Rael's vision adjusted as he logged into his main at, Noctus. The familiar dark hues of his armor repced the worher of his alt, and the weight of his sword felt natural in his grip once more. A faint breeze stirred the air, carrying the distant hum of Vash'kar's bustling streets as the city stretched beyond the stone courtyard of Eclipse's guild hall.

  Level 20.

  The system message had appeared right after their final blow against the dire wolf alpha—his st milestone before he could finally step away from the whole charade. But instead of feeling relieved, Rael still ged at the memory of his st versation with Sabrina.

  "I just like your pany."

  He resisted the urge to groan out loud. It had been a heat-of-the-moment excuse—anything to steer the versation away from his cover being blown. But her wide-eyed, blushiion had thrown him off guard, and without thinking, he'd bolted.

  Why does every versation with her end with me making a tactical retreat?

  Shaking his head, Rael dismissed the thought. Whatever awkwardness he'd left behind o at didn't matter now. She'd helped him reach level 20—end of story. There was no reason for their paths to cross again.

  Now that he was back, it was time to catch up on guild matters. Eclipse had been steadily growing in his absence, and acc to Elias, they were on the verge of reag Level 3. Deg to get everyone up to speed, Rael headed for the guild hall.

  The pce was quiet when he arrived, with only three pyers idly chattihe message board. Without hesitation, Rael opehe guild interfad sent a notification to all members:

  [Guild Annou]Meeting at the guild hall. Be there.

  Leon was the first to show up. As soon as he stepped through the doors, he smirked. "So, you're finally back from your mysterious journey, huh? Elias made it sound like you were off sying dragons and saving Princesses. Should've known he was exaggerating again."

  "Why am I not surprised?" Rael muttered.

  Soon after, Kazan strolled in with his usual easygoing demeanor, a id-baod of aowledgment as he leaned casually against the wall. Mira followed close behind, stretg her arms overhead with a yawn.

  Then came Takane and SureArrow—together. Rael's gaze lingered on them for a moment. Takaill wore her usual emotionless expression, but she no longer seemed to mind SureArrow's presehe mage hovered a bit closer than before, and if Takaiced, she made no effort to push him away.

  The doors creaked open once more, and Lupus stepped in alongside Gale. His gaze, sharp and steady, swept across the gathered members without a word. Two wolves padded silently at his heels—their fur sleek and eyes alert as they fnked him like twin shadows.

  Gale, in trast, cpped a hand on Lupus's shoulder with a grin. "Don't let the serious face fool you. Turns out our residemaster's been pulling more than his weight. I went ahead and made him vice-captain of the offensive squad."

  Lupus gave a curt nod, her firming nor denying the praise. His wolves sat beside him, ears perked as if attuo the room's atmosphere.

  "Vice-captain, huh?" Leon mused, arg an eyebrow. "Guess we know who's really running the offense now."

  Elias strolled in shortly after, hands in his pockets and a grin already tugging at his lips as he gnced around the hall. One by ohe rest of the guild members began trig in—some chatting quietly, others exging nods before finding their spots. The low hum of versation echoed off the stone walls, gradually settling as the room filled.

  By the time Leon, Gale, and Elias had finished catg up, everyone had gathered. Rael stepped forward, clearing his throat as he addressed the room.

  Rael adjusted his gsses and tapped the edge of the chart with his teag stick, the soft thwack sileng the low murmurs of versation. His gaze swept over the gathered members, their attention now fixed on him. The air buzzed with anticipation as everyone waited for the steps that could shape the guild's future.

  "Since we all know Eclipse is on the cusp of reag Level 3, let's talk about what that actually means," Rael began, his voice calm but carrying enough weight to and the room. "Two major milestones e with this upgrade. First, we gain the ability to influehe Order through reputation. This opens the door to establishing a territory—either by g ailement like Vash'kar or by founding one of our own."

  He paused, giving the information a moment to sink in. A hand shot up from the middle of the group.

  "Isn't g Vash'kar too ambitious? It's a rge city with multiple guilds already established. We'd o dominate in terms of both reputation and levels for ao take us seriously," the member pointed out.

