The conversation continued, until she finally mentioned Kronoclaw, a Panther Mutanid of the Hybrid Type – Light and stealth. Known for being relatively small, normally 5 meters tall and 8 meters long including the tail.
“It is, as they say, smaller than many but more lethal than all.” She said, in a sarcastic tone.
She was in Vexlium, a coastal city famous for being a trade center on the continent.
“It was against this monster, codenamed 012, that I lost my first, third and last Hunter partner, as well as two fellow Hounds. One mistake, a small oversight by an ally, and everything turned into a nightmare. The victory was bitter, marked by irreparable losses. Physical, of course, but the deepest scars still pulse within my soul.”
Lira pulled up the sleeve of her dress, revealing a scar that began on her left shoulder and extended toward her chest, disappearing beneath the fabric. The mark was barely visible to the untrained eye, but those who knew its origin could not help but feel the terrifying weight it carried.
"The Kronoclaw we met there... He was not like the others. There was something wrong with him." Her voice deepened, almost a whisper. "Those eyes... They were not those of a simple mutanid. They glowed with a... evil way. He was not just a mindless, hungry, or savage monster. He was watching. Calculating. As if he knew exactly where and when to strike."
She paused, her fingers instinctively tracing the line of the scar as her expression hardened. "Some said he was a reflection of the city of Vexlium itself—shiny and prosperous on the outside, but full of hidden, cruel dangers on the inside. I'll never forget the way he looked at me. As if telling me he knew it would be the team's last mission."
Lira smiled bitterly, her closed expression revealing a regret that time could not erase. "In the end, we managed to take him down, but at what cost? I lost my Hunter partner and two fellow Hounds that night. I decided right then and there that I would never face something like that again. That was my last level 6 mission. Five years later, I retired, and now here I am, almost nine years later, still being tormented by that beast. Hahaha."
Her laugh was harsh, full of irony, but no one at the table dared to dismiss it. The silence that followed seemed to reflect the weight of Lira's confession, melancholy spreading across the room like a shadow.
It was then, at the perfect moment, that the waiter came in with the dishes. The delicious aroma of the meals invaded the room, cutting through the tension like a necessary relief.
Everyone's eyes turned to the food, and for a brief moment, the conversation was replaced by the sound of dishes being served and drinks being refilled.
There were no words after that for a long time. Everyone tried and savored their dishes in silence, allowing the rich and well-crafted flavors to help dissipate the tension that hung in the room after Lira's stories. Eyes met occasionally, but everyone seemed lost in thought, reflecting on the weight of the shared memories.
Suddenly, Juliette placed her fork on her plate and stood up, drawing everyone's attention. The soft sound of her chair scraping against the floor cut through the silence, and the mischievous smile on her face brought an unexpected contrast to the heavy atmosphere.
"I think Caleb would say something right now, if he were here," she began, her voice carrying easily, but without losing its softness. “‘We should not mourn the deaths of our fallen comrades any more than we celebrate the lives of those who survived.’”
She raised her wine glass, inviting the others to do the same. Her eyes roamed the table, resting on Lira for a moment longer, filled with respect. “Lira’s stories are not only reminders of loss, but also a reminder that being here, alive, is a privilege. So thank you, Lira. Not only for sharing your memories, but for reminding us of the strength we have to carry on. To life, and to Lira, Our Living Legend.”
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
There was a brief pause before the others began to raise their glasses, following Juliette’s gesture. Lira, though surprised, raised her glass with a small smile at the corner of her lips, her expression mixing genuine gratitude with a touch of her usual reserve.
“To life.” x10
The toast was followed by a chorus of approving murmurs and the final break in the tension. The conversation at the table began to flow again, now with a lighter and warmer tone.
__________________________
Dinner continued until the early hours, with everyone allowing themselves to relax more with each glass of wine and dish shared. Conversations flowed freely, and laughter filled the space as the wine and food were consumed, breaking any remaining tension that had lingered.
Leyla, Patricia, Aria, Beatriz and Teresa smiled and laughed as they enjoyed the exquisite dishes and expensive drinks, a luxury they could hardly enjoy for free. They chatted among themselves in a relaxed tone, but did not get involved in the conversations between Gregory and the other women.
Nora, on the other hand, remained quiet for a long time, without actively participating in the conversations, but soon she completely gave herself over to the drinks. It didn't take long for her to get happily drunk, letting out a few smiles and hugging Lira next to her, talking about how boring her own job was.
Lira, on the other hand, enjoyed the drinks little, preferring to dedicate herself to trying each of the various dishes and desserts on the menu. But from time to time she engaged in some conversations, mainly asking specific questions about Monique and Gregory's experiences.
Juliette played the role of participating in these conversations, adding questions about the subject that Lira initially asked. Sometimes she would lighten the conversation with teasing or adding witty observations that kept the energy flowing among those present.
Vivian, although clearly more comfortable than at the beginning, still remained a bit introspective. She limited herself to participating occasionally, but the slight smile on her lips indicated that she was, in a way, enjoying the moment.
As for Daira, she was the one who surprised Gregory the most. The interaction between them unfolded more naturally, without isolating herself from the others, but still clearly standing out.
As the night progressed, Daira showed genuine curiosity and interest in Gregory, asking questions about his life at the Academy, the challenges and tests he had gone through, about what his plans and goals were for the future.
Gregory found himself caught up in the conversations and soon reciprocated the interest, asking about his healing abilities, the mechanics of his Buffs and even what his relationship with Vivian was like.
There was a genuine exchange between the two, marked by subtle but noticeable physical contact. Every now and then she would touch his hand or he would touch hers.
They would lean against each other as they shared a laugh. Gregory would even touch her hair and call it beautiful. He was also very curious about the marks she had all over her body and how they worked.
These gestures hinted at a growing intimacy that did not go unnoticed. They were both clearly interested in getting to know each other better, and their interactions, although not continuous, happened frequently.
They both quickly understood that intimacy was growing… A kind of intimacy that only happens when something new and promising is beginning to blossom.
And so the night went on and time passed without them noticing until someone knocked on the door and the door to the living room was opened. It was the restaurant manager who entered and bowed slightly before speaking in a respectful tone:
"On behalf of Dolce Vita, I thank you for making yourself so welcome. However, I apologize for the necessary interruption, as we are unfortunately approaching closing time. We would like to thank you all immensely for being here this evening and hope that you have thoroughly enjoyed your experience with us."
After finishing speaking, the manager bowed briefly before discreetly leaving, leaving the group with enough time to organize themselves and finish dinner calmly.
While Gregory went to the reception to settle the bill, the women had enough time to pack their belongings and arrange their belongings before vacating the room and leaving the restaurant.
Outside the restaurant, Leyla, Patricia, Aria, Beatriz and Teresa were the first to say goodbye to the group. Leyla, who had been drinking a little and remained sober, volunteered to drive, ensuring that everyone arrived home safely.
But unlike them, the group that stayed behind didn't say goodbye so quickly... Juliette and Daira flanked Gregory naturally, each of them holding onto one of his arms. Vivian, who was a little further away, looked at Daira without knowing what to really feel.
Finally, Lira, holding Nora against her so she wouldn't fall, watched the rest of the group carefully while she waited for the employee to bring her car. It was then that, with an enigmatic smile, she asked the question she had undoubtedly been saving for that moment:
"How much would you charge for a dose of Testonitus, Gregory?"