Perfect Avatar
Chapter 185: Anomaly

Chapter 185: Anomaly

As the sun reached its zenith in the sky above Paradea, the bustling port town came alive with excitement. In the Queen’s Marina, the spirited team assembled for the grand Kalahari expedition, eliciting waves of excitement from the jubilant crowd.

Some members seized the opportunity to wave proudly, relishing in the limelight, while a few others lingered at the rear, mindful that their chance to run away had passed.

"It’s time, we can’t wait any longer." Grogard said to Eryl, Agharita and Freya.

"That’s not possible... Freya, what exactly happened?" Eryl asked consciously.

"It’s like I said, she said the teachers wanted to throw her a goodbye party so she stayed...I knew it was an excuse but I didn’t want to stop her."

Agharita fidgeted on her phone, more and more nervous.

"Damn... Why is no one responding?! What kind of joke is this? You keep blaming me for that day but you put us in such a situation and now you’re not even here? Isn’t she just trying to run away?"

"Miss Agharita, I know you like to be on her bad side, but the dean would never run away. She fought with everyone in the Twilight of Gods even though she was weaker." Freya intervened.

"Then why isn’t she here now?! What kind of setback has she encountered that she needs this excuse?!"

The ex-Holy knight launched a final appeal, still without success. Eryl, worried, turned to Grogard.

"Can we delay our departure? For at least two days, so that only one person can..."

"No, that’s not happening." The man replied. "We have assessed a decrease in the energy level in the Red Sea for the first time in months. For your information, Rifts do not only occur on land, the sea is deadlier than any other place in the world and it has the problematic ability to be large enough to hide a Player. If the energy level increases during these two days, we will have to postpone our departure for who knows how long."

"... But then what if it increases while we’re at sea?!" asked Freya.

The man let out another one of his hearty laughs, his hand gently caressing his beard. Agharita clenched her teeth tightly, a prominent vein throbbing on her temple.

"... Oh no... I won’t allow that, master."

Paying no attention to anyone in her way, she strode purposefully towards the boat’s edge and leaped back onto the dock. The onlookers watched in disbelief as Grogard, squinting with one eye, nodded.

"See, that’s why I lied to the newbies about the secret of the sea, well, they die, but at least they had hope."

He crossed his arms and glanced at the elf maid who seemed lost.

"You understand that if we wait any longer, someone else will escape? We will not get alive from the Kalaharis with ten people."

Eryl clenched her fist, her lips under the pressure of her teeth.

"... For God’s sake... three Sin Avatars and we’re leaving without any?"

A short while later, the boat embarked on its journey, greeted by the enthusiastic cheers of the crowd. The refreshing sea breeze blew vigorously, embracing the heroes’ voyage to an unfamiliar destination. Hope stood at the boat’s edge, accompanied by Cid and Lisa. The girl let out a wide yawn and folded her arms.

"Well the fun part of being heroes is over, now it’s time to choose who will make the sacrifices while I hide. You, Hope, have the perfect head for that."

She turned to the boys mockingly but none of them responded.

"What? Don’t tell me you don’t want to, you were there when the crazy dean took Dora away again, weren’t you? Isn’t it time for you to take responsibility?"

"Could you just piss off?" Cid groaned.

"Oh? Ironfoot is angry? Ooh, I’m scared."

Cid clutched the edge of the ship, focusing on steadying his breath. After a moment, he shifted his gaze towards her with a stern expression.

"You, since you like to talk, why don’t you tell us what happened with Maxim?"

Lisa’s broad smile vanished, and her eyes now brimmed with intense emotion.

"Oh? Look at this, the girls’ lover’s friend is angry? How scary."

"What a joke. No wonder you became a clown’s sidekick."

"No, please, let’s talk about it. I heard that you and Maxim were together before he volunteered, maybe you have an idea what happened?"

They exchanged deadly glares, each locking eyes with the other. Hope let out a sigh and glanced over his shoulder, only to be startled by an unexpected sight.

"... Zuri?"

A short distance away from them, a solitary young woman was standing at the edge of the border, enjoying the cool breeze from the sea. Her long hair fluttered in the wind, and her skin was as pale as a snowflake. When Hope noticed her, Cid and Lisa followed his gaze and appeared equally surprised.

"... Huh? When did she come? I thought she left town." Cid wondered.

"Maybe she thought her knight was her? Hehe, this will be fun..."

