New York – The Wardens
Inside a government facility in New York, a man walks with steady steps.
His name is Alrick McQueen.
A Warden.
Alrick (thinking):
The government summoned me…
About Unofficial Adventurers?
He enters the office and immediately spots familiar faces.
Layla Van Buren:
"Hey, Alrick!"
"It's been a month. How've you been?"
Alrick:
"Same as ever."
"My life's good. My wife, my child… no complaints."
Another voice joins.
Trent Wolfgang:
"Still alive, Alrick?"
Alrick (smiles):
"Barely. What about you?"
Trent:
"Doing fine."
Suddenly—
The air changes.
A crushing pressure descends.
Layla:
"…Do you feel that?"
Trent:
"Yeah."
"Alrick?"
Alrick:
"I feel it."
Two more Wardens arrive—Natan Held and Shina Lariaten.
Shina:
"This power…"
"It's not a Warden."
Natan:
"It's stronger."
Alrick's eyes narrow.
Alrick:
"…An Oracle?"
Layla scoffs.
Layla:
"Oracles?"
"They're myths."
Natan:
"Not to us."
Warden Belief (Lore)
To normal people, Oracles are myths
To Wardens, Oracles exist
Some believe Oracles hide among civilians
Some believe Oracles act as Unofficial Adventurers
The Oracles Appear
The staff opens the meeting room doors.
Three figures stand inside.
The pressure becomes overwhelming.
One steps forward.
Gel Edward.
Layla:
"Who are you?"
Gel smiles calmly.
Gel Edward:
"You'll get your answers inside."
"Relax."
Two more enter.
Sali Kerenda
Lorenz Qulos
Lorenz :
"Gel, what's going on?"
"Don't they recognize you?"
Gel:
"They're just curious."
Lorenz :
"If you say so."
The tension fades slightly.
The Government Meeting
Inside the meeting room—
Government officials bow deeply.
Government Representative:
"We are honored by your presence."
"I'll be brief."
They know better than to waste an Oracle's time.
Government Representative:
"There are two major Adventurer organizations."
1 Zeror Trav
2 Nightglass Covenant (Unofficial)
Government Representative:
"We have ignored Nightglass Covenant for years."
"But our patience has ended."
He continues.
Government Representative:
"Merchants are being robbed."
"Unofficial teams are acting without restraint."
Names are listed:
Dancing Hollows
Night Hunters
The Fearless Champions
The Merciless Monster
Government Representative:
"We do not ask you to destroy Nightglass Covenant."
"That would be impossible."
He pauses.
Government Representative:
"We ask you to hunt the criminals among them."
"And bring control back."
Silence.
Then—
Sali Kerenda:
"…Wow."
She yawns.
Sali :
"That was boring."
"I almost fell asleep."
The Wardens—especially Alrick—are shocked.
She just spoke to the government… like that.
The government officials do not react.
They lower their heads further.
They know—
Oracles do not answer to authority.
The Oracle Agreement
Lorenz Qulos folds his arms.
Lorenz :
"Hunting…"
"Hm."
"Very well. We'll do it—if it's possible."
The government officials straighten.
Lorenz :
"Some Unofficial Adventurers are Oracles like us."
"We won't create unnecessary conflict."
Government Representative:
"That decision is yours, sir."
"But even if you capture only normal criminals, it will still help us."
Sali Kerenda:
"Fine."
"Now introduce your Wardens."
The government gestures toward the room.
Government Representative:
"Our Wardens will support you."
"They can assist in combat."
"Don't worry—they aren't weak. They're well-trained and powerful."
He hesitates, then adds—
Government Representative:
"For your service, we'll pay 50 million."
Sali tilts her head.
Sali :
"100 million."
"Otherwise—no deal."
The officials exchange nervous glances.
Government Representative:
"…Okay."
"No problem."
He swallows.
Government Representative:
"So… we have an agreement?"
Sali and Lorenz glance at Gel Edward.
Sali :
"What about you, Gel?"
Gel thinks for a moment.
Gel:
"Alright."
"Deal."
His tone sharpens.
Gel:
"But listen carefully."
"Be extremely cautious with Nightglass Covenant."
The room quiets.
Gel:
"We also operate under Nightglass."
"If they discover what we're doing…"
"They'll take dangerous steps."
He looks directly at the officials.
Gel:
"Steps that will endanger you—and us."
Government Representative:
"…Understood."
"We'll keep this operation completely confidential."
Nightglass Covenant – Black ViSage
Later.
Black ViSage walks through the halls of Nightglass Covenant.
A staff member approaches him carefully.
Staff:
"Someone wants to meet you."
Black ViSage:
"Who?"
Staff:
"A beautiful girl."
Black ViSage pauses.
Black ViSage:
"…Is it Dancing Hollows?"
Staff:
"No."
"She's a new adventurer."
Black ViSage:
"Where is she?"
"And do you know anything about her?"
The staff hesitates, then smiles.
Staff:
"I noticed something."
"But information isn't free."
Black ViSage silently places one gold coin in his hand.
Black ViSage:
"That enough?"
The staff nods quickly.
Staff:
"Her name is Liya."
"She changes teammates almost every day."
Black ViSage's eyes narrow.
Staff:
"Whenever someone joins her team…"
"They never come back to the office."
Black ViSage stiffens.
Staff:
"She always says the same thing—"
"'They betrayed me and abandoned me.'"
He shakes his head.
Staff:
"Some foolish adventurers still believe her."
"They join without asking questions."
Black ViSage:
"…And now?"
Staff:
"She hasn't been seen for two days."
Elsewhere – Liya (Miha)
Far away.
Liya—Miha—has already left Nightglass Covenant.
She has no patience for delays.
She returns to her domain.
Her full power has recovered.
She eliminates every remaining slave and former teammate—cleanly, efficiently.
No hesitation.
Now alone, she rests.
Her strength has grown.
She is satisfied.
Angels do not waste time.
They do not live human lives.
Yet—
She still thinks of Black ViSage.
Miha (thinking):
He won't come.
He never does.
Even so—
Her interest in him hasn't faded.
Not yet.
Important Notice — Nightglass Covenant
Black ViSage accepts missions from the 9th Office of the Nightglass Covenant.
The team Dancing Hollows operates under the same jurisdiction.
This region is officially known as the 9th Place of Nightglass Covenant.
Meanwhile—
Liriya has begun her journey as a traveler.
She registers herself not as an adventurer, but as a traveler, avoiding attention.
She is currently in the 27th Place of Nightglass Covenant, meaning the 27th Office.
Nightglass Covenant — Official Announcement (9th Office)
Suddenly, a system-wide notification spreads across Nightglass Covenant.
An open message is issued.
Official Notice
"Recently, multiple merchants have submitted reports stating that they were robbed by Unofficial Adventurers."
"Being unofficial does not mean being lawless."
"From today onward—ROBBERY IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN."
"Nightglass Covenant exists to protect balance, not to destroy trust."
"Many people rely on us."
"They come to Nightglass Covenant because they believe that powerful adventurers will accept missions fairly."
"However, due to the actions of certain groups, our reputation has been damaged repeatedly."
New Rule
Rule One:
Never rob anyone—merchant or civilian.
"If any group is caught committing robbery again—"
"They will be severely punished."
"No exceptions."
"No mercy."