After carefully reviewing the records of his account, Crimson Aegis leaned back in his seat, letting out a small sigh of relief. He then turned to the bank staff, who had been waiting patiently nearby.
"I'd like to withdraw 10 platinum coins and 500 gold coins," he said, setting the papers aside. "Also, do you have a pouch or something for the coins? I don't have my inventory anymore."
The bank staff smiled politely and reached into a nearby drawer, pulling out a small, intricately stitched bag with glowing runes etched into the fabric. "We do, sir. This is a magical bag," she said, placing it gently on the polished wooden table in front of him. "It can store up to twenty different types of items, regardless of their weight or quantity, as long as they belong to the same category. They will stack neatly within the bag."
Crimson Aegis blinked in surprise, picking up the pouch and turning it over in his hands. The soft, leather-like material felt warm to the touch, pulsing faintly with a steady, magical hum. This kind of item had never existed in the game. He looked back at the staff, his eyes narrowing slightly behind his helmet.
"Wait... this wasn't part of the game before. Where did this come from?"
The bank staff smiled and replied, "It's a recent invention, sir. It was developed by a powerful mage from the western empire, the neighbor of our Heartless Republic. Many find it quite useful, especially those who travel frequently or handle a variety of items."
Crimson Aegis couldn't help but chuckle under his breath. So much has changed in fifty years... he thought. It seems the world has grown in ways I never imagined.
After a brief moment of contemplation, he took the bag and secured it to his belt, the runes briefly glowing brighter as it recognized its new owner. He then stood up, the sound of his armored boots echoing against the polished marble floor as he prepared to leave.
"Thank you," he said, giving a slight nod to the staff, who bowed deeply in response.
As Crimson Aegis secured the magical bag to his belt, he noticed Xiao Li Jing approaching the counter beside him. She flashed a bright, confident smile at the bank staff, who quickly straightened up, clearly aware of her status.
"I'd like to make a withdrawal as well," she said, leaning against the polished counter. The bank staff, already familiar with her status, bowed slightly before retreating to the back to retrieve her account records.
Crimson leaned against one of the tall, marble pillars nearby, his armored arms crossed over his chest as he watched her. Xiao caught his gaze and smirked, her golden eyes sparkling with a playful glint. "What?" she teased, flipping her long, blonde hair over her shoulder. "Surprised I still have my account here?"
Crimson chuckled, the deep sound of his laughter muffled slightly by his helmet. "Not really. You always did like to hoard your treasures," he said, his tone light but edged with nostalgia.
Xiao crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "Well, some things never change," she replied, tilting her head as if daring him to argue. She gave him a playful nudge. "Alright, old man, let's get out of here. We've got a whole world to catch up on."
Crimson scoffed, shaking his head. "Old man? I'm still only 26," he shot back, his eyes narrowing beneath the shadow of his helmet.
Xiao Li Jing burst into laughter, her voice echoing through the grand hall of the bank. "Oh, please! I'm only 24, so you're definitely the old one here," she said, rolling her eyes.
Before he could respond, the bank staff returned, this time with a similar folder of papers and a small, shimmering bag. She handed the documents to Xiao Li Jing, who quickly scanned through them, her eyes flicking back and forth as she confirmed the account details.
"It's all here," she said with a satisfied nod, tucking the papers away into the magical bag the bank staff had provided. She turned to Crimson and gave him another nudge. "Come on, old man. Let's go."
Crimson let out a quiet laugh, the weight of the past fifty years momentarily lifted from his shoulders.
As Crimson Aegis and Xiao Li Jing made their way down the grand spiraling staircase to the first floor of the bank, the sound of raised voices and the clatter of armored boots echoed through the wide marble halls.
Crimson's eyes narrowed as he reached the base of the stairs, his instincts immediately sharpening. The usually calm and orderly bank lobby was now filled with tension. A group of four people, flanked by sixteen heavily armed soldiers, stood in the center of the hall. Four of these soldiers wore the same uniform as Layla, their armor bearing the distinctive crest of the National City Guard, indicating they were of higher rank.
Xiao Li Jing, walking beside him, noticed the commotion as well. She whispered, her voice low and serious, "Looks like trouble. And those guards… they're the same rank as Layla. This might be serious."
