The Ishtar Familia!
Altair wasn't entirely familiar with the Ishtar Familia's roster, but he knew a few key details. Their leader, for instance, was an Amazon with a monstrous physique.
And the hulking figure before him certainly fit that description.
"Come, darling! Be mine!" Phryne bellowed, her massive mouth splitting into a grin as she reached for Altair, aiming to engulf him in her embrace.
At six feet tall, Altair was dwarfed by her towering frame, looking like a child in comparison.
No way I'm letting her touch me, not now, not ever, he thought. With a swift step back, he dodged her grasping hands.
"Hm?" Phryne tilted her head, puzzled by his evasion. Then her grin widened. "Are you shy?"
Altair's face twisted in disgust. Is this thing trying to get herself killed?
He itched to draw his battleship-cleaving blade and end her, but this was the pleasure district, Ishtar's stronghold, with her Familia backing her. Recalling the possible intrusion by an Ishtar Familia member the previous night, Altair suspected a trap designed to lure him here.
He couldn't strike. Taking her down now might eliminate the immediate threat, but it would give Ishtar an excuse to target the Hestia Familia. Altair feared no direct enemy, but he dreaded underhanded tactics, like ambushes in the dungeon.
Retreat first, but make it loud and public. Let everyone see the Hestia Familia's leader, the newly minted Level 3 'Demon Sword Knight' Altair, fleeing from Ishtar's leader, Phryne. He needed witnesses, preferably gods, to establish an alibi. Then he'd plan to wipe out the Ishtar Familia, leaving none alive.
For now, he had to make a scene.
Altair kept retreating, deliberately keeping Phryne in pursuit to draw attention. His strategy worked. Phryne chased him, shouting, "Don't run!"
Her booming voice turned heads. Regulars in the pleasure district recognized Phryne instantly, her monstrous reputation and role as Ishtar's leader made her infamous. Adventurers seeking fun here often asked her whereabouts to avoid her, as her presence tanked business in any area she occupied. Even her fellow courtesans in the Ishtar Familia despised her for it.
Altair led Phryne toward a shop, and she barreled through like a tank, smashing walls and furniture. The patrons inside erupted in chaos, cursing loudly.
"Phryne, that lunatic! She's at it again!" One shouted.
"She's chasing someone!" Another noted.
"Poor guy got targeted."
"I know him, Hestia Familia's Demon Sword Knight. Heard he hit Level 3."
"Such a shame. Just made high-level adventurer, and now he's done for."
"Yeah, pity. A Level 5 might stand a chance, but a Level 3? No way he's escaping. Phryne'll catch him and drain him dry."
The onlookers buzzed with pity for Altair. A Level 3 was a high-level adventurer, a mainstay in most Familias, with a bright future, until Phryne set her sights on him. Now, they saw only darkness ahead.
Perfect. That's exactly what I want them to think, Altair thought, dodging Phryne's lunges while eavesdropping on the crowd. He needed everyone to believe he was outmatched and fleeing.
Leading Phryne through several shops, leaving a trail of shattered furniture and walls, Altair suddenly accelerated, vanishing from her sight. He ducked into a corner, waited ten seconds, then lowered his presence and melted into the crowd.
Furious at losing him, Phryne grabbed a hapless bystander and dragged him back to the pleasure district.
Lesson learned: don't gawk at the spectacle, Altair mused, watching her haul the unlucky adventurer away before turning to leave.
He wasn't certain the intruder was from the Ishtar Familia, but the connection was undeniable now. It was morning, by noon, he'd rally allies, find an opportunity, and eradicate the Ishtar Familia.
For now, he headed home to prepare.
As Altair made his way back to the Hestia Familia's residence, the pleasure district buzzed with the aftermath of Phryne's rampage. Ishtar, the Familia's goddess, quickly learned of Phryne's escapade and questioned her adventurers about the cause.
When she heard Altair had come to the pleasure district and Phryne chased him, Ishtar was both surprised and delighted.
She'd already been informed of Aisha's failure the previous night. When her bloodied deputy was carried back by two subordinates, Ishtar had berated her. Since then, she'd been plotting her next move. Aisha was her second-strongest fighter after Phryne, if she couldn't abduct Altair, no one could.
But now, Altair had walked into the pleasure district and crossed paths with Phryne. This changed everything.
Ishtar had her pretext: the Hestia Familia's leader, Altair, attacked her deputy, Aisha, and was repelled by her leader, Phryne. As the Ishtar Familia's goddess, she would demand justice for her Familia.
***
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