The scorching sun was at its zenith, marking a blistering summer day in the Starry Night Kingdom.
Dim, the manager of Starry Night Castle, strode briskly through the castle tower under the harsh sun. His enchanted leather armor maintained a steady temperature and cleanliness, but it did nothing to ease his growing unease.
He persistently stuffed cool carrots into his mouth, but the sweet, refreshing juice failed to extinguish the spark of worry simmering in his heart.
Last night, twelve severe and peculiar disappearances had occurred throughout the Starry Night Kingdom.
Twelve shopkeepers, all of them managing businesses involving ores, magic herbs, and alchemical potions in various cities in the kingdom, were abducted by an enigmatic assailant all at once.
These shopkeepers were not ordinary individuals. All of them were alchemists possessing official mage identities and records in Starry Night Academy and hailed from the Eastern Continent.