water and steel (1)

In the bustling guild hall, a lively atmosphere filled the air as numerous hunters gathered, each with their unique skills and stories to tell. Among them stood Cassidy, a remarkable A-rank hunter whose reputation preceded him. With his unruly charm and mischievous grin, he was known for often fooling around on the first floor near the bar, seeking to catch the attention of someone special or, as some of his fellow hunters perceived it, simply playing around.

As the evening sun cast a warm glow through the hall's large windows, Cassidy leaned casually against the polished wooden bar, his gaze sweeping across the room in search of an intriguing companion for the night. His silver hair shimmered in the soft light, and his emerald eyes sparkled with mischief as he exchanged playful banter with the bartenders and fellow hunters passing by.

Amidst the laughter and camaraderie, Cassidy's reputation as a skilled hunter didn't go unnoticed. Many guild members admired his prowess in battles against formidable monsters, and some even idolized him, considering him the epitome of a successful hunter. Yet, despite his accomplishments, Cassidy never let success inflate his ego, always remaining approachable and humble around others.

Tonight, however, he seemed more focused on the company of a potential romantic interest. A few glances were exchanged with a few curious souls, but his wandering eyes soon settled on someone who caught his attention. It was Elara, an expert tracker and a B-rank hunter known for her unwavering determination and gentle demeanor. She was sitting at a nearby table, engaged in a discussion with a few fellow guild members.

With a mischievous grin, Cassidy couldn't resist the opportunity to impress Elara with his charm. Casually strolling over to her table, he flashed his most winning smile and greeted her warmly, making her friends giggle knowingly. Unfazed by their teasing, Cassidy engaged Elara in playful banter, sharing amusing anecdotes from his many adventures as a hunter. Elara listened attentively, her eyes bright with interest and admiration for his skills.

"Hey there, Elara," a smooth voice rang out, drawing her gaze away from the map. Cassidy stood before her, his long dreadlocks cascading over his shoulders like a waterfall of midnight silk. His emerald eyes gleamed mischievously, and a charming grin played on his lips.

Elara couldn't help but smile back at him. "Hello, Cassidy," she greeted warmly, setting the map aside. "What brings you over here?"

"Oh, you know, just couldn't resist the company of such a talented and captivating hunter," Cassidy replied, his voice tinged with playful flirtation. "Besides, the bar seemed a little dull without your radiant presence."

She chuckled at his smooth words, feeling a faint blush creeping up her cheeks. Cassidy had a way with words that could easily sweep anyone off their feet. "Flattery will get you everywhere," Elara teased, raising an eyebrow.

Cassidy leaned against the table, leaning in slightly closer with a wink. "Well, then let's go everywhere together," he suggested with a playful grin. "I've been meaning to ask if you'd be interested in teaming up for our next mission. With your tracking skills and my monster-slaying prowess, we'd make an unstoppable duo."

Elara couldn't deny the appeal of the idea. Cassidy was undeniably skilled, and his confidence was infectious. "I must admit, it sounds like a tempting offer," she replied, a hint of curiosity in her voice. "But you know, I don't team up with just anyone. I have to see if we can work well together first."

Cassidy's grin widened, accepting the challenge. "Oh, I'm up for that challenge," he said, his eyes locked with hers. "I have a feeling we'll make an incredible team, both on and off the battlefield."

Her heart skipped a beat at his bold remark, and she tried to hide her growing amusement. "Off the battlefield, huh? You're quite the smooth talker, Cassidy," Elara teased, pretending to be unaffected by his charm.

He chuckled, his gaze never leaving hers. "Only when the occasion calls for it, and the occasion is definitely calling for it now," he replied, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes.

Despite herself, Elara found herself enjoying Cassidy's playful banter. There was an authenticity in his flirty demeanor that made her feel at ease. "Alright then, let's see if you can match your words with actions," she challenged, a faint smile playing on her lips.

With a mock bow, Cassidy replied, "Consider it a promise. I'll show you just how well we can complement each other, in the hunt and beyond."

Cassidy found himself blissfully unaware of the impending confrontation that was about to unfold. Just as he was about to respond to Elara's latest remark, a sudden voice pierced through the noise, calling his name from the stairs of the guild hall.

"Cassidy!"

The sound of loud footsteps echoed through the hall, closing in on him rapidly, but Cassidy remained oblivious to the danger drawing near. Before he could utter another word, a strong hand firmly latched onto his ear, causing a jolt of pain that made him wince. With an unexpected force, he was dragged across the bustling guild hall.

"I've been calling you for the past 30 minutes!" the voice exclaimed, and Cassidy's eyes widened as he recognized the source. It was Leah, one of his closest friends. The two had shared numerous adventures together and had become inseparable over time, often mistaken for siblings due to their strong bond.

"Ouch! Let go!" Cassidy protested, trying to free himself from Leah's firm grip on his ear.

"I've been calling you on the speaker for 30 MINUTES!" Leah's fiery brown eyes glared at him, seething with anger. If Cassidy didn't know her well, he might have mistaken her for a fierce warrior ready for battle.

