"MAAM," the pink-haired girl called out to her loudly.
The lady turned towards her with furrowed brows as she spoke in an annoyed tone.
"What is it, Ameliya?"
"Huff… Let me do the talking, please," Ameliya pleaded as she looked at the guards with pity.
The lady didn't say anything and just stared at her for a few moments before shrugging.
"Be my guest," she said as she crossed her arms and stood staring at Ruddy.
Ameliya glanced at Ruddy before walking towards the guard.
"I am sorry for my superior's words," Ameliya said as she bowed to the guards.
"Tch." The lady clicked her tongue at Ameliya's words.
"A-Ah, it's nothing…"
"Y-yea, it's n-nothing."
The guards were startled by her actions and replied, waving their arms.
"If you say so." Ameliya nodded with a smile.
"Now, if you can leave us alone…" She turned her head towards Ruddy as she said so,
The guards looked at each other, nodded, and turned around to leave.
Ameliya looked at their departing figure for some time, after which she turned towards the lady as she spoke.
"Miss Estelle…"
Estelle turned to her as she spoke with a shake of her head.
"He is still in the trial… I don't feel any abnormalities in his essence." She said as she studied Ruddy.
Ameliya walked towards Estelle as she spoke in a worried tone.
"Do you think he would be able to complete the trial? After all, he looks so… frail,"
Estelle didn't say anything and just continued to stare at Ruddy.
A few moments later, Ruddy's vision started to clear as he left his soul sea.
"Hah…" Ruddy heaved a sigh as he lowered his head and looked at his palms.
They were as frail as before, but they no longer had any cracks.
"At least I look a little better," Ruddy spoke with a smile.
"Can you stop?" A chillingly cold voice called out to him.
Ruddy lifted his head with a frown and looked at Estelle and Ameliya standing before him with vigilant eyes.
"What do you mean?" Ruddy questioned with a tilt of his head.
"Your killing intent… how many did you kill to emit it without knowing?" Estelle questioned with a raised eyebrow.
Ruddy turned silent.
'I was emitting killing intent?'
'Who is she? And why is she here?' He thought with a dark expression.
"Now, Now. Why don't we introduce ourselves first? Hmm?" Ameliya said as she turned her head towards both of them.
"I am Rudric. You can call me Ruddy… an Orphan." Ruddy introduced himself as he looked at Estelle.
Estelle didn't say anything and just stared at him.
Ameliya shook her head as she smiled and turned towards Estelle.
"She is Estelle, the Soulfrost. An Ascendant and one of the Gorgon," she spoke in admiration.
After introducing Estelle, she turned towards Ruddy, pointed at herself and spoke.
"And I am Ameliya… An awakened learning under her."
She finally looked at Ruddy, who had his eyes wide as he stared at Estelle.
'Heh.' Ameliya smirked inwardly at his reaction.
She tilted her head, acting confused as she questioned.
"Hmm? Something wrong?"
Ruddy looked at her as he nodded and questioned.
"What is the Gorgon?"
The park fell so silent that even the sound of rustling leaves echoed throughout.
Ameliya had a shocked expression as she questioned with quivering lips.
"You don't know about the Gorgon?"
"I don't,.. That's why I asked in the first place." Ruddy shook his head as he replied.
"Okay. That's enough." Estelle spoke with an annoyed expression as she looked at Ameliya. Ameliya turned towards her and nodded.
Estelle stepped towards Ruddy as she spoke.
"We are from the UHA, United Hunter Association."
'UHA?! The fucking UHA?!' Ruddy's mind went into overload upon hearing that.
"Now, tell me why the heck did you accept the trial here?" Estelle questioned with an angry expression.
"Huh?! I shouldn't have?" Ruddy asked with a puzzled look.
"When a challenger fails their trial, they turn into ash, right?" Instead of Estelle, Ameliya questioned.
Ruddy looked at her and nodded.
"After collecting and reviewing data of the past few decades, we found out that the 'Ash' works as a fertiliser for the 'rifts'," Ameliya revealed with a smile.
Ruddy turned silent as he pondered her words.
"Then… why don't civilians know about it?" he questioned with a frown.
'It doesn't make sense to hide that… right?'
"It will cause too much trouble, as People with sick minds would use it for their profit," Estelle answered his question with a disgusted look.
'I see…'
Ruddy nodded at her words as he stood up.
"Now that you have told me that… I should take my leave," he said as he turned around to leave.
"W-Wait!" Ameliya called out to him, but Ruddy didn't reply and continued walking.
"Join us," Estelle spoke in a flat tone.
Ruddy halted his steps as he turned around his head and questioned with an annoyed expression.
"What do you mean?"
"Join UHA and become a 1-star hunter."
"Why would I? I can just live my life peacefully without any struggle now." Ruddy spoke in an irritated tone.
"Heh. You think you can live your life in peace?" Estelle asked with a chuckle.
"Is that a threat?" Ruddy questioned as he narrowed his eyes.
Estelle grinned at him as she continued.
"Threat? Not at all. Do you not feel it yourself?"
"Feel what?" Ruddy face darkened as he questioned.
"How long would you lie to yourself? You are no longer what you were before, are you?" She paused before continuing. "The trial… it changed you like others before you… It not only gave you strength, but it also gave you your weakness, your flaw."
Estelle stated as her grin widened.
Ruddy turned silent as his body began to tremble. He lifted his hands, clenched them into fists, and mumbled dejectedly.
"My flaw..."
"Ha... haha..." He began to laugh at his state. After all, Estelle was right. He had changed and could no longer stray from the world that promised him power.