A New Light in the Darkness

The Unwanted Applicants

The guild hall was packed.

Adventurers of all ranks stood in line, waiting for their turn. Some were armed with holy staffs, others with charmed relics, each hoping to be chosen as the Saint of Oblivion's Wrath.

It was chaos.

"Step aside! A great healer like me should go first!"

"I'm the most famous exorcist in the city!"

A woman winked at Asvorn. "Oh my~ If I join, do I get special treatment?"

Asvorn sighed.

Kaisel grinned from the side, watching the spectacle unfold.

"This is entertaining," he muttered.

Lyara, however, was furious.

Standing behind the interview table, she rejected applicant after applicant.

"You're only here because of fame. Next!"

"You just want to flirt with Asvorn. Next!"

"You want Kaisel?! Next!"

Asvorn leaned over. "Aren't you being too strict?"

Lyara glared.

"You want some random fangirl drooling over you in our party?"

"…Fair point."

The line of applicants dwindled.

Some were strong but had the wrong motives. Others were genuinely terrible.

By midday, they had no one.

"This is hopeless," Lyara muttered.

Asvorn leaned back. "Maybe the right person just hasn't arrived yet."

And somewhere in the city, their answer was about to appear.

The Girl Who Walked Alone

Far from the noise of the guild, in a dimly lit chapel, a lone girl sat on a wooden bench.

Emma.

A Saint of the Church of Her Holiness Emelia.

Her fingers trembled against her lap, her golden hair falling over her delicate face. Her white robe, once a symbol of purity, felt like a shackle.

Her heart ached.

"You exist to serve. That is your only purpose."

"A Saint does not live for herself. You live for the church, for the people."

"Disobedience is sin. Sin must be punished."

She clenched her hands.

The scars on her wrists burned with old memories.

She had suffered for years, praying, healing, enduring.

But in the end, she was nothing more than a tool.

And she wanted to escape.

Her eyes drifted to the sunlight outside.

The world beyond the church...

Could she really find a better life?

The First Step to Freedom

That afternoon, Emma stepped into the city for the first time in years.

The streets were lively, filled with vendors, travelers, and adventurers boasting of their victories.

It was overwhelming.

She clutched her robe tightly, breathing in the scent of baked bread and fresh air.

She was free.

But where would she go?

Her gaze landed on the Adventurers' Guild.

She hesitated.

Did she dare enter a place like that?

But before she could turn away—

"Hey, miss!"

A friendly voice called out.

She turned to see a guild receptionist waving at her with a bright smile.

"You look a little lost. First time here?"

Emma nodded slowly.

The receptionist tilted her head. "You're dressed like a priestess. You wouldn't happen to be a healer, would you?"

"…I am," Emma said softly.

The receptionist's eyes lit up.

"Oh! Then you should totally apply for the Oblivion's Wrath recruitment! They're looking for a Saint to join them!"

Emma froze.

She had heard of them.

The strongest adventuring party in the city.

But could she really... join them?

Her past screamed no.

But...

Her heart whispered, "This is your chance."

The Trial Begins

Emma stood before the table.

Lyara stared her down like a hawk.

"What's your name?"

"…Emma."

Lyara leaned forward. "Why do you want to join our party?"

Emma hesitated.

Should she tell the truth?

Would they accept her if they knew she was running away?

No. She needed to be strong.

She took a deep breath.

"I want to help people. But I also want to live my life for myself."

The words felt foreign—but they were the truth.

Lyara narrowed her eyes. "Are you interested in Asvorn?"

Emma blinked. "W-What?"

"This is important." Lyara crossed her arms.

Emma shook her head quickly.

"I have no interest in that."

Lyara studied her for a moment—then smirked.

"Good. You're hired."

Emma's eyes widened.

Just like that?

Kaisel leaned back. "That was fast."

"She's not an Asvorn fangirl, and she's powerful. That's all that matters," Lyara said, flipping through Emma's assessment papers.

Asvorn nodded. "Welcome to the team."

Emma exhaled.

For the first time in years—

She felt like she belonged.