N-30 & N-32.

***

The half-masked individuals, perched on the high tree branches, watched in awe as Kleir slaughtered the Colossal Minotaur with remarkable ease.

Their speech was trembling with fear and bewilderment, their voices quivering in confusion.

"N-30, how...how is this even possible?"

"I'm not sure. We never encountered anyone with such power in this area!"

"But there are a few humans, the Dark Guild's executives—"

"Are you out of your mind? Take a look at that kid! He appears to be a teenager, perhaps 15 or 16 years old! Furthermore, the Dark Guild is at war with the Blue Guild!"

"Ah, you're correct... They would not send representatives here. What's the point anyway? We had an agreement!"

"Enough chit-chat, N-32. Let's retreat and report to the boss."

They solemnly agreed and cast one last look towards the boy and the fallen monster, only to realise that he had vanished into thin air.

Panic grabbed them as they feverishly looked for any evidence of his presence.

"Where in the hell did the boy go, N-30?"

"I don't know! N-32, use your brain and search about!"

"Damn it!"

Their fruitless search had produced no results, leaving them perplexed and defeated. They reluctantly agreed.

"Ignore it! N-32, let's go. You recorded his abilities and everything, right?"

"I wish you'd do the work every now and then, N-30."

"Do you really want to die?"

"I did my part. Let's get going—"

Their words died off abruptly, sending shivers down their spines. They felt a presence behind them and felt a sensation of foreboding rush over them.

"Hmm, that's a fun way to talk!" The Voice muttered something.

They somersaulted off the branches in a quick, acrobatic manner, landing safely on the ground.

Their gaze was drawn upward, to the stranger who had appeared behind them.

His grey robe billowed in the mild air, and his smiling mask sent thrills down their spines. His other features remained concealed, while his right hand clutched the rapier.

Their surprise and horror were visible as beads of sweat gathered on their brows.

"W-what the hell is going on, N-30? I thought he was in the ground—"

"Yes, N-32, I noticed that as well. I couldn't even feel his presence."

"What should we do now?"

"Run. He's not someone we can defeat." She whispered, terrified but agitated.

[ A few moments earlier. ]

"Man, What hard work!"

Kleir sensed the presence of others around as he stomped the monster's lifeless face with a mixture of tiredness and cruel glee.

He paused his kicks and concentrated his energy, focusing his senses to locate them.

"Ah, it seems I have other guests joining me," he muttered to himself, his ideas reverberating in his mind.

—

Not just one, but two, judging by their energies.

One man and a woman. They are skilled but weak.

It's fascinating to think about how one can sense the presence of others when their magical energy is lesser than their own.

So, let us meet them warmly, shall we?

—

Kleir seized the opportunity and quickly manoeuvred to the top of a big tree, a location unfathomable and unattainable to most people.

The trees possessed a special fascination in this strange world, their forms ranging in shape and height, some even reaching for the heavens.

Branches interlaced in fascinating designs, embellished with colourful leaves.

Kleir expertly camouflaged his presence after reaching his vantage point, adopting a method learned from his master—a technique that turned him into an invisible predator.

He crept silently behind the tree, utilising his enhanced hearing and sensing talents to listen in on the dialogue below.

[ Back to Present ]

Kleir plummeted from the huge tree with a smooth leap, landing perfectly in the yard below.

As they exchanged whispered words, the two half-masked individuals took defensive positions, their eyes focused on Kleir's.

N-30's voice was commanding, while N-32 appeared surprised by the sudden order.

"Listen, idiot," N-30 began, prompting N-32 to object, perplexed by the chosen term.

"You called me an idiot? Right? Right?" N-32 stumbled.

"Stop talking! One of us has to stay back; we can't both escape together, I don't think he has any plans of keeping us alive," N-30 stated emphatically.

"Huh? What exactly are you—" N-32 began, but N-30's glare stopped any additional protests.

"This is not a request. It's an order. Do as I say."

"B-but, you—" N-32 sought to protest once more.

"I'll be just fine. They don't call me the Flint Mistress for nothing," N-30 said confidently.

Kleir, who was watching the incident from a distance, couldn't help but cringe at their theatrical conversation.

-

Man, I wonder why everyone in this world is so dramatic.

Beats me, I saw some kids at my school behaving like this with their lovers.

Ew, how cringe.

-

Kleir began to approach the two figures, his hands casually crossed behind his back and a cheeky smirk on his lips.

Meanwhile, the disguised duo was having a furious conversation, their voices becoming more intense as their calm enemy approached.

"N-32! I'll take care of it! It's my order as your superior!" N-30 announced, their resolve firm.

"But you can't defeat him! Y-You could die!" N-32 objected, their voice trembling with anxiety.

"Then make certain that the death is not in vain! Listen, once I distract him, use PLM's secret trick and flee. Inform the Boss about all of this," N-30 instructed, their tone filled with resolve.

N-32 paused, torn between obeying orders and fear of losing a comrade.

The urgency of the issue could no longer be disregarded as Kleir closed the gap.

"You must make a decision right now. It is for the freedom of the people. You must live and report to Headquarters," N-30 mumbled, forcing N-32 to recognise the gravity of the situation.

N-32 mustered the confidence to say, "I-I'll do it!" in a determined voice, his face bathed in sweat.

"Haha, I had hoped to admire the beauty of the moon together in a few days, but it seems luck had other plans," N-30 smiled warmly. "So, I presume your luck, or lack thereof, rubbed off on me?"

As a solitary tear trickled down N-32's face, they chose to remain silent, their decision made.

Kleir let out an exasperated groan as he closed in on the disguised men, his frustration audible in his voice.

"Is your drama over?" he inquired, but received no response as they remained silent.

Kleir extended his hand towards them, unaffected by their lack of words, his tone chilly and frightening. "I will spare your lives if you follow me quietly. However, if you resist, your limbs may be severed."

N-30 and N-32 exchanged a short glance before agreeing with a nod. N-32 mustered the confidence to approach Kleir and say, "We will do as you say."

Kleir chose to keep silent for a moment, attentively analysing their body language and motions, dubious of their obedience.

Then, in an abrupt and unexpected change of events, he discovered their genuine motives.

N-30 swiftly took out a flint pistol hidden among the folds of her spy outfit and aimed it directly at Kleir's head.

She pulled the trigger with venomous intent, the bullet ringing out, "Dieee!!"

>Bang!

Kleir's eyes widened in surprise.

N-32 activated the secret technique at that key moment, a burst of energy surrounding him.

He rushed into action with renewed agility and precision, utilising the surrounding trees as allies.

He leapt from one tree to the next in a whirl of motion, traversing the woodland at breakneck speed.

Her parting words to N-30 lingered in the air as N-32 made his daring escape, loaded with both desperation and determination.

"Don't you dare die!" His eyes welled up with tears, his heart burdened with concern.

Little did N-32 know what lay ahead, the impending twists and turns of fate that would soon unfold.