The Rising Guild

Chapter 14: The Rising Guild

The next morning, Quinn woke up feeling completely refreshed—his wounds had healed, and his mana was fully restored from yesterday's battle. Stretching his arms, he cracked his neck and exhaled, feeling lighter.

After a quick shower, he got dressed in his usual attire—a sleek black combat jacket, dark pants, and fingerless gloves—before heading into the kitchen. His sister was already eating breakfast, sipping coffee as she scrolled through her phone.

"Heading out?" she asked, not looking up.

"Yeah. AGC business."

She raised an eyebrow. "Try not to fight another monster today."

Quinn smirked. "No promises."

With that, he waved goodbye and stepped outside. With a burst of mana, he propelled himself into the air, flying toward the AGC headquarters.

After soaring through the city for a while, Quinn finally landed in front of the massive AGC skyscraper. The sleek building, covered in reinforced glass and steel, loomed over the district like a titan.

He walked in, pulling out his Awakened ID card and flashing it at security. The guards gave him a nod before allowing him through. Entering the elevator, Quinn pressed the button for the top floor—Cedric's office.

The ride was silent, apart from the soft hum of the elevator. When the doors finally slid open, Quinn stepped out and made his way down the pristine white hallway.

Reaching Cedric's office, he knocked lightly on the door.

"Come in," a voice called from inside.

Pushing the door open, Quinn stepped in and was immediately greeted by Cedric, who leaned back in his chair, arms crossed.

"Quinn, good. You're right on time."

Quinn's eyes shifted to the two unfamiliar faces standing in the office. One of them caught his attention instantly.

Among the two stood a girl who looked around Quinn's age, maybe a year older. She had a slim yet toned physique, showing she was built for speed and agility. Her dark auburn hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her amber eyes gleamed with sharpness, analyzing him just as much as he was analyzing her. She wore a fitted combat suit with a short-sleeved jacket and a sword strapped to her hip.

Quinn's memory clicked. She was the girl he had saved before fighting the Hallows yesterday.

Cedric gestured toward the two and introduced them. "These two are newly registered Awakened." He then pointed at the girl with auburn hair. "She is an A-rank."

Quinn looked at her, smirking slightly. "Nice to meet you. You're quite beautiful."

The girl raised an eyebrow before letting out a small chuckle. "Thanks. You're not bad-looking yourself."

Cedric rolled his eyes before continuing. "She's a swordsman with a speed ability."

Then he gestured toward the other. "This one is a Light Barrier mage."

Quinn's gaze shifted to the barrier mage, but something caught his attention. "Light Barrier?"

The girl, a petite blonde-haired individual with deep blue eyes, nodded. "I use barrier magic, but I also specialize in light-based enhancement spells."

Quinn raised an eyebrow. "Enhancement?"

She nodded again, lifting her hand. A golden light pulsed around her fingertips. "I can reinforce arrows, projectiles, and even melee weapons with light magic—making them faster, sharper, or even explosive."

Quinn smirked. "Sounds like a perfect ability for a sniper or an archer."

The barrier mage tilted her head. "Exactly. I work best supporting ranged fighters."

Quinn's next thought came naturally. "Hey, would you guys like to join my guild?" He said this with a smile.

The auburn-haired girl didn't hesitate. "Since you saved me yesterday, I'll join willingly."

The blonde-haired Light Barrier mage looked at her, then at Quinn, before nodding. "Since she's joining, I will too."

Quinn grinned. "Great."

With that settled, Quinn turned back to Cedric. "How's the guild base coming along?"

Cedric leaned back. "We've started construction. It'll take time, but the location is solid."

Quinn nodded. "Good. Also, I haven't seen the alert for my payment for that A-rank I killed yesterday."

Cedric sighed dramatically. "Yeah, yeah. It'll be sent to you soon."

Quinn just smirked. "Make sure it does. I'm in need of money, you see."

*****

Meanwhile… 

The midday sun cast its glow over the city, but its warmth did little to reach the two ominous figures perched atop a rooftop.

Nyx stood at the edge, her raven-black hair flowing in the wind, her crimson eyes scanning the streets below like a predator waiting for the perfect moment to strike. She was cloaked in tight black armor lined with red markings, a sign of her corrupted nature.

Beside her, Veyron loomed like a living nightmare.

His towering figure was eerily humanoid, yet something about him felt entirely unnatural. His skin was rough and cracked, like the gnarled bark of an ancient tree, with deep twisting grooves that pulsed with a faint, ominous purple glow. His fingers were long and jagged, resembling withered branches, and his unnatural eyes gleamed with eerie intelligence.

They both watched as an AGC member stepped out of a store.

He looked ordinary, just a field agent finishing his errands. He adjusted his coat and checked his phone, seemingly waiting for someone.

Nyx smirked. "He's alone. This will be easy."

Veyron tilted his head slightly, his jagged fingers twitching. "Then let's begin."

With silent precision, the two followed him. They leapt from rooftop to rooftop, their movements unnatural yet graceful. The agent continued walking, oblivious to the danger lurking above.

At the next intersection, he stepped into an alleyway, waiting.

That was the moment Nyx struck.

With inhuman speed, she descended from the rooftop like a shadow falling upon its prey.

Before the agent could react, a hand clamped over his mouth, yanking him backward. His phone slipped from his fingers, hitting the ground with a soft thud.

The AGC agent struggled, his body trembling as he was dragged deeper into the alley. He was thrown against a brick wall, and as he looked up, he froze in terror.

Veyron stood before him, the midday sun casting horrifying shadows over his grotesque form.

The rough, bark-like texture of his skin looked even more unnatural in the daylight, the purple veins beneath it pulsating faintly. His fingers curled and uncurled, scraping against each other like dry branches in the wind.

Nyx crouched beside the terrified agent, resting her elbow on her knee. "We just want some information," she said in a playful yet chilling tone.

Veyron took a slow step forward, towering over the man. "Has there been a new registration of any A-ranked or S-ranked Awakened?"

The agent swallowed hard, his heartbeat hammering against his ribs.

"Y-yes!" He stammered, sweat rolling down his forehead. "There is currently an S-rank… a newly awakened one. His name is Quinn."

Nyx's eyes gleamed with interest. "Quinn, huh?"

She reached forward, tracing a finger along the agent's cheek, her touch ice cold.

"Where can we find him?"

The agent hesitated, his breathing ragged.

"I-I don't know where he is right now," he admitted. "But yesterday, one of my colleagues went to pick him up from his house."

Fumbling through his pocket, he pulled out a small notepad with shaking hands.

"I-I can give you his home address," he stammered, quickly scribbling it down before handing it over.

Nyx took the note, her crimson eyes flicking over the address.

She then turned to Veyron, a grin forming on her lips. "You know your way around the city, don't you?"

Veyron nodded slowly, his unnatural fingers twitching as if eager for blood.

Nyx chuckled softly, twirling the paper between her fingers. "Looks like we don't need him anymore."

The agent's eyes widened in horror. "W-wait! No! I—"

SHNK!

A wet, sickening sound filled the alley.

Veyron's jagged, branch-like fingers had morphed into razor-sharp blades—and in one swift motion, he sliced through the man's throat.

Blood splattered against the brick wall, the agent's body collapsing lifelessly onto the pavement. His phone screen, still lit up with an incoming message, blinked on the ground beside his corpse.

Nyx wiped a droplet of blood from her cheek and stretched lazily. "Come on, Veyron. Let's pay this Quinn a visit."

Without another word, the two Hallows vanished into the city, leaving behind only a lifeless body and a trail of blood.