’Time to get the fuck out of here.’
Without taking my eyes off her, I reached behind me for the doorknob.
"Ouch!"
I jerked my hand back. The stupid thing was freezing cold.
"Why are you trying to leave?" Elaine stepped closer. "Didn’t you say you liked looking at my pretty face?"
Her smile widened.
"So look."
My brain couldn’t seem to decide whether I should be scared or horny.
Her innocent side earlier was already attractive, but this version of her was somehow worse for my self-preservation. The playful tone, the confidence, those lips that looked like they could swallow me...
Okay, that last part was my imagination running wild.
But enough of that. Hot or not, I needed to figure out how the hell I was getting out of this.
I could summon Furcas right now, but I still didn’t know how strong Elaine was, and there was that other guy to worry about too.
Better to feel her out first.
"Okay, you got me."
I raised both hands in surrender.
"So you admit you came here for us?"
"Huh? This is the first time I’ve seen you. I thought you were asking if I fell for you at first—"
SWOOSH!
Something zipped past my face, followed by a painful slash across my cheek that froze almost instantly.
I didn’t even see the ugly thing move.
"Enough with the games." Her voice lost all its warmth. "Who sent you here? The Black Order?"
’Black Order?’
Did she mistake me for someone else?
That would explain why she hadn’t killed me on the spot. She wanted information, and judging by her reaction, the Black Order had to be some kind of enemy.
Maybe I could use that to my advantage.
It was a terrible idea, but considering my other option was standing here and waiting for her to freeze my balls off, I wasn’t exactly spoiled for choice.
"How dare you associate me with those people." I took a step forward and adjusted my necktie.
Gone was the idiot cracking jokes a few seconds ago. I straightened my back, lifted my chin, and gave her the coldest look I could manage.
"I was kind enough to overlook you attacking me, but it seems you’ve misunderstood my kindness."
[First Doctrine Activated.]
[Host, you have met the conditions required to practice the First Doctrine. While active, your displays of authority will appear more convincing to others.]
[Restriction: The effect will be nullified if your words or actions contradict the authority you project.]
I didn’t expect it to have that kind of effect, but damn, it couldn’t have activated at a better time.
She glanced at the creature beside her. It stopped twitching, and even that ugly thing wasn’t smiling anymore.
"Who are you... really?"
I knew next to nothing about the supernatural world, so making up a name or claiming powerful connections would only give them more chances to catch me lying.
The less I said, the better.
I gave her a faint smile.
"Does it matter?"
Elaine narrowed her eyes.
"It matters to me."
"Then that’s unfortunate."
The creature behind her moved, and I nearly stepped back. I planted my feet before she could notice.
"You’re either very confident..." Her eyes slowly moved over me. "...or very stupid."
"Call it what you want." I didn’t break eye contact. "But I suggest you hear me out first, before you do something you’ll regret."
The creature started shaking like it was about to attack me.
"Be careful with your next words. I’m losing my patience," she warned.
"I don’t take kindly to threats." I let the silence stretch between us. "You have no idea what you’re provoking. But if you’re determined to find out, be my guest."
Before I got a response, every light in the hall began flickering at once.
Then the tables began to rattle, glasses and plates trembling on top of them.
I kept my expression steady, although I had no fucking idea what was happening.
’Did she do something?’
When I looked at Elaine, she was even more startled than I was.
Even the ugly creature beside her started trembling. Its long fingers clutched both sides of its oversized head as it slowly backed away.
Cracks suddenly spread across the floor beneath us.
A red glow seeped through them, and for a second, I could’ve sworn I saw corpses burning deep below.
From beneath the floor, a strange-looking horse slowly emerged, carrying an old man who sat tall in the saddle.
His body was no longer made of stone, yet somehow, that didn’t make him any less terrifying. Skin stretched tightly across his withered face, while his sunken eyes made him look like a corpse that forgot it was supposed to be dead.
’So it was him!’
The old man sure took his sweet time showing up after I summoned him, but looking at the whole thing now, I couldn’t complain.
He certainly knew how to make a grand entrance, and that was exactly what I needed.
’Okay, I forgive you for scaring me earlier.’
I turned toward Elaine, ready to double down on the act.
Except I didn’t need to.
She was already on her knees.
And so was the creature beside her.
"I beg your forgiveness. I didn’t realize I was in the presence of a senior."