Watching the news, Joseph noticed Menace’s movements had been rather strange. Ever since the assassination, there hasn’t been another assassination. He was analyzing the situation as Menace was five miles away, and he killed a general like that. Thinking about it, why didn’t he run if he was that far? No one would be able to see him. But instead, he put himself out there for everyone to see. Also, why hasn’t he killed any other officials? He can eliminate more if he wants to, but he chose not to.

  “Hmm..looking at the files….before he was doing assassination missions for others.” He recalled the past as towns he was in, Faust would do constant assassination missions, killing many targets around Avalon. Before, he wasn’t a threat as they were people who weren’t really part of the order. No one noticed such a thing because of it. Many of them were Avalonians and labourers which didn’t require diviners to get involved. It was until a recent mission that a diviner got involved that Menace actually piqued the government's interest when he used his divine energy.

  As he was looking at the victims Menace had targeted, half of them were saved, and the other half were dead. Recognizing a pattern from the reports many of them were given a chance to survive as they were never fatal strikes. Giving time for many to survive death, if it were possible. It didn’t stop there, though because the assassination attempts became more complicated after the next. This also gave rise of doctor Fausto, who took the risk of saving lives at the expense of his license. He didn’t care that he was the only one who would take the cases. Though half were dead, he still took the cases because he wanted to save them as reported. Looking at the data, he didn’t seem to think this was a coincidence. “Wait, could this be why…”

  Knock knock.

  “Hello, Joseph, how are you doing today?” Faust said as he entered with Karma.

  “I’m doing fine, just doing some investigation on something…?” Joseph said as he was looking at the documents. Keeping one of his hands hidden, it was as though he was ready to unsheathe a weapon at any time he wanted. Remaining unfazed, Faust pretended that he didn’t notice anything at all. Actually he even pretended to let his guard down as he was prepared to fight at any time if Joseph was ever to fight. Though that was the worst-case scenario.

  “Well, let Karma do a check-up on you first. Karma, if you please.” Faust was then looking at the paperwork in Joseph. Though Fausto was the real expert and could do those miracle surgeries, Faust is also capable as well. Since both were up everyday when the others were awake, they naturally learn from each other. However, it was better to leave the surgeries to Fausto as he was by far the more experience one, as his abilities allow him to perform surgeries without the guesswork. Shadow Dwellers don’t just sense people but by touching them, they can feel the entire structure of their bodies. In an instant, Fausto can find out if there is something missing, where the body has problems and what the problem is. However with so much information, it takes a veteran shadow dweller to be able to sort that information.

  “Ok.” Karma then looked at him as she was testing. But during that time, Joseph wanted to ask Fausto.

  “Doctor?”

  “Yes, what is it?”

  “How is it that his targets are your patients?”

  “Who….?” Faust was rather confused about the question. He for sure knew what he was talking about, but Jospeh wanted him to say it explicitly.

  “Menace.” This then got Karma concerned about hearing these questions. Is he trying to accuse Faust of something? Because usually if a diviner, let along a cleanser, finds you of any charges….things usually don’t go pretty well.

  “Ah yes that guy. The one that killed half of my patients.” Faust said, saddened by those words. Karma saw that as she felt pain by looking at him. Even though it was completely just good acting, Karma was fooled by his words. “Well he is...how do you say it…a problem.”

  “Problem, you say?”

  “Yes his cases really aggravate me.” Recalling all of the things that Fausto complained to him, those complaints seemed to help him for once.

  “Why is that?” Both Joseph and Karma were listening as they were both interested in his past; he was never for one to reveal them at all. In fact, he was the most secret person out of everyone. Not because he didn’t tell people, it's just that he was known to never interact with people. Even this conversation was a rarity if it wasn’t a diviner, he wouldn’t be talking. Though it also happens to be Faust who always likes to interact.

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  “Because I never was interested in being a surgeon. In fact, I wanted to be a writer. However, fate ended up getting me involved in one surgery after another.”

  “And it just so happens you took the cases that just happened to come right after Menace tried to assassinate them?” Joseph said as Faust then grabbed a few pieces of paper.

  “Because no one else was willing to take those cases,” Faust said seriously. “As a doctor, if there is life, even if they have a small chance, they stay alive and we help them until they can’t be helped anymore.” Listening, Karma was so inspired that she was in awe of those words. But Joseph wasn’t convinced as he kept harping for definite answers.

  “You didn’t answer the question? Why are you two somehow connected?’ Which then Faust answered as he was finally able to create the story.

