Chapter 36
As one of the Apex ranked Hero, Claude Darkfire strode into the grand hall with an air of regality. He wore a sharp blue suit and tie, accented by a thick, lavish white fur draped around his neck. His meticulously styled pompadour hair framed his rugged features, and his eyes, sharp as a wolf’s, gleamed with an intensity that seemed to pierce the very souls of those around him.
As he walked, the air around him seemed to ripple with his powerful aura. It was a subtle reminder of how strong he is.
Despite his commanding demeanor, there was a hint of arrogance and lethargy about him, as if he was merely tolerating the attention and adoration of those around him.
As he scanned the room with his piercing gaze, his voice dropped to a low murmur. "Ugh.. I’m sick of them always telling me what to do..." The words were spoken with a quiet venom, as if he were addressing some perceived injustice.
The guests, sensing the shift in his mood, recoiled slightly, their awe tempered by a newfound sense of unease. They continued to stare, captivated by his presence, yet wary of the storm brewing within him.
With a careless flick of his hand, Claude pushed back the sea of faces flocking towards him, his attendants scurrying to clear a path for him. As he approached the podium, he was handed a paper listing the order of the ceremony, but his eyes barely registered the words before he tossed it aside. The attendants scrambled to retrieve the discarded paper, while Claude himself seemed entirely unfazed by the entire proceedings.
Despite the formal introductions of the ceremony, there was something almost primal about Claude’s presence — as if he were a force of nature that couldn’t be contained or controlled. And yet, despite his formidable reputation, there was also a sense of weariness about him, as if he was tired of being treated like an idol all day and night.
"The awarding ceremony will now begin," the host announced, his voice booming through the grand hall. "The certificate will be awarded by the Apex ranked 40 Hero, Sir Claude Darkfire."
Just as we had practiced moments before, the three of us walked up to the podium.
His piercing gaze swept over us, his eyes lingering on each of us in turn before finally settling on Cypher.
A hint of a smirk played on Claude’s lips, and I could sense a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "Are you Cypher Knoxx?" he asked, his tone low and rough, cutting through the formal atmosphere.