Chapter 9 — The Quiet Contract

The following morning, Fairy Tail's guild hall was already alive with activity when Teresa arrived.

The scent of fresh bread and roasted coffee drifted through the air as Max worked behind the bar, chatting with Kinana, while Warren and Nab sorted through new request postings at the board. Jet and Droy were discussing job routes near the wall map, occasionally stealing cautious glances toward Teresa as she entered.

She walked in quietly, dressed in her standard black Claymore tunic, unarmed but fully alert as always.

Several heads turned as they noticed her arrival, though by now the reactions were different—no longer marked by fear, but by an odd mix of respect and quiet curiosity.

Macao called out from near the central table. "Morning, Teresa. Got a moment?"

She approached him calmly. "Yes."

"I've already sent the council our report about the ruins. Warren's tracking any new reports that might connect. For now, the town's quiet again."

"Good," Teresa said simply.

Macao rubbed the back of his neck, then added with a casual smile, "You know, with the work you've done so far, you've been operating as a full guild member."

Teresa tilted her head slightly. "I have no objection."

"Fairy Tail works on contracts," Macao continued, lowering his voice slightly. "Jobs come in, members complete them, and get paid. Even you."

"I do not require excess," Teresa replied calmly.

"I know," Macao said. "But you do need lodging. Supplies. Armor maintenance. You should take official contracts through the board. No sense letting you work unpaid when you're already helping."

Teresa's silver eyes drifted briefly to the large request board filled with pinned contracts.

The guild's economy was simple. Tasks were posted, fees were assigned, and mages claimed them. The system was efficient. Purposeful.

Survival in her old world had rarely been this structured. Payment had been scarce, often irrelevant—there had been only duty, war, and survival.

But here, in this structured world, money was simply another tool.

"Agreed," she said softly. "I will accept proper contracts."

Macao smiled. "Good. Consider yourself officially part of Fairy Tail's workforce, then. You already bear our mark. Might as well benefit from it."

Wakaba, sitting nearby, chuckled around his pipe. "At this point, you're one of us. Just... the quiet one."

Reedus grinned. "The quiet terrifying one."

Teresa offered no reply, but her faint smile remained steady.

Romeo darted up eagerly. "Are you taking another job today?"

"I will consider it," Teresa answered.

She approached the request board, scanning the pinned papers methodically. Reedus, Wakaba, and Macao watched her quietly, letting her work in peace.

Most jobs were beneath her skill level—simple monster clearing, delivery escorts, and minor criminal retrievals.

But one listing caught her eye.

A report from a small remote village east of Magnolia—sightings of a rare creature, referred to as a Night Howler. The request noted property destruction, terrified livestock, and suspected casualties among local hunters.

The pay was generous.

Macao approached as she pulled the sheet from the board. "That one's a bit higher than usual for an independent job."

"What is a Night Howler?" Teresa asked softly.

"Rare predator," Macao explained. "Most sightings are rumors, but when they're real, they're nasty. Big quadruped beasts with semi-magical abilities—sound manipulation, speed bursts, limited cloaking in the woods. Hard for normal mages to track."

"Any prior successful hunts?" Teresa asked.

Macao shook his head. "We've sent teams before. Most end up chasing shadows."

Teresa studied the request again. "I will take it."

"You're certain?"

"Yes."

Macao nodded. "All right. Officially assigned."

He retrieved a small pouch from behind the counter and handed it to her. "Advance payment. You'll get the remainder when you return."

Teresa took the pouch, feeling its weight. "I will fulfill the contract."

As she prepared to leave, Romeo followed her to the door, clearly curious.

"Do you ever take someone with you?" he asked.

"No."

"Not even once?"

"I hunt alone," Teresa answered calmly.

"But why?" Romeo frowned. "Fighting together is safer, isn't it? That's what Fairy Tail does."

Teresa paused before answering. "I have learned to depend only on myself. It is... efficient."

Romeo looked like he wanted to say more, but Macao called him back before he could continue.

"Let her focus, Romeo."

Outside, the streets hummed with midday energy.

Teresa moved swiftly toward the eastern gates, the request sheet secured inside her cloak.

Once clear of town, she summoned her Requip. Light shimmered briefly as her full silver armor assembled smoothly onto her frame, the heavy Claymore sword materializing across her back beneath the flowing white cloak, the black Fairy Tail emblem stamped neatly across its shoulder.

Fully armed, she quickened her pace, cutting across the open fields toward the distant wooded hills.

The eastern village came into view by late afternoon—a modest cluster of thatched houses pressed against the edge of the dense forest. As she approached, villagers peeked from behind shutters, whispering among themselves. Fear was thick in the air.

A small group of local men waited near the center of the village, visibly tense as she approached.

"You from Fairy Tail?" one of them called out.

"I am," Teresa replied softly.

The man glanced nervously at her armor and sword. "We didn't expect you to come alone."

"It is sufficient," Teresa said. "Describe the creature."

"It strikes at night. Fast. Hard to see. The howls are... unnatural. They freeze you in a place like your body locks up before you even see it."

Another man added, "We lost two hunters already. Their bodies were found half-crushed, ripped apart. It's not just a wolf. It's something worse."

Teresa listened carefully, processing the details.

"A magical predator with paralyzing vocal resonance," she summarized.

"Yes!" one villager said desperately. "Can you stop it?"

"I will."

The men exchanged nervous glances but offered no protest.

As dusk began to settle, Teresa moved toward the forest edge.

The villagers remained behind, too frightened to follow. Only the wind whispered through the tall trees as shadows thickened. She stepped into the woods with no hesitation.

The hunt had begun.