The next morning, sunlight streamed through the windows of the Guild Agency in the middle-class district.
Inside, the agency bustled with activity, papers shuffling, phones ringing, and staff exchanging quick words.
Celestine stood by her desk with a phone in hand, calmly speaking with the head of the Guild Agency.
Outside, a scuffle broke out between
middle-class citizens and the poor, insults flying from both sides.
The Novara police quickly arrived, trying to calm the situation before it escalated.
The middle-class people shouted defiantly:
"Kick out the poor!"
The poor shouted back angrily:
"We are not responsible for the gangs' actions!"
But the middle-class crowd didn't relent:
"Stop lying! Reveal where they are hiding!"
The police stood between the two sides, raising their hands to disperse the crowd before the chaos escalated.
The air was tense, shouts mixing with the blare of sirens as both sides argued.
Ravena sat before a large screen, a small red glow reflecting in her dark eyes. Her hand rested on her head, black hair falling over her shoulders as she watched the scene, her elegant clothes contrasting with her irritation.
"Damn… because of what that boy did yesterday, this is happening…" she said in a low voice, a mix of anger and fatigue.
Beside her stood Brane, a massive man in his forties with short curly hair and a scar across his neck, the overseer of training.
Brane spoke seriously: "There was already tension between the two districts, but yesterday's incident made it worse."
Ravena closed her eyes briefly, gathering her thoughts while the clash continued on the screen.
Suddenly, notifications reached her. She stood up quickly, eyes sharp.
"These are orders from the Church!" she whispered, her voice charged with determination.
Brane raised his voice to command: "Everyone, come quickly! We need an urgent meeting!"
He immediately picked up his phone, calling: Ryen, Celestine, Kryne, Selvara, and another girl yet unnamed.
Everyone knew this was urgent.
Everyone hurried to the upper floor of the Guild Agency, silence hanging in the air as they sensed the weight of the meeting.
They entered the meeting room where a large table, neatly arranged chairs, and screens displaying the city's situation awaited them.
Everyone sat around the table.
Ravena stood before them confidently.
"Welcome."
Celestine took her seat, her long black hair fading into dark purple over her shoulders. She wore a long black robe, calm yet authoritative.
Selvara stepped forward next, the head of intelligence, her white hair shortened and dyed with black streaks, strict and composed despite being in her thirties.
Ryen, in his late twenties with messy brown hair, looked both concerned and angry.
Kryne, a man in his thirties with brown hair under a cap, had discarded his cigarette before entering, appearing calm despite the tension.
The young girl in her twenties was short, with extremely long black hair reaching the floor. Her loose clothes hung over her small frame as she slowly nibbled on a cake, looking sleepy.
As before, Kryne refused to sit. He remained near the entrance, leaning slightly with his face hidden under his cap, silently observing.
Ravena placed her hands on the table, her gaze sharp.
"As a reminder to all of you, we have discovered a plot by a gang aiming to destroy the Church in Novara."
The room fell silent, the tension clear despite everyone already knowing.
The short girl suddenly showed a look of shock on her face and shouted loudly:
"Huhhhhhhhhhhh!"
She quickly realized she had interrupted the speech and sat down, glancing at Ravena with embarrassment.
"Sorry..."
Ravena closed her eyes briefly, recalling the events, then continued:
"We managed to update the location of their headquarters. The Church decided to wait for their move, then strike their base directly. Our target is to take down their five leaders known by numbers. As for the other followers, the police will handle them."
Brane spoke calmly:
"Won't any of the guilds take care of them?"
Selvara nodded.
"Yes, I have the same question."
Ravena replied steadily:
"No, the Church entrusted us specifically to deal with them and bring them in."
Surprise spread through the room, some quietly asking, Why us?
The short girl reacted a little late and
shouted:
"Huhhhhhhhhhhh? Us?"
Noticing everyone staring, she sat down again, embarrassed.
"Sorry..."
Ryen laughed confidently.
"Finally, it's my turn to shine."
Ravena continued calmly:
"The Church has indeed chosen those who will take on this mission. And they are…"
Everyone tensed for the announcement.
Celestine, Selvara, Brane, and Kryne remained composed.
