Ray was stunned as his mind was thrown with so many different thoughts. But the first thing that came to him was how did this guy know? Before he could say anything, the bartender called Ray and said to him, "I don't think this place is going to be good for talking, so let's head to my place." Previously reluctant for a moment, Ray followed him. The place he was going was familiar to the place he went yesterday. They both entered the bar, and the place was empty as if it had just opened now.
Ray entered and sat on one of the chairs to the left, and the man sat across from him.
Without a second thought, Ray asked him with a cold voice, "How did he know that I am a rifter?"
The man smirked, saying, "Well, guess?" Ray was puzzled by the question, 'why,' he thought to himself, then, guessing by the probability, the only way someone could know about him was if that person himself was one of them. "So you yourself are a rifter?" he answered him, to which the man nodded.
Ray didn't know what to say to him as the man just continued looking at him. For a lot of moments, there was silence in the place; none of them spoke as they just stared at each other. Ray then asked the question he really wanted to know. "You being a rifter does not explain how you know that I am, so how did you figure it out? Who gave you this information? Does anyone else know about me? Are the people who know both dangerous to me?"
The man placed his hand gently on the table. then said to him, "I cannot answer you that, but I could give you some information about anything else."
The man's word left Ray with curiosity; he could not hold himself any longer, and joyfully asked, "So, can you tell me about the cards?"
The man smiled a little and said, "Oh, the cards are just the living manifestation of your character; it depends on what you did and accomplished in the time void, for each individual, the rank may differ based on your performance."
"My performance?"
"Yes, similar to a game character you upgrade."
"So, what do the ranks define?" asked Ray, his eyes glancing at the man's face.
The man replied after some silence, his expression filled is claims
"It would take time to explain in detail, so let me tell you in summary.
The card ranks are represented by a letter from A to E and S, E being the weakest and S the strongest.
Their power differs tremendously. If you want more info on how to tell the difference and how to find out more, let's talk some other time."
Ray was silent, trying to sum up all things as he bowed his head and was ready to leave, before he asked the man," By the way, what is your name?"
The man was puzzled for a moment and then chuckled as he said, "Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Reinhard."
"Ok, bey."
"Wait!"
Before he could leave, Reinhard called for Ray. He then stretched his right hand toward him as he asked." Will you be willing to join our organisation?"
Ray turned his head back as he was standing outside the door. He then closed his eyes, smiling gently, saying, "No thanks."
After saying that, he closed the door and started running away. Reinhard was left there speechless after a moment; he was laughing uncontrollably.
He sat down and rested his cheek on his right paw, saying," he is a unique one, isn't he?"
At that instant, some wearing a black coat entered the bar and said, "idk about that, we will find out soon enough."
Ray was claimed despite being exposed to being a rifter; he did not think the person would do anything for him or report him.
As he was going back home, he thought to himself what would have happened if some else had figured out, but he was not weary, why would he after all he has an S rank card that could be used to protect himself and his aunt.
He smirked a little, thinking he had all the power in the world for a moment, not letting that thought get to him, he began running faster to reach his house. As he did, he opened the door, saying," I am home."
He looked inside to see his aunt sitting on the chair closer to the entrance. Her face was full of anger as she said, "Where have you been? RAY!"
He tried to stagger back, but before he could do that, see said to him, "Close the door, ray."
Here voice was cold, cold enough to make him do it immediately. Putting his hand back, he tried to mutter out a word to say, but to no avail, she then stood walking toward him with a metal pan in her hand.
See it he stretched his hand, saying," Wait, you could kill me or hurt me with it."
She jumped, saying in a loud voice, "Last time I through this thing on your head, you just brushed it off, so let's see how much you could last."
His face turned pale as he begged his aunt, but it was too late as she swung the first hit.
Outside, Pedestrians were walking, trying not to look at the house, which was making the noise of metal hammering metal.