[14TH Everdusk 2103]
Lucas, now standing face-to-face with Darian before a crowd of onlookers, didn't flinch. Not even a hint of fear touched his expression. He was confident—perhaps too confident—that Darian wouldn't dare to lay a hand on him.
While Lucas kept smiling like it was all just a joke, Darian's face betrayed his inner storm. Rage boiled just beneath the surface, and it was clear he was holding back with great effort.
He had no choice. Killing a newly awakened citizen would trigger severe punishment—potential imprisonment and the loss of his coveted position. Lucas knew it. Darian knew it.
"Oh, Mr… hmm, I seem to have forgotten your name. Would you mind reminding me?" Lucas asked with a mocking tilt of his head.
"You… hah. Listen, kid. You still have time. Apologize, and we can put this little spat to rest," Darian growled, only to halt mid-threat as his eyes caught Miriam silently pleading with him from the side.
"Apologize?" Lucas raised a brow, feigning confusion. "Perhaps you should see a doctor, sir. I don't recall agreeing to anything of the sort."
I watched from the side, noting how Lucas continued to provoke Darian. He clearly had a plan—or at least enough confidence to bluff like he did. Maybe some system ability or passive deterrent? Either way, baiting a powerhouse like Darian wasn't something done lightly.
Darian's lips curled into a sneer. "Hah. Seems like Miriam's little student is eager for a hospital visit."
He was just about to make a move when a figure materialized between them.
No one saw her coming.
Not even Darian.
"Arah, did I interrupt something?" The calm voice belonged to a woman, and her presence was so heavy that Darian—this monster of a man—flinched.
Everyone instantly understood: if even Darian looked nervous, then this woman must be terrifying.
Lucas just grinned. I figured he might've been hoping she would show up—or maybe he planned for it. Either way, he got his wish.
"Oh! Miss Lilia Ashenbrook—I didn't know you were here. I would've greeted you properly," Darian said with a forced smile.
"No worries, Sir Darian. I just got back a few minutes ago. Saw you chatting with the students and thought I'd stop by," she replied nonchalantly, though her presence radiated quiet dominance.
Lilia Ashenbrook. Branch Manager of CGA's DC-23 branch. A woman of mystery and power. Rumor had it she often escaped the monotony of administration just to find entertainment—and it seemed she'd found some today.
"We were here to issue the students their IDs, actually," Miriam cut in, stepping forward to both engage Lilia and shift the focus away from the rising tension.
"And you are?" she asked, tilting her head before her expression shifted slightly. "Ah, Miriam Westfield. A Master Educator, B-Rank. Not bad."
Miriam blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected her to recognize him.
"I'm honored to be recognized by someone like you," he replied with awkward grace.
"Oh no, Mr. Miriam, don't get me wrong," she chuckled. "I don't know you personally. I just have a knack for picking out talent—and your class seems promising."
Her gaze swept across the students. I instinctively lowered my head.
People like her… they had ways of reading your status. I needed time—time to slip away and use my mask. If I was scanned now, I'd be exposed. And exposure meant one thing: threats. Blackmail. Assassins. I hadn't even killed my first monster yet… no need to attract bloodshed just yet.
"So… you're one of the appraisers for hunter promotions?" Miriam asked casually, gesturing toward Darian who nodded and formally introduced her.
"Students, meet Lilia Ashenbrook—the branch manager of our city's CGA division and its only High Appraiser. If she makes your ID, consider yourselves blessed," he said, trying to steer the conversation into safer waters.
"Wait—are you trying to dump this task on me again?" she asked, realizing the trap too late.
"Oh, Manager, I have urgent work to do. Bye!" Darian vanished before she could protest further.
"Geez! That man always dumps everything on me!" Lilia groaned and stomped, cracking the tiles beneath her foot.
Before she could rope the students into ID registration, a swarm of figures came rushing toward them—faces she clearly didn't want to see.
Independent guild executives.
They came hunting fresh talent like hungry wolves. Low-class students were ignored, but those with even a sliver of potential were fair game—especially the rare B or C ranks that had surfaced among the awakened.
Surprisingly, Lyre, the S-rank Flame Witch, wasn't being mobbed. They knew better. Approaching her could mean the destruction of their guild.
So, they buzzed around the others instead, pestering them with offers and questions about their class. A few students seemed interested, but most preferred the CGA route. Guilds came with too many strings attached.
Lilia, meanwhile, took the opportunity to vanish toward her office. She had no time to babysit fresh blood unless someone rare—a B or A-rank—showed up.
And as the recruiters swarmed the crowd, only a few students remained untouched: Lucas, Lyre, and me.
Lucas stood behind Tess, who acted like a living wall, blocking all interaction. Lyre was protected by her guild members. And I?
I stayed at the back.
Alone. Undisturbed.
Perfect.
No one wasted time on loners when there were crowds to target. That gave me the moment I needed.
I slipped away quietly, heading somewhere less populated. Somewhere I could work undisturbed.
And what I did there… was something no one could know.
—To be continued—