《In His Shadow》


 Errand

    Morning was always the same. Wake up, stretch, try to ignore how stiff my back was from sleeping on a straw mattress that had long since lost its fluff. The chill of dawn clung to my skin as I sat up, rubbing my eyes. The tiny room I called home was barely big enough to stand in without feeling like the walls were pressing in. A rickety wooden chair, a small table with a chipped plate on it, and a battered trunk in the corner were the only things that made up my ''living space.'' Cozy, right?


    I ran a hand through my messy, tangled hair, sighing at the state of it. Not that it mattered. The villagers didn¡¯t expect much from me, anyway. I threw on my usual outfit¡ªworn-out tunic, patched trousers, and boots that had seen better days¡ªbefore heading outside.


    The moment I stepped into the village square, the trouble started. A group of kids¡ªsame ones as always¡ªwere waiting. They weren¡¯t much younger than me, but their clothes were cleaner, their faces free of the dirt that always seemed to cling to mine no matter how much I washed.


    "Hey, rat girl!" one of them called out. A boy, with a smirk too wide for his face.


    I sighed. "Not today."


    "What¡¯s the matter? Gonna run off and eat garbage again?" another one sneered, nudging his friend.


    "Like you even have anything better to eat," I shot back, though I immediately regretted it. Talking back only made them more interested.


    Before they could say anything else, a sharp voice cut through the air. "Oi! Stop picking on her and get back to work!" It was the butcher''s wife, arms crossed, scowling at the kids. They groaned and scattered, leaving me alone. I shot her a grateful look before hurrying off.


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    I had an errand to run. Old Man Harrod had asked me to fetch something from the herbalist¡¯s hut on the edge of the village. It wasn¡¯t much of a task, but it got me out of town for a bit, which was always a relief.


    The forest path was peaceful, lined with thick trees and bushes, the kind of place where you could almost pretend the village didn¡¯t exist. Birds chirped, and a slight breeze rustled the leaves, making everything feel... calm. If I could, I¡¯d stay out here all day.


    But as I neared the herbalist¡¯s hut, something felt... off. A strange smell, like burning wood, tickled my nose. Then, distant shouting. My stomach twisted.


    I turned back towards the village, and my breath caught in my throat. Smoke. Thick, black plumes rising into the sky.


    Panic kicked in. I ran, feet pounding against the dirt path, heart hammering in my chest. By the time I reached the edge of the village, I could hear it¡ªscreams, clashing metal, the unmistakable sounds of battle.


    The village was under attack.


    Ogres and humans, fighting side by side. That wasn¡¯t supposed to happen. Ogres hated humans. They barely tolerated each other, let alone worked together. But there they were, tearing through the village like a storm. Homes burned, people ran, and the air was thick with smoke and terror.


    Then I saw him¡ªone of the villagers, trapped beneath the broken beams of his home. I knew him. He¡¯d never been kind to me. If anything, he was one of the many who spat at my feet and called me a nuisance.


    But I couldn¡¯t just let him die.


    I grabbed a stick¡ªbarely more than a fallen branch¡ªand ran at the ogre looming over him. I don¡¯t know what I was thinking. That I could actually do something? That bravery was enough?


    The ogre turned, and in one swift motion, sent me flying. I slammed into the side of a house, pain exploding through my ribs. My vision blurred, but I forced myself to move. The villager was scrambling away, leaving me behind.


    Coward.


    The ogre loomed over me now, its massive club raised. I barely had time to roll to the side before it came crashing down, the ground shaking from the impact. My whole body ached, but I scrambled to my feet, gasping.


    The last thing I saw was the ogre¡¯s fist swinging toward me before everything went black.

 Saviour

    I woke to the sound of two voices nearby, their words muffled but urgent. My head felt heavy, and everything around me spun as I tried to piece together where I was. The air was warm, the flickering glow of a campfire dancing against the cool night. I could hear the crackle of the fire and, faintly, the conversation between two strangers.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t we just leave her at the town? There was a healer there, or at least an inn¡­¡± The man¡¯s voice was calm, though there was a trace of hesitation.


    ¡°Master, we can¡¯t just leave her! She¡¯s¡­ she¡¯s been through so much already. We have to help her,¡± the girl¡¯s voice was softer, but there was a firmness there, as if she wasn¡¯t going to back down.


    The man sighed, a long, almost tired sound. ¡°I know, but I didn¡¯t know what else to do.¡±


    ¡°You should¡¯ve been gentler with her,¡± the girl said, her tone quiet but insistent.


    I shifted slightly, trying to gather enough strength to sit up. The dull ache in my body was there, but something felt¡­ off. I blinked, trying to focus. My chest tightened, but there was no burning pain¡ªno sharp memory of the attack on my village. It felt distant, like a dream I couldn¡¯t quite grasp. I should have been in agony, right? After what happened¡­ But I wasn¡¯t.


    The lack of pain was the first thing that truly caught my attention.


    I slowly opened my eyes. The soft glow of the campfire illuminated a small clearing in the forest, the dark sky streaked with orange from the setting sun. How had I ended up here?


    As I focused on the voices, I saw them both. The girl first¡ªshe looked young, maybe my age. Her long, golden hair framed her face, and her bright blue eyes held a softness that made me feel strangely safe. She wore a simple white blouse and a pale skirt that fluttered in the breeze, the fabric moving in a way that reminded me of a gentle breeze. Despite everything, she radiated a comforting warmth.


    But it was the man who caught my attention. He was older¡ªat least, he looked older. His dark skin stood out even more in the faint light of the fire, and the all-black robes he wore¡ªalong with the matching cape¡ªblended with the shadows. He wore dark sunglasses that hid his eyes, but even without seeing his expression, I could tell he was imposing. A few golden accessories caught the firelight: rings, a necklace, and a bracelet on his right wrist. His presence was heavy, like he commanded respect just by being there, though not in a threatening way. It was like he was a force of nature.


