After almost two weeks passed by, everyone healed quickly thanks to the efforts of the medical team led by Leah. Belial woke up, feeling slightly disoriented, but his senses soon cleared. He looked to his side and saw Xin sitting on the floor, his head resting on Belial's bed. Belial smiled softly at the sight.
As he tried to recall the events of the guild war, he realized two things were amiss: he couldn't remember half of the things he did, and his unique talent, Oracle, was not active—a peculiar occurrence since it was always present.
'Oracle, are you there?' he thought.
[Activating: Unique Talent Oracle]
[Yes.]
'What happened in that battle? I can't remember a thing…'
[Would you like for me to replay the events that occurred during the guild wars?]
'Yes.'
Oracle glowed and then began replaying the events that Belial had witnessed. He saw himself engaging in combat, his actions precise and calculated. The memory replay stopped abruptly at the moment he was knocked out by the barrier.
'Oracle, how did you shut off?' Belial asked, puzzled.
[There was an interference that caused the Unique Talent: 'Oracle' to disable.]
'Interference? What kind of interference?'
[Analysis inconclusive. The interference was of an unknown origin, possibly related to the enemy's abilities or an external force beyond current comprehension.]
Belial frowned, trying to piece together the fragmented memories. 'I need to find out more about this interference. It could be crucial for future battles.'
[Recommendation: Seek additional information from The individual Cole Blackburn who witnessed the events. Cross-reference with known data on enemy capabilities.]
Belial nodded to himself, deciding that once he was fully recovered, he would start gathering information. He looked down at Xin, who was still asleep, and gently ruffled his hair. Despite the confusion and lingering questions, Belial felt a surge of curiosity.
'I wonder if It's related with the shadowy figure..'
A luminescent bird flew up to the window, its ethereal glow catching Belial's attention. He gently tapped Xin's head to wake him and pointed at the bird.
Xin groggily lifted his head and followed Belial's gaze. The bird began to speak, projecting a message into the room.
[Hello, members of the Phoenix Guild. I apologize for what transpired a couple of days ago. I appreciate those who supported us in containing and helping the citizens.]
Suddenly, the message was interrupted.
[Hey, Cole!] A cheerful voice cut in, disrupting the formal tone.
[Wha- How did you—] Cole's voice sounded confused and a bit exasperated.
The image of the bird shifted slightly as Luka, the guild master of the Wave Guild, grabbed it and spoke directly.
[I am the guild master of the Wave Guild, the one and only Luka! And Prez over here and I are hosting a beach event to help you all ease up! Be ready by tomorrow at 3pm, see you then!!]
The bird's message ended abruptly as it fluttered away, leaving Belial and Xin staring at each other in surprise.
"A beach event?" Xin said, his voice still sleepy but tinged with curiosity.
After the announcement, Belial's face lit up with excitement. Throughout the night, he could barely contain his anticipation, his mind buzzing with the thought of the upcoming beach event. Eventually, he resorted to reading a book he had brought from the demon realm, which finally lulled him to sleep.
The next morning, Belial eagerly rummaged through his bag, pulling out his swimming trunks. Xin, on the other hand, emerged with short shorts and a large hoodie, looking decidedly less enthusiastic.
"You do know we're going swimming, right?" Belial asked, raising an eyebrow.
Xin sighed, pulling the hoodie tighter around himself. "There are a few things I truly do NOT like: spiders, bad hair products, and hot weather."
Belial chuckled. "But summer is where all the fun is! Come on, it won't hurt to join us." He flashed a bright smile, hoping to convince his friend.
Xin rolled his eyes but couldn't help a small smile in return. "Alright, alright. But if I get sunburned or bit by a sea creature, I'm blaming you."
Belial laughed and patted Xin on the back. "Deal. Let's go have some fun."
With that, the two friends headed out, ready to embrace the day's adventures.
At the beach in the Wave Guild's headquarters, Phoenix Guild members huddled up near a podium where Cassidy stood atop.
"Before we get this party started, I have some incredibly good news to deliver!" Cassidy announced, grinning ear to ear.
"Did he finally get himself a girlfriend?" one of the hunters teased, eliciting a ripple of laughter.
"Maybe he's going to go bald like troxil," another hunter chimed in, causing even more chuckles.
"No! No! Neither of those!" Cassidy retaliated, shaking his head. "During the Guild Wars, there's a certain 'someone' who showed so much grit, courage, and an amazing level of skill."
The crowd quieted, leaning in with anticipation.
"Although the Guild Wars were cancelled because of the incident, Cole Blackburn himself finally acknowledges you as a 'B' Ranker," Cassidy said, pointing dramatically at Pacey in the crowd.
"Let's give it up for Pacey!" Cassidy cheered, raising his arms.
Pacey's face turned as red as a tomato, a mix of annoyance and embarrassment flashing across his features. Without a word, he stormed off, his footsteps pounding into the sand.
The guildmates burst into laughter, knowing that this was just Pacey's way of showing he was really happy.
"Look at his face his face is red as a tomato!" someone laughed outloud.
"You'd think he won the lottery with that face," another quipped, causing even more laughter.
The beach filled with the sound of good-natured ribbing and celebration, the Phoenix Guild in high spirits as they toasted their newly minted B-Ranker.
But then a woman interrupted, striding into the guild hall with an air of authority.
"Excuse me, have you seen Cole around?" she asked a nearby guild mate.
The man turned and blushed as he laid his eyes on the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. This woman was Stephanie, the guild master of the Silver Skies, though her recent appointment meant few recognized her.
"Oh- um... he's—" the man stuttered, unable to finish his sentence as another voice cut in.
