Chapter 74 Old wound.

In one of the corners of the district in Ark. Inside the modern family restaurant, the atmosphere buzzed with energy and excitement. Sleek furnishings and contemporary decor created a welcoming ambiance, while vibrant modern artwork adorned the walls, adding a pop culture to entice the young generation.

The aroma of freshly prepared dishes filled the air, enticing the customers hunger waiting in anticipation. Every table was occupied, with families and friends gathered together, sharing laughter and creating memories.

Despite the crowd, the waiters moved seamlessly between tables, ensuring that each guest was filled. It was a scene of warmth and togetherness, where the love of good food and company brought people together in celebration of life's simple pleasures.

In one of the corner tables that are facing the wall. Two human figures were spotted sitting auspiciously in the packed place.

"Delicious..".

"I am glad you like it, Lord Gura".

One of them was a woman in her early twenties, wearing a brown loose-knitted sweater tucked inside and wearing blue jeans, with a pair of black heels on her feet. The other person was a man in his early thirties with a chubby appearance, shining head wearing black sunglasses to cover his slit eyes. Wearing a simple, plain black T-shirt and blue jeans with black shoes on his feet. The two of them have their respective names, which are Devi and Gura.

Devi, with a twitching cheek, replied as she watched the chubby male figure in front of her finish his twenty steaks in a mere minute. Rows of piles of plates were towering in the corner of the tables while the chubby man in front of her did not having any intention to stop eating in a moment.

The two of them were demons who were in disguise, using an item that could change their appearance, imitating those humans. Devi has been tasked to retrieve other relics that her father needed. However, their main mission was somewhere else. She just got called the other day by her father that there was something he needed in the Ark, and he commanded her to retrieve it, along with the chubby man in front of her.

"Lorg Gura, I think it's time".

"... Wait a bit. I need more meat. Waiters, please..".

"...My God...".

Devi was mumbling in horror, witnessing the man in front of her who had already eaten that much meal yet still demanded for more. She cast a look toward the bill that was placed upon the glass beside her left and felt her cheeks twitching for the amount it had.

Despite having the strength equivalent to S-Rank awakeners, she couldn't do anything to the man before her, for he held more superiority in rank and strength.

So she could only wait patiently while gathering some information using her sharp ears to catch the words that fly around in this stuffed place.

Devi raised the cup on the table as she intended to sip the black tea she ordered to quench her thirst. But she halted her movement; her finger that held the cup lost its strength, and the cup dropped down to the table, staining both her clothes and the floor.

She clutched her chest, which began to tighten in pain. Her breathing turned rough as the throbbing in her heart intensified, exerting a cold sweat that drenched her forehead. Her heart goes drumming intensely for a couple of seconds before it calms down. As she regained her calm, her mind began to recall a certain night. She remembers this feeling. It was the same feeling when the pact she made with a young boy triggered. At that time, she felt it because she intended to attack the boy, and there was a time when the pact showed no reaction regarding when she put a curse on him. She still didn't understand why.

"Dear customer, are you alright?".

"..Yeah, I am fine. Sorry for the ruckus".

Her thought was interrupted as one of the waiters who witnessed the thing happening began to approach the table and tidy up the place. Devi turned her glance and shook her head to the side before she looked outside. Her enhanced vision caught sight of a black limousine that rode slowly amidst the deserted road. Her eyes caught a boy who leaned his face outside the window, and her blood spiked up while she knitted her brows furiously.

"...He is here..".

"..What is wrong with her? Well, never mind. Can you give me more of the steak??".

"..Understood..".

The chubby man continued his meal despite the weird action his subordinate showed. Making the waiters who saw the piles of plates twitching her lips.

Soma, who was sitting inside a luxurious limousine, cast his gaze outside the window, frozen stiff as a slight tightened in his chest stirred his thought process. He rubs his left chest lightly, wondering what is the matter with his heart that took a sudden jolt.

However, he soon dismissed the thought as the pain lasted for a brief moment. He continued the journey to a new land. Looking at the phenomenal building that feels advanced from what he knows because it was built using a fusion between modern technology and the resources gathered in the Dungeon or Gate, picturing the city as a future city.

After a couple of minutes of riding the luxurious limousine that the awakeners association prepared. Soma and his co. Finally arrived at their destination.

"We arrived, come out guys".

Hiroshi is the first to come out, followed by his wife Hisako, Hina and Soma at last.

"Thank you. Please give my best regards to Mr. Ito".

Hiroshi once again acted as their mediator and said his thanks to the driver before the driver went off, leaving the four of them in front of a huge, tall building.

The building has approximately thirty floors that pierce the sky, and the exterior is covered by glittering glass that reflects the rays of sunshine.

They went inside and entered the lobby of the hotel, buzzing with energy because of the bustling place, filled with guests from all around the globe. People hurried to and fro with luggage in tow. Others were facing the receptionist, who handled them well with their distinctive business-like smile. Hiroshi approached the receptionist's desk and asked about the reservation they had already made weeks prior.

"May I help you, sir?".

"We already made some reservations with the name of Akabane".

"Please wait a moment… Yes, we have certainly received it. Please sign the document".

The woman receptionist gave Hiroshi a tablet that contained the reservation temporary contract. He moves his hand and receives two black cards that act as the key.

"Enjoy your stay".

"Thank you. Everyone lets go".

Hisako steps forward as she closes the distance with her husband.

"Which one is our room?".

"It was on the thirteenth floor, room eight and nine".

While walking, Soma followed behind the elders as he gawked at the spacious hall before him. He stood in front of the double elevator that would bring them up toward their floor destination. With a ting, the elevator opened and showed a deserted space inside.

They entered inside, and Hiroshi began to press the button which showed the number thirteen beside the elevator door. Then, with another ting, the door was closed, and the sense as if being pulled enveloped everyone in space. The elevator ascended at a moderate pace. After less than a minute they spent in silence, the elevator rang another bell, signaling their arrival through the destination.

The door slid to the side as a deserted long hallway presented before them. Hiroshi led in front, followed by Hisako on his side, while Soma and Hina behind them scanned each of the doors plastered through the wall, with each gap in between.

"We are here".

Hiroshi witnesses their room number and stands before the brown wooden door, using one of the black cards to open the lock on the door that had the number eight planted on it. The lock confirms it with a clicking sound and a green light that shows in the terminal that hangs beside the door. With a gentle push, the door creaked, and they entered their reserved room.