    When I moved to sit up, both of them turned their attention to me. The man didn¡¯t look directly at me, but I could feel his focus, like he was watching me without ever having to turn his head. The girl smiled warmly at me.


    ¡°You¡¯re awake!¡± she said, her voice gentle. ¡°We were worried. I¡¯m Sora, and this is my companion, Arden. He¡­ he saved you.¡±


    I turned my gaze to Arden. There was something about him that made him seem older than he probably was. His short, curly dark hair and stubble made him look more mature, like he could be in his early twenties. But I knew he was probably around my age. Maybe a little older? His dark sunglasses hid his eyes, and I couldn''t quite tell what he was thinking, but there was something about him that made me feel¡­ small, even though he wasn¡¯t intimidating.


    I swallowed hard, trying to steady myself. The loss hit me again, and I felt my chest tighten. ¡°Thank you,¡± I whispered, not really knowing what else to say.


    Arden didn¡¯t respond, but he shifted his posture slightly as if acknowledging my thanks. Then, he turned away, his focus on something distant.


    Sora smiled at me again, though her gaze was softer. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± she said. ¡°We¡¯ll take care of you. Just¡­ try to rest for now.¡±


    But my mind was a storm of questions. ¡°What happened to my village?¡± I asked, my voice trembling despite my efforts to keep it steady.


    Sora¡¯s face grew somber, and she hesitated for a long moment before answering. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ it didn¡¯t survive. Everyone¡­¡± Her voice trailed off, and I could hear the sadness in her words. It was too much for her to say.


    I closed my eyes, trying to breathe through the tightness in my throat. How had everything changed so suddenly? One moment, I was with my family, and now¡­ I was here, with strangers.


    Arden¡¯s calm voice broke the silence. ¡°Drink this,¡± he said, tossing something small into my hands. I looked down and saw a vial. The liquid inside shimmered faintly in the firelight. ¡°It¡¯ll help with your strength.¡±


    I stared at the vial, unsure. But something about his voice made me trust him¡ªjust enough to uncork it and drink. The liquid was warm, sliding down my throat. Almost immediately, I felt lighter, though it didn¡¯t fix everything. It didn¡¯t take away the ache in my chest, but at least I felt like I could breathe again.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I whispered, the words coming a little easier this time.


    Arden gave a small, dismissive wave of his hand. ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± he said. ¡°We were looking for a high-level dungeon nearby when we found your village. We didn¡¯t get there in time to help, but... we¡¯re here now.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t process the idea of a dungeon right now. The words felt so distant, but his tone made it clear that he wasn¡¯t lying. It wasn¡¯t like he was enjoying my pain. He was just... here.


    Before I could respond, something shifted in the air. A sound rustled in the distance. Arden instantly went on alert, his posture changing as he scanned the surrounding darkness.


    ¡°We¡¯re surrounded,¡± he said, his voice steady and calm.


    My heart jumped in my chest, and I turned to look around, but the night swallowed the sounds and the shadows. I couldn¡¯t see anything.


    Fear wrapped around my chest like a vice as I scanned the trees, my breath quickening. The night felt alive, full of hidden threats. Every rustle, every snap of a twig, made me jump. I hated it¡ªI hated being out here, surrounded by things I couldn¡¯t see.


    Arden, though, didn¡¯t seem worried. He stood relaxed, his dark clothes blending into the shadows around him, as if he were one with the night itself. His arms stretched out in front of him, and with a flick of his fingers, several glowing magic circles appeared in the air. Their symbols spun in eerie harmony, and the air around us felt thick, charged with power. He murmured a few words¡ªbarely more than a whisper¡ªand the atmosphere seemed to vibrate with the force of his magic.


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    From the darkness, figures emerged¡ªbandits, I realized, though these weren¡¯t the usual ones. They moved with deadly precision, too coordinated to be just ordinary criminals. Their blades gleamed in the moonlight, and crossbows were trained on us.


    Arden didn¡¯t flinch. He simply exhaled and whispered, ¡°Get ready.¡±


    Then, everything went still.


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    Fear clenched my chest as I scanned my surroundings, my breath uneven. The dense trees loomed over us like silent watchers, their twisted branches shifting in the flickering moonlight. The night was alive with sounds¡ªdistant howls, rustling leaves, the occasional snap of a twig beneath unseen footsteps. Every noise made me flinch. I hated this¡ªI hated being out in the open, surrounded by threats I couldn¡¯t see.


    Arden, however, stood completely at ease, as if none of it mattered. His all-black attire blended into the shadows, making him seem like a part of the night itself. His arms stretched out in front of him, and with a flick of his fingers, several magic circles materialized in the air. Their glowing symbols spun in eerie synchronization, pulsing with an unseen power. He murmured a few words¡ªbarely more than a whisper¡ªand the air around us shifted, charged with magic so dense I could almost taste it.


    The bandits emerged from the darkness¡ªshapes slipping between the trees, creeping through the underbrush, moving with a trained precision that sent ice down my spine. These weren¡¯t common highwaymen. They were too well-equipped, too coordinated. Blades glinted in the moonlight. Crossbows were raised, their bolts trained on us. They knew who they were up against. And still, they attacked.


    Arden didn¡¯t hesitate. A translucent barrier formed around me and Sora, shimmering faintly as it settled into place. Then, crimson light erupted from his spell circles¡ªdozens of burning projectiles twisting unnaturally through the air like sentient flames. They streaked toward the bandits, hitting their marks with pinpoint accuracy. The moment they made contact, the magic detonated¡ªnot with fire, but with sheer force. The explosions sent bodies flying, knocking some into trees, others into the dirt, where they lay motionless.


    More emerged from the darkness, their footsteps louder now as they rushed to close in from all directions. They were faster, more desperate, but Arden was prepared. The bandits didn¡¯t even reach the barrier. From his outstretched hands, a wave of shadowy tendrils shot forward, weaving through the night like serpents. The tendrils struck with brutal force, wrapping around their targets, lifting them into the air, and hurling them into trees or against the forest floor. Those who survived the impact struggled to get back on their feet, but it was futile. Arden¡¯s magic was relentless.


