That's when Aria stepped forward, her eyes cold and calculating. "Who are you?" she asked. Her voice wasn't hostile, but it was sharp—like a blade hidden behind velvet. "I noticed you before. You're an anomaly here. Everyone else is either peak Expert Rank or Master Rank. But you… you're just an 8th level Seeker Rank. And yet, here you are."
Max sighed, acting as if weary from the questioning. "I found a key a while back," he said, weaving his lie with practiced ease. "Just a few days ago, the key turned into a portal. Curious, I followed it. I didn't really know what I was getting myself into."
Aria studied him for a long moment, silent. Her eyes narrowed, sensing something off, but the story was plausible enough. A Seeker Rank wouldn't dare enter a place this dangerous by choice—yet this one had not only entered, but survived till now and even came to this secret world. She couldn't decide if he was hiding something… or just incredibly lucky.
