Chapter 275: Doppelganger [2]

"...I’m not sure."

The Section Chief mumbled while covering his mouth. There was a lot going on right now. He didn’t think he’d have the time to divert his attention towards the anomaly. But it was also true that he couldn’t ignore it.

If this was an anomaly that came from a <B> ranked gate, then he had no choice but to pay close attention to it.

"For now, I’ll report everything to the bureau. But... I’m not too sure about the situation. There’s a lack of personnel due to the current situation. I’ll send some people over at the same time, and inform all Guilds on that island. We need to be careful with this."

Turning his attention towards the projection and stopping it right at the end where the anomaly smiled, he took out a picture of the image with his phone and sent it to the database.

"There’s a high chance that their face will change. For now, I’ve sent it to the database. If any of the cameras or surveillance equipment around the island detects the face, we’ll be alerted immediately."

Guilds, depending on their rank and the importance of the mission, were given the ability to remotely check and use all surveillance equipment placed on the island. This was done to ensure the utmost safety for the citizens of the island.

"Okay, all that is left is to write a report to the bureau and then send it to the Guild Leader as well."

Putting his phone away, the Section Chief looked back at Clara.

His lips parted, and he prepared to issue an order when—

Trrr! Trrr—

His phone vibrated.

He paused for a moment, looking at Clara and then his phone. After a moment of hesitation, and with Clara’s subtle nod, he took out his phone again and answered the call.

"Yes...?"

His voice was subdued as he answered.

Clara watched him from the side as she waited for him to finish. However, it became pretty clear soon that the situation was extremely serious as the Section Chief’s expression turned grave.

"What?"

His voice came out hoarse.

Clara sat up at the sight, and before she even had the chance to wonder what was happening, the Section Chief’s expression twisted.

"He’s coming? No, I don’t want to see him. That’s the last thing I’d want."

***

Coming out of the office space, I was greeted by a mess. The main area was crowded, the sound of the printer churning paper after paper resounding throughout.

"Watch it!"

"...Here!"

Strangers hurried past me, clutching loose papers and folders, their steps uneven and urgent as if every second mattered. Desks were pulled out of place, chairs half-turned, and the sharp rustle of pages filled the room.

’What the hell is going on?’

It was also extremely noisy.

I had to take a moment to adjust myself to the noise before properly assessing the situation. It didn’t take long for me to realize what was happening.

’The conductor gate is about to open in a few days. Everyone must be busy trying to research it and preparing for it.’

I still didn’t know what the plan for the Guild was, but I was certain that they were going to send a lot of us to the Gate.

’...they’ll most likely send all the top elites, but I hope they won’t send me. If they do try, I’ll need to find a way to reject it.’

Just thinking about it made me shudder. They wouldnt’ be that crazy, right?

"Seth...?"

A certain voice broke me out of my thoughts. When I turned my head, a familiar face appeared.

"Rowan?"

What was he doing here?

I checked the time and date, and saw that we didn’t have any therapy sessions arranged for today.

No, wait!

"Rowan!"

"...Huh?"

With a startled look, Rowan stepped back. I didn’t care and moved closer to him as I just barely managed to suppress my rapidly beating heart.

"About our sessions. I wanted to—"

"Ah, actually. I was coming to you to talk about that."

Rowan suddenly smiled as he patted me on the shoulder.

"I want to thank you for the previous sessions. I’ve been feeling so much better ever since the last few sessions. I’ve even managed to get some sleep without any nightmares. I just wanted to tell you this."

Rowan looked incredibly happy as he looked at me, but staring at him, I was confused.

Previous sessions...?

Was that the one we had more than twenty days ago?

’Well, I’m happy he’s feeling a lot better. But—’

"The one we had two days ago was especially great. I don’t think it’ll be long before I will no longer need the sessions."

With a laugh, Rowan patted me on the shoulder as he mumbled,

’You really saved my life there.’

Listening to him, I couldn’t react.

Session two days ago...?

What was he talking about? I wasn’t sure two days ago. I was—

"Oh, anyway. I have to go. Things are rather hectic these days. I’ll still show up tomorrow, and thanks a lot again!"

With a cheerful smile, Rowan turned back and went back to work.

"Oh!"

But suddenly, as if recalling something, he stopped and turned back to me.

"Congrats! I heard you’ve been killing it!"

He left right after that.

I could only stare at his back with a numb expression.

That...

I swallowed silently

’What the hell happened while I was gone?’

Unable to fully grasp the situation, I looked around before spotting Zoey. She looked to be busy handling several papers at once.

I stopped right behind her cubicle.

"....."

I opened my mouth, but didn’t really know what to say. In the end, she was the one to notice me as she raised her head.

"What?"

"Hello."

"...."

"...."

The silence that followed my greeting was uncomfortable. I felt my face itch for some reason.

Clearing my throat, I looked around.

"Where is Kyle? Do you know where he is?"

"Kyle...?"

Zoey looked at me strangely.

"You don’t know?"

"...I forgot."

Her expression turned even stranger, but she ended up answering not long after.

"He’s on duty right now."

On duty...?

What the hell did that mean?

’Is she saying he’s in a gate?’

Well, thinking about it, Kyle being in a gate wasn’t strange, but considering the current situation, it was strange.

"There are a lot of people coming to the island now that the gate is about to open. He’s trying to maintain order."

"...Oh, okay."

That made a lot of sense.

I looked at her and nodded

"I knew that."

"....."

Zoey just gave me a weird look. She seemed to want to say something, but in the end, she lowered her head and busied herself with the papers in front of her. At the same time, she made a shooing motion with her hand.

"Go. Go. I’m also busy handling stuff."

I pursed my lips before turning away.

’Fine. It’s not like I want to stay either. I just wanted to ask about Kyle.’

I did try messaging him, too, but he didn’t reply.

Turning around and preparing to head to the other office, Zoey’s voice once again reached my ears.

"Oh, right."

She sounded hesitant.

"...Congrats, I guess."

Congrats?

I turned around to look at her. With her gaze still focused on the documents in front of her, Zoey mumbled, "Regarding your recent dives. I heard you managed to get a perfect clear. That’s pretty impressive."

"....?"

The hell was she talking about?