As Nate entered the meeting room of the capital building, he was greeted by five familiar faces. Will, Autumn, James, and Lima were all there, along with a new individual whom Nate had not yet had the pleasure of meeting.

  "I'm glad you all could make it," Nate said, his voice steady but his expression betraying a hint of anxiety.

  Autumn, who had taken a seat at the table, furrowed her brow and replied, “Yes, we are present, but I’m curious—why are we meeting now? We don’t have a scheduled meeting until tomorrow.”

  Nate took a deep breath, the memories of the recent dragon fight still fresh in his mind. “After the encounter with the dragon, I’ve felt a profound sense of fear creeping in. It’s clear to me that I need to solidify everything I’ve built for the future, even for the time when I might no longer be here.”

  A new voice interrupted, cutting through the tension in the room. “I’m sorry, but what does that have to do with us?” The tone was direct, filled with curiosity. All eyes turned to the newcomer—a striking woman with ebony skin, long, finely coiled hair, and a tall, muscular frame that suggested strength and confidence.

  Nate leaned forward slightly, intrigued by her presence. “What was your name? I never caught it,” he asked.

  “Faith, my king,” she replied respectfully, her posture straightening as she addressed him.

  “Alright, Faith, let me explain. You’ll be collaborating with Lima and James for an extended period. After thorough training from everyone present at this table, you will be forming a group known as the Four Horsemen,” Nate declared, his tone leaving no room for question.

  James, who sat nearby, furrowed his brow in confusion. “But I only count three of us,” he pointed out.

  “Yes, I’m well aware that I'm the fourth,” Nate confirmed, a slight smile touching his lips.

  Faith looked intrigued yet puzzled. “So, as the Four Horsemen, what does that imply for us, and why exactly am I here?” she asked, crossing her arms.

  “Your specific skill set is crucial to our plans. You possess a class dedicated to poison, a trait I desperately need for the kingdom's future,” Nate explained, his eyes narrowing slightly as he assessed the gravity of the situation.

  Faith raised an eyebrow. “You need a class related to poison? How did you even know my class?” she inquired.

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  Autumn interjected, “The class log you provided when you arrived in the city contained all that information.”

  Faith’s expression shifted to one of realization. “Oh right, I forgot about that,” she admitted, a sheepish smile creeping onto her face.

  Will, sitting with his arms crossed, added, “Once you filled out the paperwork, your name was placed on a list, and we’ve been observing your progress ever since.”

  “But what about the rest of us?” James pressed, genuinely concerned about his role in this newfound alliance.

  Nate leaned back in his chair, contemplating. “Your roles will be pivotal,” he began. “James, you’ll serve as my eyes and ears within the army, ensuring that no one who aligns with us will act against our interests. Lima, your task will be to investigate our enemies whenever we prepare for war. As for you, Faith, you will become my top assassin. You’ll receive extensive training to hone your skills, with Autumn assisting you throughout the process.”

  Faith’s expression shifted from curiosity to skepticism. “What about codenames?” she asked.

  Nate nodded, continuing. “Yes, you will all receive code names for your assignments. James, you’ll be known as Zelos. Lima, you will be Martius. And Faith, you’ll take on the name Limos.”

  For the first time, Faith raised a question that reflected her pragmatic nature. “What are the benefits of this arrangement?”

  Nate locked eyes with her. “You’ll receive 150 gold coins each day, with a bonus of 1,000 per successful mission, housing, and potentially more perks in the future.”

  A thoughtful expression crossed James's face. “This could significantly improve life for my family, but it also raises concerns. What will happen to my loved ones if things go awry? Will they be safe?”

  “You will gain the strength to protect them,” Nate assured, his tone unwavering. “During your missions, they will be well-guarded at all times, ensuring their safety as you serve the kingdom.”

  James nodded slowly, more resolute. “I trust you, my king. You will have my loyalty.”

  “Count me in,” Lima added with determination, her hands gripping the edge of the table.

  Faith took a moment before responding, weighing her options. “I suppose I will join as well, but only if you can adjust my compensation to 170 gold a day,” she stated, a glimmer of mischief in her eyes.

  “Consider it done,” Nate replied without hesitation, a hint of admiration for her negotiating skills in his voice.

  “Wow, that was quick and easy,” Faith remarked, her curiosity piqued. “Why the urgency?”

  “Faith, you’re the most vital member of this group. From what I understand, acquiring a class like yours is exceedingly rare, which makes someone with your abilities highly sought after. I truly need you,” Nate explained, his sincerity resonating throughout the room.

  “Well, it’s refreshing to feel needed. So when do we start?” Faith inquired, her resolve solidifying.

  “Today. The men will accompany Sir Will, while Faith, you will train with Lady Autumn,” Nate instructed, his tone brisk and authoritative.

  Will stood up from the table, glancing back over his shoulder. “With that, we should be on our way. You two have monsters to hunt,” he said, ushering the group toward the door with an air of purposeful urgency.

  As everyone rose from the table, the weight of their newfound roles settled upon them, each person preparing to step into a future filled with uncertainty and the promise of adventure.

  “Sir, I have one more thing to mention: you have a letter from an unknown sender.” said will