I was still confused. No, I wasn't really confused. I knew exactly what happened. But... 'Err, this is fine, right? I won't be suspected of cheating, will I?' It hadn't been more than a couple of minutes since the scenario had started, and I had sohow cleared it. With the system telling exactly what was happening, and using the knife's skills, I had no difficulty clearing the scenario. I did it quite fast. Or maybe, not? Thinking about everyone who had joined, it was likely that I wasn't the fastest. 'Considering just how strong so of the people here are, I am probably nowhere near the first place.' The goal of the scenario was to find the 'murderer' and kill him. But what if soone simply killed everyone in the subway? Would they pass them? '...Well, the hardest thing is probably figuring out what is going on.' Ah, whatever. I looked at the doors of the subway and proceeded to walk out. Since I had cleared the scenario, there was no need for to think about it further. One could argue that I had cheated, but so what? What could they do? Sue ? Pfft. As if. Stepping through the doors, I was greeted by a vast room. So large it made feel small, my footsteps echoing against the walls. Rows of chairs were lined neatly down the center, and large screens hung along both sides of the room.
They were all turned off.
As I scanned my surroundings, I couldn't help but notice the strange numbers imprinted on each of the chairs. They went from [1] to [1500]. "What's this supposed to be?" But most importantly... Another trial? My stomach churned at the thought. The idea of facing another trial made it twist painfully, but before those thoughts could fully settle, the television at the end of the room flickered to life.
Flick—! An image appeared. "Hm?" It was an image of . Next to it were words that said, [Seth Thorne — Seat 1]. After the initial confusion, I understood. Do I need to sit in the first seat? Was this the next trial? I didn't hesitate. Since these were the instructions, I had to follow them. Either way, I was mainly waiting for the next scenario window to appear. Taking a seat in the first seat, I continued to scan the surroundings. The room had one large door on each side. 'Is sothing supposed to co from there?' I adjusted my seating. Despite the hints, my mind still refused to process the situation. It was impossible. It couldn't be that way, right? Surely... Clank—
Right then, another door opened. Step. Step—! A series of footsteps echoed through the room. They echoed loudly across the large room, each one drawing closer as a long shadow cast over the floor. As they drew closer, a figure stepped into view, wearing a simple smile, his bright appearance imdiately catching my attention.
"Hmm~ Hmm~" He seed to be humming to himself, only pausing when he noticed , a flicker of surprise crossing his face.
"Hm?" Flick! The TV flickered right after. A new image appeared. One that said, [Leon Draven — Seat 2]. "..." If my mind couldn't process it before, it could process it now. I... I had ranked first in the first trial. Out of all the people who had participated in the event. Comprised of the best Guilds in the world, and mbers who had been at it for years, I... had ranked first. I... I simply closed my eyes and pretended like I was sleeping. 'Don't talk to . Don't interact with . I am air.' Unfortunately, it was wishful thinking from . "I'm surprised. You ca before ." His voice was as warm as his disposition. Opening my eyes, I saw his hand outstretched in my direction as he smiled. "It's nice to et you, my na is Leon." "..." I looked at his hand, and then at him. I really wanted to ignore him, but since it was already too late, I could only shake it back. "I know." He let go after a small shake. After that, he proceeded to sit down, facing one of the monitors. I thought he'd stop speaking from that mont, but... "My trial involved a strange subway. What about you?" Fucking, why can't people mind their own business? "...Sa." "Oh? Really?" He turned to look in my direction. "Did you have to find the murderer, too?" "Yes." "That's surprising." He muttered, his arms crossing. "And here I thought I was fast, but you were even faster than . Honestly, I'm surprised considering that you're only in the Second Order, but then again, you are indeed the guy who cleared the Gate in Malovia. You sure are lucky." My ears pricked up at the end of his sentence. This guy... I sighed to myself. The implications behind his words were clear. He was trying to rile up. Get so sort of reaction from . Whether he truly ant his words or not, I wasn't sure. Perhaps he did, but I had grown used to them by now. Was this simply arrogance? But then again, it was true that I was only at the 'Second Order' in his eyes. It'd be hard for anyone of his stature to believe that I had sohow outclassed him in the first trial. "Thanks." Not getting the reaction that he desired, Leon blinked a couple of tis and suddenly covered his mouth as if he had realized what he had said. "Please don't take it the wrong way. I'm not saying you managed to succeed this trial by luck. There's a limit to how lucky a person can be. And who is to say Order makes a difference? I know plenty who are much weaker than I who can clear Gates of high rank." He pointed at his temple. "You must be one of those smart ones." Listening to him, I felt like sighing again. Now I really didn't know where he was going with his words. I even started to doubt his previous words. Was this guy two-faced? An idiot? Or... a rat? I opened my mouth to reply, but right as I did, another door opened. 10:24
Clank! A new figure erged. The mont she appeared, Leon's smile faded slightly as he turned his attention away from . As if also noticing our presence, she paused and looked in our direction, her eyes first falling on Leon before falling on . But the mont they crossed mine, I saw the noticeable look of confusion and surprise on her face as the TV flickered once more. [Liora Halecrest — Seat 3] The mont the screen flickered, her eyes fell on it, her steps coming to a complete halt. Then, as if finally taking in the situation, she began to walk in our direction. Most burdenso of all? The fact that her gaze seed to remain glued on the entire ti as I looked away from her and closed my eyes. 'No, not another one. Just let sit in silence. Mysterious image. Just like the PR team said, I need to keep a mysterious image. Yes, that's what I need to do.' I relaxed my face completely, pretending to be indifferent to everything. Thankfully, that seed to do the trick as the steps paused next to as she took her seat. After which, the door opened once more as a new figure erged.
This ti, I didn't bother looking. In order to keep my image, I had no choice but to keep my eyes closed. And so, the once quiet room began to fill one by one. The back of my head burned with each new entrant. 'Mysterious. Mysterious. Mysterious.'
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