Alterin Saga: Biohazard
Episode 26: Vesta B Valor

Someone opened the door for Rave. He was wearing butler, a guy who seemed to work here.

"Mr Alexander Rave, isn't he? Please enter. Mr. Vesta was waiting inside," the butler let him in and closed the door. Then he led Rave inside.

This mansion is arguably luxurious, although not as luxurious as Sora's. There are a lot of well-appointed antiques in the lobby. Paintings, clocks, cabinets, even knight swords.

"Mr Vesta is a young noble in this country. His habit of confining himself to research makes him not too well known to many people. Today he invited you to help him" the butler said. The two of them walked through the hallway filled with paintings along the wall.

"Help what? The research? But I'm not a smart man or a genius."

"You'll know when they see it" they stop at a door, then the butler knocks on the door and says, "Master Vesta, your guest has come."

"Yes, get him in."

"alright. Mr. Alexander, I can only escort you here. Go ahead" the butler opened the door, and there was a white room with tools and a young man there.

The rave entered and the door was immediately closed. He looked around, amazed by the variety of tools and robots that passed by carrying goods.

"Alexander's Rave? I thought you were older, or at least younger than me. My name is Vesta B Valor. I'm a scientist, and I need you in my research."

"What research?"

Vesta paused for a moment and placed her working tablet on the ceramic table, "Projects... You're looking for Mathanus Laboratory, aren't you?"

Rave was startled and instantly activated his ability, "How do you know?"

"Whoa.. Relax, low temperatures can make some things here damaged. Let me explain from the beginning. My family funded some of that research, although we were never told more about where it was located. But we have some research data."

"Part data? Do you know what the purpose of the research is?"

"Unfortunately, I don't know. All I know is the subject of his research. Your name is on that list. Same with the other 5 projects. Not more."

Rave sighed and pulled the chair in front of Vesta, then sat down. He looked at this young scientist and asked, "So, what do you want?"

"I need your blood, more precisely the cells inside. Mathanus Cell, I need that."

"What if I refuse?"

"You're gonna be dealing with 50 of my trained servants."

"Then you and your servants will freeze to death."

"Rave, please don't complicate this matter. I'll give you information about that cell. Everything."

Rave thought for a moment, "Sorry, Vesta. Notnot now. I'll think about it."

"I'll tell you the location of the other Projects. Of course, if you give me your blood."

"Hows it? Agreed?"

"Agreed, but not today. I'm busy."

"Alright, call me if you're ready" Vesta gave me her card. Then Rave moved and left the room.

"Alexander Rave, I thought you were dead. Really surprising"

...---...

When Rave came out of the mansion, it was already dark. Rave decides to take a taxi home and asks Jin to pay his fare. In front of the gate, he intercepted one and told the intended location.

Vesta B Valor's. I don't know why I feel like he's dangerous.

Rave stared at the mansion building which was slowly moving away.

That building somehow I feel like I've been there. No, I feel like the building is familiar.

Rave's phone rang. He glanced at the name, Jin. Then with an uneasy prejudice, he picked it up.

"Yes?"

"Rave, do you have any money? I— we need him at this time," Jin's tone deepened seriously and anxiously.

"For what?"

"Land cost."

"Huh? So this whole time the house wasn't yours?" Rave was surprised. It was unexpected that he had been hitching a ride in a rented house all this time.

"I-how much do I have to pay?" Rave hesitantly asked, preparing with the number that Jin was about to pronounce.

"2,500 Grand."

2,500?! God, that house is worth 500 grams of gold!

"Rave?"

Shit, I think staying at a friend's house is the best option right now. I can't believe it's a rental house!

Rave stared out the car window. Newspaper this morning had already haunted his head. Then the house matter, which would get him arrested.

"Tomorrow, the Artemis Army will be deployed to comb the Western District. The district where I live today."