Ch. 2- A New Opportunity

(Aria?!)

"My name is not Aria,

Why do you call me that?"

My eyes sharpened because I am skeptical about this guy. I dont have the faintest clue about his personality behind that decent appearance. In short, he is yet a stranger to me.

Also his name 'Mereon' doesnt ring a bell, and I havent seen him around the town.

"Milady Aria, may I request for you to wipe off that doubtful look on your face?

because it breaks my heart."

His lips formed into a slight pout and looked away.

(What?! He's rather emotional, despite of this intimidating aura he emits. I was expecting that he'd be arrogant and boastful towards me, but it turns out that Im wrong.)

"I said I'm not Aria

And before I tell my name, tell me everything I want to know about you first."

.

.

.

"Let me clear things up,

Number one, you are a being from other dimension that was sent here through a ritual capable of inter-dimensional travel by a sage, and then number two you went here to perform a blood pact with me because the other dimension me—Aria is long dead hence you are weakened day by day.

Last but not the least number three, you need me to protect this world?"

I asked for clarification.

He nodded

"Yes, all of that are correct Milady."

"Hmmm..."

(Now, I notice he's so stiff on his chair...

Maybe he took what I said 'Sit down and stay still' seriously.)

I intently stared at him to observe his body language—eyes, neck, hands, lips, feet— so as to know if he's just deceiving me or not.

He perceptibly was uncomfortable during the process; He couldnt maintain eye contact but when he was talking about his past, his eyes was fixed on mine

I think he just becomes shy If I unwantedly stare at him.

I cleared my throat.

/Ahum/

"By the way, what is so special about a Gojin's heart that this 'Great Family Alliance' pursues it?"

He glanced at me and then gazed down on the floor.

"A Gojin's heart holds immense power that one cannot awaken alone, Unless a human possessing a blood information that matches a Gojin's, agrees to perform a blood pact with him. This shall signify allegiance between you and the Gojin which will help to unseal the power.

and by then, the Gojin and the host must act as one and grow simultaneously.

That is why 'The Great Family Alliance' is in pursuit of my heart in order to reawaken Abaddon—a mortal god of disaster and suffering— not only to bring him back to life but also to help him attain immortality, using him as a weapon to dominate worlds in other dimensions."

I took my eyes off him and turned to see the window.

The sun has been hidden by a large cloud, making a dim surrounding. Along with the change in the morning's brightness is the room's atmosphere — it became tense.

"They want to dominate living planets in other dimensions and for that to happen it requires Mereon's heart..."

After having to know about his past and the present conflict he's going to be in, I began to take big gulps.

What if they find out that inter-dimensional travel is possible?

They would surely bring chaos to this world.

"Does this Great Family Alliance know about inter-dimensional travel?"

I faced Mereon with traces of anxiety spread across my face.

"The Great Family Alliance thought about it as nothing but a child's fantasy. However, it was until a research organization have succeeded in proving that it is feasible. Fortunately, they havent figured out a way to safely execute it."

(That wont guarantee this world's safety!

I hope they wont find out about that sage who is capable of inter-dimensional travel.)

I rested my back against the window.

(My head is about to explode, I should stop worrying too much.)

"Milady Psyche, somehow, I feel that you still dont completely trust me"

He said

"I should not give my trust easily to you— youre still an acquaintance.

Anyway, lets set that Abaddon and Great Family Alliance stuff aside.

Right now, prove to me that you are not some kind of a bad guy."

I asked.

"Will you please allow me to move so I can show you something?"

He politely requested.

(What? So he did take what I said seriously! He is surprisingly very obedient!)

I nodded as an affirmation.

"Go ahead."

I briefly said.

He suddenly took off his upper clothing, causing for my face to become red as if I have a fever.

(Hey, hey, hey!)

His tattoos— that I dont know the meaning of—became visible.

(What in the world is he gonna show me!)

"To begin with, I want to show these unhealed wounds I got from battling with a giant wisp in the tower to save you Milady

It happened after you collapsed on the floor because of mana depletion.

These wounds were caused by the wisp's bullet-shaped attack wherein several of it pierced through my wings.

As a Gojin whom you once had a pact with, I came to save you Milady."

I crossed my arms as my face formed a slight frown.

"Stop calling me Milady again and again! Call me Psyche instead.

and about the tower, I thought I had decided to go home after resting..."

"That wound on your leg is caused by the wisp's blade attack Milady Psyche."

(Milady Psyche? Its still not right but whatever.

Also, I have a wound on my leg?)

After hearing those, I looked on my leg right away.

and a cloth is wrapped around it.

(He put his life at risk for me? Thats more than enough.)

"Thank you for saving me Mereon."

(but wait...my dress is now white?!)

I internally screamed in shock after remembering that this is not the outfit that I was wearing yesterday.

(I am in my nightdress!)

"wait..."

I clenched my fist inwardly causing for Mereon to be alarmed.

"W-What's the matter Milady Psyche?"

He insantly asked me.

"Are you the bastard who changed my clothes?!"

In a deep, mad voice, I asked him.

"N-no Milady Psyche it was somebody else."

His hands waved as a gesture to say no.

"I already experienced being kicked on the face by Milady Aria because I changed his clothes.

Thats why, this time Im not gonna commit the same mistake again..."

I can sense sincerity in his words thus relieved me.

"Oh, I see? Tell me who did it."

