''Once again, I thank the mayor for the hospitality, but I would like you to go straight to the point. You have rescued us with a goal in mind, so I would like to know what is it?"
Seeing Maria going straight to the main point, the mayor chuckled, he was happy, he likes people like Maria. However, not everyone was like him, Kuina said nothing as she could have done the same thing if Maria hadn't done anything, Eri on the other side didn't appreciate the tone Maria was using, having been someone who was constantly against Maria, she wasn't going to miss out this opportunity.
''I say, Maria, don't you think that you are being rude to the Mayor?" Eri asked while showing her white teeth.
Maria felt a headache coming; she decided to take care of the problem before listening to the mayor's explanation.
''Excuse me, mayor, can I have a bit of time?"
Maria asked while looking directly into the mayor's eyes. The latter looked back for a second before chuckling.
''Sure, take your time.'' the mayor said with a shrug.
''Thank you, Eri come with me, Kuina as well,'' Maria said before standing.
''Where are we going, and what are you planning?"
Although she asked this, Eri still followed Maria, Kuina who was in the back, chuckled as she could guess what Maria had in mind. She showed no reaction to Eri acting as though she didn't exist; people like Eri is better be ignored than wasting your time on them trying to strike a conversation, it is not like Kuina lacked friend and somehow she didn't like this girl from the start, it was a natural reaction.
''Just shut up and follow me.'' Maria chided Eri heavily; she pouted but still said nothing; she silently followed her.
Meanwhile, Maria was thinking about what she was about to do. Since she learned that they were inside the mayor's residence, she remembered that it was close to the northern city gate and beyond the gate was a mountain; it was toward this mountain they were going.
Their purpose for going there was simple; it was to spare; a good friendly spar would do them some good. Maria believes.
On the other side, the mayor also guessed Maria's intention; he couldn't help but chuckle; however, his chuckle died down when he noticed the mood of his men.
''Shadow, is there something you wish to say?"The mayor asked.
There was silence before the rift appeared behind the mayor, and from this rift, a figure half materialized came out.
''Well, I'm curious why you chose those three. Although they might be a little bit strong, I doubt they would succeed, so why waste your time? I don't like that girl with blue eyes.''
''Hahaha!'' the mayor laughed first before saying.
''It's the first time that you talked for so long. I understand your fear; however, I chose them because I believe that they could help me. To those that come into this world, it's a game where they can't d; however, unlike them, we can die while many restrictions have been put on us. This is an imperfect world; no matter how strong one is, there exist some problems you can't personally take care of, in my situation, I can only get close to players and issue quests as they called it in the hope that they did succeed. NPCs can't act as they wished.''
The mayor sounds downhearted as he says these words.
The shadow stayed silent for a moment before asking a question that every native of Exodus once thought of.
''Is there a way for us to break this curse and become free?"
The mayor shrugged his shoulders.
''How should I know.''
Then his eyes became distant, as though he was looking to somewhere far, thousands of kilometers from this city stood a tall tower piercing through the sky as if it pierced even the world going into the void, a tower said to hold all the answers, said to grant the most absurd of the wishes.
'Maybe if our children between players and us can free us upon reaching the highest floor where is said to the core zone of Exodus. Well, it's not something that will happen any time soon; I should focus on what is close to me first.' the mayor thought before snapping out his thoughts. He looked at the shadow who had accompanied him for half of his life already and suggested.
''As for your biased opinion about these girls, I suggest that you should watch their match to make your own opinion on whether or not they are qualified to take up that quest.''
Shadow nodded. ''I shall do as you suggested then.''
Fwoosh!
Shadow disappeared, leaving the mayor alone, who soon became lost in thoughts again. Crossing one leg over another, he mumbled.
''I wonder if those three have someone they liked? It would be good if it weren't the case; if I could win them over and succeed in making one of them bear my son offspring, it would greatly help me in the future as the child will undoubtedly become someone strong that can maybe break Exodus fake sky. A world where its residents couldn't break free from, they couldn't go out, only those immortals called players can come and go as they wished. Almost as if we are sheep's reared for their convenience. They kill us without remorse as they believe that we are only data; they plunder our resources. How dare they. I shall begin the revolution from this town until I united the whole world to break free from these shackles that bound us.''
The mayor's lips curved upward into a malicious smile; he was already seeing his ascension on the throne; in reality, the mayor was an ambitious person, his ambitions were grand, he had delusions of grandeur, and he began planning to use Maria and others to fuel this ambition of his when he recalled the damage they left behind, especially Maria and Eri, he must have them become pregnant to give him the key that would help him break free and ascend to the top.
Having no idea that this ambitious mayor was targeting them, Maria and the girls were about to begin their friendly spar.