Chapter 5:

Finally, Some Normalcy

For the next few days, we did something completely unheard of.

We did normal quests.

Just simple work.

Hunting beasts.

Gathering herbs.

Escorting merchants.

And honestly, It felt weird.

——

During this period, I finally took the time to understand how adventurer ranks actually worked.

Because up until now, I had been winging it.

And that was not sustainable.

So, with Silvia's help, I figured it out.

——

Adventurer Ranks work like this according to what Silvia told me.

Wood (Beginner) → Where I started. The "fodder rank." Basically a walking tutorial.

Bronze → Newbies with potential.

Iron → The first "real" adventurer rank. Where people start getting decent quests.

Steel → More experienced. Trusted with higher-risk missions.

Silver → The professionals. Guild starts paying attention to you.

Gold → Elites. Rare, powerful, and usually work directly with nobles or officials.

Mithril → The legends. The kind of people you hear stories about but rarely see.

——

I was Bronze rank now.

Which meant I was still in the "rookie zone," but at least I wasn't stuck in Wood rank anymore.

And to advance?

It wasn't just about killing strong monsters.

It was based on several factors:

Successful quests (obviously).

Guild reputation (not just power, but reliability).

Special achievements (like, I don't know, killing a dragon).

Basically, it wasn't just about raw strength.

It was about how useful you were to the guild.

And after everything we'd done, I realized—

I was probably ranking up faster than normal.

Too fast.

Which was both exciting and terrifying.

——

At the guild hall, I overheard other adventurers talking too.

About who was getting promoted.

About how to survive long-term in this career.

One guy, a Steel-ranked adventurer, gave some interesting advice:

"Strength gets you noticed. Reliability keeps you alive."

And honestly that was a damn good lesson.

I had been surviving through sheer luck and skill, but I needed to start thinking long-term.

How to balance strength with strategy.

Because the higher i climbed, the more dangerous things would get.

——

After another day of quests, we finally sat at our usual table at the inn.

Edward leaned back, stretching. "Man, it's nice not fighting anything crazy for once."

Silvia smiled. "We actually had a full week of normal work."

I sighed happily. "Yeah."

Blaire, arms crossed, raised an eyebrow. "You say that like it's going to last."

I blinked.

Paused.

Considered her words.

Then I sighed again.

"…Yeah, we're probably doomed."

Silvia giggled.

Edward grinned. "Well, whatever happens next, at least we got some good rest."

Blaire just exhaled sharply.

And for now,

For just a little longer.

We enjoyed the peace.

_____

The peace lasted exactly seven days.

A full week of normal adventuring, just long enough for me to start hoping that maybe, just maybe, we wouldn't get dragged into something insane again.

I was a fool.

Because on the morning of the eighth day, we walked into the guild hall—and the quest we picked changed everything.

——

The Guild Master handed us the request, his expression neutral.

"A job came in that requires travel," he said simply.

I took the parchment, scanning it over.

"Requesting experienced adventurers to investigate unusual disturbances in Nightale. Possible high-risk situation. Reward negotiable."

Edward, looking far too excited, leaned over my shoulder.

"Oh-ho. A travel quest?"

Silvia smiled. "Nightale… I've heard of it, but I've never been there."

Blaire studied the paper silently.

I tapped my fingers against the table, thinking.

"…Where exactly is Nightale?"

The Guild Master raised an eyebrow.

"You've never heard of it?"

I shrugged. "I didn't exactly get a welcome package explaining every city in the region."

He sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fine. Listen up."

And just like that, I got my second history lesson here.

——

Nightale — The City by the Northern Sea

Unlike Wither City, which was surrounded by forests and ruins, Nightale was positioned far to the north, facing the endless sea.

It was a city of merchants, sailors, and wanderers, known for its massive harbor and naval trade routes.

The key factors I conjured on my mind based on his explanation are:

The Harbor City: Nightale was one of the largest trade hubs in the region.

The Sea and Storms: Due to its position, it was constantly battered by unpredictable storms from the northern waters.

The Night Market: A legendary underground market that operated after sunset, selling rare artifacts, forbidden goods, and things you probably shouldn't ask about.

The Lantern Festival: Once a year, people from all over gathered to release floating lanterns over the sea, symbolizing lost souls finding their way home.

It was a city built on the balance between order and chaos.

A place where merchants and pirates, nobles and thieves, all coexisted uneasily.

——

That was all fine.

That sounded cool.

But there was one detail that bothered me.

I tapped the parchment. "It says 'unusual disturbances.' What kind of disturbances?"

The Guild Master grimaced.

"That's the problem. No one knows."

Silvia frowned. "No reports?"

He shook his head. "Just scattered rumors. People vanishing near the docks. Unnatural lights in the fog. Strange songs heard at night, luring sailors into the water."

I frowned.

That sounded… oddly familiar.

The Guild Master continued.

"Some think it's just smugglers. Others think it's a new monster lurking in the bay. Either way, the city's authorities asked for help."

I sighed. "Great. So, we're walking into another mystery."

Edward smirked. "Come on, it sounds fun."

Silvia smiled. "At least it's something different."

Blaire, as usual, just exhaled sharply.

"Let's go."

——

The trip to Nightale would take three days by carriage.

So, we stocked up on supplies, gear, and enough rations to last the journey.

I also made sure to grab extra arrows, since last time, I ran out mid-battle and had to improvise.

(And by improvise, I meant throwing rocks. Not my proudest moment.)

——

We left Wither City at dawn, our carriage rumbling along the northern roads.

The scenery changed quickly.

Dense forests gave way to wide-open plains.

Then, as we moved further north, the air became colder, crisper, carrying the faint scent of salt.

By the second day, we could hear the distant crash of waves in the wind.

By the third day, the sky was thick with rolling clouds, and the scent of rain and sea was everywhere.

And then, finally—

We saw it.

——

Arriving in Nightale

Nightale was nothing like Wither City.

From the moment we entered, I could feel it.

The streets were wider, livelier, constantly buzzing with movement.

Merchants shouted from their stalls, selling foreign goods from across the sea.

Sailors moved in large groups, laughing loudly or brawling openly in the streets.

Tall lighthouses stood along the shore, their beacons piercing through the heavy mist rolling in from the ocean.

And in the distance—

The sea.

Dark, endless, stretching beyond the horizon.

Storm clouds lingered far off, rumbling softly, casting everything in gray and gold.

It was beautiful.

But something about it also felt… off.

