Raizo stirred awake to the sound of faint morning chatter beyond the wooden walls. His eyelids felt heavy, but the familiar scent of fresh bread and the distant clinking of mugs told him he wasn't on a battlefield anymore.
Slowly, he pushed himself upright. The soft creak of the bed frame greeted him as he blinked away the haze. He was in a modest room—two other beds lined up near the far wall, sunlight spilling through a half-open window.
Fenra was curled on one of them, tail flicking lazily under the blanket, while Shekiah leaned against the wall with her sword propped beside her. Silvia, her green hair glimmering faintly in the morning light, was still sleeping, her bow resting on the table.
Fenra's ears twitched first. She sat up, rubbing her eyes before looking at him. A small smile spread across her face.
"Oh, Raizo—you finally woke up."
Raizo nodded, stretching his arms. "Yeah… what happened after I blacked out?"
Silvia stirred, opening her light-green eyes. She sat up with an easy grace, brushing a stray lock of hair away. "After we took down those mercenaries, we brought you here to rest. Fenra healed you, but you were drained. Me and Shekiah reported everything to the Guild Master."
She paused, as though weighing her words. "My older siblings—Rio and Riyan—were… punished. But they're serving the kingdom of Azalea now. It's their choice."
Raizo's brow furrowed. "Are they okay?"
Silvia's lips curved faintly. "Yes. They're fine. And they're free now."
Shekiah crossed her arms, a hint of pride in her voice. "Thanks to taking out those mercenaries, the Dilhaze Party is officially ranked A now. That group was considered a major threat to the kingdom. We did good."
Raizo leaned back, exhaling. "So this is the inn?"
Fenra nodded, ears twitching again. "You've been out for four days. That fight drained a lot of your mana. I'd say more than you'd like to admit."
"Maybe you're right," Raizo murmured. Then his gaze sharpened. "Did anyone check the mercenaries' hideout?"
Shekiah tilted her head. "Yes. The Guild sent some adventurers to sweep the place."
"That's not enough," Raizo said firmly. "We need to go there."
Fenra blinked. "Why?"
"I've got a feeling," Raizo replied, his voice low. "That place still has secrets."
The three exchanged curious glances.
Fenra shrugged. "Alright, if you say so."
Shekiah eyed him cautiously. "But are you sure you're fine?"
Raizo gave a small smirk. "I'm fine."
Silvia raised a brow. "Then don't collapse again on the way."
He chuckled. "I'll try not to."
By the time they stepped out of the inn, the cobblestone streets of Azalea were already alive with the bustle of merchants and townsfolk. Passing by the main gate, Raizo spotted Rio and Riyan sweeping the roads.
Rio straightened at the sight of him. "Hey, Raizo—you're finally awake."
Raizo gave a small nod.
Riyan set her broom aside. "Where are you all headed?"
Fenra answered, "We're going back to the mercenary hideout."
Rio frowned. "Why? I thought the Guild Master already sent adventurers there."
Silvia shook her head. "Raizo thinks something's still hidden."
Rio exchanged a glance with his sister before nodding slowly. "Good luck then."
The Dilhaze Party gave a quick nod in return before heading toward the outskirts.
A few hours later, the hideout loomed before them, its once-imposing structure now broken and scarred from battle.
The shattered windows gaped like empty eyes, and the walls bore deep cracks where magic and steel had clashed.
Raizo stepped inside first. The air was still heavy with the faint metallic tang of dried blood.
"Let's split up," he said.
Fenra gave a casual nod. "Alright."
The group scattered through the ruins.
Shekiah called out, "Anything?"
Silvia's voice echoed back. "Nothing here! You, Fenra?"
"No luck either," Fenra replied. "What exactly are we looking for, Raizo?"
"Just keep searching. You'll know when you see it," Raizo said, his tone calm but certain.
The three girls exchanged a look, then went back to searching.
Raizo scanned the main hall, his gaze drawn to a tall, dusty shelf in the corner. Something about its placement seemed off. He reached for a few old books—and the moment one came free, a faint click echoed.
A section of the wall beside the shelf slid open, revealing a narrow staircase descending into darkness.
The others rushed over.
Fenra peered down into the gloom. "A hidden passage?"
Shekiah eyed it warily. "Looks… inviting."
