章 17: The Lady in Black, Part Two
Julia stood her ground before the woman, her heart pounding in her chest as she braced herself for whatever reaction might come.
The woman, burning green eyes set firmly on her, swiftly raised her weapon, her stance defensive and wary.
That same greatsword she'd used to cleave so many goblins in half was now aimed at her.
For a moment, Julia faltered, the sight of the woman's formidable strength causing her to hesitate.
But she quickly pushed aside her fear, steeling herself as she took a step forward.
"I... I'd like to speak with you," Julia reiterated, her voice steady despite the nerves that churned within her.
The woman's gaze bore into her, cold and calculating.
There was a tense silence as they regarded each other, neither willing to back down.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the woman spoke, her voice sharp and unwavering.
"Fine. What do you want?"
Julia swallowed hard, gathering her courage as she spoke.
"I... I wanted to ask if you'd be interested in joining our guild."
"Not interested."
She turned and started walking away.
"W-WAIT!"
But, Julia pressed on, her determination unwavering.
"We could use someone with your... abilities," Julia continued, gesturing toward the woman's weapon. "And I think you could benefit from having a group to watch your back."
The woman's lips curled into a disdainful sneer, her tone dripping with contempt as she replied:
"Ma'am, I have no need for your guild. Leave me alone."
Julia felt a surge of disappointment, but she refused to give up. Ignoring the woman's rejection, she took a step closer, her voice pleading as she spoke.
"Please, just hear me out," Julia insisted, her gaze locked with the woman's. "We're not like other groups you may have run into. We're a family, and we look out for each other. I promise, you won't-"
Suddenly, the woman's sword was pressed against Julia's neck.
The sudden pressure of the woman's sword against her neck sent a chill down Julia's spine, her breath catching in her throat as she froze in place.
"I don't know who you think you are, but you need to back off," the woman growled, her voice low and menacing. "If you don't, I won't hesitate to cut you down where you stand."
Julia's heart raced with fear, but she held her ground, refusing to let her fear show.
Before she could respond, however, Max stepped forward, her eyes blazing with fury.
"Get away from her, you monster!" Max spat, her fists clenched at her sides as she glared at the woman.
Julia reached out, gently grasping Max's arm to hold her back while keeping her upper body completely still, shaking her head slightly as she silently pleaded for her to stay calm.
"Just wait," Julia whispered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Let me handle this."
As Max reluctantly backed down, the woman's gaze flickered between them, her grip on her sword tightening with each passing moment.
"Now, if you'll excuse me..." The lady said, turning away.
But, just as she was about to leave, Julia noticed something that gave her pause.
"You... you need a new weapon, don't you?" Julia ventured, her voice cautious but steady.
The woman stopped.
Her expression momentarily faltered before hardening once more.
"What did you just say?" the woman demanded, her voice tinged with disbelief.
Julia repeated her question, her tone soft but determined.
"I can tell your sword isn't up to par. I mean, it looks so cracked. Like it's about to fall to pieces. But if you come back with me to our group, we can cut a deal and get you a new one. How about it?"
For a long moment, the woman said nothing, her gaze locked with Julia's as she weighed her options.
"... If you're lying, I swear-"
"I'm not," Julia shook her head. "You can keep that sword on my neck the whole way back if you want. But, I seriously just want to talk with you a little."
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she lowered her sword, her shoulders slumping with resignation.
"Fine," she grumbled, her voice begrudging but resigned. "But don't think for a second that I'm doing this for you."
Julia nodded, a sense of relief washing over her as she gestured for the woman to follow her.
[Man, these "good feelings" of mine sure do get me into trouble sometimes... But, I swear, I feel it in my gut. This girl could be just what we need to keep the guild safe.]
As they made their way back to their group,
Julia couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope that perhaps, just perhaps, they had managed to gain a powerful ally in their quest for survival.
---
{Zenith}
"Wow," Tamira whispered in Zenith's ear. "Didn't think you'd actually agree to this."
[I'm already regretting it,] Zenith complained internally. [But, if it gets me a better weapon... Then, whatever.]
As they walked along the dimly lit streets, Zenith looked up at her Status.
Level 24
MP: 30/30
EXP: 40/240
AP: 0
WST: 10500
---
Endurance: 20
Speed: 15
Precision: 10
Strength: 26
Arcane: 3
[That raid was good for leveling, but I'm still not making the kind of progress I'd like. If I'm going to save Asuka, I need to get stronger.]
The woman leading the way turned to Zenith. Her gaze felt piercing.
"What's your name?" she asked, her tone surprisingly gentle compared to their earlier encounter.
Zenith hesitated for a moment, reluctant to offer any more information than necessary.
But after a brief internal struggle, she relented.
"Zenith," she replied, her voice clipped and guarded.
The woman nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips.
"Nice to meet you, Zenith. I'm Julia," she said, gesturing to her companions as she spoke. "And these are Max, Fred, and Olem."
Zenith barely spared a glance at the others, her gaze fixed firmly ahead as she walked.
She wasn't here to make friends, after all. She just needed a better weapon, and if that meant enduring this group's company for a little while longer, then so be it.
Julia, however, seemed undeterred by Zenith's cold demeanor, pressing on with her line of questioning as they continued their journey through the deserted streets.
"So, Zenith," Julia began, her tone casual but insistent. "What were you doing before all this happened?"
Zenith's jaw tightened slightly at the question. But she quickly pushed them aside, focusing instead on the present.
"Nothing important," she replied, her tone sharp and dismissive.
Undeterred, Julia pressed on, her curiosity seemingly unquenchable.
"How long have you been out here on your own?" she asked, her voice tinged with genuine concern.
Zenith sighed inwardly.
[She's really not going to let up at all, is she?]
Begrudgingly, she offered a brief reply.
"From the start," she muttered, her tone laced with bitterness.
"Wow... And you made it through all on your own?"
"Mostly, yeah."
Julia nodded slowly.
"And... what's with the armor?" Julia inquired, her gaze lingering on Zenith's distinctive attire.
Zenith shifted uncomfortably under Julia's scrutiny, a sense of unease gnawing at her insides.
But she forced herself to remain composed as she delivered her response.
"It's none of your concern," she replied tersely, her voice tinged with defiance.
Julia seemed unfazed by Zenith's hostility, her expression one of genuine curiosity rather than malice.
"Fair enough," she said with a shrug, seemingly content to let the matter drop for now.
[FINALLY!]
On that note, the rest of the walk was relatively peaceful.
But Zenith never put her sword away.
She wasn't about to let her guard down.
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