Chapter 47: Ch45. RE: [World Quest] (3) - Unexpected
The moon hung low over the ruined wasteland, its pale light casting eerie shadows across the battlefield.
The ground beneath Sarissa’s feet was littered with the remains of the [Fallen Puppets] she had already cut down, their mangled forms twitching occasionally before going still. Her breath came in short, controlled bursts, flames still flickering at her fingertips, casting a faint glow over her sweat-drenched face.
All the while trying to avoid Shinji’s deadly attacks.
His violet robes waved in the wind, his katana gleaming under the moonlight. There was amusement in his expression, along with the calm killing intent behind his gaze.
"You’re not nearly as strong as I thought you’d be, Sarissa." His voice was smooth, almost lazy. "Should I be worried that the mighty leader of the Union Guild is hiding something up her sleeve?"
"Cut the crap. Why are you here?" Sarissa clenched her fists, ignoring the sting of the shallow cut Shinji managed to land on her.
"I was simply curious. You left in quite a hurry after your little conversation with Miles. And given your usual caution, I found it odd that you’d wander so far without backup." Shinji sighed, taking slow, deliberate steps forward.
"You were listening..." Sarissa’s eyes widened.
"Then again... maybe you wanted to be alone for a reason." His grip on the katana tightened ever so slightly, and the blade went up in a vertical slash that drew a thin line on Sarissa’s chin, a fine line of blood trickling from it.
"What are you here for?" Sarissa’s muscles tensed. "Say it at once and let’s get done with it!"
"[World Quest]... [Inner World]..." Shinji tilted his head, a glint of something unreadable in his dark eyes as he lowered his stance ever so slightly.