The guild of Vailor was particularly busy that late afternoon. The festival was approaching, adventurers came and went, merchants complained about high prices, and apprentices ran around carrying boxes that were clearly far too heavy for them. Takumi entered the main hall along with Vespera, Liriel, and Elara, all carrying small bags with the collected items and the payment from the last two missions. Nothing that would change their lives, but at least it was enough to pay part of the blacksmith's debt.
Elara sighed when she saw the enormous line of adventurers waiting to be attended. Her mana was still low from the forest mission, and her eyes looked tired. Vespera, on the other hand, was excited, even after tripping twice at the entrance. Liriel carried a small light crystal in her hands like a toy, watching it with questionable concentration.
The Guild Master, a robust man who was always serious, noticed the group and waved at Takumi. His voice echoed through the hall: "Takumi! Come to my office. And bring your group as well."
Vespera leaned toward Takumi. "Does that sound good or bad?"
Takumi replied quietly. "When he uses that tone… it usually means work. And work means money. So… something between good and bad."
They followed him down a side corridor. The Master's office was always the same: piles of papers everywhere, maps hanging on the walls, and the constant smell of fresh ink. But this time, there was someone sitting in a chair beside the desk.
A man Takumi had never seen before.
He was tall, thin, and wore a gray cloak with practically no details. His hair was black, straight, and extremely well kept. His skin was pale, almost colorless, and his eyes… had something strange about them. It wasn't visible magic, but it felt like he saw too much.
The Master spoke. "This is Arven. He is… a special client. He's looking for a specific group of adventurers and insisted on speaking with you."
Takumi stared at him for a few seconds. What kind of special client shows up like this, without notice, without a registered mission, and without even carrying a guild symbol?
Arven smiled, but it was an extremely controlled smile, almost calculated. "You are Takumi's group, correct? I've been following your small adventures."
Vespera widened her eyes. "Small? Hey, we've done a lot! I mean… sometimes I miss a little, but still—"
Elara gently pulled on her clothes. "Don't start."
Liriel raised her hand like she was in school. "Why are you watching us? Is that… okay? I think…"
Arven continued smiling. "I'm here to offer a mission. A simple but important mission. I need you to escort a valuable cargo to a nearby village. The payment is excellent and will be given in advance."
Takumi crossed his arms. Something about him was definitely not right. "What is the cargo?"
Arven answered immediately. "Let's just say it's something… sensitive. And for valid reasons, I need discreet adventurers to take care of it."
Liriel tilted her head. "Are we discreet?"
Elara shook her head quickly. "No. Not at all. But it's paid in advance, so it's worth trying."
Takumi tried to keep his tone neutral. "You said you know who we are… but you haven't explained how."
Arven looked directly at Takumi. "There's no problem admitting that I observe promising talents. Your flame… or rather… your power… is something rare to see."
Takumi's heart almost stopped. That sentence shouldn't have meant much, but the way Arven said it felt surgical, as if he knew exactly what he was talking about.
Takumi masked it. "I see. But still, I want details about the cargo before accepting."
The Guild Master took a deep breath. "Takumi… the mission has already been officially registered. It's safe. All that's missing is someone to accept it."
Arven added, "There will be no significant combat, only minor inconveniences. I'm sure your group can handle it."
Vespera smiled. "If it's easy, you can leave it to us!"
Takumi realized it was better not to insist. The advance payment would really help with their accumulated debts. In any case, he didn't sense direct malice—just something… strange.
Takumi finally replied, "All right. We accept the mission."
Arven gave a satisfied smile. "Excellent. The cargo will be delivered to you tomorrow morning, at the stables behind the guild. Arrive before dawn."
Then he stood up. His presence seemed larger than his physical body, as if he occupied more space than he should. He passed by Takumi and said in a low voice, far too gentle:
"You carry a fire that does not belong to this world. Interesting. I hope it is not extinguished too soon."
Takumi felt a shiver run through his entire body.
Liriel asked, looking at the empty corridor, "Did he… strangely… not make any sound while walking?"
Elara replied, "I didn't like that guy."
Vespera shook her head. "Me neither. But he pays well, so… I guess we can get over it."
Takumi remained silent. The flame within him was pulsing—not in warning, but as if someone had touched it directly, provoking an instinctive reaction.
The Guild Master closed the door. "Takumi… be careful with this mission. He came from far away and knows far too much. I couldn't refuse his request, but… something about him worries me."
Takumi took a deep breath. "I've already noticed."
As they left the room, Vespera nudged Takumi with her elbow. "Hey, you've got that serious face again. Relax. It's just an escort. Nothing will go wrong. Nothing at all."
Takumi remembered every time she had said that exact phrase… and everything had gone wrong.
He replied sarcastically, "Sure. Nothing will go wrong."
Liriel smiled. "That's great! When you say that, Takumi, it means that… actually… maybe something will go a little wrong. But just a little!"
Elara sighed. "Let's sleep early. Tomorrow will probably be tiring."
Takumi looked once more at the corridor where Arven had disappeared. The air felt heavier there, as if a cold trail had been left behind.
And he thought to himself:
This was definitely the strangest mission I've ever accepted. And I'm sure it won't be as simple as he said.