Kael pushed through the crowd, occasionally brushing shoulders with others as he made his way toward the task board. All around him, Luminaires chatted in low tones, their conversations blending into a constant hum. Some exchanged words with strangers, while others huddled in tight-knit groups, pointing and debating over the missions displayed.
'Only rank one and two Luminaires seem to come here.'
It made sense. For most, these missions were a lifeline, a way to earn a living. But it was far from secure. Those who had advanced to rank three or higher rarely bothered with such work. By then, they had likely accumulated enough wealth to establish stable sources of income, selling motes, trading rare ingredients, or even renting out their services. These were only a few examples.
Kael pushed past one last group, and the mission board finally came into view, covered in countless pieces of papers stapled to the board, each one a task or mission waiting to be claimed. He slid his hands into his coat pockets, scanning the board carefully.
'After everything I've done to stay independent, here I am, making deals with nobles.'
The thought wasn't exactly bitter, but it left a strange taste in his mouth. Humbling, maybe. He had spent so much time avoiding the influence of noble families, trying to carve his own path, and yet here he was, tangled up with them anyway.
But it was unavoidable. If Kael had the strength to survive outside the system, he would have walked that path without hesitation. He had the wisdom to see beyond the rules, the understanding of a world without chains, but wisdom without strength was a bird without wings—aware of the skies, understanding the winds, but forever bound to the earth.
A mind that could grasp freedom but hands too weak to claim it. A soul that could envision greatness but a body too fragile to achieve it. And so, like countless others, he moved within the system, not out of choice but out of necessity.
Being noble wasn't just about wealth. It was power earned over generations, a title backed by centuries of control and careful planning. Nobles didn't just sit on mountains of gold. They ruled cities, commanded armies of Luminaires, and maintained a system that had been refined through centuries of trial and error.
No Luminaire in a city like this advanced without the nobles knowing about it. Every new mote, every sign of growth, every rising influence all of it was tracked to the best of their ability. You couldn't gain real strength without them noticing.
That was why some Luminaires turned their backs on the cities and their laws, becoming demonic Luminaires. They were not simply rebels, but wanderers who chose the uncertainty of the wild over the suffocating certainty of civilization. Some left because they saw the system as a gilded cage, its golden bars offering comfort but denying freedom. Others despised the ever-watchful gaze of the noble families, a shadow that loomed over every choice they made. And then there were those who were consumed by a hunger too vast for any system to contain. Ambition that refused to kneel, a thirst for power that the righteous path could never quench.
'I would probably be evaluated as a demonic Luminaire.'
Kael's gaze wandered over the crowded board, his thoughts drifting.
Reputation was a currency among righteous Luminaires, a delicate dance of favors and recognition. But Kael had never cared for it. Strength was real. Knowledge was real. Reputation was an illusion, a fragile promise easily shattered.
In the eyes of the world, he was a demonic Luminaire. Not because he hunted the weak or reveled in chaos, but because he walked alone, seeking power without the approval of the system. He refined without mentors, pursued strength without an audience. In a world that valued reputation, his silence was rebellion in the eyes of the righteous.
The missions on the board varied, each with different rewards. Some were straightforward hunts for refinement ingredients or rare beast parts. Others were escort missions, guarding merchants. There were even mundane tasks, paying only in gold coins instead of mindstones. Clearing pests, assisting with construction, or delivering messages.
Most missions offered modest rewards, around five Mind Stones at most. But a few stood out, boasting rewards close to sixty Mind Stones. These were the dangerous ones, often taken by groups who would split the reward among themselves.
A mission caught Kael's eye, and his eyebrows furrowed slightly.
"18 Mindstones per Wolf Tiger killed. Must kill at least two for the reward to be claimed."
Kael had already killed two Wolf Tigers while gathering ingredients. And now they were valued at 18 Mindstones each? Without hesitation, he reached for the mission notice and tore it from the board, marking it as his. He slipped the note into his inner pocket and turned to leave.
But before he could take a step, someone grabbed his arm.
"Hey, I couldn't help but notice you took the Wolf Tiger mission."
Kael stopped, turning to face the one who had grabbed him. His cold, sharp gaze met the man's eyes.
The man immediately let go, waving his hand in the air with a forced laugh.
"No need to be like that. It's just that our group planned to take on that mission."
He shifted slightly, revealing a group standing just a short distance away.
Kael's gaze turned even colder. There was no direct hostility in the man's actions, but his message was clear. Ripping a mission from the board meant claiming it. By the city's rules, no one could take it from him without consequences. But that didn't mean they couldn't try in the shadows. The man's gesture said it all, if Kael insisted on keeping the mission, he wouldn't walk away unscathed.
'Three rank one Luminaires and one rank two.'
Kael only needed a glance to evaluate their ranks.
The man had dared to act so boldly because Kael was suppressing his aura, appearing as a mere rank one Luminaire. He thought he had clear authority over Kael.
"No."
Kael brushed his sleeve where the man had grabbed him, his voice calm and firm.
The young man's smile faltered for a moment, but then he forced out another hearty laugh.
"Ahaha, I see. You must be new. But brother, don't you think the mission is a little too difficult? Especially since you're only rank one?"