"And what a sight you are, my lady. What are you doing all the way here by yourself?" Cassidy asked, slicking back his dreads with a practiced gesture.
"Excuse me?" Stephanie replied, her eyebrows arching in mild annoyance.
Just then, another woman in glasses interrupted, hitting Cassidy on the head with a solid thunk.
"I apologize, Ms. Stephanie. This fool had too much to drink," said Natalie, her tone exasperated. "But as for the guild master, he will be slightly late today."
"Ah, I see..." Stephanie responded, her initial irritation giving way to understanding.
"But you're more than welcome to stay with us and wait for him," Natalie offered, gesturing towards a shaded area nearby.
The guild mates watched in awe as the two beautiful women walked off together, Stephanie's grace and Natalie's stern composure making for a striking contrast. Natalie shot a death stare into Cassidy's soul as they moved away.
"You—!" Cassidy started, glaring back at Natalie, realizing this was yet another failed attempt to impress a woman.
Natalie ignored him, focusing instead on ensuring Stephanie felt welcome and comfortable as they waited for Cole.
Cassidy stood up and finally wondered where Cole actually was. As he made his way inside the guild hall, his eyes landed on another pretty lady standing by the refreshment table. He whistled softly and winked at her, beckoning her over with a charming grin.
She approached him, curiosity evident in her eyes. "Yes? Did you need something?"
"Just your name, beautiful," Cassidy said smoothly, leaning against the table with a casual elegance. "I couldn't help but notice you standing there, looking like a queen among commoners."
She laughed softly, a light, musical sound. "I'm Elara. I'm from the Moonlit Rose guild. And you are?"
"Cassidy, at your service," he replied, offering a mock bow. "And might I add, Elara, that name suits you perfectly. Moonlit Rose, huh? No wonder you shine so brightly."
Elara blushed slightly but maintained her composure. "Flattery will get you everywhere, Cassidy. Are you enjoying the party?"
"Now that you're here, it's the best party I've ever been to," Cassidy said, his grin widening. "But tell me, how does a lovely lady like you end up at a guild party instead of being out breaking hearts?"
She chuckled, shaking her head. "Oh, I'm not much of a heartbreaker. Just here to support my guildmates and maybe make a few new friends. And you?"
"Same here," Cassidy replied, his tone softening. "Though, if I'm being honest, I think meeting you just became the highlight of my night."
Elara raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Is that so? And what makes you say that?"
"Because you're not just beautiful, but you've got this aura about you," Cassidy said, his voice earnest. "Like there's a story behind those eyes, one I'd love to hear."
Elara looked thoughtful for a moment before smiling warmly. "Well, maybe I'll share it with you sometime. For now, why don't we enjoy the party together?"
"I'd love nothing more," Cassidy said, extending his arm for her to take. "Shall we?"
Just then, Cassidy saw two familiar hunters walking together. One had bright green long hair that was unmistakable, and the other had distinct purple hair.
"On second thought, maybe we can finish this conversation another time," Cassidy said to Elara, his tone suddenly serious. "Sorry to cut this short, but if you want to take things any further, come over to the Phoenix Guild. Tell them you're looking for me, okay?" He winked as he excused himself and headed toward the familiar faces.
Belial and Xin were walking through the hallways of the Wave Guild, exploring the place.
"Yo!" Cassidy called out.
The two turned and saw Cassidy approaching.
"You still look mesmerizing as ever, Xin," Cassidy said smoothly. "Sorry to interrupt like this, but Leah wanted to talk to you for a bit. She's outside with the rest of the guild."
"What for?" Xin asked, curiosity piqued.
"I don't know, she said it was urgent," Cassidy replied.
"Alright, thanks," Xin responded, and Belial followed him.
"But you and I have errands to run, Belial," Cassidy said, turning to him. "We'll meet you outside in a bit. I know better than to make a pretty girl wait." He winked at Xin, his charm in full effect.
Xin still couldn't get used to Cassidy's charismatic nature. It felt uncomfortable, making Xin force a weird smile.
As Belial and Xin walked away, Cassidy sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Always something, with this place" he muttered to himself.
He snatched Belial by the collar and walked inside a room nearby with him locking the door
"Hey hey hey, I'm not—!" Belial began, flustered.
"So...you're a demon," Cassidy interrupted, his tone suddenly cold and scrutinizing.
Belial's expression shifted instantly to seriousness. "Yes, I am. Do you want to get rid of me?" he said, a dark aura enveloping his hand. As his blade materialized, a water bullet appeared right in front of his eyes, shimmering dangerously.
"If you move, this bullet will pierce through your skull in mere moments. Now answer my questions," Cassidy demanded, his voice threatening. "Why are you here?"
Belial dematerialized his blade and took a deep breath. He explained, "Demons have been framed, and I'm on a quest to find the angel responsible. I've been searching for the truth and justice for my people. My journey has been long and difficult."
Cassidy's eyes narrowed, but he listened intently as Belial continued, leaving out private details but sharing the major points. He emphasized, "Cole trusts me. He knows what I'm here for."
Cassidy remained silent for a moment, the tension thick in the air. Then, he slowly lowered his hand, the water bullet dissipating.
'So this is the difference in levels compared to an A rank I couldn't even materialize my blade before he acted..'
"I'll be watching you, Belial," Cassidy said, his tone still wary but less hostile. "If Cole trusts you, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt for now. But make no mistake, any sign of betrayal to the guild and you're good as dead."
Belial was a bit shocked to see this side of Cassidy, but it wasn't entirely unexpected.But at thang moment He sensed that beneath Cassidy's charismatic and laid-back exterior was hiding something else entirely..