"Could you please provide a formal statement on the matter?"

"Who is Seth Thorne, and how was he able to determine what was happening? Why has he not been previously known to the public or to members of the press? Is he the Severed Stars Guild's secret card for the upcoming World Congress?"

"Will you be issuing an official statement, and if so, when can we expect it?"

"Where can Seth Thorne currently be reached? Additionally, what are your expectations for the upcoming World Congress, and do you believe this incident affects your chances of attaining King Grade? Many observers remain optimistic about your prospects."

"Could you please respond to at least one of these questions?"

With the BUA Headquarters located far from any city, the drive to the branch Guild took over an hour.

By the time we arrived, a swarm of reporters had already gathered at the entrance, crowding in from all directions and pressing in on every member and staff who tried to pass through.

'That's...'

I swallowed nervously at the sight of them. But above all, I finally caught sight of the branch guild.

Contrary to my expectations, the building itself was just as large, if not larger, than the one on Malovia Island. The massive skyscraper pierced straight into the sky, forcing me to crane my neck upward just to glimpse the top.

"There's no need to be surprised. Although this place looks bigger, we don't actually own the entire building. It's shared with other companies and Guilds."

"Ah, I see."

That made a lot more sense.

The Guild was rich, but I didn't think they were 'that' rich, especially since we were in what appeared to be a good district.

'I still have no clue as to where I am.'

The main island was simply too unfamiliar for me.

'I presume we're in Sines, at least. The main capital.'

"Please stop here."

Seeing the situation unfold, the Guild Master asked the cab to stop. He paid the fare without hesitation before turning to look at me, his expression calm.

He didn't need to say anything to me, but he didn't need to. I had already put on my sunglasses and mask.

'If you ask me, I'll look even more suspicious this way, but…'

Staring at the crowd outside the branch, I started to shudder. I could already imagine the chaos that would ensue if I showed myself.

"Let's go. There's no need to worry too much. With me here, nothing will happen to you."

The Guild Master's words felt rather comforting. Throughout the entire cab ride, I kept expecting him to ask about what had happened or about the incident itself. Instead, he remained quiet the whole time, eyes fixed on his phone as he made a few brief calls, offering no real talk and no questions.

The entire ride felt suffocating, and I found myself just sitting in silence, doing nothing, occasionally scrolling on my phone.

Seemingly not noticing my inner struggle, the Guild Master led on as he continued to speak.

"It must be surprising, right…? Seeing this many people calling and demanding your name."

"Sort of…"

I wasn't quite used to so much attention, not even when I was in the middle of my petty feud a while back. But taking into consideration the events of a few weeks back, this wasn't anything surprising.

"This shouldn't be surprising considering what you've managed to achieve. Everyone saw it with their very own eyes, and even though the videos were altered, the real versions of them have already blown up over the internet."

"…Yes, that seems to be the case."

"A lot of people have been praising you lately."

"I imagine there are also quite a few who aren't on my side."

"That's to be expected."

"I suppose so."

I was well aware that I had blown up across the internet. The Guild Master's words back at the entrance of the BUA were what finally pushed me to look into it myself, and the moment I did, my stomach churned at what I found.

For the first time in a very long time...

I finally felt like puking again.

"They're saying you're suspicious. That there's no way someone as 'uninformed' as you could've resolved the entire situation on your own. Others are claiming you were directly involved in the incident, that you might've been the instigator, or that you simply got lucky."

Pursing my lips, I looked at the Guild Master. However, all I was met with was his smiling gaze as I understood the hidden meaning behind his words.

Inadvertently, I looked away from him.

"Whether their words are right or not, I don't know. I'm quite interested to know, but now is not quite the right time. There are quite a few things that I need to take care of before the two of us can have a proper conversation."

Before I knew it, we had made our way to the back of the branch Guild. The area was completely deserted, not a single reporter in sight. That was hardly surprising. There was no door, no visible entrance to speak of. Just a neglected stretch filled with scattered trash and a quiet hum that seemed to come from the large radiators outside of the building.

'...Is there supposed to be some sort of secret entrance around here?'

"Here."

Sure enough, the Guild Master led me to an inconspicuous section of the building. He scanned a card against the wall, and a hidden door slid into view.

He opened it without hesitation and stepped inside, leaving me to follow behind him.

We both eventually stopped before an elevator.

"There's no need to make yourself known just yet. Head to the top floor and get yourself a key for a room to stay in. Rest for today, and later tomorrow you can head down to meet everyone at the branch."

"…I understand."

This arrangement worked out for me. I hated interacting with new people and socializing, so there was no way I'd be against it.

Following the Guild Master's instructions, I headed up to the seventeenth floor and obtained a card.

The moment the woman at the desk noticed me, a strange expression flickered across her face. She suppressed it quickly, handing me the card without a word. I took it and left just as fast, soon finding my room and moving in.

Clank—

"Haaa…"

It was only then that I finally let out a quiet sigh of relief and took off the mask and sunglasses. I took a moment to scan my surroundings, making sure I was truly alone, before heading over to the nearby desk and sitting down.

The first thing I did was take out my phone. I tapped the screen once, and not long after, the image of a clown appeared.

"Check for any wiretapping and cameras."

Flick!

The screen turned off a moment later, turning back on after half a second. Seeing the clown once more, I closed my eyes and started to relax.

'Looks like there aren't any.'

Even if there were, I wouldn't be too worried. With me working with the Guild Master, I was certain that it didn't matter even if he found out, unlike the BUA.

He was also very likely the reason why I had been able to get out of the headquarters in just two weeks.

"I guess I made the right decision by working with him."

There were risks, but there were also benefits. So far, the benefits have helped me out massively. If not for the Guild Master trusting 'me' during the Gate events, then things would've truly become quite annoying.

"Enough of that."

Leaning both hands against the table, I calmed my racing heart.

"Now that I'm alone, it's finally time that I check it..."

Clenching my fist softly, a dark figure began to emerge from the ground beneath me. The figure's presence filled the room as I slowly turned toward it, my gaze lowering to its hand, where I finally caught sight of it.

Butcher's Knife.

The knife I had used to kill the Jester. The same one that grew dependent to what it killed and how much it killed.

"...I wonder just how much it's grown after killing such a strong anomaly."

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