Meanwhile, Sophia, who was currently wearing her black cloak with her white mask, looked down at the empty ring where the fights were usually held. She sat atop a balcony with a calm gaze. However, due to the incoming hunt, there were very few Hunters around.
Golden railings stood before her, and the smooth wooden floor and white walls surrounded her.
She propped her chin, lazily looking down, and muttered to herself, "Since everyone is basically gone, the betting scene is now under me."
She lay back on her couch on the balcony and continued, "Well, that's only after the owner was left with no choice after some… negotiations. Sigh, I'm such a bad person."
A few seconds later, a few maids came and placed her breakfast down, but she paid them no heed.
She reached her hand into her pocket and took the artifact shell out. She examined the sphere carefully and thought: Why did Hope commission an artifact shell?
Thanks to her connections, she managed to learn about Hope's frequent visits to Xiaoshop. Since Xiaoshop was at the end of the Pleasure District, it's not exactly hidden. But most people wouldn't care about it since they most likely came to the Pleasure District for pleasure. And Xiaoshop doesn't even have pleasure.
Zixin probably also commissioned this artifact shell. That's also probably why he has stayed for this long. Unfortunately, I'm an Unchosen, so I can't even "Lend" and see what it's for. Sophia sighed, sitting at the table and taking her breakfast.
Bang!
Sophia frowned, turned her head, and asked a nearby maid, "What was that?"
The maid bit her lip, bowed and apologized, "I'm so sorry, miss, but I don't know!"
Sophia ignored her response, narrowed her eyes before turning back to finish her meal. Once she did…
Boom!
Suddenly, a loud explosion came from behind her, breaking the door and sending rubble flying about.
She jumped back, grabbing the artifact shell and standing near the railings of the balcony.
Two figures came out of the dust cloud. One was Xiaoxiao, and the other was Arbane, who was noticeably smaller.
Sophia's eyes dilated at the sight. Her expression stiffened, muttering, "To think it holds this much significance…"
Sophia paused, her thoughts flying about, clashing against each other, and forming countless deductions.
Just in time, two Hunters arrived near the ring. Noticing the two, she shouted, "You two! Come here and help!"
The two glanced at each other before immediately running upstairs.
Sophia let out a sigh of relief and spoke softly, "Please, don't worry. As long as you tell me what you know, I'll consider us even."
However, Xiaoxiao didn't seem to hear, as she bashed her head against a wall. Sophia felt a chill run down her spine, unknowingly taking a step back with her trembling legs.
Blood flowed through Xiaoxiao's wound, but upon noticing Sophia's reaction, she smiled lightly, took out a knife, and dashed straight at her.
Sophia naturally wouldn't let herself be cornered and took off, leaping into the air, her movements fluid and smooth.
Arbane locked his gaze on her, lunging forward with open arms.
Upon landing, Sophia grabbed a maid and pushed the maid towards Arbane before leaping again.
The maid let out a shriek in fear as Arbane closed his arms, hugging her. Arbane blinked twice and released her, and spoke with a blush, "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to hug you, miss!"
When she landed, she looked back and noticed a strange metallic object. It was cubes stacked upon each other to form a humanoid-shaped object. The toy walked closer and closer and spoke, "Distraction: Complete."
Confusion rose in Sophia's eyes, but she immediately noticed Xiaoxiao.
Unfortunately, Xiaoxiao lunged at her, but right on time, the two Hunters arrived. They dashed, grabbing Xiaoxiao's wrist with fierce expressions.
Sophia sighed, but her attention was immediately taken by the toy.
Tick
Tick
Tick
Sophia bit her lip, pushed Xiaoxiao aside, and dashed off. Leaping forward and jumping off the balcony.
When she landed, she rolled and looked back.
Boom!
The second floor exploded!
Her heart sank, and her hands trembled, as she muttered to herself, "I have to pay for that…"
Sophia shook her head and ran as fast as she could. Along the way, she bumped into several passersby who shot her annoyed looks. She didn't pay them any heed and ran into a dark alley.
She sat down, her back against the wall as she lifted her gaze. She searched her pockets and took out the artifact shell.
She stared at it and thought: Does Zixin really have something to do with all of this? Come on, Sophia, think, go rack your brain for ideas.
Sophia closed her eyes, her thoughts rushing about and clashing against each other, forming new thoughts that continued to clash until she opened her eyes with a conclusion in mind.
Giving it back so easily would be suspicious, and since Hope probably didn't tell others about my identity, it would be even more suspicious. Sophia sighed internally and stood up.
She raised her hood, wore her mask, and placed the artifact shell back in her pockets. She looked up momentarily before her gaze fell towards the streets.
She shook her head and started heading out. Thanks to her identity, not many people dared to get in her way. Whenever someone was in front, they would immediately move out of her way. However, one Hunter didn't seem to believe her identity at all. He was bulky and stood in front of her with a grin.
Sophia lazily looked up and recalled who this person was: This… is the coward.
