Back at the camp on ground level, Yuhuan passed the document of recruit placements back to Mitchell.
⠀
"Who's the woman in first place?"
⠀
Mitchell responded while sorting the entries.
⠀
"Oh, her? She's from the 9th, you didn't see her?"
⠀
"No, I don't recall ever seeing anyone from the 9th... How did she...?"
⠀
"...Right. She has an ARCHtype."
⠀
"An ARCHtype...? From the 9th? How did she manage to gain the favor of an ARCH in the 9th District?"
⠀
"Why don't you ask her yourself?"
⠀
"—?"
⠀
Mitchell lifted his eyes from the entries and turned to point at a girl sitting in the corner of the camp. Facing away from everyone, she wore rugged, tattered clothes that clung loosely to her thin frame, the fabric faded and frayed from years of hard use. Her bright yellow hair cascaded down her back in wild, unkempt waves, tangled with bits of dirt and debris. She sat hunched slightly, her shoulders drawn inward, as if protecting herself from the world around her. Even from this angle, it was clear that her appearance spoke of the struggles she faced daily, a silent testament to a life marked by hardship and resilience.
⠀
"She was number 1?"
⠀
"Hey, as a new 9th Division Fixer, I'll give you one piece of advice: you shouldn't underestimate anyone you haven't met yet."
⠀
"I see..."
⠀
"She killed seventeen men, all left with slice marks across their bodies. Hm... I'll give you 30 Nanum if you talk to her!"
⠀
"As a seasoned 1st Division Fixer, your humor is like that of a little kid... However, I have to decline your offer. Seeing her... she probably needs that Nanum more than I do."
⠀
Yuhuan moved across the camp, watching Saoirse carefully. As he got closer, he noticed Mori approaching her first.
⠀
"Excuse me, my name is Mori. I saw you made 1st place!"
⠀
"..."
⠀
She sat in silence.
⠀
"E-Excuse me?"
⠀
"...Whaddya say?"
⠀
"What was that?"
⠀
The girl suddenly sprang up, spinning to face Mori. Her face twisted into a wild grin, eyes flickering with manic energy. Brightly colored sock puppets—one purple, one green—clung to her hands, their googly eyes dancing as she thrust them forward.
⠀
"WHADDYA SAY, STUFFY? SHOULD WE CUT 'EM UP??~"
⠀
She raised her left hand with the purple sock, her demeanor growing eerie—Stuffy's voice emerged low and monotone, with a detached, cynical tone distinct from Saoirse's prior mania. She covered her mouth with her other hand as she mimicked the purple sock speaking.
⠀
"Sure... go ahead... I don't care anyway... Why care at all, really...?"
⠀
She switched back to her psycho personality.
⠀
"HOW 'BOUT YOU, ARNY??"
⠀
In the same fashion as before, she raised her right hand with the green sock, switching her voice to an incredibly high-pitched tone. She covered her mouth as the green sock, "Arny," spoke.
⠀
"Uwahhh!~ Arny thinks it's a lovely idea!~☆ (づ ◕‿◕ )づ
...
Hm... NAH! My name's Saoirse, what's yours?!"
⠀
"Uh... I'm Mori. I said that a few seconds ago."
⠀
"Nice to meet'cha! This is...
...
...Stuffy...
...
And THIS is...
...
Arnold!~☆ ٩(＾◡＾)۶"
⠀
ARCHtype: Sock Puppet::Stuffy & Arnold
Threat Level: NA (나)
Ability: Stuffy (purple) and Arnold (green) are hand-mounted sock puppets with button eyes and simple faces. Each takes on a distinct personality as Saoirse perceives them—Stuffy is apathetic and withdrawn, while Arnold is impulsive and aggressive. The puppets independently argue or contradict each other to influence the wearer's thoughts and moral judgment, often hijacking decisions. While enhancing skill with tools or weapons, the puppets steer the user toward destructive or obsessive actions that benefit the ARCH. Their influence requires physical contact and is strongest when "animated" by the wearer. Removing the socks—voluntarily or not—makes the puppets unrecoverable as sources of enhancement. However, rare individuals may resist their malicious manipulation while retaining benefits, turning these traits into consistent strengths rather than compulsions.
⠀
"You actually don't seem all that bad, S...eer...sh..."
⠀
Saoirse, noticing Mori's struggle while pronouncing her name, switches to Stuffy.