Lisa walked towards her, a smile on her lips. Zuri was there, dressed in an elegant black dress and a large hat.

"What are you doing here, little ghost?" Lisa teased from behind.

Hope and Cid observed with slight unease, while in various locations, eyes were fixed on the girl. As Dora’s noble, Zuri’s reputation spread like wildfire throughout the Kingdom, but for all the wrong reasons. From a distance, Iris and Mercy kept a close eye on her. Ever since the day they wiped Dora’s memory, everyone had ceased to think about her. She stood by the ocean, seemingly unaffected, much to Lisa’s irritation.

"Hey, ghost, I’m talking to you! What’s up? Have you forgotten how to talk now that your knight isn’t with you? Are you okay being here? You know... since he’s still in Mistrallon".

She laughed cynically, putting her hand over her mouth.

Cid growled and gestured for Hope to move away from them, but a strange laugh made them start.

They turned around and noticed the turnaround in the situation, Lisa’s smile disappeared.

Zuri turned to look at her, and those who saw her face held their breath in shock.

"Hm? My apologies, I have difficulties hearing unpleasant sounds, were you talking to me?"

Cid and Hope were left speechless, while Mercy and Iris gaped at the girl in astonishment, leaving no one unaffected by her presence. The girl, with her long, elegant hair and purple eyeshadow, exuded a mysterious aura with her intense purple irises. Her eyes, once known for their dark circles indicating exhaustion, now sparkled with a vitality that seemed to penetrate the souls of those who met her gaze.

Her attire, now more visible, consisted of a luxurious black dress, rare purple gemstones dangling from her ears, and heels that added extra height to her already impressive stature. Though her size remained the same, her posture hinted at a newfound confidence, accentuating her ample chest and allowing her curves to be more pronounced.

She was a tall ghost scaring everyone, now she was a tall queen trampling all beneath her.

Lisa stepped back, facing this tower from another world, speechless. For a moment, she wondered what part of her had made her realize it was Zuri.

The lady laughed softly and walked forward.

"What’s wrong? Didn’t you say you wanted to talk to me? I’m all ears."

Mercy and Iris joined them, more troubled than anyone.

"... Zuri?! Is that you? What... What happened?" said Iris.

Zuri let out a gentle laugh, a unique melody that contrasted with her typically unsettling chuckle. She then redirected her attention towards them.

"You don’t recognize me anymore, Iris?" Her irises glowed black.

An eerie coldness sent shivers down the spines of all present. Within a vast room used as a meeting hall, Grogard, Eryl, and Freya twitched. The maid’s eyes morphed into a sinister orange hue, and she slowly swiveled her head in a singular direction.

"... Impossible."

Zuri strolled by Lisa, her gaze shifting between Iris and Mercy. She then shifted her attention to Hope and Cid, observing them closely. Finally, she redirected her focus in a different direction within the boat.

"Six on point, one compatible... Hm... what should I do? Should I keep them just because they were once on your side? Or should I crusade against the heretics?"

Those near her involuntarily flinched and assumed a defensive position. There was an undeniable air of danger surrounding this girl, and before long, Eryl and Freya joined them. The maid’s eyes met the woman’s, and a look of sheer shock washed over their face. Zuri’s gaze lingered on her for a moment, before a gentle smile graced her lips.

"You... You’re one of the people who hurt him... that should put you first on the execution list."

Eryl quivered from head to toe, not out of fear, but out of pure surprise.

"... You... this... this type of energy... it’s impossible... What are you?"

Zuri laughed and then readjusted her hat.

"Oh? Impossible? Then I should feel flattered."

She walked between them, her gaze fixed on Freya and then Eryl.

"Relax, I’m just a passenger with the same destination. No blood will be shed... that would delay the cruze, of course. You can breathe for now, Lisa."

The girl flinched, sweat beading on her forehead. Zuri’s eyes turned purple again and she gave them one last smile.

"Don’t worry, I’m not going to punish you or anyone yet, I have to reach the Kalaharis first... but I remember all your faces and your words towards me. We’ll talk about it there."

Moving forward, her smile remained constant. Eryl made an effort to reach out to her.

"Wait, Miss Eilejveden, what did you do?! Why is your energy..."

"No." Zuri stopped. She turned her back on her, running a finger over her lips and her eyes sparkled again.

"Do not use that name on me. From now on, if you must address me, use the correct name. I am Zuri Carper, first support of the Avatar of Greed, but you can also call me... the Avatar of Despair."