Kevin walked toward Aria's table without a trace of hesitation.
Celize caught his sleeve. "Kevin—"
He gently pulled free. "I'll be right back."
Aria noticed him approach long before he reached her. Her pale eyes lifted from her book, calm and wary, like a blade resting in a sheath. Kevin stopped at the opposite side of her table and casually took the empty chair.
"Hi," he said. "I heard you don't have a party. Care to join us? We're only two."
The surrounding noise of the guild seemed to dim for a breath.
Aria's gaze sharpened. "You should know why I don't have a party," she said coolly.
Kevin smiled faintly. "Yes. You're quite famous."
Her lips curved into something that wasn't quite a smile. "But not in a good way."
He nodded. "That's what makes it interesting."
A flicker of irritation crossed her eyes. "So you know I'm the one whose parties always die… and you still ask me to join yours?"
"We're new," Kevin replied evenly. "Most people wouldn't want us at their party. So I tried recruiting. And I'm intrigued by you."
She glanced past him toward Celize. "Your girlfriend might be jealous hearing you talk like that."
Celize, still standing, raised a brow. "He's crazy. I'm used to it."
That earned the faintest twitch at the edge of Aria's mouth.
She turned back to Kevin, clearly ready to refuse—when a voice rang down from above.
"You shouldn't harass your fellow guildmates."
The tone was calm, but layered with authority and amusement. The guild quieted almost immediately. Heads turned toward the second floor railing.
"I never thought being a Moonchild would go to your head instead of your soul," the same voice continued.
Whispers rippled through the hall.
"That's him…"
"The Beast Tamer of Orion…"
"Gold-rank adventurer…"
"Jason Crayhorn…"
Kevin closed his eyes for half a second.
He didn't need to turn around to know who stood there.
"Long time no see, Jason," Kevin said quietly. "You've grown strong in just one year."
Bootsteps sounded on the wooden stairs as Jason descended. He was taller than Kevin remembered, his build broader, his presence heavier. A massive spear was strapped to his back, and at his side prowled a compact beast—part wolf, part bird—its eyes glowing faintly with intelligence.
"Yeah," Jason replied. "It's been a year since orientation. I never imagined the once serious Kevin Morrell would turn into a womanizer."
Kevin snorted softly. "A lot can happen in a year."
Jason came to a stop several steps away. His gaze dropped to Kevin's Adventurer Plate—and his smile faded.
"Honestly," Jason said, "I wish I could say I'm happy to see another Moonchild in Corano. But all I see is a white soul core."
The whispers grew louder.
"White core?"
"A Moonchild stuck at white…?"
"A war against Soulbornes is brewing near this town," Jason went on calmly. "And the only Moonchild I find here is still white. I'm disappointed, Kevin."
Kevin stayed silent for a moment. The words didn't sting as much as they should have.
"I'm disappointed in myself, too," he finally said. "Wasting a year with nothing to show."
Jason studied him in silence, then sighed. "Then take one piece of advice. Leave this place before the war begins. You'll die here."
Kevin lifted his eyes. "I'm not that easy to kill, Jason."
Jason's lips curved faintly. "Then I genuinely wish you luck."
He turned and ascended the stairs without another glance.
Celize exhaled slowly. "Looks like he came just to greet you."
"Maybe," Kevin said.
Before he could return to Aria, heavy footsteps approached.
A burly man with a thick beard and a longbow strapped across his back stopped in front of them. With him stood four others: a robed man gripping a staff—clearly a mage; a knight with shield and sword; a woman holding a silver censer in both hands, radiating gentle holy light; and a lean man with twin blades at his hips.
The archer crossed his arms. "You, Kevin?"
"Yes."
"I'm Toren. Cross Arrow Party leader." He gestured to his companions as they introduced themselves briefly. "We need additional members for a dungeon raid north of town. The dungeon's massive—we'll need manpower."
Kevin glanced at Aria. "Can she join?"
Toren shook his head immediately. "No. You're fine. And the mage with you is fine. That knight is trouble."
Aria's expression didn't change. "I don't intend to join either."
Kevin turned back to Toren. "Are you sure it's fine? We're bronze rank."
"The dungeon's silver category," Toren replied. "Mostly Fallen beasts at most. We'll manage."
Kevin considered it, then nodded. "Alright."
"We gather at the outer wall gate at dawn," Toren said. "Don't be late."
After they left, Kevin returned to Celize. She studied his face carefully.
"You didn't get her," she said.
"No," he replied. "Not today."
Aria had already returned to silence, alone again at her corner table.
They then went to a merchant's store to check some weapons and armor. But they found nothing interesting. Besides, he still has a Lightning Fang and stormbound armor in his storage.
After exploring the merchant shop, they then went to Norton's Armory. One of Norton's family businesses. Celize hoped to find any clue if her fiancé's family is involved in the ambush. But they tried to ask about Norton's eldest son's fiancée, but the employee knew nothing.
Kevin and Celize returned to Warren's home. Inside, Mara was already asleep at her room. Warren tiptoed out to greet them.
"You're back early," the boy whispered.
Kevin asked the boy, "Have you eaten already?"
Warren nodded, "Yeah, we also left some food for you in the kitchen. Do you want to eat?"
Kevin shook his head, "No need, we already ate."
Warren took out a paper in his pocket, "Here, this are the rumors I heard earlier."
Kevin read the content of the letter and saw nothing about the ambush. All the rumors are about the upcoming war.
"Good job. We'll be leaving at dawn," Kevin said. "We'll need you tomorrow."
Warren nodded eagerly.
Later, in their small room, Celize sat on the edge of the bed in silence. Candlelight flickered softly between them.
"Jason wasn't entirely wrong," she said at last. "A massive wave of soulbornes is approaching, and war is eminent. Being a white soul cored moonchild, you might die in the battle."
Kevin leaned against the wall. "I don't plan to participate in the war. Unless something interesting happened."
She looked at him. "So we run away?"
He met her gaze. "No, I don't think we need to run. Especially without knowing the truth about the ambush."
Celize didn't smile. She lay in her bed and closed her eyes. "Let's sleep then, we need to meet Toren at dawn.
Kevin nodded, took out his blanket from his storage ring. He lay flat on the floor.
"Goodnight," he said.
"Goodnight," Celize responded