(Back at the White Flame Guild headquarters, the team returns from their successful raid on the demon lair. Hanzo and the others drop sacks filled with essence stones, runes, and various demonic materials onto the massive central table. Guild members gather around, their eyes filled with anticipation.)

  Elena: "Damn, we really hit the jackpot this time! We’ve got high-tier runes, rare crystals, and even a few elite demon cores."

  Garrick: (nodding) "Good work. These will be appraised, sold, or reforged into weapons and armor. The guild relies on these resources to stay ahead."

  (Hanzo watches as experienced blacksmiths and enchanters begin sorting through the loot. His eyes fall on a strange obsidian crystal that radiates an eerie glow.)

  Hanzo: (curious) "What’s this one? It feels... different."

  Roderic: (adjusting his glasses, inspecting the crystal) "That’s a Shadow-Infused Demon Core. Rare, unstable, and infused with corrupted mana. Mishandling it could be dangerous, but with proper study... it could also be invaluable."

  (Hanzo clenches his fists. He is still processing the battle against the Demon General, the sheer gap between himself and the upper ranks. He knows he needs to grow stronger.)

  Garrick: (placing a firm hand on Hanzo’s shoulder) "You performed well, but you still have much to learn. The real battle is always ahead. Take time to refine your skills."

  (Hanzo nods, though his mind is already set on the next challenge.)

  (Later that night, Hanzo visits the guild’s blacksmith, an old but powerful man named Master Rohen. The forge glows with molten heat as sparks fly.)

  Rohen: (grunting) "So, the new recruit wants something forged, huh? What do you have for me?"

  (Hanzo places the venomous magic dagger he obtained from the Demon General on the table. The blade pulses with a dark green aura, its poison potent.)

  Hanzo: "This dagger… I want to make it stronger. Can you refine it?"

  Rohen: (smirks) "You’ve got an eye for quality, kid. This isn’t just any weapon—it’s a soul-bound artifact. It’ll grow stronger with you. But it’s unstable."

  Hanzo: (determined) "Then teach me how to control it. I’ll master it no matter what."

  (Rohen eyes Hanzo, then sighs, grabbing a hammer.)

  Rohen: "Fine. But be warned, mastering a weapon like this can change you. Let’s begin."

  (Meanwhile, in the Guild Leader’s chamber, Garrick and the senior members analyze the situation in the demon-infested territories. Cain stands beside Garrick, arms crossed, deep in thought.)

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  Cain: "The recent surge in demon activity isn’t random. The B-rank Demon nearly A-rank we defeated was just one of many. Something bigger is happening."

  Senior Strategist: "Reports indicate that a high-ranking demons has begun mobilizing forces. If we don’t act fast, entire cities could be wiped out."

  Garrick: (gritting his teeth, exchanging glances with Cain) "Then we don’t have time to waste. We need our strongest ready for war."

  (He looks at a list of potential fighters, his eyes lingering on Hanzo’s name.)

  Garrick (inner monologue): He has potential… but will he be ready?

  (Back in the training grounds, Hanzo spars with Elena. She moves at blinding speeds, her flames whipping through the air. Hanzo dodges, but barely.)

  Elena: (grinning) "What’s wrong? Can’t keep up?"

  (Hanzo narrows his eyes, his instincts sharpening. He takes a deep breath, focusing on his newfound power Godspeed. His body tenses, then suddenly, he vanishes from sight in a blur.)

  Elena: (shocked) "What—?!"

  (In an instant, Hanzo reappears behind her, his dagger resting against her throat. But before he can claim victory, Elena’s entire body ignites in a fiery aura. A swift spin kick forces Hanzo to jump back just in time to avoid being seared.)

  Elena: (grinning, breathing heavily) "Not bad, rookie. But don’t think speed alone can win."

  (She dashes forward, her attacks coming in rapid succession, testing Hanzo’s endurance. Flames graze his skin, his reflexes pushed to the limit. Finally, Elena smirks and steps back, satisfied.)

  Elena: "You’re improving fast. Just don’t get cocky."

  (As they cool down, Hanzo notices a thoughtful look in Elena’s eyes.)

  Hanzo: "Something on your mind?"

  (Elena hesitates, then shrugs.)

  Elena: "Just... thinking about how I got here."

  (She stares at the sky, reminiscing.)

  Elena: "I was born into nobility. A family of knights, all bound by tradition. But I didn’t want to be caged by their expectations. I wanted to fight for my own reasons, not just because I was told to. So I left. The White Flame took me in, and now, this is my family."

  (Hanzo nods, understanding her struggles in his own way.)

  (Later that evening, as Hanzo heads toward his room, he is stopped by Lyra, the healer who saved him after the demon battle. She fidgets slightly, her usual composure shaken.)

  Lyra: "Hanzo… I never properly thanked you for saving me back there. If you hadn’t stepped in, I…"

  (She looks down, clutching the edge of her cloak.)

  Lyra: "I owe you a great debt. And I intend to repay it."

  Hanzo: (rubbing the back of his head) "You don’t owe me anything. It was just—"

  (Before he can finish, Lyra steps closer, looking up at him with determination.)

  Lyra: "No, I do. And I will. No matter what."

  (Unbeknownst to them, Elena watches from a distance, arms crossed, her expression unreadable. She huffs quietly to herself, turning away before walking off. Lyra’s attention toward Hanzo was something she hadn’t expected, and for some reason, it irritated her.)

  (As Hanzo returns to his quarters, he sighs, unaware of the brewing tension between the two women.)