Like the city itself was holding its breath.

Waiting.

Watching.

And then, as if to prove my point—

The moment we stepped onto the docks, a cold wind blew past us.

And in that wind—

I could have sworn I heard something.

A voice.

A whisper.

A song.

Luring. Calling.

From the depths of the sea.

I shivered.

Yeah.

This shit is way too familiar.

____

The whisper in the wind lingered, soft yet unnervingly clear.

A melody that wasn't human.

Not quite words, but not just sound either.

It twisted through the docks like a half-forgotten memory, fading the moment I tried to focus on it.

But the moment it disappeared, I realized something.

I wasn't the only one who heard it.

Silvia's brows furrowed slightly, as if she was trying to place the tune.

Edward's usual grin was gone, replaced with mild unease.

Blaire, standing at the edge of the dock, stared at the sea, unmoving.

She had heard it too.

And judging by her expression—she didn't like it.

I exhaled slowly, rubbing my arms as the cold wind bit at my skin.

"Okay," I muttered. "That was weird."

Edward nodded. "Yeah. And I don't like it."

Silvia tilted her head. "It was… beautiful. But unsettling."

Blaire, finally tearing her gaze from the water, just sighed sharply.

"Let's move."

And that was that.

——

As we made our way further into Nightale, I couldn't shake the feeling that the city was… tense.

It wasn't obvious.

The docks were still busy, full of merchants unloading cargo, sailors preparing their ships, and guards keeping an eye on things.

But beneath it all, I could feel it.

The cautious glances people gave the sea.

The way conversations would briefly stop whenever a cold wind blew through.

The way no one stayed by the water for too long unless absolutely necessary.

It was like the entire city was waiting for something to happen.

And considering my time luck.

We were probably about to find out what.

——

The request had come from a local official, so our first stop was the city's administrative office.

The building was surprisingly well-kept, overlooking the harbor like a silent guardian.

The moment we entered, a stressed-looking clerk glanced up from his desk.

"You must be the adventurers from Wither City."

Edward grinned. "That obvious?"

The clerk just sighed, rubbing his temples. "You don't look like locals. Come with me."

He led us into a private office, where we finally met our client.

A middle-aged man with sharp blue eyes and streaks of silver in his hair.

He was dressed in fine, but practical clothing, the kind that suggested he was used to dealing with both nobles and mercenaries alike.

He looked us over carefully.

Then he spoke.

"My name is Victor, and I oversee security in Nightale. Thank you for coming."

I crossed my arms. "We read the quest details. But you were vague about what's actually happening."

Victor nodded.

"Because we're still trying to understand it ourselves."

He gestured toward the window overlooking the sea.

"You must have noticed already—the way the city feels."

I nodded. "Yeah. It's like people are… waiting."

Victor's expression darkened. "That's because we've lost too many already."

Silvia frowned. "The missing people?"

He exhaled slowly. "Fishermen. Sailors. Dock workers. Even a few travelers. All vanished."

I tensed. "Any patterns?"

Victor hesitated.

Then, quietly, he said—

"They all disappeared on foggy nights."

Silence.

I exchanged glances with the others.

Foggy nights.

Unnatural whispers.

A song in the wind.

Something was calling people to the sea.

And whatever it was—

It wasn't human.

Victor leaned forward, eyes sharp.

"I don't know if this is a curse, a monster, or something worse. But we need answers."

Edward cracked his knuckles. "Well, that's what we're here for."

Silvia nodded. "We'll do our best."

Blaire just exhaled sharply.

I glanced out the window.

At the sea.

At the waves, rolling calmly under the fading light.

At the fog beginning to creep in from the horizon.

I had a bad feeling about this.

But that wasn't anything new.

So I turned back to Victor and said—

"Alright. Where do we start?"

Victor leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping against the desk.

"You'll need to start at the docks. That's where most of the disappearances happened."

Silvia nodded. "Are there any witnesses?"

Victor sighed. "Not many. The few that have spoken up all say the same thing—"A voice called them into the fog." And the ones who resisted say they felt something pulling them forward."

I frowned. "Like a compulsion?"

"Possibly," Victor admitted. "But no one has actually seen what's doing it. Those who vanish are just… gone. No bodies, no struggle, no traces."

Edward hummed. "Alright. So we're dealing with something sneaky."

Blaire was silent, watching Victor carefully.

I exhaled. "Guess we'll start by checking things out ourselves."

Victor nodded. "I'll have someone guide you to the docks. But be careful. If this thing targets people at night, you'll be the first ones to go if you stay out too late."

Edward grinned. "Sounds like a challenge."

Silvia smiled, but there was a hint of worry in her eyes.

Blaire just muttered, "Let's move."

And with that, we left the office.

_____

Our guide was a young sailor named Finn, a dockworker who had apparently been near one of the disappearances.

He was tall and lanky, with the weathered look of someone who had spent most of his life near the sea.

And the moment we got to the docks, I noticed it immediately.

The air was different here.

Colder. Heavy.

The sky was clouded, the sun dipping lower toward the horizon.

And far off in the distance, beyond the harbor—

The fog was creeping in.

Finn rubbed his arms. "This place hasn't felt the same in weeks. We used to work until late at night, but now? Everyone leaves before dark."

Edward looked around. "So where did the disappearances happen?"

Finn pointed toward the edge of the docks, where the water was deep and black.

"There," he said quietly. "That's where I last saw my friend."

Silvia's expression softened. "I'm sorry."

Finn swallowed hard. "He just… walked into the fog. Like he was in a trance. We tried to stop him, but he wouldn't listen. Wouldn't even look at us."

I narrowed my eyes. "And then?"

Finn shuddered. "Then we heard that damn song. And by the time the fog cleared… he was gone."

Blaire tilted her head slightly. "The song. You heard it?"

Finn nodded, visibly pale. "You did too, didn't you?"

I exchanged glances with the others.

Yeah. We did.

The docks were almost empty now.

The few workers still around were packing up quickly, eager to leave before nightfall.

The fog was thicker, swirling at the edge of the harbor like a living thing.

I crouched by the wooden planks, scanning the area.

If people kept disappearing without a trace, then there had to be something left behind.

Some clue.

Some sign.

And then—

I found it.

A footprint.

Half-faded, barely visible. But not just any footprint—

It wasn't walking away from the docks.

It was coming back.

I frowned, touching the ground. The wood was damp.

Like something had crawled out of the water.

