Races: Online

Conformity. Unity. Teamwork. Harmony. These were virtues valued everywhere, but most importantly it was esteemed in their country. It couldn't be denied that the mall was filled with countless people of different kinds of backgrounds and life experiences and yet, almost everyone moved with the flow of the crowd.

However, it couldn't be denied that there was someone who you could single out in the mass of people. An outsider might have found it difficult, especially when even physical features might have made it even tougher to narrow down to one person, but he was the one standing alone.

The flow of the people ebbed and moved around him. Han Jing stared at the words on the screen with a blank look on his face. He had been ready for anything, but it still stunned him all the same.

Wood Elf: I'm at your abode, and I met your younger sister. Where are you now?

Han Jing wished he had misread the message or anything like that—he would have even managed if the Wood Elf had just tapped him behind his shoulder right now and told him it was all a joke and demanded his gift despite him being empty-handed. Han Jing didn't think that he'd arrive at his home.

Before he could even make a reply—another response came in.

Wood Elf: Your sister is asking for a snack too since you're out :3 will you bring us something?

His head whirled for a moment before he caught his breath. There wasn't anything he could do—the young man made a beeline to the food court. He ran as fast as he could. What the heck would that Elf do with his sister?! Jinjing was smarter than him. Surely she wouldn't get herself endangered, would she?

Han Jing needed to get something for the Wood Elf to ensure that the law of hospitality was affirmed, but there wasn't any time to even think about it anymore. His vision darted through many food stalls. There was fast food, calorie laden meals that were quick to prepare and eat. There were some restaurants he had passed through, maybe some gourmet food—that would make a dent in his wallet.

What would an Elf want to eat?

Something vegetarian? Natural and organic? He glanced at one of the salad shops and made a face. The fruit and vegetables there ought to be fresh, or the Wood Elf would get offended. And yet that wasn't all of it. His little sister also requested something despite their family's financial state now. He already knew what she would like—a simple request. But he couldn't be at two places right now and get back home on time.

Han Jing stared at the hovering screen—words claiming that the Wood Elf had already located his house and was waiting for him. There was the chance that the Wood Elf knew how to keep his mouth shut… his face twitched for a moment.

Unlikely.

And even then, a Wood Elf like them would make too much of an entrance. Maybe they would seem good-looking and that would attract the wrong attention. "This is why I didn't want anyone coming here." he gritted his teeth and then came to a decision.

It was one for all.

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Madam Dongxia's Apartment, 4th floor

A certain individual found himself facing a minor setback. Something besides the Demon Lord arriving before he did—the address of the man revealed by the Creators' database had not been where the man happened to be.

This was terrible—this young man should have informed him!

They found alliances on mutual trust—or mutual benefit. Surely ensuring that the young Human stayed safe from the Demon Lord's wrath was something that he would take into consideration.

Except the man wasn't here.

Instead, there was somebody else inside of the abode of where Han Jing was supposed to stay. The Wood Elf glanced at the small human in front of him. It was a little girl with dark hair and eyes. She almost resembled 'Han' in some ways, except Han had green eyes and not dark.

Still, it wasn't as troublesome as he thought it would be and no dramatic spells or illusions done to hide this place. There wasn't even a stronghold at all—except for the gatekeeper. Door keeper in this case.

Yes, there was a scrutinizingly look on the child's face as she narrowed her eyes at him.

He raised a brow and tilted his head, "What is it?"

"Are you really my brother's friend?" There was a door slightly ajar. It stood in between the two of them. She was hidden behind the wooden fixture and only her head poked out. It was an excellent decision, even this child would find it easy to hide back inside to escape his wrath.

… He could respect it.

He wasn't given entrance yet into the home, if he were to be completely honest—but it was almost the same thing, really! The human child didn't let him enter for simply uttering her brother's name. But he still clicked his tongue, "I truly am his companion. The two of us have made a solemn pact before, so it would be most obliged if you opened the door and let me inside."

"I don't know… but you sent him a message, right?"

"I did."

"You didn't take out your phone."

"That is unnecessary, a medium is irrelevant—he knows I am supposed to be here."

"Who are you again?"

He huffed and looked down at her, "I cannot offer my name when you have not even introduced yourself, child. Where are your manners?"

"... well, I'm not even supposed to talk to strangers." she slammed the door in front of him.

One of his eyes twitched, affronted the Wood Elf crossed his arms and leaned back against the wall. "Tch, such terrible personalities." And yet he had come here as fast as he could. The Wood Elf idly glanced at the surroundings, letting out a sigh.

Both the Demon Lord and the Human hadn't replied. And yet the Moderator only gave Han's name and not the address, so Jilanya wouldn't find him that fast. All of this was done for her amusement, an impish desire. The Wood Elf pinched the bridge of his nose and glanced at the terrace.

Numerous structures had erected themselves in this recent century, it was almost close to what they had built in the golden age—but compared to before, this was a dwindling of resources. Structures that would topple during tumultuous events if they were to occur in the future. A lack of knowledge beset the human age, but their arrogation still continued.

.. .

Han Jing squeezed and ran through the crowd, swiftly and agilely pushing through them as he carried the items in his arms. He knocked shoulders with somebody and nearly stumbled—if he hadn't caught himself. Gritting his teeth for one moment, he continued on to run.

Even apologizing or even glancing at whoever it was didn't matter at all. The man was in a rush to catch the bus. And it was a good decision on his part, foolhardy but determined in his ways. He was doing this to make sure that his sister was safe—and heavens forbid that the Wood Elf meet his mother.

Han: I'm already on my way home—stay there and don't do a thing!

It may have been a little too demanding, but screw it. This was a different situation altogether and Han Jing would throw the food in the Wood Elf's face if he ever did something strange that made his family uncomfortable!

The young man got on the first bus—and then jumped out at the last minute. He would run back home, it was faster on foot than to wait on the traffic.

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.

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The voluptuous woman stopped in her tracks and looked over her shoulder. She tossed her hair back and frowned. Her tracking had brought her into this enclosed space filled with humans, and though there might have been a large crowd—it didn't matter. His presence was enough to sting her shoulder.

There was an air around him that made her spine tingle. An aura that sent her narrowing her eyes at him as she picked out the dark-haired man... among the other dark-haired people. Her senses were telling her that this was the one, "Brat."

She had already encountered a vast number of powerful souls in the past six hours since she had arrived—but this one held a spark. Unmuted. Saturated. All the marks of a strong soul and the person also fulfilled the criteria she had in her head. Male. Dark hair. Tall.

It could have possibly applied to anybody else in the entire space, damn them for all looking alike—but that was surely him! The Soul could not lie to her eyes!

"Oi! You're not getting away from our sight!"

A thing struck her head.

Bright orange flames emanated around her, and the beginnings of a binding talisman activated itself—Jilanya glared at the so-called Cultivators this time around. She had almost mistaken one of them for the boy that she was looking for, but what was up with all these pesky humans hunting her down?

She hadn't even done anything yet!