Their temporary lodging was quiet.
Not luxurious—just functional.
Four rooms lined a narrow corridor above a merchant-owned inn, each with a small window and a solid wooden door. No decorations. No hidden comfort.
Reeve looked around once and nodded.
"This works."
Lunareth chose the room closest to the stairs.
Elaryn took the farthest.
Kaelith didn't comment—he simply set his sword near the wall and claimed the remaining space.
That night passed without incident.
No dreams.
No whispers.
Only the dull sound of Eldmere breathing beneath them.
Morning arrived early.
The city was already alive as they stepped onto the street, sunlight reflecting off stone and steel. Guild banners swayed in the breeze—familiar names, powerful colors.
As they walked toward the Guild Hall, Reeve glanced at Lunareth.
"Why didn't we need to register again?" he asked.
"You changed guilds too, right?"
Lunareth didn't slow.
"I already registered," she replied calmly.
"Changing guilds only requires presence and confirmation."
Reeve frowned.
"You handled all that alone?"
She nodded.
"Before," she said.
"I did everything alone."
Her voice softened slightly.
"Then I found you."
Reeve looked away.
He didn't ask what came after.
They both already knew.
The Guild Hall was louder than before.
Adventurers crowded the contract boards—laughing, arguing, boasting. Hands slammed against paper. Voices rose and fell like waves.
Kaelith scanned the boards efficiently.
Elaryn crossed her arms.
Reeve read silently.
Then he stopped.
One parchment caught his eye.
The seal was black.
The rank marked clearly.
A-Rank.
"This one," Reeve said.
Kaelith turned.
"…Are you sure?"
Before anyone else could speak, Lunareth reached out and took the contract.
She read it once.
Then smiled.
"Acceptable."
The moment she pulled it free—
Laughter erupted behind them.
"An A-rank?" someone scoffed.
"From a fresh guild?"
"They don't even have an emblem yet."
"Must be suicidal."
Most ignored it.
Kaelith didn't react.
Elaryn didn't care.
Only Reeve turned.
Slowly.
His expression was calm—but something behind it twisted.
"Say that again," he said quietly.
The laughter died.
Eyes met his.
Then someone shrugged.
"Relax. Just facts."
Reeve didn't reply.
He turned back.
But the anger didn't leave.
It followed him outside.
The location was far from Eldmere.
Ruined land. Broken stone. A wide clearing scorched and torn apart.
And in the center—
The monster waited.
A massive giant, skin like fractured rock, eyes glowing faintly beneath layers of bone and stone. Every breath it took vibrated the ground.
Reeve stopped.
His body reacted before his mind did.
Hesitation.
A single step back.
Lunareth noticed.
She was about to speak—
[System Whisper Detected]
The voice slipped into Reeve's mind like a blade wrapped in silk.
Do not retreat.
Reeve's eyes narrowed.
The giant moved.
And the world waited to see—
Whether fear would claim him…
Or something else would answer.