Silvia noticed my expression. "Gunavor? What is it?"

I stood up, my mind racing.

"The disappearances aren't just about people walking into the sea."

Edward frowned. "Then what?"

I exhaled.

"They're also about something coming out."

Blaire's grip on her sword tightened slightly.

Finn paled. "You think there's… something in the water?"

I stared at the dark waves.

The fog.

The whispering wind.

And I was sure of it now.

"Yeah," I muttered.

"And I think it's watching us right now."

The moment I said it—

The song started again.

Low. Haunting. Echoing through the mist.

Silvia froze. Edward's grin vanished. Blaire's stance shifted slightly, tense but ready.

Finn let out a shaky breath. "It's happening again."

I reached for my bow. "Get back."

And then—

Something moved in the water.

A ripple.

A shadow.

Then another.

Then another.

The surface broke.

And they emerged.

Figures dragging themselves onto the docks, their skin pale, their eyes empty.

Not monsters.

Not spirits.

People.

The missing ones.

Returned.

But wrong.

And as they lurched toward us, eyes vacant, mouths parting to sing that damn song—

I realized.

They weren't lost.

They had been claimed.

By something deep beneath the waves.

Something that won't stop taking more.

Edward drew his sword. "Okay. This just got worse."

Silvia whispered a prayer, magic sparking at her fingertips.

Blaire stepped forward, blade at the ready.

I pulled back an arrow, aiming straight ahead.

"Yeah," I muttered.

The moment they staggered closer, I knew. 

There was no saving these people.

Not like the ones controlled by Buttface.

Not like the peoples we freed from that underground dungeon. 

Because this was different.

Even if they had been manipulated at first, no human could survive underwater for days.

Their skin was pale, almost translucent, their veins dark and swollen like something had seeped into them. 

Their eyes—

Shit, their eyes were empty.

Not blank. 

Not dazed. 

Just… gone.

Like whatever had once been inside had already left.

They are not people anymore.

They're just shells

And as their bodies jerked forward, moving unnaturally, their voices still singing that eerie, hollow song—

I clenched my teeth and fired.

The first arrow hit one straight in the chest. 

It didn't even flinch.

Didn't bleed. 

Didn't stop. 

I scowled. Of course it wouldn't be that easy.

"Go for the head!"I shouted. 

Edward was already moving.

With a sharp exhale, he rushed forward, blade gleaming in the fog, and with one clean strike—

A head rolled. 

The body collapsed immediately, like a puppet with its strings cut. 

Good.

That meant they weren't immortal.

Just unnatural.

—--- 

Silvia's hands glowed faintly as she threw out a pulse of divine energy, pushing back another wave of them. 

They twitched violently, struggling as the light burned against their flesh. 

Blaire, moving like a shadow, cut through them efficiently, slicing through weak points without hesitation. 

Even Finn, the dockworker, had grabbed a piece of wooden debris and was using it to smash the ones that got too close.

And me? 

I was still firing arrows, aiming for heads, joints—anything to slow them down.

But no matter how many we took down— 

More kept coming.

From the water. 

From the fog. 

From everywhere.

It was basically endless,and this wasn't a battle at all, more like trying to consume our energy with this waves.

Then, suddenly— 

The song stopped.

Just like that. 

The empty-eyed creatures froze mid-step, like puppets waiting for orders. 

Silence fell over the docks, thick and suffocating. 

The water, once filled with ripples and movement, was now completely still.

Like the sea itself was holding its breath.

And then— 

It rose. 

A shadow beneath the waves. 

Growing. 

Surging. 

Until, with a massive swell of water,something emerged.

It was huge.

Its serpentine body rose from the water, glistening in the moonlight. 

Long. Sleek. A dragon-like form—but without wings.

Its scales were a deep, dark blue, blending into the sea as if it were a part of it. 

Its face was fierce, angular, with jagged fins along its head that flared slightly as it studied us. 

A long, slitted maw, filled with rows of sharp, uneven teeth. 

Two glowing yellow eyes, filled with a cold, ancient intelligence. 

And when it finally opened its mouth to speak,its voice was not a growl— 

But a low, reverberating hum, carrying the same unnatural melody we had heard before. 

"You are persistent… for land-dwellers."

—--- 

My breath hitched.

Because I knew this creature.

I had seen it before.

Not here.

Not now.

But in the game.

This was a high-level sea guardian, a boss mob that appeared much later in the story. 

It was supposed to be guarding an underwater dungeon, far beyond the reach of any beginner. 

So what the hell was it doing here? 

Why does it appear now?

My stomach twisted. 

Sure enough, game knowledge was just game knowledge.

Real life didn't follow data.

And now? 

Now I was standing face to face with something I was not supposed to fight yet.

I gritted my teeth, gripping my bow tightly.

"Alright," I muttered. 

"This just got complicated." 

Edward grinned. "So what's new?" 

Silvia took a deep breath, calming herself. 

Blaire, with her sword in hand, narrowed her eyes. "Is it something you know?" 

I exhaled slowly. 

"Kinda." 

I pulled back an arrow, aiming for its eye.

"It's strong." 

Edward smirked. "So? We've handled strong before." 

I nodded. 

"But this time, we're fighting it on its home turf." 

Because the problem wasn't just that this thing was powerful.

It was that we were on land.

And it's still half-submerged.

Which meant we were fighting something faster, stronger, and in its natural environment. 

Not exactly ideal.

The sea beast rumbled, tilting its head slightly. 

"Curious. You feel my presence… yet you do not flee?"

I swallowed. 

Then muttered under my breath— 

"Yeah, well. I'm bad at running." 

Then I fired with all my strength toward his eyes.

The sea dragon dodged effortlessly, its long, serpentine body slipping through the water like a ghost in the fog.

I barely had time to curse before it counterattacked.

A wave of water surged forward, not just liquid, but sharpened like blades, slicing through the wooden docks with horrifying precision.

I jumped back, barely avoiding being sliced in half.

Edward blocked a stray attack with his sword, skidding backward from the force.

Silvia was already casting defensive spells, golden barriers flashing into existence to shield us.

And Blaire was standing still.

Completely calm.

And that's when it hit me.

We were wasting time.

I didn't even hesitate.

I turned to Blaire and said, without an ounce of shame—

"Alright, Blaire. You got this."

Edward paused. "Wait. That's it?"

Silvia blinked. "That's your plan?"

I shrugged. "Yeah. I'm not fighting that thing."