Silvia frowned. "Feels wrong. Very wrong."
Raizo lit his palm with a flicker of flame magic, casting a dim light over the stone steps. Without a word, he descended. The others followed, Fenra's nose twitching as she sniffed the air.
"I smell something foul," she muttered.
The passage twisted down into the earth, until they emerged into a vast underground hall.
Rows of rusted cages lined the walls. Chains clinked faintly, swaying from unseen drafts.
The three girls instinctively covered their noses.
Raizo stepped to the nearest cage. Inside hung the limp body of a woman, wrists bound above her head. Her skin was pale, her breath barely there.
Fenra's eyes darkened. "How cruel were these mercenaries…"
Shekiah clenched her palm against the cold iron. One silent shake of her head told Raizo all he needed to know—most here were beyond saving.
They walked on, finding bodies of humans and demi-humans alike—cat tribes, dog tribes, ogres, elves.
Finally, in one dim corner, they saw a figure seated on the ground, head bowed.
Fenra whispered, "Probably dead too…"
But Raizo caught the faint flicker of movement—the eyes watching them.
"She's alive," he said sharply.
Shekiah stepped forward, drawing her fist back. With one blow, she shattered the rusted bars.
"Fenra," Raizo called.
Without hesitation, Fenra knelt, her palms glowing with healing magic. The girl's breathing steadied before she slumped unconscious into Fenra's arms.
Raizo exhaled. "Take her to the inn. Let her rest. I'll talk to the Guild Master."
Shekiah hefted the girl onto her back. Without another word, they headed for Azalea.
The city gates opened before them. Rio and Riyan spotted the group immediately.
Rio's eyes narrowed. "Who's that girl?"
Raizo looked to the others. A silent nod passed between them before they continued on to the inn.
Raizo, meanwhile, motioned to Rio and Riyan. "With me. We're going to the Guild."
Inside the towering stone building, the three ascended to the upper floor. Rio knocked on the heavy oak door.
"Guild Master," Rio called, "Raizo has something important to discuss."
A deep voice answered, "Enter."
The door creaked open.
A tall man stood by the window, broad-shouldered, gazing over the bustling streets of Azalea. His hair was dark with streaks of silver, his presence commanding yet calm.
"You may go now," the Guild Master said to Rio and Riyan.
The siblings bowed and left, leaving Raizo alone in the office.
The man turned, studying Raizo with a curious intensity. "You must be the one who defeated the mercenaries… and the younger brother of the hero Lucas Hayagashi."
Raizo nodded. "Yes. I am."
The man gave a faint smile. "I am the Guild Master of Azalea—Dennix."
Raizo froze. The name hit him like a thunderclap.
Dennix.
Memories burst through the dam of his mind—memories not of this world, but of another life. Back on Earth, he had been Johnrhey. And Dennix… Dennix Pablo had been more than a friend.
They had met in middle school, two restless boys in the back of the classroom.
He remembered the first day vividly—Dennix, already halfway through a bag of chips, offering him some before the teacher arrived. The two had clicked instantly, spending lunch breaks playing games, swapping snacks, even sharing half-finished homework in the moments before class began.
There had been afternoons spent at the arcade, competing for high scores on old fighting games. Evenings where they sprawled across the floor with controllers in hand, shouting and laughing until Dennix's mother told them to keep it down.
They'd eaten together so often the cafeteria staff joked they were "a set meal." They'd fallen asleep in class side by side more times than they could count—only to be woken by a teacher's chalk bouncing off their desks. They'd both laugh through the scolding, making promises to "pay attention next time" that neither kept.
He remembered the projects—late nights fueled by cheap instant noodles, racing to finish before the deadline. The quizzes and exams, where they'd quietly bet on who would score higher. The loser always had to buy the winner lunch.
Dennix had been the closest thing to a brother he'd ever had.
And now… here he was, in another world, wearing another life, standing before him.
Raizo swallowed, forcing himself back to the present.
Dennix's voice pulled him out of the haze. "So, Raizo… what is it you came to tell me?"
Raizo's expression hardened. "I found a hidden chamber in the mercenary hideout. What I saw there… wasn't just smuggling or banditry."
Dennix's eyes sharpened. "Explain."
