Kevin studied Celize's shocked expression and smiled.
From within his cloak, he produced a second mask, identical to the one Sallie wore when she still walked beside them as a shadow.
"Put this on," he said quietly. "We're going inside."
Celize hesitated for just a second, then nodded. She slipped the mask over her face, the cool surface hiding her delicate features beneath an unfamiliar anonymity.
Together, they crossed the threshold of the Adventurers' Guild.
The interior of the guild hall was far larger than Kevin had imagined. High stone pillars supported a vaulted ceiling etched with glowing runes that pulsed faintly with mana essence. Long wooden tables filled most of the hall, crowded with adventurers arguing, boasting, studying their next mission, or brooding in silence.
At the far end of the hall stood a row of receptionist counters, each attended by neatly dressed clerks with calm, practiced smiles. Two wide staircases rose midway along the walls and curved upward toward the second floor, where private rooms and higher-rank facilities awaited.
Kevin and Celize moved toward the counter.
The receptionist assigned to them was a young woman with short brown hair tied neatly behind her head. She smiled warmly as they approached. "How may I help you today?"
Kevin inclined his head. "We want to register as adventurers."
Her eyes brightened with professional enthusiasm. "Of course. You'll need to fill out these forms first. After that, we'll conduct your magic amplitude and strength assessments."
She slid two sheets of parchment across the counter along with slender ink pens.
Kevin picked up the form—and paused.
The letters were unfamiliar. The language was not English. Yet, to his own astonishment, the meaning of every word flowed naturally into his mind as if he had been reading it his entire life. Name. Origin. Known abilities. Affiliation. Status.
So this world really has been rewriting me, he thought grimly.
As they began filling the forms, Kevin leaned closer to Celize and murmured, "Lie on the form. Just your background. Don't expose anything yet."
Celize hesitated, then nodded and altered several details, presenting herself as an unremarkable wanderer with no notable lineage.
When they returned the forms, the receptionist scanned them efficiently. Her brow did not furrow, nor did suspicion flicker in her eyes. "Everything seems in order. We can begin your assessment right now."
Celize shifted slightly. "Um… excuse me for a moment. I need to use the restroom."
"Down that corridor to the left," the receptionist replied, pointing toward a narrow hallway. "You may wait here, sir."
Kevin nodded. "I'll wait."
As Celize walked away, Kevin's fingers brushed the edge of his shadow.
Now.
Sallie, he commanded silently.
The shadow at Celize's feet rippled. Without drawing any attention, Sallie detached herself and slipped into Celize's shadow, following her into the corridor like a second layer of darkness.
Inside the restroom, the door slid shut behind Celize.
She barely had time to exhale before Sallie materialized in front of her.
Celize stiffened—and nearly screamed.
Sallie raised a finger to her lips. Celize clutched her chest, heart racing, then quickly pulled off the hood she had been wearing and handed it over.
In a blink of shadow, Sallie vanished again.
Outside, Sallie emerged from the corridor wearing Celize's hood, posture composed and steps measured. She returned to Kevin's side just as the receptionist rolled out a small metal cart laden with enchanted devices.
"Let's begin," the woman said.
She placed a silver square plate on the counter. Intricate symbols glimmered faintly at each corner. "Place your hand on the plate."
Kevin did as instructed.
The moment his palm touched the surface, white light erupted beneath his skin. The runes flared brilliantly, then stabilized into a steady glow.
"Please remove your hand."
The light faded.
"Next."
Sallie placed her hand on the plate.
This time, the glow was a muted yellow—calmer, structured, but unmistakably dense.
The receptionist's professional smile tightened just a little.
She retrieved a black, uneven stone from the cart and set it on a pedestal. Fine symbols were carved into its surface. "Strike this with full strength, please."
Kevin stepped forward.
He thought he might have shattered it if he used his full strength.
Instead, he restrained himself, drawing back only part of his strength and delivering a controlled blow.
Unbeknownst to him, the stone can withstand even a red soul-cored adventurer. His full strength might not even cause any damage to the stone.
The stone flashed briefly. Symbols ignited across its surface, rearranging themselves into a readable pattern. The receptionist nodded and gestured for him to step back.
"Next."
Sallie approached the stone.
Her punch was clean, precise—and far heavier than Kevin's restrained strike. The stone vibrated violently, symbols blazing in sharper, more aggressive patterns.
The receptionist inhaled slowly, composed but visibly impressed.
"Please wait a moment while I prepare your Adventurer's Plates," she said.
Kevin inclined his head.
Sallie turned at once, returning calmly toward the restroom. Inside, she swapped hoods back with Celize, then dissolved once more into Celize's shadow.
Celize emerged a minute later with composed steps, returning to Kevin's side as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.
They found two empty seats at a corner table and sat.
The guild buzzed around them.
At the adjacent table, a burly adventurer with a scar across his cheek glanced over at them. "New faces?"
Kevin nodded. "Just registered."
"Thought so. Haven't seen you around before." The man chewed a piece of yungwa. "Word of advice. you might want to be careful who you get entangled with her."
Celize tilted her masked face. "What do you mean?"
The man subtly pointed with his finger.
In the far corner of the hall sat a lone woman. A spear rested against her chair. Her armor was worn but meticulously maintained. Long red hair fell over one shoulder, and her posture was rigid, disciplined. No one sat near her. A wide berth of empty space surrounded her table.
"She's a curse," the adventurer muttered. "Every party she joins gets wiped out. Only she walks away alive."
Celize's brows knitted. "That sounds like an exaggeration."
"Wish it were. Last three parties. Three wipes. Not a single survivor except her. People say she brings death."
Kevin studied the woman quietly.
A Knight, he thought. And alive after multiple party wipes…
"Interesting," he said at last.
The adventurer frowned. "Interesting isn't what I'd call it. It's suicide."
Kevin's lips curved faintly. "The more you criticize her, the more I want her in my party."
The man choked on his drink. "You're insane. I like you, kid, but I already warned you. What you do from here is on you."
"Thanks for the warning," Kevin said sincerely.
Some time later, the receptionist's voice echoed through the hall. "Kevin and Lize?"
They approached the counter.
The woman handed each of them a bronze plate engraved with the insignia of the Guild. Their names shimmered faintly upon the metal.
"Congratulations. You are now Bronze-Rank Adventurers."
Celize dipped her head politely. "Thank you."
Kevin weighed the plate in his hand, then asked, "About that woman sitting alone—the knight. What's her story?"
The receptionist's expression shifted subtly. "Her name is Aria Wyne. She used to be in parties… all of them were annihilated during missions. Only she survived each time. No one is sure why. Now she works solo. No one accepts her anymore."
"Being the only survivor repeatedly is… abnormal," Celize murmured.
"Indeed," the receptionist replied quietly.
Kevin turned back toward the hall.
Aria Wyne sat as she always had—alone, silent, waiting amidst the noise of ambition and fear.
Kevin smiled and thought, Maybe I can get her to my party. A harem party, maybe.
He smiled foolishly thinking about it.