both fools. At this rate, you'll die on your first missions as real Fixers! Trust me, I'm doing 'ya both a favor by beating the shit out of you."
⠀
"Ngh...! I'll... I'll..."
⠀
"Ryunosuke, that's enough."
⠀
Mori looked up at Yuhuan, who had a look on his face that said the fight was lost, no matter what Mori showed him. Although he didn't understand what connection he had with the Gun ARCH, he knew no scenarios ended well.
⠀
"We apologize, sir. Please, let's hold a truce for now until we're down there. Does that sound fine with you?"
⠀
"..."
⠀
The man looked at Mori, then at Yuhuan, then back at Mori.
⠀
"...Alright. But don't think I'll spare you out there!!"
⠀
"The same to you."
⠀
The man walked away.
⠀
"..."
⠀
"Ryunosuke, you have known when to cut your losses. If you keep butting heads like that, people will see you as dead weight. But, you know what..."
⠀
Mori interrupts Yuhuan.
⠀
"...I'd understand if you'd want to distance yourself from me-"
⠀
"...I'd be more than happy to fight alongside you for the recruitment exam."
⠀
"Wh-What?"
⠀
"I'll be frank: I'll tell you what you lack. But it's less trouble flying with you than watching you crash on your own."
⠀
"I... see. Th-Thank you! I'll try not to let you down!"
⠀
"But you said you were the one who confronted the Gun ARCH, correct?"
⠀
"Y-Yeah. I am."
⠀
"I can work with almost anything except lies. So I need you to be straight with me."
⠀
"I'm not lying, I swear!!"
⠀
Mori exhaled. Shaky, uneven, and slid down the wall, knees pulled to his chest.
⠀
"I don't know how to explain it, but that day... When I saw it killing all those innocent people, I... I didn't know what to think or do... I just wanted it to stop. I really wanted it to stop. I promised myself I'd do anything to stop it from hurting innocent people."
⠀
Yuhuan sat beside Mori.
⠀
"What then?"
⠀
"That was when it came to me... I was shouting all kinds of curses at it..."
⠀
"Stop hurting these people! What the hell is wrong with you? Why do you hurt innocents when there are bad people in the Ring every day who deserve death?! If you want to kill someone, kill me! I don't want to live in a world where innocent people die for no reason!"
⠀
"I felt... trapped... like the Ring was just a constant wheel of pain and suffering. It didn't sit right with me. But, it started to speak to me..."
⠀
"Mori Ryunosuke. I will ask you a question, one that will determine whether I continue to end lives with these barrels or if I will leave these innocent men alone for the rest of eternity: if you were locked in a room with your worst enemy and you had a gun with a single loaded bullet... what would you do?"
⠀
"The ARCH spoke to you? In a language you could understand? How is that possible??"
⠀
"I'm not sure."
⠀
"More importantly, how did you respond to his question?"
⠀
"I... can't remember. Most of the details of that day are lost from my memory..."
⠀
"...Mori Ryunosuke..."
⠀
"I remember it speaking my name, then saying one last thing before it disappeared..."
⠀
"...we have become one..."
⠀
The elevator shrieked one last time. Doors rattled open, sunlight blasting in, making everyone blink. A silhouette blocked the way: a tall guy in a mess of layered clothes, face hidden by shadow and glare. As eyes adjusted, the man tipped his head up, glasses glinting, grin wide and sharp.
⠀
"We're gonna have some fun... Look at how many of you there are!"
⠀
After a brief period of initiation in our new environment, it was time to begin the ceremony. The man from earlier spoke to the recruits, with several Fixers alongside him. One of the people behind him was Antollio. He smiled and waved at Mori, who awkwardly matched his energy. Yuhuan noticed their interaction.
⠀
"Do you know him?"
⠀
"Y-Yeah! He's the director of the Argus Directorates, and the reason why I entered this exam!"
⠀
"All right, everybody, listen up! Behind me are the spectators of today's Fixer recruitment exam. If you've got anyone to impress, it's them!"
⠀
The rude man from the elevator butted in.
⠀
"When are we gonna get started? I'm dyin' to get some action!"
⠀
The man in the glasses glared before starting again.
⠀
"As I was saying... The first thing you'll be showcasing to this lovely group of spectators is your capabilities in combat."
⠀
He yanked a lever. Metal screeched, and a storage container slid open. Inside: rows of weapons, gleaming under the harsh lights. Guns, blades, clubs, things Mori couldn't even name.
⠀
"W-Weapons?"
⠀
"What are you best with, Ryunosuke?"
⠀
"I-I wouldn't know... I've never..."
⠀
A bead of sweat drops from Mori's forehead.
⠀
"...I see. I'd suggest a gun if there are any. It's the easiest weapon to use, as all you really have to understand is the concept of ammunition and resource management."
⠀
"Now, everyone, please take a weapon from this storage container and spread out in the next five-minute grace period. Once the five minutes are up, I'll fire a flare in the air. Once you see the red flare, you're free to start killing one another! But remember, you'll have thirty minutes to showcase your combat ability. Don't get any combat in, and you won't have anything to show these spectators. You may begin... Now!"
⠀
Mori and Yuhuan run to the container, considering the ideal weapons to use. About 20 people enter the container before it becomes crowded.
⠀
"Damn... I see what he did. It's gonna take longer than the five-minute grace period to get a weapon and find a safe area to hide or duel. Especially with so many people... they must be trying to make this into a centralized battlefield."
⠀
"Then... what do we do? Do we just hide? But if we do, then we won't get Fixer nominations!"
⠀
"Maybe that's the whole point... They want to know how we'll react to such things. Whether we'll fight for a weapon, or run..."