Ryen's confidence grew, certain he would be chosen.
The short girl kept nibbling her cake, watching Ravena.
Ravena spoke firmly:
"Miss Celestine and Miss Selvara,
Mr. Brane and Kryne,
the rest of you will continue your day here at work as usual."
Ryen looked completely defeated, eyes wide with shock.
The short girl had already fallen asleep, breathing softly.
Celestine placed a hand over her heart, smiling faintly.
"Ah… I knew I wouldn't get away from this mission."
Brane replied calmly:
"It's my pleasure."
Selvara smiled gently.
"Well then…"
Kryne only exhaled slowly, remaining silent beneath his cap.
Ravena stood, placing her hands on the table.
"Two other guilds will send some of their members for support. You will gather here on the lower floor, then move out toward the Troublemakers' hideout, targeting only their leaders. Understood?"
Each assigned member responded in their own way.
Ravena then ordered the meeting to disperse.
Everyone left except the small girl and Ryen, both still shocked at not being chosen.
Meanwhile, at the Troublemakers' headquarters, Toxivar stood alone, his long green hair falling over his shoulders, two strands framing his face.
He walked into a large central hall where gang members sat waiting, their attention fixed on him. Toxivar sat calmly before them, eyes gleaming with focus.
He spoke slowly, his voice low yet commanding:
"Yo…"
The hall fell silent. Dozens of eyes turned toward him.
He stepped forward, shadows shifting across his face as a wicked smile formed.
Raising his hand slightly, he declared:
"Today… is our day."
His calm voice struck them like an explosion.
"We'll be launching an attack inside Novara."
"All of us will move toward the city center."
His smile widened, green eyes shining with controlled madness.
"Steal… set fire to anything you see… destroy everything."
Whispers rise.
Breathing quickens.
Tension sharpens like blades.
He leans forward slightly, his voice dropping even lower
More dangerous:
"Today… those who live in luxury… those who caused our suffering…"
"Will feel the same pain."
The entire headquarters erupts at once:
"YEEESSSS!!!"
Dozens of voices roar, shaking the room laughter, excitement, chaos.
Toxivar doesn't react.
He turns and walks calmly toward the exit.
Just before leaving, he stops and glances back, his green hair swaying as that twisted smile widens.
In a quiet voice that cuts through the noise:
"We move… at midday."
He closes the door.
The hallway is long, with cracked walls and flickering lights, silence swallowing every step.
At the end stands a large, scarred metal door.
He pushes it open.
The room inside is dim…
Pairs of eyes glow in the darkness.
He smiles.
"Hello… Numbers."
Inside, a round table sits at the center. Four figures surround it, wearing long hooded coats that hide their faces, leaving only their silhouettes and faint hands visible.
Number One speaks his voice calm, deep, sounding like a man in his mid‑thirties:
"Toxivar… did you tell them what I instructed?"
Toxivar smiles, hands behind his back:
"Yes, Number One."
Number Two leans slightly forward, his voice quiet but steady:
"good."
Silence settled, heavy and tense, as if the air itself awaited their next move.
On the lower floor of the Guild Agency, the meeting room was small but organized. Screens displayed the city's movements, and a large table stood at the center.
Celestine sat calmly, her black hair fading into dark purple, hands resting on the table as she studied the data.
Brane, the massive man with a scar on his neck, observed every detail on the screens.
Selvara sat beside him, calm and reassuring.
Kryne leaned against the corner, face shadowed beneath his cap, silently watching.
Celestine sighed quietly:
"No one has moved yet… the situation is still heating up, and the people are still fighting."
Selvara, sitting beside her, raised an eyebrow and replied calmly:
"And also, no one from the other agencies has sent any support yet… things could escalate if this continues."
Brane watched the screens in silence, while Kryne stayed in the corner, observing quietly.
Brane dozed briefly. Kryne removed his cap, placed it on the table, and sighed.
"We haven't had a mission like this in a long time. Especially me… feels nostalgic."
Celestine smiled.
"You're right. How's your hand?"
"It's fine, but the poison in that Talented girl's weapon was strong," Kryne replied.
Celestine's phone rang. She answered, sighing.
