I have been waiting at a Zeushrinian town to meet up with Dark, and I only have about two more hours before nightfall. Then I heard some guy yelling nearby and went to check it out. That shouting came from one of those goonish guys; one was a Tzecatopian, and the other a Zeushrinian, and they were messing with an Einganafallian woman with a head cover or something. Despite not being part of The Enforcement Army anymore, I still must protect those who cannot defend themselves. I walked over to them.

Pagani: "Oi! Leave her alone."

T. Goon: "Who are you? What's with the costume?"

Z. Goon: "Hey, that's one of those fugitives the Army is looking for."

T. Goon: "Oh yeah. I remember. I bet those goody-goodies will pay a fortune for his capture. (Turns to woman) You're off the hook, lady."

The lady stood back while the goons walked toward me. They are so out of their league if they don't have a Chosen Metier.

Battle Commence: Pagani the New Target vs. Goons

Theme:...

• Pagani used The Straight One-Wave, hitting both enemies with a shockwave from the waving motion of his transmuted arm, which knocked both out.

Battle Complete: Pagani Wins

I took off my helmet to breathe in the smell of victory. That was very easy, and I was about to return to a hiding spot before the lady stopped me.

Lady: "Pagani, wait."

Pagani: "Huh?"

Lady: "I want to thank you for trouncing those heathens before I had to sully my hands."

Pagani: "Eh, sure, no problem... uh...I think I am suppose to say "Ma'am." Is that that correct?"

Lady: "That is adorable, but I want to reward you. Ask me a question."

Pagani: "What?"

Lady: "Wow, they are right. You are cute but very soft in the head.

Pagani: "What does soft in the head mean? I am not familiar with that one."

Lady: "Oh, nothing you need to think of. Now, ask me something."

Pagani: "There you go again with that."

Lady: "I cannot believe you haven't heard of me. I am the famous Venustas Pin, the Oracle of the Past and Present, and Métier Modder of Answers

Venustas: With my Support State- Tell All, I can answer any questions as long as they are current or past. I can also answer hypothetical ones like statistics and such. Many people would come from miles to seek my lineage's wisdom for centuries, but we only reply to those with a noble pursuit. But I will let you have this great honor since you saved me."

Pagani: "Any question answered, huh? Okay,...What is 11 x 11?"

Venustas: "Uh...121?"

Pagani: "Whoa! I never solved that problem. We had this math test in The Enforcement Army, and I could only answer 3 out of 20...I got those answers wrong, though, but that was a toughie. It kept me up some nights."

Venustas: "You blockhead! I know your people are layback and tend to go through life nonchalantly, but you wasted my divine knowledge on a simple math question! You could have asked where one of the Omniscient Hosts that you were looking for or where the best place to live out your days from The Enforcement Army."

Pagani: "Yeah, but I got a guy looking for those OHs for me, and I am waiting for him. It would be a shame for him to come all the way out here for nothing. Besides, you been through a lot with those two thugs, and I didn't want to burden your gift on me."

Venustas turned around.

Venustas: "How considerate of you. Idiotic but Considerate. Let's say I still owe you a question, and when you want, I will answer you."

She turned back to me quickly.

Venustas: "And you better have a more substantial question for me next time. Okay?"

Pagani: "Okay, but what about..."

Ventustas: "If you are going to ask, What happens if I ask you a question but it is not THE Question?, just kneel to me as you request. Most people tend to do that anyway. Don't worry, I will not alert the Army of your presence here, but you should turn yourself in. Your quest is dangerous to the world, and others tried and destroyed themselves in the end."

Pagani: "I need this for reedamption and recognition."

Venustas: Sigh...how can you pronounce a three-syllable word wrong and a four-syllable one correctly?"

Pagani: "Recognition is one of the big words I know."

Venustas: "What the other ones?"

Pagani: "You have to kneel for that answer."

Venustas: "Hehe. You got me, and I can see why a bumpkin like you evaded the Army for so long. Goodbye, Pagani Sink."

Venustas walked off and went back to the meeting spot. Why was someone so famous left by herself anyway? An hour later, night fell, and in the pitch darkness...

Dark: "Hey, Pagani. I heard that you saved that Oracle, and you could have her give you directions to an Omniscient Host and not pay me."

Pagani: "But then you would waste time searching and coming here for nothing."

Dark: "I wish all my clients had such loyalty, and they would quickly go to that wench if she weren't a snob. Anyway, I got good news and bad news. I learned of a set of Omniscient Hosts, but The Enforcement Army claimed one of them because of your activities. Your fellow AWOL buddy, Horrui, shortly took another one. The last one should be on this map that I placed in your pocket and if you go..."

I dropped the bag of my pay for Dark's services by his feet and used The Quick One to dash out super quickly.

Dark:...now?"

I need to get there before the others do.