"Hey! I almost had a date, and you just HAD to ruin it," Cassidy tried to explain, though his words only seemed to further stoke Leah's anger.

"You should've snatched one out of your dreads instead of your ear," Leah retorted with a hint of sarcasm, her grip relenting slightly.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, please don't!" Cassidy pleaded, realizing the extent of his mistake. He knew he had probably missed Leah's calls while he was caught up in flirting with potential romantic interests, completely oblivious to the outside world.

Leah let out a heavy sigh, her anger momentarily subsiding as she released her hold on Cassidy's ear. "You're impossible sometimes, you know that?" she said, her voice softening slightly.

Cassidy rubbed his ear, offering a sheepish smile. "I know, and I'm really sorry. I lost track of time, got carried away," he admitted, feeling guilty for unintentionally ignoring his friend.

"Cole needs you to go help out some people," Leah stated with a hint of urgency in her voice.

Cassidy crossed his arms, a stubborn expression on his face. "Why should I? He knows I don't like that kind of thing," he retorted, resisting the idea of getting involved in matters he wasn't fond of.

Leah's fiery brown eyes glared at him, her patience wearing thin. She knew Cassidy could be quite headstrong, but this was a situation that required his attention. "Okay, okay! Who needs help?" Cassidy finally relented, not wanting to provoke Leah further.

Leah's expression softened slightly, but she maintained her serious tone. "Remember the kids you and Pacey tested?" she began.

"Yeah, that cutie from before. There's no way I can forget someone like that," Cassidy replied with a fond smile, recalling the young child who had left a lasting impression on him.

Leah's face twisted with a slight look of disgust, her tone unyielding. "That 'cutie' is now in trouble," she said, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.

Curious, Cassidy nodded, giving her his full attention. "Alright, spill it. What's going on?" he asked.

Leah took a deep breath, composing herself before sharing the news. "Belial went out to fight the kingpin in a different town. Now Xin and Pacey are heading there too," she explained.

Cassidy raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the mention of the formidable kingpin. "The kingpin? That sounds like a tough guy. But what's the problem?" he asked, not fully understanding why Leah was so concerned.

Leah's expression turned grave. "The problem is, the kingpin is far stronger than what Pacey and xin can handle alone," she emphasized, wanting to convey the severity of the situation.

Cassidy's concern grew as he realized the gravity of the predicament. Xin and Belial were relatively inexperienced hunters, and pacey was decently strong but facing a powerful figure like the kingpin could be dangerous. However, he hesitated to offer his assistance, as he didn't know Xin and Belial well enough.

"I get that it's a tough situation, but I don't really know Xin and Belial that well(although xin is really cute though). I'm not sure if I can be of much help," Cassidy admitted, his sense of responsibility battling with his uncertainty.

Leah nodded understandingly but didn't back down. "I know it's not easy, but these are fellow hunters, and they need all the support they can get. We're a family, Cassidy, and it's times like these when we have to look out for one another," she said, trying to appeal to his sense of camaraderie.

Cassidy sighed, knowing that Leah had a point. "Yeah, I get that, but it's still risky," he replied, hesitant to put himself and others in danger without a solid plan.

Leah wasn't about to give up. "Cole said to go help them," she said, her voice carrying the weight of the guild master's words.

Cassidy knew he couldn't refuse when the guild master's command was involved. "Alright, alright, I'll go," he finally agreed, knowing that he couldn't ignore the call to aid his fellow hunters.

Leah smiled, relieved by his decision. "Thank you, Cassidy. I knew I could count on you," she said warmly, appreciating his willingness to step up when needed.

Cassidy grinned back, trying to lighten the mood. "Well, you know I can't resist a little adventure and some heroics," he said, attempting to inject a touch of humor into the serious situation.

Leah chuckled, nodding in agreement. "True, you do have a knack for finding trouble and coming out on top" she remarked playfully.

(Soft scene break)

Cassidy arrived at the guild's transport building, a majestic structure with an elevated steel circular ground adorned with ancient ruin symbols encircling it. Excitement surged through him as he approached the large board displaying a map of the various transport circles owned by the Phoenix guild. However, his enthusiasm waned when he couldn't find the exact location he was seeking.

"I know Leah said they are at this undertown place... undertown... undertown, there!" He exclaimed with a spark of realization, finally spotting the destination.

he pressed the location on the map, and the circle beneath it began to emit a radiant red glow. Without hesitation, Cassidy stepped onto the glowing circle, feeling a sudden rush as he disappeared into the unknown.

(Soft scene break)

In an instant, Cassidy reappeared at his destination. He skillfully dealt with the guards at the entrance and stealthily entered the mysterious town. As he ventured deeper, his heart raced with anticipation, aware of the dangers that lay ahead. The once-thriving settlement had been scarred by the ravages of time and destructive forces. A loud boom echoed in the building, signaling that fight that awaited him.

"Well, I guess I have to make a beautiful entrance if I'm going to see that cutie again," he said with a playful smirk, flipping his hair back confidently.