Chapter 12: Situation Outside (2)

"But how did such movement go undetected until now?"

A new voice shattered the contemplative silence, prompting Sienna to swiftly pivot toward the sound. Her keen eyes focused on a petite figure—a white-haired girl, no older than Sienna herself, wearing an unreadable expression.

The sudden presence gripped everyone's attention, and a brief tension enveloped the atmosphere. Guild members eyed her warily, but she paid them no mind, urging them to answer with her clear blue eyes.

'When did she appear? I didn't even sense her presence.' Sienna pondered inwardly. Glancing at others, she realized this seemingly harmless figure had eluded not only her but everyone else as well.

Except Angie, who, with her carefree demeanor, remarked, "That just proves how capable the one that did this is."

Angie shifted her gaze towards the red portal, her next words punctuated by a faint glow in her eyes. "This one is clearly different from a normal instant dungeon. Dragging bystanders in, blocking anyone from entering… inside one of the safest areas on this planet without alerting anyone."

A subtle smile curled Angie's lips, revealing flawless teeth. "I bet they're strong, right? I want to face them," she said with excitement.

Despite the myriad challenges civilians likely faced inside this red portal, even possibly death, Angie's sole focus was the possibility of a formidable opponent—the architect of this chaos.

Angie turned to the petite girl and inquired, "Then do you find anything, Hilda?"

Sienna observed with a raised eyebrow when she heard Angie's word before retracting her hand from her sword. 'Ms. Angie companion?'

Hilda's clear blue eyes flickered as she shook her head. "No traces. It's as if they left no mark behind. Whatever caused this disturbance is adept at covering its tracks."

"Oh? Even with your capability?" Angie teased. Hilda shrugged and replied, "Sigh… in my defense, I am just a student. I can only do what I can do."

Sienna regarded Angie with a mix of skepticism and curiosity. Her unspoken question directed at Hilda was met with Angie's response, "Hilda, here is your junior, a sophomore. I brought her along for her talent in info gathering and covered jobs."

Sienna tilted her head in confusion. "A sophomore? This girl?" she said. In her mind, as a third year senior, she already remembered most of outstanding students present, but this is her first time seeing this white head.

Angie continued with her explanation, seeing Sienna's doubt, "She's already superior to some active explorers in her specialization, but only a few students know about her, given her preference for solitude."

Sienna's features relaxed slightly at the assurance. Despite not knowing Hilda, the trust Angie placed in her alleviated some of Sienna's concerns. Angie was not someone that would bring along someone she did not trust quite a bit.

'I can clearly see how proficient this Hilda is. Though only the second team is here right now, to enter such a heavily guarded area without detection was no easy task.'

The area is now heavily fortified to prevent further unfortunate incidents, and her ability to get so close to their group at the center without any warning is undeniable proof of her capability.

'Though Angie must know about all that, but decide not to tell us,' Sienna thought, side-eyeing Angie.

"Nice to meet you, Your Highness. I am Hilda, currently a second-year student at the Academy," Hilda greeted Sienna and others with a polite curtsy, her demeanor reminiscent of a well-trained maid.

Taken aback by the formality, Sienna nodded in acknowledgment. "The pleasure is mine, Ms. Hilda. Ms. Angie speaks highly of your skills. I am surprised I did not know of you before, even with my knowledge. Regardless, I'm counting on you."

Hilda's expression remained composed as she responded softly, "No need for 'Ms.' Your Highness. You are the senior one, after all. You might not know me since I prefer solitude. Attention is troublesome for me. It will make my job more difficult, too."

Sienna nodded at Hilda's response and said, "I can appreciate such dedication to your role. Also, you can just call me senior if you like. I look forward to witnessing your capabilities, Hilda."

"Please feel free to give me any tasks you see fit. I am depressed now since I can't find anything about the mastermind. I want to redeem myself." Hilda nodded and despite her statement, her expression remained unchanged, attracting weird looks from onlookers.

'You called that depressed?' Such a question lingered in Sienna's mind, too.

As the two conversed, Angie's sharp eyes caught a flicker of movement at the top of a nearby building. An old man, his gaze fixed on them, observed from a distance.

Her instincts told her this observer wasn't a mere passerby. Something about his lingering presence raised suspicions. Angie observed a bit until certainty dawned.

A sly smile curved on Angie's lips, but she refrained from alerting the others. 'Well, looks who's here too. It seems this incident was more interesting than I thought.'

"I have something to do a bit," Angie said. Before anyone could respond, she disappeared from her spot. No one could sense her anymore in the surrounding.

'As monstrous as ever.' Such a thought flashed through the minds of Sienna and Hilda, looking at such action. Only someone on Angie's league could literally disappear without notice when every attention was on her. That too only using her brute speed.

Not even Hilda, whose took pride in her concealing ability, could have done the same.

Angie followed the direction of the old man and, in an instant, landed on a building about half a kilometer from Sienna and others. Her sneakers gently planted on the floor, her arcane covering her body killing her momentum, leaving no sound even when she moved faster than sound.

Tossing her hair, she walked toward the old man, finding a familiar face. "As expected, it's you, Bon."

Yes, the presence detected or let detected by Angie was none other than the shopkeeper Bon. He was having a tea party by himself on this desert rooftop, entirely at ease, as if enjoying a leisurely afternoon. The rooftop adorned with a makeshift set—table, chairs, and a teapot.