Crimson Aegis paused, his armored form towering above most of the onlookers, the crimson heart and cross on his cloak catching the flickering light from the crystal chandeliers above. He exchanged a glance with Xiao, both silently agreeing to approach the scene.
As they stepped closer, the soldiers quickly took notice of them, their eyes widening slightly at the sight of two of the founding High Elders. The commotion began to quiet, a wave of murmurs spreading through the bank as both staff and patrons recognized the powerful figures now watching the unfolding scene.
As Crimson Aegis and Xiao Li Jing stepped into the center of the grand hall, their eyes locked onto the group at the heart of the commotion. For a brief moment, both of them froze, their armored forms casting long shadows against the polished marble floor. Recognition sparked in their eyes, quickly followed by a wave of surprise and unmistakable joy.
Standing amidst the armored soldiers were four familiar faces – the remaining members of the past High Elders of the Heartless Republic.
At the front of the group was a striking woman with the imposing presence of a warrior queen. She had the fierce, chiseled features of a Russian athlete, her crimson hair cascading down her back like a river of fire. Despite the heavy muscle that rippled beneath her pale skin, her face held a striking beauty, her sharp eyes glowing with the same fierce determination Crimson remembered. She stood a head taller than Xiao Li Jing, her powerful frame an intimidating yet comforting sight. This was Irina – both her real name and in-game name, a woman as formidable as the legendary warriors of old.
Beside her stood a man with bright orange hair, his sharp, aristocratic features giving him the air of a polished businessman. He wore a crisp suit beneath his armor, a nod to his past life. His name, Sir Pendagron, had become a running joke among the Heartless Guild members, an unintended consequence of the game's naming system combining his title and surname. Despite this, he was a cunning strategist and a formidable force in both business and battle.
To his right was a tall, proud man with the noble bearing of a prince. His dark, intense eyes and neatly groomed beard, along with his flowing, richly adorned robes, marked him as a man of Middle Eastern descent. This was SalahAdDīn, the wealthiest player in the Heartless Guild, a real-life prince from a powerful Middle Eastern family. He had chosen his name in honor of the legendary Muslim leader, reflecting both his heritage and his fierce sense of honor.
Finally, the last man in the group had sharp, calculating eyes, his posture perfectly straight, his every movement precise and deliberate. He wore sleek, dark armor with the crest of the National Bureau of Intelligence – the same agency he once led in both the game world and his previous life. This was Moonlight Fury, a Korean intelligence officer known for his cold, efficient combat style and unmatched strategic mind.
Crimson's usually stoic face broke into a wide, relieved grin. Xiao Li Jing clapped her hands together in pure excitement, her golden eyes practically glowing.
"I can't believe it," Crimson said, his deep voice carrying across the hall. "The whole gang is here."
Xiao Li Jing beamed, her long, golden hair swaying as she stepped forward. "You guys… you're all really here," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "It's like the old days."
Irina let out a booming laugh, the sound echoing off the high ceilings. "Ha! You're as dramatic as ever, Xiao-Xiao! But damn, it's good to see you both."
Sir Pendagron adjusted his cufflinks and gave a small, knowing smirk. "Seems we're all still alive and kicking. Perhaps this world hasn't changed as much as we thought."
SalahAdDīn placed a hand over his heart, bowing his head slightly in respect. "Brothers and sisters, it has been far too long."
Moonlight Fury merely gave a nod, his eyes sharp as ever, quickly scanning the room for potential threats even as he reunited with his old friends.
For a moment, the world around them faded, the years of absence and the mysteries of this new reality temporarily forgotten as the six founders of the Heartless Republic stood together once more, a living testament to the bonds they had forged in both virtual and real worlds.
Crimson Aegis stepped forward, clasping Irina's forearm in a warrior's greeting. "It's good to see you all again," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "Let's catch up properly, we have much to discuss."
The six of them, surrounded by their loyal guards and the stunned bank staff, slowly made their way toward the grand doors of the bank, their armored footsteps ringing out with the same unshakable confidence they had carried into battle countless times before.
And as they stepped back into the cool night air, the echoes of their laughter lingered behind, a promise that the legends of the Heartless Republic were far from over.