    Suddenly, I heard a sickening, wet sound, followed by a series of screams. I turned to see Sora. Her hand had morphed into something inhuman, something gelatinous, shifting unnaturally in the dim light. A long, translucent appendage¡ªblue and slimy¡ªshot out like a spear, impaling several bandits mid-charge. Her grotesque appendage twisted, pulling the impaled bodies closer as if to inspect her catch before violently flinging them aside. My stomach twisted at the brutal, raw violence.


    I wanted to ask. I wanted to understand. But I had no time. Another impact struck our barrier, a force that made me flinch as it rattled the shield. The magic around us hummed with increasing intensity, but Arden¡¯s concentration never wavered. He was calm, detached, as if these were just obstacles in his path¡ªnothing more, nothing less. His sword flicked through the air like a blur of black steel, cutting through anything that dared approach.


    Then, a deep, resonating sound rang through the forest. A low, metallic hum that sent a shiver down my spine. The birds, startled by the sound, erupted from the trees, their wings beating frantically against the night sky.


    A knight emerged.


    Clad in thick, heavy armor, his presence seemed to suck the warmth out of the air, making the forest feel colder, heavier. He carried himself with an almost regal authority. The surviving bandits halted, their movements frozen in place, as if suddenly aware that they were no longer the most dangerous thing in the woods. No one spoke. No one moved.


    The knight¡¯s helmet tilted slightly, his gaze locking onto Arden. Even through the layers of steel, I could feel it¡ªthe sharp focus, the unshakable confidence that radiated from him.


    ¡°I¡¯ve waited for this,¡± the knight said, his voice thick with anticipation. ¡°To face you¡ªthe man they speak of in hushed whispers. The one who walks through battlefields unscathed.¡±


    Arden didn¡¯t react. He stood there, quiet, unreadable, adjusting his sunglasses with a flick of his fingers. But there was something else in the air now. A tension, thick and palpable. Was he¡­ cautious? I could sense it. His usual indifference had faltered, if only for a moment.


    The knight continued, his voice eager, almost feverish. He spoke of his journey, his reasons for joining the dark organization that had sent him here. He had trained for years, bled for the chance to prove himself in this moment. His words spilled into the night like a rant, his excitement palpable, but Arden remained silent, almost disinterested, as though none of it mattered.


    Finally, the knight raised his sword, its massive blade gleaming in the pale moonlight. ¡°Enough talk. Fight me!¡±


    With a mighty step, the knight lunged forward, his massive blade cutting through the air in a powerful arc, aimed straight at Arden¡¯s chest.


    Arden moved only his hands. One pushed his sunglasses up his nose, while the other summoned a sword¡ªdark and ominous, its surface gleaming with an unnatural sheen. With a casual flick, he parried the knight¡¯s strike, sending the sword¡¯s momentum off course. The force of the impact reverberated through the air, but Arden barely flinched.


    The knight pressed on. His strikes came fast and furious, each swing a brutal, calculated assault. The ground trembled beneath the weight of his blows, and yet Arden didn¡¯t so much as break a sweat. He dodged, shifted, and countered with effortless precision. Each movement seemed almost languid, as if the fight were a game to him, a game he¡¯d already won before it had even started.


    The knight¡¯s frustration grew with every failed strike, but his attacks never slowed. He put everything into each swing¡ªhis blade moving with such speed that it seemed to tear through the air itself. But Arden was always one step ahead, his sword an extension of his will, a perfect counter to the knight¡¯s fury.


    Then, for a brief moment, Arden stopped. He let an opening appear. A small one, but an opening nonetheless. The knight saw it. With a roar of triumph, he swung downward, his blade aimed to cleave Arden in two with all his strength.


    But Arden¡¯s response was swift, almost casual. His sword moved in a smooth arc, effortlessly meeting the knight¡¯s weapon with a precision that defied belief. There was no struggle, no contest. The knight¡¯s massive sword flew from his grip, spinning high into the air. The knight, in that split second of vulnerability, realized his mistake.


    A heartbeat later, Arden¡¯s sword cut through the air like a whisper, and the knight¡¯s body was cleaved in two. The sound of steel meeting flesh, of life being snuffed out in an instant, was the only sound left in the forest. His massive frame crumpled to the ground in absolute silence, his once imposing figure reduced to nothing more than a lifeless heap of armor and blood.


    The forest stilled, the night holding its breath.


    Arden muttered something under his breath, his voice barely more than a whisper. The remaining bandits, witnessing their leader¡¯s effortless demise, turned and fled without hesitation. They vanished into the darkness of the trees, their confidence shattered in an instant.


    I barely noticed them go. My heart hammered in my chest, my mind a whirl of emotions. My eyes remained fixed on Arden, his sword still gleaming in the moonlight. The way he had dispatched that knight with such ease¡ªit left me breathless. Amazed. Overwhelmed.


    Who was this man? And why did it feel like I had just witnessed the fall of something ancient, something greater than any of us could ever understand?

 Registration

    The journey to the town was quiet. I followed Arden and Sora through the dense woods, their footsteps making soft crunching sounds on the forest floor. The air was cool, and there was an almost eerie stillness to the surroundings, as though the trees themselves were holding their breath. Why had Arden suddenly decided to bring me along? I had no real reason to be with them. He didn¡¯t even explain anything¡ªjust said I should join his party. Maybe he was just being nice after everything that happened, or maybe it was something more practical. Maybe he just needed an extra member. Either way, I wasn¡¯t going to complain. I didn¡¯t have anywhere else to go, and after the chaos of my village being destroyed, being with them felt like the safest place to be.


    Sora, walking beside me, kept her head down, her face partially hidden by the veil of her long blonde hair. I wasn¡¯t sure if she was as lost in thought as I was or if she was just naturally quiet, but she didn¡¯t say much. She did, however, glance at me every so often, as if making sure I was still there. It was comforting in a way.


