An electric thrill coursed through G6 as they guided their horses from the palace's wooded edge toward the capital. Anticipation. Bloodlust. A potent buzz.
They reached the forest's edge. The grand archway to the capital loomed. Edmund guided his horse into the deep shadow of a massive oak.
"We leave the horses here," he stated, dismounting.
"Horses not permitted?" G6 asked, following suit.
"They are. More efficient on foot. Allows you to… assess the town."
"Alright." She tethered her horse with efficient knots.
"Remove the coats."
G6 shrugged off the long coat with a dramatic flourish, folded it with military precision, stowed it. Edmund mirrored her.
They stood at the threshold. A silent look. This was it.
They stepped beyond the archway. The vibrant, chaotic energy of the capital washed over them.
G6's eyes swept the bustling streets, the lively stalls. Exactly like the historical dramas Pisces used to binge-watch. A flicker of nostalgia, suppressed. Analytical focus.
A vendor called out. "Hey! Adventurers! Fresh provisions for your journey! Just picked!"
G6's eyes dropped to his produce—unfamiliar, odd shapes—then lifted to study the man. A brief, intense moment. She continued walking without a word.
Edmund offered a polite, apologetic nod on her behalf. A silent local understanding.
Hands in pockets, G6 moved through the crowd with an air of belonging. "This town is awfully lively."
"Indeed. Einston is prosperous. With the Benedictio returned, the land is said to become more abundant."
"Their peaceful faces are nauseating." Cold. Flat.
Deeper into the main market, the crowd thickened into a press of bodies. Yet, they navigated like ghosts. Unnaturally smooth.
Thud.
A beggar child sprawled on filthy cobblestones, shoved by a well-dressed man.
"WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING, YOU USELESS BRAT!"
G6's attention snapped. She stopped a short distance away. A spectator assessing a variable. Let's see how 'nice' this kingdom truly is. A cynical smirk.
She watched. The boy, instead of cowering, fixed the man with a look of pure, undiluted hatred before scrambling for the single piece of bread fallen in the dirt.
That look. G6's interest sharpened. A look she knew intimately. The same cold, murderous intent her high-profile targets wore just before elimination.
"HEY! PAY ATTENTION!" The man strode forward, kicked the bread away. "How dare you look at me like that!"
The boy's eyes tracked the rolling bread. Body coiled. Tension belying his size.
"What is he?" G6 asked quietly.
"A high-class commoner. A merchant," Edmund answered low.
G6's expression remained neutral. Almost bored. She was about to turn away.
Another sharp kick to the boy's side. "Look what you've done to my new shoes! You worthless gutter rat!"
The injustice stirred the crowd. A group of decent-looking men moved to intervene.
Then—unbelievable.
In the space of a blink, G6 stood beside the enraged merchant. Hands in pockets. One boot planted firmly on his gleaming, expensive shoe.
She ignored the sputtering man completely. Her shaded gaze locked on the boy. The child looked up, eyes wide, meeting hers behind dark lenses.
"If you are going to damage his new shoes," her voice a flat, emotionless drone cutting the market noise, "it should be like this."
The boy's face contorted in confusion. The merchant yanked his foot away, face purpling with rage. "What do you think you're doing, woman? How dare you!"
G6 still didn't look at him. Focus entirely on the boy. "You're too noisy over a stupid piece of leather."
"You brazen—!" The man raised a hand to strike.
A movement too fast for most to follow. Edmund was there. His foot swept the man's legs out. A sharp, precise strike to the chest sent him crashing onto cobblestones, air knocked out. Edmund's boot came to rest lightly on his chest. A pin.
A satisfied smile touched G6's lips as she watched him struggle. Pain. Humiliation.
"If you're going to be the villain," she said, looking down, "do it right."
She walked to the piece of bread the man had kicked away. Looked at the boy. At the 'party' about to help. Then brought her boot down. Grinding the bread into filthy stones until it was unrecognizable, inedible paste.
A collective gasp. The boy's eyes widened in utter despair. The would-be rescuers stared in horrified disbelief.