⠀
"What a fool... Her name is Saoirse... Pronounced Seer... Shuh... Do you understand...?"
⠀
"U-Uh... Yeah... Thanks, Stuffy."
⠀
Saoirse freezes.
⠀
"D-Did I say something wrong? I'm sorry!"
⠀
"..."
⠀
Saoirse lowers Stuffy and Arnold, her face blank.
⠀
"No one's ever spoken to them before."
⠀
"What... do you mean?"
⠀
"Stuffy and Arnold are my best friends, you know that?!"
⠀
"Y-Yeah! I understand!"
⠀
"But... other people never talk to them like you just did... They call them puppets or socks... People are so mean all the time!"
⠀
Yuhuan, who has been watching their introductions, decides to let them continue their conversation alone, turning around to walk away.
But, before he can...
⠀
"Hey, Yuhuan! Come meet my new friend, Saoirse!"
⠀
Yuhuan hesitates for a moment before sighing to himself.
⠀
"Hello, my name is Yuhuan. I take it you're Saoirse, the competitor who placed first."
⠀
"Yep-yep-yep! That's me! What's it to 'ya?!"
⠀
What was it to him? Yuhuan didn't know why he wanted to speak with her after the exam. They were likely going to be recruited into different Offices anyway, so why bother?
⠀
"Hey, Yuhuan! I was thinking... what if you asked Antollio if you could become a Fixer for the Argus Directorates too?"
⠀
"What the—?! You want me to join you?"
⠀
"Yeah! Saoirse, you should join as well! We're the three leading competitors, so I'm confident he'll allow you both to enter, too!"
⠀
Saoirse, Stuffy, and Arnold were all expressionless, surprised by such a kind gesture. Stuffy and Arnold began to cry.
⠀
"This... young man... is so... kind... to Saoirse..."
⠀
Arnold, in tears, spoke after Stuffy.
⠀
"Something is wrong with Arnold... Arnold is crying, but Arnold feels happy, not sad!~"
⠀
Saoirse revealed herself from behind the two.
⠀
"I... I WILL GLADLY ACCEPT THINE MOST GENEROUS OFFER!"
⠀
Later, standing before Antollio, the director of the Argus Directorates Post.
⠀
"OK!~ Seems fine with me!"
⠀
Mori drops to his knees.
⠀
"I understand if this seems like we're asking for too much, sir!"
⠀
Yuhuan follows Mori to the dirt.
⠀
"I would understand if you didn't want such a rough stone as me fighting alongside you..."
⠀
Saoirse drops as well.
⠀
"This... is defeat... isn't it...?"
⠀
After a moment on the ground, their brains process what Antollio said. Mori jumps up from the ground in surprise.
⠀
"Wait, what?!"
⠀
"As I said, it seems fine with me. It would benefit me greatly if I could have you work with like-minded people you get along with."
⠀
Yuhuan and Saoirse both remain on the ground, groveling before Antollio.
⠀
"Thank you, sir. I will not let you down."
⠀
"MHMM!!"
⠀
"I'll go register you all with Mitchell. For now, I'll have Haddler lead you all back to the Argus Directorates Post in District 7."
⠀
A man in a black suit emerged from behind Antollio, with his long, straight black hair blowing in the wind. Everyone noticed that the briefcase he carried was handcuffed to his hand.
⠀
"Hello, everyone! I'm Haddler, your senior. I'm a 3rd Division Fixer."
⠀
Yuhuan was the bravest of the three and decided to speak up first.
⠀
"With lack of better phrasing, what's with the briefcase?"
⠀
"Huh? Oh, this? It's an ARCHtype, nothing to worry about!"
⠀
Haddler steps toward Mori and looks him right in his eyes.
⠀
"So you're the one who faced Gun? I've heard stories about you, you know! It's a pleasure to meet you in person."
⠀
"Yeah, I am, but I hope no one recognizes me only for that..."
⠀
"Ahaha! Don't worry, I'm sure everyone else will forget the whole thing once they get to know you. I'm actually very interested in ARCHs in ARCHtypes myself. A close friend of mine was a DaeSyndicate researcher, you know!"
⠀
The three all gasped in unison.
⠀
"Would'st thou be timely enough to point me in the direction of said friend?!"
⠀
Yuhuan side-eyed Saoirse, who stared at Haddler with glimmering eyes of grandeur. Haddler turned back to Antollio.
⠀
"We'll be heading back now, boss. Everyone, please follow me!"
