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Condemned To Death
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17th September, 1507
Seren stepped out of the dark cave and into the luminescence of the shining fireflies that surrounded all of Glowhaven. The air was thick with the sweet scent of night-blooming flowers, and a gentle breeze carried the soft chirping of nocturnal insects. He looked around and realized this was a different location than before.
'So the points of entry are randomized each time. It's likely a safety mechanism to prevent being ambushed,' Seren hypothesized as he made his way into the forest that surrounded Glowhaven.
When he finally emerged from the forest, the sight of Glowhaven played out the same way it had before. He was immediately greeted by some guides, their faces eager and friendly, offering to give him a tour of the underground village.
Seren quickly refused all of them and made his way over to the market street, where the air was filled with the mingled aromas of exotic spices and sizzling street food. Vendors called out their wares in melodious voices that echoed in the streets, creating a cacophony of sound that was both chaotic and oddly harmonious.
'I guess I should try to dress nicely at least,' Seren thought as he looked at himself. He was wearing plain clothes with some holes in them, and he reeked of the stench of his own sweat.
'Hmmm, ever since I became a Lexarch, I have been constantly drowning in my own sweat. I wonder if it's the same for other Lexarchs as well,' he mused. Even though Seren could endure smelling bad, it was still quite annoying not being able to breathe in fresh air.
Looking around, he found a small dark alleyway with no people nearby and discreetly went inside. The narrow passage was a stark contrast to the bustling streets, with only the faint echo of distant voices reaching his ears. After making sure no one was around him, he quickly activated the Raindrop relic. The air shimmered as a large drop of water materialized above his head, before cascading down upon him.
Seren repeated this process a few times before he was completely clean, the cool water washing away days of grime and sweat. But now his clothes were wet, clinging to his body and making him feel the cool underground air. He then took out a few soul stones and broke them. The white mist from the soul stones slowly got absorbed into his body as his soul energy levels slowly came up, a warm tingling sensation spreading through his limbs.
When he was done, he took a look inside the storage artifact and sighed at his finances. 'I only have 10 soul stones left of the 50 I gained from Lorien yesterday. Hopefully, this date won't take too much soul energy,'.
Seren strolled back into the street, his wet clothes drawing curious and sometimes disapproving glances from passersby. After roaming around for a while, he finally found a shop that sold clothes. The storefront was adorned with shimmering fabrics that seemed to change color as he moved, catching the light in mesmerizing ways.
When he opened the door, a small chime announced his arrival. He was greeted by shelves upon shelves that were lined with all different types of clothes, each more exotic and beautiful than the last. The air was heavy with the scent of lavender and cedar, likely used to keep the garments fresh.
Before he could step forward, a man dressed in a formal white coat and pants approached him. The shopkeeper's attire was immaculate, every crease perfectly pressed, giving a feeling of elegance to the keeper.
The man bowed slightly before saying in a polite but firm tone, "Dear customer, may I please request that you do not come into the shop with wet clothes dripping on the floor."
Seren frowned slightly as he asked, "How am I then supposed to buy new clothes?".
The man didn't reply verbally. Instead, he lifted up his hand and pointed at Seren before activating a relic. The air in the store suddenly became charged with energy and started to move. Then, without warning, intense winds formed inside the store. Remarkably, they didn't damage the furniture, instead directing their full force towards Seren.
Seren quickly put his hands up to shield his eyes from the winds as they quickly engulfed him. The gale roared in his ears, drowning out all other sounds. He fought back to not have his whole body be lifted by the force of the wind, his muscles straining against the invisible onslaught. Despite the unexpected attack, he didn't try to fight the man or activate his relics.
The winds only lasted a few seconds before subsiding, leaving behind a ringing silence. The man then bowed again and said, "Sir, you may come in now."
Seren's whole body was completely dry now, and even his clothes were back to normal. However, his hair was a complete mess, pointing in all directions, making him look like a homeless man who didn't take care of his hygiene.
'Why does every shop I go into have this weird stuff happening around me?' Seren sighed inwardly as he made his way into the shop.
...
"Mila, where are you going dressed like that?"
