"..."
To be honest, Fang Li really didn't want to get involved.
Even though the gaze burning into his back was intense and unmistakable, his Enemy Detection skill remained dormant, clearly, the other party held no hostility.
Which meant he could ignore it.
And truthfully, he had a feeling, one honed through countless battlefields and near-death encounters.
If he responded to that gaze, things would definitely become complicated.
To make matters worse, the notice board in front of him held a freshly posted flyer, one that felt less like a standard party recruitment and more like someone advertising for a friend… or even a lifelong partner.
The moment Fang Li glanced at it, he understood.
That flyer had to be from the person staring at him. Which meant one thing: he needed to make his exit. Now.
With that in mind, Fang Li casually tore down a commission sheet offering a handsome reward and prepared to leave without a second thought.
"Ah…"
A small voice rang out, soft and tinged with disappointment, like the sound of someone on the verge of tears. Despite being nearly drowned out by the loud banter and laughter of the Adventurer's Guild, the sound somehow slipped through the chaos and reached Fang Li's ears.
He told himself, firmly: "Don't turn around… don't turn around… don't, turn, around…"
Unfortunately, perhaps sensing his hesitation, the gaze behind him grew even more intense, like a silent pressure threatening to pierce his back.
Fang Li really wanted to tell whoever it was: "Even the One-Strike Bear's stare at its prey is less terrifying than the way you're looking at a potential teammate right now."
But saying that would mean acknowledging them.
"…Sigh."
In the end, he exhaled deeply, unable to resist any longer. Slowly, he turned his head toward the gaze.
"Ah…"
That voice rang out again. This time, it wasn't disappointment, it was hopeful, eager, like someone who had just spotted a miracle.
And then Fang Li saw her.
She sat at a small wooden table in a quiet corner of the Guild.
According to the details on the flyer, she was around twelve or thirteen years old.
She wore a black sorcerer's robe with a matching cloak draped over her shoulders. A silver staff leaned against the table, and at her waist hung a crystal-like short sword. Everything about her screamed "Mage."
She wasn't particularly tall, but her figure… was unusually developed for her age. With curves that would make older girls envious, she looked more mature than most teens, somewhat reminiscent of Toudou Kirin in how misleading her appearance was.
Her face was undeniably beautiful. Medium-length black hair framed her features, the front tied with a ribbon in a half-braid that added a touch of charm. A true eye-catcher.
And yet, despite that beauty, she carried herself with an aura of humility, minimizing her presence so skillfully that most people overlooked her entirely.
But once you did notice her… You couldn't look away.
Fang Li was no exception.
Of course, it wasn't her beauty that caught his attention.
It was her eyes.
Those red eyes, bright, deep, and shimmering like rubies, jolted something in Fang Li's memory.
"Crimson Demon Clan…"
-----Crimson Demon Clan.
A name known across this world. A lineage of elite Mages famed for their explosive magical power and eccentric personalities.
In this world's Class-based system, just like a game, one could undergo a Class Advancement upon reaching certain skill thresholds. These advanced classes were known as High-Tier Classes, stronger and rarer than the standard ones.
For Mages, that High-Tier Class was the Archmage, masters of advanced spells and cataclysmic magic.
For Priests, it was the High Priest, capable of sacred miracles, including even resurrection magic for those recently slain.
Every Class had its own pinnacle, and once the required stats were met, even a Level 1 Novice could leap straight into a High-Tier Class, instantly unlocking powerful skills and inherent bonuses.
It was said that only after becoming an Archmage could one learn top-tier destructive spells, while High Priests could wield the power of divine revival.
Because of this, High-Tier Classes were synonymous with elites.
The Crimson Demon Clan, naturally, stood at the apex of Mage society.
Generation after generation, their bloodline produced prodigies with staggering Mana reserves and intelligence, enabling them to start off as Archmages. They would accumulate skill points rapidly and learn high-tier spells even before they were considered adults.
Their defining trait? A pair of crimson, demon-like eyes.
Just like the girl sitting before him now, dressed like a spellcaster, her red eyes glinting with expectation.
Fang Li had no doubt.
She was from the Crimson Demon Clan.
And then…
"I feel like I've seen her somewhere before…"
More precisely, Fang Li had the vague impression that she resembled someone from the original storyline.
However, as previously mentioned, Fang Li wasn't all that familiar with this world. His memories were foggy at best, but he was fairly certain she had made an appearance.
That said, another thought crept into his mind.
"Maybe her presence is so low it's even affecting my memory…"
As this rather impolite theory crossed Fang Li's mind, the girl on the other side of the room began to fidget, visibly flustered and brimming with energy. Her crimson eyes shimmered with increasing brilliance, making several nearby Adventurers panic and back away instinctively.
Even Fang Li found himself stepping back reflexively.
"I've heard the Crimson Demon Clan's eyes glow brighter when they get emotionally stirred…"
But still, what in the world was getting her so worked up?
At this point, Fang Li's motivation to approach her had taken a serious hit.
Unfortunately, this very hesitation only seemed to make her more anxious. Her eyes continued to brighten, glowing an almost ominous scarlet.
"…"
Fang Li's mouth twitched. Again.
He sighed deeply.
"…Might as well go see what this is all about."
Just as this thought formed in his mind, the girl made her move.
"U-uh…"
A soft, trembling voice escaped her lips, barely audible. Then, as though a switch had been flipped, she sprang into action.
She kicked her chair back with a loud clatter, flung her cloak aside, and struck a dramatic pose as if she were the protagonist of some grand magical saga. With her hand raised high like a conquering hero, making a proclamation, she shouted at the top of her lungs:
"My name is Yunyun! I am a great Mage! And one day, I will lead the Crimson Demon Clan!"
Her voice rang like thunder.
In that moment, the entire Guild fell silent. Every Adventurer turned toward her with stunned expressions, caught completely off guard.
Even Fang Li was frozen in place.
Meanwhile, Yunyun, having drawn all eyes to herself, stood there basking in the absolute silence. But as the realization of what she had done sank in, her face gradually turned bright red, crimson to match her eyes, and her body began to tremble uncontrollably.
"Ugh… WooaaaahAaahAhhh, , , , !"
Finally, unable to bear the crushing embarrassment, she burst into tears and bolted out of the Guild.
The Adventurers remained dumbfounded, speechless in the wake of the spectacle.
Fang Li could only bury his face in his hands.
No matter what, he had to chase after her.
Otherwise… that girl was going to be way too pitiful.
(End of Chapter)
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