⠀
"See you later, everyone."
⠀
The four left the camp and entered the oversized industrial elevator, which was en route to the underground railway. This time, Mori could tolerate the motions, even if Saoirse was mocking him the entire way. Haddler relaxed himself on the ground, rolling his shoulders back as he exhaled.
⠀
"So, do you two have anything special about yourselves? I wouldn't want to only give the spotlight to Mori.
...
...
Oh, I should go first. I'm Haddler Zimmermann. Like I said earlier, I'm a 3rd Division Fixer! Hm... Something cool about me... Hm... hm... hm...
Hm...
Hm...
I'm right-handed!"
⠀
"HOW DOST THOU WRITE IN SUCH A FOUL MANNER??"
⠀
"Heheh... I guess I was just born that way...! (〃´ ∀ `〃)ゞ"
⠀
Yuhuan sheathed his yanyuedao, which he noticed he had been carrying the whole time.
⠀
"I'm Yuhuan Lau, the eldest son of the Lau family in District 4."
⠀
"My name is Saoirse!"
⠀
"All right. You're a nepo baby, and you're a psychopath!"
⠀
"Well..."
⠀
"SAOIRSE IS NOT A PSYCHOPATH!!"
⠀
As their pointless quarrel continues, the elevator comes to a grinding halt with a hiss. They find themselves in the underground railway, where they board the Sub-Train, an express train that travels to various locations across the Ring. Its tracks extend over the endless void below the Ring, powered by ARCH. In fact, the entire train itself is an ARCH.
⠀
ARCH: Subterranean "Void Express" Train
Threat Level: GA (가)
Ability: The ARCH resembles a train composed of ten cars. Once passengers board, it will transport them across the void to any destination they have previously visited and can collectively envision. However, if each passenger imagines a different location, the train will come to a stop. After all passengers have exited, the train will continue to the next pick-up point where more people are waiting.
Weight: 4318.991 kg
Height: 304.8 cm
⠀
"Have any of you been on the Sub-Train before?"
⠀
Yuhuan spoke while entering the cabin with the others.
⠀
"I've only ridden it to attend family gatherings with my extended family. At first, I found it quite difficult to focus without the train stopping, but eventually, I was able to keep the destination in my mind for a longer period of time."
⠀
Mori turned to Yuhuan, who was sitting beside him.
⠀
"Oh, Yuhuan, didn't you tell me you lived in a garden with your family? Is your dad a cabbage?"
⠀
"N-No, he's not. I meant that my estate is primarily a pavilion."
⠀
Saoirse, who was swinging across the grab rails from the front of the cabin to the end of it and back, paused to question the word that came out of Yuhuan's mouth. Mori also wore a puzzled expression.
⠀
"Pa... vill...?"
⠀
"It's a huge place with fountains, trimmed hedges, flowers, fancy food, et cetera. I don't really like thinking about it too much, let's just forget it, 'kay?"
⠀
Mori nodded his head.
⠀
"Okay."
⠀
The train continued to extend its tracks toward the Argus Directorate Post in the 7th District, which was about 18 minutes away at the moment. However, the Post itself was not nearby; it was actually over 3,000 kilometers away. The Sub-Train can accelerate and decelerate to any speed in an optimal timeframe, allowing it to reach its destination as quickly as possible while ensuring passenger safety.
⠀
"Here's my favorite part!"
⠀
Haddler smiled as everyone experienced an odd sensation; their stomachs dropped as the train climbed upward.
⠀
"The Argus Directorates Post's Sub-Train station platform was made a bit higher than the one we boarded on! Don't worry, we're perfectly fine, though it does make for a fun ride!"
⠀
"Saoirse's s-stomach feels... like a party run by a b-bunch o' cats and d-dogs...~ _(´ཀ`」 ∠)_"
⠀
Yuhuan gripped the seat, grimacing at the sensation as the train slowed from its ascent. Mori braced himself by holding the pole next to his seat. As the train decelerated, confusion spread across Mori's face. He let go of the pole and lost his balance, almost falling out of his seat. He quickly caught himself and steadied before he spoke.
⠀
"It's slowing down??"
⠀
"The Sub-Train uses the same power to accelerate as it does to decelerate. We're around the halfway point now. From here on out, it'll be a smooth ride!~"
⠀
Haddler pulls out a hairbrush, carefully brushing through his hair with the delicate precision of a young girl. In the center of the cabin, Saoirse stands in silence. Catching her uncharacteristic nature, Yuhuan gestures warmly, inviting her to sit beside him and Mori.
