The steady clink of boots echoed across the polished hallways of the Guild as Bella and Shuri approached Vel's office. The night air had turned cool, and soft lantern light bathed the walls in golden hues. Both women moved quickly, the weight of their discovery pressing urgency into their steps.
Inside the office, Vel was seated at his desk, flanked by Shin and Darius. A map sprawled across the table, dotted with red markings and coded notes. The quiet intensity of strategy was broken only when a firm knock came at the door.
"Come in," Vel called without looking up.
The door opened, and Shuri and Bella stepped in. Shuri bowed slightly. "We need to speak with you, Vel-sama. It's important."
Vel leaned back, motioning them in. "I assume this is about the patient you were observing?"
Bella nodded. "Yes. We believe we've found something that explains why healing spells are only temporarily effective."
Shuri stepped forward, setting a thick leather-bound notebook on the desk. "I tested the green liquid found in the victim's blood. On rats, it caused extreme spasms and erratic behavior. A few recovered briefly—but only temporarily. Even high-grade healing potions barely stabilized them."
Bella added, "I tried Tier 3 recovery magic earlier this week. It dulled the symptoms, but only for a short while. Then everything returned, worse than before."
Shuri glanced at Vel. "That's why we believe it's cursed. It's not just a toxin—there's magic actively resisting any attempts to heal."
Vel's brow furrowed. "Cursed, huh…"
"We'll need specialized equipment to confirm it," Shuri said, hesitating slightly. "But I believe a priest or someone from the Church could help us identify the curse type. If we can isolate it, we might find a countermeasure."
"I'll contact the Church," Vel said with a nod. "There's someone I trust there—she'll help if I ask."
"Thank you," Shuri said, visibly relieved.
At that very moment, across the guild's eastern wing, a man stepped quietly into the infirmary. He carried a bundled infant in his arms—his sleeping son. The man was pale with fatigue, but his eyes lit up as he neared a familiar door.
"Liora, My love," he whispered to himself as he opened the door.
But what greeted him inside wasn't a reunion.
A shadowed figure was slipping through the open window. Cloaked, face hidden in the dim light, the intruder froze mid-motion.
"Who are you!?" the man cried out.
The cloaked figure didn't answer.
In one smooth, practiced motion, they hurled a dagger across the dimly lit room. A flicker of silver flashed through the air.
The man's instincts kicked in. Eyes widening in alarm, he immediately turned his back to the threat, shielding the baby in his arms with his own body.
The blade struck him squarely in the back of the thigh.
"AGH—!" he cried out, collapsing to his knees. Pain flared up his leg like fire, but he clutched the child tightly, refusing to let go.
His body twisted to cushion the infant as he hit the floor, groaning through clenched teeth, eyes watering—not from the pain, but from sheer terror for the child.
Within seconds, the room erupted with noise. As nurses rushed into the hallway at the sound, several of them were shouting for help.
"He's bleeding—get a stretcher!"
"He's still conscious! Check on the baby!"
The man winced in pain as he was lifted onto the stretcher, clutching a nurse's hand. "My son… is he safe?"
"He's fine," the nurse reassured him. "You protected him. Rest now."
Back in Vel's office, the cries carried faintly through the corridors. Vel's eyes snapped toward the door.
"What now…?" he muttered, standing.
Shin was already halfway to the door. "I'll check it out."
"Go," Vel said. "Let me know what you find."
Moments later, Shin reached the infirmary, where the nurses were tending to the injured man. The atmosphere was tense, and quiet murmurs filled the room as staff rushed between beds.
He approached one of the nurses, his steps quiet but purposeful, gaze sharp.
"What happened?" he asked.
The nurse turned to him, slightly flustered. "That's the husband of the woman in Room Four. He came to visit with their child. When he entered, he was attacked."
"Attacked how?" Shin asked, narrowing his eyes.
She hesitated before continuing. "A knife… It struck his thigh. It was laced with some kind of toxin. He's stable now, but the toxin is still affecting him. He's not really in a condition to speak."
Shin didn't blink. "I still need to see him. Just a few minutes."
The nurse nodded reluctantly and gestured toward one of the side rooms. "He's in recovery—just be careful. He's still in pain."
Inside, the room was dim, the only light coming from a lantern set on the bedside table. The man lay propped up with bandages around his thigh, beads of sweat forming on his brow. His face was pale, but his eyes were alert with worry.
Shin knelt beside him, voice low but direct. "Can you talk?"
The man nodded, pale and sweating from the pain. "When I opened the door, someone was just slipping out the window," he explained. "I couldn't see their face… just a cloak. I tried to stop them, but they threw the knife before I could do anything."
Shin's jaw tightened. "Thank you. You did well."
He left the man and went directly to the patient's room. Shuri and Bella joined him shortly after, both of them visibly tense.
"See if anything's missing," Shin ordered quietly.
Bella scanned the shelves while Shuri checked the bedside table and equipment.
"Everything looks untouched…" Shuri said uncertainty. "No documents missing… no vials taken."
Then suddenly, the woman on the bed convulsed. Her body jolted once—then twice—then began to thrash violently.
"She's seizing!" Bella shouted. "Get help—now!"
Nurses rushed back in as the woman screamed, her eyes rolling back. Then, slowly, her irises turned blood red, and her pupils went stark white.
Her body surged upward with unnatural strength. She threw off the two nurses trying to hold her down, slamming one of them against the wall.
"Get back!" Shin shouted, stepping between her and the others, shielding Shuri and Bella.
Down the hall, the crashing echoed through the Guild, drawing attention.
Vel and Darius, hearing the commotion, rushed down the corridor. Vel's cloak flared behind him as he moved.
"Damn it—what now?" Vel growled.
Vel and Darius burst from the office, their footsteps thunderous.