Karla let out a frustrated sigh. "Seriously! I told you not to call me by that name. People might think I’m a guy."


    Dabric gave her a gentle smile. "It’s just out of habit. My apologies."


    His attention shifted when he noticed Karla’s companions. Catching his gaze, Karla stepped forward to introduce them, raising a hand to gesture towards the group. "These are Mika, Azrael, Carl, and Jarred. They’re here to apply for... well, you know."


    Dabric leaned back slightly, his tone measured. "And you’re sure they’re trustworthy?"


    Karla shrugged with confidence. "Of course they are." She moved closer to his desk and added, "They were recommended to me by someone I trust. I believe they’ll do just fine."


    "You seem to put a lot of faith in Fern," Dabric remarked, his voice carrying a hint of suspicion.


    The group tensed at the mention of Fern. How did Dabric know about their connection to him? The tension in the room thickened as unease settled over the four. Dabric was far from ordinary, exuding an intimidating, almost noticeable aura that seemed to pull the air from the room.


    Azrael, who had studied the phenomenon of Angel Rings, immediately recognized what this meant. Dabric was a Celestial, an individual capable of wielding extraordinary powers.


    Even without seeing the glowing Angel Ring above his head, Azrael could tell by the oppressive black aura surrounding him. And this aura... it wasn’t just any kind of dark. It was a void-like energy, a sign that Dabric had walked the path of Impurity.


    Realization hit Azrael like a lightning bolt. This man was dangerous... terrifyingly so. ''One wrong move, and we''re done for,'' he thought, his body tense with fear.


    As his thoughts raced, Azrael caught Dabric’s piercing gaze landing directly on him. A shiver ran down his spine, and he clenched his fists tightly, trying to steady himself.


    ''Breathe. Just breathe... breath,'' he repeated silently, forcing himself to inhale and exhale slowly.


    Mika noticed Azrael’s struggle and gave him a subtle look of encouragement. Though she was also unnerved, she seemed to manage her fear better.


    Azrael, on the other hand, was paralyzed, not only by the unfamiliar darkness of the aura but by the sheer magnitude of it. This was far beyond anything he had encountered before, even more horrifying than the cannibal leader they had fought in the past.


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Still shaken, Azrael fought to regain his focus, knowing full well that their survival depended on staying composed.


    Karla noticed the sudden shift in the eerie aura emanating from Dabric. Frustrated, she slammed both hands on his desk. "Hey! Can you stop that? It’s making me uncomfortable!" she demanded.


    Dabric sighed deeply, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. My apologies. I was just testing them out."


    Karla climbed onto the desk and sat down, crossing her arms while letting out an exasperated sigh. With her eyes closed, she muttered, "Tch. You haven’t changed one bit. Is your new assistant not taking care of you?"


    Dabric chuckled lightly. "Come on, don’t say that about Creselya. She’s doing her job just fine."


    Karla shot him a sharp glare. "That kid needs to learn from me! You’re spoiling her too much." She sighed again and waved her hand dismissively. "Let’s just drop the topic and get to work."


    "Oh, right," Dabric said, as if suddenly recalling something important. Standing up, he made his way to the door. As he grasped the doorknob, he called over his shoulder, "Follow me."


    The group exited the office, following him to an elevator hidden behind a wooden door marked with the warning, "No Entry."


    Dabric unlocked it with a personal key, one they presumed only he possessed. Despite the building being merely three stories high, essentially a large house surrounded by shops, homes, and trees, the presence of an elevator seemed unnecessary, unless... it led not up but down.


    Once unlocked, they stepped inside. Outside, a man waited patiently, ensuring they were all inside before closing the wooden door. Simultaneously, the elevator doors slid shut.


    Dabric pressed the button labeled "G," indicating "ground." The display showed a downward arrow, signaling their descent. After a few minutes, the elevator stopped, and the doors opened.


    They stepped out into a vast underground space. Though not as expansive as a black market, it was large enough to accommodate over a thousand people, with tunnels branching out in various directions. The area buzzed with activity as people moved in and out of the tunnels.


    Unlike the dusty terrain of a black market, this place was constructed entirely from concrete, giving it a more refined appearance. Air vents dotted the area, and a large balcony loomed high above, nestled beneath one of the tunnels. From any vantage point, it was hard to miss.


    Five main tunnels sprawled across the area. One dominated the center, with a staircase carved into stone leading up to the balcony above its entrance. To the left and right, two pairs of tunnels stood close together, with five large, heavily-covered carriages parked in the gaps between them.


    As they walked, Azrael’s eyes wandered to the tunnels. He noticed a man pushing a cart loaded with trays of food, flanked by another carrying glasses on a similar contraption.


    His curiosity grew as they approached the central balcony, allowing him a clearer view of the tunnels. The faint light of torches illuminated parts of the cavernous passages, hinting at their incredible length.


    Straining to get a better look, Azrael leaned slightly closer to one of the tunnels and froze. His heart sank at the sight he desperately wished he hadn’t seen. Bars. Endless rows of metal bars.