Chosen By The Lover's Constellation-Chapter 75: Names, Part Four

The moonlight fought to squeeze in through the windows. Lianna sat at the edge of her and Enverna’s shared bed, hunched over, mulling over the quest she’d received.

[But... How is she even going to do it? I saw her Status. She’s not that strong!]

Frustration bubbled up within her. It just didn’t make sense that Zura would even be capable of such a thing.

[Unless she knows the president somehow... Right?] Lianna considered. [If she does, then that would make more sense. But, then, why would she need to sign up for the assessment? She’d just assassinate her someplace else. Hell, such a public place is probably the worst location you could pick to do that!]

As she sat on the edge of her bed, Lianna’s crimson hair fell gently over her shoulders, framing her contemplative expression.

The glow of the quest message replayed in her mind, the words echoing their ominous message.

{Prevent the assassination of President Aria}

"I know, I know!" Lianna murmured.

Lianna’s fingers drummed on her thigh as she contemplated her next move.

Should she confront Zura? Dive into the shadows of suspicion and accuse her based on a hunch? Or should she tread more cautiously and gather information discreetly before making any judgments?

Her internal debate raged like a storm, uncertainty and a sense of duty clashing within her. A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she leaned back, allowing the moonlight to cast a soft glow on her face.

[What should I do?]

After much contemplation, a decision began to take shape in Lianna’s mind.

Rising from the bed, she thrust her hands into the air, grinning victoriously as she finally arrived at a conclusion.

With the trumpets of success blaring in her mind, she declared:

[OF COURSE! I’ll just get to know her better!]

Lianna cackled victoriously in the night.

Enverna, who’d stirred and noticed Lianna’s pensive moment, muttered a quick "what is wrong with her?" and turned away, ignoring the small lapse in sanity.

[Anyway,] Lianna continued. [When should I...? Wait, someone like her would absolutely want to go to the gym as often as possible, right? Plus, she’s pretty introverted too, so... Maybe she’s there right now!]

And just like that, Lianna took off.

---

The Watchful’s gym buzzed with the rhythmic clinks of weights, though there was only one person there.

Scanning the gym, Lianna spotted Zura amidst the array of exercise equipment. The tall and formidable figure was engrossed in a series of intense weightlifting, her muscles flexing with each controlled repetition. Lianna couldn’t help but admire the strength and determination evident in Zura’s movements.

[Now... Just act natural.]

Choosing a nearby treadmill, Lianna began a casual warm-up routine.

As she jogged, she kept a watchful eye on Zura, waiting for an opportune moment to approach without disrupting her workout.

After a set of strenuous exercises, Zura finally set the weights down and took a deep breath.

At that moment, she noticed Lianna. A look of raw confusion graced her face.

Lianna looked down at herself.

[Oh...] She finally noticed. [I forgot to change.]

She was jogging in a nightgown.

[N-Never mind! ACT NATURAL!]

Lianna seized the chance and smiled.

"Hey, Zura~" Lianna greeted, her voice carrying a genuine warmth. "Mind if I join you for a moment?"

Zura turned toward Lianna, her expression a mix of surprise and mild suspicion. She wiped the sweat from her brow with a towel, her intense gaze fixing on Lianna.

"What for?" Zura asked, her tone cautious.

Lianna chuckled lightly, her demeanor open and inviting.

"No ulterior motives, promise. Just thought we could chat a bit while we catch our breath. Unless you prefer the solitude?"

"The way you’re dressed, it looks like you wanna do a lot more than chat," Zura said with a smirk.

"Nah," Lianna countered easily. "Trust me, if I did, I’d just say so."

Zura shrugged.

"Fine, then. Let’s just get it over with. You’re interrupting my training."

As they found a more relaxed corner of the gym, Lianna couldn’t help but admire the raw strength exuded by Zura.

The gym’s lighting accentuated the contours of Zura’s physique, highlighting the scars she carried.

Taking a seat on a nearby bench, Lianna initiated the conversation.

"So, Zura, how did you end up here in the Watchful?"

"Needed the money."

"Is that all?"

Zura’s eyes flickered with a mix of reluctance and contemplation.

"Look, if it’s a backstory you came here for, you’re going to be pretty disappointed. I don’t have much to tell."

"We’ve all got our own stories to tell," Lianna leaned on the treadmill, "and I’m curious about yours."

"Just another player trying to make a living. Seriously, that’s all. Guilds pay, and I’m good at what I do. Was that all?"

"Why’d you become a Paladin?"

"You’re really crossing off everything on the checklist, huh?" Zura sighed. "Here’s why."

