Siren’s main headquarters was in a well-isolated area of Devil’s Sanctum. But, unlike its gathering locations, it was out in plain sight.
The building resembled a grand estate—a testament to Siren’s wealth and power.
At the center of the estate was a spacious training ground with more than one hundred individuals dressed in black combat robes.
In front of those individuals was a tall burly man with several scars that covered different parts of his body who released a natural aura of intimidation.
He wore light plated armor and on his back was a double-edged broadsword.
“If any of you are caught slacking off, you’ll have hell to pay! Weaklings have no right to walk among us! Weaklings have no right to live! Weaklings are the stepping stones of the strong! I do not train stepping stones—is that understood?!” The man shouted.
“Yes!” The black-clothed group responded in unison.
“Hmph, this batch of trainees ain’t lookin’ so bad. I might actually find a few talents this time around.” The man said to himself.
NPC Name: Gauze(Rare Elite)
NPC Level: 55
NPC Faction: Siren
Gauze swept his eyes across the people in black combat robes. They were the current trainees of the Siren organization that he was in charge of training. Undergoing this training process and passing was the final step in joining Siren and earning the rank of Initiate.
The group of trainees consisted of both players and NPCs who wanted to join Siren in hopes of one day joining the League of the Eidolon. Of course, this was a distant dream for many as most would be satisfied simply climbing the ranks of Siren. After all, it was no League of the Eidolon, but since they were under its protection, they received countless benefits.
The main goal of players, in particular, was to get access to better quests while possibly earning a steady source of income. It also allowed those without the backing of a guild to gain a reliable benefactor in RML.
Gauze clapped his hands twice and declared, “Alright, we’ll stop here for today! Everyone report-“
Just as Gauze was about to dismiss everyone, he abruptly halted his words mid-sentence.
“What the hell is with this heavy mana?” Gauze thought to himself as a visible frown formed on his face and he looked towards the sky.
The instant he did so, Gauze’s eyes widened as he witnessed an unbelievable sight.
In the sky, multiple fractures as if it had been cracked open by an unknown force.
But, before Gauze could utter a word of warning to the trainees to prepare themselves for what was incoming, a soul-shaking tremor violently shook as Siren’s entire main headquarters trembled!
The powerful tremors caused many of the black-clothed individuals to lose their balance and fall to the ground.
However, even those who maintained their balance were unable to move for some reason. As a result, it did not take long for the people on the training ground to begin panicking.
“Is it an earthquake?!”
“Why can’t I move?!”
“…Can’t… breath…!”
“Is this part of the entry test…?”
The next moment, the sound of shattering glass echoed throughout the atmosphere. And, what followed caused the hearts of those in the training ground to drop.
Without warning, the ground beneath them had vanished and was replaced by a morning sky!
Not one of them had a flying-type skill; therefore, the only thought that crossed their mind at that moment was one thing—imminent death. But, that death never came.
In fact, despite the earth resembling the morning sky with drifting white clouds, they were not falling or abruptly shot into the air.
When Gauze saw the panic and fear creeping into the group of trainees, he knew that he had to cut it at its roots before things spiraled out of control.
“Anyone who is caught spewing nonsense will have to answer to me! Your orders, for now, are to sit tight and do nothing! Only when I dismiss you, shall you be allowed to leave!” Gauze declared.
After listening to Gauze speak, the group quickly confirmed that this was not a part of Siren’s test. Naturally, this made a feeling of uneasiness spread throughout the black-clothed individuals. If it was not a part of the test, then what was going on? What was this suffocating feeling? There were countless questions, but not enough answers!
“I’m sure they’re already on the move, but I should still report this to the Head Master.” Gauze thought to himself.
Just as Gauze turned towards the entrance into the main estate, he narrowed his eyes. Then, in one smooth motion, he drew the broadsword from his back and slashed outward in an arc without hesitation!
Swoosh!
“Huh? That’s…”
A confused expression briefly formed on Gauze’s face as a gorgeous silver feather slowly swayed from side to side in front of his face.
“…A silver feather? Where did-“
All of a sudden, as Gauze muttered under his breath, a myriad of silver feathers started to fall from the sky as if led by a gentle breeze and rapidly blanketed the entire estate.
At the same time, Gauze’s gaze was instinctively drawn to the sky once more. Through the gaps in the blanket of silver feathers flowing throughout the training ground, Gauze saw a humanoid figure with silver wings standing mid-air as he mouthed something.
The next moment, Gauze found that his body was suddenly shifted sideways. No, it was not his body’s position that changed!
Gauze witnessed an unbelievable sight that caused his eyes to widen from shock. A large portion of Siren’s estate had gone missing as only half of it remained on the ground!
As for the other half where Gauze himself and the trainees were located—it was currently turned vertically in the air!
“Ahhhh!”
“How did I get up here?!”
“Save me!”
As the cries of the trainees echoed and Gauze was still processing everything, a faint sound carried through the wind and into his ears. It was just one word; however, for some reason, it made him shiver to his core.
“Skybreak.”
The moment Gauze heard that word, the world around transformed into a starry night sky.
The first thought that invaded the minds of those who saw this starry night sky for themselves was one word, “Beautiful”.
But, only one thing followed that plunge into the night—death.
…
‘So this is what his Skybreak’s capable of. It’s certainly worthy of being an SSS-ranked skill.’
Izroth observed Empyrean from the ground around fifty meters away from Siren’s main headquarters.
The mass destruction that fell upon Siren’s estate was the work of Empyrean’s Skybreak and the results did not leave Izroth disappointed. However, this much could only be considered a small greeting. Izroth understood that the true battle still lied ahead.
‘Azalea should already be on the move. Now, then… It’s about time I make my own entrance.’
Izroth activated Shadow Movement as he entered a shadow form and made his way towards Siren’s main headquarters.
…
A few moments later, Izroth arrived at the front entrance of Siren’s estate as he canceled his shadow form.
Just as he expected, there was not a single guard or welcoming party in sight because of Empyrean’s actions.
The gate that kept outsiders from trespassing was a part of the section lifted from the ground; therefore, Izroth was able to casually stroll into the estate!
When Izroth stepped foot on the estate’s grounds, his eyes were immediately drawn to the vertical half.
The ground had already returned to its normal state. And, the shattered sky was also no more.
“WHO DARES ATTACK THE DOMAIN UNDER THIS MASTER’S PROTECTION?!”
Out of nowhere, a booming voice resonated throughout the surroundings that originated from deep within the central building of Siren’s main headquarters.
Not too long after, three dark purple streaks shot out of the central building and out into the open.
Izroth’s gaze landed on the dark purple streaks as three figures emerged from them.
The person in the center was an old man who exuded an air of authority. On his right side was a man and on his left a woman—both of who appeared to be in their late twenties to early thirties.
‘It looks like I’ve been saved the trouble of looking for them.’
NPC Name: Left Song of Siren, Paradox(Epic)
NPC Level: ???
NPC Faction: Siren
NPC Name: Right Song of Siren, Enigma(Epic)
NPC Level: ???
NPC Faction: Siren
NPC Name: Head Master of Siren, Smiling Demon(Legendary)
NPC Level: ???
NPC Faction: Siren
