The news of the corrupted beast had shaken everyone. The Rising Heroes carried the weight of it on their shoulders, knowing full well what the appearance of such a beast meant. They had already sent the word to the Royal Capital when the guild doors opened, and the atmosphere inside shifted instantly.
Then every conversation stopped. Every head turned.
A man stepped into the guild hall with a calm, almost lazy manner. He wasn't bulky, nor did he carry the look of someone who tried to be noticed, but there was something about him that drew eyes naturally. His lean build was hidden beneath a hooded cloak, and across his back was slung a bow, its polished surface catching faint light. A quiver of arrows rested at his hip, alongside small tools that rattled lightly as he walked.
His face, half-shaded by the hood, carried a bored expression, as if stepping into the guild was more of a chore than a duty. Yet, behind that look of disinterest was a sharpness no one could ignore. This was Hugo "Deadeye", one of the strongest adventurers in Ula Town. A member of Redwake, the SS-Rank group known as the pride of the west.
The guild hall filled with murmurs. People pushed closer to catch a better glimpse, their awe and respect spilling into hushed conversations.
"Deadeye's here…"
"Is Redwake moving again?"
"Something serious must be happening."
But Hugo barely paid attention to the crowd. His eyes moved slowly across the guild, searching for someone specific. When they landed on Rok and the Wind Chasers, he tilted his head slightly, his expression softening just enough to be noticed.
"You guys are in the guild as well," Hugo said in a plain, almost casual voice. "That's a good surprise."
Rok, who had been lounging back in his chair, brightened immediately. "Heya, Hugo-bro!" he said, raising his hand.
"You doing well?" Hugo asked, his tone dry, but there was a faint trace of genuine concern beneath it.
"Yes, we all are doing good," Rok replied.
"That's good to hear."
"Where's big brother?" Rok leaned forward, suddenly more serious.
Hugo's expression shifted slightly. "You see… we're kinda in a pinch. He's busy with some work, and I'm in a hurry as well."
Rok frowned. "What's the hurry?"
"I've been told to look for some group," Hugo said simply. "They recently came to Ula."
Rok blinked. "What group?"
"Something called 'The Rising Heroes.'"
The words hung in the air for a moment. Silence followed, then Rok suddenly burst out laughing, holding his stomach as if the world's funniest joke had been told.
Hugo arched an eyebrow. "Has he gone mad, or what, Rosa?"
Rosa shook her head, her smile small but amused. "No, it's just that… the people sitting with us here are The Rising Heroes."
Hugo turned, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied Lila, Adrian, Drakar, Sera, and Doran. After a pause, he sighed and said flatly, "They were here the whole time and I was looking all around the town."
His words, spoken in that same unbothered tone, caused a stir among the surrounding adventurers. To think Redwake was searching for this new group, it was enough to make the entire guild whisper in shock.
"Can you come with me real quick?" Hugo asked.
Lila hesitated. "Okay, but why?"
"Just come. You'll get to know everything soon enough."
Lila glanced at her friends, then nodded. "Alright… let's go."
"Rok," Hugo added, "you know what? Come along. Bring the other two as well. Fast."
"Okayyy," Rok said, stretching the word as he gave Elric a signal. Elric quietly stood up, adjusting his glasses, and went off to fetch the other Wind Chasers who had been elsewhere.
Together, the group followed Hugo through the guild. He didn't explain further, nor did he slow down. His steps were silent but swift, and in moments they reached a part of the guild building few adventurers ever set foot in.
On the first floor, Hugo stopped in front of a large wooden door. A polished nameplate gleamed on it: Guild Meeting Room. He pushed the door open, and the air inside was immediately different.
A strong aura filled the space, pressing down like invisible weight. Four figures stood within, their presence commanding the entire room even without words.
Redwake. The strongest group of Ula Town.
Rok's eyes lit up. Without hesitation, he ran forward. His fist shot out toward one of the figures, but before it could land, the strike was caught easily, blocked as though it were nothing. The next second, Rok's expression softened, and he pulled the man into a tight hug.
"Brothers, long time no see!" Rok said, his grin wide.
The man smiled back, his confidence radiating in the simple gesture. Then his expression shifted, turning serious as he looked past Rok toward the Rising Heroes.
"Sorry for calling you out of nowhere," he began, his voice steady and strong. "The timing could not have been more perfect. You all have first-hand experience with the highest form of corrupted core. Until now, the sightings were limited to the Central, North, and East regions… but now it has reached here, in the west as well. And there might be a reason for that."
The Rising Heroes exchanged glances, their faces grave.
The man continued, "We have information that the Obsidian Jewel, one of the Seven Jewels, is located near Ula."
Lila's eyes widened. "One of the Jewels!? You mean the same jewels those intruders came to take?"
"Yes," he answered firmly. "That one. And we have suspicion they will come for it. We cannot let them have it."
The weight of his words settled in the room. The Seven Jewels, unknown of what power they truly hold but if one was truly here in the west, danger would follow.
Then, almost as if remembering, the man smiled and said, "By the way, I forgot to tell you something important… my name. Haha. Well, it is Alex."
Alex stepped forward, his long hair tied back, sharp features highlighted by an easy smile. His lean yet powerful build spoke of endless training and battle experience. In his hand, he carried a massive pickaxe, etched with markings shaped by sand and wind. His presence was full of confidence, the kind that came naturally to a leader.
"You've already met Hugo," Alex continued. "This is Adriana."
A slim figure stepped forward, chewing bubblegum with a playful pop. Her dark pink hair fell around her shoulders in waves, and in her hand she casually rested a massive hammer that seemed too big for her frame. Her smirk carried both charm and mischief.
"This is Gepa," Alex said next.
A quiet man with glasses nodded slightly. His crowbar rested at his side, faint sparks of thunder running along it. His posture was closed, shy almost, but the intensity in his eyes betrayed his calculating mind.
"And he is Diego."
A man with a wide-brimmed hat tilted his head lazily, smoke curling from the cigarette in his mouth. His long cloak swept the ground, and beneath it was a synth-axe that hummed faintly with energy. His smile was sharp, his tone dry as he muttered, "Guess introductions are over, huh."
Alex clapped his hands lightly. "Well, back to the topic. We, Redwake, are going to find out if the Jewel is in the ruins or not. And we want you to come with us. Rok, you and your Wind Chasers too."
The Rising Heroes didn't hesitate. The weight of the situation was too great.
Lila glanced at her friends, then nodded firmly. "We'll come."
Adrian's eyes narrowed, steady as always. "If the Jewel is here, it cannot fall into the wrong hands."
Drakar gripped his axe tighter, fire flickering in his eyes. Doran cracked his knuckles with a grin. Sera, though quiet, nodded in agreement.
"Good," Alex said, smiling wide. "Then a new challenge awaits us all."
And with those words, the path toward the Obsidian Jewel began.