137 Serigan Party Pt. 1

〔"For the first time. denizens from the mysterious〈Neutral Zone〉will be making their first public appearance in the〈Times Zone〉. This may be a chance for both Zones to foster good relations with each other."〕

Such was being broadcasted by numerous tv stations all across the globe or in this case, Zone.

Drones were flying around the venue for that aerial shot. It really gave the viewers a sense of how grand the event if they didn't get so already.

A red carpet served as the guest's entrance into the event hall. Reporters, not only from the local news network but from other countries as well fought among themselves just for a closer look. They would always do so every year but they felt a bit fiercer this time around.

That was because there was an info leak about visitors coming to the party this time around. Once the media caught wind of such news, they needed to be the first ones to get a direct interview with at least one of them.

〔"This may very well be the first step towards actual cohabitation with both Zones since the〈Collapse〉. Will we finally be able to live with each other instead of just ignoring the other's existence?"〕

"Ah! They're here!"

No one was sure who was the first person to shout that out, but that didn't really matter. All their attention was no directed at the next vehicle riding up the drop off station.

They had first assumed it was a regular limo coming up, but after a strange blue effect covering the limo had appeared, they realized their mistake. The effect straight out of a sci-fi movie ended, revealing a limo practically made for the future.

Sleek and aerodynamic. A metallic yet glossy paint job done in black. And the most crucial feature; the fact that it was levitating off the damn ground.

If you couldn't call that futuristic, then no one in the〈Times Zone〉knows what you could.

The purpose of having done such a stunt was for two things. Number one, to impress all the viewers. Number two, to leave a subtle warning to them that the〈Neutral Zone〉had reached this level of technology.

Thus meaning and reminding them in case they had forgotten, they could massacre them if they wanted to.

And finally, the moment that everyone was waiting for had cometh.

The door of the limousine slid open and the first people to come out was a pair of siblings. They seemed to be around 14 to 15 but the air surrounding them made them feel older.

They wore a white suit jacket and white pants that looked impossible to stain. Somehow. Underneath their suit jackets were black shirts and light blue ties. Overall, it made their silhouettes appear sharp and sleek like their movements.

A golden pin in the shape of a four-pointed star could be seen resting nearly on their lapels. None of the people present was able to find arrogance, inexperience, or even the slightest bit of nervousness in the way they carried themselves.

Bright and respectful smiles could be seen on their faces. While many were initially surprised to see them be so young, they felt that they could rest at ease seeing their attitudes.

This, along with their age made them feel quite comfortable to talk to and to approach. Since this was the case, the first reporter had no problem easing up to them. Well, that is if you ignore the subtle war of glares he had with the others.

He had a bit of pride in the fact. His agency was also given a tip on a few of the names of the envoys themselves from a hooded figure. Which was, by the way, intentionally done so by〈S.T.E.L.L.A〉

"Sir! Miss! As one of the few envoys from〈S.T.E.L.L.A〉, do you have anything to say about Serigan Party or the〈Times Zone〉?"

The reporter was smiling smugly inside. Their calm appearance could only be a facade since they were only children and the reporter was more than happy to be able to unmask them if so.

Unfortunately for him, the twins' smiles remained unfazed as they answered his question.

"We are very honoured to have been able to attend this party, even if it may only be the first night."

"The people of the〈Times Zone〉seem to be a very delightful bunch. We can't wait to see more of you in the future."

"I personally think you should have asked one of the other envoys if you wanted something interesting."

"We'll be going ahead of them so, please. Take plenty of time questioning them."

And with that, the two of them went inside the building leaving the people waiting outside with confused faces. But their confusion easily cleared up when they saw the next person to come out of the limo. They let out a gasp of admiration in the woman's appearance.

Straight, glossy black hair that reached until her waist. Unlike the twins', her suit was black like her hair and she had a pinstriped shirt underneath.

The same pin that had adorned on the twins' lapels could be seen on hers as well. It was as if there were sparkles in the background accentuating her image. The reporters were busy questioning her as if she was already a huge celebrity.

Maybe it was the aura she was letting out. But the two people who were still in the car were only staring at her in confusion.

"...Papa... What is Felicia doing?"

"...Setting her public image?"

To be honest, not even Cole was completely sure. Cole would be sorry to break up her cool image but he was seriously thinking about what the actual fuck she was planning to do.

Although he was pretty sure that if he was to ask her later, she would respond with something along the lines of 'Well, someone has to charm the beautiful ladies of the world'. If she was born a boy, she would probably be busy breaking the hearts of girls worldwide.

'Wait, or would she look so girly that she would charm guys instead?'

Well, Cole had no plans to have that question answered. He stood up from his seat and took Eva's hand as he extended his leg to exit the limo.

'Aww... Looks like my fun has been cut short.'

Felicia could sense Cole coming out and said to herself. But Cole just breezed past her while everyone's attention was focused on her.

〔 F: wtf?〕

〔 C: Since you're having so much fun, it'd be rude to interrupt you.〕

〔 F: Bitch 〕

But that was not important. She answered a few of the reporters' questions and quickly followed into the hall. They didn't plan to waste any more time. Cole let Eva join Felicia while he went straight to his first target.

Cole didn't care for how grand the venue was or how lavishly it was decorated. He had a mission and describing a giant room wouldn't help.

His eyes scoured the hall as walked inside. Screens of text and little profile boxes flitted through his vision each time a person entered his vision.

Cole set his targets in a specific order because he could tell which ones would be watching someone's actions and the ones that would gain a head full of air just by giving them a small compliment.

Both would be valuable clients. The first one would always have some kind of work lined up for Black Hollow while the other was practically going to become Black Hollow's piggybank.

Time passed.

Cole made contact with faces he'd only remember because he had to. After some time, he stood by one of the walls near one of the tables lined with food.

"They're quite cute, aren't they?"

Before he knew it, someone had snuck up by his side. This alarmed Cole quite a bit since he didn't remember sensing the man coming close at all. But he couldn't let that show on his face.

"Ah, are you talking about the children?"

Cole said, moving his eyes to the area provided for the children of the guests. All of them were below the age of 12 and seemed to be having a fun time with the other kids.

Eva was among them as well. Cole

"Is that one yours?"

"Yes.

"It's obvious that she takes after you. Both of you have such nice faces. Is that a perk of being a Mechanica? I don't mean to sound like I'm competing or anything but I was quite the looker when I was young."

The old man puffed out his chest slightly in pride at the thought as Cole let out a small laugh. But while the man seemed to provide nice company, Cole couldn't shake the unease he felt from him.

"I can tell. Even if you may have aged, I can still tell from how you poise yourself that you were quite a dashing young man."

"Still am."

"Save for the 'young' part."

"Why you..."

"I didn't disagree with the rest, however."

The man smiled. He enjoyed the playful banter he had with Cole. But As his conversation with him went on, Cole had realized something.

He didn't recognize him.

From his immaculate suit to dark brown hair streaked with whites and greys due to age. His presence faded into the background as if it was natural rather than a conscious effort. But this made him even stranger.

Cole couldn't hear any warning bells and he couldn't see any signs that would make him out as a threat.

So, it would make more sense to see him as a normal old man that had found a way into this grand party. But that was simply impossible for anyone that participated in the first night of Serigan Party needed to have some kind of presence in the world.

Business, entertainment, the field of science, the art world, anything.

So...

Who was this man?