Valien cautiously made his way through the labyrinthine alleyways of the slums, his hand pressed against his injured ribs. Despite the discomfort, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. Walking along the main streets was out of the question, as his disheveled appearance and smears of blood would undoubtedly draw unwanted attention. The sewers, too, posed a risk of infection, a danger he preferred to avoid.
"Ah, but what a splendid fight it was," he murmured softly to himself, relishing in the memories of the recent skirmish. The adrenaline still coursed through his veins, the taste of battle lingering on his tongue. For Valien, combat was an art form, an exquisite dance of violence that few could appreciate. The pain in his ribs served as a reminder of the fight's intensity, fueling his perverse satisfaction.
As Valien continued his solitary journey through the slums, his mind lingered on the mysterious woman he had glimpsed earlier. She had been spying on his intended targets, particularly focusing on the young man with the distinctive blue hair. Valien's sharp instincts had allowed him to detect her presence without being noticed himself.
*I wonder if she is a fellow assassin,* he pondered, his thoughts drifting into the realm of possibilities. The idea intrigued him, for encountering another skilled individual in his line of work was a rarity. However, Valien's confidence remained unshaken as he dismissed the notion. *Not that it matters. Even if she is an assassin, I highly doubt she possesses the skill to eliminate them,* he mused, a tinge of arrogance coloring his internal monologue.
To Valien, his targets were not mere random victims, but prime prey worthy of a carefully crafted strategy. They were individuals who demanded finesse and precision, not someone he could simply charge in and dispatch with his deadly hook-swords.
As Valien was walking through the alleyways, he was only about two minutes away from his destination. "Just a bit more," he said to himself, about to reach his destination soon. Suddenly, he heard a static voice from behind him say, "Good morning, citizen. You look pained. Need help?"
Turning around, Valien's gaze fell upon an Ironward Sentinel, an automaton of the Ironhelm Guard. The Sentinel's voice emitted a question, offering assistance to the seemingly pained individual before it. Valien's eyes narrowed as he regarded the machine before him. *Ah, how boring. Just an automaton,* he thought dismissively.
Ironward Sentinels, while capable of maintaining order and enforcing the law, held no intrigue for Valien. They lacked the excitement and challenge he found in his encounters with living adversaries.
"No thank you, officer. I'm doing just fine," Valien replied with a fake smile, his voice laced with a hint of courtesy. However, his curiosity was piqued as he noticed that this Ironward Sentinel appeared different from the others he had encountered before.
As Valien observed the automaton more closely, he noted the distinct variations in its design. While Ironward Sentinels typically stood at approximately six feet in height, clad in sturdy brass plating and reinforced steel framework, this particular unit exhibited a sleeker and more refined appearance. Its polished silver-chrome plating caught his attention, setting it apart from the standard models adorned with the emblem of the Ironhelm Guard.
Valien's sharp eyes narrowed as he continued to study the automaton, his mind racing with curiosity and a touch of suspicion. *What's with this modified design? Is it a special unit or something else entirely?* he wondered silently.
The automaton looked at him once more before saying, "Affirmative citizen, have a good day," as it saluted him and began to walk off. Valien nodded in acknowledgment, his mind still intrigued by the peculiar design of the automaton.
*Well, that's a mystery for later,* Valien thought to himself, a sly smile playing on his lips. *I have to get back and nurse these wounds. I haven't been this injured since my fight with The Lorenz Company.*
With a twisted sense of pleasure coursing through him, Valien continued on his way, each step a reminder of the sensations he would savor during his recovery.
**10 minutes later**
Azure and Ripper were now engaged in casual conversation, trying to pass the time, when a sudden knock on Ripper's door interrupted them. "Come in," Ripper called out. Both Azure and Ripper turned their attention towards the door, as they wondered who would enter. To their surprise, it was Valien who stepped into the room. A wave of tension washed over Ripper, causing him to stiffen, while Azure, to a lesser degree, also felt a sense of unease.
To their surprise, Valien stepped into the room, causing both Ripper and Azure to tense up. Ripper, with a hint of nervousness, managed to utter, "Wow, uh, you're earlier than expected, mate." Azure's eyes widened as he observed the state of Valien's injuries. *What in the world happened to him?* he wondered silently.
Valien, simply stated, "Tell The Shadow Baron I failed." Without another word, he swiftly exited the room, leaving Ripper bewildered and barely able to mutter, "What?"
Ripper remained seated, a perplexed expression on his face, trying to make sense of the situation that had just unfolded. Meanwhile, Azure's mind was filled with a sense of relief. *Thank goodness I wasn't present when those two fought with Cagan and the others,* he thought. If Valien could be defeated by them, Azure thought that those two could kill him with just a glance.
Ripper's exasperation was evident as he muttered under his breath, realizing he had to face the equally intimidating presence of The Shadow Baron. "Ah fuck, from one terrifying bastard to the next. Now I have to go to The Shadow Baron and deliver this news," he silently lamented. Turning to Azure, he instructed, "Stay here, don't move. I'll be back." With those words, Ripper hastily left the room, leaving Azure alone with his thoughts. Sitting there in solitude, Azure couldn't help but wonder, *I hope he returns unscathed. I guess all I can do is wait and hope for the best.*
As Azure sat in the room, unsure of what to do in the absence of Ripper, a sudden blaring alarm disrupted the silence. Startled, he exclaimed, "What the fuck!" The sound reverberated through the base, sparking a mix of curiosity and unease within him. *I know Ripper told me to stay put, but I can't just ignore this. I have to see what the hell is going on out there,* Azure thought, mustering up the courage to venture out and investigate. With a cautious step, he left the room and made his way back to the entrance slash lobby room, where the source of the commotion awaited him.
Where he saw...