"Huhu, I seem to get many visitors today. It made this old man happy. Feel free to take a seat."

Angie nodded and took a seat in front of Bon. A steaming tea was already served as she plopped down.

Taking a sip, she asked with curiosity in her eyes, "Bon, what brings you to this chaotic scene? Are you here for the tea or the drama?"

Bon looked up with his eyes closed, a smile deepening. "A bit of both, my dear Angie. Interesting events seem to have a delightful flavor, you know, and I can't resist a good cup of tea. Besides, this little disturbance intrigued me."

Angie, leaning against the seat, crossed her arms. "Disturbance? You're more informed than most. Care to share?"

Bon took a sip of his tea, savoring the moment. "There's an interesting undercurrent in this situation. It's like watching ripples on a pond after tossing a stone. So many stories intertwined, and I'm here to witness the tales unfold."

"Cut the cryptic act, Bon. What are you after? There's no way someone like you would come just for this small stuff."

Bon chuckled, "Oh, you know me too well. But in this case, there's nothing in particular I'm after. Just observing the threads of fate weaving together. But, my dear, you could be crucial in this narrative."

Angie raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

Bon leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "You have a role to play, Angie. A part to perform in this unfolding drama. The stage is about to set, and you're one of the key players. Embrace it."

Angie, unimpressed, shrugged. "What an unlucky fellow we are to gain the interest of such a sketchy old man like you."

Bon laughed heartily, "Luck has nothing to do with it, my dear. It's destiny."

"And what? Do you think I would blindly follow your words just because of your so-called destiny?" Angie retorted, her voice carrying a harsh edge, her eyes gleaming with an even sharper intensity than before.

Bon leaned back, his weathered face crinkling with amusement. "That depends. I'm just saying, but you do know I never say useless things." His eyes, however, held a glint of something more—a knowing spark that hinted at depths of insight known only to him.

Both stared at each other in silence until Angie regarded, "Tch, if you have something to say, spit it out."

Bon chuckled, setting his teacup down. "Straight to the point, as always. Very well, my dear Angie. I just want one thing from you."

The old man's gaze intensified. "There's a storm brewing, Angie. A storm that will shake the foundations of the known world. There's a ripple."

"This early?" Angie leaned forward, her curiosity piqued despite her efforts to remain nonchalant.

"Yeah, so I want you to see that ripple."

Angie raised an eyebrow. "And why me?"

Bon's expression remained unperturbed. "Because I think there might be another ripple when you're involved, too. But, of course, the choice, my dear, has always been yours. I don't force destinies; I merely foresee them. Embrace this role, and you might find yourself dancing on the edge of legends."

Angie sighed, the weight of Bon's words sinking in. "Fine, old man. I'll play your game. But don't expect me to follow your script."

Bon grinned, his closed eyes twinkling with satisfaction. "That's the spirit, my dear. Remember, fate is a tapestry, but you hold the scissors. Also, that portal will only open when a dungeon break occurs. Move fast when you enter there."

With that cryptic advice, Angie rolled her eyes and rose from her seat, leaving Bon to his solitary tea party.

As she vanished into the urban urban sprawl stretched out below, a maze of towering buildings and neon lights, the old man watched her with a knowing smile. The red portal loomed ominously, casting an eerie glow on the deserted streets.

The tapestry of destiny began to weave a new pattern, and Angie, whether she liked it or not, would become a pivotal thread in its design.

Meanwhile, as Angie regathered with Sienna's group, in a different place in the city, different worry unfolded.

A charged exchange on a floating holographic screen between a married couple, Johnathan and Mary, unfold.

Both were grappling with the escalating unrest, desperately seeking information about their son amidst the tumultuous waves of uncertainty.

Within the confines of their conversation, Johnathan's voice echoes with desperation. "Mary, can you get hold of Egil? It's dangerous right now; tell him to come home as soon as possible. Brought Vincent too if they were still together. I'm on my way too."

Mary's response holds a mix of frustration and genuine concern. "John, I can't reach him or Vincent. I tried contacting their other friends too, but none knew where they were."

"What? Really?"

"Yeah…I'm been trying since I saw the news with Elea. I swear this boy…if he ignored my called on purpose, I'm gonna smack his head." Mary commented, looking at the news on television.

A young girl wrestles with her on a comfy sofa in their living room. Her gaze is fixed on the broadcast detailing the sudden appearance of the instant dungeon, its ominous red portal sending terror through her.

But more than anything, the absent of her brother and childhood friend worried her greatly.

Confusion and denial dance across her expression as she murmured, "No way, that's where bro and Vin used to frequent."

Her mind, caught in a storm of confusion and denial, resists the bad premonition in her mind. As the news unfolds, her thoughts descend into a disoriented blankness. "They'll be fine, right? There's no way they got caught up in this, right? It's okay, they must be goofing around as usual even now," she muttered, a feeble mantra to shield herself from encroaching worry.

Mary glanced at her daughter in concern before she heard her husband's voice again; his tone told his desperation escalates. "Mary, I can't reach Vincent too…Tch, I'll try to find them on the way home. Stay put and don't try anything reckless."

Reality crashes upon Mary, her initial defiance crumbling into genuine concern. "Egil… don't tell me they…" she unconsciously snuggled closer to her daughter, hoped what she thought was merely untrue.