  Rael nodded, aowledging the valid . "You're right. Vash'kar won't be easy to cim, especially with uilds holding influence here. ving them to yield won't happen ht. Oher hand, founding a new settlement would be easier since we'd be starting from scratch, but that also limits rowth potential. Right now, we're not ready to pete directly, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try to establish a foothold. The long-term bes of seg Vash'kar outweigh the challenges."

  "What's the strategy, then?" Lupus asked, arms crossed as he leaned against the wall. His wolves sat beside him, their ears twitg as if listening too.

  Before Rael could respond, Leon stepped up behind him and, with a dramatic fir, unfolded a rge chart that nearly spahe width of the room. It detailed the guild's current influence, potential growth zones, and key petitors within Vash'kar. Rael adjusted his gsses slightly as if preparing for a lecture.

  The teag stick tapped the chart with a decisive thunk. "To break into Vash'kar's hierarchy, we hree things: increased reputation with the Order, sistent success in high-difficulty quests, and visibility withiy. oal is to outperform uilds not just in bat but also in our tributions to the city's ey and security."

  As Rael tinued, one of the newer recruits leaoward their neighbor, whispering, "Isn't this… kind of weird? The gsses and everything?"

  The other member gnced over without missing a beat. "You'll get used to it. It's a thing."

  Up front, Rael poio a se of the chart beled Influence Milestones. "Increasing our reputation will also unlock city-specific perks like reduced taxes on guild-owned properties aer quest rewards. This brings us to the seajor be of reag Level 3: access to a guild shop."

  This annou sparked murmurs of excitement among the members, and Rael let the buzz settle before tinuing.

  "Partnering with a mert anization gives us access to disted goods, both for internal use and as a source of ihese partnerships typically involve supplying us with ables, crafting materials, and equipment in exge for a stable er base. The more iial we bee, the better the deals we egotiate—and the more exclusive items we secure."

  "What should we prioritize first?" Gale asked.

  "Health and stamina potions should take top priority," Rael replied, his gaze flig briefly to Mira, whose hair still bore the wild aftermath of potion experimentation. "Having a steady supply will reduce our operational costs, especially during dungeon runs and rge-scale missions. After that, we look into upgrading gear and materials for our crafters."

  Leon tapped the chart with a grin. "More dists mean faster leveling—and fewer pints about how expeions are."

  Mira coughed, adjusting her disheveled hair with a sheepish smile. "I'd like to suggest we secure a reliable potion supply. For... reasons."

  Laughter rippled through the room.

  Rael raised his hand tain their focus. "To make this happen, I'll need voluo scout potential mert anizations and evaluate their offers. We're aiming for quality and long-term bes, not just the lowest prices. Any questions before we move on to task assigs?"

  The room buzzed briefly with murmurs as a few members exged gnces, but no one spoke up. A faint cough echoed from the back, followed by the faint rustle of armor as someone shifted their stance.

  Rael adjusted his gsses o time before folding up the chart with a swift motion, tug the teag stider his arm. "Now that we know what's at stake, let's break dowasks for each division."

  He poioward Leon and Mira first. "Potion and Resource Division—you two are responsible for seg a mert partnership. Focus on suppliers health and stamina potions first. If possible, iate deals for crafting materials as well. Mira, coordih our crafters and alchemists to figure out what resources they need most. Leon, assist with iations and make sure no ories to scam us with infted prices."

  Leon smirked. "Got it. Time to put this charming face to work."

  Mira gave him a side gnce, brushing soot out of her hair. "Let's hope they judge us by results, not appearances."

  Ign the banter, Rael turo Gale and Lupus. "Offensive Division—you'll focus on increasing uild's reputation and experieo push us past the threshold for Level 3. Prioritize high-difficulty quests and dungeon runs, especially those tied to the Order and Vash'kar. Lupus, coordih Gale. Your wolves are crucial for reaissand trag, so use that advantage."

  He paused, adding, "And gratutions—unofficially or not, you're effectively the vice-captain of the offensive squad."

  Lupus blinked, processing the sudden promotion. "...I see."

