His hands trembled as he raised his sword, his gaze fixed on the two figures.
"Hey, why are you suddenly pointing your sword at us?" a familiar voice called out.
They slowly walked closer to Lukas. As their faces were illuminated by the sunlight, he realized it was the girl from before. Even so, Lukas didn't lower his guard in the slightest.
The man beside her was taller than average. His body was muscular for someone his age, and his face was covered with old scars.
"Who is that?" Lukas asked, his eyes never leaving the man.
"Calm down and lower your sword. I can explain."
Lukas ignored her.
"Alright… I'll explain. He's the guild master of our village. So put your sword down, okay?"
"How could I trust that so easily?" Lukas clenched his teeth. "Why would a guild master come to see someone like me? And why is he wearing that robe?"
"Seriously, that's what made you react like this… He had business nearby and wanted to meet you personally—"
The man took a step forward.
"My name is Celdric. Celdric Fanger, a former knight," his voice was deep and authoritative. "I apologize if my presence frightened you."
He placed a hand on his chest and bowed slightly.
After a moment, Lukas slowly lowered his sword.
"Fine. But I won't lower my guard."
The man narrowed his eyes as he looked at Lukas.
"May I see your sword?"
Lukas trembled. The man slowly approached, his hand reaching toward the weapon. Lukas' heart pounded loudly.
"Hey! What are you doing?" the girl interrupted. "We came here to invite him to the guild, not to intimidate him."
"You're right… My apologies."
Lukas didn't move at all.
(If he finds the robe, he'll get suspicious… He might kill me. I can't beat him. I need to get rid of it as soon as possible.)
The man stared at him intently.
"Then gather your belongings. We'll head to the village and register you," the girl said.
Lukas nodded and walked toward the shelter with his head lowered.
Not long after, he came out of the forest carrying his bag, and they headed toward the village.
But the man suddenly stopped. Without the others noticing, he turned his head and sniffed the air. The scent of something burning lingered. Above the trees, black smoke rose not far from where they had been.
When they arrived, Lukas was amazed by the size of the village. There was a park and a fountain at the entrance, and in the center stood a large gate and walls separating the royal territory.
The village was lively. Knights and adventurers walked around, villagers chatted happily, and children ran through the streets.
Tring—
"Go to the receptionist and register," the man said before heading upstairs beside the reception area.
Inside the guild, many adventurers gathered. Some crowded around the quest board, while others were recruiting new members.
The girl led Lukas to the receptionist. A red-haired woman stood behind the counter, smiling.
"Feline, welcome back—" she paused as she looked at Lukas. "And who's this?"
"He's someone I know. He wants to register as an adventurer." Feline then explain what happened.
The receptionist then explained the guild system.
Adventurers were ranked using necklaces: iron, bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. Their rank would be determined through a crystal test. Ranks could be increased based on ability and experience from completing quests.
However, reaching platinum required a special test directly from the guild master, as platinum adventurers had the chance to become royal knights.
Payment also depended on rank and quest difficulty.
After that, she brought Lukas into a room. In the center stood a crystal orb.
"Please place your hand on the crystal."
Lukas did.
Suddenly, his body felt hot. It was as if his blood was being pulled into the crystal. His left eye throbbed.
The crystal turned black.
Lukas' body weakened.
The receptionist froze, witnessing something she had never seen before.
CRASH!
The crystal exploded into dust.
"What was that?!" Feline burst into the room.
The receptionist stood frozen in the corner, while Lukas sat on the floor, holding his eye.
"W-wait outside. I'll inform the guild master," she said before rushing out.
Feline helped Lukas outside and sat him down.
"Are you okay?" she asked, holding his shoulder.
"I-I'm fine," Lukas muttered, still clutching his eye.
The sensation reminded him of what happened in his hideout… the same feeling when he faced the royal assassins.
(Is it because of this eye…? Like the villagers said… am I a demon?)
Fear crept into him. Not fear of himself—but fear that others, especially the kingdom, would find out and try to kill him.
"H-hey… did you ever tell the guild master about my eye?"
"N-no, I didn't—"
Creek—
The door opened. The guild master walked out.
"Guild Master," Feline said quickly.
"Are you alright?" he asked, looking at Lukas with suspicion.
"Y-yes."
Lukas felt pressured just by his presence.
"I apologize for what happened earlier. I didn't expect something like that."
He took out a golden necklace.
"What's your name?"
Lukas hesitated.
"Lukas De— Lukas."
"Lukas."
The guild master closed his hand around the necklace. When he opened it again, faint smoke drifted out. He handed it to Lukas. The royal emblem and his name were engraved on it.
"Keep it safe. This will allow you to enter other villages and take quests at different guilds."
After Lukas put it on, the guild master returned inside.
Feline then brought him to an inn.
"This is your room key. You can stay for free for a week since you're gold rank," the innkeeper said with a smile.
"Well then, I'll head home. Enjoy your new place," Feline waved.
But as she turned around, her expression changed before she quickly left.
Inside his room, Lukas lay on the bed.
(So this is what a soft bed feels like… just like Grandpa said.)
Memories of his grandfather surfaced, and tears quietly fell before he drifted to sleep.
The next day, Lukas began taking quests. With his first payment, he bought a meal his grandfather once told him about. It was the most delicious thing he had ever tasted.
Months passed. His reputation grew, and his swordsmanship improved significantly.
People began calling him Solo-Eyed, since he always kept one eye closed and worked alone.
He also avoided Feline, feeling something suspicious about her.
One afternoon, while eating at his usual place, Feline approached him.
"L-Lukas… sorry but would you go on a quest with me?" Her expression was different, sadness hidden behind it. "I know you never go with me, b-but this time… please help me."
"What happened?"
"I… I need money. I want to take a high-level quest, so… I'm asking for your help."
Seeing her like that made Lukas hesitate. Feeling indebted, he agreed, though something still felt off.
The next day, during their journey, Feline was unusually quiet.
Then her step stopped and turned toward him.
"I'm sorry, Lukas—"
Tears streamed down her face.
"Please… forgive me…"
She pulled out a dagger—
—and attacked him.
-CONTINUE-