A young woman in her 20s, who was changing clothes in a locker room, said to a girl who was wearing a red off-shoulder dress. The fluorescent lights of the locker room cast a harsh glow, making the red of Mila's dress seem even more vibrant against the dull metal of the lockers.
The girl, Mila, had brown eyes that sparkled with anticipation, black hair tied in a long ponytail that swayed gently as she moved, and a pair of round glasses that gave her an air of intelligence. She gave off the feeling of a mysterious enchantress as she turned to face the woman.
"A date," Mila replied as a faint smirk played on her lips.
"Woah, no way. I have never seen you take an interest in someone before. I was beginning to think you might be into girls or something," Jenny teased as she pulled on her work uniform, the fabric making a soft swishing sound. The smell of various perfumes and lotions mingled in the air, creating a unique scent that was typical of women's locker rooms.
"What?! Mila's going on a date with someone? Wait, who is he? What does he look like?"
Another woman, who was on the other side of the lockers, overheard the conversation. The rapid patter of her feet echoed off the tiled floor as she came running up to Mila, her voice filled with excitement and curiosity.
Mila was a bit taken aback by the overexaggerated response from her friends. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her high heels clicking softly on the floor as she said awkwardly, "Um, I don't really know who he is or what he looks like?"
The excited friend's eyes widened in surprise, her voice rising an octave as she asked, "A blind date? I didn't take you to be like that."
"No, no, I already met with him but..." Mila then went on to explain how she met Seren during her shift and why she liked him. As she spoke, her cheeks flushed slightly, adding a rosy tint to her complexion. "And then I put my hand into his pocket and got close to his ear and whispered 'I can make you remember this night... forever'."
"Kyahhh! I can't believe our innocent Mila did something like that!" Lola, the short girl in front of her blushed with excitement as she pictured this in her head, her hands clasped together in delight.
Mila looked slightly embarrassed as she said, "Hehe, I thought I would try something new. I didn't see his face, but I just liked it when I heard his voice. I don't know if that's weird or not." She adjusted her glasses nervously, the lenses catching the light for a moment.
Jenny, who was done changing, acted more maturely. She leaned against a locker, the metal cool against her back, and said after thinking for a few seconds, "Well, there's not much I can say for this, but you shouldn't hit on a guy whose identity you don't even know. Plus, those white masks are pretty good at hiding their physical features."
"Yeah, one time I had this exact thing happen to me and after going on a few dates, I asked him to remove his mask and guess what? He looked nothing like I imagined him to be! I instantly broke up with him afterwards," Lola standing in front of Mila said. She made a slightly disgusted face, her nose wrinkling as she remembered all those times she had thought she was dating someone handsome.
"You two really need to forget about the looks and start thinking about settling down with a good man, or you might regret it once your face starts to sag," Mila said in a serious way as she proceeded to leave her workplace. The sound of her heels echoed in the locker room, punctuating her words.
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"Good luck!" Both her friends cheered her on as Mila left the locker room, their voices following her out into the hallway. The door swung shut behind her with a soft thud, leaving her friends to exchange knowing glances and excited whispers about what might unfold on Mila's mysterious date.
...
Seren emerged from the changing room and examined himself in the large mirror. He was wearing a sleek white shirt that accentuated his lean physique, paired with well-fitted black pants secured by a polished leather belt and suspenders. His feet were adorned with gleaming black shoes that clicked softly on the floor. His long white hair, usually left loose, was now tied into a neat ponytail with a black band, while a few strands were artfully left to frame his face, enhancing his mysterious aura.
As he adjusted his collar, Seren mused, 'Some of the clothing here looks very similar to the ones from the other worlds I've been to. A transmigrator that came before me probably popularized this style of clothing.' The familiarity of the fashion was both comforting and slightly unsettling.
"Sir, are you satisfied with the store's go-to choice?" the shopkeeper asked politely, a hint of pride in his voice.
Seren's lips curved into a light smile. "Yes, I like it," he replied, then added, "But can you please tell me where this address is?" He produced the paper Mila had given him, the address written in flowing script.
