The larger Guilds ca last. Was it a show of strength? ...Or was it more to leave a lasting impression? 'Well, it's certainly leaving an impression.' Staring at the new group that had entered the venue, I couldn't help but sit up straight as the pressure coming from them left breathless. Their presence was unlike anything I had felt from the other Guilds, and as they entered, it was almost as if everyone stopped what they were doing.
All heads turned, and whispers followed. 'It's them. They're finally here.' '...They are the first ones to arrive.' 'What do you think they'll rank this year?'
'I don't know, but I'm sure it's going to be high. With all the resources they have available, there's no way they'll rank high.' Listening to the conversations around , I had a better idea of who the newest entrants were. This prompted to give them another look. 'Obsidian Bastion...' How could I not be familiar with them? Especially after the recent events with the sponsorships. Even now, I was left confused by the sudden offer. I an, how could a company that exclusively worked with mbers from one of the top five guilds suddenly want to work with ?
There was sothing going on in the background, and it was no doubt orchestrated by the Guild.
I just didn't know what it was.
It was also for this reason that I was extrely cautious when it ca to them. As if I had been staring for too long, one of the Guild's mbers suddenly turned their head in my direction. The mont our gazes t, my expression froze, a pair of deep black eyes locking straight with mine. "——!!"
It was as if I had been subrged in the deepest pits of the sea. The surroundings constricted tightly around my chest and neck, the noise fading until all I could see were those pitch-black eyes staring back at .
'...I can't breathe.' Under such a gaze, I found it impossible to breathe. 16:15
I wanted to reach for my throat with both hands. Under such a gaze, I found it impossible to breathe. I wanted to reach for my throat with both hands. But thankfully, before things reached that extent, the eyes looked away, and the figure walked off alongside everyone else. The last thing I recalled seeing was her long black hair, swaying with her movents as she slipped out of my vision.
By the ti I snapped out of my daze, they were already far gone. Leaning back against the chair, my shirt clung to my body, sweat sticking tightly to it.
Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath. 'Just who in the world was that?' "Are you alright?" As if noticing my strange behavior, Kyle turned to look at . He wasn't the only one. I felt nurous gazes directed my way, the Section Chief's in particular feeling rather stinging as I shook my head.
"No, I'm fine." "...Are you sure?" "Yeah, I am just a little uncomfortable." "Ah." Kyle seed to understand as he finally looked away. "Too many people?" "...Too many." "Makes sense." He proceeded to lean back against his chair. Everyone else followed. All besides one gaze, her eyes fixing on for a tad too long. Looking back at her, our eyes t. Catherine's brow rose, and she mouthed. "What are you looking at?" "....." "Stop looking." Only after noticing my speechless expression did she turn around, looking completely satisfied. Looking away, I turned my attention towards Zoey and couldn't help but shake my head. 'Why are the two of them so different?' Zoey tended to be prickly, but only if you crossed her. I did that, and I acknowledged my fault.
It was completely different from her sister who just seed to be naturally crazy. "Hm?" As if noticing my actions, Zoey's gaze t with mine. She blinked. "Why?" I looked away. "Eh? Why? Wait, why...?" *** Each Guild received different treatnt based on their standing.
"Please make yourselves comfortable."
This was only normal, taking into consideration the size and power of each top Guild. Especially for a Guild like Obsidian Bastion. Not only were they among the top five, but their annual turnout of fragnts and clearances was also among the highest.
The owners of the venue wanted to build good connections with them. But outside of that, they also comnded a lot of respect. "…If there's anything that any of you desire, please let us know imdiately. We will try our best to accommodate you."
"Mhm." Dismissing the attendant, Liora walked toward the balcony, allowing herself a glimpse of the entire venue. From high up, the view was quite grand. She could feel several looks of envy directed her way, but none of it concerned her.
She was used to such stares. But... 'It's peculiar.' There was one particular gaze that Liora couldn't forget. It had rely been interest at first. She had just wanted to see if there was anything special about the one her grandfather had chosen. Taking a look at him firsthand, he really didn't seem to be that special. He was still at the First Order. There was no denying that. But it wasn't his Order that grabbed her attention. 'Those eyes.' Liora thought back to those eyes that had stared at her, seemingly dead and emotionless, eyes that hadn't even wavered under her gaze. To so extent, they resembled her own. In an almost chilling way. But her eyes were special. Sothing that only those from her family had. But more than anything, there was a slight difference between her and his eyes. While her eyes carried a deep darkness, his were different. Rather than holding the darkness, it was almost as if they were trying to contain it. As though those eyes were a cage, restraining the darkness within.
'Am I overthinking things?' Gripping the marble rail before her, Liora's eyes narrowed as she continued to survey the people below.
Flick! Flick! The lights of the auditorium flickered at once, allowing for the darkness to take over. All noise ceased at once. And through such silence, Liora's lips parted. "...Are those the eyes that belong to a human?" *** Flick—! Light ca after the darkness. The stage lit up at once, and a figure appeared at its center. He wore a dark suit, his black hair neatly parted to the side, and he smiled broadly. The MC of the event had finally arrived. Applause followed. I mimicked those around , despite not knowing who the man was. But judging from the reception around, he appeared to be quite well liked. Even Kyle looked excited. "Thanks! Thank you very much! Thank you! Welco to the Ranking Announcents." The man bowed a couple of tis before the noise ceased. Off in the distance, the swooshing of caras echoed as they moved about, capturing every mont of the event.
Right, this event was being live-stread. "For those following us, it's been a tough couple of months for us." Adjusting his tie, the man put on a troubled expression. "Well, at least most of us." He eyed a few groups in particular, prompting laughter to echo out. I blinked a couple of tis, not quite understanding the joke. Then it clicked as I watched the expressions of a few turn ugly. He was poking fun at those who didn't attend the Malovia incident. "Well, jokes aside, not too long ago, an incident swept across the entire world with the ergence of one of the most dangerous Gates to date. An Ranked Gate. It was a Gate where many of our colleagues died and were unfortunately taken from us, and even though, in terms of deaths and casualties, it was lower than most major outbreaks, those losses still leave a sting upon our world."
With a sigh, the man looked up. "This is no easy job. We risk our lives every single day in order to protect the general peace of this world. It's for this reason that we host an event such as this one. Not rely for recognition, but to remind the world that capable people exist."
"That even in the hardest tis, we'll be here to hold the lines against the dangers that plague us. You may despise so for not showing up, but their achievents speak for themselves." "Their contributions have been marked for the world to see. Therefore, I'd like everyone to appreciate all the colleagues who have made it this far. They aren't here due to connections. They're here because they've earned it!" Clap! Clap! Clap—! Thunderous applause followed his speech. Looking around, I could see that many were moved by the man's words. Even Kyle looked moved, his hand reached for the corner of his eye. The fuck? "Alright, without further ado, let's not waste any more ti. Let's get right into the ranking announcent. I'm sure everyone present is eager to see what their ranking is."
Pausing, the MC smiled ambiguously as he looked around. As he did, I couldn't help but feel his gaze linger on a tad longer than on the rest.
This wasn't my imagination, right? "...There's going to be a lot of surprises."
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