⠀
"Would you like to sit with us, Saoirse?"
⠀
No response. Mori also tries.
⠀
"Saoirse...?"
⠀
Mori had barely opened his mouth when Saoirse's eyes went wide and, without warning, she hurled across the floor. Everyone paused.
⠀
"..."
⠀
"..."
⠀
"..."
⠀
"..."
⠀
Saoirse sat before she could be sick again. The rest of the ride was silent. Mori looked out his window at the station, glowing with yellow neon lights. On the front, he saw the Post's symbol, a golden spade marked with the black Roman numeral IV.
⠀
"I can see the station from the window, look!"
⠀
"Wow! Hey, long-haired guy, what does 'Iv' mean?"
⠀
"Oh, that's a '4' in Roman numerals."
⠀
The three of them all stared at Haddler, their interests piqued. Yuhuan asked the question on everyone's minds first.
⠀
"If you don't mind my asking, what are Roman numerals?"
⠀
"W-Wait, you don't know?? I thought you guys in the 4th would have a bit more education than we middle class... I read a few books on them while I was in school. Roman numerals are pretty much just a numeric system some guy in a place called 'Rome' made to count stuff easier! So, instead of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, they actually counted it like, I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, VIIII, VIIIII!"
⠀
Mori was still confused.
⠀
"I... somehow feel like there's an easier way to count past 5..."
⠀
"Are you calling me a liar?!"
⠀
"N-No, sir!"
⠀
Yuhuan was curious as well.
⠀
"When was this system created?"
⠀
"I think it was in some negative Year."
⠀
Mori almost fell out of his seat.
⠀
"A negative Year?!"
⠀
"Yes, a negative Year."
⠀
Haddler had been swinging his hairbrush around as he spoke in gestures. Saoirse's eyes followed it like a cat to a laser.
⠀
"Hey, long-hair, can I eat your brush?"
⠀
"Non."
⠀
The train stopped at the docking station, its doors opening with a hiss. As everyone dismounted the train, Haddler turned to Saoirse, who was still silent after the incident.
⠀
"Nothing to be ashamed of. The mess'll be cleaned up by the train itself before it reaches its next passengers. Though that would make for some heavy blackmail..."
⠀
Saoirse raised both Arnold and Stuffy, whose faces were swapped with angry expressions.
⠀
"DO NOT BLACKMAIL SAOIRSE!!"
⠀
Yuhuan diverted Haddler's attention away from the raging inferno that was Saoirse.
⠀
"Hey, Haddler, I hate to ask so many questions, but will we have our own quarters?"
⠀
"Hey, it's perfectly fine to ask questions, kid! In fact, you should ask more! You'll all have shared quarters, separated by sex. Since you three are the only new recruits, Yuhuan and Mori will share a room, and as for you, Saoirse... I'm sure you'll like your roommate..."
⠀
When Haddler thought about the candidates Saoirse had to choose from in the women's quarters, he was met with horrible flashbacks to what those girls had done to him when he was a recruit...
They approached the elevator, its metallic doors gliding open with a muted chime. Haddler tapped the round button marked "T" on the control panel. The button illuminated amber as the elevator began its smooth ascent, whisking them above the Sub-Train station. For a fleeting instant, the group traded silent looks, each absorbed in reflection. Deep down, they all sensed that what awaited them above would begin a remarkable new chapter in their lives. The title of Fixer, most esteemed in the Ring, belonged only to those daring enough to risk short, violent lives. Mori no longer trembled as he had during the Recruitment Exam; his confidence steadied by the friends he'd made, companions willing to follow him on this uncharted path...
⠀
But...
⠀
...this is the real world, not a fairy tale.
⠀
In the 6th District, far from the light of the Sub-Train station—
⠀
A short man dressed in navy blue military attire stares into the cracks of the suit of armor before him.
⠀
"Hey, can you see me from in there?"
⠀
The tall man within the thick suit of iron armor spoke, his voice echoing out of the armor with immense gruff. From the cracks of armor, only darkness could escape, no matter what light shone over him.
⠀
"Take a step back from me, cinder-face... Unless you want a fight."
⠀
"Just checkin'!"
