Is this fucker threatening me? Victor thought and felt that he really should get some security equipment in the store.

Just this morning he read about a horrific massacre in his city, and now some insane guy shows up and threatens him out of nowhere.

''Yes it would be quite a shame. Of course I would not lie to my dear customers.'' Victor said with a somewhat strained voice.

Hearing Victor's answer, Edward was overjoyed. ''Finally a solid lead on the Spider. That squad leader position is as good as mine.'' Edward mumbled out loud carelessly.

Seeing that the man was speaking to himself, Victor knew that the man had some serious problems in mental health.

Oh poor guy... Maybe I should not hold such prejudice against the guy. Even if he ruined my morning ceremony and threatened me, he can't help it.

Thinking up to this point, Victor wanted to do something nice for the man.

''Say... Since you are looking for a spider, you probably will go look for it right now. Do you want to have some coffee with you on your quest? I have some extra ready to go.''

The man looked at Victor like he was an idiot, but suppressed his laugh. Is he really an idiot? I came here to find the mark and you just spill the beans after little intimidation AND even offer a cup of coffee to go?

Looking over to the coffee machine and a piping hot drink in a strange mug, he felt like it was calling Edward.

''I have not had coffee in a long time. I will take up on your offer then.''

Victor watched the insane man walking directly towards his coffee mug, grab it and then walk like a boss towards the entrance.

Feeling frustrated that some dude just barges in and takes his stuff, Victor felt somewhat helpless and shouted after him. ''Hey man, don't take that. I have grown attached to the mug!''

''Too bad. It's mine now. Toodles!''

Watching the man swagger out from his store, Victor felt that he was a pushover. ''Fucking asshole. I should start some martial arts practice or get a gun to protect myself from lunatics.''

Feeling angry at himself, he picked up a phone and called the police about a petty thief that had mental problems.

Recounting the whole encounter with the lunatic, the police told Victor that they would be on the lookout for the man and let him know if something came out of it.

''Well that was a ginormous waste of time... Police force never change even in a different world.''

Feeling that something was still a bit out of place, he finally felt his stomach rumble. ''Well done holding it in buddy, now it is well deserved time for relief.''

Edward was walking at a slow pace towards the slums. In his hand he held a strange mug that he just had an impulse to take, and occasionally drank a sip from it.

What an idiot shopkeeper! Such a pushover, I wish everyday would be as easy as this. In glee, he pulled out his voice recorder and started to document his findings.

''Log entry 49. I have uncovered the tracks of the Spider from the antique shopkeeper. Seems like they are not on the best terms as he gave out the information after a few threats. The spider's assumed hideout is currently in...UGHHH''

Feeling massive pain in his insides, Edward knew that things are not as simple as he thought.

''The spider's affumed lykatinn ...in...s...'' Edward desperately tried to speak the location he uncovered into the voice recorder, but his speech was cut off by something.

That numbing feeling was starting to spread from his throat towards the heart, he panicked. NO! It's spreading towards the heart. I must stop it!

Edward desperately cut off part of his bloodstream with his mana, and tried to prolong the spreading as much as he could.

Pulling out his cellphone, he called his supervisor and was relieved that the call went through.

''Edward, did you find out the intel?'' The supervisor only heard gagging sounds and some incoherent sounds from the other end. He was starting to get nervous.

''Edward! Answer me.''

With great effort, Edward finally managed to utter a short sentence before losing his battle against the spreading terror. ''SAVE ME!''

''Edward where are you.''

The next moment the call was cut off, and the supervisor anxiously tried to call Edward back, but it only beeps, not available. Edward collapsed on the cold street holding his throat, attracting nearby pedestrians' attention.

Still holding his throat Edward felt that whatever poison the shopkeeper used was not simple. It almost has reached the heart, I can feel it creeping ever closer...

Seeing blurry images of the nearby pedestrians closing in, Edward tossed his voice recorder and cellphone to a nearby alleyway with the last of his strength.

They should find something out from my sacrifice... I really hope that this helps the guild somehow. I...Feel...Cold...He thought in his final moments of clarity before the supposed poison reached his heart.

The black mass finally reached Edward's heart and started to spread into his bloodstream.

Some of the keen-eyed pedestrians noticed that something was wrong and took a few steps backwards, just to see what was about to happen.

The pores of Edward's skin started to emit faint black smog, before the finale.

One of the passing people was acquainted with the special individuals handling mana, and had some talent himself.

Recognizing the general outflow of mana, he quickly yelled to get away from Edward as he identified a dangerous symptom. ''His mana is going berserk! Get away from him!''

The nearby people were startled and quickly backed away a few tens of meters before a violent but contained explosion splattered sticky substances on the nearby walls and observers.

In panic, the people were in shock and disbelief that something extreme happened to them. Calls were made to the police, and the emergency response team arrived on the scene quickly.

The first responders had seen many things in their long career, but something like this was extremely rare even for their eyes.

The duo that arrived first felt physically ill from the stench and visual experience in a semi narrow alley.

Only after a brief calming moment, the first of the duo broke the silence. ''What the fuck is happening in this city? First the docks and now this?''

Seeing that his partner was awfully quiet, he just kept waiting for a reaction.

''Yeah. I think I am done with this job.'' Finally responding, the second man just stared blankly at the rancid mess of an alley.

Poor toilet. Exploding like that right in the morning definitely is not normal. Maybe I should start to use more milk in the coffee to make it easier on the stomach?

Victor felt like a new man after his...Morning ceremony and started to work for real.

''Oh right, that insane dude did flip the open sign. I should do something about that.'' Flipping the sign back to 'open' Victor went to clean the store with renewed vigor.

The relaxed and vigorous atmosphere did not extend further to the city: The downtown police station and all the law enforcement was in absolute chaos.

Loud profanity was heard even outside of the station, as the police commissioner was pouring his heart out to the force.

''What are you getting paid for? The citizens are in absolute terror. Do you want to guess how many times I have answered calls to the important people I usually want to keep good ties with? The answer is the whole fucking phone book. Every single fucking one has demanded answers from me. And what answers I get from you little pieces of shit. Nothing except there are dead people.''

Hearing the commissioner cursing his heart out to the force, only long and uncomfortable silence reigned in between his profanity.

After a long 10 minutes, the commissioner Nolan calmed down a little.

''So. In conclusion with all the evidence collected it is certain that this is out of our league. No suspects. No eyewitnesses. Secretary Mary, please would you call the special division for backup.''

The policemen were not happy about the special division coming into their area of jurisdiction and then flaunting their superiority.

Seeing the angry frowns in the force's expressions, he sighed sadly and consoled them.

''I know you are not happy with the decision, and neither am I. Those jerks just flaunt their power and resources, but even I have to admit it that they get the job done.''