The next morning. Around 8 AM.
A shabby house in a not-so-rich district. The capital city, Edin.
The thatched roof missed several shingles, and the walls were discolored. The shutters hung crookedly, and the front door creaked loudly on rusty hinges. The windows were so dirty that it was difficult to see inside, and the porch was littered with broken furniture and old pots.
Inside, the house was a testament to neglect and decay. The floors creaked and groaned underfoot, and the musty scent of dampness filled the air. The furniture was old and worn, with threadbare cushions and frayed rugs. The fireplace was blackened by years of use, and the chimney was blocked with soot. The furniture was old and worn, with stuffing spilling out of the cushions, and the floor rug was threadbare and frayed.
Despite its dilapidated state, the house was now home to two strangers it had never seen before. But it was used to welcoming strangers of all kinds anyway since the house's original owner abandoned it. So it didn't complain. Shabby houses were often welcoming hosts to their uninvited guests.
One of the strangers was an Expert ranker with black hair and emerald-green eyes.
This man slumped over a rickety breakfast table, his face resting on his arms. He passed out from overindulging in liquor, uncommon for his ranking status. One would have to wonder what quantity and quality of liquor he drank to achieve this feat.
The chair he sat on was equally neglected. Its wood was warped and its joints were loose. Yet, it held together with stubborn determination, as if it assumed man's life depended on it.
The green-eyed man's eyes flickered open from time to time, revealing a strange light that hinted at an otherworldly power. It was as if he were lost in a daydream, with his eyes threatening to turn icy blue.
Despite the desolation around him, the man seemed at ease. This was as if the decrepit house and its shoddy furnishings posed no ill will to him. The chair creaked in protest, but it held on as if trying to match the man's unshakeable confidence.
The second occupant of this welcoming house was a girl in her early 20s. She couldn't be as careless as the man sleeping at the table. She paced around the room, apparently waiting for the green-eyed man to wake up. Her needless hurried stride showed she was running out of patience.
This white-haired girl had a striking figure. Her locks cascaded down her face like a milky waterfall, framing her features in a soft glow. Her light blue eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint, and her rosy white skin seemed to glow under the warm sun.
Her peach-colored lips were full and pouty, and a small, cute nose completed her flawless features. As she moved, the fabric of her white dress flowed and swirled around her, highlighting her feminine curves in all the right places. The dress had a deep neckline that showcased her ample cleavage, drawing attention.
The white-haired woman donned a tiara-like piece of golden jewelry that rested delicately atop her head. Its intricate chains were interwoven within her hair locks, giving her a regal appearance. To complement her tiara, she wore a gleaming golden necklace that gracefully traced the contours of her pretty neckline. This added a touch of elegance to her overall look.
It was clear that this girl was used to being the center of attention in her crowd. And that she was used to enjoying every moment of it. But at this moment, the green-eyed occasional drunkard was her only company. And it didn't look like he was interested in anything about her at this point.
The young woman ceased her pacing and stared at the man slumped over the table. "Tch. When will this shrewd bastard wake up?" she muttered, irritated by his drunken stupor. She wrinkled her nose in disgust at the sight of his drool pooling on the table and clenched her fists in frustration.
Despite her urgency to rouse him, the young woman froze in her tracks as the man's contracted beast materialized before her. The beast, a red lightning bull, emitted a cloud of white mist from its nostrils and regarded her with a watchful eye. Its spectral form flickered in and out of visibility, ready to pounce at the slightest provocation.
With a look of caution in its expressive gaze, the beast silently warned the girl that she should not dare disturb the slumbering man. It was clear that the beast would not hesitate to take action if she acted recklessly and put the man in danger.
The girl was an Expert ranker, possessing impressive skills of her own. As a half-blood, she had grown accustomed to disregarding the contracted beast spell used against her kind in the past.
The girl knew she had serious responsibilities to fulfill on behalf of her clan. She approached the drunken man intending to strike a business deal with him and be done with her work, regardless of her personal distaste for his state of inebriation. Time was of the essence, and she couldn't afford to waste any.
However, as she stepped forward, the red lightning bull's eyes changed, its pupils turned milky white color. The girl stared into its eyes, frozen in place.
A horrifying world of illusions materialized before the girl's eyes. Flesh flowers sprouted all around her, made from the fibers of various living organisms. The ground beneath her turned blood red as a shower of blood drenched the landscape, filling the air with an iron scent. She heard horrifying screams and maniacal laughter from a distance.
The sky, once a monochromatic red hue, was now replaced by a looming comet that hurtled towards her at a breakneck pace. It left a trail of flames in its wake. The girl knew it was all an illusion, but fear gripped her heart nonetheless. She was helpless against the illusory doom about to consume her, and she let out a blood-curdling scream.
When she finally blinked her eyes open, she was back in the shabby room. It felt like she had woken up from a nightmare, yet a part of her mind was still trapped in the terrifying illusion. Her heart was racing, and she was drenched in sweat. She realized she had unconsciously moved backward, pressing herself against the wall.
It was only then that she truly understood the gravity of the man's reputation. With a shaky voice, she called out to him as she saw his eyes flutter open.
"Lo… Lord Grimdawn!"
