Raith was not going to be unrealistic with things. That had never been in his character, he knew when to give up and when to press harder.
Taking on the three of them at this stage of his was bad, very bad, and would result in his death. If he wanted to hide his abilities for the time being then he knew that he mustn't die in front of anyone.
Just when he was seeking a way out, a blessing was sent his way. The fact that only he knew how important the person who entered the room was his upper hand.
While the other guard who was closer to the door cluelessly dived towards the lady who showed no agitated or provoked response but slipped through with finesse...
- - That was what they saw but she had buried a blow deep into his belly that as she slipped through he was blasted through the wall, delving a hole into the wall.
She twisted her hand.
"That was relieving..."
She muttered and shifted her face to the fat guy who lifelessly exchanged glances between the lady and the hole in the wall.
"What? W-Who a-a-are yo-ou?"
His voice broke as he inquired.
"Isn't that the point of this mask, I can't have you knowing who I am."
Everyone in the room was unmasked except the lady.
"And I recognize you..."
The lady said pointing at Raith.
"Scram! you bitch!"
Mael launched from into the air with a somersault, a gale of wind gathered around his daggers and he tore down a slash upon the woman who swung her feet into the air to block, revealing the silver boots she had just bought.
"Ho...this can even block attacks like this..."
Not just that...
~Wham!~
Upon the next breath, the boot released a massive shockwave that tossed Mael away and broke all the glasses in the room.
The lady slowly put her leg down in awesome wonder at what she had just seen.
"Damage reflect?"
'Is that what it's called? Wait, did that boot always have that ability, and Thard-Harl never used it?'
Raith was gobsmacked.
Mael could not recover from the throwing force and groan in pain like a squabbling baby.
The lady's gaze shifted to the last man standing.
As fat, as he was, he should have boasted of more courage but nah, he began to quiver and clambered to the door staggering and picking himself up till he was out of sight.
"Explain yourself."
The lady's focus was now fully on Raith.
Raith with a humble demeanor began to speak with partial sincerity, leaving out the part where he had recognized her the moment he met her in the banquet hall and that it was his item she was proudly wearing on her skinny-ass-sexy legs.
"Hmm, I see... this man indeed is a pathetic fellow"
She said, looking down on Mael who was not in pain anymore but still wouldn't get up, or else he wanted to receive a second beating.
"If it happens once, it's a coincidence, if it happens twice it is fate."
'Uh?...'
Her words were causing a contradiction in Raith's perception of her personality. Raith had thought she would be this proud and non-challant kind and somewhat arrogant lady but with her uprightness, bright speaking, and nosy attitude –she had the time to sit down and listen to the whole story. Maybe not all high-rankers are rotten.
"I can sense dust in you. Which Archon contracted you?"
Of course, that was going to happen. Every time a hero meets another one, the first thing that matters is who their archon is, their level, their perks, and skills, how many monsters and gates they've challenged, and their achievements! achievements!! achievements!!!
But Raith was not all of that.
He hesitated to speak.
"It is no need to keep your archon a secret from other heroes. Who knows we might be from the same archon, then I shall consider you my brother-in-arms"
"And if we aren't?"
"Pardon?"
She gazed at Raith with no readable expression, sincerely trying to figure out what his question was driving toward.
"If we happen to not be from the same archon?"
"Hmm..."
The lady's gaze sank to the ground as she tapped her fingers on her folded arms as though she was counting something.
"Hmph! I've decided that it doesn't matter, we can be friends since you just got betrayed by one."
'Her upright and bright way of speaking warms up the heart... but I'll be stupid to befriend a stranger again after all this
He said looking at Mael.
As if the asshole was waiting for it. He flipped up and shouted:
"Haha!! Friends? With this failure? My lady, you can't befriend a man like him. A man chosen by the death archon."
"Holy shit!"
Her belated attempt to cover the foul words that came out of her mouth showed that she spoke by impulse. It showed how much dread follows one that is chosen by the death archon.
Such a hero is labeled as a taboo in the entire world.
A living taboo.
"Then you must be Dellagado Raven Raith"
Her tone came out clothed in a form of pity, Raith could see it written all over her mask and demeanor.
"You are rotten to the end, aren't you?"
He said looking at Mael who wore a wicked grin on his face.
"You have my thanks, I shall not forget today's debt"
He said and walked out.
The lady's head followed him till he left the room and sharply swung back to Mael with a sting stare.
"Don't think you are going to walk out of this free."
She said and her tone meant those words.
***
Raith upon reaching the main sales street of the market looked into the dark clouds.
'Sometimes, I wish I can be darkness, not be cared about, not be noticed and not be weak.'
He dropped his head and sorrowfully walked through the crowds and into the tunnel ahead of him.