    We walked in silence for what felt like hours. The path was uneven, winding through the trees, with only the occasional bird call to break the monotony. It wasn¡¯t until the sun started dipping behind the trees, casting long shadows on the forest floor, that I decided to speak up.


    "Your magic... how are you so strong?" I asked, trying to keep my tone casual. I didn¡¯t want to sound like I was prying too much, but I was genuinely curious. Arden was unlike anyone I had ever met, and his powers... well, they were impressive to say the least.


    Arden glanced over at me, his expression as calm as ever. "Luck, mostly," he said with a shrug.


    I raised an eyebrow. "Luck? That¡¯s it? That doesn¡¯t explain how you¡ª"


    I was about to press further when I caught myself. Why was I asking so many questions? It wasn¡¯t like I knew anything about magic, really. But before I could drop it, I blurted out, almost without thinking, "You could¡¯ve just teleported us there instead of walking."


    It was a bit sarcastic, and I wasn¡¯t sure why I said it that way. I knew teleportation was rare and not something most people could do. But surprisingly, Arden actually stopped walking for a moment, his brow furrowing as though he was seriously considering it.


    "I would," he said, "but I haven¡¯t been to this town before. No teleportation point set up."


    I blinked. "What does that even mean?"


    Arden gave me a look like I should¡¯ve known. "Teleportation points. Locations where magic has been anchored, where you can warp directly to. You can¡¯t just teleport anywhere without one. It¡¯s not like in the stories."


    I felt a little silly not knowing that, but I didn¡¯t let it show. "Ah, got it. So, no instant travel for us then."


    "Nope," Arden said with a smirk, resuming his pace.


    I chuckled a little, shaking my head. At least I could say I was learning something new every day.


    The day stretched on, the sun slowly sinking lower in the sky. Eventually, Sora pointed ahead. "Look, we¡¯re almost there."


    I followed her gaze, and my breath caught in my throat when I saw it. The town. It was massive¡ªbigger than I ever imagined. Towering walls, buildings that stretched high into the sky. People from my village had told stories about the place, but nothing could¡¯ve prepared me for the sight. It was nothing like the small, quiet village I¡¯d grown up in, or even the small market towns I¡¯d heard about in passing. This town felt alive, filled with energy and bustling activity. It was a far cry from the wreckage of my village.


    My mind wandered back to those memories¡ªof the fire, the destruction, the feeling of helplessness. I shook my head, pushing the thoughts aside. I couldn¡¯t afford to dwell on it. Not now. Not when I was finally seeing something else, something different.


    We approached the town gates, where a group of guards stood watch. They eyed us carefully but didn¡¯t say anything as we passed through. I tried not to look too nervous, but I could feel their gazes lingering on us. Maybe it was because of Arden. People around here seemed to recognize him, even though I wasn¡¯t sure why. It felt like something was different about him, but I couldn¡¯t put my finger on it.


    The market was the first thing we saw when we stepped into the town. It was a maze of stalls and vendors selling all kinds of goods, from fresh produce to trinkets, from weapons to magical charms. The air was thick with the smell of grilled meats, freshly baked bread, and the occasional whiff of something exotic. It was overwhelming in the best way possible.


    I couldn¡¯t help but stare at everything around me. People haggled, children ran through the crowds, and there was a sense of urgency in the air as if everyone was rushing to get something done before nightfall. It reminded me a little of my village¡¯s market days, but on a much larger, grander scale. My stomach growled, and I realized I hadn¡¯t eaten properly in a while. My pack was light, and I had barely anything left, so I was counting on buying something when I could.


    We walked through the market, and I tried to take in as much as I could. It was hard to focus on anything when everything felt so new, so different. But then something caught my eye. A food stall with sizzling meat skewers. The smell was mouthwatering, and I found myself glancing over at Arden. He caught my eye and raised an eyebrow.


    "Are you feeling hungry?" he asked, his voice flat as usual.


    I nodded eagerly. "Starving."


    Without another word, he walked over and bought two skewers, handing one to me. I took it gratefully, the warmth of the meat feeling like a small comfort. The tender, smoky flavor of the meat made me realize how much I had missed food like this. It was simple, but it tasted amazing.


    Sora, who had been walking quietly beside us, smiled as she took a bite of her own skewer. "It¡¯s good, isn¡¯t it?" she said, her soft voice somehow carrying over the noise of the market.


    I smiled back. "Yeah, it really is."


    As we continued through the market, I noticed more and more people staring at Arden. At first, I thought maybe they were just curious, but there was something different about the way they looked at him. It wasn¡¯t just the usual passing interest; it was admiration. Respect. Maybe even awe. I couldn¡¯t tell, but it made me wonder just who Arden really was. He didn¡¯t seem like a big shot. He didn¡¯t act like a king or nobleman. But there was something about him that made people take notice. I tried not to think too much about it¡ªmaybe I was just overanalyzing everything.


    Eventually, we made our way to the Adventurers'' Guild. The building was impressive, towering above the surrounding buildings, with banners hanging from its walls and adventurers milling about outside. The atmosphere inside was just as lively. There were adventurers everywhere¡ªsome talking about their latest quests, some laughing, others drinking or arguing. The clatter of cups and the murmur of voices filled the air.


    A receptionist with short auburn hair stood behind the desk, greeting us with a smile that looked practiced but friendly. She eyed me for a moment before her gaze shifted to Arden.


    "New adventurer?" she asked, her tone polite but not overly curious.


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    I nodded, trying to sound confident. "Yeah. I¡¯m joining the guild."


    She raised an eyebrow, looking me over. "I see. Well, we¡¯ll get you set up."


    I wasn¡¯t sure what to expect from the registration process, but it turned out to be pretty straightforward. She handed me a clipboard with a series of questions: name, age, magic abilities, previous experience, and so on. It wasn¡¯t much, but I still felt a bit out of place. I hadn¡¯t really done anything adventuring-related before, and I didn¡¯t exactly have a ton of experience to fill out the form.


