Watch Your Step

"It's good to see you have a keen memory. We didn't get much time to chat when I last saw you," Guildmaster Byron said, his voice calm but edged with something more. 

 Haruto, on the other hand, was fuming. Why had a guildmaster openly attacked him? Was it some sort of twisted revenge for Gram's inquiry? No, it didn't feel like that. The strikes weren't hostile, more like... a test. But why attack him at all? And what the hell was Byron doing here? 

 Dusting himself off, Haruto noted how quickly he was recovering. His enhanced bone density worked wonders for soaking up the damage, but there was a clear difference between the attacks from Jack and Byron. While Jack's hits had been raw, almost primal in power, Byron's strikes were precise, like each one had a very specific purpose. 

 "You have a funny way of saying hello, Guildmaster," Haruto said, trying to keep his frustration under control. "Do you go around attacking everyone, or is it just me because of your precious guildmate?" 

 Byron didn't answer immediately, instead staring at Haruto, as if weighing what to say next. "You're right," he finally replied, "but I had to see for myself what kind of person you are. For what's coming, you'll need more than brute force. You'll need wit, the ability to analyze, and to act without letting your emotions cloud your judgment. It's not that emotions are unimportant—but knowing when to use them is the key. Do you understand?" 

 Haruto felt his frustration simmer down, only to be replaced by confusion. What was he talking about? Still, as he thought back to his initiation and the duel against Motar, something clicked. In that moment, while many panicked, he and his team had acted decisively. "I think I get what you mean," Haruto admitted, "but what exactly is coming?" 

 Byron nodded, seemingly satisfied with Haruto's response. "You're only half right about Gram. He's insignificant. What matters is what he represents—nobility. The nobles are starting to turn against the established order, and the recent inquiry into Gram, a member of a noble family, lit a fuse. That spark will turn into a wildfire, one that will be difficult to control. More and more guild members are aligning with them, and that brings us to the real issue: the Dark Guild." 

 "Dark Guild?" Haruto frowned, already feeling a headache brewing. As if he didn't have enough problems. 

 "They've been operating under the radar for years, but they're making their move now," Byron continued, his voice dropping to a more serious tone. "They'll come for you and your friends. Not because of who you are, but because of what that inquiry set into motion. You need to be ready." 

 Haruto sighed, feeling the weight of it all pressing down on him. One crisis after another. "What do they want with me?" 

 "It's not you, specifically," Byron said, almost sympathetically. "It's what you represent—a challenge to the noble class. The Dark Guild feeds on that kind of dissent. They'll target you, not out of personal vendetta, but because you're a symbol of defiance. Dark times are coming for anyone who isn't of noble blood. Be prepared." He paused before adding, "Watch your back, Kage." 

 And just like that, Byron vanished, leaving Haruto leaning against the wall, his mind racing with everything he'd just been told. 

 "Great," Haruto muttered to himself. "More problems. Well, whatever. Let them come. I'll beat the crap out of anyone who tries to get in my way." 

 As Haruto exited the alley, Byron reappeared on a nearby rooftop, joined by another figure. 

 "How did it go?" the shadowy figure asked. 

 Byron smiled faintly. "I gave him a nudge in the right direction. Too much information would have distracted him from whatever Dimitri sent him here to do. But if he's like us, he'll need to be ready for the threats to come. We were lucky to find each other. He's still finding his way, but it's clear Dimitri hasn't figured out what's happening here. We've got to keep playing our part." 

 Meanwhile, Haruto wandered through the bustling streets, still processing everything that had happened. He needed a plan, but first, he decided to stop by a local guild shop to check the mission board. He skimmed the listings, but nothing caught his eye—nothing that seemed useful, anyway. 

 Frustrated, he pulled out the map he'd received from Kahl's Trial and began comparing landmarks. As he studied the map, a group of warlords walked by, catching his attention. 

 "It's such a pain, Brig," one of them said, a woman named Gale. "We have to go to the Inferno Lands, and we don't have anyone who can handle heavy elements. Plus, it's Demon Clan territory. Ugh." 

 Brig, a hulking man in brown cloth armor, nodded grimly. "I know, Gale, but that's where the mission is. We don't have a choice." 

 Haruto's ears perked up at the mention of the Inferno Lands. He glanced at his map again, and sure enough, a point lit up where Gale had mentioned. Could it be that this map responded to spoken locations? If so, this was more valuable than he'd realized. 

 He approached the group, introducing himself. "Hey, I couldn't help overhearing. You mentioned something about elements? My magic's element-based. I'm Kage." 

 Brig sized him up, his expression curious rather than hostile. "What guild and rank are you, Kage?" 

 "Rank 157, OrionsHeart," Haruto said, trying to sound casual. 

 The group looked surprised. His rank outranked all of them, but what really seemed to give them pause was the mention of OrionsHeart. Gale frowned in thought before her eyes lit up with recognition. 

 "I remember now," Gale said. "My guildmaster, Jillian, told me if I ever came across any members of OrionsHeart, I should try to make friends with them. She mentioned she was close with their fourth-ranked member, someone named Sue." 

 Brig and the others seemed impressed by the connection. "Well, if the guildmaster's cool with you, then so am I. Name's Brig, rank 189." 

 Haruto smiled, already starting to like Brig's straightforward nature. The man introduced his companions: Gale, rank 202, and Cohn, a quiet warlord ranked 192. 

 "So, what mission are you guys heading out on?" Haruto asked, genuinely intrigued. A point on his map was right near the Inferno Lands, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to gather information. 

 Brig stepped forward and placed his hand on Haruto's insignia. "Welcome aboard, Kage. You're officially part of the mission." 

 A screen popped up in front of Haruto, detailing the mission: 

 **Mission: Security Analysis** 

**Grade: B---S** 

**Party Requirement: 3-4 Rank 205** 

The border between the Demon Clan territory and the Kingdom of Val is contested. Reach the Inferno Lands and conduct a security analysis on the border demarcation. Once completed, report to Warmaster Brigade with complete findings. 

**Rewards: 6000 Gold Coins** 

**Note:** The land between the territories is hostile. Proceed with caution. Attack is likely. 

 The varying mission grade immediately caught Haruto's attention. He wasn't exactly sure why the range was so broad, but he guessed it had something to do with the volatile situation between the Demon Clan and Val. 

 "Alright," Haruto said, closing the screen. "I'm in. Lead the way."