Sin decided to venture outside and rendezvous with a fellow comrade from Team Phantom Spear. Contrary to their usual meeting spot within the depths of a dungeon, this time they chose to convene at a quaint restaurant.
After a recent unpleasant incident, everyone came to a mutual agreement to take a much-needed respite for a few days in order to recover and reenergize themselves.
Fatema had become Sin's protector under the orders of Madam Rubi, but the underlying motive was to prevent him from being adventure again on the dungeon temporarily. Hence, Madam Rubi assigned Fatema the responsibility of closely monitoring his every move.
Sin arrived at the designated restaurant and was greeted by a gathering of people eagerly awaiting his presence. While a few individuals glanced at Fatema with perplexity, they soon recollected that Sin held a position of nobility, leading them to assume that she must be his trusted attendant.
He took a sit and invited Fatema to join him in sitting down, but she declined the offer. It wasn't because she felt inferior to him, but rather because she believed that remaining standing would provide her with a better vantage point to protect Sin in case an attack was launched towards him.
Sin was filled with confusion upon hearing her words. However, as she turned her head to look in a specific direction, the attention of everyone around her was immediately drawn to the same spot. To their surprise, It turned out that team Augment was present in the very same restaurant.
Sin observed that not only were May Bell and Robin Munro in attendance, but there were also a handful of adults present as well. While Robin Munro stared at him with great intensity, May Bell regarded him with serene and collected eyes.
Sin quietly murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, "What on earth are they doing here?" The air around the other members except Eric seemed to crackle with tension as the memory of the previous encounter between Team Augment and Sin flooded the minds of everyone present. Their eyes narrowed and their brows furrowed, reflecting the unease that permeated the atmosphere. Yet, amid their apprehension, a flicker of acknowledgement emerged as they contemplated the consequences of provoking Sin, a force not to be trifled with, especially not in a public setting. They are hoping they won't dare to touch him here.
During their conversation, Fatema expressed to Sin that the individual seated at the table, who exudes a commanding presence, is remarkably formidable and considered the second most robust member of the Augment team. This individual possesses immense strength and is highly regarded by all as the rightful successor to lead the team in the near future.
The man whom Fatema had mentioned earlier had his gaze fixated on her as he made his way towards her, exchanging a few words with his companions along the way. Approaching Fatema with an air of familiarity, he extended his greetings, addressing her as the renowned and infamous Bloodsoaked Fatema. With a tone of reverence, he expressed his deep sense of privilege in encountering her once more.
Fatema refrained from responding to him and instead fixed him with a piercing, silent stare. Observing her lack of verbal engagement, the man proceeded to mention that he had been informed about her imparting invaluable advice to a few of his junior colleagues a few weeks prior. He acknowledged the significant impact her guidance had on his team and expressed his desire to reciprocate by sharing some helpful pointers with her.
Fatema explained to him that she deeply regretted the situation and expressed her sincere apologies. She went on to clarify that due to her current commitments and responsibilities, she is solely dedicated to acting exclusively for the Archduke's family. In order to perform any acting roles, she emphasized that she must receive explicit instructions and orders from them. Furthermore, she revealed that the Archduke's family has strictly prohibited her from engaging in any activities that may potentially lead to unnecessary conflicts.
The man's intentions were crystal clear as he provided pointers, while the woman's words were filled with conflict. She clearly expressed her belief that he was causing trouble among them. As he listened to her words and deciphered their true meaning, a smile formed on his face, yet he chose not to respond directly to her, opting instead to express his disappointment at the situation.
As he prepared to depart from the premises, much to the astonishment of onlookers, the man unexpectedly lunged forward, aiming to strike Sin with a forceful palm. Yet, Sin, ever vigilant, had already activated his Sharingan, a powerful ability that enhanced his perception and combat skills. Nevertheless, just as the assailant's hand was mere inches away from making contact with Sin's face, he abruptly halted the motion, freezing his hand in mid-air right before reaching Sin's eyes.
The man's face reflected a profound sense of astonishment as he gazed upon his own reflection. What struck him the most was the absence of any hint of reaction or fear in his eyes, as if he possessed an unwavering knowledge that he would either prevail or be halted in the face of Sin. This level of confidence could only be likened to that of a seasoned and dauntless veteran.
As the man turned around, he noticed that Fatema was right behind him, brandishing a sharp dagger. To his surprise, she halted her movement simultaneously with his own. Despite the imminent danger that Fatema posed, the man chose to overlook her presence and instead expressed his admiration for the individual standing before him. He was truly astounded to witness the son of the esteemed Lord Archduke Judge displaying his exceptional composure even in the face of an impending assault.
The individual identified himself as Eco Oliver and he cordially extended an invitation to join Team Augment. Eco explained that they were in desperate need of someone with exceptional skills and a high status, and believed that Sin fit the bill perfectly. However, much to Eco's disappointment, Sin politely declined the offer, mentioning that he was already a proud member of Team Phantom Spear. Sin firmly expressed his desire to remain loyal to his current team and had no intention of switching sides.
Upon hearing his words, Eco Oliver couldn't help but smile in response. Yet, simultaneously, a sense of disappointment lingered within him. Nevertheless, he extended a comforting offer to Sin, ensuring that in the future, should he ever have the desire to become a part of their team, he could easily reach out to him.