.
Celestine: "Time is passing, and every moment of delay increases the risk. Do you really think you can hide what's happening from me?"
The evening breeze rustled the leaves, casting warm golden light across the stone pathways of the park. The city's distant hum faded in this quiet corner, where a small fountain reflected the soft glow.
Milo sat alone on a wooden bench, back straight, eyes alert. Outwardly calm, a coil of tension lingered inside him. Everything seemed ordinary, yet instinct warned that the meeting he awaited would be far from normal.
Occasional footsteps echoed nearby, but Milo ignored them, focusing entirely on the spot where Toxivar was expected.
Elsewhere, inside the Guild Agency, Celestine stood firmly under dim lamps, shadows sharpening her features. Across from her, the blonde girl tried to hide her tension, but Celestine noticed every subtle movement.
Celestine moved suddenly, closing the distance almost imperceptibly. The blonde girl stepped back instinctively, eyes wide with shock.
Her gaze fell on Celestine's hand her hidden ID card was now in Celestine's possession.
Celestine examined it with a faint, sharp smile.
"Hmm… so this is the alias you've been hiding."
The girl swallowed nervously, caught between fear and composure.
Celestine's eyes sharpened.
"Alright… I have a lot of questions. For instance… what were you doing inside the Director's office, Lola?"
Lola (panting slightly, fear in her voice): "It's not what you think, ma'am… it's just a misunderstanding."
She stepped back a little, her hands trembling as she tried to keep her composure. Her chest heaved, and her eyes darted nervously, aware that every movement was being closely watched by Celestine.
Celestine (with a sharp, commanding voice): "Answer my question first!"
Suddenly, she lunged toward her, attempting to take control of the situation, but
Celestine (startled, then focusing quickly): "Lola!!!"
Lola jumped back, raising her hands to activate her Tier 4 technique, Flash Trap.
A bright white beam shot toward Celestine's eyes, blinding her temporarily.
The room fell silent. A few employees glanced over in shock, unable to believe a regular staff member had dared to attack Guild Leader Celestine.
Celestine leaned against the wall, pressing her hands over her eyes.
"Damn… I rushed," she muttered through gritted teeth.
Meanwhile, Lola dashed toward the lower floor, using the chaos to make her escape.
Celestine's vision gradually returned, and she glared toward Lola's fleeing figure.
"Wait… you're not getting away that easily!" she shouted, determination sharp in her voice.
As Lola fled, she suddenly felt a hand grab her from behind.
Before she could react, Kryne appeared, holding onto the back of her clothes and stopping her in her tracks.
"Hey… what's going on here?" he asked, his voice sharp with authority.
Celestine skidded to a halt beside him, her eyes narrowing as she took in the scene.
"Kryne…!" she exclaimed, both relieved and alert.
The girl froze, shock and disbelief coursing through her. How did I not sense him?
Celestine stepped closer, sharp gaze commanding.
"Watch out, Kryne!" she shouted.
Before he could react, Lolo spun with lightning speed, slashing his hand with a small, hidden blade. Pain shot through Kryne as blood trickled down, and she broke free, bolting down the stairs.
Celestine rushed to him, urgency in her voice.
"Kryne, let me see!"
He looked at his bleeding hand, realizing the cut was deeper than expected.
"Damn it… this is my fault," he muttered, trying to control the pain.
Celestine spoke quickly, determination in her voice:
"Stay here, I'll chase her immediately!"
As Celestine moved toward Lola's escape, Kryne suddenly grabbed her hand.
"Wait! She took it… what she stole!"
Kryne and Celestine stood tense, the air heavy as he tried to make her understand what had just happened.
Kryne raised a key in his hand, a sly grin spreading across his face.
"I've stolen the key to the underground floor… heh, now we know their true intentions."
Celestine's eyes widened in shock.
"Impossible! Is that fool really planning to go down there? Kryne… this is far too dangerous!"
She clenched her fist, her voice urgent.
"We must inform the Chief immediately, before Tavian causes a disaster that endangers all of Novara."
The girl walked out of the agency, smiling, convinced she had stolen the key. Then she muttered in frustration,
"Damn it… they took my phone!"
Her footsteps quickened through Novara's dim alleys, cold night air brushing her face. Breaths came fast, yet a faint smile grew with each step. Clutching the key like a treasure, she whispered, trembling with joy and longing.
"Master Tavian… you'll be proud of me at last. Finally… I can repay even a small part of the kindness you've shown me."
Hope clung to her heart, unaware that each step led her closer to a trap.
Milo sat on the wooden bench by the fountain, calm outwardly but sharp and vigilant inside. The evening breeze toyed with his hair, sunlight fading across the water. He sighed, shoulders sagging.
"Am I even gaining anything from this? Wasting my time…"
His gaze drifted to children playing across the square. One tripped, and his mother rushed to comfort him. Milo's chest tightened, the memory of his own mother long gone stirring a sharp ache. He turned away, trying to hide it.
Suddenly, he spun around.
"You! Toxivar, right?"
Toxivar stood there, relaxed, a sly smile on his lips. His long green hair framed a sharp, captivating face, emerald eyes gleaming with calm confidence and hidden intensity.
"You really scared me!" Milo exclaimed.
"Ran a bit late, didn't I?" Toxivar replied evenly.
