"Leo Walkman, E-Type."
As the voice fell, the ratings on the monitors— which was barely rising, fell completely flat —and the man who stood with his hands on a black metal, bowed his head.
"Please step aside for the participant number 024," the mechanical voice resumed, and as the man stepped out of the queue, it said, "Place your hands on the Fragment of Chaos."
The trembling man, who'd stepped forth after the last, placed his hands on the black metal, his gaze darting to the monitors, sweat running down his cheeks.
There were six layers of red lining up the monitors, the highest a brighter shade of red than the lowest. A thin grey line travelled flat for some time, then started climbing.
The higher it climbing, the brighter the man's face. It reached a climax at the middle then fell to the ground, reaching a balanced end— at the bottom.
Silas watched all this, and yawned. He'd been asked to wait outside with Luke, until it got to his turn and he discovered how much of a bore everything was.
"Anonymous Participant, C-Type."
The trembling man stepped away from the line, full of smiles. Silas turned, watching as the man took the door out. He sighed, watching the queue advance.
"Please step aside for participant number 006,"
Silas blinked— it was finally his turn. He stepped forward, placing only one hand on the black metal, "So, uh, how does this little piece of metal measure my strength?"
"It's a fragment of chaos," a soft feminine voice answered from behind Silas, "It has the ability to suck in and alter energies. The more energy it can suck in, the greater your pool."
Hearing the silvery voice, Silas sighed, then turned his gaze to the monitors. He could've removed the hand in his pocket, but from how this worked, he guessed it was not required.
'Oh, she's not explaining what that pool means.' Silas noticed after the voice fell silent, a calculative gleam flashing in his eyes. He ignored it, watching as the flat line started to rise.
It crossed the middle, jumping into the ceiling of the screen in a few seconds. Seeing this caused Silas' brows to jump as he watched the line continue further without dropping off.
'Is that normal?' Silas wondered to himself, seeing that the line refused to drop. Soon, a few murmurs started behind him then it exploded into a fierce commotion of louder voices.
"Anonymous Participant, A-Type."
Hearing that voice, Silas stepped to the side. As he turned around to leave, his gaze was met with those of the woman behind him— those grey eyes that had been eyeing him earlier.
He winked at her, and she averted her gaze hurriedly. The second he removed his hands from the metal, the line dropped down to the bottom again, awaiting its next participant.
Silas dug his second hand into his packets, blocking out the hullabaloo and focusing his gaze on the exit. He closed his eyes, "! am that strong, aren't I? I guess I can start then,"
——
"What do you mean, A-Type?" Luke started, his eyes bulging. Silas stood before him, his brows raised and hands in his pockets as Luke ranted, "You are stronger than any A-Type—"
"I know. I had to hold back a little." Silas replied, ignoring Luke's confused glare. After a while, Silas turned in the direction of the door, "I didn't want to attract too much attention."
The door opened and a familiar face stepped out, causing Silas to raise a brow. It was a woman with ruffled black hair scattered across her face, her grey eyes masked underneath.
"Oh, it's you." She recognised his face almost instantly, then shifted her glance to Luke, and her pupils narrowed down to needlepoint, "I'm sorry for my behaviour. My name's Ice."
Luke who'd put on a frown after seeing her stare at him so intensely, shook his head, "I thought you were one of those mind readers. I have very bad experiences with the psychic."
"I can understand." Ice nodded her head, then stepped towards them. She wore a black leather jacket over her pale silver dress, looking quite plain, "Do get to know your names?"
"I am Luke, and my master would rather not reveal his name," Luke replied, turning to Silas then back to Ice, flashing her an awkward smile, "Are you interested in conversation?"
Ice tore her gaze away from Luke to smirk at Silas, "Of course. I wanted to talk about a problem with your master, but if he doesn't want to talk with me, then that's fine with me."
[Quest Discovered!]
[Pick a Choice,]
[Choice A — Accept The Issue]
—Rewards:
[(2) Gacha Coins]
[+5% Ice's Respect]
[Choice B — Ignore The Issue]
—Rewards:
[(3) Gacha Coins]
"So, what's the issue?" Silas asked, stepping forward and patting Luke on the shoulder, watching as Ice drew in a deep breath, "I pray it's something only a villain could deal with."
Hero issues should be reserved for heroes alone— bring the bad things to the bad guy, isn't that right? He had no issues with them.
"I need to steal something." Ice replied, casting her glance to the side, "I failed to reach the goal that my clan set for me in the test, and I'll be in trouble with father if I don't do it."
'Now, this is getting interesting.' Silas stretched out his hand, resting it on her shoulder, and he wore a warm smile, "You don't need to explain. Just tell me what I'll gain from this."
"This isn't something we should be discussing with so many heroes around," Ice replied, grabbing Silas' arm and turning to Luke, "You have to follow me. I know somewhere safer."
"I don't know—" Luke frowned, narrowing his eyes then turning to Silas for support. As soon as their gaze met, Luke sighed tiredly, "—but, I'll do anything master wants us to do."
Silas scoffed as the murderous intent in his eyes subsided. As the beautiful grey haired woman turned around, leading them out the building, Silas caught the masked man staring.
"I hope we meet again," Silas smirk, watching as the doors were pushed open, and the bustling city entered his sight, the honking cars and flashing lights filled his eyes and ears.