Chapter 31: Encounter part 2

[ ] = Doruuk's thoughts

[Wait before going further, I need to clarify the intentions.]

"So, if it's such a big plan, why are you telling me specifically?" I ask, carefully scrutinizing every tiny reaction on her face.

The woman runs a hand through her chestnut hair, moving it away from her only visible eye. "I want you to participate with us."

"Why me specifically?" I insist, keeping my voice steady. "There are others in this city, warriors much stronger than me."

A knowing smile forms on her lips. "Because you are different from the others. In my opinion, there's no one here like you."

Her words sound like flattery, and I'm not the type to be fooled by flattery. I've lived long enough to know that sweet words often hide bitter intentions.

"And how can you be sure about a person you've never seen before?" I counter, crossing my arms over my chest. "What do you know? Perhaps in the middle of the plan, I could kill you and run away with the money."

The moon illuminates her face as she tilts her head slightly, studying me with interest. "I have worked with this type of people for almost my entire life. I know well who is reliable and who isn't."

I observe her better. She's young, definitely younger than one would expect from someone with so much experience.

"How old are you? You don't seem too old," I ask without filters.

Her face contorts in an offended expression. "Aren't you ashamed to ask a woman's age?"

[What!? Ah, this mentality of women...]

"I don't care about any of that here," I respond dryly, impatience growing inside me. "I'm here to do business."

The tension in her features dissolves, replaced by calculated determination. "You're right. So shall we start right away? What do you say?"

"Wait," I stop her with a gesture of my hand. "First tell me what your plan is."

The woman looks around, as if to ensure there are no indiscreet ears. The giant behind her snorts again, clearly bored by this preliminary conversation.

"What's the rush," she responds in a lighter tone. "We'll tell you that too, but first let's introduce ourselves. It's not nice that from the beginning we've been talking and we don't even know each other."

I hold back a sigh of frustration. "Tell me. I'm listening."

She straightens slightly, assuming a more formal air. "My name is Zaira Vailstorm and I'm skilled with the sword. I've worked day and night to master my technique."

"Then why were those men on your tail if you're just a swordswoman?" I ask, sharpening my gaze. "There must be something you're hiding from me."

Zaira stiffens imperceptibly, but enough for me to notice. "Well... I used to work for them. But once I discovered their true work, which was disgusting, I decided to leave them. And since they didn't want this to get out, they started looking for me."

"What disgusting work?" I press, feeling we're close to something important.

She shakes her head, briefly looking toward the ground. "I can't tell you right now. Maybe in the future."

"Fine, go on," I concede, deciding not to pressure her further. For now.

Zaira turns slightly, indicating the massive man behind her. "So, let's start first with our tank, the large person you see. He is our tank, 'Otis Bellamy'. He's a reliable and strong man, on many occasions he has gotten us out of trouble. Even his abilities are no joke and are very useful for the plan we're going to carry out."

Otis inclines his head slightly in greeting, but his expression remains indifferent, almost bored. His eyes, however, are vigilant and scrutinize me carefully, evaluating my every movement.

"Alright," I respond simply.

[He's a tank, huh? Interesting. Probably a warrior with high resistance, specialized in taking hits to protect others. Useful in a direct confrontation, but in a stealthy mission? I'm not sure.]

Zaira continues, indicating the two identical twins who until now have remained silent, observing me with contrasting expressions.

"And these two are the archer brothers: Kael Vuxley," she indicates the one with red hair, "and Eldon Vuxley," she points to the one with blue hair. "These two are skilled and sharp archers, and they have perfect synergy when they fight together. And I can guarantee that I've seen this with my own eyes."

The twins smile in unison, in an unsettlingly synchronized way. Kael, the one with red hair, gives a small theatrical bow, while Eldon limits himself to a nod of the head, more reserved.

"Fine, but clarify this question for me," I say, hitting on a point that has disturbed me from the beginning. "If they are so strong, why didn't they come to your aid yesterday?"

A shadow passes over Zaira's face. "I don't like involving other people in my personal matters."

The answer is quick, too quick. There's something that doesn't add up, but I decide to change approach.

"Fine. And how did you manage to get out of there yesterday?"

"Old Lucian Stormbane had saved me," she replies, with a tone that betrays a certain admiration. "And after asking me some questions about the gangsters, he let me go. But I know very well that Lucian Stormbane wouldn't have come by chance to kill those gangsters, since he had brought almost all his men. So I'm sure your hand was in the middle of it."

I maintain a neutral, impassive expression. "Think what you want to think."

Silence falls between us for a few moments. The twins exchange glances, Otis seems increasingly impatient. It's time to get to the point.

"Very well, now let's get to the main point. What is your plan?" I ask, looking directly into Zaira's eyes.

She smiles, a smile laden with promises and dangers. "The plan is clear: in a month we'll carry out a big heist."

The word hits me like a punch to the stomach.

[What?]

[Heist?]

"Heist? What do you mean by that?" I ask, trying not to show my surprise.

"I'll explain everything, stay calm," says Zaira, taking a step forward and slightly lowering her voice, as if she were about to reveal a great secret. "In a month from now, we will go to the Hunting Portal. I've had news that 'the Farming Portal' will appear there. You know what that is, right?"

The name sounds familiar, but the details are blurred in my mind. "I've heard about it, but if you explain it will be better."

Zaira nods, clearly pleased to be able to share her knowledge. "Well, then open your ears and listen." She comes even closer, so close that I can smell her exotic perfume. "As far as I know, 'the Farming Portal' is a portal that appears after a certain amount of time and is very rare. Some say it appears every 5 or 10 years."

She pauses, making sure I'm following. Her eyes gleam with excitement as she continues: "And this portal consists of... Basically inside there are various types of monsters where the rank system is not present. Here even rank 3 monsters can come against rank 9 warriors. Here many warriors go in search of gaining as many things as possible. There are many chances of finding luminous. And money. By killing the monsters."

Her voice becomes even lower, almost a whisper. "And so many warriors will go there to seek their fortune. But they all don't know that there is a well-hidden part there where there is a great treasure. And I got this news myself, I risked my life for this information."

Her visible eye lights up with greed as she pronounces the next words: "They say the treasure is immense, and if we manage to steal... you don't know what will happen. It's unimaginable."

[Well.]

[So their plan is very risky, but the treasure is also immense.]

I quickly evaluate the information. A rare portal, monsters of every level, a hidden treasure. I feel adrenaline flowing in my veins at the mere thought. But caution holds me back.

[I'm not sure, because I don't want to get into trouble.]

[But I also have no reason to say no.]

It could be the opportunity I've been waiting for to change my life, to obtain wealth and power. Or it could be suicide. The risk is high, but the reward could be inestimable.

I look Zaira in the eyes, then observe her companions one by one: the gigantic Otis with the shield, the archer twins Kael and Eldon. A well-balanced team for a dangerous enterprise.

"Well," I say finally, the decision now made. "You've convinced me. I'm in too."

A smile of triumph spreads across Zaira's face. "I knew you wouldn't refuse."

Chapter-End.