The guild hall of Gravenmoor was unusually loud the following morning. Adventurers crowded the long oak tables, their voices weaving between laughter and argument. But all of it dimmed when Suho walked in. His white-blue hair glinted under the lantern light, his simple armor scuffed from yesterday's hunt, and yet his posture was calm — steady.
The same boy who had been ridiculed only yesterday was now a subject of rumors.
"That's the kid who took out the direwolf pack."
"By himself, no less."
"Bah, fluke. He'll be dead by next month."
"But the Guild Master himself spoke to him."
Suho ignored it all. He didn't crave their validation. He only wanted strength. Quietly, he collected a modest quest — gathering rare herbs from the Mistwood's fringes — something low-risk to recover his stamina. Yet even as he took the parchment, he noticed eyes following him. Not all were hostile.
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An Unexpected Companion
As Suho exited the hall, a voice called after him. "Wait up!"
He turned to see a girl about his age hurrying down the steps. She had chestnut hair tied back in a practical braid, eyes sharp yet kind, and light armor with twin daggers strapped to her waist.
"You're Suho, right? The… light wielder?" she asked, lowering her voice on the last words.
Suho narrowed his eyes. "Who's asking?"
"Name's Elira Veyne. Bronze-rank adventurer. I was at the hall yesterday when you brought that wolf in." She paused, studying him. "You're reckless, but you're not weak. I figured… you could use someone watching your back."
Suho tilted his head. "Why?"
Elira smirked. "Because most idiots here don't see potential when it's right in front of them. I do. And I'd rather bet on someone crazy enough to take on a pack alone than a drunk who brags about goblins."
Suho didn't answer right away. He was used to being alone. Companions meant distractions… liabilities. But he also remembered how close he'd come to collapse yesterday. Perhaps a watchful blade wasn't such a bad idea.
"Fine," he said at last. "But don't slow me down."
Elira grinned. "Deal."
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The First Partnership
Their herb-gathering quest turned into something more dangerous than expected. As they scoured the mossy groves of Mistwood, they stumbled upon a group of bandits, their camp hidden in the underbrush. The outlaws were arguing over crates stamped with the seal of a merchant caravan.
"Great," Elira whispered. "Looks like they raided traders. We should report this to the guild."
But the bandits spotted them before they could retreat. Swords glinted. A scarred leader snarled, "Well, what do we have here? Stray pups sniffing where they shouldn't."
Elira drew her daggers, stance fluid and ready. "Guess reporting's off the table."
Suho unsheathed his short sword, the faint glow of light magic stirring beneath his skin. "Stay sharp."
The fight erupted.
Elira was quick, her blades flashing arcs of silver as she weaved between enemies. Suho, though less experienced, fought with stubborn resolve, his movements honed by desperation and practice. One bandit swung low — Suho blocked, sparks flying, then countered with a slash to the man's side.
But the numbers were against them.
The scarred leader lunged, his blade nearly catching Suho across the chest. Suho stumbled, his arm bleeding from a shallow cut. Adrenaline surged. He clenched his palm.
"Lumen Pulse!"
Light burst outward, blinding the bandits long enough for Elira to finish two with precise strikes. The rest, panicked, fled into the woods.
Breathing heavily, Suho leaned on his blade. Elira smirked, wiping blood from her daggers. "Not bad, partner. Not bad at all."
Suho gave her a tired glance. "…Partner, huh?"
"You'll get used to it," she replied.
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Seeds of the Future
When they returned with both herbs and news of the bandit raid, the guild was impressed. The quest reward doubled. But more importantly, Suho and Elira began to be seen as a team — an unusual but effective one.
Darius, the guild master, summoned them. His office was lined with maps, trophies, and weapons from past campaigns. The old veteran studied them with a calculating gaze.
"You two work well together," Darius said. "Most rookies either die or quit by now. You've managed to survive more than you should. That speaks volumes."
Elira gave a cheeky smile. "Told you we'd make a good pair."
Suho crossed his arms. "What's your point?"
Darius leaned forward. "Adventuring isn't just about strength. It's about bonds. Parties that can trust each other last longer. If you two keep this up, you could climb ranks faster than most."
Suho didn't respond, but the words lingered. Bonds. Trust. He had built his life on solitude… but perhaps it was time to try something different.
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The Black Boar Hunt
Weeks passed. Suho and Elira took on quests together — slaying beasts, clearing bandit nests, escorting merchants. Slowly, their teamwork sharpened. Suho's light magic grew steadier, though still draining. Elira's instincts complemented his raw determination, filling the gaps he didn't realize he had.
One evening, a new parchment appeared on the board:
Quest: The Black Boar of Ironwood
Rank: Silver
Objective: Eliminate the mutated beast terrorizing trade routes.
Reward: 1000 silver.
Adventurers argued over it, but when Suho tore it free, silence followed again.
The battle in Ironwood Grove was brutal. The Black Boar was massive, tusks jagged like swords, its hide thick with stone-like growths from corrupted magic.
It charged, uprooting trees. Suho dove aside, slashing futilely at its armored hide. Elira darted in with her daggers, but the beast's thrashing nearly crushed her.
"Cover me!" Suho shouted, his hand trembling with light gathering inside.
Elira obeyed without hesitation, distracting the beast with feints and cuts. Suho focused, channeling more magic than ever before. His chest burned, his vision blurred — but he refused to stop.
"Radiant Strike!"
A blinding arc of light-infused steel cleaved into the boar's hide, splitting its armor. Elira seized the opening, plunging her daggers into its exposed flesh. The beast let out a final, shuddering roar before collapsing.
The grove fell silent. Suho panted, knees nearly buckling. Elira caught him before he fell.
"You're insane," she muttered. "But gods help me, I think I like it."
---
Recognition, Again
Back in Gravenmoor, their victory spread like wildfire. No one could dismiss Suho as a reckless fool anymore. Whispers turned to cautious respect, and the guild master himself declared:
"From this day, Suho Kim and Elira Veyne are officially recognized as Silver-Rank Adventurers."
The hall thundered with applause and disbelief. Suho stood quietly beside Elira, his gaze steady. This was only the beginning.
As the night wore on, Suho sat outside the guild hall, staring at the stars. His thoughts drifted to Lumina, to the whisper of light within him.
I'll grow stronger. Strong enough to uncover the truth of the towers. Strong enough to never falter again.
Elira appeared beside him, tossing him a flask of water. "Don't brood too much. We've got bigger hunts ahead."
Suho smirked faintly. For the first time in years, he didn't feel completely alone.
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