The man examined the note and provided detailed directions to the hotel, his hands moving expressively as he described landmarks and turns. Seren listened attentively, committing the information to memory.
After thanking the shopkeeper, Seren paid one gold coin for the clothes and service. He then left through the front door, a small bell chiming to mark his departure.
Stepping onto the street, Seren cut a striking figure in his new attire. He looked noticeably more mature and sophisticated, drawing curious and admiring glances from passersby.
...
'This should be the address if that passerby wasn't lying to me,' Seren thought as he looked up at the tall building that exuded luxury. The hotel towered ten stories high, its front entrance far more grand and imposing than Seren had anticipated.
Through the glass doors, Seren could see the interior adorned with majestic furniture lining the walls, floor, and ceiling. Two intimidating Raven guards stood at the entrance as they opened the doors for guests.
'This hotel should be controlled by the Ravens. I doubt any merchant or company could have built this without starting a conflict with them,' Seren mused.
Lost in his thoughts, Seren felt a gentle tap on his shoulder. He turned to see a girl in high heels wearing an off-shoulder dress, a striking mix of black and red, with a purse hanging from her shoulder. Her long, silky black hair, illuminated by the fireflies, caught the admiring glances of passersby, occasionally stealing a glance in her direction.
"Can I help you?" Seren asked courteously.
The girl chuckled lightly at Seren's lack of recognition. She reached into her purse, pulled out her round glasses, and put them on with a smile. "It's not polite to forget your date's face," she teased.
Realization dawned on Seren as he recognized the glasses from the shop girl. Her transformation from her workplace attire was remarkable, challenging even Seren's perfect memory.
'Girls really are some of the best disguisers,' Seren thought, amused. He then gently took her hand, brought it close to his face, and lightly lifted his mask from the bottom. He placed a gentle kiss on the back of her hand and asked, "Shall we go inside?"
Mila was taken aback by Seren's gesture. Most men in this situation would either instantly start complimenting her looks or be at a loss for words. Although she had dealt with playboys before, she couldn't tell if Seren was merely trying to appeal to her or simply being polite.
"O-okay," Mila replied, slightly flustered. Seren then escorted her to the front door, with Mila walking beside him, her heart beating a little faster than usual as they approached the grand entrance of the hotel.
The Raven guards opened the door for them with a smooth, practiced motion. As Seren and Mila stepped inside, the full grandeur of the interior unfolded before them. A giant chandelier hung from the ceiling, but unlike ordinary fixtures, it floated in midair, slowly spinning and casting prismatic light across the expansive lobby. The soft tinkling of its crystal components added a subtle musical quality to the ambient noise.
The hotel's spaciousness was accentuated by high ceilings and polished marble floors that reflected the warm, golden light. Dozens of couples strolled about, all dressed in formal attire that rustled softly as they moved. The air was filled with a mix of expensive perfumes and the low murmur of hushed conversations.
'No one would believe me if I said everyone walking here is likely to be a criminal,' Seren thought, his eyes scanning the crowd meticulously.
Most buildings in Glowhaven either looked very old or were very small if they were kept in good condition, but buildings like this hotel and the large relic shop near the center of the town were an anomaly. The contrast was stark and telling. Seren wondered how much the Ravens would have to tax the residents to run these types of places.
While Seren was observing the surroundings, Mila's mind was whirling with anxiety.
'At that time, I was in a rush to write the address and ended up choosing the most expensive hotel,' she realized, her heart racing. Mila looked around and saw other couples being intimate with each other, some holding hands, others whispering closely. 'I acted mature and experienced at the start, but do I have to be like that as well?' She felt uneasy thinking about it since this was her first time being intimate with another person and she was an amateur, to say the least.
Sensing Mila's nervousness, Seren asked, "Want to have dinner first?" His voice was calm and reassuring, offering a welcome distraction from her tumultuous thoughts.
Mila nodded silently and followed Seren to the built-in restaurant inside the hotel. As they walked towards the dining area, Seren's mask hid any hint of emotion, leaving Mila to wonder about the thoughts behind it as he guided her with a silent grace.
