Night had fully fallen. Inside the modest inn room they had rented, the lantern in the corner still flickered faintly, casting long shadows across the wooden walls.
Seraphina lay asleep, her breathing calm, though her very presence still carried the heavy curse that forever isolated her from the world. In her arms, Puff stirred slightly, curling closer in her embrace.
Arzael sat on a chair near the window, watching them. His gaze was as sharp as ever, cold and piercing, but that night, there was something different in his eyes, something softer, almost unnoticeable.
"She must be terribly lonely…" he murmured under his breath. "That curse makes it impossible for her to touch another person, impossible to feel the warmth of an embrace, impossible to hold hands without bringing ruin. The world sees her as a calamity, as a walking disaster. Only Puff and I remain unaffected… and I can see how fragile she truly is beneath that expressionless mask."
He lowered his head, fingers tightening around his knees. A weight pressed upon him, heavy and unspoken.
His mind wandered back to the moments when the system had answered his questions in the past. It was not merely a tool but an ever-present, cold entity that seemed to exist beyond comprehension.
If I were to ask for something again… would it respond?
Arzael closed his eyes briefly, drawing a long breath, then whispered softly into the silence.
"Hey, system. Can you grant me something?"
DING!
[New Function Unlocked: Threat Level]
Arzael's eyes snapped open, surprise flickering across his face. "Huh? Threat Level?"
His brows furrowed. He turned toward Seraphina and Puff, curiosity sharpening his expression.
"Scan," he muttered.
At once, a translucent layer unfolded across his vision. Puff, small and delicate, glowed with a gentle green aura. But Seraphina's body… it was shrouded in a dense, pitch-black aura, thick as tar.
"Green… means not a threat. But black?" Arzael waited.
[SYSTEM: Unknown]
"Unknown, huh…" He narrowed his eyes, his intrigue deepening. "Interesting."
Straightening his back, Arzael's lips curved slightly, though it was not warmth but rather a strange mix of cold curiosity and amusement. "Then… can you give me something else? Something new?"
[SYSTEM: No]
Arzael chuckled under his breath, a harsh, humorless sound. "You're toying with me, huh, bastard." He exhaled slowly, then rose from his chair, turning toward the window where the moonlight seeped through. "Fine. With Threat Level, I can be more cautious… more prepared for what's to come."
A thin smile, more like a cruel smirk, tugged at his lips.
The next morning, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the shutters, illuminating the room with a warm glow. Arzael was the first to wake.
Rising quietly, he cast his gaze at Seraphina, who still held Puff tightly in her arms, as though afraid of losing the only warmth she was allowed to have.
The Hero Academy's entrance exam is in four months, Arzael thought. I need to prepare carefully. And the best place to sharpen myself… is through the Adventurer's Guild.
He recalled the bustling guild hall they had glimpsed while touring the capital the day before: the crowds of adventurers, the mingling of races, the abundance of opportunities. Yes, that was the path he would take.
As Seraphina stirred awake, Puff wriggled free of her embrace and hopped lightly onto Arzael's shoulder. Her fluffy ears perked up, and she blinked her big round eyes.
"Looks like we'll be signing up as adventurers," Arzael announced plainly.
Puff's ears twitched as she let out a squeaky protest. "Wait—what?! Boss, yesterday I literally told you we should join the guild, and you said it was pointless! Ughhh, don't tell me you're stealing my idea!" She pouted, puffing up her cheeks.
Arzael's expression didn't change. "I changed my mind. There's something I need to prepare for."
Seraphina studied him with her calm red eyes, her face unreadable as always, then gave a small nod. "If that's your choice, I'll follow.
...
The capital of the Valiant Alliance was already alive with activity that morning. The cobbled streets bustled with merchants pushing carts, children running and laughing, and armored guards patrolling in well-disciplined order. Golden and blue banners fluttered proudly above the stone buildings, catching the morning breeze.
Amid the liveliness, Arzael walked with steady steps, his aura detached, almost chilling.
At his side, Seraphina walked gracefully, her silver hair shimmering under the sun, her blank expression drawing glances of both admiration and unease.
Puff, perched comfortably on Arzael's shoulder, spoke incessantly.
"Boss, look, a candy seller! And oooh—check out that armor shop! Can't we just peek inside? Pretty please?"
"No."
"Tch. You're always so serious. Without me, your life would be completely boring, you know!" Puff huffed, crossing her tiny arms as her ears drooped dramatically.
Arzael didn't reply, though a faint crease appeared between his brows at her antics.
At last, the Adventurer's Guild came into view, a grand, imposing building, its entrance adorned with the emblem of the Valiant Guild carved deep into stone.
Adventurers of all kinds entered and exited the doors: humans, elves, dwarves, beastkin, and more. Even from outside, the clamor of chatter, the clinking of mugs, and the faint tang of alcohol wafted into the air.
Inside, the hall was even more vibrant.
Voices overlapped in a constant din, weapons clanged, laughter rang out, and deals were struck loudly over tables. Arzael stepped across the threshold and whispered again, "Scan."
Colors immediately flickered across his sight. Most glowed green, harmless. Some radiated yellow-denser, stronger, filled with pressure. Arzael's lips curved faintly.
"Yellow, huh… those must be high-ranking adventurers."
He strode toward the reception desk, Seraphina trailing silently beside him, while Puff clung to his shoulder with wide-eyed curiosity.
A young receptionist with light brown hair greeted them warmly. "Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild of the Valiant Alliance. Are you here to register as new adventurers?"
"Yes," Arzael replied curtly.
The registration process was straightforward, names, basic data, and a quick test to confirm minimum competency.
Seraphina completed her part in silence, though her striking appearance drew plenty of attention. Whispers rippled across the hall: some adventurers admired her beauty, others felt unsettled by the intimidating aura that surrounded her.
When everything was done, the receptionist smiled politely. "Congratulations. You are now officially registered as Rank E adventurers. Here are your guild cards, please do not lose them."
Arzael took his card, staring at it briefly. Then, with a flat tone, he asked, "Can a Rank E take a Rank A quest?"
The receptionist's eyes widened in alarm. "O-of course not, young man! I cannot allow you to throw your life away like that."
"I've faced far worse than death," Arzael said coldly, his voice carrying no boast, only truth.
The receptionist swallowed nervously, struggling to maintain her composure. "Still, rules are rules. If you like, I can assign you a Rank D quest to start with. How does that sound?"
After a moment of consideration, Arzael gave a small nod. "Very well."
She handed him a parchment. "Your first assignment: a Rank D quest to eliminate a group of bandits threatening a small town within the Valiant Alliance territory."
Arzael's eyes scanned the words, and a faint smile crept across his lips. "bandits, huh? …interesting."
Puff slapped her tiny paw against Arzael's head. "Boss! Don't grin like that—you're scarier than the bandits already!"
Seraphina exhaled quietly, her eyes flickering toward Arzael. Within her calm stare lay a hidden understanding, as though she already knew that this "simple" quest would soon become a stage for bloodshed, reshaped entirely by Arzael's ruthless hands.