Chapter 23: Eyes Of The Archangel [1]
As he sat down, his body language exuded a chilling aura, as if he was biding his time, patiently waiting for the moment when they would step out of the confines of the evaluation center.
With every passing moment, his glare intensified. It was a look of pure malevolence, promising a future encounter steeped in violence and bloodshed.
Zain, however, remained unfazed by the man's ominous presence. He could feel the weight of the man's gaze, the seething hatred that emanated from him like an invisible storm. Yet, it mattered little to Zain.
The whispers of disdain from the others in the room permeated the air, their voices dripping with contempt and judgment. Their words, filled with criticism and mockery, reached Zain's ears, but he paid them no mind. Their opinions held no weight in his single-minded focus.
Within the recesses of his mind, the thought of the tower consumed him. Its allure and mystery beckoned to him, eclipsing the pettiness of those around him.
"That was close," the official muttered under his breath, his voice laced with a hint of relief. Adjusting his sleek black suit, his sharp gaze pierced through the hallway as he strode purposefully forward. His estimated age was around 30 years.
Thoughts raced in his mind as he replayed the intense encounter, his black beard emphasizing his serious expression.
"If I had been even a second late, then that mysterious mask boy would have killed him," he contemplated, his words almost lost amidst the sounds of bustling activity around him. His heart still raced from the adrenaline that surged through his veins during the confrontation.
As the official made his way through the hallway, the atmosphere seemed to shift. The staff members and other individuals present, whether they were clerks, guards, or evaluators, turned their attention towards him, their faces filled with deference and respect.
A wave of murmurs swept through the room as they whispered, "Welcome Vice Master... Welcome Vice Master..."
All eyes were drawn to him, their gazes reverential, as if they recognized his immense strength and esteemed position within the hierarchy.
Whispers spread like wildfire, speaking of his prowess, his accomplishments, and his reputation as one of the strongest individuals in the entire country.
The fact that he held the esteemed title of Vice Master only solidified his status, indicating his exceptional abilities and unrivaled expertise. The Vice Master acknowledged the greetings with a nod, his gaze sweeping across the room, observing the diligent workers and the aspiring angels who sought to prove their worth.
Taking his rightful place on the main seat given the Master's absence, the Vice Master exuded an air of authority that filled the room. The responsibility to oversee the proceedings fell upon his capable shoulders. It was a position of immense significance and one that he approached with utmost dedication and meticulousness.
In a commanding voice that carried across the room, the Vice Master summoned all the staff members to gather before him. The bustling activity came to a momentary halt as the evaluators, clerks, and guards quickly assembled, their eyes focused and attentive. The Vice Master's presence commanded respect, and his call for their attention left no room for delay or disregard.
"May we enter, Vice Master...?" the staff members spoke in unison, their voices echoing through the room as they swiftly responded to the summons of the small bell rang by the Vice master.
The room grew still as the staff members stood in anticipation, their gazes focused on the Vice Master. With a sense of satisfaction, he nodded approvingly, acknowledging their presence.
"Who is that masked guy?" the Vice Master inquired, a note of curiosity lacing his voice. The staff members exchanged puzzled glances, their brows furrowing in confusion at the mention of a masked individual.
"Masked Guy...? Who...?" they echoed, seeking further clarification.
The Vice Master's gaze flickered towards a large monitor positioned in the room, displaying the live feed from the waiting room's CCTV.
With a pointed finger, he directed their attention to the screen. The image showed the scene that had unfolded moments ago, capturing the altercation involving the masked individual.
"He..." the Vice Master began, his voice resonating with a mix of intrigue and caution.
Zain, shrouded in his enigmatic mask, was captured clearly on the CCTV footage, his presence undeniable. The staff members huddled together, their voices a symphony of uncertainty and speculation.
