The capital city of Gravantia bustled with Revery students, relishing their weekend without a care for classes, training, or the lectures of their teachers.
Many spent their time hanging out with friends, while others went on dates, hoping to deepen their bonds.
Raziel, on the other hand, lay lazily in bed, intending to spend the entire day either sleeping or reading, as he wasn't in the mood for training. However, his plans shifted when Eve entered his room and invited him to join her on a visit to the Inderfell District.
The Inderfell District carries a dark history, once infamous for its horrific crimes due to the absence of imperial guards and its lawless nature.
Now, powerful gangster families have risen, taking control of various parts of the territory and reducing the frequency of confrontations between outlaws.
Although its bad reputation lingers, the Inderfell District attracts numerous individuals, including influential figures, drawn by its casinos, brothels, clandestine fights, and the renowned black market.
Initially, Raziel planned to decline Eve's invitation, but the possibility of the shady seller of the rainbow stone roaming the area made him rethink. In the end, he decided to join her.
Eve cheerfully promised to take him to a far better place, unlike their previous visit when both of them ended up with stomach aches after eating at a questionable restaurant.
Raziel instinctively raised an eyebrow, his hand clutching his stomach as the memory of spending nearly an entire day in the bathroom resurfaced. The experience had been so intense that not even magic could remedy the situation.
The girl understood his gesture and reassured him that it truly wouldn't happen again. Raziel nodded in agreement, which made Eve jump with joy, her excitement bubbling like that of an animated child.
With that, they decided to call for a carriage to take them there.
Upon arriving at the entrance of Inderfell, the duo walked down the grimy main street, drawing unwanted attention. However, no one dared to approach them after Eve shot a deadly glare in their direction, making it clear that they were not to be trifled with.
Eve led him through several secluded areas until they entered a suspicious alley, stopping in front of an unremarkable shop with a wooden sign bearing the letters "MS" in black.
Before they entered, Eve, who had been carrying two medium-sized paper bags since leaving the house, handed one to Raziel.
She then reached into her own bag, pulled out a falcon-shaped mask, and donned it, covering her entire face.
He didn't understand what Eve was planning, but before he could ask, she told him to put on the mask from his paper bag and follow her.
Raziel nodded, a bit nervous, and pulled a white theatrical mask from his bag. With no turning back, he put it on and followed Eve.
As he followed Eve into the building, Raziel noticed a tall, burly man behind the counter wearing a bear head mask. The man turned and shot them a harsh glare, giving off an unsettling aura.
A chill ran down Raziel's spine as the tension in the air grew under the man's intense stare, only breaking when Eve began to speak.
"What's up, Grizzy, my brother! How's it going? Probably fine, right?" she said in a relaxed tone, addressing the intimidating man as if they were old friends.
"Oh, Miss Falcon, you've returned to pick up a contract?" the large man asked in a gravelly voice.
"Nah, not today. I'm not here for a contract," Eve replied, then pointed at Raziel, saying, "I'm just here to use the service area and relax with my friend here."
Grizzy tilted his head in surprise at Eve's statement, as Miss Falcon had never brought anyone along to use the service area before.
"That's surprising… very surprising…" Grizzy said, taking a moment to size up Raziel. After a brief pause, he continued, "Well, since you're not here as a 'Cleaner,' you can use the stairs by Door C. Here's the key."
"Thanks, Grizzy," Eve said, taking the key from the big guy, who handed it to her with a nod.
She then motioned for Raziel to follow her as they made their way down a corridor with three doors, each labeled A to C. They stopped at the door marked "C," and Eve used the key to unlock it.
After descending the stairs, they entered a space that resembled a café, brightly lit by silver chandeliers. The soft echo of piano music filled the room, and the elegant decorations gave it an unmistakable aura of luxury.
Looking around, Raziel observed tables occupied by people wearing theatrical masks similar to his, in a variety of colors. Some also wore animal head masks, which added to the strange atmosphere of the room.
Most of the people were chatting and minding their own business, sipping coffee or enjoying sweets. Raziel couldn't understand why there would be a hidden café in the middle of such a dangerous area, especially with everyone inside wearing masks.
As Raziel followed Eve, she approached the bartender, who was wearing an owl head mask and cleaning glasses behind the counter.
Leaning over the counter, Eve casually greeted, "Hey, Owl! Everything good?"
"Miss Falcon, it's you... tsk," the bartender said, giving her a disapproving glance and clicking his tongue.