---

{Zura}

Zura, initially perturbed by Lianna’s interruption, reluctantly agreed to engage in conversation.

Lianna’s genuine curiosity was apparent, and despite Zura’s distrustful exterior, she couldn’t help but feel a tinge of intrigue at the prospect of someone wanting to know more about her. Folding her arms, Zura regarded Lianna with a raised eyebrow.

"So, Zura," Lianna began, her voice light and friendly, "any particular reason you chose this guild?"

Zura exhaled audibly, a silent sigh that betrayed the weariness etched into her features. She was accustomed to keeping her past guarded, but Lianna’s unassuming demeanor sparked a subtle shift within her. Perhaps it was the persistent curiosity or the genuine interest Lianna displayed.

"I... I wanted to help people," Zura replied. This time, there was a slight softening in her tone, as if she were testing the waters of openness. "I figured the Watchful were a good choice for that."

Lianna delved a bit deeper.

"Got tired of beating people up? I mean, unless you got those scars from something else."

A momentary silence hung in the air before she spoke, her words measured.

"That’s just how the streets are. Survival means getting your hands dirty. I’ve been doing what I can to stay afloat."

"But... either the pay’s not good enough or you’re tired of it, since you’re here now."

"Both."

Lianna listened intently. It was almost a little scary how curious she was about every little word that left Zura’s mouth. She couldn’t remember the last time someone paid attention to her like this.

The gym’s environment provided a backdrop for the quiet exchange, each word echoing within the digital confines.

Lianna couldn’t help but feel a twinge of empathy for Zura’s struggles. She recognized that their paths had been vastly different, and yet, beneath the surface, they were both players navigating the challenges of a virtual world that often mirrored the complexities of reality.

"Sounds tough..." Lianna remarked, choosing her words carefully. "But hey, you’re here now, part of the Watchful. That’s something, right?"

Zura’s expression remained guarded, but a hint of acknowledgment lingered in her eyes. It was a small crack in the armor she wore, a subtle indication that perhaps, beneath the layers of stoicism, there was a person with stories yet to be shared.

"Okay, okay, enough with the interrogation," Zura muttered. "I’m heading to bed."

"It was nice talking to you!"

Zura’s eyes locked with hers briefly.

"... Yeah."

And, with that, she left.

Of course, she did not, in fact, go to bed. No, she felt she needed to go for a late-night walk.

Zura moved through the dimly lit alleys of the slums, her mind a tumultuous sea of thoughts stirred by her encounter with Lianna. The unexpected conversation had left a lingering impact, a subtle resonance within her.

[One talk with that girl and I’m this fucking tired. Enverna, or whatever your name is, my heart goes out to you.]

As she navigated the familiar yet unforgiving terrain, a group of unruly figures emerged from the shadows. The dim glow of flickering streetlights cast an eerie glow on their faces, revealing the malicious intent in their eyes. Zura recognized them, a local gang that took pleasure in tormenting those they deemed vulnerable.

Kind of like the people she worked for.

"Look what we got here, boys!" one of them sneered, a wicked grin spreading across his face.

Zura sighed, weariness etched into her features. She had dealt with their kind before, the petty thugs who relished preying on the defenseless. Ignoring their taunts, she attempted to walk past them, hoping to avoid an unnecessary confrontation.

However, the gang had other plans. They encircled her, cutting off any escape route. The air thickened with tension as Zura braced herself for what she knew was inevitable.

"What? You don’t-"

Not needing the whole villain monologue, Zura punched the man in the face.

Without warning, they returned fire. Their first blow landed, catching Zura off guard. The subsequent onslaught was brutal, a barrage of punches and kicks traded back and forth, aimed at breaking both their bodies and spirits.

Zura, despite her resilience, felt the sting of each strike.

Naturally, Zura lost. And then they literally kicked her while she was down.

As the gangsters reveled in their sadistic display of power, Zura’s thoughts drifted to the gym, to Lianna’s genuine curiosity, and the brief respite from the harsh realities she faced. In that moment, the stark contrast between the warmth of the casual exchange and the cold brutality of the slums became painfully evident.

With a final, disdainful kick to the head, the gangsters left Zura battered and bruised on the cold, unforgiving ground.

Gasping for breath, she clenched her fists, the dirt-streaked pavement beneath her serving as a silent witness to her frustration.

"I hate it here, Zura muttered through gritted teeth, her voice a raw whisper carried away by the night breeze.

The bitterness of disappointment lingered in the air as she slowly rose, determination flickering in her eyes.

Each painful step homeward she took after that resonated with an unspoken vow, an unyielding resolve to change this.

She’d do it even if it killed her.