The Council of the Crimson Moon was reaching a fever pitch. General Draken was currently halfway across the table, his veins bulging with black blood as he shouted about "military protocol," while Marquis Malphas leaned back, his golden eyes flickering between the General's rage and Lady Elara's ice-cold composure.
"This is not a bazaar, Elara! You cannot simply barter for an agent of the Spire!" Draken roared.
Chen, meanwhile, was vibrating with the sheer intensity of the boredom. He leaned over to the Marquis's ear, his voice a stage-whisper that was entirely too loud.
"Mister Marquis? I think I left my... uh... specialized fan-cleaning solution back in the guest suite. And I really need to check if the milk I left out has developed a sentient civilization yet. You generals have fun with the 'Doom and Gloom' talk. I'll be back when the vibe is less 'Imminent War' and more 'Dessert Menu'."
Before Malphas could even raise a hand to stop him, Chen performed a movement so fluid it was practically a magic trick. He slipped between the shadows of the high-backed chairs, his purple silk suit shimmering as he executed a series of "clumsy" stumbles that perfectly masked his Level 10 speed.
Squeak. Squeak. Squeak.
The sound of his sneakers faded down the hallway. The Sanguine Lords were so busy arguing over the price of a "Variable" that they didn't even notice the Variable had left the building.
Chen stepped out onto a high balcony overlooking the Neo-Omaha skyline. The air was cold, smelling of ozone and the faint, sweet scent of the atmospheric filters.
"System," Chen thought, snapping his fan open to catch the artificial breeze. "Level 10 is nice, but I feel like a fly in a room full of electric swatters. Talk to me about Lady Elara."
[Target Analysis: Lady Elara]
[Rank: Gold (Level 44)]
[Observation: Her interest in you is 15% Amusement, 85% Hidden Agenda. Her 'Sapphire Gaze' skill allows her to track traces of ancient energy. She hasn't seen your System, but she smells the 'Sovereign' in your blood.]
"Hmph. I knew it wasn't just my charming personality," Chen muttered, leaning over the obsidian railing. "She wants to 'rent' me like a library book, but I have a feeling she has no intention of paying the late fees."
He began to concoct a plan—one so outrageous it would have made Gary faint. If he left with Elara, he would be out of the Marquis's reach, but he'd be moving from a hot frying pan into a freezer.
If I go with her, Chen mused, I can use the travel time to hit Level 15. But I need a way to ensure she doesn't turn me into a popsicle the moment we hit the Northern border. Maybe I can 'accidentally' break her carriage? Or 'clumsily' lose her map in a den of Silver-Rank monsters and 'save' the day?
The problem was her intent. The Marquis was simple: he wanted a toy that broke the rules of the world. But Elara? She looked at him the way a scientist looks at a new element.
"She's too quiet," Chen whispered to the night. "A Sanguine who laughs at a Bronze clown either has a great sense of humor or is planning to use that clown as a sacrificial pawn in a much bigger game. And I've never liked being a pawn. I'm more of a... decorative rug."
[Notice: 'Sovereign's Intuition' (Level 2) is tingling.]
[Warning: Someone is following you. They are suppressing their presence.]
Chen didn't turn around. He just continued to fan himself, watching the red lights of the city below. "You know," he said loudly to the empty balcony, "it's very rude to stalk a Chief Amusement Assistant during his break. I'm off the clock. If you want a joke, you'll have to wait for the morning show."
From the shadows of a stone gargoyle, a figure began to coalesce. It wasn't Kael, and it wasn't a guard. The air grew suddenly, sharply cold—the kind of cold that turns breath into diamonds.
Chen's eyes flashed violet. Speak of the devil, and she appears in a blue dress.
"You have a very sharp ears for a 'Bronze' boy," a melodic voice purred from the darkness.