Three days had passed since the dungeon rupture.
Venti was slowly returning to normal, though traces of destruction remained. Adventurers were praised, the injured were treated, and rumors spread through every street.
Aelyra Vaelis left the city at dawn.
Her destination was clear.
The manor in the Forest of Silence.
She moved quickly, her heart beating faster with every step. When she reached the clearing, she stopped.
The manor stood there.
Silent.
Empty.
No presence.
No mana.
No sign of Talis.
"…I see," she murmured.
Disappointment settled in her chest, but she exhaled and turned away.
I can't rely on him.
---
Back in the city, Aelyra decided to rest.
She bought supplies—mana potions, food, replacement talismans. The ordinary rhythm of life helped calm her thoughts.
On her way back, shouts echoed from a nearby road.
A cargo wagon was surrounded.
"Hand everything over!" a rough voice snarled.
Bandits.
Aelyra didn't hesitate.
She stepped forward.
Flames danced along her saber.
The fight was short.
Too short.
The bandits fled—or fell—before they could understand what had happened.
"T-Thank you!" the merchant said, bowing repeatedly.
"You saved us!"
Aelyra nodded politely and continued on her way.
---
That night, she returned to her room at the guild.
"Vaelis!"
She turned to see Luneya, smiling brightly.
"You're alive!" Luneya laughed. "The whole city's been talking about you."
They sat together, chatting late into the night—about the rupture, the missions, the future. Aelyra avoided certain topics, smiling more than she spoke.
It felt… normal.
Comforting.
---
The next morning—
A messenger knocked on her door.
"Adventurer Aelyra Vaelis," he said formally.
"The Guild Master requests your presence."
Her heart skipped.
Inside the guild hall, Master Gladius stood with his hands behind his back.
"You have grown quickly," he said.
"Your actions during the rupture did not go unnoticed."
He turned.
"I am assigning you a Rank Advancement Quest."
Aelyra's eyes widened.
"Rank… C?"
"Yes," Gladius replied.
"Prepare yourself."
Her grip tightened.
This is it.
Somewhere, unseen—
A shadow watched.