'Why does everyone I meet want to know more about me?'
First Ilyas, then Xain, now Marcello too.
'Am I actually that charming?'
With how many people saying these things to me, my self-confidence skyrocketed as high as Burj Khalifa.
"I get asked that often, but I don't have any intention of revealing anything about myself to you, so let's keep this professional, shall we Mr. Lorenzo?"
Straightening my suit, I walked away and motioned him to follow me with my eyes. Sitting behind the wheel, I said to Marcello who's smiling in the passenger seat.
"I'll drive you to our city's popular spot, but please excuse my lack of preparation, your visit is too sudden for me to prepare anything to entertain you."
He chuckled, "I'm the type of guy that prefers improvisation rather than planned surprise, it's more interactive that way."
"I see. Have you eaten yet?"
"Not yet."
I step on the gas, the best way to let foreigner experience our country's history was through cuisine, so I set my coordinate to a nearby restaurant.
Throughout the ride however, Marcello never took his eyes off of me, which made me conscious of his stare. So when the traffic lights turned red, I boldly asked him.
"Excuse me, Mr. Lorenzo, I know I'm handsome but do you have to stare at my face that intensely?"
I tried to say it as nonchalantly as I could, turning my attention to him as I continued, "Please consider common sense or my feelings at the very least."
One thing I noticed about Marcello was how lacking his valuation of others was, it reminded me of how Cedric behaved before. But at least Cedric knew his boundaries and had changed for the better. Unfortunately, this one hadn't.
To counter someone like him, I had to be as shameless as possible, they wouldn't back down unless they were being told off after all.
An awkward silence fell upon us.
Marcello widened his eyes but soon a small laugh slipped out his mouth before he burst out laughing like a maniac.
"You really are an entertaining one aren't you?"
"Well, I'm honored if you're entertained by my words."
"Haha! I like you even more."
"Don't, I'm already confused on why people like me, even though I did nothing to impress them."
"There are other people who like you?"
'What's with that tone?'
I glanced at Marcello, he carried a murderous glint in his eyes. Seeing just a glimpse of it made me roll my eyes. That's definitely the gaze of someone not in their right mind.
'Maybe that's just how S-Ranks are.'
With how I felt joy when fighting monsters instead of fear, I couldn't judge him because I was also not in my right mind.
BOOM!
SCREECHH!
Horns were suddenly blaring as the air vibrated and our surroundings distorted. Stepping on the brake, my car swerved on the road before coming to a complete stop.
The road and pavements had become rocky sand in a hot, scorching desert. This sudden change in environment could only mean one thing.
We were swallowed by a gate.
"Now, this is what I meant by improvisation."
The two of us got out of the car. There were a lot of drivers and pedestrians nearby that was also swallowed. Their faces were ashen in fear.
"What's happening?! Is this a gate?!"
"My phone doesn't have signal!"
"What do we do?!"
For someone who entered a gate for the first time, it's common to panic, especially since gates happened at random and all civilians learned about it was the theory.
The problem was, panic prompted someone to create mistake more often – something we didn't want in life threatening situation like this.
"So, what will you do now Ethan?"
"It's not even a question anymore at this point, right? Of course, I need to finish this gate as fast as possible."
I quickly sent signal to the bureau's HQ from my watch, these kinds of gadgets were already specialized to counter gate's signal jamming.
Judging from the environment and the frequency in the air, at most it's an A-Rank gate. It might take some time, but even without Marcello's help, I was confident I could take on this gate on my own.
'But first, I need to calm down the civilians-'
"Attention everyone!"
Our focus was directed toward a man standing on his car, shouting to gather everyone's attention.
"I'm a B-Rank esper, Rio Woodchopper! We're currently swallowed by a gate so I need you guys to listen to me!"
The man, Rio, showed his esper badge to the crowd which relieved some of the civilians' tension. Seeing it encouraged him to talk even more.
"You guys might not know, but my ability was small range telepathy, you better remember my name because I'll be the one to save you all!"
'Great, just when I thought there's someone who could help.'
I rolled my eyes as I sighed. And it's not just me either. With his arrogant attitude of placing his hands on his hips, he got mocked by others.
"What the hell are you saying?! B-Rank espers can't fight!"
"Small range telepathy? What are you going to use it for? Reading the boss' mind while you were being chewed off?"
"If you can't save us, shut your mouth, you pig!"
The insults were getting harsher with each person who opened their mouth. Rio flushed red in anger, he ground his teeth, ready to lash at the crowd. But before he could open his mouth, the ground rumbled.
Thin long limbs climbed up from beneath the sand, following it, a humanoid body rose up. Its eyes were all black with eight of them layered on top of each other.
An arachne.
KIEEKKK!!!
"Aghhh!"
"Wahh!!"
The arachne's wail scared off everyone. They scattered in panic and run to the opposite direction, but they were no match for the arachne's speed.
"Ahh!"
A teenager tripped on her shoes, with its prey within sight, the arachne jumped and closed the distance at high speed.
Its limb raised above the girl's head-
SLASH!
And was met with a blood sword that blocked its advance.
A small part of the arachne's leg was cut off. Sensing danger, it jumped backward, only to be met with my murderous gaze.
'It retracts its limb when I approached.'
I noted that in my mind as I glanced at the girl behind me.
"Are you okay? Can you move?"
"U-Uh... Y-Yes." She answered while trembling.
Having seen no visible fatal wound, I focused my gaze back to the arachne.
"E-Ethan?"
"That's Ethan! We're saved!"
"Woahhh! Thank god!"
Cheers erupted behind me, sighs of relief could be heard. But the boss hadn't been eliminated yet, there's no time for me to relax.
"Retreat, quick."
I warned the girl once again, and she immediately scrambled to her feet, running to a safe distance.
The boss stood still, observing my every move.
Quietly drawing out more blood from my arm, I initiated this battle by grabbing my blood sword and dashed to the arachne. In response, it jumped away as if teleporting.
It was a battle of speed.