My voice switched back to normal.

He scratched his chin with his pointy finger and gazed up at the ceiling, trying to remember who did it.

"Please give me time to remember that human I had asked to change your clothes Milady Psyche.

Well, that human has a long silky hair which is, without a doubt, a female. As far as I can remember, her name is Mario."

"MARIO?! THAT IS CERTAINLY NOT A FEMALE YOU BIG MORON!"

/Splak/

I kicked Mereon right at his face with all my might as a revenge for what he did.

.

.

.

"Where are we heading to Milady Psyche?"

Mereon rubbed his cheek-meat as we head to the town square which is relatively near from the shop where we bought my battle robe from.

(I was trying to move on as fast as i could but after seeing Mario brightly smiled at me at the shop recently, I cant help but to get more annoyed. and by the way, Mario is my neighbor.)

I walked with heavy treads and accelerated my pace; Mereon did likewise.

"S-So this is what other dimension looks like; as far as what ive noticed, It only has minor distinctions between mine, that is, fashion."

He lift his head to eye at those grand sunlit buildings of white and gold and then plucked daisies from a flower bed.

"Wait! Youre not allowed to do that!"

My eyes enlarged in shock.

Luckily, no one saw what he did.

I drew a sigh of relief.

This guy looks like he just got out of a shell.

Well to me, this scenery of slant sun light exposing the majesty of Elfrud's six-storey high buildings is nothing new.

In fact, seeing this beauty of Elfrud Kingdom every single day encourages me to work hard and become a well-known Guardian.

I want to protect this place.

Chattering noises became louder, marking that we are now close to the town square.

upon reaching our destination, we are welcomed with various noises from busy people thus making the place appear lively.

Shrieking of children who are playing tags near the fountain, laughters of people who have nothing better to do but to stroll around early in the morning, shouting of team leaders who are in need of members—

music from an accordion has overwhelmed them nevertheless.

As always, it is an occupied place

(Now, I have to complete my mission— to flaunt my new outfit. Lets see!)

I stood near the fountain while Mereon sat on a bench and entertained himself with the view of colorful fishes.

A lady with better gears passed by me and also there's another one!

Theres alot of them I am so overshadowed.

I became emotionless for a second...

(Really? I worked hard for this gear yet no one even notices it.)

"Milady your new outfit suits you well!"

Mereon said as he appeared beside me.

I glanced at him and then proudly laughed.

"Gahaha! Isnt it?"

I know that I deserved that.

I drew my head near him and asked in a low voice.

"Say it again."

"Your outfit looks good on you Milady."

I laughed again; I cant help it because Im so happy right now.

"By the way, What are they lining up for Milady?"

Mereon asked me amid my laughter. He pointed his finger at those four people lining up for a guild application.

"Oh! A guild who seeks new members..."

It has pheonix insignia which I dont recognize; it is probably a newly established guild.

"A guild? why dont we join Mi—"

I instantly lined up and seized the opportunity.

If this is a newly established one, I guess they'll just get low-level applicants.

Basing from their gears, I think im right.

"Feel free to ask me anything about the form."

That fine-looking guy ,wearing a chain mail, is the guild leader I assume.

His scars on his face and neck are so deep, proving that he had several tough fights before.

To me, he looks resilient and brave; the type wherein the word 'give up' is nonexistent in his vocabulary.

Beside him, is a kind looking girl with downcast eyes; She is an angel in a leather armor!

/BLAG/

The table, where the application forms are piled up at, has turned upside down after an amber-haired guy kicked it away.

He is accompanied by a girl, walking so lady-like as her heels loudly click-clacked. She has this inviting look in her eyes that can easily attract men.

(Whats their deal?! I dont want to miss this chance you know!)

"Oh sorry, the table was blocking the way."

(What an unreasonable guy! He could just carry it and put somewhere else.)

The amber-haired guy has an arrogant demeanor thus irritated me; arrogant and boastful guys are my enemy.

He breathed a sigh of disbelief and disappointment.

"I cant believe that Phoenix guild is operating in spite of having a huge debt to us— the Black Mist. Why dont you just let us seize the collateral ?

Give up your guild headquarter already just as what we have agreed on the contra-"

He said.

I loudly took a few steps forward and cut in.

"Hey, Hey! If you just want to talk about money and debts then you dont have to kick the table, that was uncalled for! Settle it peacefully, would you?"

I yelled straight away.

"Milady."

Im not the one of the passive sort that lets cruelty slip easily.

/BLAM/

A sudden powerful punch sent me rolling away on the pavements.

"Stop that Polstar! Let's settle this peacefully!"

The chain mail guy and the angel-like girl tried to approach Polstar—the amber-haired guy.

However, the sexy girl who is accompanying Polstar has blocked their way, her plump lips formed a mischevous smile.

"Let him teach people some good manners."

She softly said.

"Ugh...That hurts."

(I wasnt expecting that he has the guts to assault people in a public place.)

I wiped the blood off my mouth and stood up as Mereon shielded the follow-up attacks from the amber-haired guy using his shape-shifting powers.

The people are clustered around us thus the surrounding became warm.

(How did everything escalated so quickly? Did I pass out?

AGAIN?

Soon after just regaining my consciousness from mana depletion... sigh Im such a burden!)

"STOP THAT!"

/!!/

A brave kid has stepped in with an eager look on his face!