[Jevan perspective]

I lay on the bed in Vensen's bedroom while he was sprawled out on the worn out couch. Beside me Timaeus was sound asleep. As for me, as usual, sleep refused to come anywhere near me. That cursed mask hadn't just driven away those annoying spirits, it had driven away sleep from my life as well.

Damn that idiot, the original Jevan. He should have mentioned this in the downside clauses too. I'd thought I could finally get a little rest.

I stared at the ceiling for hours in silence. Unfortunately it looked like Vensen hadn't slept either.

"Are you awake?"

"No."

"I know you're awake."

"Then why ask?"

"I have a question."

"Didn't we finish that silly Q&A part?"

"I have another question."

I muttered,

"Ask."

"Are you really that masked man people whisper about?"

"Rumours? What rumours?"

"Forget it."

"No, no… tell me, what kind of rumours?"

"I don't know… a masked monster that eats human flesh. It appears to people at midnight if they're walking alone."

"What nonsense is this? Any more?"

"They say if you say its name three times it appears before you and grants you a wish."

After hearing that I sighed, running my fingers along the edge of the mask. By the Creator, what kind of things had you been doing to get rumours like this spread about you?

"Don't believe such rubbish. I'm a gentle person who wouldn't hurt a fly."

Vensen shot me a sideways look before muttering,

"Yes, of course."

"Believe me, I'm a very peaceful person."

"Don't worry, I believe you."

It was obvious he didn't. And honestly? I felt wronged. I really am a very nice person, I've never hurt a fly in my life.

"Anyway, since you brought it up. What made you come with me and leave your companion behind? Wasn't I the one who tore your comrades into pieces?"

"I didn't have much affection for them. I barely spoke to them. If they were in my place they'd have done the same."

"And that girl?"

"She'll be fine."

"But I don't think she'll forgive you."

"I don't care."

Silence hung over the room for several minutes. Neither of us spoke.

"So… what was I like in the past?"

I turned the other way.

"You were always a little brat."

"You seem bolder lately."

He didn't answer, just pulled a brown blanket over himself and closed his eyes.

…

Morning came and I was still awake, while Vensen was deep asleep. All night I'd been thinking about the next step. Now I was being hunted by the Bloody Fang gang and had a huge bounty on my head.

I couldn't hide forever, so I needed to leave the Lower District quickly. But how? Go to Rusted Korven? Not a comforting idea.

I still didn't know who he really was, whether he could be trusted or not. But I decided to trust Iris.

And if he didn't help me or tried to betray me? I'd simply kill him. And if there were some witnesses I'd kill them too. No witnesses, no problems.

I pulled the pillow off my head and threw it at Vensen's face.

"Wake up, the sun's up."

He moved the pillow to cover his face and kept sleeping. I got up from my bed and shoved him off the couch. He fell to the floor but stayed asleep. I exhaled in boredom, then grabbed a glass of water and poured it on his face.

Finally he woke up and jumped up shouting:

"What in the Creator's name did you do?!"

I shrugged,

"You're the one who wouldn't wake up."

He wiped his face with his hands.

"Why did you wake me?"

"Move, we have a place to go."

"Where?"

"There's someone I need to talk to."

"Who?"

"Get ready first and we'll talk later."

He exhaled deeply before getting up from the floor.

…

We left Vensen's house. I wore my long black cloak while he went out as he was, making no effort to hide his identity. I didn't complain; I was the one who asked him.

He said while holding Timaeus in his arms,

"Are you sure I can just go out like this?"

I gestured to the mask on my face.

"Don't worry. As long as I'm wearing this, and as long as you don't do anything stupid, no one will pay us any attention."

"Is that mask a system piece?"

"Yes."

"I think you should cut back on using it. Maybe it's the reason you've lost your memories."

I didn't reply, just kept walking while thinking whether to tell him the mask had nothing to do with it or go along. In the end I chose silence.

Vensen sighed impatiently,

"Anyway, why am I carrying this cat?"

"You want to leave little Timaeus alone back there?"

"Are we on a picnic that we're bringing him along?"

"Of course, a little picnic."

He kept staring as if wondering whether I was joking. But I wasn't. For me, if we ran into trouble this picnic would turn into a bloody one… but only a little bloody.

After walking for almost an hour we finally reached the Fifth District. We stopped in front of a shop selling weapons. Vensen pushed the door open with his shoulder and we went in. Behind the counter stood a man who looked in his mid thirties, with copper coloured hair and green eyes. As soon as his eyes fell on me he straightened and asked cautiously:

"How can I help you?"

I answered,

"We're looking for Rusted Corvin."

I saw him grab something under the counter, but unfortunately I couldn't see what it was.

"And why are you looking for him?"

I pulled from my coat pocket the card Iris had given me and placed it on the counter.

"We have a matter we'd like to discuss with him."

He lifted the card and stared at it for a moment then raised his eyes to me. His gaze fell on the mask covering my face. His eyes widened a little and his eyebrows rose in surprise.

In the next moment he let go of whatever he was holding, and a black sword dropped to the floor.

"Y… you?"

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