⠀
The man giggles to himself. A third man leaning against the wall watched the two bicker. He was tall, with long black hair, half of it tied up in a bun. Beside him was a blue guandao that shone in the moonlight that illuminated the room. He flashes a menacing smile at them.
⠀
"You two shouldn't fight before the employer arrives."
⠀
The shorter man snaps back.
⠀
"Don't think you're any better than us just because you come from some rich family!"
⠀
"Huhu... So you know of my family? What else do you know about me? Do you know anything of the man in the armor?"
⠀
"T-Too many questions, weirdo! Everyone knows you're from the Lau family when you wear those blue robes and carry that blue sword-staff thing!"
⠀
"Oh, her? That's lǎolao."
⠀
The man raises his guandao, lǎolao, into the light, turning it back and forth.
⠀
"Thanks, but I don't need your entire family's backstory. I'm just here for my job."
⠀
The man in the armor spoke again, his voice almost interrupting the smaller man's.
⠀
"We should introduce ourselves. I heard tell that this job won't be easy. They are sending in multiple Offices and Coalitions. I'll go first. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the jobs I take, I cannot tell you my real name. For now, you may refer to me as Armor. Should it not suffice, call me whatever you like. In terms of strength, I fall into the 6th Division."
⠀
"Ah, I see... Well, I'm Lau Jianhuan, but if you find it easier to expel the heavy burden my grandiose name leaves on your tongue when pronounced, you may simply call me Jianhuan. As a new Fixer, I fall into the 9th Division."
⠀
"I'm Leopold. 8th Div."
⠀
Jianhuan scoffed.
⠀
"Why do you cut your words short, Leopold? God granted you a tongue so you could use it to your heart's content. Why now do you shudder?"
⠀
"Oh, shut up..."
⠀
"The employer is arriving."
⠀
The doors to the office swing open as a brown-haired woman in full makeup makes her way across the room. She's dressed in a brown suit, black tie, and black heels that clack loudly, even as she continues down the soft carpet. She takes her seat at the desk.
⠀
"Howdy."
⠀
Jianhuan grimaced.
⠀
"How friendly..."
⠀
"Of course, I am your employer. You'd prefer me to be rude instead?"
⠀
She smiles at the three, her eyes shimmering amber for a moment before continuing...
⠀
"Let's not waste time with pleasantries. I have work for you. Temp-Fixer assignments for the Bashnya. Your objective: locate and secure an ARCH I intend to add to my collection. I trust you understand the importance. I expect results."
⠀
Leopold slams his fist down against the desk.
⠀
"Which ARCH, and where, lady?! Did you gather us all here just to talk in circles??"
⠀
"..."
⠀
The woman lay back in her chair before she took a bite out of the air. As her teeth chattered together, a loud snapping noise could be heard as Leopold's bones were completely crushed. Blood gushed out of every crevice in his body.
⠀
"Oh!~"
⠀
"..."
⠀
"Don't worry. He's still alive and conscious. Let this be a demonstration as to what will happen if you question me on such... small details."
⠀
She took another bite out of the air, restoring Leopold's bones in the blink of an eye. However, his skin wrapped tightly around his bones in the wrong orientation, his face closer to his right knee than his skull. No one spoke, Armor out of fear and disciplined obedience, Jianhuan out of rapturous enjoyment of the spectacle.
⠀
"MMMNN!"
⠀
Leopold attempted to scream, but the noise was blocked by his thick layer of skin that began to tear in several places across his body.
⠀
"Oops. Here, I'll try it one more time."
⠀
Her teeth chattered together again. Leopold's body was restored to normal.
⠀
"I... Ack—!"
⠀
Leopold didn't finish the sentence. His voice collapsed into itself, as if his throat had forgotten how to shape words. He staggered back—one step, then another—before his legs gave out entirely. His knees hit the ground with a dull crack, but he didn't seem to feel it. His hands flew to his chest, then his arms, then his face, grabbing, pressing, checking whether any of it was really his. His fingers trembled violently, dragging across skin that moments ago had been split, twisted, wrong. Rising from her desk, the woman approached the paralyzed Leopold, settled his head in her lap, and combed his hair with her fingers, as if studying a foreign lifeform. She looked up at the other two with youthful eyes, detached from reality.
⠀
"As for the name of the ARCH you'll all be looking for, its name is Gun."
⠀
[...]
⠀
Once again, the woman caused a collective silence to fall as Leopold continued to writhe on the ground. This silence was not born from discipline or confusion, but from understanding.