"Ugh… Hello, who's speaking?"
"It's me, Milo, Arthur's son."
"Milo! How are you?" Celestine said with a smile.
"I'm near the Guild Agency. Can you come out?" Milo asked.
Celestine nodded.
"Alright… I'll be back quickly," she told the others and left.
Outside, she saw Milo. His brown hair tousled by the breeze, eyes sharp and determined.
"Milo… why are you here?" she asked.
Milo's gaze was unwavering.
"What are you going to do about the Troublemakers?"
Celestine explained everything the Church's orders and her team's mission. Milo listened silently.
Then he asked,
"Can I fight with you?"
Celestine froze, surprised.
"Milo… it'll be dangerous."
"I can deal with Toxivar. I can talk him down!" he said firmly.
Seeing his determination, Celestine muttered,
"Damn… don't look at me like that."
After a pause, she relented:
"Alright… fine."
Her phone rang again Selvara.
"Yes? They've arrived! Alright, coming…"
Celestine looked at Milo.
"Let's go."
Celestine returns to the Guild Agency and enters the room, Milo staying outside for now.
She looks at the visitors.
"Oh, it's you!"
Selvara responds calmly,
"They are the Fenrir Twins from the Third Agency."
The Fenrir Twins stand side by side.
Their hair is short and black, their bodies large and muscular, faces marked with scars.
They wear formal suits that suit them perfectly, and they remain silent.
Celestine greets them.
"I'm glad to be working with you."
Then she asks Selvara,
"What about the second agency? Didn't they send anyone?"
Selvara replies,
"No, they apologized for that. They said they are very busy."
Celestine looks around.
"Alright, I've brought my little assistant instead of them! Come in..."
Milo entersSelvara looks at him with a doubtful gaze.
"Who is this young man? And how old is he?"
Celestine replies,
"Milo is 18 years old. He is the son of the adventurer Arthur."
Kryne looks at him.
Brane glances at Milo.
"Isn't he too young to participate in this? He's not even officially part of the team."
Kryne agrees.
"Yes, I share the same concern."
Celestine responds calmly,
"He knows exactly where the mischief-makers are hiding."
Everyone looks surprised.
Selvara, suspicious and strict, asks,
"What if he's a spy for them, trying to lure us?"
Celestine reassures her,
"No, I assure you!"
Milo speaks calmly and confidently,
"As proof that I am not a spy… I will enter their base first…"
Celestine continues Milo's thought,
"We will enter their base first, just the two of us."
Milo looks at her and smiles.
Selvara is still uncertain but trusts Celestine.
"Alright… but request Ravena's approval first."
Celestine turns to the others,
"What about you? Are you all okay with this?"
Brane replies calmly,
"If the boy is determined, then fine…"
Kryne nods,
"Alright, I agree…"
Fenrir twins remain silent.
Celestine leaves the room and calls Ravena.
A few minutes later, she returns smiling,
"I got her approval…"
Celestine looks at Milo,
"Alright, Milo. Welcome to this mission."
Milo smiles and bows respectfully,
"Thank you, Miss Celestine!"
By midday, the troublemakers moved out, led by Julian, the boy with a scarf, standing beside Toxivar.
"Julian, I'm counting on you," Toxivar said.
Julian gave a thumbs-up.
"Alright, troublemakers… LET'S GO!"
They screamed and charged toward the middle-class district. The police, still trying to calm the fights, readied themselves.
Julian climbed onto a rooftop to oversee the crowd, some carrying weapons, others pistols. Toxivar watched from their hideout, then returned inside.
Cameras captured the chaos. Celestine, Milo, and the others observed through the screens.
Celestine opened the door.
"Alright… let's move!"
Outside, she led the group, Milo at her side. Kryne scouted the crowd from the rooftops, noting the police clashing with the troublemakers and spotting Julian.
Selvara stayed with Brane, and the Fenrir twins moved together. They split slightly to avoid drawing attention but shared the same destination.
The city felt tense and electric. Smoke and dust from earlier clashes mixed with the fading sunlight. Shadows stretched across the streets, and distant sirens and shouts echoed every corner seemed to hold its breath, waiting for what was about to unfold.