I gestured at the massive sea beast, which was glaring at us from the water, its presence radiating pure, unchallenged dominance.

"That thing is way above my league and, more importantly, it's attack is all water based."

I don't think i have any special resistances to being drowned, electrocuted, or eaten.

But Blaire was different.

I don't know what exactly she was hiding, and honestly i don't care.

I just knew that whenever things got serious, she always handled it.

So if this fight needed a one-woman army, I was handing it over to her.

Simple as that.

Of course, just dumping the fight on Blaire wasn't enough.

We still needed a plan.

She could handle the fight, but we need to set up the best possible battlefield for her.

Edward crossed his arms. "Alright, fine. If Blaire's gonna finish it, we need to set up a good opportunity."

Silvia nodded. "We need to keep it distracted long enough for Blaire to land a decisive strike."

I exhaled. "Agreed. First step—Finn's out."

Edward raised an eyebrow. "Out?"

I pointed at the dockworker, who was still standing there, looking terrified but also slightly impressed.

"Finn, buddy," I called. "Time for a nap."

Before he could protest, Edward walked over and, with zero hesitation, knocked him out.

Silvia let out a small sigh. "Was that necessary?"

"Yes," I said.

Blaire finally spoke, her voice as calm as ever. "You start using your brain more and more huh."

Because no outsiders were allowed to see her fight.

And I wasn't questioning why.

With Finn safely unconscious and out of the way, we quickly formed a strategy.

Edward would engage directly, drawing the creature's attention with powerful strikes.

Silvia would support, casting barriers and purification magic to disrupt its attacks.

I would be at range, using arrows to keep it from focusing too much on Blaire.

Blaire would wait for the perfect moment—then end it.

No unnecessary risks.

No showing off.

Just a clean execution.

I turned to Blaire. "Anything you need us to do before we start?"

She shook her head.

"Just make sure it doesn't retreat."

I nodded. "Alright. Let's get to work."

Edward smirked, rolling his shoulders. "Showtime."

Silvia took a deep breath, golden energy swirling at her fingertips.

As for me, i simply nocked another arrow.

Because we need to end it quickly to prevent any unnecessary troubles.

The plan was simple.

Keep it distracted. Don't let it retreat. Give Blaire the perfect opportunity.

And most importantly, don't let it hit you.

Edward moved first.

With a roar of energy, he dashed across the docks, his sword flashing in the dim light as he swung at the beast's exposed side.

The sea monster reacted instantly, its sleek body twisting unnaturally fast, its tail crashing into the wood as it dodged.

But that was fine.

Edward wasn't aiming to kill.

He was just keeping it busy.

Silvia, standing near the back, raised both hands, whispering an incantation.

A barrier of light appeared in front of Edward, just in time to absorb a sharp blast of pressurized water from the monster's mouth.

It screeched, frustrated, its glowing yellow eyes narrowing.

And that's when I fired.

The first arrow hit its neck.

The second struck its lower jaw.

The third embedded itself into one of its flaring fins.

Each hit didn't kill, but they annoyed the hell out of it.

It turned its glare to me, mouth opening to unleash another attack—

But Edward rushed in again, forcing it to turn back to him.

It was trapped in a loop.

Attack me? Edward strikes.

Attack Edward? I shoot.

Try magic? Silvia interrupts.

And through it all—

Blaire hadn't moved yet.

She was just watching. Waiting. Calculating.

For the perfect moment.

We couldn't let it stay in the water.

It was faster, stronger, more dangerous there.

So we forced it back.

Edward started aiming for its lower body, slashing at the part of it that was still submerged.

Silvia blinded it momentarily with a burst of light magic, throwing off its depth perception.

And I kept firing arrows at its head, making it snap its jaws in frustration.

Then—

Edward feinted a strike, baiting it to lunge forward.

The monster took the bait.

It surged toward him, its body moving fully onto the docks—

And that's when it realized the trap.

The moment the sea beast hit land, Blaire moved.

Fast.

Too fast.

Like a shadow breaking free from reality.

One second, she was standing perfectly still.

The next, she was in the air, sword gleaming with pure, focused intent.

One strike.

That was all it took.

The blade sliced through the beast's neck in a perfect, fluid motion—

No resistance. No wasted energy.

Just clean execution.

The sea monster froze, its glowing eyes flickering.

Then, with a final shudder, its massive body collapsed onto the docks.

Dead.

Silence fell on us.

 Then Edward let out a low whistle.

"Damn."

Silvia sighed in relief, lowering her hands.

And I just nodded.

"As expected."

Blaire simply sheathed her sword, expression unreadable.

Like what she had just done was completely normal.

And honestly, It probably was.

With the beast dead, the creatures it controlled stopped moving.

Like puppets whose strings had been cut, their bodies collapsed—lifeless once more.

The eerie song was gone.

The fog began to lift.

And for the first time in weeks,

The waters of Nightale were silent.

Edward stretched, looking at the monster's corpse. "So… what now?"

I sighed.

"Now?" I gestured at Finn, still knocked out in the corner.

"Now we wake him up and act like we have no idea how this thing died and just fool him."

Silvia giggled.

Edward smirked.

Blaire just exhaled sharply.

Another crisis was over.

_____

The sea dragon lay motionless, its massive body half-submerged near the docks.

The eerie glow in its eyes was gone, the unnatural presence it carried dissipating into the night air.

The fog had lifted, revealing the full expanse of the harbor, now eerily quiet.

Edward stretched, cracking his neck as he stared at the massive sea beast.

"So, uh… what do we do with this?"

Silvia sighed, already walking toward the creature. "Let's check if there's anything valuable first."

That was fair.

A monster this big couldn't just be left floating here.

And adventurers had two options when dealing with massive beasts like this:

If you have the means, you can process the corpse yourself—harvest parts, extract useful materials, and sell them for a hefty profit.

If you can't handle it, you report it to the guild, and they'll send professional dismantlers to do it for a fee.

Since I had zero interest in personally hacking apart a giant sea dragon, that second option sounded pretty good.

But Edward and Silvia were already inspecting the body.

So while they handled that, I turned my attention to Blaire.

She stood at the edge of the dock, looking out at the water, her expression unreadable.

I hesitated for a moment.

Then, finally, I spoke.

"Can you train me?"

Blaire didn't react immediately.

She just stood there, as if she hadn't heard me.

Then, slowly, she turned her head, her cold eyes studying me carefully.

"Why?"

