Erik's gaze lingered on June for a mont longer before he rose to his feet, dusting off his hands. "Stay here and protect the eggs." His tone carried an undercurrent of urgency. "I need to go out and hunt for my next target."
June's eyes narrowed. He didn't think his master would start hunting the following day of their coming. He wondered how Erik could have the ntal strength to never rest.
"Who's the target?" he asked. His gaze followed Erik, tracing his silhouette as he moved towards the door.
Erik paused, his hand hovering over the knob. He turned back to face June. "A bitch… Another rcenary."
He paused, a grimace pulling at his features, causing lines of tension to etch themselves on his forehead.
"Like Terrence, our previous target, she's been accused of killing random party mbers she's taken quests with. The guild has proof but did nothing again."
"Why?" he asked, his voice laced with confusion.
Erik sighed, a weary sound that seed to echo around the room. He ran a hand through his hair; the strands slipping through his fingers like silken threads.
"She's the daughter of a very influential person in Caelora," he said. "The guild can't afford to act against her, but she is not that much."
June's lips thinned into a line, pressing together as if holding back a flood of words. These were the kind of people June and Erik hated the most. They were always filled with a sense of superiority, always using their power to get anything they wanted. It didn't matter if they trampled on other to satisfy their greed.
"So Etrium isn't so different from Frant after all." A bitter edge pervaded his voice. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, knuckles turning white. "They are powerless against the influential."
The clone was right. When he ca here for the first ti here in Etrium, he expected this place to be many tis better than Frant. Though he was mistaken. Etrium had exactly the sa shadows Frant had. The only difference was that the governnt wasn't stupid.
However, there was also a difference. Etrium was a rcenary nation, made by rcenaries for the rcenaries. Frant, instead, was filled with criminals a few years after its foundation. Erik suspected there was more to this than the eye could see.
Besides, doing the rcenary was at least a little profitable. Between choosing an outlaw occupation, and one that held the potential to make anyone rich without going against the law, choosing was easy.
"Yeah… but at least it is not so blatant…"
Erik gave June a final, lingering look before he turned away. He channeled mana through his neural links and activated his Chaleon Veil Brain Crystal Power. His body shimred for a mont before blending with the surroundings, rendering him almost undetectable.
He turned the door handle, and the door opened and closed with barely a sound, leaving June alone with the eggs and his thoughts. Erik stepped into the hallway, making his way to the elevator at the end.
The elevator dinged as it arrived. The doors sliding open to reveal an empty cabin. He stepped inside, pressing the button for the ground floor.
The elevator ca to a halt with a soft jolt; the doors sliding open to reveal the building's lobby. Erik stepped out, blending in with the bustling crowd of tenants coming and going. He slipped out of the building unnoticed.
He couldn't take a cab or any other vehicle. That would an deactivating the Chaleon Veil, and he couldn't afford the risk of being spotted.
So, he ran. He moved through the city streets with purpose, his eyes taking in everything yet focusing on nothing for too long. He remained wary of the guards and rcenaries, though.
He passed by a bustling plaza, its cobblestone surface gleaming under the afternoon sun. The plaza was alive with activity - vendors hawking their wares, children playing under the watchful eyes of their parents, lovers strolling hand-in-hand.
A large fountain stood at the center of the plaza, its water dancing under the sunlight, casting shimring reflections on the surrounding buildings.
Tall trees lined the edges of the plaza, their leaves rustling in the breeze. Their branches provided shelter for many birds, their songs adding to the symphony of sounds that filled the place. Food stalls were set up under their shade, their mouth-watering aromas wafting through the air.
Erik continued through the plaza, his invisible form brushing past people without them even realizing it. His focus remained on his destination - the woman's apartnt building.
As he left the vibrant life of the plaza behind, the surrounding buildings changed. They grew taller and more imposing, their designs more modern and sleek. He was entering the wealthier part of the city now - where his target lived.
Erik stood before her apartnt building - a towering structure of glass and steel that seed to pierce the sky. He had no way of knowing if the woman was there. This was just the first place to check.
Erik scanned the exterior of the building, his eyes searching for any signs of security caras or sensors.
He was in a wealthy part of the city, where affluence was as common as the air they breathed. He could see it by how people dressed or carried themselves around here. It was unlikely that such a place wouldn't have a comprehensive security system in place.
Erik's gaze narrowed as he studied the building.
But when it ca to the woman's apartnt, he was in uncharted territory. He had no way of knowing if she had additional security asures within her personal space. The thought made him pause, a frown creasing his forehead.
After having shaken off his trepidation, Erik squared his shoulders, steeling himself for what lay ahead.
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