Alina took a deep breath of the evening air as she admired the townscape of Ifühl coloured in the evening twilight.
Ah, it’s so good to get to go home on time.
Thinking about how lucky she was to be able to leave work before sundown, she set off home with a light gait—or so she should have. Just a few steps into her walk, Alina’s little happiness crumbled to dust.
‘Hey.’
By the side of the street where the magic lamps had just switched on, Jade Skleid, undeterred by their previous encounter, was lying in wait for the receptionist.
Alina’s face stiffened. The eyes of the surrounding people were, naturally, fixed on the leader of the Silver Blades, famous for being the strongest tank in the guild. And as the person he was talking to, Alina started receiving curious looks.
What the hell’s this guy’s deal?!
Alina barely managed to keep a smile on her face as she involuntarily clenched her fists at Jade’s careless actions, who seemed oblivious to his celebrity status.
‘Is there something the matter, mister Jade?’
Alina was still dressed in her receptionist’s uniform. She couldn’t afford to be careless with a man who held such a prominent position in the guild. When she gave him her usual business smile, Jade, for some reason, broke out in cold sweat, as if frightened, but still still managed to raise the corners of his mouth.
‘Sorry to bother you when you’ve just finished work. There’s something I just have to talk to you about.’
‘You’re looking for a quest commission, right? I’m terribly sorry, but it is currently past Ifühl Counter’s reception hours. Good day.’
Alina turned, a mile on her face but no emotion in her voice, as she gave a dismissive, businesslike reply.
‘P—Please wait!’
However, a flustered Jade suddenly grabbed hold of Alina’s arm and stopped her in her tracks. Reflexively, she tried to shake him off, but her arm wouldn’t budge.
‘Did you just…use a skill?’
It wasn’t just the strength of Jade’s grip. Nothing from her elbow onward could move, as if fixed in place by something. Alina immediately observed Jade. The hand gripping her arm was glowing with a faint red light—the light of a transcendent skill.
‘What do you think you’re doing?’
Alina glared accusingly at the Blade’s tank, who had resorted to coercive means. Catching her eyes from the front, Jade grimaced awkwardly.
‘I know what I’m doing is wrong. But if I don’t do this, you probably won’t listen to me.’
‘I thought I made it clear I don’t want to deal with you.’
‘One of my skills, “Ironclad Guardian”, can harden any object my hand touches. It’s ineffective against people, but it can at least harden their clothes and restrain them.’
Jade explained to her in a low, subdued voice, but to Alina it sounded more like an excuse than anything else. The smile faded from her face and her eyes narrowed as she glared at him.
‘Hmm, so that’s what that is.’
All of a sudden, a menacing aura rose up from around Alina. Sensing an extraordinary bloodlust from her gaze, Jade rattled on, a note of panic in his low voice.
‘I’m here as the leader of the Silver Blades. You will listen to me, Executioner!’
As she scowled at Jade, Alina fell silent for a few seconds.
Right here, right now, she too could activate her skill and break through by force. But with all eyes on her, she couldn’t summon her warhammer and expose herself as The Executioner.
In the end, Alina sighed. With a grimace, she reluctantly pointed to an alleyway.
‘I understand. Let’s at least change location.’
