CHAPTER 277: THE UNEXPECTED VISTOR [2]

"It’s time I finally met him," a girl mumbled to herself.

She was among a group of teenagers wearing the Stellar City Academy uniform, moving about and chatting animatedly.

The students were all discussing the faintly blinking timer hovering above the academy premises.

"I’m scared... are the towers going to spew monsters?"

"Probably. It’s such a shame the academy won’t allow any of us to participate."

"I heard the tower rewards aren’t that bad either."

Hearing the whispers around her only solidified Samantha’s decision. She had missed the Inter-Guild Display Event because of the same restriction — she couldn’t afford to let history repeat itself with the towers.

Besides, she had always wanted to meet that person — to fight beside him as a recognized subordinate. It was only by joining him that she could reach the apex of the gaming world.

’Hopefully, he won’t discriminate against me like the others.’

With that thought, she began walking toward the gates.

"Miss Samantha, where are you going? You can’t just leave the school premises like that!" a guard called out, trying to stop her.

But she didn’t slow down.

This was a gamble — if he didn’t accept her, or if she was caught, she’d face serious punishment. Earlier, the headmistress had warned all students not to leave campus grounds due to the upcoming descent of the towers.

Still, Samantha boarded the nearest cab, which took her straight to Stellar City’s front gates. From there, she found a truck heading north, already filled with adventurers and merchants.

It was common enough in this world, so no one bothered to question why she kept her cloak up, covering most of her face.

As usual, even the passengers were buzzing with excitement about the upcoming tower.

The truck rumbled along uneven dirt roads, shaking slightly with every bump. The sun was setting, painting the horizon in orange and gold.

Samantha sat quietly at the back, her hood drawn low. Around her, the others — mostly adventurers and traders — talked animatedly about the event.

"Everyone knows Olympus will win this time," said a broad-shouldered man in iron armor. "Their leader has the best gear on the whole continent."

"Don’t be so sure," another replied, sipping from a flask. "They said the same thing during the Inter-Guild Display Event, remember? Yet the Adventurer Guild took first place — because of that guy, Gabriel."

The first man chuckled. "Oh, that freak. Yeah, he’s a monster. But that was luck, I bet."

"Luck?" someone else snorted. "You didn’t see how he fought, did you? That wasn’t luck. That was strategy."

Samantha listened silently, her heart pounding faster every time his name came up. Her hands clenched tightly around her cloak.

She had dreamed of this moment for weeks — leaving the academy, breaking the rules, and coming here.

To see him again.

Her memory flashed back to the Algerian Range — the last time they’d met. She’d wanted to tell him something then, but the words never came out.

Now she was determined not to hold back.

After about an hour, the driver shouted, "Broken Dawn Camp ahead!"

Everyone stirred. Samantha leaned forward, peering through the dusty glass. Smoke curled lazily from chimneys, and the walls of a large wooden fort enclosed a bustling area filled with tents, workshops, and guards.

As the truck came to a stop, two men approached the checkpoint.

One raised his hand. "Stop right there."

Samantha’s breath caught. The man was tall, wearing light combat armor with a sleek bow slung across his back. His name tag glowed faintly: [SniperBowLegend].

She froze.

’No way... him?’

SniperBowLegend — one of the top-ranked professional gamers from Earth. She used to watch his streams for hours. Seeing him here, in person, made her pulse quicken.

He stopped beside the truck and glanced up. "Identification check. State your purpose."

Most passengers produced their guild passes or merchant badges. When his gaze met hers, she hesitated before replying in a quiet voice, "I... I’m here to see Gabriel."

The name made him raise a brow. "You know the leader?"

She nodded and lowered her hood. "Yes. I was one of the students he escorted during the Algerian Range mission."

"Wait here," he said, turning to a nearby guard. "Inform the leader."

The guard saluted and ran toward the inner gates.

The passengers murmured among themselves. Some looked impressed, others skeptical. One muttered under his breath, "She knows him?"

A few minutes later, footsteps echoed from beyond the gate.

Gabriel appeared, accompanied by Sophie and Anna.

He looked calm and unreadable as always, dressed in a dark jacket, his piercing blue eyes sweeping the area. When his gaze landed on Samantha, a flicker of surprise crossed his face — quickly replaced by understanding.

"Samantha," he said as he approached. "It’s been a while."

"Yeah," she answered softly, lowering her hood completely. "You still remember me."

"I remember faces," he replied evenly. "Back then, you wanted to say something before we parted ways."

She looked down, fidgeting with her fingers. "I did... but I held back."

"Hmm." He nodded, tone neutral. "You’ve come a long way from the academy. What brings you here?"

She glanced around nervously; the adventurers near the truck were still watching. "Can we... talk privately?"

Gabriel studied her for a moment, then gestured toward the camp. "Follow me."

They walked past the fortified walls and busy workshops. Players and workers moved briskly, carrying supplies and crates.

When they reached an empty corner near the mansion courtyard, Gabriel stopped. Sophie gave him a questioning look, but he waved her off. "I’ll handle it."

Once alone, Samantha finally exhaled, tension easing from her shoulders.

"Before anything," she began, voice trembling, "I want to ask you to promise me something."

Gabriel folded his arms. "Go on."

"Please keep what you’re about to see a secret," she said, her tone serious. "If anyone finds out... they’ll execute me."

...

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