PNB Chapter 190 The Disappearance Case (1)
Chapter 190 The Disappearance Case (1)
Chapter 190 The Disappearance Case (1)
"Did you receive the same message as me?" Sylvie asked, glancing at her watch.
"Ah."
"I have a feeling something ominous is about to happen," she muttered to herself, looking up at the sky.
'Her intuition...'
Given Sylvie's character and abilities, I absolutely cannot ignore her intuition. Players receive a great deal of help from her in the game.
"Let's hurry."
"it is good."
We didn't say much and quickly quickened our pace towards the city center. It was already late, and a biting wind was blowing against us.
When we arrived in the city center, the other members of the club had already gathered. Vice President Emilia stood in the center, her expression worried.
The others wore the same serious expressions, realizing the gravity of the situation.
"Senior Emilia, what happened?" I asked, joining the group with Sylvie.
Emilia turned her gaze to us, then looked around.
"Please wait a moment, let's talk after everyone is here."
While we waited for the other members, I couldn't help but notice Emilia's anxiety. She was always inseparable from Maya, and the two had a very good relationship.
Where is Senior Maya?
Suddenly I realized that Maya was missing. Coupled with Emilia's usually calm and confident demeanor, which now seemed somewhat wavering, I immediately understood that the two things were related.
'Really?'
"Mason is also missing."
"At that moment," Emilia said softly. Sylvie trembled slightly at the mention of Mason.
'also?'
I was immediately drawn to the word and asked Emilia right away.
"What happened to Senior Maya?"
Emilia met my gaze, her eyes filled with worry. "Sigh... she's gone," she replied.
"What happened?"
Emilia sighed. “I wish I had known,” she confessed, her voice filled with anxiety.
“We were walking around the city, discussing and observing it. But suddenly, for some reason, Maya’s attitude changed. She left in a hurry without saying anything and flew off in one direction. I tried to keep up with her, but she was too fast and I soon couldn’t keep up. I’ve been trying to contact her ever since, but I haven’t received a response.”
Hearing this, I narrowed my eyes slightly. This reminded me of information in the game.
Senior Maya is also very sensitive to demonic energy.
She's an important character in the game, and I know a lot about her. She most likely sensed the demonic energy surrounding the city.
'If that's the case, then it makes sense.'
"When did this happen?" I asked immediately, eager to confirm.
"Around 3 p.m.
I nodded inwardly. This was precisely the time when Sylvie and I clashed with the demon followers. This information matched my previous guesses.
“Do you know anything? Mason and Maya have both disappeared. Something's not right.”
Emilia looked at me, and I considered how much information I should reveal.
'The truth will be revealed sooner or later anyway.'
Given the seriousness and urgency of the situation, I've decided to reveal some details. After all, the members of the community have the right to know Mason's true colors.
I glanced at Sylvie and saw her nod. It seemed she had also decided not to hide what had happened.
“I don’t want to say more, but Mason won’t be coming back,” I said, answering everyone’s questions. Emilia’s expression changed; she leaned forward slightly, urging me to continue.
"What happened? Why isn't he coming back?" she asked, a hint of doubt in her eyes.
I took a deep breath and carefully chose my words. “Mason is associated with a group of demon followers, and he and others tried to kidnap Sylvie. Earlier today, we had a standoff with them, and then… Mason won’t be causing any more trouble.”
A silence fell over the group as they processed the shocking truth. Sylvie stood beside me, her fists clenched, her expression a mixture of relief and lingering fear.
"You mean he's a follower of demons?" Emilia's voice was filled with disbelief.
“That’s right.” I nodded, then turned my gaze to the girl who had been following Mason. She was the girl who was being controlled by Mason’s demonic energy.
"Do you remember anything?" I suddenly asked her. The question made her hesitate, and all eyes in the group were on her.
The girl hesitated for a moment before replying, "I can't quite remember. My memory is hazy for a period of time."
I pressed further: "Do you remember Mason? Anything about him or anything that happened before?"
