-In a restaurant in the Sanctuary-
"Send a notice to Lady Binel, an Expert-ranker and an Advanced-ranker have entered the city." a man in an unadorned suit whispered into a seated man's ear.
This seated man wore a luxurious green suit, and his long, blonde, Elven hair fell neatly on his back. Not only was this man an Apex-ranker, but he was also the city's Lord.
"Lady Binel is very busy right now. I'll handle it." Lord Hymel said with a smirk.
"Hymel, we are in a state of high alert. Lady Binel gave out specific orders that if anyone above the Advanced-rank enters the city, she should be notified immediately." the suited man repeated their orders.
"Don't you think you're being too casual?" Hymel glared at the Human.
"You aren't my lord, so why would I call you as such?" Kovar, the Human man, scoffed.
"My Lord, do you not think that escalating this would cause a scene?" an Elven servant whispered to Hymel.
Hymel looked around the VIP area of the restaurant, just to find everyone looking at him. Some looked away immediately, some just continued looking, while others even sneered.
"I was the one assigned as the lord and you will follow my orders!" Hymel scolded Kovar in a hushed tone.
"Know that I will be informing Lady Binel about this." Kovar glared at the Elf.
"Do whatever suits you. She wouldn't have put me as lord if she wasn't confident of my abilities." Hymel scoffed.
"Pam, pay the bill. We're going to the gate to inspect these two." Hymel said as he stood from his seat.
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"What's up with the wait?" Phina sighed as she was waiting at the city's entrance. She was tired of just watching people enter the city while she waited.
"I don't know." Pida glared at a guard through his mask. The poor Beginner-rank guard was shaking in his boots. Pida sighed and slowly walked up to a guard. "What's with the hold up?"
"Well...si-"
"I'm the hold up." Hymel said as he walked up to the duo.
"L-Lord Hymel!" the guard walked up to Hymel with a relieved smile.
"Calm down, Spear. He's an Apex-ranker." Phina said with a cold tone.
"An unaffiliated Expert-ranker...well, I'll be damned." Hymel grinned.
"A sensitive one at that." Kovar thinned his eyes.
"Two Apex-rankers? It must be my birthday." Phina was slowly getting nervous. She was quite confident of escaping by spamming Flashing Steps, what came after was what scared her.
"I apologize if we seem a bit forceful. The entire Killers' Arena is on high alert for Seraphina Ender...in fact Advanced-rankers and above are very respected powers, we would very much like your help." Hymel smiled at the two.
"Do you really think you can catch her?" Pida asked.
"We've got three Law-rankers looking for her, not to mention the other Monarchs." Hymel smiled.
"I appreciate the offer, but we're looking for someone." Phina interrupted. "An Apex-ranker called Feher."
"Feher?" Hymel raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Wasn't Feher that old man that ransacked a city in the Angelic Nightfall?"
"Quite the pain in the ass actually...I personally tasted the bastard's Life Stealer." Kovar groaned.
"That's him!" Pida smiled at the mention of his grandfather's Skill. "Where is he?!"
"He ran somewhere to the east. He's probably somewhere in the south of the Elven Hellzone or he's heading to the Demonic Day's capital city." Kovar sighed.
"Well, that's good news." Phina smiled. "We'll try to rest here for as little as possible and get out of your hair quickly."
"Of course, but we have to check you first. We need to check for disguises." Hymel smiles.
"Cool." Phina hid her nervousness as she pushed a little of her Life Energy into her torso and head. Her legs felt weak as she took off her black jade mask. "Now, I must warn you. I am a redhead."
Phina slowly turned a little older and her hair became shorter and red.
"You're older than you look." Kovar said as he slowly moved his hands towards his back.
"That's quite rude." Phina said as she scoffed.
"I apologize Miss...uh...I never got your name." Hymel smiled awkwardly.
"I am MADAM Shira." Phina glared at the two.
'She's arrogant...she has the pride of an Expert-ranker. Expert-rankers don't have that kind of pride in the outside world...' Hymel then smiled. "I apologize Madam Shira. Please, come inside."
"You're not gonna do a background che-"
Kovar was cut short by Hymel's hateful glare. Kovar grit his teeth and kept his mouth shut.
"Well..." Phina glanced at the two as she put her mask back on. "I will hopefully see you later."
Pida quietly followed behind after showing his face to the two Apex-rankers.
The duo were quiet all the way to the inn. After the two entered the room and Phina closed the door, she collapsed to the ground.
"Are you alright?!" Pida held her up.
"I...I can't do this anymore." Phina said, her lip quivering.
"W-What?" Pida looked at her with confused face.
"I..." Phina took a very deep breath. "I need someone to know, I don't care who. You're the only one I can trust with this secret."
'Is she going to...?' Pida raised an eyebrow.
Phina took yet another deep breath and took off her mask. "I am Seraphina Ender."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"WELL?! SAY SOMETHING!!" Phina said as she grit her teeth in fear and nervousness.
"Pfft! HAHAHHAHAHAHA!!!" Pida started laughing his ass off.
"...what?" Phina looked at him with confusion all on her face.
"I already knew! I could read your mind all along!" Pida said with a smile.
"..." Phina sighed in relief as she smiled. Then a chill went down her spine in realization.
"Relax. People don't normally read minds." Pida smiled as he sat beside Phina in front of the door.
"..." Phina sat in silence then turned to Pida with a little embarrassment. "Are you not...mad?"
"Why would I be?" Pida gave her a comforting smile.
"I'm probably your only chance of getting out of here." Phina said in a mutter.
"Who fucking cares to be honest?" Pida chuckled. "I had thoughts of turning you in to the Monarchs for my grandpa, since he wanted to help the Human-Elf-Angel faction, but it looks like he had a change of plans."
"You were gonna sell me out?" Phina looked at him with sad eyes.
"To be honest, I was wrestling with myself for when I was going to do it...if ever." Pida scoffed to himself. "It makes me so happy to know I don't have to struggle anymore. I'll ask grandpa about you when we meet him...let him decide."
"..." Phina then chuckled in a self-deprecating manner. "I guess I'll take that."
"Well, then. Mind telling me your ACTUAL story this time?" Pida smiled.
"Well...I guess I can tell you about my story." Phina said with a sigh.