Chapter 227: Behind The Scene

A few minutes earlier...

When Sheila took off without a word, Ria was worried the idiot was going to recklessly charge at the dragon to protect the people there. To her relief, her childhood friend decided to observe first before taking action, and in the meantime, Sylvia and herself would secure people behind the scene with the help of items from the system's shop.

While she was assisting people who fell behind when panic transpired, Ria would often glance at the massive figure in the distance. She still couldn't believe something that big exists. The damage it caused was like a natural disaster, it couldn't be stopped without special means. If her childhood friend hadn't intervened, maybe even her family won't be safe from harm.

If the dragon alone caused this much damage, she wondered how disastrous it would be if Sheila's dream of world ending came true? As each day passed, her worries deepened. She was more than happy knowing Sheila growing stronger all to protect her loved ones. She also planned to level up—growing stronger alongside her. The more power she accumulates, the more secure she felt yet her worries still plagued her heart like a haunted spirit.

If that day comes, her family and everyone she knows is still alive to see the day as the world was engulfed in complete darkness, would that still be considered as living? One might say being alive is more than enough, but knowing Sheila who was the very embodiment of entertainment, living in such a world where entertainment is just an endless battle for survival which wouldn't be that much different than a living hell. So with that in mind, her childhood friend should know better what would've happened to her entertainment had the world come to an end.

The organization must be one of her ploys to keep her entertainment safe from harm, but is it beneficial to trust others who could potentially stab her in back out of selfish desire? As they grow stronger with the help of Trial Tower, they may become greedy and thirst for more power in the foreseeable future. Sure, she can simply take back the card which is the key to enter the Trial Tower, and they won't able to do anything.

But what if...they still retain their power? Or despite their power being sealed, they might find a way to unseal it one way or another. When people are desperate, there's nothing they wouldn't do. Especially when the world turns into a free for all survival, by then, everyone would be much more desperate than they are now.

Ria couldn't help but entertain the thought of putting a collar on them, 'if only it was that easy.' In this day and age, people would think that someone is being kinky if they saw a collar on someone's neck, or it might just work if the collar doesn't look like it came from a torture room.

"Sister Cilia, the civilian has relocated to safety." A shadow suddenly descended from above to her right. Once the figure appear clear, Ria could finally see the appearance of Sylvia who also took the mission to evacuated the people to safety. And for their own safety, they were also equipped with some sort of mask hiding their real appearance from being seen by the people.

From the vibe around the two, one might think they are quite close. But when they first met, they almost end up in a catfight if Sheila hadn't intervened. Of course, the latter didn't know the cause of the fight was because of her to begin with.

"Umu," Ria nodded her head in affirmative. If not for the sleeping gas Sheila had acquired from the System's shop, the evacuation might have not gone this smoothly. Especially in a situation where people panicking and running for their life.

"What about the member of the Church?" Sheila had warned them ahead of time to be on guard and to supervise the culprit that brought the dragon to this place.

"They are still in that building. Do you think it's possible for me to assassinate them all at once?" Sylvia responded with a not so conceal intent in her words. Knowing they are the reason that caused so many tragedies all for their own greed, it reminds her of unpleasant memories. Unlike Ria who might hesitate when it comes to killing, Sylvia on the other hand would not hesitate if Sheila ever instructed her.

As a result of her upbringing, it wasn't surprising that her growing mind might have turned out slightly askew.

"No," Ria coldly rejected her suggestion before sighing as she thought, 'how could a cute girl like her always be thinking of horrifying things like killing people/monsters each time we met? This must be that idiot's fault!'

Anyway, one would assume the Church's members had already escaped the moment they were given the chance to do so, but no. For some unknown reasons, they decided to remain in their hiding spot whilst observing the scene. Perhaps, they wanted to figure out the identity of the person who could stand up against an Earth Dragon—something they visibly couldn't do.

And they weren't the only ones observing from behind the scene. While Ria appeared to be glancing casually at her surrounding, she was actually scrutinizing the few people that arouse her suspicion. Unlike normal people where they have already long fled at the appearance of the dragon, some actually have the balls to remain on the scene.

Some of them might just be idiotic people courting death, but she noticed a few irregularities among them. There were nervous looks on their face, yet their movement tell otherwise. When a piece of asphalt was thrown their way, they easily avoid it seamlessly. Perhaps, they are also from the Church or some hidden organization like Mage Association. Either way, they must be supervised with caution. If they ever make a strange maneuver, she won't hesitate to let Sylvia take care of them.