Milo shook his head. "Just a little…"
Toxivar exhaled, easing the tension. "Apologies… had to deal with some traitors."
"Traitors?" Milo asked, curious.
"Nothing you need to know. Come, Milo. Let's walk I'll explain along the way."
Milo stood, adjusting his clothes, cautious but intrigued.
"Alright… let's see what a stranger like you wants from me."
A heavy silence fell as they walked through the park. Toxivar's strange smile never left his face, while Milo stayed tense, every step alert and careful.
Toxivar began speaking.
"Novara is a city divided into three social classes: the wealthy, the middle class, and the poor.
Do you think that's fair, Milo?"
Milo remained silent, offering no response.
Toxivar continued speaking, his tone calm but deliberate.
"The Church controls Novara; they govern almost everything, yet they haven't changed this unfair system. In fact, they've even devised an excuse: that our life as the poor is some kind of test."
Milo spoke, his voice tense,
"What are you trying to imply…?"
Toxivar interrupted him, his green hair catching the fading light as his calm gaze fixed on Milo.
"Milo, is the gem of origin even real? If it truly exists, then why hasn't it been found all these long years? Why have they been toying with us like this? Are we even something of value to them?"
Milo pondered Toxivar's words, his brow furrowing as he tried to process them.
Toxivar continued, his tone calm but edged with a strange intensity:
"I know you're from the middle class, Milo. You've only tasted half or perhaps a quarter of the hardships we endure. So you might not fully understand, or perhaps my words will surprise you. But you have walked through our district, seen how we live… haven't you?"
Milo replied, a hint of irritation in his voice:
"Is that all that matters to you? How we live? Who cares about which class you belong to as long as you're alive? What truly matters is living happily. What about the people who live outside Novara, fighting every day just to protect this city?"
Toxivar chuckled softly, placing his hands on Milo's shoulders.
"It seems you haven't understood, Milo. The real enemy isn't out there. The true enemy of me, of you, and of all Novara… is the Church and its greed."
Milo pushed Toxivar's hands away.
"Maybe I really don't care about the Church or their talk about the Origin Gem, but I still don't understand what you're trying to say."
Toxivar sighed, frowning slightly.
"Milo… you don't see what's happening in Novara, or maybe you choose to ignore it. We live in an unfair place. Some commit unforgivable crimes and are forgiven just because they belong to the upper class. The rich can do anything, even harm people like us. Do you think this is fair?"
Milo fell silent, gazing over the park. The sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across stone paths. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, carrying the scent of grass and distant city hums. The soft murmur of children playing felt muffled, as if the world itself held its breath, waiting for his answer.
Milo spoke in a calm voice, though tinged with confusion and concern
"Toxivar… what exactly do you want from me in all of this? You already know I can't do anything about it, right?"
Toxivar raised his hands to the sky in a strange gesture.
"What do I want from you? Milo!
Join us the Gang of Troublemakers.
We are a group of people who know the truth about the Church, and one day we will fight it.
We will reveal to Novara the truth about this cursed Church.
It would be great to have someone like you with us, especially since you are the son of the hero Arth..."
Milo interrupted sharply,
"Don't talk about my father. Leave him out of this..."
Toxivar raised his hands slightly.
"Alright, alright…
So, Milo, what do you think? Will you jo..."
Milo cut him off.
"I'll think about it first, knowing full well that I'm still not interested in your childish problems."
Toxivar smiled, lowering his head slightly.
"Alright then… think it over."
He placed a hand on Milo's shoulder.
"Goodbye for now, and remember I'll be looking for you again, because you will join us eventually."
Milo stood frowning, pondering Toxivar's words as night fell. Lost in thought, he began heading home.
Suddenly, a soft, lively voice called out.
"Miiilo! Hellooo!"
It was Sally Lyn, waving from a distance, carrying a basket of pastries. Milo smiled.
"Oh, hello, Sally!"
She stopped in front of him.
"It's been a while! How have you been?" Milo asked.
"I'm good! What about you?" she replied, her cheerful energy brightening the evening while Milo remained slightly pensive.
Sally asked him a lot of questions, and as usual, Milo had no choice but to answer them.
Sally:"the monster hunter test is next month, right?"
Milo nods: "Y-Yes."
Sally: "Good luck then! Train hard and be ready for that day, alright? Surpass everyone… for me!"
Milo smiled, hair swaying in the evening breeze, eyes meeting hers.
"I'll live up to your expectations."
Sally grinned, handing him a cake from her basket.
"Oh Milo, take this it's a lucky cake! It'll give you the best luck!"
She laughed lightly, and Milo chuckled in return.
"Th-Thank you, Sally."
She waved farewell.
"Goodbye, Milo! I wish you the best of luck…"
After Sally left, Milo watched her disappear down the path as evening light cast long shadows across the park. He lifted the small cake from the basket, its sweet aroma comforting, and took a bite, letting himself relax for a moment.
The streets of Novara were quiet, the city's distant hum in the background. Milo walked slowly, thoughts drifting between the strange encounter with Toxivar and the warmth of his friend's presence.
Finally, he reached home. Pushing open the door, he whispered, "I'm back," leaning against it briefly, the taste of the cake lingering. A small smile tugged at his lips Milo felt a fleeting sense of peace amidst the chaos.