  Gale cpped him on the shoulder with a grin. "Told you, didn't I? You're too useful not to move up."

  Finally, Rael looked toward Elias, who had already leaned ba his seat with a knowing grin.

  "Elias, information gathering is your priority. Find out what uilds in Vash'kar are pnning—who's expanding, who's struggling, and who might bee a threat. Focus on those with strong Order ties. We o know if anyone's aiming for territory cims before we make our move."

  Elias gave a mock salute. "Spying and stirring the pht up my alley."

  Rael crossed his arms, addressing the rest of the guild. "A assigo a division-specific task is free to pursue personal quests or lend a hand to either the Potion and Resource or Offensive Division as needed. Every bit of reputation and resource colle ts toward oal."

  He paused, briefly gng at his status menu. A week away had cost him progress, but now wasn't the time to dwell on it.

  "Alright," he said, turning toward the guild hall doors. "Let's get to work."

  * * *

  The air within the dimly lit chamber crackled faintly as Rael pced the smooth pyer beads into his palm. Their faint, golden glow pulsed like a heartbeat as he focused his i. Last time, this straifact had led him to a fragment of Zenith, a discovery that had unlocked the sed seal binding his potential. Now, with his progress slowing and Eclipse needing every advantage, he hoped they'd guide him once more.

  The light fred briefly—then dimmed. A faint whisper echoed in the air around him, f into a soft, cryptic rhyme:

  "The path you seek lies beyond the veil,A bde of dusk through shadows pale.Yet seek too fast, and you may fall,For silence echoes louder than all."

  Rael blinked, waiting... but nothing else followed.

  He stared at the beads. "...Seriously?"

  This time, there was no hidden location, no tangible clue—just some half-baked poetry that sounded more like a bad fortune cookie. He turhe beads over in his hand before tossing them bato his iory with a resigned sigh.

  "Guess I'm on my own this time."

  With the prophecy—or ck thereof—set aside, Rael leaned back against the chair, sidering his move. Seg influen Vash'kar would require either diplomacy or strength. Reputation was the key curren Order-trolled cities. Winning over allies could fast-track Eclipse's rise, but establishing domihrough challenges was the more direct approach—albeit riskier, given their current strength.

  Rael opened his system interface, sing through the various menus until his gaze settled on his Adventurer Guild rank: E.

  "...I could work on this and farm levels again."

  The Adventurer's Guild in Vash'kar buzzed with activity as pyers crowded around quest boards aion ters. The air was thick with the hum of overpping versations, king armor, and the faint scratg of pens as clerks doted tracts.

  Rael moved toward the quest board, his eyes sing the avaible listings. Among the usual colle of low-tier fetch quests and basister hunts, oood out: [Subjugatio: Crimson Fang Sabertusks]—a pack of elite beasts causing havoear the outskirts of Vash'kar. The reward was solid, and the difficulty promised a det experience boost. Perfect.

  Just as he reached out to cim the quest, a sharp voice cut through the air.

  "Hey! That one's ours!"

  Rael go the side, finding himself face-to-face with a group of pyers matg crimson-and-bck gear. Their emblem—a stylized horned skull—marked them as members of Dominators, a mid-tier guild notorious for their aggressive tactiearby, a smaller group of pyers—likely the ones Dominators had been arguing with earlier—watched from a distance.

  The Dominators' leader, a burly warrior with short-cropped hair and a jagged scar across his cheek, stepped forward. "We hat quest to hit uild's weekly quota. Back off, newbie."

  Rael raised an eyebrow. "First e, first served. I don't see your name on it."

  "Tch, you looking for trouble?" Another member, a rogue with dual daggers, smirked. "We're not above teag you some manners."

  Rael paused, an idea flickering to life in the back of his mind. A ce to test himself and secure future leverage? Too good to pass up.

  "Tell you what," he said casually. "How about a wager? I'll duel your stro member. If I win, yuild owes me a favor—system tracted."

  The warrior scoffed. "You're joking."

  "Afraid you'll lose?"

  "Careful, punk." The rogue's smirk widened. "We don't py nice."

