The orb thrummed in Elara’s pack, its strange heat radiating through the fabric as she sprinted toward the exit. She adjusted the strap over her shoulder, her boots pounding against the fractured ground of the Domain.

"Z," she said between sharp breaths, weaving through broken debris. "Any evac teams nearby?"

While she didn't think she would be overpowered by whoever was approaching, she preferred to avoid any unnecessary contact while she was still in possession of the core.

Static crackled in her earpiece before Z’s voice broke through. "Two vehicles within range. One’s heading south toward the exit. The other is moving deeper toward the heart of the Domain."

"Will I intercept if I head east?" Elara inquired, wiping sweat from her brow.

"Yes."

"Let’s avoid any dramatic encounters, shall we? Keep me posted on their position."

"Got it," Z replied. "They’ll pass through a clearing five kilometers east of your current location in approximately 10 minutes. You can intercept them there."

Elara adjusted her course, heart pounding as her keen senses prickled at the shifting mana behind her. The same energy signature had been following her since she changed direction. It wasn’t just a coincidence. She was being pursued.

Is it someone from the heart of the Domain? Did they see me take the core?

"I'm here," she whispered, slowing as she entered the clearing. "He’s coming. Probably an S-Class, judging by the pressure."

"Kill him if you have to," Z advised. "Deaths during raids can be justified."

Elara chuckled at his cold answer. "Where's your heart gone?"

"..."

The air rippled with tension as a figure stepped into view. Lean and composed, the man looked like he belonged on the cover of a fashion magazine rather than a Domain raid. Actually, she'd seen him on many magazine covers. He wore a crisp white shirt under a tailored gray coat, his mid-length blond hair tied in a low ponytail. Long, layered bangs fluttered across his sharp jawline.

Elara clenched her jaw with a snarl, and without hesitation, she snatched a Doomwing feather from her pack and hurled it with every ounce of strength. It sliced through the air, a lethal blur.

The man’s eyes widened. He jerked sideways, narrowly dodging, but not before it grazed his right cheek. A thin line of crimson appeared.

"Ah," she sighed with mock regret, a wicked smile curling her lips. "Missed. I was aiming to return the favor from Raider Park. You’re the coward who ambushed me, aren't you?"

He touched his cheek and observed the blood on his finger, chuckling softly. "You knew? I apologize for that incident. Curiosity got the better of me."

"Do I look like a plaything?" She twirled another feather between her fingers, her grin playful but her gaze sharp. "What do you want, Kliener?"

Darku Kliener inclined his head, his crystal-blue eyes sparkling with amusement. "Ah, so you know who I am? I'm honored."

How could I not? If Arcanis is considered the sharpest weapon of the Crystal Guild, Darku Kliener is the eye candy and face of the Pearl Guild. She couldn't count how many posters and recruitment billboards she'd seen scattered around the city.

She'd always believed they marketed his looks instead of skills because he was lacking despite being their only S-Class Raider. But now that she'd encountered him for a second time, she could sense that he had the skills to back up his class.

"Even the birds know your face," Elara scoffed. "You're not hiding your identity today, so what's your goal here?"

Darku approached slowly. "Only to see your skills up close. That day, I was testing a theory about your energy signature. But even at this distance, it's quite..." His tongue brushed along his upper lip. "... intoxicating."

"Flattered." She cocked her head with a disgusted frown. "So, you’re stalking me now?"

He gave a languid shrug. "Merely searching for the Domain core on behalf of the Pearl Guild."

"Then you’re lost," Elara deadpanned. "The heart of the Domain is a few miles northwest."

"Were you there?" His gaze sharpened ever so slightly, carefully observing every inch of her muscles and expressions.

"Nope," she lied smoothly, pulling out a fistful of Doomwing feathers and waving them like a prize. "I came for these beauties."

His crystal blue eyes flicked to her pack.

I don't like that intense look in his eyes.

"Z," her voice tightened into a barely audible whisper, "ETA on that evac team?"

"One minute."

She kept her expression neutral as Darku took another casual step forward.

"I noticed you’re friendly with Eryx Arcanis," he mused. "Has he recruited you?"

She barked a laugh. "Not in this lifetime. I go where the money is."

Darku smiled at her response.

The rumble of an approaching vehicle shattered the tension.

Finally. Did they take the scenic route?

A sleek evac truck burst into the clearing, its reinforced tires crushing rocks underfoot. Elara waved it down, turning back to Darku with a light smile.

"Looks like my ride’s here. Catch you later, stalker." She sauntered toward the truck without looking back.

She hopped into an empty seat in the second row, throwing a quick glance at the man sitting beside her. Light brown tousled hair framed a face that was calm but curious. Her eyes flicked to the Crystal Guild emblem on his shoulder--the Crystal Guild.

Lucky. At least this makes my departure more believable.

"Elara Max," she introduced herself briskly. "Mind if I hitch a ride?"

"Hansel," he replied, nodding. "Let’s move."

The Raider in the driver's seat nodded, and the truck lurched forward. Elara glanced into the back. Eight Raiders lay slumped and bloodied.

She raised a brow. "Rough day?"

"You could say that." Hansel gave a wry smile. "For you?" From a quick scan, he could see she was in perfect condition with no injuries.

"Hmm," she considered before smirking. "Just a bit of light birdwatching."

She seemed amused at the private joke, but Hansel didn’t ask her to elaborate.

Her aura is... intense. For some reason, Eryx came to Hansel's mind.

They crossed the Domain threshold without further incident. As the vehicle came to a stop, Elara slipped out and pulled Hansel aside. "Who’s the highest-ranking Raider here for the Crystal Guild, after Arcanis?"

"Uh," he hesitated, "I’m one of them."

She looked pleased, pulling a wrapped bundle from her pack. "Get this to Arcanis. Don’t unwrap it here." She thrust it into his hands.

"What—"

"Shh." She shook her head. "Just do as I say."

As she turned, a swarm of reporters descended. Cameras flashed.

"Miss Max! What monsters did you face?"

"Why did you join this raid?"

"Are you joining the Crystal Guild?"

Elara raised a few Doomwing feathers, twirling them dangerously between her fingers. "I just felt like some fancy skewers," she quipped, making them flinch with each flick of the sharp feathers.

One reporter pushed forward, a cameraman following close behind. "Do you know if anyone pulled the core?"

Someone up there must love me. How is everything working out so perfectly?

She glanced back at Hansel, winked, then smiled slyly. "No clue. But if I had to guess... probably Arcanis."

With a flick of her hair, she bulldozed through the reporters and left dust in her place.