It was nightti. The moon cast a silver glow over the cityscape below. In the alleyway where Alister and Guildmaster Anya had t earlier, a yellow portal opened.
WHOOSH!
"Damn... I'm sore all over."
A voice echoed from the depths of the rift. Soon, a figure erged from its radiant glow, their deep purple hair illuminated by the portal's light.
It was none other than Guildmaster Anya. She rolled her shoulder, trying to ease the pain from the intense sparring session she had with Alister.
She suddenly stopped in the middle of the alley, turning around to gaze at the portal as it slowly closed behind her. Then she let out a small chuckle.
"Although that was easily the most fun I've had in years. I may have lost, but it was amazing nonetheless."
Her smile lingered on her face for a few monts, a touch of admiration in her expression.
She continued gazing as the portal finally closed completely, watching as the last remnants of mana flickered and vanished into the air.
"Alister... Now you have curious," she said to herself, her gaze narrowing slightly as her thoughts wandered.
"How did you get so strong so fast...?"
The words lingered in her mind, like a puzzle she couldn't quite piece together. There was sothing about him... his presence, his power, the way he carried himself... that was both captivating and mysterious.
She couldn't shake the thought that there was more to him than t the eye.
Anya turned away from the fading portal, brushing a hand through her hair, her thoughts shifting as she continued on her path.
But as she walked, her curiosity only grew, drawing her deeper into the mystery that was Alister.
"And I wonder..."
"What exactly are you looking for?"
Her mind drifted to Alister's odd favor.
"Inform if any of your teams is about to raid a dragon-related dungeon."
"I want you to then make them forfeit it and let raid it," Alister said with a calm, confident expression.
For a mont, there was silence. Then...
"What!?" Guildmaster Anya yelled in utter shock and confusion, and for good reason. Alister's request was bizarre.
The Berserkers Guild was the most formidable across the ga Cities, and dragon-related dungeons were among the most lucrative, dangerous, and fiercely contested. Allowing a mber of another guild to take over such a raid wasn't just unorthodox-it was unheard of.
It would an forfeiting not only the loot but also their pride. Imagine a guild handing over their raid to a single mber of another guild.
Not only was it unheard of, but it was also unbecoming a stain on their reputation far worse than what he had done to them as Spade. Because instead of losing when they fought, this ti they would be willingly surrendering.
Moreover, it risked causing unrest within her guild, raising questions about her leadership.
'Does he not understand what he's asking?'
Anya thought, her lips pressing into a thin line.
"You're asking too much."
"I can't agree to that."
Alister's golden eyes narrowed, his calm deanor giving way to an intense tone.
"You lost the bet, Anya. Or do you plan to go back on your word?"
His words struck a nerve, and she shifted uncomfortably under his piercing gaze. She knew he was right. She had agreed to his terms if he won, and she had lost. Still, this request was outrageous.
"I know I lost," she replied hesitantly, her voice quieter but filled with frustration. "But you're asking too much. You're asking to risk my guild's reputation, its resources-"
Alister cut her off, his tone cold and unyielding. "Not my problem. You lost the bet. You agreed to grant a favor, and this is what I want."
Anya crossed her arms, clearly irritated as she stared at Alister. "You're being completely unreasonable," she said sharply.
"I know I lost the bet, but this? You're asking to compromise my entire guild's standing. Do you even hear yourself?"
Alister's gaze remained steady, unyielding, though a touch of curiosity passed through his golden eyes as Anya suddenly raised a finger, struck by a new idea.
"Why can't you just join the raid?"
"If you're so intent on getting into one of these dragon dungeons, why not go as part of our team? You wouldn't be sidelining anyone, and it keeps my guild's reputation intact. It's a win-win."
Alister paused, her suggestion hanging in the air. He considered her words carefully, placing his right hand under his jaw, weighing the pros and cons. Finally, with a slight tilt of his head,
The gave a small nod.
"You have a point..."
"Joining the raid works. I'll agree to that."
Relieved that she had steered the conversation in a less contentious direction, Anya let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. But her curiosity still burned within her.
"What are you even hoping to find in a dragon dungeon?"
Alister turned his gaze toward the night sky, the moonlight casting a faint glow over him. For
a mont, he seed lost in thought, his expression softening ever so slightly. "Clues, I guess," he said finally, his voice carrying an unusual touch of wistfulness and determination.
Anya frowned slightly, her curiosity only deepening. "Clues to what?"
But Alister didn't answer. Instead, he continued to stare at the sky, his mysterious silence leaving Anya more curious than ever.
Whatever he was searching for, it was clear it was sothing deeply personal... sothing that drove him forward with purpose.
Back in the alleyway, Anya took one last glance at the now-empty space where the portal had vanished.
With a sigh, she finally stepped out onto the bustling streets of the city. The moonlight mixed with the glow of neon signs, creating a soft yet surreal atmosphere.
As she walked, her gaze dropped to her roughed-up outfit. Her sleeves were torn, and her combat boots were scuffed from her intense spar with Alister. She sighed, brushing a hand
over the fabric.
"Great... I look like yesterday's trash."
"Looks like I'll need to stop by a shop for replacents."
Just as she was about to turn the corner, a faint vibration buzzed from her breast pocket.
Frowning slightly, she reached in and pulled out a small, sleek black cube. With a quick tap, the cube expanded into a holographic cell phone, its glowing interface floating just above her
palm.
The caller ID displayed one na: Klaus.
Anya raised an eyebrow before swiping to answer. She held the holographic phone to her ear
as she spoke nonchalantly.
"What's the matter, Klaus?"
On the other end of the line, Klaus's voice erupted in panic.
"What's the matter?! Where have you been? I've been looking for you everywhere!"
His voice was both worried and exasperated. "Do you have any idea how stressed you've made
? You left to deal with all the paperwork, all the planning, and-"
"Klaus," Anya interrupted. "I'm sorry, okay? I did tell you I was going out for a spar."
There was a brief silence, then Klaus's voice returned, now laced with shock.
"You... you really found soone to spar with? Seriously?!"
"Please tell you didn't kill anyone. Who on earth would even be able to keep up with you?"
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