⠀
Mori, shocked by the sudden realization, glances toward Antollio and the other spectators who are closely examining the situation. Antollio, in his usual fashion, smiles warmly at Mori. However, he was standing in an odd pose... His left hand stroked his chin, and his arm rested on his right arm, which was across his body... pointing! Mori quickly looked in the direction he was pointing and saw a collection of wooden crates, not far from the container.
⠀
"Yuhuan! This way!"
⠀
"Hey, wait!"
⠀
"Come on!"
⠀
They ran out of the crowd and dashed across the grounds toward the crates. Upon opening them, they found they were filled with various weapons. Yuhuan reached for a wide yanyuedao with a white sheathe.
⠀
"Perfect! Mori, take this. It's a revolver. There are about twenty bullets in this pouch. Tie it around your belt."
⠀
"Got it!"
⠀
Yuhuan tested the blade's weight, nodding in approval. Mori fumbled with the revolver, hands clumsy. He'd never held a gun, let alone one this pretty. Gold patterns traced the barrel. He almost forgot where he was until angry voices cut through his daze.
⠀
"Hey! Those guys got weapons!"
⠀
"Hurry up! The grace period's only got a minute left!"
⠀
"What are you doing, Ryunosuke? We have to run!"
⠀
Yuhuan yanked Mori's arm, and they bolted, ducking into a ruined building. The door slammed shut. Yuhuan shoved a bookshelf in front, breathing hard. Yuhuan slid down the wall, breath ragged, sweat streaking his face.
⠀
"Are you okay, Yuhuan?"
⠀
"Yeah, I'm just taking everything in."
⠀
"What do you mean?"
⠀
"First time out of the house, I guess. Or, the garden..."
⠀
"Garden? What's that?"
⠀
"Right... It's like... a place where everyone in your family lives, and they all... th-they all..."
⠀
Yuhuan's voice barely came out, eyes fixed on the dust and broken glass at his feet.
⠀
"What's wrong? Are you okay?"
⠀
"Yeah. I just... happened to remember something. Come on. Let's head to the roof."
⠀
"R-Right!"
⠀
Mori and Yuhuan slipped onto the stairs, boots scraping the battered concrete. Each step felt ready to shatter, dust puffing up with every move. Halfway up, something snapped beneath Mori's foot. He stumbled, the stairs crumbling. Yuhuan spun, grabbed his wrist, and hauled him up, muscles straining. For a second, all Mori saw was the drop below.
⠀
"Shit—thanks!"
⠀
Yuhuan caught his breath, eyes scanning the rooftop.
⠀
"We can see almost everything from here. Let's see what kind of competition we've got."
⠀
Mori glanced at the chaos below, jaw tight.
⠀
"Feels wrong. Like we're vultures waiting for scraps."
⠀
Yuhuan frowned.
⠀
"Second thoughts already?"
⠀
"We're watching for the weak ones, right? Are we supposed to take them out?"
⠀
"No. The rules are clear: demonstrate skill, not carnage. Even here, some decorum remains."
⠀
Mori nodded, but his hands wouldn't stop shaking. Yuhuan leaned over the edge, voice low.
⠀
"So, Ryunosuke..."
⠀
"Yeah?"
⠀
The red flare shot up, crackling. Almost instantly, gunshots and the clash of metal erupted from below. The noise was loud, messy, desperate.
⠀
"How have you managed in the 6th District if the Ring still surprises you?"
⠀
Yuhuan asked, voice soft but edged with a kind of curiosity only the privileged can afford.
⠀
"Oh, uh..."
⠀
"Surely you've encountered unsavory Offices or Coalitions before. Was your family well-connected?"
⠀
"..."
⠀
Yuhuan winced, the apology formal and almost automatic.
⠀
"Forgive me. Old habits. My tutors would scold me for being so forward."
⠀
"..."
⠀
"..."
⠀
They sat in silence, eyes glued to a fight down below. Two men squared off. It was fast, brutal, and over in seconds. One dropped, blood pooling. The other moved on as if nothing had happened.
⠀
"My parents are dead."
⠀
Mori's voice was flat, almost bored, but his fists clenched tight. Yuhuan raises his gaze at Mori, listening attentively.
⠀
"It's not special. Everyone in the Ring's lost someone. Still hurts, though. Season of Folly took them. Didn't even know what that meant until today. News barely reaches us down there."
⠀
"My condolences, Mori."
⠀
Yuhuan's words were gentle, practiced. Never too familiar, but not cold either. Mori shrugged.
⠀
"Doesn't matter. It happened."
⠀
"..."
⠀
Yuhuan opened his mouth, but a scraping noise behind them cut him off. Something big, heavy.
⠀
"What the hell?!"
⠀
They turned, hearts pounding. Standing over them was something straight out of a nightmare: an ARCH, twice their size. The sound of ticking, metal, and shifting paper hammered into Mori and Yuhuan's minds instantly. It swayed its "arms" back and forth as if unsure what to do with them. Its body was a jumble of gears, documents, clock hands, and scraps of things that shouldn't move on their own. A platform groaned as it settled nearby, holding the exam proctor and spectators who loomed over the chaos, their eyes fixed on Mori and Yuhuan.
⠀
"Looks like these two contestants caught the attention of an ARCH. Let's see how they handle this unexpected encounter!"
⠀
The spectators lean in, watching eagerly. Antollio watches with his usual smile.
⠀
Mori checked the ammo in his revolver.
⠀
"Well, Yuhuan... Seems like it's time for us to show them what we can do."
⠀
Yuhuan stepped forward, blade raised.
⠀
"I'm by your side. Ready as ever."