"What in the world are you doing?!" one cried.
G6 ignored him. Walked back to the child. Stopped before him.
"Give me your hand." A command.
Trembling, despair clouding his features, the boy hesitantly lifted his grimy hand.
G6 placed a single gold coin into his palm, closed his small fingers around it. Then knelt, brought her face close to his, whispered words for him alone:
"Erase that murderous intent from your eyes. That path is destined for someone else."
She stood abruptly. "Let's go." To Edmund. Turned. Left without a backward glance. Edmund fell into step. A stunned, silent crowd in their wake.
The child watched her leave, the gold coin hot in his palm. He knew only harshness and hunger, but she was different—a force of cold, calculated violence. Terrifying. Yet in her cruelty, she had seen his darkness, acknowledged it, then given him a fortune. Monster or savior? The contradiction tore a hole in his bleak world. He clutched the coin. A seed of hope, painful and bright, began to grow in the ashes of his rage.
❈.❈.❈
Edmund broke the silence as they walked.
"Lady Reise… a question."
"What?" She didn't look at him, busy sightseeing.
"If you intended to help that boy, why crush his spirit first?"
"What do you mean?" Playing dumb.
"You made certain he was watching before you stepped on the bread. Likely his first meal in days."
"I simply enjoy watching the light of hope fade from people's eyes." Cold. A chill down his spine.
"Is that all?"
G6 stopped. Watched children play happily around the plaza fountain. "Boys like him have never known true kindness. Shattering his old hope makes the new one mean more."
"Your logic is cruel… yet not without merit. I cannot say if it is good or evil."
"That is how I operate." Simple. They resumed.
A short while later, an affluent area. Boutiques. Cafés. Fine restaurants.
"Exclusive. For those with means," G6 observed.
"The merchant's quarter. That is the Merchant Guild." He pointed to a classy, not overly ornate structure. "And that, at the road's end—the larger, three-story building—is the Adventurers' Guild."
G6 continued until they stood before the doors.
Edmund entered first. G6 followed.
Inside: a bustling guild hall. Spacious ground floor. Reception desk at its center. Tables and benches throughout—tavern and restaurant.
Eyes turned toward them—especially toward G6. Her fashion sense stood out from the typical female adventurer.
Edmund walked straight to the desk. G6 lingered behind.
"It's been a while, Eddie!" A young man behind the counter.
Eddie? That's his alias? Lame. Hands in pockets.
"How are you, Liam? It has been a while!"
"Busy? Out of town?" Liam's eyes drifted to G6. "You've brought company."
"Ah, yes. My niece, visiting from the provinces. She's decided to join me!" Smooth.
"I see. About my age—experienced?"
"Of course! You know I come from a family of adventurers."
"So, your name?" Liam turned to G6. "You look very… striking?"
G6 didn't react. Tilted her head slightly as if studying him. "Just give me the form. I'm not here to chat." Cold. Shut down.
Edmund laughed lightly. "Forgive my niece—not used to strangers."
Liam scratched his head awkwardly, slid the form across.
G6 approached. Scanned.
"Address?"
Edmund took the form momentarily, wrote an address, handed it back.
Northwest, Scutum Town. Scutum… Latin for 'shield.' Fitting.
Her eyes moved to first and last name.
Hmm… real name from old life? Or…
She wrote: 'G', '6'. Last name: *Arcadia. My great-great—whatever grandmother's surname from Gemcardia Org. Ironic. G6, the Reaper. Arcadia, peaceful paradise. Almost poetic.*
A faint smirk. Edmund and Liam watched, confused.
"Here." She slid it back.
He took it. Read aloud. "G…6 Arcadia?"
"It's G6. No pause, dumbass." Sharp.
"It's… unique."
"Yeah, you wouldn't like the meaning. Hurry up."
Liam offered an awkward smile, brought out the appraisal sphere.
At the sight, both subtly stepped back.
A quick glance. We didn't plan for this.
"Is something wrong?" Liam confused.
"N-nothing… we just…" Edmund stammered.
