The guild hall roared louder than it had in years 🎉.
Cheers echoed off the walls.
Coins clinked 💰.
Stories grew larger with every retelling.
Aren's name spread like wildfire.
The human who defeated an elf.
The boy who outsmarted a hunt 🎯.
The one who made a giant lizard do the killing 🐉.
And in the center of it all—
Aren stood quietly.
The old man raised a hand ✋.
"Silence."
The noise died instantly.
He turned to Aren.
"The duel is concluded. By guild law, the victor may name a reward."
Every eye locked onto him.
Gold? 💰
A weapon? ⚔️
A promotion? 🎖️
Lyris stood nearby.
Wrapped in a cloak.
Face pale.
Eyes hollow.
Her pride hadn't cracked.
It had shattered.
Aren looked at her.
Then at the crowd.
"I want my reward now."
The old man nodded.
"Speak."
Aren raised a hand and pointed.
At Lyris.
"I want her to receive one slap," he said flatly,
"from every adventurer she has injured."
Silence dropped like a blade ⚔️.
Lyris's eyes widened.
"W–WHAT?! NO—!" 😨
The old man turned sharply.
"Is this within the rules?"
The record keeper flipped through pages nervously 📖.
"…Yes. Non-lethal. Symbolic. Public. Cannot be refused."
Lyris trembled.
"This is humiliating! I—!"
"You accepted the duel."
Her fists clenched.
She had no answer.
The first adventurer stepped forward.
A man with a scarred cheek.
"You broke my arm."
SLAP.
Another.
"You shot my leg for standing too close."
SLAP.
Another.
"You called me an insect."
SLAP.
Another.
"You crippled my brother."
SLAP.
They kept coming.
Men.
Women.
Young.
Old.
Each slap carried something heavier than force—
Memory 😠
Pain 💢
Silence
Some cursed her.
Some cried.
Some said nothing at all.
Lyris swayed.
But she didn't fall.
By the end—
Her face was red.
Her eyes empty.
Her pride—
Gone.
Aren watched.
Quiet.
Then—
"That is enough."
The hall erupted 🎊🔥.
For the first time—
The weak felt seen.
And Aren became something he never asked for—
A hero.
Lyris — The Breaking 🔥🏹
Far from the guild, deep in elven lands 🌿—
Her punishment continued.
Mud clung to her skin.
Sweat soaked her clothes 💧.
Her silver hair was tied tight.
Arrows littered the ground.
Targets.
Trees.
Rocks.
Even her own boots.
Elandor stood behind her.
Arms crossed.
"Again."
"I've shot eight hundred arrows…" she gasped 😩
"Then shoot eight hundred more."
"My arms—!"
"Did the human complain when you chased him for two days?"
Silence.
Memories struck.
💩
The smell.
The roar 🐉.
The running.
The humiliation.
She screamed—
And fired again.
Elandor nodded.
"You will surpass him."
Her voice was quiet.
Broken.
"I will destroy him." 🔥
Meanwhile — Absolute Calm 🌑
Back at the guild—
Aren did nothing.
He sat.
Reading three books at once 📚.
Monster Anatomy Vol. 3
Forest Traps & Tricks
How to Make People Shut Up Politely
He sipped warm milk 🥛.
Took notes.
No pride.
No excitement.
Only preparation.
People watched him nervously 😶.
How could someone so still feel so dangerous?
Mira's Small Victory ✨
Mira was glowing.
She had won a fortune 💰.
New shoes 👠.
New dress 👗.
Too many snacks 🍢.
And one special item.
A mug ☕.
She placed it in front of Aren proudly.
"MILK ONLY. FOR THE DEMON BOY."
"Look! I bought you your own cup!"
Aren nodded.
"Hmm."
She puffed her cheeks 😤.
"You could at least pretend to be grateful!"
"I am grateful."
"You don't sound like it!"
"I don't sound like anything."
"…Fair." 😐
The Old Man's News 📜
The guild quieted as the old man returned.
He placed a thick envelope on the table.
"Congratulations."
Aren blinked.
"You've been accepted."
Mira gasped so hard she inhaled a peanut 🥜😳.
"ACCEPTED WHERE?!"
"The Royal Academy of Crafts & Combat."
The guild exploded 🎉🔥.
Aren opened the letter.
Read it.
Folded it.
Pocketed it.
Silence.
Mira snapped.
"SAY SOMETHING!"
Aren thought.
"I didn't ask for it."
The old man smirked.
Aren stood.
"When the old man dies," he said calmly,
"I will be a legend."
Silence.
Then—
Laughter 😂.
Aren added,
"When we meet again… remember the name."
"Aren."
Half the guild nearly fainted.
Music rose 🎶.
People danced 💃.
The night turned alive.
Aren kept reading 📚.
Mira kept smiling 😊.
And the old man watched.
Quiet.
Certain.
Because he knew—
A storm was coming 🌩️.
And the world was not ready.