Aya leapt out of the abused bush and sprinted away like a true criminal, which only further solidified the mother's suspicions. After another series of chases by the local police, she eventually made her way just outside the massive Hunter's Association building, where the adulterers had just ascended a flight of marbled stairs to enter.
She once again entered incognito stalker mode and did what she did best—stalking.
"You seemed interested in the Magic Shard discussion earlier," Grace said in a soft voice. "Is that why we're here right now? Are you planning to become… a Hunter…?"
As much as Cassius wanted to do just that, he knew that only death flags awaited him if he became a Hunter with what little strength he currently had. No, rather than make a fool of himself and possibly raise suspicion when he came back stronger after each raid, he wanted something else.
"I want information on the locations of Gates," replied Cassius, his tone laced with a gentleness that made Grace feel warm inside. Yet she still asked, "Why would you wish to know the locations of Gates if you don't plan to become a Hunter…?"
Answering her question, Cassius's lips raised mysteriously. "I don't know; why would I want to know something like that?"
Grace's cheeks filled with air as she mock-pouted. "Fine then, don't tell me. Humph!" She turned her head away, pretending to be angry, yet failing terribly.
Cassius let a soft laugh escape his lips, which only made Grace's charming pout more prominent. However, before she could become genuinely aggrieved, he said, "I will tell you some other time, alright?"
Grace's heart fluttered at these words, especially the "nother time" part, which meant they would be meeting up more often, right? Right??
"Mhm! You promise??"
"Yes, I promise."
Grace could no longer restrain her giddy grin as she made a cute "Yippee!" sound before abruptly grabbing his hand. Yet, when she realized what she had done in her moment of glee, she furiously blushed and let go of his hand. "I-I didn't mean to do that, I j-just…"
"It's fine," Cassius patted her head. "You can hold my hand whenever you feel like it. But maybe that would make you feel uncomfortable in the crowded environment inside?"
In her excitement, Grace had completely overlooked how they had already entered the Hunter's Association and were now in the presence of hundreds of people. She felt mortified over how she conducted herself, quickly finding a hiding spot behind Cassius, where she shrank away and soaked in the shame. He found this amusing, yet his mood soured when two F-Rank Hunters took proud strides over to them, clearly up to no good.
Cassius was still enjoying the sight of his short, bunny-like companion and the several expansive floors of the enormous, modern Hunter's Association branch when those idiots slipped around him. They couldn't feel an aura from him, so they completely disregarded his existence. Their target, though, was the meek girl hiding behind him. She naturally became frightened when the two men began eyeing her up and down, failing to conceal their lust.
"Say, you have the aura of a Healer—are you looking to form a team with us?" asked the man with a Mohawk. "I am a DPS dealer, while he is a Tank. So what say you? Wanna join a reliable Hunter's party?"
"Yeah, we promise to treat you well, miss!"
Although they hid their intentions behind friendly, shadowy smiles, Cassius understood them as if they were open books. He audibly scoffed before turning his back and Grace away from the men. She silently thanked him in her heart, a lovely grin forming on her small, round face as she clung a bit closer to him.
The faces of the two men immediately scrunched up in annoyance at the trouble caused by this unawakened nobody. Even if they were only F-Rank, they were still several times stronger than a strong mortal. To dare impede them in their pursuit of a woman—just who did this foolish man think he was? Plus, he was handsome, so he was just asking for a beating!
"Listen, dude, we know you just want to play the cool guy, but you need to learn your place," the Mohawk man scorned. The larger man beside him added, "Brother is right; this is no longer the world of 40 years ago, where you can get away with things if you're good-looking and tall. Just back away from the girl while we're still being nice. After all, we only wish to discuss some things with her~"
Grace: "!!!"
She shrank back in fright upon seeing the looks on their faces; it reminded her of the way those snake-faced distant family members used to look at her when they came by to speak with her parents.
Feeling the poor girl's dread through the shaky hands clutching his black dress shirt made Cassius's face ice over. One after another, these idiots kept coming over to pester him and Grace.
Did she have to experience this every time she went out? Was that one of the reasons she seemed so sheltered? Even on the unfortunate day they met, Grace appeared to be "awwing" and "oohing" at everything in an ordinary neighborhood.
Seeing the two buffoons attempt to slip around to her again had Cassius on the verge of slashing them down to dust. The badass sword tattoo on his right arm started to vibrate in response to his intent, seemingly ready to reap another life at a moment's notice. Yet, before both he and Serrated Devil Blade could take their first human life, a valiant feminine voice echoed out from atop the building's second floor:
"You dare harass a girl in the Hunter's Association?? And threatening someone is grounds for egging a fight, which is strictly prohibited in the Hunter's Association! What do you have to say for yourselves!?"
A woman who looked akin to an armored Valkyrie gracefully leapt from the second floor of the mall-like Association building.