The man reached out, trying to grab her, but Sophia quickly jumped back, taking out a token from her pocket and tossing it over.
The man caught the token and glanced at it. But upon noticing the carefully crafted token made of an unknown material with an extremely strange fabric symbol that looped around itself, the man's eyes widened from shock. His hands trembled, losing his grip, and causing the token to fall.
The man fell to his knees and kowtowed in fear. Sophia snorted and immediately passed him; she had other matters to deal with.
Sweat poured from the man as he took the token and left.
The crowd nearby immediately left after they finished watching, spreading the news.
After this, no one else dared to get in her way. After all, Lady Silk was known for her intricately crafted web of connections. Even though she appeared to be rivals with Vanor, some were already spreading rumors of her hidden relationships with him.
Not long after, she arrived at the surface–Daisal. She glanced around and headed towards the camp where the Hunters were currently at.
Several meters from her, she heard Vanor explaining the plan to the Hunters. She narrowed her eyes and commented inwardly: I'm certain he's already told them this already. Why the need to tell it again? Whatever, I digress.
Sensing a familiar presence, Vanor glanced at her, raising a brow at her sudden visit.
Sophia greeted him, "Good morning."
Vanor nodded and asked, "So, why come here?"
Sophia pondered and spoke, "I came here for a negotiation of sorts. A while back, Xiaoxiao and Arbane from Xiaoshop attacked me on the balcony of the Combat District because I held something they wanted."
Vanor frowned and told her plainly, "I'm not interested in carrying your burden."
Sophia chuckled, tilted her head, and spoke softly, "Is that so? But don't you want to gain Hope's favor?"
Vanor laughed lightly and said, "Help? Absolutely not. She's an independent person with problems she can solve. I'll only come when she's in a life-and-death crisis."
Sophia rolled her eyes, but it seemed as though Vanor sensed the gesture. He chucked, gestured, and spoke, "Come, please do take a seat."
Sophia sat down and listened carefully. Vanor propped his chin and spoke leisurely, "I'll consider it if you choose to forfeit our Vow."
Sophia's eyes widened with fury. She stood up and slammed the table, arousing the nearby Hunters' gazes.
She sneered and walked away. However, as she did, the Hunters who saw her laughed loudly.
Vanor shut them off with a glare before withdrawing his gaze and forgetting about this matter.
Not long after leaving, Sophia sat down on a bench alone. The morning breeze blew by and made her cloak flutter slightly, creating a serene yet lonely image.
A few vendors had already woken up this early in the morning and had started opening their stalls. Sophia leaned back and looked up, wearing a haggard expression that remained hidden under the mask.
At this point, I'm already regretting stealing this useless shell. At least if it was already complete, maybe, but even then it might not be useful at all. This might even be a part of the unfolding scheme behind Mount Lorebale, and I got in the way. I was just too curious for my own good, and I kinda wanted Lady Xiu's reward. Sophia shook her head and continued: What am I thinking? Lady Xiu isn't the type to reward. In fact, the most valuable reward is her trust.
While she was thinking, a figure came by and walked towards her. Her shadow fell on Sophia, and she blinked twice.
Hope!
Upon noticing her, Sophia stood up and hugged her. Hope's lips twitched from confusion, but she inevitably leaned in and patted her back.
After a few seconds, Sophia backed off, her face flushed red from embarrassment. She darted her eyes around like a lost child as Hope asked, "Do you have it?"
Sophia looked back and handed the artifact shell back to Hope.
Hope took the artifact shell, and after examining it, she stuffed it in her pocket and said, "Thanks."
Sophia shook her head and said, "No need; I caused you unnecessary trouble."
Hope smiled lightly and said, "Not really; it was somewhat useful."
Sophia frowned, and Hope explained, "Just think about this for a second. Since you stole something from them, and they returned the favor by trying to get it back, what do you think it caused?"
Sophia pondered and shook her head in confusion.
Hope continued, "Their reputation rose, and they also caused a new demand by showing her invention. She inadvertently caused people's interest in the Combat District to be redirected to her. Maybe in the future, it will be rebranded as the Xiaoxiao District."
That makes sense. But this doesn't exactly benefit Hope to such an extent unless… I see! If Xiaoxiao's reputation continues to increase, then naturally, those close to her gain a sort of "protection" because of her. Then, wouldn't she now have two–no, three layers of protection?! Xiaoxiao, Vanor, and Zixin. Sophia's eyes widened, and she fell silent.
She blurted out, "Behind that warm smile, is there a cold calculating genius?"
Hope's lips twitched upon hearing her, and she shot him a look of a desperate no.
Hope shook her head and turned around, but before she did, she spoke, "Oh right, I'll tell Zixin about you."
Hope smiled and dashed off, but Sophia didn't stop and immediately ran after her fading figure.
She shouted, "Please no!"
If his sister ever finds out what I've been doing, I'll be in such big trouble. Sophia thought to herself.