As the scene became quiet and clear, Phoebe decided to go toward the cliff to retrieve the book she borrowed from the village library, holding a rapier in her arms for self-defense in case anything happened. It was the rapier used by the captain of the Dusk Lost Society, who was now dead.
As she reached the cliff where she had been reading, she scanned the area and saw her book. She was relieved that it was unharmed. Phoebe picked up the book and prepared to head back to the orphanage. But as she approached, she noticed the corpse of the captain of the Dusk Lost Society. Three wounds pierced his heart. The captain appeared to be in his thirties, with a red cross symbol on his forehead and a cloak bearing a white cross on the back.
Phoebe stopped in front of the captain's corpse. She stood firmly, clasped her hands together, and prayed.
"Oh, hear me, oh Lords—the Three Gods who govern the three continents. Let this perished soul find its way back to you. May the departed receive your mercy and guidance in eternal paradise. Then I shall pray for thee."
Having mourned the man she had once feared, Phoebe continued toward the orphanage. Suddenly, she heard a twig snap nearby. Looking in that direction, she saw a man wearing a cloak with a cross symbol on the back, holding a sword in his left hand. He was one of the captain's subordinates, sent to gather intel on the area.
A cold sweat ran down Phoebe's spine as she noticed the fury in his eyes while he stared at his fallen captain. Panic overtook her.
"Wa-wait! There's a misunderstanding—I'm not the one who…!" Phoebe stammered.
The man charged at her, swinging his blade with full strength.
Swinggggg~
Phoebe dodged to the right, but the tip of the sword grazed her shoulder. She gasped, seeing her own blood.
"What… this… blo-blood?" she muttered nervously.
As the man prepared to attack again, Phoebe composed herself and pointed the rapier at him. Recognizing it as an ancient artifact, the man became cautious. Phoebe swung the rapier, and he retreated several steps.
Now, the two stared at each other, observing their opponent. Phoebe's mind raced.
That man is more experienced than me… what should I do? Will I die here? she thought, cold sweat dripping down her face.
No, stop! I need to focus. Keep my guard up. Observe carefully…
As they circled each other, the moonlight revealed the man's true appearance: a beastman, likely in his twenties, with brown brushed hair and a sword scar over his left eye. Phoebe's eyes widened.
"H-he's a beastman?" she whispered in disbelief.
Why is a superior race in this remote place? And why isn't he finishing me off? I'm just a human—he has every advantage, Phoebe reasoned.
Calm down… think. First, he saw his captain stabbed in the heart multiple times—maybe he's cautious in case I have a trick. Or maybe he thinks I'm working with someone hiding nearby… But wait, he became cautious after I swung the rapier. Could it be he suspects this rapier has hidden power? That's probably it. Now I know why he's acting this way… what should I do next?
Okay, here goes nothing…
Phoebe stiffened her resolve. She picked up a stone from the ground and threw it at the beastman with all her might. He dodged with his fast reflexes.
"Is that a rock thrown at me?" the beastman muttered, surprised.
Taking advantage of his confusion, Phoebe repeatedly struck her rapier with rocks, creating a loud noise.
"Explosion!" she shouted, hurling a stone high into the sky.
The beastman's eyes locked on the stone. She said explosion? That rock will explode? Is it meant to hurt me? Is this what defeated the captain? But how…
As the beastman focused, three thuds sounded behind him. Phoebe smirked.
"HE'S DISTRACTED! STAB HIM NOW!" she shouted.
The beastman, recalling the three stabs that killed his captain, he instinctively leaped upward, expecting an attack. He scanned the surroundings for enemies—yet found none. Then his eyes landed on the ground, where three rocks lay. Dumbfounded, he realized he had been tricked. When he turned his head back to where the girl had been, she was already gone—Phoebe had fled.
"Grr… caught by these tricks again, you damn girl! When I catch you, I'll chop your body into pieces!" the beastman roared in frustration.
Phoebe ran deeper into the forest, avoiding the orphanage.
Beastmen have superior senses. With my wound, I can't risk returning—the others would be in danger if I do. But where can I go? He'll hunt me down if I don't think fast, she thought, gritting her teeth.
Meanwhile, at the orphanage, a man and a girl stood outside the door, waiting.
"Why is she taking so long to come back?" asked the worried girl, Kanna, Phoebe's best friend.
"That little girl… when she returns, she'll scold me for worrying," said a man in his thirties with messy black hair and black eyes—Director Alfred. He wore a loose, earth-brown robe tied with a rope belt, patched sleeves, and a soft gray scarf around his neck.