  Rael crossed his arms. "Then prove it."

  * * *

  The sun cast long shadows across the stone floor of Vash'kar's arena, its circur walls eg with murmurs and ughter. Spectators leaned against the railing, some mid-bite into skewers of grilled meat, others chatting casually as if this was just another midday brawl. None seemed particurly ied—just there to watother overfident solo pyer get stomped.

  Dominators clustered near one end, their crimson-and-bck armlinting faintly. Laughter rippled through their ranks as their leader stepped into the arena. His heavy boots thudded against the ground, and steel-pted gaus ked as he flexed his fists. Faint wisps of red energy crackled along the metal knuckles, a clear sign of an offensive entment.

  "Man, this is gonna be quick," one of the Dominators chuckled.

  "No way that guy's got a ce. What's his name again?"

  "Doesn't matter. He's walking out broke and embarrassed."

  The wager had been simple: if Rael lost, he'd forfeit all his gold and issue a public apology. If he won, Dominators owed him a system-enforced favamble so audacious that losing hadn't even crossed their minds.

  Rael stood alo the opposite end, his usual dark armor. No cheers greeted him. No friends waited iands. Just the distant hum of casual versations and the faint breeze stirring the air. His sword rested easily at his side, his posture rexed.

  The NPC referee stepped forward, their ral gaze sweeping across both fighters. "batants, ready yourselves."

  The Dominators' leader smirked, crag his knuckles as sparks of crimson energy danced between his fingers. His stance shifted low, muscles tensing as he prepared to close the gap. "Hope you're ready to donate."

  Rael didn't respond.

  "Begin!"

  The leader exploded forward, closing the distah a burst of speed. His fist shot out in a straight punch aimed directly at Rael's chest—the entment igniting in a fiery red burst mid-strike—

  Rael vanished.

  Gasps rippled through the crowd as his figure blurred, reappearing just beyond the attack's rea a single, fluid Soulstep. Before his oppo could even process the miss, Rael's sword fshed upward in a precise arc—

  Ruinous Strike!

  A darkish violet fre erupted as the bde carved through armor and flesh in a single, devastating ssh. The Dominator's leader staggered, eyes wide—then colpsed to the ground as his HP bar instantly plummeted to zero.

  Silence gripped the arena.

  Someone coughed. A faint k of metal echoed as a spectator shifted their on. The Dominators stood frozen, eyes locked on their fallen leader.

  "…Wait, what—?"

  The rogue from before took an involuntary step forward. "No way—that was—"

  The referee raised their hand. "Victory: Noctus."

  Among the scattered spectators, one pyer stood out—partly because of the floating blue i above his shoulder, marking him as a livestreamer. A small h camera orb buzzed beside him, capturing every moment of the match. His stream chat scrolled rapidly across the translut s projected before his eyes.

  [STREAM CHAT:]"LMAO THAT WAS INSTANT""Bro didn't eveo throw a sed punch""WHO IS THIS GUY?!""Clip that dodge—what was that, a blink skill? Dude vanished like a ghost!"

  The streamer, a lean pyer with spiky brown hair and a light leather vest, adjusted his camera orb to zoom in on Rael as the referee decred the result. "Okay, what the hell just happened? One dodge, orike, and boom—game over. Either that guy's build is cracked or the Dominators' leader o resider life choices."

  More messages flooded in as the Dominators stood in stunned silence.

  [STREAM CHAT:]"That sword skill wasn't basic—looked advanced as hell""Dominatot humbled LIVE ""Yo, someone find his pyer tag—who's Noctus?"

  The camera orb drifted sideways, capturing Rael's calm demeanor as he sheathed his sword and stepped back without so much as a victory pose. No celebration, no gloating—just a brief goward the Dominatroup before turning away as if the whole thing had been routine.

  "…Hey, chat, you think I should go interview him after this? Dude might be camera-shy, though."

  "DO IT""No balls""Ask him if he's secretly a pro"

  The streamer chuckled, but before he could approach, the system's interface appeared before Rael, prompting him to finalize the wager results.