The two bronze emblems clinked lightly against each other at Luna's chest, chiming with every step she took in the night wind.
They weren't supposed to both be hers—one belonged to Sera. But Sera had insisted, smirking as she looped her own fixed-team badge around Luna's neck.
"You look too carefree. Weight should be shared evenly."
Now, Luna carried two crests of Ice Dawn with every stride, like double the responsibility. And yet she smiled, as if that sound—sharp and clear—was the beat of their own rhythm.
---
The guild hall glowed warmly in the night. As the doors swung open, golden light stretched their shadows across the stone floor.
Mira was already there, waiting. Behind her, members of the discipline squad marched in, dragging along three tightly bound Black Wing operatives and the pale-faced steward.
"Transfer complete," one of the enforcers said flatly, shoving a captive forward.
"Evidence and testimony secured. Straight to interrogation."
The steward stumbled, nearly falling. He turned once, his eyes flicking toward Luna—like he wanted to beg, to reach for something. But under her calm gaze, his lips only trembled. Words never formed.
Mira rattled off orders briskly before returning to the counter. Her brows were drawn tight, deeper lines than usual. Only after a steadying breath did she finally address them.
"This time… it's thanks to you two. Black Wing acting inside the city is no small matter. You handled it cleanly, without damaging the granary itself. That…" Her eyes softened faintly. "…will be remembered."
Sera cracked a grin, slamming her fist down on the counter.
"Credit, whatever. Just don't forget the reward."
Mira gave her a sharp look, though the edge of her mouth eased.
Luna placed a sealed evidence pouch onto the counter, cheerful as ever.
"I marked all the saboteurs and the broken wards. Oh, and here's this shard."
She set the thin black plate down. Mira picked it up. At the sight of the etched runes, her brows locked tight.
"…This isn't just a trinket."
Around them, whispers rose like sparks catching dry wood.
"Black Wing?"
"They dare move here, in the city…?"
The voices swelled, heat rising with them.
Mira's palm slammed down, silencing the hall. Her voice cut sharp.
"Tonight's events are classified. The guild will release official word. None of you speak of this outside."
The murmur snuffed out instantly.
---
Sera leaned back, eyeing Mira.
"You look nervous. If Black Wing plants a flag here, it's bigger than we thought, isn't it?"
Mira didn't deny it. Her words came low.
"Black Wing never chooses ground at random."
"They choose the heart," Luna said, chin resting in her hand, voice sweet but pointed.
Mira flinched at the accuracy, then cleared her throat, pulling the talk back.
"In any case, the report goes straight to the upper council. You've done well. As for you two—the fixed team initiation trial is complete. This night patrol supplements your record. Your rewards will be upgraded by one tier."
"One tier up?" Sera's eyes lit. She grabbed Luna by the shoulders, shaking her like a doll.
"Did you hear? We're rich!"
"Rich with what?" Luna blinked.
"More missions, more pay, more food." Sera beamed.
"Then we'll need more ice to match," Luna said, eyes sparkling.
Their banter drew chuckles from nearby adventurers despite the tension.
---
Footsteps echoed from the second-floor balcony. The silver-masked Virian appeared, descending into the lamplight, presence pressing the air flat. The crowd went still.
Mira straightened instantly, bowing her head.
"Vice Guildmaster."
Virian didn't reply right away. His gaze dropped to Luna and Sera, cool as measuring scales.
"Enforcers have taken the prisoners?"
"Yes," Mira answered. "Evidence complete. No gaps."
He nodded faintly. His voice was calm, but heavy with authority.
"Good. From this night forward, all information on Black Wing is sealed. Any adventurer who leaks so much as a word—will be dealt with."
The hall tightened like a clenched fist. No one breathed too loud.
And then Luna, of all times, lifted her head and met his eyes. She smiled, light as ever.
"Don't worry, Vice Guildmaster. My lips are sealed. Well… except Sera's. She tends to shout."
"Hey!" Sera barked.
For a heartbeat, the hall cracked. Adventurers hid laughter behind their hands. Mira coughed into her palm. Even Virian paused, gaze lingering on Luna before he turned away.
"Just do your missions."
With that, he left.
---
Only when his footsteps faded did Mira exhale sharply. She muttered, "That man…" Then her tone hardened.
"You two—be careful. Black Wing won't let this go."
Luna lifted the twin emblems, clinking them together with a smile.
"Don't worry. Ice Dawn will light up their shadows."
Sera slammed her fist into her palm.
"Yeah—and drag them out, one punch at a time."
---
Morning broke.
The guild bustled as usual, though the air buzzed with more than mission chatter. Rumor was wildfire; though the guild locked down official reports, the name Black Wing spread anyway, whispered in corners, growing sharper with each telling.
Luna leaned at the counter, chewing the bread Mira had shoved into her hands. Her half-lidded eyes gleamed as she listened, as if it were just another play performed for her amusement.
"Brat," Sera muttered around a mouthful of jerky. "Which mission today?"
Mira slid two slips across the desk, her voice edged with resignation.
"You've caught enough eyes. Best not stray far. Two choices. 'The Singing Well' or 'North District Disappearances.'"
Sera snatched the first without hesitation.
"The singing well sounds way better than chasing after lost people."
"I want to hear it too," Luna chimed, grinning.
Mira pressed her fingers to her temple, but in the end, stamped the approval.
---
Just as they prepared to leave, a discipline squad runner hurried in, handing Mira a sealed note. She scanned it. Her face sank.
"What is it?" Sera's senses sharpened.
"Last night's Black Wing escapee—his trail in the north district cut off. He left only one word behind." Mira's tone was grave.
"'Rhythm.'"
Luna's eyes lit instantly. She closed her hand around the twin emblems, murmuring under her breath.
"Rhythm…"
When she looked up, her smile was calm, colder than usual.
"Perfect. On the way to hear the singing well, we'll find out what beat they're playing."
Sera grinned wide. "Fine. Then we'll fight to the music."
Mira watched their departing backs, an odd certainty stirring inside her.
Like twin lights, step by step, they were already driving the shadows into corners.
---