"They tortured people. Humans, demi-humans. Most were dead. Only one girl survived."
The Guild Master's jaw tightened. "I'll send a letter to the king immediately. Thank you for bringing this to me, Raizo."
Raizo gave a short nod before turning to leave.
Back at the inn, Fenra looked up as he entered.
"How's her condition?" Raizo asked.
Fenra smiled faintly. "She's stable. Sleeping now."
Raizo's shoulders eased. "Good. Let her rest."
He looked at the unconscious girl, her breathing slow and even, and silently vowed—whatever shadows remained in Azalea, he would see them brought to light.
After a few quiet days in the inn, the girl they had rescued finally stirred.
Her long, dark hair framed a pale face, and when her eyes opened, the deep, striking blue of them caught the morning light. She shifted slowly, blinking away the fog of sleep.
"Where… am I?" she asked, her voice hoarse and disoriented.
Fenra, sitting at her bedside with her wolf ears flicking, leaned forward. "You're in the Kingdom of Azalea," she explained gently. "You've been asleep for about three days."
The girl's gaze moved from Fenra to the others in the room. "And… who are you?"
"I'm Fenra," Fenra said with a small smile, "a therianthrope."
Silvia, seated in a chair near the window, crossed one leg over the other. "I'm Silvia," she said warmly.
Shekiah stepped closer, placing a hand over her chest in greeting. "I'm Shekiah."
Finally, the tall young man at the foot of the bed spoke. "I'm Raizo, leader of the Dilhaze party," he said evenly. "And you are?"
The girl hesitated for a moment before answering. "I… I'm Akari."
All four of them exchanged a quick glance. Then, as one, the Dilhaze party said, "Nice to meet you, Akari."
Akari gave a small nod.
Raizo's brown eyes sharpened. Quietly, without drawing attention, he activated his Appraisal skill. His irises paled into a ghostly white glow as translucent text filled his vision:
Name: Akari
Class: Mage
ATK: 350
DEF: 200
STA: 300
Mana: 400
Magic: Fire, Healing, Earth
Ability: Arcane Focus — Prevents the user from being interrupted while casting, makes them immune to skill interruption, triples spell damage, and grants buffs to nearby teammates.
---
Inwardly, Raizo thought, That ability… it could be incredibly useful for the party.
Fenra tilted her head. "Akari, do you know where you live?"
Akari's expression darkened. She slowly shook her head. "No… I only remember a little. I was traveling with my parents. Then… mercenaries ambushed us." Her voice trembled as the memory surfaced. "My parents tried to fight them off, but there were too many. I was captured. For… a few weeks, I think."
She paused, clutching the blanket.
"They… tried to make me kill someone. I refused. After that, they locked me away… in that place you found me. Hidden from the light. Every day… I heard people suffering. Screaming. Begging for help."
Raizo canceled his appraisal, his eyes returning to their natural brown.
Shekiah stepped closer to the bed, her tone firm. "Don't worry, Akari. Those mercenaries are now in the king's hands. From what I've heard from adventurers at the guild, they'll face the harshest penalty."
Akari let out a shaky breath, some tension leaving her shoulders. "…I see." She looked at them all. "Then… who saved me?"
Fenra opened her mouth to answer, but Silvia spoke first. "Raizo saved you."
"Yeah," Fenra agreed, smirking a little, "he's the one who carried you out."
Akari's eyes met Raizo's. "Thank you… for saving me."
Raizo shook his head. "No problem."
Fenra's tail swished behind her as an idea came to mind. "So, do you have anywhere to go?"
Akari lowered her gaze. "…No."
Fenra looked at Raizo. "Hey, Raizo. Why don't we recruit her as an adventurer?"
Silvia leaned forward in her chair. "Akari, do you have any magic?"
"Yes," Akari said. "I'm a mage. I can use Fire, Healing, and Earth magic."
Shekiah grinned. "See, Raizo? We don't have a mage anyway. She could fill that role."
Raizo sighed softly, rubbing the back of his neck. "…Akari, do you want to join our party?"
Akari was quiet for a moment, thinking. Then she nodded.
"Welcome to the Dilhaze party, Akari," Raizo said, opening his arms slightly in a gesture of welcome.
Akari reached out and clasped his arm. "Nice to be here," she said with a faint but genuine smile.