She frowned, trying to recall: "Mason... at the beginning of the semester, he asked me out on a date, and after that I can't remember anything."
As this revelation came as the other members whispered among themselves, clearly shocked.
"Mason asked you out on a date? But it looks like you're the one pursuing him..." one member whispered, clearly surprised.
I clarified, "She has always been influenced by Mason."
Emilia remained calm and nodded. "So, you mean those who tried to kidnap Sylvie are connected to Maya's disappearance?"
I shook my head. "No, that's impossible. They're all dead."
The group fell silent again, each person processing the weight of my words.
“You…you killed them all?” Emilia asked, her eyes wide. It’s not common for an ordinary student to single-handedly fight off a group of demonic followers and survive, especially for a student like me who is ranked lower.
I deliberately omitted all the details because, from an external perspective, Sylvie was the one directly involved and is better suited to provide an explanation.
“That’s not how it works. You can ask Sylvie for details.” I sighed softly. “What I mean is, Maya’s disappearance has nothing to do with Mason.”
“I understand…” Emilia nodded, an expression of understanding on her face. She pondered for a moment, “This must have been very difficult for you.” She looked at me and Sylvie, remaining calm even in the face of Maya’s disappearance and this series of unexpected events.
This is also an advantage for senior trainees. After a year of training, they can remain calm, demonstrating a rare quality.
However, people like Trevor Phillips will inevitably need to be eliminated sooner or later.
But what we are facing now is far more urgent and serious than these.
This is strange.
There's absolutely no reason for Maya's sudden disappearance. She was incredibly powerful; in this city, aside from a very few high-level hunters, very few could rival her.
Even with other demon followers or villains, I could glean other clues from the game. But this situation is different from my experience in the game. Is it because of the butterfly effect?
“Anyway, I’ve already informed Mr. Jones, and he said he’s already made contact,” Emilia said softly, her tone tinged with frustration.
A somber atmosphere enveloped the club members as they processed the information. The Siux that had once excited them now felt alien and filled them with unease.
“If we continue like this, we won’t be able to go anywhere,” Emilia sighed, expressing everyone’s shared concern.
She looked around at everyone and said earnestly, “I’m not forcing anyone to stay. If you feel uncomfortable staying here, you can return to the academy at any time. We have no obligation to put ourselves in unnecessary danger, but I will stay to find my friends. If anyone wants to join, you are welcome, but safety is always the top priority.”
The members exchanged glances, silently considering their next move; I could easily tell what they were thinking.
Most people would choose to go back.
They didn't have as much of a relationship with Maya as I did, so no one was willing to stay and take the risk.
But they were also hesitant, because they knew that offending predecessors like Maya and Emilia would be detrimental to their future.
'They're too easy to see through.'
“I won’t blame those who want to go back. Your safety is the most important thing. There’s no need for you to feel responsible for getting involved in this,” Emilia continued gently.
She glanced at the group members and saw their expressions; clearly, no one was willing to risk their lives.
When the members finally made their decision, they apologized one by one, left awkwardly, and headed to the portal.
"Senior..."
"It's okay, I understand."
Emilia smiled and nodded, remaining calm despite the reduced numbers. Prioritizing personal safety was sensible, and she respected their choice.
Sylvie glanced at me, then nodded slightly; she decided to follow in my footsteps.
Soon after, only Sylvie and I were left.
"As expected, junior. You didn't leave."
Emilia smiled at me, and I didn't leave.
"of course."
How can I leave?
Maya was the one who taught me the most basic and important aspects of being a hunter. She might be a bit domineering, but without her, I might not be where I am today.
Just as I will remember hatred until I die, I will remember kindness in the same way, and now is the time to repay it.
Moreover, I had an uneasy premonition. Something ominous was lurking in the streets of this city, something that shouldn't have happened.
“Let’s sit down and talk. I also want to know what happened between you and Sylvie.”
So we walked to a nearby coffee shop and sat down.