A simple question.

But not an easy one.

I exhaled.

"Because I don't want to keep relying on luck."

I knew my limits.

I was fast, sharp, and good at analyzing situations.

But in the fights that actually mattered—

The Corrupted Lord.

The Buttface.

That bony dragon.

This sea beast.

I had been barely hanging on.

Every battle was a gamble, and relying on the fact that they use dark magic that I'm immune to, but this time i realized that not every enemy we encounter must use dark magic.

I survived because I was smart. Because I knew how to adapt. Because I had just enough tricks to get by.

But if I kept pushing forward like this?

If we kept running into monsters way out of our league?

There was only so much longer I could last.

I didn't want to be the weak link.

I didn't want to be the one always getting carried.

Be it Edward or Silvia, both of them are already strong and have unlimited potential.

I wanted to be strong.

Not just lucky.

Blaire was exactly what I needed.

So I met her gaze.

"I know you're strong," I said honestly. "Stronger than me. Probably stronger than what i can imagine. And I want to get better. I want to be able to fight without just barely surviving."

I clenched my fists.

"I don't care if it's hell. I don't care if it's impossible. Just—"

I took a breath.

"Train me."

Blaire watched me.

Not coldly.

Not dismissively.

Just watching.

Then, after what felt like forever, she finally exhaled.

"…Alright."

I blinked. "Wait, really?"

She nodded. "But don't expect it to be easy."

I grinned. "I'd be disappointed if it was."

____

That fight was not subtle.

A massive sea dragon thrashing around the docks? A wave of undead sailors? Yeah, no way people were sleeping through that.

Sure enough—

Lights flickered on across Nightale.

Doors creaked open. Footsteps rushed toward us.

And before we could even decide what to do, Victor—the city official who hired us—came storming down the docks with a group of guards.

Finn, who had been knocked out for his own safety, groaned and slowly woke up.

His eyes widened in horror as he saw the dead monster sprawled across the shore.

"What in the hells…"

Edward sighed, clapping him on the back. "Long story, buddy. You might want to sit down."

We handled the necessary stuff quickly.

Explained the situation (vaguely, leaving out certain details).

Let Victor process the fact that a high-level sea monster was hiding in his city.

Watched Finn have an existential crisis.

And finally—

Edward and Silvia headed to the Nightale Guild Branch to request professional dismantlers for the dragon's corpse.

Which left me with Blaire.

Because she?

She was already looking for an empty space to train me.

——

The moment we walked away from the docks, Blaire moved with purpose.

She wasn't even considering waiting.

She was ready to start training me right here, right now.

I had to convince her to at least find an empty space first.

"Blaire. People are watching."

She didn't slow down. "So?"

I groaned. "You really want to start beating me into the ground right here in public?"

She glanced at me. Unbothered. "Yes."

God. Why did I ask for this?

Luckily, after some persistence, I got her to agree to find a better location.

Eventually, we found a quiet, open space near the cliffs—overlooking the sea, bathed in soft moonlight.

It was… honestly beautiful.

Not that it mattered.

Because I was about to get my ass kicked.

Blaire didn't waste a single second.

The moment I got into a stance, she moved.

Fast. Precise. Completely effortless.

And me?

I couldn't even touch her.

I swung. She dodged.

I feinted. She didn't react.

I tried to predict her movements—but she was already predicting mine first.

And every time I left an opening,

She punished it.

Hard.

As I stumbled back, gasping for breath, I finally got a good look at her under the moonlight.

Her purple hair shimmered, catching the soft glow like amethyst reflecting the stars.

It wasn't just a color.

It was rich, deep—like the violet of dusk, where the sky melts into darkness.

And her eyes at this moment made me lose my focus for a second.

They were red.

But not just any red.

To me, in this moment, they looked like cut rubies—sharp, gleaming, dangerous.

Not like blood.

Not like fire.

But like a polished gemstone, flawless and cold, hiding secrets beneath its surface.

I had seen a lot of things.

But right now, Blaire was something else entirely.

She wasn't just strong.

She was otherworldly.

And she was still beating the hell out of me.

___

Since I was clearly losing, I did what any sane person would do—

I started talking.

"Blaire." Dodge. Block. Stumble.

"…Why are you accompanying the princess?" Swing. Miss. Pain.

She didn't react at first.

Just kept dismantling me effortlessly.

"Surely," I continued, desperately trying to keep my mind off my bruises, "with your strength, you can't just be a simple bodyguard, right?"

Still, no answer.

Not that I expected one.

I was just talking to distract myself.

But then, after another effortless counter,

She paused.

Not long.

Not much.

Just long enough for me to notice.

And then—

She sighed.

And to my utter surprise—

She actually started answering me.

Blaire kept attacking as she spoke.

No hesitation.

Just cold, sharp movements and equally sharp words.

"I'm not her bodyguard." Parry. Step. Counter.

I barely dodged, panting. "Then what?"

She tilted her head slightly. "I'm her shadow."

That… didn't clarify anything.

She must have noticed my confusion, because after a brief moment, she actually elaborated.

"The princess doesn't need protection." Dodge. Pivot. Strike. "She needs someone who can move in ways she can't."

I exhaled. "So… you're her hidden dagger?"

Blaire finally stopped attacking.

For just a second.

And in that second—her red eyes met mine.

"Exactly."

It made sense.

Too much sense.

I kinda understand that hostility toward me when we first met.

Blaire wasn't just guarding the princess.

She was her unseen force.

Her hidden blade.

She wasn't there to defend.

She was there to eliminate problems before they reached her.

Before they even became threats.

Which meant…

Blaire was someone who had always lived in the shadows.

And for some reason she agreed to my request, now she was training me.

I barely had time to process this before she resumed the lesson.

(Which meant I went right back to getting wiped.)

But now?

I wasn't just learning how outmatched I was.

I was starting to understand who Blaire really was.

That made this beating worth it.

Even if it hurt like hell.

____

Blaire didn't slow down.

If anything, after revealing even that little bit about herself, she hit harder.

Every mistake I made? Punished immediately.

Every hesitation? Exploited without mercy.

Every attack? Countered before I could even follow through.

It wasn't training.

It was suffering.

And yet, as I struggled to keep up, I wasn't just feeling the pain—

I was learning.

She never gave verbal instructions.

No "stand like this."

No "watch your footwork."

No "predict my movement."

She just fought.

And if I didn't figure it out in real-time, then I got knocked down.

Simple as that.

