"Nicely said, Ciara..." A voice sounded.
The figure approached, slightly illuminated by the shattered pieces of orange light that descended from the broken barrier.
Finally, his face was seen—Noir had arrived.
"... He really should go to hell."
Ciara's eyes bulged, and her body trembled at the sound she heard. It was no mistake.
As her face turned, she took in the familiar presence, his scent... the cool aura he gave off, and finally, her eyes met his.
In her pathetic, disheveled state, she looked at him.
As usual, he had a stoic look on his face, and his black hair waved back and forth due to the late-night breeze. His eyes gave off an empty feeling, though this time it hinted something else.
"N-Noir...?" Ciara managed to say, feeling a lump in her throat.
He smiled, nodding his head slightly.
"It's been a while, Ciara. You've been through a lot, haven't you?"
As much as they would both have preferred the reunion to last a little longer, the adversary had already snapped out of his daze and grown bored of their display of affection.
"Urgh! That's it, I've had enough!" He gagged.
Noir's eyes were still on Ciara, ignoring the man's comments. He moved closer, though Ciara didn't understand whether he was advancing toward her, or the enemy.
"You did well holding on this long..."
"You're quite something, huh? Breaking that Tier 6 barrier like nothing. As expected of my prey!"
Noir didn't respond. He paused as soon as he reached Ciara's location, refusing to go any further and meet the enemy.
Richard's wannabe was now annoyed. His patience had worn out, and the fact that Noir didn't even show him the littlest bit of acknowledgment pissed him off.
"Oi oi, I wouldn't ignore me if I were you!" The man said, moving closer to Noir while giving an angry some.
Noir, once again, didn't pay him much mind and knelt down to be on the same level as Ciara. He pulled the shivering girl close and embraced her.
"It's alright, now... I'm here."
Ciara's trembling body, filled with countless emotions and trauma began to shudder even more intensely as he held onto her.
"I-its all my fault... It's all... I'm so sorry!" She bawled, crying like a child.
Noir, who wasn't an expert at comforting others merely kept quiet, allowing her to cry on his shoulders.
"I said you shouldn't ignore me—!" The man yelled, now enraged.
In a flash, a sharp glint appeared and disappeared almost instantly.
Blood dripped on the ground, falling from the cheeks of whoever appeared to be Richard.
A clean cut had been engraved on his face, dying that portion in red.
He was stunned for a moment but quickly smiled.
"You little bastard... how dare you wound my face?"
For the first time, Noir finally looked at him, having a cold glare on his face.
"She's still crying. You'll do well to wait."
The intense aura surrounding him was evident that he was serious. No one was to disturb the girl who was breaking down in his arms.
The special care and attention Noir gave Ciara puzzled the enemy. Noir had definitely bitten the bait and fallen for his trap, yet he appeared so calm, and instead of trying to fight, he was engaging in frivolities.
"This guy... do you not realize what kind of situation you're in?!" The man asked.
"Just be patient... I haven't forgotten about you yet."
Noir's cold, yet calm reply, made the man reach the end of his wait.
'I know... he's just ignorant! That's why he's so confident. He must be looking down on me. Hehe, too bad! What an idiot!'
He wanted to savor the despair of both Ciara and Noir, watching how they would crumble at his feet after he showed his brilliant plan. However, he had to end things quickly.
"[Activate]" He muttered.
Suddenly, a brilliant golden light shone, causing Noir to look around him.
>SHIIIINNNNNNGGGGGGWHOOOOSHHCLANG<
The dagger he held sounded as they made contact with the hard, cold floor.
"U-uarghhhh!" He yelled in pain, quickly stifling his scream.
Noir emotionless stared at him, watching the man's bloodshot eyes glare at him.
He bit his lips as he numbed the pain he felt, while also staring at Noir in shock.
'This... how?!'
"Now then, why don't you reconsider your earlier assertion. Am I bluffing?"