G6 stared at the sphere. Mind racing for a bypass.
"By any chance…" Liam began, seeming to understand, "has your registry lapsed more than six months in any kingdom?"
Another shared look. Thoroughly confused. Scutum Town was remote, rarely verified.
"A traveling adventurer?" Liam continued. "Not officially registered in a single kingdom. Usually temporary or guest passes. Can't maintain consistent activity reports. Is that it?"
"So you won't see my full status?" G6 pointed.
"Most likely just affinity rank. Please place your hands."
As G6 stepped forward—always one for risks—Edmund gently held her wrist.
"La—G6." Caution.
She pulled her hand away. "This, or sink." Firm.
She placed her palms on the sphere. It glowed. Text flickered:
!! STATUS IS PRIVATE !!
AFFINITY: N/A
RANK: S-RANK
A quiet sigh of relief from both.
"Ah… both affinity and status private." Liam smiled now. "A distinguished traveler."
He put the sphere away.
"What do you mean?"
"Happens. Certain individuals affiliated with the crown have statuses kept private by royal decree."
G6 removed her sunglasses. Fixed him with a dangerously intense look.
"Who do you think I am?" Low. Cold.
"I assume you're like Eddie—a ranger hired directly by nobility for sensitive expeditions." Congenial. "That explains why the sphere didn't alarm. Recognized as from the palace, not an intruder."
"Liam is trustworthy. He can keep our… side engagements discreet," Edmund said, leaning into the assumption.
"Finish this." G6 replaced her sunglasses.
Liam pricked G6's finger. A drop of blood onto a plain silver card. He disappeared into a back room.
"This is getting messy," G6 remarked, leaning against the desk.
"Don't worry. Liam—like most—believes private statuses belong only to those in direct service to nobility."
"Common?"
"Quite a few. But usually only real names are hidden—not affinities or skills. Liam likely didn't think much of it. Nobles touching the sphere often glow intensely. Yours was… different."
"This mana restraint is useful, then."
"Indeed."
Liam returned. Held the silver card carefully.
"Your identification card. Registered you as A-Rank, like your uncle. Your affinity rank shows you're not a common ranger." A smile. "Welcome to the Einston Kingdom Adventurers' Guild!" A slight bow.
G6 took the card. Examined it:
G6 Arcadia.
"Thanks." Curt. She then walked away.
"Thank you, Liam!" Edmund.
"You're welcome, Ed! See you both around."
They walked to the task board. Scanning.
"The bell has rung thrice." Only two hours remained.
"Right. Too short on time."
"For now, select a task that piques your interest. We may undertake it tomorrow."
"This is infuriating." G6. "I'm out, yet I feel chained." Voice low.
Edmund glanced at her. Do you truly despise the palace life so much?
"Do not worry. We must adhere to the plan—avoid suspicion."
"What about this one?" G6 pointed to a C-Rank task: exterminate goblins.
"A C-rank mission, Lady Reise."
"Call me by my alias, Eddie." Sharp.
"Very well… G6. Certain you wish to take such a low-rank task?"
G6 smiled—a sharp, unsettling expression. "I wonder how it feels to kill a goblin."
Edmund's eye twitched.
"Then we shall take this." He reached for the notice.
"That was supposed to be ours." A woman's voice cut in.
G6 and Edmund turned. "Is your name written on it?" G6's asked, unimpressed.
"You're new here. Don't give me that attitude, newbie. You and your… bizarre fashion sense don't fit in."
"So your bra and skirt showing underclothes are more appropriate?" Retort without hesitation. "Here to hunt monsters or sell your body?"
The woman's face flushed with humiliation. "HOW DARE YOU!"
G6 offered a mocking smile. A dismissive glance toward her companions—young, barely minors. Two boys, two girls.
"Please, do not make a scene," Edmund interjected.
"That's enough, Riza," one boy called.
"But that was our task! We agreed after lunch! And she mocked me! I am her senior!"
G6 laughed—short, derisive. "Senior? Give me a break."
"You keep running your mouth!" Riza on the verge of lunging.
