Going to the clan

Strapping the pouch behind her, Scarlet walked toward the iron-gate city's entrance. People fled at the sight of her, abandoning poor beings they had purged for nothing.

She had decided to begin her voyage to Remnora today. A feat most men see as a mountain of challenges. 

Too risky to face. But there was someone waiting for Scarlet. She had a firm belief in that.

"I hope never to meet that young man again. I can't face him after all I did. But... it's my last resort to get to this day in time. A better future awaits Julian and me in the real world. This is why I must take actions that even surprise me at times."

She stepped through the gate. It has been so long since she saw the neon-striped stairs of Dead Man's Descent. Months... was it?

.... Everyone in Mecha couldn't help but look around in suspicion and wonder. Their backs felt free, as if someone who had always been watching them from behind had just left.

----

The bank of the river offered a much needed reprieve for the body. Its quiet gurgle was an even better one for the trio's minds.

The lady mumbled, looking at the sky. "Feels strange. It was dark just now..."

"Eh... not that from a strange person as—" the guy cut in, still cupping his hands in the river.

She drew closer in a rage. "Look here, young man! Why are you staying on my nerves?!"

Their non-stop argument screamed in Leon's mind, who stood behind them. She was right - it didn't look like the night was near anymore. And Leon also caught a sudden shiver. He kept wondering what the matter was.

A few minutes later, the guys got done, and they all walked away from the river. Getting back on the narrow path, the lady bowed to them. She seemed to be making a farewell.

"It's nice meeting you guys! If not for our different goals, I would have chosen to stay. Thanks for being annoying, you too. It has been long since I had a chance to nag at anyone. Hoping to see you both in the future!"

Then she turned around. The guy said aloud with a wave, "Stride carefully! Okay?"

"Yes! Bye-bye!"

...

The air swept over the grasses. Soon, Leon and the guy plied the pathway down as well. Leon noticed him stop behind suddenly.

He turned.

"Is anything the matter?" he asked.

The guy's smile faded. He held his jaw a little while gazing at Leon. The five-metre distance between them felt like a line between two worlds. Both of a busy man and an elusive one.

"I... I was awake," the guy said.

Leon raised his brows. "What?"

"I mean... I saw everything you did. I know you knocked her out to avoid anyone else seeing the thing with those creatures," he added. "But I woke up long before then. They died when you didn't even lift a finger. I saw it all."

The wind howled.

Leon looked at him with a plain expression; then his lips curled into a smirk. He turned and walked away.

The guy asked aloud, "Wait! Are you seriously ignoring what I said...?"

Leon cut in. "What response were you expecting, then?"

The guy held his jaw.

As Leon moved, he thought, 'Really... isn't it risky to leave him after all he saw? Those maniacs could get me with all methods possible. But I don't have the courage to kill an innocent person.'

Then, in a slow manner, he stopped. He asked, not looking back, "Tell me... what about it? If anyone were to ask what you saw, what would you say?"

"I don't get most of it..." the guy's voice echoed back, "... but all I know is that you're fucking powerful, man!" He grinned.

Leon gasped.

"Same as I have no regrets about being in the looting area, I am delighted to have seen your extraordinary presence as well. That must have been a technique, but definitely not a Constellation activation. You—"

"Wait... what are you even getting at?" Leon cut in, rubbing his temples.

"I can only survive in this city with my strength, which isn't safe enough. Yet, I don't plan to leave because... my main focus is to explore this terrifying hell. This is why I left my small clan, if you can call it that. We have different interests..."

Leon tilted his head. By exploring, this guy might as well have willingly gotten captured by the hobgoblins. No wonder he was calm back at the hideout.

He extended his hand forward. "Mister Vale... do you want to join me in exploring the world?"

Leon sighed. He had known waiting was a waste of time. "You don't even know what you will unravel at the end of it."

As he was about to turn around, the guy asked with desperation.

"Then... how about I pay you?!"

Leon faced him back. What was this guy's deal?

"If I return to my clan, I could get rare resources and even treasures that would be of great benefit. All that is for you to be my companion for a while until I decide to stop."

Leon nodded. "What's your clan like, if I may ask? Like... an Order?"

With the curious question, the guy felt he had convinced Leon. He nodded. "Yes. It's led by my brother, occupied by talented people across the city. My dad used to run the clan... before his demise. I just was like a burden for the others, so I..."

"... Fled? Because roaming the city is better?"

"No... I'm not scared."

Leon raised his brows. "Fair enough. What else, besides food and clothes, do I get from agreeing with you?"

"The clan was getting ready for the well-known epic journey. So, I could also sneak away potions and treasures that could include ancient blades. What do you think, Mister Vale?"

Leon rubbed his chin. 'Interesting. The brothers don't seem too close nor too conflicted either. This guy here is against the journey, which could have kept others on hold. Hpmh... somehow, I could convince him, before his brother, to change his mind. They will respect me, which earns me a place in the clan as a result. At this point, I might have to depend on the strong side as well.'

Coming to that conclusion, Leon turned and strode on. He replied mid-step, "All right, let's meet up at Ash & Sylum at 8 a.m. tomorrow."

"Oh, really? Sure thing, man!"

***

At midnight, the half-moon cast long shadows on the surface. Leon stirred awake, after which the system transported him to the Log Arena.

The mission was to fight three waves of E-rank monsters. He could see his reflexes had improved. Also, it had gotten quite late for the attacks to scale down his energy levels. This was all thanks to improvising Duskryts in the right way.

By then, a sudden confusion stirred in his mind. Did his command last time fail due to the frequent use of the ability?

Completing the training, he gained EXPs and one Regenerative Liquor. He filled back his energy from 40 to 100 with it.

...

The sky was cloudless. The day was bright, marking a new morning.

The guy welcomed Leon with a grin as he stepped out of the hotel door. He sure was the cheeky one, after all. Indistinct chirps and noises accompanied them as they moved eastwards.

In no time, they reached the clan's entrance. They stepped into the compound. A central hall built from reinforced concrete loomed before them. And different structures like huts and shacks stood around...

Smoke thickened in the air. A tall, strong man with black hair rushed toward the cheeky one. He clutched his shoulders with a firm grip.

He roared, "You asshole! Did you know how long everyone has been looking for you?!" Then just like that, his expression loosened. Both of them laughed.

They must be happy to see each other. Leon then thought, looking at the man, 'Use Instinctive Read.'

The blue panel appeared.

[Using Instinctive Read.]

[Name: Thomas Cross

Rank: Sentinel

Age: 23

Strength: 214.0

Agility: 207.2

Intelligence: 218.7

Stamina: 241.8

Constellation: Phoenix {The Immortal Bird}]

Leon glanced at him with parted lips. Then he turned his head down and smiled. 'Interesting!'