Prince of Scumbags

We returned to the base just before the appointed time. Before that, however, I take a short stroll around the city. 

Crimes in the Ancient City are high. The Ancient City wasn't small by any means, but after squeeze in the remaining population of the world to a city the size of a formerly known country, America. It'd make the city seemed small.

Well, crimes usually happened at Gram and Aegis.

Robbery at a small shop, an attempted murder under a highway bridge, saving a tortured innocent man from a funny looking clown. Wait, he's not supposed to be here…

Anyway, after saving a lot of people and arrived at Synth. We walked to the classroom. Upon arriving, I saw only a few. It seemed the others were still preparing.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw the pink haired girl. What happened yesterday flashed in my head. She heavily denied the mission, yet she seemed okay today. It was strange. What's with her strongest disapproval yesterday about?

"Did something happen to Miem?" I asked the person sitting next to me. It was a man with black skin. He has long, brown hair in dreadlocks and tied it into a ponytail

He wore a black vest and a white combat suit with a Phoenix emblem on the sleeve. The Phoenix is the logo of this team.

"Given her abilities, it's not strange." He replied, not really answering my question.

"She can use necromancy to control mythical beasts instead of the undead. Is there something wrong with her abilities?" I wondered.

"Perhaps. I don't know her that well, and she's hard to approach." He shook his head.

As I pinched my chin and fell into deep thought. Dre continued, "Why don't you ask her about it?"

After some time, I replied, "No, there's no need. We're not that close, it'd be awkward, and she looks fine too. I'm sure what happened yesterday is just a panic attack."

"Right, a panic attack. If she fight all of us to the death, she's the last one standing." He said in disbelief and continued, "She's the least people to die in an A+ grade mission. I'd be lying if I'm not curious about her actions yesterday."

"Yeah, you're right. Alright then." I approached Miem while Dre walked just behind me.

"Hey, Miem. How are you? Are you okay?" I asked politely.

Miem was playing with her phone when we were walking toward her. When she heard my voice, she looked up and put her phone to the table.

"Sunny and Dre. What a weird duo I witnessed today. I'm sorry about what happened to Ginto." Miem said her condolences.

"No, it's okay, but thank you. He'd be happy to hear that from you. Oh right, how about you? You seem to be doing well compared to yesterday."

"Yes. Things happened, and I had calmed down after contemplating things at home. Everything is alright now."

After listening her words, I began to hesitate to ask about yesterday. She didn't want to talk about it, and I didn't want to be a nosy person.

"So like, what's with yesterday?" Dre asked casually as if they're close friends. I think I somehow understood why you two aren't close. 

Miem gave Dre an annoyed look. She crossed her arms and said, "It's nothing important. I mean, anyone wouldn't just accept a dead guaranteed mission easily. It's my first A+ grade mission too, and I felt nervous."

It make sense. Miem was a newcomer in the blitz and never got herself in a dangerous situation.

Normally, I'd simply assume it as rookie shenanigans and call it a day. However, Miem wasn't a rookie. From the first day she got into this class, she never exudes anything that yelled she's a rookie. 

Hell, I'd believe it if someone said she used to lead a group and successfully destroyed a nest in the surface.

"You? Nervous? You're the last person to be nervous. Besides, your power is extremely powerful, and I doubt you died in a guaranteed death mission. Miem, what are you hiding?" Dre pressured her to answer.

"Hey, I think that's enough. She's alright anyway." I turned to Dre and tried to dissuade him before it got worse. 

"Sunny, we're about to go on a suicide mission. One of us could die today, and I didn't want my life to be gone because this chick is hiding something from us. Whatever she's hiding, it might be able to kill us!"

"Easy, Dre. She didn't have a reason to kill us. Why are you overreacting, man? This isn't you at all. Calm down, okay?" I pushed Dre away from Miem so she didn't feel uncomfortable. 

Miem observed us from a distance with a flat expression. It was unknown what she's thinking.

"I don't trust her." Dre whispered. 

"Why?" I asked doubtfully.

From what I learned about her when we're doing low grade missions. She's a good person, a team player, and never does anything unnecessary.

"I saw her talking to Zeppelin the other day. I don't know what they're talking about, but it can't be good. Everybody knows that anyone who talks with Zeppelin is never a good person," He explained quickly.

I instinctively furrowed my brows, "Zeppelin? Did you manage to eavesdrop their conversation?"

The CEO of Synth, and the very reason everything around here is shit.

"They're already finished talking when I saw them together. I only heard a few things before they stopped talking. Something about step two and the great priest. It can't be good, right?"