    When it came time to test my magic, the receptionist led me to a large crystal orb sitting on a pedestal. "Place your hand on the orb," she instructed. I did as she said, my hand trembling slightly as I pressed my palm against the cool surface of the crystal.


    For a moment, nothing happened. I held my breath, wondering if I had done something wrong. But then the orb began to glow¡ªsoftly at first, then brighter. A golden light began to pulse from within, filling the room with a warm, radiant glow. I jumped back in surprise, nearly stumbling over my own feet.


    "Light magic," the receptionist said, her voice a mix of surprise and approval. "That¡¯s rare."


    I blinked, trying to process what was happening. Light magic? I hadn¡¯t even realized I had magic until a few days ago. But it had been there, something I could feel deep inside, like a dormant spark that had just now been awakened.


    The receptionist looked impressed. "You have a strong connection with it. Not many adventurers can claim that. You should train it¡ªit has a lot of potential."


    I was stunned. Light magic. Me, of all people. I hadn¡¯t really thought about it before, but now it seemed like maybe I had something special. Something worth fighting for. I could feel the excitement building in me, and for the first time since everything happened, I felt like I had a future. A chance to make something of myself.


    Sora, who had been quietly watching the exchange, smiled at me. "See? You¡¯re not so bad after all."


    I gave her a small smile in return, feeling a bit more at ease. Maybe this was just the beginning.


    The receptionist handed me a small bronze plate with a glowing emblem. "This is your adventurer rank," she explained. "You¡¯re a bronze rank. It¡¯s where most adventurers start."


    I glanced down at the plate. Bronze. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was a start. I could feel the weight of it in my hand, a tangible reminder of what I had just accomplished. It wasn¡¯t the top rank, but it was a beginning. And beginnings were all I had right now.


    Sora and Arden both had higher ranks, though. Arden had a platinum plate, and Sora had a gold one. I tried not to let it bother me, but it was hard. Bronze was the lowest rank. The starting point. But maybe that was okay. I could work my way up.


    After completing the registration, the receptionist directed us to a bulletin board filled with quest listings. "Feel free to browse when you¡¯re ready," she said. "There are inns nearby where you can rest up before your first job."


    I nodded, my mind already racing with thoughts of the quests. There were so many of them, all with different levels of difficulty. Some were simple, like gathering herbs or hunting small creatures, while others seemed much more dangerous. I wasn¡¯t sure what kind of quest I¡¯d be ready for, but the thought of actually doing something filled me with a sense of purpose.


    Before we left, the receptionist gave us directions. "Just head down the street, and you''ll find the closest inn on the left.¡±


    I nodded, my mind already turning toward the rest we¡¯d need before we got started. When we reached the inn, the innkeeper greeted us and took care of our payment without hesitation. Afterward, he handed me the key to my room.


    ¡°Take a bath first if you want,¡± Arden suggested, his expression unchanged. ¡°You¡¯ve had a long day.¡±


    I nodded, grateful for the opportunity. The thought of soaking in a warm bath after such a long and grueling day sounded like heaven. My shoulders sagged in relief at the mere idea of getting clean and finally unwinding.


    Sora, who had been practically glued to Arden¡¯s side since we entered, looked up at him with her usual soft, kind smile. "Master, can I share the bath with you later?" Her voice was almost a whisper, and her face was tinted with a faint, almost shy blush. It was clear that her affection for him was not something that needed to be pointed out, but still, it made the air between us a little thick, a bit heavier.


    Arden glanced down at her, his expression as neutral as always. "Sure. We¡¯ll share later."


    Sora smiled brighter than I¡¯d seen her smile all day, her eyes sparkling with a mix of relief and happiness that was hard to ignore. Her gaze lingered on him for a moment longer than necessary, before turning to me with an apologetic expression. I caught the tiniest hint of embarrassment on her face too, though I couldn¡¯t quite understand why. Still, it made the atmosphere feel a little lighter, and I appreciated her kind gesture.


    The bath was an unexpected luxury. It had been so long since I¡¯d had access to something this simple, yet indulgent. I hadn¡¯t realized just how tense my body had been until I sank into the warm water. The heat instantly worked to ease the knots in my muscles, and the soft, fragrant steam filled the air, calming my thoughts. For the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to simply be still. The quiet, the warmth¡ªit was everything I hadn¡¯t known I needed.


    Just as I was starting to relax fully, the door to the bathing room creaked open.


    "Sora, didn¡¯t you say you wanted to take a bath toget¡ª"


    Before I could even process what was happening, instinct took over. I immediately curled up in the water, clutching at the edges of the tub, trying desperately to cover myself. My heart skipped a beat, and I felt a rush of heat flood my face. My entire body went tense with embarrassment. Arden froze at the doorway, his glasses reflecting the faint light, catching the surprise in his expression before he composed himself. For a brief moment, our eyes met, and I could have sworn I saw a flicker of... something in his gaze. Maybe regret? Or maybe just sheer awkwardness. It was impossible to tell.


    "Excuse me," he muttered, his voice soft and slightly surprised, stepping back out as quickly as he¡¯d entered.


    I sat there in stunned silence, trying to calm my racing heart. I could hear the door gently click shut behind him, and the sound of my own breathing was the only thing that filled the room. Mortification weighed heavily on me, and I felt my face burning with a flush that wouldn''t go away.


    What just happened? Why did that have to happen?


    I buried my face in my hands, groaning softly into my palms. This was beyond awkward. I hadn¡¯t exactly prepared for being so exposed in front of people I barely knew. And the worst part? It wasn¡¯t even my fault!


    I stayed curled up for a few moments longer, hoping the awkwardness would dissipate, but it didn¡¯t. Slowly, I regained my composure, finishing my bath in silence. The warm water helped soothe my frazzled nerves, but the silence in the room felt almost suffocating. Every few seconds, my thoughts would drift back to that moment¡ªmy heart lurching at the sheer embarrassment.


