I yawned as I stared at the overly enthusiastic demon flexing in front of me, muscles glistening as cheers erupted from the crowd gathered outside the faction base.
First thing in the morning—after last night's legendary drinking session—and this is what I get?
He pointed at me dramatically. "I'll crush you, Summon impostor!" he roared with the confidence of someone who hadn't been lit on fire yet.
"Can we start already? I've got things to do."
"Hah! Don't come crying to me after—"
He didn't finish.
Because he was already on the ground, rolling and wailing like a man-sized, muscular baby wrapped in flames.
I sighed. "That's the fourth one this morning. Anyone else?"
The silence was immediate. The crowd just stared at me like I'd grown horns. (I mean, again.)
"Help! Help!" cried the fireball formerly known as 'I'll crush you.'
I doused him with water magic and waved over a healer before he roasted himself into demon jerky.
"That should be the last one," Xin said calmly from a few meters away. Leo stood beside him, arms crossed.
"I don't think anyone else is feeling lucky. Let's go." I walked toward them. "Come on, Raf."
"Wait!" Rafaela broke through the crowd, running to my side and grabbing my hand the moment she reached me.
"It'll take a few minutes to reach Leal's faction base," Xin announced.
Not a problem.
I nodded. "So, what kind of fighter is Leal, anyway? You know him, right?"
"We're acquainted," Xin said. "The Fang and Marionette factions have had good relations for a while. As for Leal—he's basically the polar opposite of Leo."
"Not a punch-first, punch-later kind of guy, huh?"
"Oy, I can hear you," Leo muttered.
"Right," Xin continued. "Leal's cautious. Not a genius, per se, but extremely calculating. He doesn't take unnecessary risks."
"Great. So no punchy himbo antics."
We walked deeper into Marionette faction territory. The streets thinned out. People quietly watched us pass, and I noticed several peeling off to head in the same direction as us.
Strange. Like they knew I was coming.
Even stranger—the rooftops and alleys around us were crawling with mana signatures. Eyes everywhere. I'd felt a similar sensation back in the Fang faction, but this was on a whole other level.
These people weren't just watchers.
They were sentinels.
[Notice: Warrior's Rampage imitated skill acquired successfully!]
[Notice: Warrior's Anger imitated skill acquired successfully!]
"Leal's mercenary corps," I muttered. "Cynical bastard really does have eyes on every corner."
Someone suddenly stepped into our path.
She was... striking.
A girl in a black-and-white maid outfit—complete with thigh-highs, straps, and gauntlets. Total combat maid aesthetic. Her black hair shimmered as she bowed, revealing pointed ears.
An elf. Of course.
[Notice: Conceal imitated skill acquired successfully!]
[Notice: Conceal activated. Status now effectively hidden.]
Nice. Thank you, Cherubim. That's going to come in handy.
"I've seen that costume at at least three cosplay conventions," I muttered. "Combat maid confirmed."
She looked up, locking me with sharp jet-black eyes. "Greetings, Mister Xin, Mister Leo..." Her gaze shifted to Rafaela, then finally to me. "Young Lady Rafaela. And the new faction leader, Mister Troy."
Not even surprised she knew my name. At this point, I'd be more shocked if she didn't.
"Nice to see you too, Kuro," Xin said. Then turned to me. "This is Kuro, Leal's right hand. Looks like he's expecting you."
Leo cleared his throat. "No idea how that happened."
I narrowed my eyes.
Suspicious.
Also, Kuro? Straight-up anime name. Or maybe that's just my weeb brain acting up.
"Allow me to guide you to Master Leal."
We followed her. The deeper we went, the more it became obvious—we were being watched. Guards. Scouts. Mana sensors. All hidden in plain sight.
"This place is crawling with security," I whispered.
Xin nodded. "Leal's faction houses the strongest military in Levaerûn. His mercenary corps is famous across Agrona—and infamous everywhere else. They take down high-value targets for the right price. That's why he's always a target himself."
A syndicate boss... Of course.
Eventually, we reached our destination: a colosseum-sized arena. A line had formed outside. People were pouring in.
This was a show.
Inside, I saw dozens of individuals dressed like elite butlers and maids—clearly combat personnel. And they were all watching me.
"How are they this prepared?" I asked.
Leo coughed awkwardly. "Leal's quick on info. Real quick."
Xin gave Leo a side-eye. "Maybe because someone got so hammered last night they broke into this territory, screamed Troy was going to challenge Leal, and yelled something about kicking his butt."
I slowly turned to Leo, who scratched the back of his head and avoided my gaze.
"T-To be fair, you were there too."
"I was keeping you from drowning yourself in a wine barrel."
"These guys..." I muttered.
I exhaled deeply. "Welp. Good luck to me."
"You'll be fine, Boss!" Julio shouted from the back.
"You got this, Troy," said Xin.
"Go big bro Troy!" Rafaela chimed in.
Welp. No turning back now.