As I struggled to keep my stance, my mind was racing.

I wasn't just trying to defend myself.

I was watching her.

How she moved.

How she flowed from one strike to another like water.

How she never wasted a single movement.

How she didn't just overpower me—she made sure I was always one step too slow, one decision too late.

She wasn't just strong.

She was perfectly efficient.

She didn't need to say it.

I already understood.

Blaire didn't just kill threats.

She made sure they never even got the chance to fight back.

I tried. I really did.

I adjusted my stance.

I slowed down, stopped reacting impulsively.

I focused on reading her movements instead of blindly attacking.

And after what felt like an eternity—

I finally managed to block one of her attacks properly.

It wasn't much.

But it was something.

——

Blaire saw it.

Noticed it.

She didn't say anything.

She didn't praise me or tell me I was improving.

She just exhaled through her nose.

Like she was slightly less disappointed than before.

Which, from her?

That was basically high praise.

——

Even as I kept getting dismantled, I refused to stay completely silent.

Because the moment I did, I would start focusing too much on the pain.

So I spoke again.

This time, about something else.

"You don't talk about yourself much, huh?"

Blaire didn't react.

But she didn't immediately shut me down, either.

Encouraging.

I dodged another strike (barely), then continued.

"So if you're the princess's 'shadow'… does that mean you knew her since childhood?"

Blaire paused for half a second.

Then she resumed attacking.

But this time, as she knocked me back, she answered again.

"Yes."

Between the blows, I kept pressing.

Not aggressively.

Just curious.

"So you were raised to be her hidden blade?"

"Yes."

"Since when?"

Blaire's eyes flickered in the moonlight.

"Since before she knew who I was."

I frowned. "So… she didn't even know you existed?"

Blaire sidestepped my attack effortlessly.

"No. Not at first."

I thought about that.

So she had been trained in the shadows.

Watched over the princess from a distance, unseen.

Raised to be her protector, her weapon—before she even met her.

That was…

That was kind of lonely.

I didn't say it out loud.

But I understood something at that moment.

Blaire wasn't just strong.

She was crafted.

Designed for a singular purpose.

To kill.

To eliminate threats before they became problems.

To be a blade that was never seen, never acknowledged.

Until, one day, she finally stepped into the light.

And became the princess's visible shadow.

____

I could feel my body reaching its limit.

But I refused to quit.

Because despite the pain, despite the exhaustion—

I was learning more from Blaire than I ever had from anyone else.

Not just about fighting.

But about who she really was.

And maybe, just maybe—

She was starting to realize that too.

____

Blaire moved effortlessly, shifting her weight with perfect balance.

And me?

I was done.

The moment she landed a simple punch to my stomach, my entire body collapsed.

No theatrics.

No dramatic last stand.

Just pain.

Pure, undeniable, bone-deep exhaustion.

I fell to my knees, gasping for air.

Tried to stand—failed miserably.

Then, finally, with zero shame, I raised my hand.

"Okay. I give up."

I half-expected Blaire to walk away.

Maybe give me some cold remark about my weakness.

Maybe just leave me lying there in the dirt.

But instead—

She did something that actually surprised me.

She sat down next to me.

Just like that.

Not saying a word.

Not looking at me.

Just quietly settling down beside me as I lay there, staring at the clear night sky.

The moon was high, bright against the vast darkness, casting a soft silver glow over everything.

The wind was cool. The city was quiet.

And for a moment—just a moment—everything felt still.

Then she spoke.

And her words stunned me.

"Where are you from?"

I blinked.

Slowly turned my head to look at her.

She wasn't looking at me—her gaze was still on the sky.

But her eyes—

They weren't their usual cold, unreadable red.

They were curious. Searching.

Like she had been holding onto this question for a long time.

Like she had studied me, watched me, and finally decided she needed to ask.

And honestly?

I should have expected this.

Because from the moment I arrived in this world, I had been… different.

I fought like someone who knew things that normally no one will know before they happened.

I understood mechanics that should have been unknown.

I adapted too fast.

And Blaire?

She had noticed.

I exhaled.

I couldn't tell her the full truth.

I couldn't say,

"Oh yeah, this world is actually a game I played, and I was dumped into it with nothing but my wits and sheer dumb luck."

That wouldn't make sense.

So instead, I told her a different version of the truth.

Something she could understand.

"A faraway place," I said simply.

Blaire glanced at me. "How far?"

I chuckled softly. "Far enough that I don't think I could ever go back."

She was silent for a moment.

Then:

"You don't look like you belong here."

I turned my head, raising an eyebrow. "Oh? What gave it away?"

She narrowed her eyes slightly.

"Everything."

She didn't stop there.

She started listing things off.

"Your reactions aren't like someone who grew up around here at all."

"You knew things about monsters before even seeing them clearly"

"You don't follow normal combat logic or any system i know about fighting. You rely on something else."

"Even your way of speaking and expressing yourself is different."

And finally—

"You look at everything we pass by like it's… unfamiliar, and the way you look at thing is weird like looking at it from different angles, your thoughts are all on your face"

Wait. Wait really? I thought i don't look that easy to read

She paused.

Then, quieter—"Like this world is not where you belong."

——

I let that sit for a moment.

Because damn.

She had seen through me more than I realized.

I didn't panic.

I didn't try to deny it.

Instead, I just smiled a little.

"Yeah," I admitted. "I guess I do."

Blaire studied me for a few more seconds.

Then, finally, she sighed.

Like she was accepting something.

"That's why you fight like that," she murmured.

I glanced at her. "Like what?"

She didn't answer immediately.

Then—

"Like someone trying to prove they belong here."

That hit deeper than I expected.

Because…

Maybe she was right.

____

The night stretched on.

The wind carried the faint scent of salt and sea.

Blaire didn't press further.

She didn't ask for a better explanation.

She just let it go.

And I appreciated that.

Because she wasn't just looking for an answer.

She was trying to understand me.

And somehow, even without knowing everything—

She already did.

——

After a while, she stood up.

"Training resumes tomorrow."

I groaned. "You mean this wasn't enough for a whole week?"

She glanced down at me, unimpressed.

"If this was enough, you wouldn't have lost so easily."

I sighed dramatically.

Then grinned. "Fair point."

Blaire turned to leave.

But just before she walked away, she paused.

Then, without looking back, she said—

"Good work today."

And just like that, she was gone.

I blinked.

Then smiled to myself.

Blaire… complimenting me?