    Later that evening, we sat in the inn¡¯s dining hall, the atmosphere tense in a way I couldn¡¯t shake off. Arden had apologized again, his tone as calm and collected as ever. His expression remained unchanged, his face giving away none of the awkwardness I felt. His calmness only made the situation feel even more strained. I tried to focus on my food, on the warmth of the room, but the tension from earlier still hung in the air like a thick fog.


    Sora, ever the kind and gentle soul, came to my rescue. She began telling me stories of their past adventures¡ªtales of dangerous encounters and miraculous escapes. Her voice was soft, like a lullaby, and it was impossible not to listen intently. She had this way of making everything sound captivating, almost magical. I found myself laughing at her jokes and listening with more attention than I ever expected to give.


    But even as I tried to immerse myself in her stories, my mind kept drifting back to that dreaded bath incident. It was as if my brain was determined to torture me, playing it over and over again. Even now, I couldn¡¯t escape the feeling of embarrassment that had latched itself to me.


    As the evening wore on, the awkwardness between me and Arden slowly began to fade, but not entirely. His presence, though still silent, no longer felt as uncomfortable. There was something strangely comforting about his quiet nature. Sora, with her warm smile and gentle demeanor, seemed to know exactly how to fill the gaps in conversation, and with her leading us into lighter topics, the tension between Arden and me seemed to loosen, if just a little.


    By the time we finished our meal, the silence that had once been suffocating was now a manageable companion. There was still that strange, quiet tension, but I no longer felt as though I would choke on it.


    When we made our way back to our rooms, the exhaustion of the day hit me like a tidal wave. My body was sore from all the traveling, and my mind was still reeling from everything that had happened. The overwhelming sense of embarrassment refused to leave me, but I had to let it go, at least for tonight.


    I collapsed onto the bed, pulling the blankets tightly around me. The softness of the sheets was a welcome relief, and I sank into them like I had been starved of comfort for years. It didn¡¯t take long for my eyelids to feel heavy, and before I knew it, I was drifting into the kind of sleep that could only come after a day like today.


    But even as I lay there, my thoughts wandered. The town, the guild, the strange but fascinating people I¡¯d met... and, of course, Arden¡¯s strength. How he¡¯d easily defeated that beast earlier in the day was still fresh in my mind. His power, his calmness in battle, it was hard not to be impressed. But there was still something that kept creeping back into my mind¡ªthe bath incident. The sheer awkwardness of it. How could I possibly face him tomorrow? How could I even look him in the eye after that?


    I buried my face in my pillow, groaning softly.


    Tomorrow was going to be awkward, wasn¡¯t it?

 A Summon

    A sharp poke.


    Then another.


    Then another.


    I groaned, shifting under the covers, but the persistent jabbing didn¡¯t stop. My sluggish attempt to swat at the culprit was easily dodged, and yet another poke pressed into my arm, this time a little harder.


    ¡°Come on,¡± a voice said¡ªflat, impatient.


    I recognized that monotone immediately.


    "Arden, could you at least be more¡­ I don¡¯t know, gentle?" a softer voice chimed in from nearby. Sora.


    There was a brief silence. Then¡ªanother poke.


    With a sigh, I cracked my heavy eyelids open, still caught in that sluggish haze between sleep and wakefulness. Arden crouched beside the bed, his gloved hand still poised midair, ready for another jab if necessary. His expression was unreadable behind those dark glasses, but the slight tilt of his head told me he was waiting.


    Still half-asleep, I grumbled and turned my head, only to squint as warm morning light filtered through the wooden blinds. The small, slightly run-down inn room came into focus¡ªsimple wooden walls, a rickety chair, a tiny desk shoved into the corner. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was enough for travelers like us.


    I shifted under the covers, suddenly feeling a strange stiffness in my movements¡ªhesitation in the way I sat up, in the way I avoided looking at Arden for too long. The air felt heavier than it should¡¯ve, though neither he nor Sora seemed to notice.


    Then I noticed something strange. Arden wasn¡¯t just trying to wake me up for no reason¡ªhis head was angled toward the window. Wordlessly, he jerked his thumb toward it.


    Blinking away the last bits of drowsiness, I followed his gesture and turned to look. My gaze landed on the townscape outside¡ªstone buildings, dusty roads, merchants setting up their stalls¡ªbut beyond that, something massive loomed in the distance, rolling forward at an eerie, steady pace.


    A¡­ vehicle? A structure?


    I had no idea what I was looking at.


    It moved like a caravan, but there were no beasts pulling it. It was too large, too solid¡ªnothing like a wagon, yet it rolled across the land with unnatural smoothness. The ground beneath it didn¡¯t even look real. I squinted, trying to make sense of what I was seeing. The land itself was shifting, reshaping¡ªno, forming¡ªjust ahead of the massive construct.


    ¡°What¡­ is that?¡± I mumbled, still groggy but now very awake.


    Arden shifted, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. ¡°A Magi-Train.¡±


    ¡°The Dalthun Empire¡¯s greatest invention,¡± Sora added softly from the other side of the room.


    I swallowed, my fingers gripping the blanket a little tighter. Even I had heard of Dalthun¡ªthe empire in the desert region, famous for its technological supremacy. They had built things no one else had dreamed of, forging machines that blurred the line between magic and engineering. But something like this¡­


    I sat up properly, rubbing my face to shake off the last bits of sleep. ¡°You¡¯re telling me¡­ they made a moving fortress? That builds its own roads as it goes?¡±


    Arden gave a single nod. ¡°They rarely use it unless it¡¯s for war.¡±


    That statement sent a chill down my spine. My drowsiness disappeared completely.


    I turned back to the window, watching as the massive construct rolled closer, its armored plating glinting under the morning sun. The realization slowly sank in.


    If they rarely used it outside of war¡­


    Then what the hell was it doing here?


