7.1: Investigation

Thanks to Xavier temporarily synchronizing our access privileges, I'm able to use the highest-rank database in the Hunters Association.

After spending most of the day searching, a news article from two years ago catches my eye.

Located in the heart of Linkon City, a man in his 50s was murdered in a luxurious apartment. The killer has never been caught.

MC: (All the evidence points to Onychinus, but it's still not enough to be certain. An unsolved case...)

Is Onychinus is the culprit, then they're clearly able to manipulate the media. But they didn't. Maybe they're trying to send a message.

Even though the Association blocked all insider channels, there are some encrypted ones. For a small fee, a person can locate the source.

----LOANGDING----

•Connecting... Please do not turn off the device

User423412: Hi

User423412: All I got is a single crime scene photo and a bad audio clip. Still want them?

MC: Yeah

User423412: Why are you looking into Onychinus? Got a score to settle?

MC: Wasn't there a policy about not asking about the past?

User423412: I'm just curious.

System: User423412 has sent a photo and an audio file. After they are opened, both will be automatically deleted once three minutes have passed.

Accept?

|Yes|

•Downloading

The photo finishes downloading. It takes up the entire screen.

There is a room filled with classical furniture. An untouched bottle of expensive wine sits on the nightstand. It appears it owner died before he could have a chance to celebrate.

Wearing a bathrobe, a man lies motionless by the door. The intricately embroidered carpet beneath him is soaked in dark red blood.

A wisp of smoke slowly spirals out from the bullet hole in his chest, like a crimson carnation blooms from his blood-soaked shirt.

User423412: The photo was apparently taken just before the feed was cut. But no weapons or traces were left behind at the crime scene.

User423412: The police investigation reveals that aside from the victim, there were three other individuals.

MC: How do they know?

User423412: The recording had the sounds of footsteps from two people along with a conversation.

MC: Who was the victim?

User423412: They say he's an important researcher for Ever's biopharmaceutical company.

User423412: Have you heard of Ever before? They're a well-known name.

User423412: *Audio file

Onychinus wouldn't leave behind an obvious trail. They must have done it intentionally to warn or threaten certain individuals.

After thinking about it some more, I decide to play the audio file again.

??: "Hah, you don't even know what I'm talking about."

??: "Well, you won't have to worry about it now."

A scream cuts through the air. What follows is silence and then harsh static.

I keep replaying the clip, over and over, trying to etch this voice into my memory.

As my cursor is about to click the X in the top right-hand corner, a new message stops me.

User423412: Are you interested in the N109 Zone because you're looking for work?

User423412: A new bounty has been put up. Wanna take a look? Let me earn that referral payment.

MC: Who's the target? I want to think about it first.

System: User423412 has requested to send an image. Accept?

|Yes|

WANTED

DEAD OR ALIVE

24,071,300

After seeing the photo, a chill runs down my spine.

The person in the photo is Rafayel.