As they debated, the staff members considered various possibilities. Was he a prodigious newcomer, harboring immense potential and seeking to ascend the ranks? Or perhaps he was an experienced angel concealing his true power behind the guise of anonymity. Theories intertwined, painting a tapestry of speculation, but no definitive answers emerged.
The Vice Master questioned the staff, "So no one knows?" Silence enveloped the room as they exchanged uncertain glances. No answers emerged, leaving the mystery of the masked figure unresolved.
Just as the Vice Master was about to scold the staff, a new employee, who had shown Zain the way, arrived breathlessly, apologizing for her tardiness.
"I'm sorry for being late!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine remorse.
The Vice Master, his face flushed with irritation, halted mid-sentence as his eyes fell upon the tardy employee. A flicker of curiosity ignited within him, compelling him to summon her forward. She hesitantly stepped forward, her eyes nervously meeting his gaze as she came into clear view.
The Vice Master's pointed finger directed her attention towards the monitor, where the image of the masked individual captured her gaze.
Recognition flickered in her eyes as she took in the familiar features of the person she had guided to the waiting area. Surprise mingled with curiosity as she struggled to find the right words to respond to the Vice Master's question.
The Vice Master's stern gaze bore into her, urging her to give a clear answer. Flustered by the intensity of the moment, she stumbled over her words, "Y-yes... n-no!"
"Well, is it a 'yes' or a 'no'?"
She felt a mix of nervousness and determination as she stood before the Vice Master on her second day of work, aware that her answer could have consequences. She gathered her courage and spoke with unwavering sincerity, "He did come here, and I escorted him to the waiting area. However, I have no personal knowledge of his identity or who he truly is."
The Vice Master's brows furrowed in confusion as he carefully considered her response.
"Weird..." he mumbled under his breath, his mind racing to make sense of the situation.
As all eyes were fixed on him, the Vice Master addressed the lady who had escorted the masked man. "Alright, tell me, what's your name?" he inquired, his voice authoritative yet composed.
"I'm Ria, Vice Master," she replied confidently, meeting his gaze.
"Ria...? Are you new here?"
As he questioned her about her newness to the establishment, she nodded affirmatively, indicating that she had joined just a day ago.
"Good. From now on, you are promoted to the manager's position," he declared, his voice filled with authority.
"Ehhhh?"
The unexpected promotion left Ria speechless, her eyes widening in surprise.
Even the others in the room were taken aback by the announcement. It was unprecedented for someone to be promoted to a managerial position on their second day of work.
Ria had jumped ahead, bypassing several ranks, to reach the prestigious Manager position, which was the third highest position in the organization. It was a remarkable achievement that set her apart from the rest.
She essentially skipped 4 posts!
"Vice Master this...", she was too shocked to say anything else.
"Yes, you heard it right," the Vice Master affirmed, his voice unwavering. "You are the one who escorted him, so you will be assigned as his personal manager, responsible for keeping track of his progress and submitting reports."
Ria stood there, still trying to process the sudden turn of events.
Amidst the surprise and whispers, Ria couldn't help but feel a sense of relief and happiness. Her family's difficult financial situation had always weighed heavily on her, and this unexpected promotion meant a significant increase in income that would be immensely helpful.
However, she wasn't one to rely solely on luck or chance. Even in just two days, she had shown her dedication and hardworking nature, proving herself to be a valuable asset.
While it was still early to make definitive judgments, the initial signs were undeniably positive, and that gave her a glimmer of hope for a better future.
However, amidst her happiness, Ria felt a deep sense of gratitude towards the masked person. It was his presence and the incident that had occurred in the waiting room that led to her unexpected promotion.
"Okay, all of you can leave..."
With the announcement made, everyone quickly dispersed from the room, leaving the man alone. He leaned back in his chair, propped up his legs, and crossed them on the table.
"It's indeed weird... why wasn't I able to see through him even with THE EYES OF ARCHANGEL!?" he exclaimed in frustration, his voice filled with disbelief and astonishment.
"..."