    <hr>


    The closer the massive construct got, the more unnatural it felt. Now that I could see it fully, a deep unease settled in my gut. The sheer size of it was overwhelming¡ªrows of armored compartments linked together like the segmented body of some great beast. Thick metal plating caught the morning sun, gleaming in a way that made it seem even more alien against the dusty landscape.


    But what unsettled me most weren¡¯t its size or its strange, gliding movement.


    It was the weapons.


    Dozens of rune-marked barrels lined its sides, each pulsing with a faint, eerie glow. Some resembled elongated rifles, others were thicker, more like fortress-mounted cannons, but all had that same unnatural shimmer¡ªthe telltale sign of condensed magical energy. This wasn¡¯t conventional weaponry.


    It was something worse.


    I swallowed hard. ¡°Are those¡­?¡±


    ¡°Magi-Guns,¡± Arden answered flatly, not even sparing them a glance. ¡°Dalthun¡¯s latest refinement. Compressed magical energy stored in liquid form, loaded into cartridges like potion vials. More accurate than standard firearms. Stronger than any bow. Designed for war.¡±


    A cold weight settled in my stomach.


    Dalthun was known for its technological supremacy¡ªits mastery over magic and steel. But even I had only heard rumors about their so-called war machines. They were said to be rare, deployed only in times of absolute necessity.


    So why was one here?


    I tore my eyes away and glanced toward the town gates. A crowd had already gathered¡ªvillagers, merchants, travelers. They stood in uneasy silence, their murmurs carrying through the air, hushed and heavy. No one looked curious. No one looked excited.


    They were afraid.


    Even the town guards, usually a boisterous bunch, were stiff, gripping their weapons tightly. Their gazes darted between each other, waiting. Maybe for orders. Maybe for courage.


    But no one moved.


    Then¡ª


    HISSSS.


    A sharp, mechanical release of pressure split the air. The construct came to a halt just outside the walls, a metallic hiss trailing off into the heavy silence that followed.


    For a few agonizing seconds, nothing happened.


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    Then¡ª


    The doors slid open.


    A rush of cool, sterile air escaped, carrying with it the scent of polished metal and something faintly electric, like burnt ozone. The stillness deepened.


    Two figures stepped out first¡ªguards. Both wielding Magi-Guns. Their movements were smooth, calculated, almost unnatural. Even the way they scanned the area sent a shiver up my spine. Their heads turned in sharp, precise angles, their eyes devoid of any warmth. These weren¡¯t ordinary soldiers.


    They were elites.


    Then, a third figure emerged.


    A man.


    Tall, broad-shouldered, moving with effortless confidence. His white shirt, left loosely open at the chest, looked almost out of place¡ªtoo relaxed, too casual. A golden necklace rested against his collarbone, catching the morning light. But the most striking thing about him was his hair¡ªa deep, fiery red, wild yet somehow immaculate, like he had just rolled out of bed looking effortlessly regal.


    He stepped forward like a man who owned the world.


    And, considering who he was, he might as well have.


    With a loud, exaggerated yawn, he stretched his arms above his head, completely unfazed by the heavy atmosphere pressing down on the town. His posture was loose, almost lazy, as if he had just woken from the best nap of his life.


    Then, despite everything¡ªthe tension, the fear¡ªhe grinned.


    ¡°Ahhh,¡± he exhaled, rolling his shoulders. ¡°The air here is nice. Much better than the damned desert heat.¡±


    No one spoke.


    No one moved.


    Then his gaze flicked toward us.


    And his grin widened.


    ¡°Arden!¡± he called out, throwing his arms wide as if greeting an old friend. ¡°It¡¯s been too long!¡±


    Arden didn¡¯t react. Not a flinch, not a shift. His expression remained unreadable behind those dark glasses.


    The man didn¡¯t seem to mind. Moving with the kind of self-assurance only the powerful could afford, he strode forward, his guards following in perfect sync¡ªMagi-Guns still at their sides, but never truly at rest.


    Stopping just a few feet away, he placed a hand on his hip, his gaze sweeping over us with lazy amusement.


    ¡°And you must be the lovely ladies keeping him company,¡± he mused, his eyes flicking toward me and Sora. ¡°Honestly, Arden, with your looks, you could use a few more.¡±


    I blinked.


    Sora shifted awkwardly beside me.


    Arden, as expected, remained silent.


    The man chuckled. ¡°Not even a reaction? You¡¯re as dull as ever.¡±


    I frowned. ¡°And you are¡­?¡±


    With mock offense, he placed a hand over his chest. ¡°Oh? You don¡¯t know me?¡± Then, as if delivering a punchline, he grinned. ¡°Radames Antoun, Emperor of the Dalthun Empire. But please, just call me Radames. Titles are such a pain.¡±


    I stared at him, the weight of his words settling like a stone in my chest.


    The Emperor of Dalthun.


    The leader of the most technologically advanced empire in the world. The man behind their war machines, their weapons, their conquests.


    And he was standing here, acting like this was nothing more than a casual reunion.


    Radames didn¡¯t seem to mind the silence. ¡°Anyway,¡± he continued, clapping his hands together, ¡°we should talk somewhere more private.¡±


    I glanced at Arden, searching for a reaction.


    Nothing.


    Radames turned on his heel, already walking back toward the machine. ¡°Come along now, I promise it¡¯s safe. Unless you think I brought this thing just to shoot up the place?¡± He glanced back, smirking. ¡°Not my style.¡±


    I didn¡¯t trust him. Not even a little. But something told me we didn¡¯t have much of a choice.


    With a sigh, I followed. Sora walked beside me, hesitant but obedient.


    Arden, as always, moved in silence.


    And as we stepped toward the massive machine, a quiet unease settled deep in my chest.


    This meeting¡­


    It was about to change everything.


    <hr>


    As we stepped inside the strange vehicle, my breath caught in my throat.


    This wasn¡¯t just any transport.


    The interior felt wrong. It wasn¡¯t made for comfort; it was made for war.