The man seemed genuinely confused by Kael's blunt response.
"I'll try my best."
The man laughed again, this time with a touch of genuine amusement.
"I see… I see…" He shook his head, his expression somewhere between pity and amusement. "But I really mean it, it's too difficult. But don't worry. Since you're not only new, but also my junior, I'll let you join our group. We can hunt together and split the reward equally between us. How does that sound?"
'They really want this mission, huh.'
Kael sighed inwardly, but his gaze stayed sharp, locked onto the man's. This was the final warning. The man's words were coated with a thin layer of friendliness, but the threat beneath them was as clear as daylight.
It might have seemed like a genuine offer, but it was nothing of the sort. Luminaires died constantly on missions. If Kael were to die due to some "unexpected accident" during the hunt, no one would question it. The group could simply claim his share of the reward for themselves.
How disgustingly foul. Their intentions were plain to see, but Kael was in no position to fight back. He lacked the strength to turn four new Luminaires into enemies. More than that, he couldn't even criticize them because if their positions were reversed, he would do the exact same thing without a second thought.
He considered giving up the mission and choosing another, a safer one. Five simpler missions would eventually earn him the same 25 Mindstones. But he hesitated. Time was a blade pressed against his throat.
His clash with Lucian had made him more aware of what he lacked, strength. And with a bounty slowly tightening around his neck, stagnation meant death. If he didn't grow stronger, fast, he wouldn't survive. So he made a choice.
"Alright. I'm Kael."
Kael extended his hand, his expression steady.
"Kael, huh? Nice to meet you, Kael. I'm Adam."
Adam grasped Kael's hand with a firm, confident grip. His handshake was strong, but not overly aggressive.
Adam was a rank two Luminaire, tall with broad shoulders and a deep, resonant voice. His long, jet-black hair flowed freely down his back, contrasting against his sharp, strikingly handsome features. His chiseled jaw and clear, dark eyes gave him a presence that was hard to ignore.
Even in a crowd, Adam would stand out, and his relaxed smile seemed almost too friendly. But beneath that charming exterior, Kael could sense something else, an air of casual authority, a confidence that came from strength.
Adam introduced Kael to the group. Rielle, the sharp-tongued support with a keen eye for details; Elara, the cautious but curious scout; and Sylas, the laid-back fighter who always seemed to wear a faint, confident smile. Together, they led Kael back to their guildhouse.
For a group like theirs, the guildhouse was more than just a place to rest. It was a strategic hub where they planned their hunts, a place where they could speak openly without prying ears, and a foundation that kept them connected, ensuring they always had a place to regroup.
Kael walked at the back of the group, keeping a short distance, making sure there were no unnecessary openings for them to assess him.
'They won't kill me right away. I'm a Luminaire, after all. No matter what they think of me, an extra Luminaire during a hunt is undeniably useful.'
As they moved along the forest path, Adam glanced back over his shoulder. Noticing Kael lagging slightly behind, he slowed his steps until he walked beside him.
"Have you ever hunted a Wolf Tiger before?" Adam asked, his tone casual, but his gaze sharp.
"No, I've only read about them in books," Kael replied, keeping his voice neutral.
Adam nodded, his expression shifting to one of understanding.
"Hmm… I see. That's not surprising. Wolf Tigers are incredibly cautious by nature. You won't just stumble upon one without actively searching."
Kael gave a slight nod, his expression calm, but his thoughts cold and calculating.
He hadn't told the truth, and he had no intention of doing so. The less they knew about him, the better.
"But Kael, we're not just after ordinary Wolf Tigers on this mission."
Kael raised an eyebrow, signaling for Adam to continue.
"We're actually planning to complete two missions at once. First, the Wolf Tiger hunt you picked up. And second, we'll be going after a King Wolf Tiger."
Kael's gaze shifted to Adam, his expression sharp.
Wolf Tigers might occasionally be seen wandering alone, but they were naturally pack animals. Within any given pack, there existed a clear hierarchy, with one at the very top. The King Wolf Tiger.
Within the animal kingdom, the King of a group stood as the strongest, the peak of its kind. Lesser animals gathered around it, offering loyalty in exchange for protection. They brought it food, and in return, the King defended them.
But a King didn't reach such a status by chance. Often, a wild mote would choose it, merging with the creature. The King used the pack, and the mote used the King. Like any living being, motes sought survival, and finding a host was their path to it. They chose only the strongest, ensuring their own survival within a body that could protect them.
"A King Wolf Tiger?" Kael's expression grew serious. "Are you confident your group can even take one down?"
Adam's steps faltered for a moment, but he quickly resumed walking.
"Don't underestimate this group, Kael. We've hunted countless beasts. A King Wolf Tiger might be smarter, but at the end of the day, it's still just that — a beast. It can't compare to humans, who stand above all."
A brief silence stretched between them before Adam continued.
"And besides, we've got one more member this time. You, Kael. That brings us to four rank ones and one rank two. More than enough to take down a mere beast."
Kael scoffed inwardly. He was not lying. But that same battlefield, fierce, chaotic, and unforgiving, was also the perfect place for Kael to disappear forever. A convenient accident. A perfect cover up.