Ren strode through the guild’s massive entrance, the weight of his new status settling on his shoulders. The Shikari Guild was always bustling—hunters moving in and out, reports being filed, missions being distributed. It smelled of metal, sweat, and faint traces of blood. A hunter’s den, through and through.

  He made his way toward the front desk, where an attendant—a middle-aged woman with sharp eyes and a perpetual look of exhaustion—sat behind reinforced glass. Her nametag read Eiko.

  She barely glanced at him before speaking. “State your business.”

  Ren smirked and slid his guild card onto the counter. “Upgrading my rank. Just became an Adept.”

  That got her attention. She picked up the card and examined it, then flicked her gaze to him. “Name?”

  “Kurozawa Ren.”

  Her brow furrowed as she checked the records. “That was fast.”

  “I’m efficient.”

  Eiko snorted. “Or reckless.” She tapped a few buttons on a machine behind the glass, and a small crimson-colored crystal glowed to life. “Put your hand on the panel.”

  Ren did as instructed, placing his palm against the cool surface. A slight hum vibrated through his bones as the system verified his Essence Signature. The crystal flared, then dimmed, and the machine spit out a new guild card.

  Eiko slid it back to him. “Congratulations, Adept. Your guild ranking has officially been updated.”

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  Ren picked up the card and turned it over. His previous gray-rimmed card had been replaced with one edged in deep red—the color of Adepts. Below his name, his Essence Accumulation had been reset, confirming the system’s update.

  One step closer, he thought.

  “Since you’re now ranked,” Eiko continued, adjusting her glasses, “you’ll receive your first official mission today.”

  Ren perked up at that. “Already?”

  “You think we’re gonna let you slack off?” She gestured toward a board behind her, where missions were displayed on glowing parchment. Some were simple—yokai exterminations, bounty retrievals—while others were ranked hunts, requiring groups to take down higher-tier creatures.

  She grabbed one and placed it in front of him.

  “Here. Your first job.”

  Ren read it over quickly.

  MISSION: Yokai Hunt

  Location: Outer Farmlands, East of the Capital

  Target: Hozuki Wolf (Rank: Adept-Level Threat)

  Details: A pack of Hozuki Wolves has been spotted terrorizing livestock near the Eastern Farmlands. These creatures are known for their ability to phase through shadows, making them difficult to track. Eliminate the pack leader, and the rest will disperse.

  Reward: 250 Ryo + Additional Compensation for Pelts

  Ren tapped his fingers against the parchment. “Shadow-phasing wolves? Sounds fun.”

  Eiko gave him a pointed look. “Don’t get cocky. These things tear through rookie Adepts who think they’re invincible. Their phasing ability makes them hard to land a hit on, and if you get surrounded, you’re dead.”

  Ren smirked. “Good thing I work better in shadows than they do.”

  Eiko shook her head but didn’t argue. “Report back when it’s done. If you don’t check in within three days, we’ll assume you’re dead.”

  Ren tucked the mission paper into his coat. “Appreciate the concern.”

  Eiko scoffed. “I don’t care if you die, kid. Just don’t make extra paperwork for me.”

  Chuckling, Ren turned and walked toward the exit. His first mission as an Adept.

  Time to get to work.