Chapter 97: Kingdom of Noor 2
Just at the circuit’s entrance, ahead of the intoxicated wanderers who couldn’t distinguish up from down, a young man about Raiden’s age had claimed a weathered chest as his seat.
He projected controlled intensity, his keen eyes fixed and unblinking beneath a shadowy, ornate hood and mask that shrouded his mouth and nose.
His gloves caught the eye immediately—complex metallic designs inlaid with glowing blue and red gems that looked suspiciously like recorder stones.
With the others flanking them from behind, Raiden and Noelle faced the young man directly, their eyes locking with his.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
"Is this the Apex Circuit?" Noelle inquired, folding her arms across her chest.
"What’s it to you?" he demanded, his tone parched and eerie.
Raiden let out a quiet laugh and moved closer to Noelle. "Let me do the negotiations while you handle the combat?" he murmured.
Noelle’s lips curled into a sneer as she placed her aether cigarette in her mouth and retreated a step. Raiden smiled and dug into his pocket, producing the badge that Steve, the Transmitters’ leader, had given him.
"We’ve come with a referral." Raiden’s face grew impassive. "Now, can we talk like civilized people? This matter is both important and time-sensitive."
The young man examined them with calculating eyes before his cold, dark stare bore into Raiden’s. "Are you telling me that’s from the Transmitters?" he asked, clearly unconvinced.
Raiden gave an affirming nod, which made the young man pause momentarily, his gaze sweeping across their faces. He let out a sharp sniff of annoyance, stood up, and signaled for them to accompany him to a tent off to their right, well away from the wandering drunkards.