That was rarer than finding a legendary artifact.

Even if it was just a few words, it meant something.

Tomorrow I would try to land more hits on her.

Well that's for tomorrow.

For now, under the moonlit sky—

I just lay there, breathing in the cool night air.

And for the first time in a long time—

I felt like I was exactly where I needed to be.

The night was quiet.

No more eerie songs.

No whispers in the wind.

Just the distant crash of waves against the cliffs, the faint hum of the city as Nightale slowly returned to normal.

I lay there for a while, staring at the moonlit sky, letting my aching body sink into the cool earth.

Tonight, I would just exist.

Rather i will simply sleep here, maybe Edward will pass by and pick me up.

That was enough to convince myself to sleep directly.

——

The Next Morning

Pain.

That was the first thing I felt when I woke up.

Every muscle ached.

It was like my body was personally reminding me that I had gotten beaten down by Blaire for hours last night.

I groaned, slowly pushing myself up.

Edward, who was already dressed and leaning against the wall, raised an eyebrow.

"Ah, he lives."

I squinted at him. "Barely."

Silvia, ever the morning person, smiled. "I have some healing salves if you need them."

I groaned dramatically. "I need a new body."

Edward chuckled. "I mean, if you keep training with Blaire, maybe you'll get one eventually."

That… wasn't wrong.

___

After getting dressed and forcing myself to move, we headed back to the Nightale Guild Branch.

Edward and Silvia had already reported the sea dragon corpse, so by now, the guild should have sent professionals to deal with it.

I wasn't expecting much when we walked in.

Just some final paperwork. Maybe a follow-up from Victor.

What I wasn't expecting—

Was a crowd of adventurers staring at us the moment we stepped inside.

——

The moment we entered, whispers filled the room.

"They're the ones, right?"

"The group that killed the sea beast?"

"Damn… they don't even look that strong."

"The quiet girl's the scary one, isn't she?"

I sighed.

It was always like this.

Do one insane thing, and suddenly everyone's watching.

Edward grinned, clearly enjoying the attention. "Looks like we're famous here too."

Blaire ignored everyone completely.

Silvia, ever polite, simply smiled.

I just headed straight to the front desk.

Because I had zero interest in entertaining rumors.

——

The Guildmaster of Nightale was a burly, sea-worn man with graying hair and a scar down his left cheek.

His name is Garrick Storme.

A former high-ranking adventurer who had retired in Nightale after one too many close calls.

The moment he saw us, he let out a low whistle.

"Well, well. The dragon slayers themselves."

Edward smirked. "Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?"

Garrick snorted. "Don't get cocky, kid."

Edward pouted. "You wound me, sir."

I sighed. "We're just here to finalize the quest."

Garrick nodded, shifting through some paperwork.

"Yeah, yeah. The officials are handling the corpse, and the city's authorities are deeply grateful."

Then, he gave us a pointed look.

"Which means you'll be staying a little longer. Victor wants a full debriefing later."

Silvia nodded. "That's fine."

Garrick smirked. "Good. And while you're here—"

He pulled out a stack of parchments.

"—you might as well pick another job."

Another Quest?

Edward raised an eyebrow. "Already?"

Garrick shrugged. "You're adventurers, ain't ya?"

Silvia smiled. "That is true."

I crossed my arms. "What's available?"

Garrick set the papers down.

"Nothing like the sea dragon, I'll tell ya that much. But if you're up for it…"

He slid a particular parchment forward.

"This one just came in. And it's… interesting."

I leaned forward, reading the details.

Then paused.

Because, huh.

This… wasn't a normal quest.

It wasn't a monster hunt.

It wasn't a delivery job.

It wasn't a simple escort mission.

It was a request from a noble family.

Something about a missing heir.

And the name of the family?

It was familiar.

I knew this name.

From the game.

From the main story.

And suddenly, I realized—

We weren't done in Nightale yet.

Not yet.

Balek.

The moment I saw that name on the parchment, I felt a jolt of recognition.

Not because I knew the family personally.

Not because I had ever cared about Nightale's nobility.

But because I had seen that name before.

In the game.

The Balek family was a major player in one of the main questlines.

An important, powerful noble house.

And this quest?

It was supposed to happen later.

Much later.

And yet, here it was.

Right in front of me.

Game knowledge accuracy strikes again.

I sighed inwardly. Screw it. Just roll with it.

——

Once everyone agreed to take the quest, I leaned slightly toward Blaire and whispered:

"I may know where to find this heir. Will you trust me?"

She didn't react immediately.

Just gave me a sharp side glance.

Then, after a few seconds—

A small nod.

Perfect.

In the game, this was the kind of quest that everyone hated.

A chain quest.

Meaning?

You couldn't just find the heir and be done with it.

No, no, no.

You had to solve a series of problems first.

Find clues.

Talk to NPCs.

Follow a trail of breadcrumbs like a detective.

And only after all that nonsense could you finally complete the quest.

But me?

I wasn't going to repeat that here.

I already knew the answer.

And I was about to speedrun this entire questline in one go.

——

Ignoring the curious glances from my team, I immediately headed for the Night Market.

It was daytime.

Which made that sound insane.

But that was the point.

In the game, most players wasted time waiting for nightfall to trigger the event.

But I as i had already went through this shit, i of course know the answer.

The Night Market wasn't a place that opened at night.

It was always there.

Hidden.

You just needed to know where to look.

So, I navigated the streets, ignoring the usual market areas and instead heading toward the back alleys.

And when I found a few shady individuals loitering around?

I forced the information out of them.

(Don't ask how. Let's just say persuasion comes in many forms.)

Just like that, we found the entrance.

___

The so-called Night Market wasn't an open bazaar.

It was a network of underground trade routes beneath the city.

A place where normal laws didn't exist.

And despite it being broad daylight, the passageways were still active.

Dimly lit tunnels.

Whispers in the shadows.

Merchants dealing in things that should never be sold.

This was Nightale's real economy.

And right in the center of it all?

The biggest manor in the district.

The one that stood out even in the filth.

The one that was too large, too well-guarded, too important.

Bingo.

That's where the heir was.

——

The missing heir of the Balek family wasn't just lost.

He was the self-proclaimed "King of the Night Market."

A young noble who had run away from home and taken over the underground economy like it was his personal playground.

Cunning.

Dangerous.

And only around Edward's age.

This make me wonder why does this noble kids love running around their family territory, Edward was an adventure in his home turf, while this guy is simply hiding in his home turf from his family.