"What is going on?" Another group approached from the entrance. The same party from earlier. So they're adventurers too.
"Oh. It's you," the man said.
"Sebastian!" Riza clung to his arm. "This newbie disrespects me!"
Sebastian gently detached, looked at G6. "It was you earlier. So you are an adventurer."
G6 didn't answer. Turned to Edmund. "Give that piece of crap to the loud one."
"What did you just say?!" Riza fumed.
"Are you certain?" Edmund.
"What matters is I already know where the goblins are." A cold smile toward Riza. "What good is the poster if the content is already gone?" She walked away.
Edmund sighed inwardly. Brutal pragmatism.
"Did you hear what she said?!"
"Here." Edmund handed the notice to one of Riza's crew.
"Hey! Ed—where did you pick up that cunning bi—"
"Refrain from vulgarity." Edmund's tone firm. "Your error for not securing the task promptly." He turned, followed his mistress.
G6 was already seated at a table, staring out the window. Tracing architecture, layout—scanning data. Analyzing. Calculating. Categorizing.
"Trouble may be drawn to you, my la—G6." He corrected, sitting.
"They're just amateurs." Dismissed.
"Shall we select another task?"
"No tasks within the capital. All outside the walls."
"Indeed. The capital is safe ground—protected by the palace."
"Then afternoon stakeouts are useless. Change the plan."
"What do you propose?"
Sebastian's group approached.
"Excuse us…" Sebastian began. "Please forgive Riza. She is still young, not fully aware."
G6 stared back. Assessing each member: one woman, two men.
"Forget it." G6.
"Then, here." Sebastian offered the poster.
G6 didn't reach. "I do not take back what I have already discarded. Now, excuse us. We are discussing something important."
"You are as cold and distant as you appear." A hint of amusement. "Very well. We shall see you around."
G6 paid no further attention. The group nodded politely, and withdrew.
Sebastian's group sat a few paces away. Sebastian himself positioned where he can observe G6. A paradox. A quiet, simmering aura screaming DANGER, yet undeniably ATTRACTIVE. Magnetic charisma.
"Back to it." G6 pulled Edmund's focus. "Change the schedule. Six days at Collegium. First three, I'm actually there. Remaining three for 'Utility Magic Department'."
"A sound plan in theory. But will Her Majesty accept? Particularly given certain nobles… quite attached to your presence." A delicate hint. Prince. Two Pillars. Brenda.
"I don't care. That, or I'll run away." She said flatly. No argument.
Edmund sighed inwardly. "Knight recruitment begins in two days. An abrupt change may draw suspicion. Perhaps for now, continue the facade of afternoons at Utility's?"
"You're right."
"A task just outside the capital. Two hours away. Let's take a low-ranked mission first—to ease your… restlessness." Edmund.
"So glad I have a strategic butler." A note of satisfaction. A faint smile.
"We take the horses tomorrow. Following the carriage path."
"Then for now, we see."
On the other side, Sebastian's team watched their captain. His gaze lingered too long on the woman in black.
"Quite taken with that… intense lady, Captain." Xena sipped beer.
"Hmm. Didn't he just yell at her earlier? 'WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!'" Dante smirked.
"Stop teasing. He's smitten. Into the… problematic type," said Nick, youngest.
"Shut up." Sebastian's eyes never left G6. "She's just… different." A slow drink. "Something about her aura. The kind that breaks you, then comforts you—not from pity, but amusement." A thoughtful frown. "She is… attractively dangerous."
Knowing glances. In unison, they whispered, "Looks like we're right…"
She laid her plans, carving a path toward her goals, unaware of the new threads of fate she'd pulled into her orbit—including a seasoned Captain captivated by her dangerous grace. A shield, or a weapon? A blessing, or a curse? Only the treacherous road ahead would tell.
In a quiet corner of the tavern, two worlds now spun. One, a woman from beyond the stars, plotting with cold fire. The other, a man of battle, caught in her pull. The game had expanded. New players were drawn onto the board, willing or not. The stakes rose. The line between ally and casualty grew thin.
—To Be Continued…—