Frank adjusted the crisp collar of his suit, shifting uncomfortably as he stood in front of a large mirror in the inn room. The fabric felt expensive—too expensive for someone who had spent the last few days fighting for his life. He sighed, running a hand through his hair before turning his gaze to the two men beside him.
Elias and Kaido descended the stairs in tailored suits of different materials, their polished shoes clicking against the wooden floor. Elias' outfit was sharp and minimalistic, reflecting his disciplined nature, while Kaido's was more rugged yet refined, like a noble warrior. Frank scoffed as he looked down at his own attire. "Damn, we actually clean up good. Almost like we belong here."
Kaido smirked, adjusting his cuffs. "Almost."
Before they could exchange more words, a voice cut through their thoughts. "Wow..." Tayla's voice was barely above a whisper, yet it carried across the room. She stood at the foot of the stairs, her dress flowing like liquid silver under the dim lighting. Her gaze flickered toward Frank before she quickly looked away, attempting to mask the faint blush on her cheeks. "I guess you guys really do clean up well."
Frank chuckled, catching the way she bit her lip to keep her composure. "You trying to play it cool or are you actually impressed?"
Tayla crossed her arms, shifting slightly. "I don't know what you mean."
"Sure you don't," Frank teased before stepping forward. "Let's just get this party started."
—
The carriage wasn't exactly a 'carriage.' It hovered just a few inches off the ground, sleek and silent, gliding effortlessly toward their destination. Frank was still wrapping his head around how advanced this world was in certain aspects. The mix of medieval fantasy and futuristic tech left him baffled. He rested his elbow against the window ledge, watching as the lights of the city flickered past them.
"You alright?" Elias nudged him. "You're unusually quiet."
"Just thinking," Frank admitted. "This world's weird."
Kaido chuckled. "Took you this long to figure that out?"
Before Frank could respond, the vehicle came to a smooth halt in front of an enormous estate. The mansion loomed before them, grand and opulent, its architecture a blend of old-world elegance and futuristic reinforcements. Guards stood at attention near the entrance, scanning each guest as they arrived. The entire place screamed wealth and power.
Tayla led the way, her posture poised and refined. It was clear this was her world, and despite her rougher nature as an adventurer, she fit in perfectly.
"Try not to embarrass yourselves," she whispered over her shoulder.
"No promises," Frank muttered.
Inside, the ballroom was a spectacle of its own. Chandeliers bathed the hall in a soft golden glow, nobles and dignitaries moved about in well-practiced elegance, and waiters carried trays of delicacies Frank had never seen before. He suddenly felt very out of place.
"Damn," he muttered. "Rich people sure know how to throw a party."
Elias nudged him. "Focus. We're here for a reason."
Tayla's father, Chancellor Robert, was waiting for them in his private study. The meeting was more than just a social call—it was a strategic discussion regarding the mutated beast they had encountered.
"My sources indicate that such creatures may not be a rare occurrence," Chancellor Robert explained, his sharp gaze scanning each of them. "What you fought could have been a mere prototype."
Frank frowned. "Prototype? Like… something man-made?"
The Chancellor steepled his fingers. "Perhaps."
The weight of that word settled over the group, unspoken implications filling the silence. The discussion continued, delving into possible connections between the evolved beasts and strange occurrences reported in the nearby town of La Jar.
"We need people on the ground to investigate," the Chancellor stated. "And you are among the most qualified, given your… recent experiences."
Raymond's communication device chimed, confirming their mission's details had been transferred. Frank barely processed the next few moments as they were dismissed, his mind still racing with questions.
As they made their way back down the grand staircase, something—or someone—caught his eye. A masked figure stood near the entrance, watching them with an unsettling stillness. Frank narrowed his eyes but said nothing. Whoever they were, they had taken an interest in him.
The party carried on, laughter and music filling the air, but Frank remained on edge. When Tayla invited him to step onto the balcony for some fresh air, he didn't hesitate.
"So," she said, leaning against the railing, her gaze flickering toward him. "Not bad for your first noble event."
Frank smirked. "I think I lost count of how many nobles looked at me like I didn't belong."
Tayla chuckled. "You kind of don't."
"Ouch. And here I thought we were bonding."
She rolled her eyes but said nothing, a faint smile playing on her lips. Just as things seemed to settle, an unexpected beep came from Frank's chest pocket. He frowned, reaching inside to retrieve a sleek, glass-like device with metal edges. He didn't remember having this.
Before he could question it further, the device activated, displaying a single message in glowing text:
'I know who you are, Frank Onclave.'
Frank stiffened, his heart pounding. His gaze darted around the balcony, but no one else was there.
Then, another message appeared:
'Enjoy your last moments at La Jar.'
The device shut off instantly. Frank stood frozen, gripping the cold metal. His mind raced through possibilities, but nothing made sense.
"What the hell…" he muttered under his breath. Then, with a sharp exhale, he glanced up at the night sky. "Lady in white… what the hell are you really making me play at?"
—
Meanwhile, outside the mansion gates, the masked woman slipped into a sleek levitating vehicle. She pulled out her own communication device, staring at the name etched onto the screen. With a quiet exhale, she removed her mask, revealing raven-black hair and striking pale blue eyes.
She whispered to herself, "Let's see what you're really made of, Frank Onclave."