"Here we are," Seren said, gesturing towards a cozy table tucked away in a quiet corner of the dining area. A luxurious table with gold cutlery elegantly lying in front of them caught the light, adding to the opulent atmosphere.
Both of them sat at the table, the plush chairs enveloping them in comfort. They picked up the menus, embossed paper feeling weighty in their hands. Mila secretly glanced up from the menu, but Seren's mask gave nothing away as he sat there silently looking over the options. The soft clink of cutlery and the low hum of conversation from nearby tables filled the air.
"Let's start with something simple," he suggested. He ordered a simple soup dish, and Mila did the same, grateful for the guidance in this unfamiliar setting.
"So, Seren," Mila began tentatively, her voice barely audible above the restaurant's hum, "Do you come to this hotel often?"
"No, not really. This is my first time coming to this hotel," Seren replied blandly, his mask hiding any expression that might have accompanied his words.
Mila tilted her head slightly, curiosity evident in her eyes. "I thought you had been here before, with how you seem familiar with the place."
Seren chuckled, the sound muffled by his mask. "I had some time to look over the things available," he explained, his tone light.
As Mila began to feel more comfortable, she leaned forward slightly, her voice taking on a playful tone. "But you didn't even discuss the time with me yesterday. Do you know how much I had to beg my supervisor to let me off my shift for the night?"
"Ah... sorry, I was in a rush at the time," Seren apologized for his blunder.
Their food arrived, steaming bowls of soup placed before them. Seren slightly lifted his mask before taking small sips of the soup with a spoon.
'He's still not taking off his mask.' Mila thought in disappointment. While she didn't care much about his looks, she still felt a bit uncomfortable not knowing what Seren looked like.
As they ate, their conversation flowed more easily, touching on their interests, relics, and their uses. Seren kept the discussion appropriate, while Mila was too embarrassed to broach more intimate topics.
"Why did they increase the prices of the relics?" Seren asked casually, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity.
Mila paused, considering her words carefully. "To be honest, they didn't even tell us as well. I've heard some of my coworkers say the Ravens are getting ready for something, but we’re not completely sure yet. Sorry, I can't say too much about the Ravens since I might get in trouble if they found out." Her voice lowered as she spoke, a touch of unease in her tone.
Sensing her discomfort, Seren didn't pursue the topic further, instead focusing on his meal.
After a moment, Mila's curiosity got the better of her. "By the way, why did you so easily agree to go on this date with me? I wasn't even wearing makeup or trying to look good yesterday. You're not a playboy or something, right?" Her eyes searched his mask, trying to gauge his reaction.
Seren laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "I'm not a playboy. This is actually my first date, and I'm just copying the behaviour of this one character from a novel I read."
Surprise flickered across Mila's face at this revelation. Seren continued, his voice taking on a more vulnerable tone, "As for why I agreed so readily yesterday, I had actually became very flustered at the time when you suddenly made your move on me. Out of nervousness, I randomly said '2 am' at that time."
He fell quiet for a few seconds, then, as if looking Mila straight in the eye through his mask, he said softly, "But after seeing you today, I don't regret my choice."
Mila's cheeks flushed a deep red at Seren's words. She averted her gaze, looking to the side as she unconsciously started foot-tapping under the table from embarrassment and nervousness. The candlelight flickered, casting dancing shadows across her blushing face, as the atmosphere between them shifted, and changed.
While Mila was too embarrassed to say anything, something sinister was going on in Seren’s head, behind his sweet words as he looked at the embarrassed Mila with an expressionless face behind his mask.
‘Hopefully, you will get to see the day of light tomorrow after I’m done with you’
The atmosphere became awkward as Mila was too nervous to say anything, and Seren was silently staring at her. He then broke the silence, asking, "Why did you choose to make a move on me? I had been wearing the mask the whole time."
"Um... your voice... I liked it," Mila replied meekly, her cheeks flushing a deeper shade of red.
Even Seren was caught off guard; this was the first time someone had complimented his voice. He didn't know what to say for a moment. Seren then changed the topic, aiming to make Mila as comfortable with him as possible before the main show.
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Condemned To Death
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