Suddenly, Sera's eyes widened with understanding. She quickly realized the awkwardness of the situation. "Mom! This isn't what you think!" Sera exclaimed, hastily moving her foot away from Rael's face.
But there was no response from her mother; it was as if she had already left. Sera turned to look at the closed door, her heart pounding with embarrassment. She moved her hand to her head in disbelief, while her other hand rested on her waist. She let out a heavy sigh, the room seeming to close in around her.
"Seems like she has misunderstood the situation?" Sera muttered to herself, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
Rael, on the other hand, couldn't help but find the whole situation amusing. He looked at Sera, who appeared flustered and irritated, and his lips curved up into a faint smile. It was a moment of shared absurdity that added a layer of humor to their unexpected encounter.
'This is interesting,' Rael thought, his amusement evident in his expression.
Sera, still frowning at the surreal turn of events, couldn't help but feel a twinge of frustration at Rael's smile. 'This son of a...' her thoughts trailed off as she contemplated the strange twist of fate that had led to this bizarre situation.
---
Meanwhile, in the Immortal Guild...
Eli's footsteps echoed through the corridor as he approached the imposing door marked "Guild Master." The wood, polished to a rich mahogany sheen, bore intricate carvings that seemed to tell the tales of countless adventurers who had come before him. The golden doorknob gleamed with an air of authority, beckoning him to enter.
Pushing the door open, he stepped into a spacious office, its walls adorned with maps, charts, and parchments filled with cryptic symbols. A large oak desk dominated the room, covered in a meticulously organized array of papers, scrolls, and an open laptop. It was a workspace that spoke of both order and the chaos of guild matters.
Seated behind the desk was the guild master, a middle-aged man with salt-and-pepper hair that spoke of experience and wisdom. His eyes, sharp and perceptive, met Eli's with an unwavering gaze. Beside him stood a woman with raven-black hair, her demeanor one of quiet efficiency, holding a clipboard that seemed to contain the guild's secrets.
"You are here," the guild master spoke with a measured tone, his voice carrying the weight of authority and command.
Eli nodded in acknowledgment, his gaze shifting between the guild master and the woman by his side. It was a room filled with an air of purpose, every element meticulously chosen to facilitate the guild's operations.
"Yes," Eli replied, his voice steady but tinged with anticipation. "I have completed the request you gave me to eliminate the Shadow Skull gang."
The guild master leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled in front of him. His expression remained unreadable, a mask of professionalism that hinted at the depth of his experience. "I know," he stated simply, his eyes drilling into Eli's.
Eli braced himself, feeling the weight of the guild master's scrutiny. It was a moment of reckoning, a conversation that held implications beyond the completion of a simple task.
"But," the guild master continued, his tone shifting slightly, "I have heard something interesting. You went to meet her, didn't you?"
Eli's surprise was palpable, his brows furrowing as he struggled to process the unexpected turn of the conversation. "A...m... Yeah," he stammered, his voice betraying a hint of uncertainty. "I met her yesterday."
A wry smile tugged at the corner of the guild master's lips, a subtle playfulness in his eyes. He rose from his chair, the legs scraping against the floor as he approached Eli with a knowing glint in his eyes. It was a moment of camaraderie, a break from the solemnity of their previous discussion.
"So, what did she say?" the guild master inquired, his curiosity evident.
Eli's gaze met the guild master's, and he couldn't help but feel a twinge of vulnerability. "A... Well," he began, his words slow and measured, "she rejected me again."
The guild master chuckled, the sound echoing through the office like a note of camaraderie. His laughter held a sense of understanding, as if he had seen this scenario play out more times than he could count.
The guild master couldn't contain his laughter any longer. With a hearty slap on Eli's shoulder, he exclaimed, "I knew it! I told you she wouldn't accept you, hahaha!" He guffawed, shaking his head with exaggerated seriousness. "See? Should've listened to the master of romantic wisdom!"
Eli couldn't help but quirk an eyebrow at the guild master's hearty laughter. He finally exclaimed, "You're enjoying this a bit too much, aren't you?"
The guild master grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Of course! It's not every day I get to see the great Eli, the Divine Extractor, getting rejected." He chuckled once more before leaning in, his tone sincere. "But remember, Eli, life's full of surprises. Keep your spirit high, for who knows what the future holds?"
Eli nodded in understanding as the guild master chuckled at his predicament. He was beginning to appreciate the camaraderie he shared with the guild master, despite the teasing.
The guild master leaned forward, his expression turning more serious. "Oh, and here is the thing you asked for." He raised his hand and gestured for the woman with the clipboard to approach. With measured steps, she moved closer, holding out a card resembling an identity card.
"Here, this will help you hide your identity as the Divine Extractor in this country," she explained, her tone professional yet tinged with a hint of warmth.
Eli took the card, examining it briefly. "Oh, thanks," he replied with gratitude.
The guild master, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, continued, "Oh, and there is one more thing I want you to do before you go proposing to your dream girl. I mean before you abandon your title as the Divine Extractor."
Eli arched an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what is that?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
The woman stepped in to provide more information, her voice steady and informative. "There is a two-floor B-grade dungeon that couldn't be cleared. There have been nine attempts to conquer it, and all have failed. There is only one person who returned alive after entering the dungeon."
Eli listened intently as the woman continued, her words raising more questions. "But the dungeon remains uncleared, and the individual who survived lost his memories and now has the mind of a five-year-old child. It's a mystery how he emerged from an uncleared dungeon, and no one knows the details."
"Hmm..." Eli contemplated the situation, his mind already racing with thoughts of the challenges and mysteries that lay ahead. "So you want me to clear the dungeon and uncover its secrets?"
The guild master chimed in, leaving the choice to Eli. "Yeah, only if you want."
Eli smiled, a glint of determination in his eyes. "Well, it won't be a problem." His smile broadened, transforming into a confident grin that sent a shiver of anticipation down the guild master's spine.