Seong slowly opened her eyes as she met eyes with the moon. The beast that was just in the air, ready to end her, had disappeared. Confused, Seong looked around.
But the more she observed her surroundings, the Chasm monster was truly gone. She sighed heavily in relief.
That was so close…
Seong's eyes would soon widen as she heard the sound of roaring not far from where she was located.
Shit… I need to get out of here!
Seong would run the opposite direction from where she heard the roar, not even once daring to take the same path that could possibly lead to another Chasm monster.
But as she was heading back to her dorm, Seong would suddenly stop. Feeling chills run down her spine and goosebumps rising up on her arms and legs.
She luckily trusted her instincts once more as a Chasm monster would slowly walk out of the alleyway just right next to her. Soon, the monster turned its head, looking at Seong as it had a similar appearance to the one she approached before.
Wait… could it be-!
Seong would get into a running position, ready to run until something caught her attention. A purple colored aura.
The purple colored aura slowly swirled around the monster like smoke as Seong could see the purple aura forming words around the monster.
Name: ???
Species: Chasm Monster, Human (taken disguise)
Abilities: Enhanced statistics.
Tier: D
Seong would stare at the information with surprise. But as she became too distracted, her eyes slowly shifted back to the monster. Yet it was too late.
The Chasm monster would strike Seong on the head, causing her to back up.
!!!!
Seong would feel her head gently with her fingers before taking her fingers off. It was small blood, but it was painful enough.
"… Tch."
"Hey!"
…? Wait, that voice—!
Seong would slowly look up at one of the buildings. And it was her. Rian. Seong looked at her with surprise.
"No wonder why I couldn't find ya!"
"… Rian?"
"Yeah yeah, feel surprised and all. But you have no time to feel this way right now! Catch!"
Rian would pull out a sheathed blade as she tossed it down to Seong.
Seong would catch the sheathed blade with ease as she unsheathed the blade. Revealing its bright shine on the moon.
Nice…
Seong would smug as she looked back at the Chasm monster who had already dashed towards her.
Seong's eyes would widen in surprise, but as she was proceeding to get into a stance, the purple aura that formed around the Chasm monster would roam around her.
Dodge to the side. It wrote.
Without a thought, Seong would immediately move to the side while the Chasm monster swung its arm down at her yet missed because she moved.
The Chasm monster would turn to Seong before swinging its first rapidly at her. But the purple aura would continuously instruct Seong's movements, allowing her to dodge the rapid punches with ease.
As Seong was flexible enough, she easily began to adapt to the purple aura's instructions, continuously dodging the Chasm monster's strikes before she herself would begin to throw hits back at the monster.
After dodging another few strikes from the Chasm monster, Seong would create her opening. Swinging the blade up at the monster's neck as she pierced it's neck before knocking it away with her other hand.
"Hmph–!"
The Chasm monster would back up in pain before it began to regenerate. But as the monster began to regenerate, the skies suddenly were lit up by light. The night of the Chasm was ending.
Not wanting to fight in clear daylight, the Chasm monster would shrink down into the ground, running away from the battle.
… Ah right… Chasm monsters run from daylight… she thought.
Seong would turn, only to meet eyes with Rian. With her unexpected distance, Seong jumped a bit.
"Hey—!"
"Hehe, sorry Seong. But you did amazing!"
"… I guess. No need to compliment me though."
"Oh but I should. You told me you were tier D! Now look at ya dodging with ease—"
"It was just nothing… I just kind of saw this little aura I guess."
"Anyway, we're skipping school."
"Wait wha—"
Rian would grab a hold of Seong's arm as she immediately dragged her without letting Seong say a single word.
Soon, the two would make it to a building before Rian would finally let go of Seong's arm.
"Where are we?"
"A place where we all meet up."
"All?"
"It's still a pretty small group… Just the four of us. But since you're here, you'll make it five!"
"I see…"
Rian would unlock the door using her ID before sliding the door open and entering inside with Seong following along.
As Seong entered the building, she could see that it was modernly built and the furniture matched with the vibe.
"Nice place."
"Thanks! You're always welcomed here at the ROS."
"ROS—?"
"ROS. Just the initials for Rulers of Sincerity."
"I see…"
Seong could hear a pair of footsteps quickly approaching the entrance. It was definitely out of rhythm as one of the pairs of footsteps were quick and loud, while the other sounded longer and softer.
"Wait a minute…"
Seong would slowly turn to the voice as her eyes would meet Shaun.
It's you!
"It's you!" Shaun calls out.
"…"
Unsure how to reply, Seong would gently wave awkwardly.
"Hey! Be nice Shaun!"
"Oi— shuddap!"
"Calm down you two…"
A deeper female voice called out. It was soft spoken, but the tone she gave off clearly showed a bit of intimidation.
…?
Seong would slowly tilt her body, proceeding to look over.
A long pink-haired woman with glasses sat on one of the barstools. She was well dressed and was more likely to be a college student than highschool.
"Who are… you?" Seong mumbled.
The woman turned her head to Seong, lifting up her cup of coffee before taking a sip.
"Call me Constance."
"Ah… I see. Seong Kang."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Seong. You're much younger than I imagined."
Younger? She knew me already?
Seong's eyes would blink as the sound of Rian's and Shaun's shouting faded away. Without thought, Seong slowly approached Constance as she sat down next to her on the barstool.
"Don't mind those two. They're great friends but they don't always meet on the same side."
Constance chuckles.
"I see…"
"Anyway. Water, Seong?"
"No thank you…"
"Very well then. I'm assuming you're asking for a bit of information from me."
"E-Eh—?"
Constance would slide her cup of coffee back onto the table before interlocking her fingers together. Leaning forward as she put her full attention on Seong.
"I graduated from Shokari Academy last year. But the ROS isn't a school club or is anywhere apart of the school."
"I see…"
"You see, Seong. I'm aware of your case."
"… Oh."
Seong mumbled. She could feel her hands having the urge to tremble.
"No worries. My judgment on cases like yours are at ease. I'm sorry that really happened to you."
… Empathetic?
Seong stared into Constance's beautiful purple eyes.
Detailed eyes. Almost like a galaxy. She's less judgemental, soft spoken and calm… but something feels a bit off to me.
"There's four of you?"
"Yes. You've met three."
"Where's the other…?"
"He doesn't usually interact. He spends his time outside and exploring in the forests nearby. His name is Seiji though. He told me he won't be here today."
"I see…"
Seong would place her hand on her chin.
"No need to stress yourself out. You're welcomed here."
Seong would gently nod.
Just as peaceful as the moment was, a beeping sound would quietly call out.
Constance would look at her wrist, revealing her medium sized watch.
"… Shaun. Rian." Constance calls out.
The two would look at Constance with a puzzled face.
"Chasm aura is being detected near one of the alleyways of the East side of the city. Be ready to gear up."
Shaun and Rian would nod before exiting the room.
"What— what's going on?"
"Chasm aura, y'know? It's a sign that a Chasm monster will be summoned there. But because you don't have safety gear yet, you'll have to stay, Seong."
"Stay—? But I just—"
"For your safety."
Constance would get up from the barstool, walking off as she leaned her watch close to her bottom lips. Proceeding to call Seiji for assistance.
Meanwhile Seong stood there in her seat. Trying to process why Constance wouldn't want her coming along.
… Safety?