    The walls were lined with dark steel, a dull, cold sheen that made the air feel tense. It wasn¡¯t the polished look of something meant for public use, but something much more¡­ utilitarian. Weapons were mounted on racks, some within easy reach, others encased behind thick glass. I caught glimpses of rifles, blades, and things I couldn¡¯t even begin to identify¡ªmechanical devices that looked like they belonged to another age. The faint smell of oil and metal filled the air, a stark contrast to the dry desert heat outside.


    Even the seats weren¡¯t what I expected. They were stiff, their frames unyielding, like they were built to hold someone in place during a rough ride. It felt like something military, not like the kind of carriages you¡¯d take for a peaceful journey. There weren¡¯t even proper windows, just small reinforced viewports near the ceiling. This wasn¡¯t a vehicle meant for sightseeing or comfort. If this thing was attacked, it wouldn¡¯t just be a train¡ªit¡¯d be a moving fortress.


    And yet, Radames sat in it like it was his personal lounge.


    He casually dropped onto one of the benches, throwing one arm over the backrest as if he were lounging in some luxurious palace. His golden necklace gleamed under the dim lights, the ruby at the center catching the glow like a tiny ember. His confidence was unsettling¡ªhe always looked like someone who had already won, no matter the odds.


    ¡°Well, sit down, sit down,¡± he said with a lazy wave of his hand, as though inviting us to join him in some comfortable living room.


    I hesitated for a moment, then perched on the edge of a seat, back straight, hands folded in my lap. Sora shifted beside me, fidgeting nervously. Arden, as always, settled into his seat without a word, his presence still and heavy, like he was absorbing every detail in the room while the rest of us struggled to adjust.


    Radames leaned forward after a moment, elbows resting on his knees. His grin didn¡¯t fade, but something behind it¡ªsomething sharper¡ªlurched to the surface.


    ¡°I need your help,¡± he said, the words heavy in the air.


    I waited for him to continue, but for the first time since we¡¯d stepped onto this bizarre contraption, I noticed a subtle hesitation in his voice.


    ¡°It¡¯s the rebels,¡± he said, voice growing more serious. ¡°Normally, I¡¯d handle it myself, but these ones are different. They¡¯re not just rebels¡ªthey might be Cultists.¡±


    The word sent a chill through me.


    Sora stiffened beside me, but Arden stayed still.


    Radames¡¯ smile remained, but there was an unmistakable edge to it now.


    ¡°They might be trying to bring back the Demon Lord.¡±


    The words hung in the air like smoke, filling the space between us.


    I glanced at Arden, expecting him to dismiss it, to shake his head and say something¡ªanything¡ªthat would make sense of the madness.


    But he didn¡¯t.


    Radames¡¯ smirk widened. ¡°I figured you¡¯d be interested, Arden. After all, you¡¯re the one who took care of the last one, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    My breath caught in my throat.


    What?


    I looked back and forth between them, waiting for an explanation.


    Radames chuckled, clearly enjoying my confusion. ¡°Oh? He never told you?¡± His eyes flicked to me with amusement. ¡°Poor Arden¡¯s too modest for all the attention. He never took credit for what he did.¡±


    I turned to Arden, but he didn¡¯t react. He just sat there, as calm and unreadable as always.


    My mind scrambled to make sense of what I was hearing. Arden¡ªthis Arden¡ªhad defeated the Demon Lord? It didn¡¯t make sense. If it were true, wouldn¡¯t he be famous? Wouldn¡¯t there be songs, statues, stories? But instead, he was just Arden¡ªthe quiet, unassuming adventurer with a strange set of skills.


    And yet¡­ he didn¡¯t deny it.


    Radames sighed dramatically. ¡°See? He won¡¯t even correct me. What a pain.¡± He leaned forward, clasping his hands together. ¡°But that¡¯s exactly why I came to you. If these rebels¡ªthese Cultists¡ªare really trying to bring back another Demon Lord¡­ well¡­¡± His grin spread. ¡°I figured you¡¯d want to take care of it before history repeats itself.¡±


    I swallowed hard.


    Radames turned to a table beside him and unfurled a map. It wasn¡¯t like any map I¡¯d ever seen¡ªsmooth, metallic, with thin glowing lines running through it like some kind of magic-infused ink. He tapped a marked spot in the mountains to the west.


    ¡°Here,¡± he said. ¡°The Western Ruins. Deep in the valleys, isolated, perfect for hiding. My spies say they¡¯ve been gathering something there¡ªold magic, dangerous stuff. If they¡¯re planning anything, that¡¯s where it starts.¡±


    I frowned, a thought nagging at the back of my mind. ¡°You already know where they are?¡±


    Sora raised an eyebrow. ¡°Then why not send your army?¡±


    Radames met her gaze, his lips curling in a knowing smile. ¡°Ah, see, that¡¯s the problem.¡± He leaned back, tapping his fingers on the table. ¡°If I send the full army, they¡¯ll scatter before we even get close. If I send a small force, they risk being overwhelmed. But you two?¡± He tilted his head toward Arden and Sora. ¡°You¡¯re the perfect fit. Strong enough to handle it, small enough to slip in unnoticed.¡±


    I should¡¯ve felt relief. At least he wasn¡¯t asking anything of me.


    But instead, I felt smaller than I had in a long time.


    Arden studied the map for a long moment, then nodded. ¡°We leave at dawn.¡±


    I blinked, the words barely registering. ¡°Wait, just like that?¡±


    Arden stood up, already moving toward the exit. ¡°Yes.¡±


    Radames let out a low whistle, clearly amused. ¡°Cold as ever.¡± He stretched his arms behind his head like he was lounging in a comfortable chair. ¡°Alright then. Have fun. And if you find anything¡­¡± His grin grew sharp. ¡°Make sure it doesn¡¯t live long enough to cause problems.¡±


    I swallowed, the weight of his words settling over me.


    We were really doing this.


    Cultists. A Demon Lord. And now the truth about Arden¡ª


    Everything was happening too fast.


    And something told me it was only going to get worse.