Footsteps echoed through a vast pitch-black chamber. The only light came from a single beam falling from the ceiling, casting a cold spotlight on the center if the room.
Around it sat six thrones – massive, looming and half swallowed by shadow. The figures seated on them were shrouded in darkness, their faces hidden….. only their presence was felt.
"You're back rather early, Sage," one of the shadowed voices spoke, calm but cold.
The man who entered stopped just at the edge of the light, a faint grin the only visible feature on his otherwise hidden face.
"Just here to deliver some bad news," he said smoothly.
"Bad news?" another voice asked, sharper this time.
"I'm afraid so," Sage replied. "One of ours was killed. In the forests in the outskirts of Calonia."
The air shifted. One of the settled figures stood up. "One of ours?! Are you joking, Sage?!"
Sage chuckled. "I don't joke. Not about this."
"Do you know who did it?" another voice asked, low and deliberate. Sage gave a half-shrug. "Yes…. and no."
"What does that mean?" a third demanded.
"I didn't see a face. But I saw aftermath. The Ice. Everything was frozen."A silence fell over the room. Then – "Ice?" one of them repeated with shock.
"It doesn't matter," another snapped. "He killed one of us. That's enough." They leaned forward slightly, voice like steel."Bring us his head, Sage."
Sage gave turned, his boots echoing once again as he started for the exit. "Fine. consider it done."
"Your mission still stands," a voice called after him. "We expect your next report soon."
Sage gave a casual wave. "Next time we meet."
As he faded into the shadows, another voice, quieter but firm, spoke from the thrones."We need to eliminate the Guild Masters. Soon."
And then the room fell silent again. ...…
Boros let out a long sigh. "Great. That's gonna be a massive pain…."
"Hey, old man," Kinuko snapped grabbing the merchant by the collar. "Why'd you give Shiro something that basically makes him a death target?"
"Yeah, seriously," Akeno chimed in, strolling up casually. "If you wanted to thank him for saving your life, you could've just given me food. I'd take hot food over cursed gear any day."
"Shut up," Boros muttered, shoving Akeno's head to the side. He gently pried Kinuko's fingers off the merchant's collar. "It's fine, Kinuko."
The merchant looked genuinely rattled. "I – I didn't mean it like that. I swear. I didn't even know it was an awakened weapon….."
Boros glanced at him and nodded. "Relax. It's fine."
"Look, I know you're strong – you beat a guy wielding an Awakened Weapon without even using one yourself," the merchant said, hands raised.
"But if you ask me… you should keep the weapon hidden. At least until you've joined a guild."
Kinuko nodded. "He's right, Shiro. No point painting a target on your back before you've even signed up."
Boros scratched his neck. "Yeah, yeah. I get it."Kinuko glanced at the sun through the shop window. "We should get moving."
"Agreed," Akeno added. "Can't be late on our first day."
"What? Already?" the merchant said clearly disappointed. "But still need clothes and gear –"
"We do," Boros cut in. "But if we're serious about this guild, we need to get there early. It's almost noon."
The merchant hesitated, then smirked. "Alright, alright. Since you're so confident you'll make it in… consider the clothes on the house."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Boros said, throwing up his hands. "First you hand over a gauntlet that's probably worth more than this shop, and now you're giving us clothes for free? What's the catch?"
Kinuko crossed her arms, eyeing the merchant. "Yeah… it feels off."
"Maybe he's a spy," Akeno said walking up with a grin and stroking her chin like a detective. "Hiding in plain sight, playing the long game."
The merchant raised his hands dramatically. "Alright, alright. You caught me – I'm a spy."
"I knew it!" Akeno gasped, eyes lighting up. "That's so cool! Are you, like, deep undercover? Double agent? Do you have a code name?"
"Of course not!" the merchant barked. "I'm too old to be crawling through vents and dodging crossbow bolts!"
"Aww," Akeno groaned, crouching down to poke at a stick on the floor. Boros stared at her. "Why are you squatting like that? And why the hell would you want him to be a spy?!"
The merchant cleared his throat. "Look, like I told you before – I just wanted to thank you for saving my shop."
"And like I told you, I didn't do anything," Boros muttered.
"Let me have my good deed, would you?" the merchant half-pleading. Boros rolled his eyes. "Fine. Your wallet, not mine."
"Since you three are planning to join a guild, here's the deal," the merchant said. "If you pass the entry trials today, you'll have your guild cards by nightfall. Which means by tomorrow… boom – you're official adventurers."
"Okay… and?" Boros asked, raising a brow. "So instead of giving you Flowwear, I'm giving you Spinewear."
"Spinewear?" all three said in sync, eyebrows furrowed. The merchant blinked. "Wait…. I haven't explained this before? Thought I did. Anyway – listen up."
He held up two pieces of clothing. "Flowwear's for civilians – everyday people like me. Simple, legal, boring. Spinewear, on the other hand, is what registered adventurers are allowed to wear. More durable, enhanced mobility, and it just looks cooler."
"Civilians can't wear Spinewear?" Kinuko asked. "Nope," the merchant replied.
"Technically illegal. Same the other way – adventurers aren't allowed to stroll around in civilian gear either. Identification is part of the system."
Boros rubbed his chin. "Makes sense, I guess."
"Now check this out," the merchant said, holding up the Spinewear next to a Flowwear set. "Way more stylish right?"
Akeno leaned in. "Okay, yeah…. I like the cut. Sleeker." "And it's got built-in enchantment threads for minor elemental resistance," the merchant added proudly.
"Also…" he coughed into his hand. "Reduces bounce. You know – for the ladies. Less…. Jiggle motion."
"Jiggle motion?" Akeno squinted at him.
Boros smirked. "He means your boobs won't bounce as much, Akeno."
Akeno recoiled. "Excuse me?"
The merchant threw his hands over his face. "I didn't mean it like that! I wasn't looking honest! Honest!"
"Too late, perv," Akeno growled, reaching for the nearest object to throw.
"Here we go," Boros muttered, stepping aside.
Clang…. Clang..."Ah. I'm sorry! I wasn't even looking, I swear –"
"Shut up, perv!" Akeno shouted, slamming another object over his head. Boros winced. "Yikes…. she's really giving it to him."
"Y-yeah," Kinuko nodded, half impressed, half concerned.
"Hmph. That's what he gets," Akeno huffed, casually strolling back toward them.
"Yo, old man – you alive?" Boros called out.
"Not really," the merchant groaned, pushing himself up and cracking his back. "Young girls are way stronger than they look…."
Crack.
"Or maybe I'm just getting old."
"What was that about young girls?" Akeno asked turning slowly.
"Whoa – easy, easy," Boros said, catching her by the waist and holding her back. "You already knocked a few years off him."
Kinuko leaned in and whispered to Boros, "Is it just me… or she's doing all this 'cause he wasn't a spy."
"Yeah," Boros replied under his breath. "Definitely."
The merchant wheezed, dusted himself off, and forced a smile. "Right…. Okay. Let me roll out your gear so you can hit the road."