The guy was a genius troublemaker.

And honestly?

He was damn impressive.

But I didn't care about that.

I just wanted to finish this quest fast.

Which meant I had one solution:

Skip all dialogue, ignore all resistance, and brute force the problem.

___

I told Edward, Silvia and Blaire about who's the owner of this manor, surprisingly the two didn't question me much like how did i know it, i guess it's really good having Blaire here who's full of secrets and they are used to ignoring stuff like that, again who doesn't have secrets.

Edward crossed his arms. "Alright, so what's the plan?"

I took a deep breath.

Then I said, with absolute confidence—

"We're going to invade directly, grab him, and throw him back to his family."

Silence.

Silvia blinked. "…Wait. Really?"

Blaire just sighed sharply.

Edward grinned. "I like it. Fast and efficient."

Silvia frowned. "But wouldn't it be better to—"

I clapped a hand on her shoulder.

"Silvia. Trust me. If we follow the normal process, this will take weeks. If we go in now, we'll be done in an hour."

She hesitated.

Then, finally, nodded.

"Alright," she said. "Let's do it your way."

Blaire was already moving.

——

We didn't knock.

We didn't negotiate.

We didn't announce ourselves.

We just stormed the manor.

Edward took down the guards at the entrance.

Silvia sealed the doors behind us with magic.

Blaire disabled the hidden traps before we even triggered them.

And me?

I walked straight to the main hall, kicked open the double doors—

And there he was.

The so-called King of the Night Market.

Sitting comfortably on a luxurious chair, sipping wine, completely unbothered.

A young noble with sharp blue eyes, dressed in fine but practical clothing, his smirk filled with amusement.

He didn't even look surprised.

He just leaned back, raising an eyebrow.

"Well," he mused. "That's a bold entrance."

I didn't waste time.

I walked forward, grabbed him by the collar—

And before he could even react, I threw him over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

Edward burst out laughing.

Silvia gasped. "Gunavor!"

Blaire just exhaled sharply.

And the heir?

"…Huh."

He sounded genuinely impressed.

"Didn't think anyone would try that," he mused.

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, yeah. You can ask later."

And with that, we left the manor with our prize in hand.

Time to collect our quest reward.

____

I had expected some resistance.

Struggling.

Cursing.

Maybe even bribery attempts.

But what I hadn't expected—

Was for the Balek heir to start chatting like this was a casual stroll.

While still slung over my shoulder.

___

"So," he started, completely relaxed, "mind telling me your name, kidnapper?"

I ignored him.

Not because I didn't want to answer—but because I knew giving him attention would make him worse.

Of course, that didn't stop Edward from stepping in.

"His name's Gunavor," he said, grinning. "And I'm Edward. Nice to meet you, Lost Heir."

The heir laughed. "Ah, formal introductions during a forced abduction. How charming. The name's Lucien Balek. Pleasure to meet you."

Silvia sighed. "I don't think this is how it's supposed to go."

Blaire just exhaled sharply.

To my absolute horror, Lucien and Edward immediately hit it off.

While still being carried like a sack of potatoes, Lucien effortlessly slipped into conversation with Edward—

Like they were old friends catching up.

"So, Edward, tell me—what exactly brings you to the grand halls of my humble empire?"

Edward chuckled. "Well, you see, we're on a quest to kidnap an arrogant noble and return him to his family."

Lucien grinned. "Sounds like a thrilling adventure. I'd love to hear the full details."

Edward smirked. "Oh, it gets better. The guy we're kidnapping? Super dramatic. Keeps talking like he's in a play."

Lucien gasps. "No! How unbearable!"

Silvia covered her face. "Please stop."

Blaire was ignoring all of this.

Same for me.

Which was the wisest choice.

Eventually, Lucien shifted topics.

"So, Gunavor," he said smoothly, "how exactly did you find me?"

I kept walking. "Does it matter?"

He chuckled. "Of course it does! No one has ever tracked me down this fast before."

I sighed. "I'm just built different."

Lucien laughed. "No, really. I have actual professionals trying to find me all the time, and they never succeed. But you guys? You banged in here like you already knew exactly where I was. It's impressive."

Edward nodded. "Yeah, Gunavor has a weird talent for skipping all the boring parts of missions we receive."

I groaned. "Don't say it like that, it's not like we're in some kind of play."

Silvia whispered, "It kind of feels like one."

Lucien grinned. "So? Tell me, Gunavor—how did you do it?"

——

Obviously, I couldn't say,

"Oh, I knew because I played this in a game before."

So instead, I bullshitted.

"Simple," I said. "You're predictable."

Lucien raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

I continued.

"Rich noble kid wants to rebel, but instead of actually leaving the city, he sets himself up somewhere comfortable where he can still enjoy power and influence. The Night Market was an obvious choice."

Lucien hummed. "Go on."

"The biggest manor here? Stands out too much. If you really wanted to disappear, you'd be living in a hole somewhere. But instead, you made yourself king of the underground."

Edward whistled. "Wow. He really figured you out, huh?"

Lucien was silent for a moment.

Then he grinned.

"Smart," he admitted. "I like you."

——

Despite being a hassle, Lucien wasn't just some spoiled brat.

He was actually sharp.

Charismatic.

And I could see why he became a powerful figure in the game later.

But right now?

Right now, he was just another noble brat I had to return.

And no amount of smooth talking was going to stop me from delivering him like cargo.

Lucien must have sensed my lack of patience, because he sighed dramatically.

"Well, I suppose I should get comfortable," he said. "We still have a walk ahead of us, don't we?"

I nodded.

Then, without warning, I tossed him over my other shoulder.

Lucien let out a startled laugh.

Edward burst out laughing.

Silvia muttered, "Why are we like this?"

Blaire just kept walking, pretending she wasn't involved.

——

Before long, we reached the Balek estate.

A massive, imposing mansion with high walls, elegant gardens, and enough guards to wage a small war.

The moment we stepped inside, the Balek family guards stared at us in shock.

Their lost heir, casually being carried by a stranger like he was a sack of grain.

Lucien sighed theatrically.

"Mother. Father. I have returned."

I unceremoniously dropped him onto the floor.

"Here's your heir. Give us the reward."

Silence.

Then Edward muttered, "Flawless delivery."

Silvia looked exhausted.

Lucien?

Lucien just grinned.

And with that.

Another quest was complete.

Or so i thought.