Capítulo 54: Branch Master's Curiousity

OOOM!

Lilith erupted with newfound power, causing the air around her to shoot out and collapse back into itself, creating a sight that left Memphis's golden eyes shining. She nudged Cassius.

Puzzled, he asked, "What is it?"

"...Your blade," mumbled Memphis. "My… father and his friends never had anything as unique as it… Why is yours so special…?"

Cassius patted the beautiful girl tangled in his arms, his smile growing fonder. "Other items are not like my Lilith because I made her myself. She and I were just meant to be."

"Meant to be?" Memphis parroted, her irises glazing over in confusion. "...That sounds romantic…"

"Hmm?" Cassius pondered.

"I guess it does," he chuckled. "But I would say that our relationship is something deeper… Almost like our intent and intentions are clearly displayed before one another. This is also why we have never gotten into a fight."

"Gotten into a fight…? With a sword…?" Memphis hid her face in his clothes, trying to suppress a contagious giggle. "That is silly…"

Cassius awkwardly scratched his neck. "Yeah… Now that you mention it, there is definitely something unusual about what I just said… But you know, sometimes, the unusual things are the most pleasant to experience."

"Is that why you're so pleasant to be around—?"

Memphis quickly covered her mouth, embarrassed on several levels. She saw a flash of amusement pass through his mesmerizing eyes, prompting her to hide even further into his clothes.

"J-Just forget that I… said that…"

"Very well," said Cassius, unable to conceal the invisible force cracking away at his straight face. Noticing this made Memphis even more mortified; she hid away for the rest of the short return trip, refusing to speak another word.

After finishing the gathering of all the Magic Shards into his Inventory Space, Cassius overlooked the curiosity of the quiet girl in his arms and approached the Gate's exit. Without wasting any more time inside, he walked through and reached the other side.

However, as it became immediately clear that the people outside had realized what had happened with the Gate's rank change, he had to slip out unnoticed.

Cassius's |Shadow Step| skill had already leveled up many times and ranked up twice during his time grinding monsters in the Gate, so he was able to effortlessly evade the eyes of everyone. Yet, there were a couple of exceptions—those with extraordinarily high Perception stats.

The Branch Master of the Hoshito Hunter Branch was one such person, and his perceptive eyes traced the fast-moving shadow traversing through the sea of citizens, reporters, and the like before eventually disappearing into the distance.

A slight smile tugged at the Branch Master's cracked lips as he spoke up, directing his voice toward a valiantly dressed woman by his side. "That mysterious man you spoke of—a student at Hoshito High—how powerful did you say he seemed again?"

Although taken aback by the abrupt question, Corra quickly regained her bearings and replied, "He was likely of the high D-Rank, with his speed being his most prominent attribute. Furthermore, his skills were unique, efficient, and unlike anything that I've ever witnessed among the higher-ranking Hunters."

The Branch Master's smile curved upward as he watched where he assumed the youngster to be right now. "It would appear that we either have a venomous snake lurking in our midst, just waiting to strike and take us by surprise… or we have someone who could send Hoshito to new heights—likely even further than the fame we acquired after raising and nurturing the A-Rank Hunter, Firecracker, who is currently a rising star in Tokyo."

Corra's brows raised in surprise. She knew there was something special about that young man, but for him to be appraised so highly by the illustrious B-Rank Branch Master… Just how much could one person be hiding?

Luckily for her curiosity, the Branch Master spoke up again, saying:

"You aren't too much older than that… Cassius, I think it was."

"...Yes…?" Corra felt a sense of foreboding, and just as she expected, the Branch Master clasped his hands behind his back before saying, "I believe it would be in your best interest to keep close to him—maybe even close enough to be considered classmates. Wouldn't you agree, young Corra?"

"...Yes, sir," replied Corra, helpless to refute the obvious request being made of her.

The Branch Master softly laughed while patting her on the back. "There is no need to appear so glum. It isn't like I'm forcing you to do this, as I really am saying this for your sake and the relationship I had with your late parents. Becoming something like a friend of this Cassius will surely bring you many unexpected benefits. And hey, maybe if you put in a bit more initiative, you might be able to become more than friends—"

"Okay, that is enough…!" Corra cut through his jokes, flustered beyond belief. "I-I will do this and join his school, but not because you said so! I wish to see what exactly makes you think so highly of him!"

The Branch Master chortled at the sudden outburst of his little niece, one which put her feisty and determined personality on display. "If that is what you truly want, then I will not impede you. But I would keep a lookout, because your competition is definitely going to be fierce," he warned as he glimpsed the faint silhouette of a gorgeous girl cuddled in Cassius's arms.

"W-What competition…!?" Corra blurted out, her mind fuzzy and her cheeks painted a deep crimson, matching her auburn hair. "Stop speaking nonsense, old man," she grumbled while taking peeks at the place where the Branch Master was looking, wondering just what he was talking about.

Seeing his little niece react in such a manner caused the Branch Master to let out a peal of laughter. He stroked his long white beard, conveniently ignoring her irate ramblings.

Meanwhile, in a dark location miles away from where the Kobold's Catacombs Gate was on the verge of collapse, Cassius materialized into reality with a flushed girl in his arms. He strolled up to a brightly lit lamplight area and sat himself on a bench.