A single misstep, and I might end up dead without even a burial place?
There's actually someone this strong among the Six Flowers?
Countless emotions churned within Roy's heart.
No, it wasn't that Roy thought too highly of himself. In fact, he was well aware that he was far from being capable of sweeping through the Six Flowers. Not to mention existences like Fan Xinglou or Helga, even against Ereshkigal Orphelia Landlufen, Roy wasn't certain of victory.
But even if he were to face Ereshkigal, while he might not win, he at least had the confidence to escape with his life. Yet Fan Xinglou claimed that if he faced this other stalker, a single misstep could mean death without a burial place... which implied that person's methods were even more sinister than Ereshkigal's.
Their strength was undoubtedly impeccable, but strength alone couldn't kill Roy.
"Well?"
Fan Xinglou looked at Roy with an amused expression.
"Shall we go deal with that stalker now?"
"...No, let's wait until nightfall."
"Suit yourself."
Fan Xinglou took out a folding fan and lightly fanned herself, showing no disappointment. Her face still wore a pleased smile.
"Also, please continue training me during the New Year period."
"Oh? Such ambition?"
Fan Xinglou cast a doubtful glance at Roy. Seeing his vague smile, she knew he must have some ulterior motive.
But Roy's enthusiasm for training was exactly what she wanted. She didn't mind his little schemes at all and readily agreed.
"Fine, it's about time anyway... During the New Year, I'll raise the difficulty of your training by another level. Be prepared!"
The current training difficulty could still be increased?
Roy's smile grew somewhat hollow. What kind of training could possibly be more challenging than being simultaneously attacked by Wu Xiaofei and the other three?
...
Evening.
Roy emerged from the abandoned building looking utterly drained, as if he had just run a marathon of several dozen kilometers.
As soon as he left the building, he trudged weakly toward the outskirts of the redevelopment zone.
Secretly, he maximized his perception, attempting to detect any hidden gazes or movements observing him.
"Footsteps?"
After advancing less than half a kilometer, Roy suddenly pricked up his ears.
The sound of light footsteps reached him.
Whoever it was tried to suppress their footsteps, but under his heightened senses, they couldn't hide!
The footsteps grew closer—there was no mistake, they were definitely targeting him.
Roy swiftly turned around, looking toward the source of the sound, while simultaneously placing his hand on the holster at his waist.
"Ah!"
The girl who had been cautiously approaching from behind was completely unprepared for his sudden turn. Meeting Roy's gaze unexpectedly, she let out an involuntary gasp.
Roy frowned with a complicated expression.
"What are you doing sneaking up on me from behind like that?"
"Um... want to go grab a drink?"
The girl blinked in surprise, then offered a polite smile as she extended an invitation to Roy.
"..."
Roy fell silent for a moment.
Then he withdrew his hand from the storage sheath and unzipped his uniform.
What is this guy trying to do?!
Seeing his movement as if he was about to take off his clothes, the girl with long brown hair instantly went on high alert and quickly took a step back.
But Roy merely took out a phone from the inner pocket of his uniform and pointed it at the girl.
And then—
Swish!
Roy instantly used Shukuchi.
In the blink of an eye, he appeared right in front of the girl with long brown hair.
The girl hadn't anticipated him suddenly making a move at all. By the time she realized what was happening, it was already too late—the hat on her head was snatched away in one swift motion.
"Crap!"
The girl inwardly cursed, knowing she was done for, and hurriedly reached up to cover her face.
But Roy saw through her intention. The hand that had just seized her hat twisted around to grab her wrist, preventing her from hiding her face, while his other hand pressed the phone right up against her small, adorable face.
"Let me clarify—this phone's recording function was activated even before you showed up."
A strange, almost eerie expression surfaced on Roy's face.
The girl standing before him had long brown hair, but her face was unmistakably Sylvia's!
"You were recording?!"
Sylvia felt like a string in her brain had snapped instantly. She stared at Roy in utter disbelief.
Then, with a burst of prana, she wrenched her wrist free from Roy's grip and lunged at him, her hands clawing at the phone like an eagle's talons.
"Delete it! Delete everything you just recorded!"
If that conversation and footage got out, her career as an idol would be over, wouldn't it?
Tragedy!
Right now, the only solution was to erase the recording from his phone!
"Don't grab at it. What if I accidentally send it to some media outlet? Wouldn't that be a waste?"
Roy dodged Sylvia's relentless clawing with an amused smile, feigning concern for her.
Sylvia's movements faltered slightly, forced to stop her attempts to snatch the phone, her face filled with frustration.
"Can we talk calmly now?"
Without even glancing at the phone, Roy tucked it back into his jacket and smiled at Sylvia.
"Why were you following me...? But it seems someone else can't hold back anymore. Looks like we'll have to settle some personal business first!"
Personal business?
Someone else?
Sylvia had already braced herself for Roy to make outrageous demands, but his words left her momentarily confused.
What was he talking about?
She gave him a puzzled look, only to see Roy suddenly raise his head and shout toward the rooftop of one of the abandoned buildings above them.
"Come out already. Haven't you finished setting up your formation yet?"
Sylvia's expression shifted.
That phrasing—was someone lying in wait for him?
"...It was just completed."
At that moment, a lazy voice echoed around them.
"As expected of the Festa champion. Sharp eyes. I thought I hadn't been exposed, but you saw right through me. Not bad at all!"
Sylvia took several steps back, putting distance between herself and Roy, her expression wary as she scanned the surroundings for the source of the voice.
"Mind stepping aside, songstress? You're not my target. I don't want to drag you into this—it'll just make things more complicated. I hate trouble, though the outcome won't change either way."
"What a bold claim~"
Sylvia's gaze grew sharper.
"Are you saying that even taking me down wouldn't be difficult for you?"
"Though there's a slight difference... that's essentially correct."
The voice from all around still sounded lazy, as if lacking energy.
Yet his words brimmed with sheer arrogance—he didn't even regard Sylvia, ranked second in Óðrerir, as a threat. He was so conceited that he believed facing both of them at once wouldn't change the outcome, to the point of being utterly insufferable.
"Sylvia, step back."
Roy finally spoke up, signaling for Sylvia to withdraw.
"This guy is targeting me, so I'll be the one to deal with him!"
"...If you say you don't need help, then fine."
Sylvia fell silent for a moment before exhaling a long breath—partly resigned, partly inexplicably relieved—and voluntarily stepped aside.