"Hahaha, still upset about me beating you last time? Go ahead, cry about it," Eve teased, pushing the bartender to the edge as he angrily shattered the glass in his hand.
She then led Raziel toward a door, where two towering men in black suits stood guard. Each wore a rhinoceros mask, adding to the imposing atmosphere.
Both of them remained silent, opening the door and bowing their heads, allowing Eve and Raziel to pass through without obstruction.
When they entered through the door, they were met with a lavishly decorated room, complete with fancy booth sofas, square tables, and golden chandeliers. The air was filled with a fragrant ambiance that evoked the charm of an old-fashioned luxury restaurant.
Eve chose a seat and removed her mask, gesturing for Raziel to join her. He decided to sit beside her and took off his mask too, his thoughts swirling as he wondered what kind of place this was. The atmosphere felt surreal, like a hidden world within the dangerous streets of Inderfell.
"Here, little master, you can pick whatever you want. Don't worry about the price," Eve said with a grin as she handed Raziel a menu.
"Eve, before I order anything, can you please explain what kind of place this is?" Raziel asked, his confusion evident as he glanced around.
"Oh, right, I forgot to mention," Eve said, scratching the back of her head with an awkward laugh. "This is where I pick up some side jobs. It's called Mortis Syndicatus(Death Syndicate) if that makes it clearer, haha..."
"Wait, WHAT?!" Raziel shouted involuntarily upon hearing Eve's revelation.
The Mortis Syndicatus stands as a feared institution within the Gravantia Empire, employing elite assassins from all three primary classes.
Their mission success rate is unparalleled, making them a force few dare to challenge. In Inderfell, gangster families tread carefully around its members, knowing that killing a "Cleaner" without justification often spells ruin for an entire family.
A single professional Cleaner could create immense trouble for them, and facing an entire squad would guarantee complete annihilation.
One of the unique aspects of this organization is that Cleaners are usually dressed as bartenders, butlers, or maids, wearing animal-themed masks to hide their identities.
The Mortis Syndicatus headquarters remains veiled in mystery, with access restricted to official members or authorized guests. Those who dare to enter uninvited meet a merciless end.
Raziel initially failed to recognize the organization, given its limited presence in the game. Erick had only encountered them once, narrowly avoiding trouble with Nozomi's help and the influence of her family.
Now, Raziel found himself in such a perilous place, believing it to be just some kind of peculiar, high-end restaurant.
"H-hey, E-Eve, you're joking, right?" he asked, his voice shaking as he realized where he was.
"No, little master, I'm not," Eve replied calmly.
Her confirmation made Raziel sigh, and he reluctantly went along with it.
Soon after, the duo were savoring a mouthwatering lasagna, complemented by several equally delicious side dishes. Raziel was pleasantly surprised, never having imagined that an assassin organization would employ such skilled chefs.
As they focused intently on their meal, the door swung open, drawing Eve's and Raziel's attention. Eve paused mid-bite, turning to see who had arrived.
The tall figure, clad in a butler outfit and black gloves, wearing a black panther mask, entered the room and walked straight toward their table.
Seeing the mysterious person turn to look at him like a predator, Raziel gulped.
His childhood friend didn't seem bothered at all. In fact, she suddenly stood up from her seat and said cheerfully, "Tiyara, you came!"
With a joyful leap, Eve embraced the tall figure, as if reuniting with an old friend. The person being hugged then removed her panther mask, revealing a striking woman with long, flowing coal-black hair.
Her face was smooth, with nearly perfect features, and her tanned skin, reminiscent of an Egyptian princess, added to her allure.
However, one thing stood out: her eyes were entirely black, except for the irises, which glowed with a bright, golden hue. The sight of her eyes sent a chill down Raziel's spine for some inexplicable reason.
Unaware of Raziel's reaction, Eve took the woman by the arm and said, "Tiyara, this is Raziel, my master and the childhood friend I told you about."
Tiyara gave Raziel a full look-over, carefully scanning every inch of him.
"Oh~ so you're Eve's crush. She always talks about you whenever she gets the chance," Tiyara said playfully, covering her mouth with her hand, much like a noble lady.
Upon hearing what her friend said, Eve froze, staring at the tanned woman like a statue, while Raziel's eyes widened in surprise at the revelation.
"Oops~ I forgot this was a secret," Tiyara said, feigning a guilty tone.
Miss Panther, as usual, couldn't resist letting her habit of teasing Eve slip out again.