"But Mr. Alfred, what if something bad happened to Phoebe? It's almost midnight, and she's still not back," Kanna fretted.
"That girl… she knows how to make others worry," Alfred muttered.
In the distance, a silhouette approached.
"Is that Phoebe?" Kanna asked.
"No… it's an unwanted guest," Alfred said.
"Hey, long time no see, old friend," said a man approaching the orphanage.
"Really… an unwanted guest at an unwanted time," Alfred muttered.
"Don't be like that! HAHAHA! We used to be best buddies, weren't we? I should always be welcome here, right?" the man said.
"Director, who is that?" Kanna asked.
"This is Julius… my old companion," Alfred explained.
As Julius approached, his appearance became clear. A man in his thirties with blond hair and magenta eyes, wearing an elegant black tailcoat lined with deep violet and gold embroidery along the high collar and cuffs. Beneath, a crisp white dress shirt fastened with a thin gold chain across the chest. Dark violet trousers tucked into polished black boots with subtle gold accents, and a long half-cape in violet with gold edges hung from his left shoulder. On his back, a jet-black claymore sheath, and around his neck, a diamond necklace with two wings, a circle in the center, with an "S" above and a "0" below.
"I'm glad my buddy is introducing me to his little children," Julius said cheerfully.
"You're always in high spirits, no matter the time, Julius," Alfred smiled.
"Well, you know me. I never change! HAHAHA," Julius said.
"Anyway, what brings you here, Julius?" Alfred asked.
"We got a report of a dangerous group lurking here with a stolen artifact," Julius said.
"A dangerous group? If the Adventurer Association sent you personally, they must be big shots," Alfred said seriously.
"Yes, they're troublemakers from the Middle Continent. Even Rankers struggle with them," Julius replied.
"Who are they? Why come all the way here to the Outer Continent?" Alfred asked, worried.
"This is confidential, but I'll tell you… have you heard of the Dusk Lost Society?" Julius said.
"What! Them? D-Dusk Lost Society?" Alfred exclaimed.
"The Dusk Lost Society… they're notorious, even the gods declared their extermination due to the threat they pose. Their six commanders can control reincarnation cycles, disrupting the world's balance. That's why they're considered dangerous criminals," Alfred explained.
"Yes. They're even prophesized to be one of the 3 calamities that will strike this world. That's why I'm here," Julius added.
"But who are you, Mr. Julius?" Kanna asked.
"Ehem, ehem, sorry for the incomplete introduction, Kanna. Let me tell you more about Julius. You see, Mr. Julius here is none other than the lead commander of the Adventurer Association. He is Julius Von Trninity—in other words, he is the one leading the Rankers," Alfred said seriously.
"Wha-What?! YOU ARE JULIUS VON TRINITY?!" Kanna exclaimed.
"Yes, but keep it a secret. You can still call me Mr. Julius. HAHAHA," he said.
"Understood, Mr. Julius," Kanna replied.
"Good, good. HAHAHA," Julius chuckled.
"Did you catch the Dusk Lost Society here?" Alfred asked.
"We got reports they came here to rest after escaping a fight with unknown groups nearby," Julius said.
"That's bad news," Alfred muttered.
"Oh no… Phoebe might be in danger!" Kanna cried.
"What do you mean? And why are you both outside at this hour?" Julius asked.
Kanna and Alfred exchanged worried looks and explained the situation.
"So, Phoebe went to retrieve her book from the cliff and hasn't returned for hours?" Julius asked.
"Yes… it's almost midnight. We're worried," Alfred said.
"Can you help us find her, Mr. Julius? The Dusk of… whoever might have kidnapped her," Kanna pleaded.
"Julius… umm," Alfred said.
"I know what you're going to ask, Alfred. No need to ask—adventurers naturally protect innocent civilians, right?" Julius said.
"You really will help? Really?" Kanna asked.
"Of course. On behalf of the orphanage director, I express my gratitude," Alfred said.
Kanna and Alfred bowed.
"Cut it out. It's my duty to ensure the safety of innocent civilians. No big deal," Julius said, embarrassed.
"Understood. Thank you again," Alfred said.
"Go inside and be careful. I'll make sure Phoebe returns safely," Julius said.
Alfred and Kanna entered the orphanage while Julius set off toward the cliff and forest to search for Phoebe.
"Now… time to find the missing miss," he murmured.