  “Because when the first death happened, I had just gotten my license. At a young age, I didn’t want to use it even when I had a talent for it. I continued to follow my ambition as a writer even as I continue to hear about these patients dying one by one. Even with the best surgeons, most of the patients had no chance. After resisting the urge several times, I finally gave in. I volunteer because I had the license and the expertise to do it. From that point on, I could no longer go against the gift I was given.”

  “Gift?” A word that intrigued Joseph was a gift since he was a Diviner who could relate as he also has something that not most have.

  “If you have a talent that no other person has, why not use it? To hide it is to never reach your full potential or contribute to the world. Though even if I did, it wasn’t like I was needed. What mattered was does the patient had the will to live.” Being famous was one thing, but Faust had another reason as to why he actually let most of his victims a chance to live. Something that no one would have thought of.

  “I don’t understand?”

  “Think about it.'' Faust then showed all the other documents. “They are still alive after every incident. Even though no one can stop him. Why would he let them live if no one could stop him? Why would he let them live if he wanted to kill them??” Joseph then thought, but nothing came up. But Faust already knew, since it was he after all. “It is believed he wants to give them a chance to get better.” Karma and Joseph were still confused. “Though it is true that I did many cases involving him, I did do many other ones far more serious, as those were patients who were going to die. But his case was high high-profile target, the reason why it gets so much attention. Do you know why?”

  “Because??” Karma was not following, of course, as she wouldn’t understand it.

  “Because???” Even for Joseph, nothing comes up as he didn’t understand the reason too. This made Faust figure out why Gilius knew how to fool Joseph so easily.

  “Because many of those I saved afterwards turn a 180 and better themselves in life. Many of these patients lived to have successful lives after. I have the ability to save these people, but what they do after is the true miracle. Before many didn’t do much with their life and went the wrong direction. After the surgery, it was like they realised their mistake in life and made the most of it. Sometimes you just need a second chance in life to know what is important. I, who reject my talents as a surgeon, was given a chance to use it and make a contribution to the world.” Faust explained. Joseph still didn’t understand it completely, but there was one thing he wanted.

  “I now understand…”

  “You do?” Karma asked as Joseph then nodded.

  “I was the leader of the Cleansers and developed a new style of fighting that wasn’t part of the twelve families. I had always believed that in order to get stronger, I had to do something different than what my family did. Forgetting my past, I would create a new way for the Diviners. I had always believed it was my gifts that made me weak. But when I lost, I realised I lost with regrets, being a shame to my family. But Menace must have wanted me to live to realise that I have been looking at things the wrong way. I will not hold back any longer. What I thought made me weak. I will use it once more.” Satisfied with the answer, he didn’t even care about the interrogation anymore. Even though Faust's explanation was so that Joseph could retire, it only further his determination for revenge. Wanting to explain once more, Faust noticed it was fruitless as Joseph was now motivated to train and get stronger for his next encounter. It was to the point that he had already gotten rid of all the papers to the delight of Faust, even when this was not his intended outcome.

  “Well, I guess what doesn’t kill you could only make you stronger. ”

  “Yes!! That is why I must get out of here as soon as possible.” Joseph urgently tried to get out of bed as he felt like he had a new purpose to accomplish. More than for the organisation and more than for his students. This was for himself. However, Faust then stopped him.

  “Looking at yourself currently, you need a few more weeks to fully recover. If you go out there now……… You won’t be able to fight to your best ability.” Faust doesn’t want to deal with him right now. Though he had wished he would go to retirement, battle maniacs will always be battle maniacs.

  “Nonsense!!!! I know my body more than anyone! Just get me out of these things and I will.u..guh” Joseph was trying to forcefully get out of the bed before Faust knocked him out. Because Joseph didn’t use divine energy to protect himself it made it easy for Faust to knock him unconscious. Karma looked at Faust as though he were crazy.

  “Do you know who you hit????!!! You might be..” Karma warned, but Faust didn’t seem to care as he said important words.

  “In the hospital, we are the highest authority, not the patients or those who back it. Understand?”

  “Y..yes..”

  “Good well, he just needs sleep, we will come back later. Come on.” Faust said as he left the room with Karma following along.

  “He really does sound cool when he talks like that,'' Karma noticed as she was looking at his dignified way of walking. Not even noticing that, Faust then looked at his tablet, which said to always look good in front of the person you like. Give them a good impression. That was checked off as he for sure did it. Though the gift didn’t work, the second worked. Women are so hard to deal with, Faust thought as he still found it hard to make a woman happy.

  “It really is a long process……”