The headquarters of the Nightglass Covenant was as lively as ever.
Adventurers gathered around mission boards, merchants negotiated rewards, and staff members hurried from one hall to another. Conversations echoed throughout the enormous building, creating an atmosphere filled with ambition and purpose.
Among the crowd, a young man wearing a strange black tiger-mouth mask slowly walked forward.
It was Verl Ouzen.
Without hesitation, he made his way toward Table No. 3.
The moment he reached the table, he stopped before a man dressed in black.
The man wore a black knight mask, concealing every trace of his face. His posture was calm and composed, giving off an indescribable aura that naturally made others keep their distance.
He was...
Black ViSage.
Verl lowered his head respectfully.
"Mr. Black ViSage... I need your help."
Black ViSage remained silent for a few seconds before speaking in his usual calm voice.
"My help?"
"What kind of help?"
Verl clenched his fists.
"I want to kill someone."
The atmosphere around the table instantly became heavier.
Black ViSage slowly turned his head toward Verl.
"...Who?"
"A businesswoman."
"Her name is Genevieve De Monfort."
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Black ViSage let out a quiet sigh.
"Verl..."
"Why do you wish to kill her?"
"And more importantly..."
"Why are you asking the Nightglass Covenant for such a request?"
Verl remained silent.
Black ViSage continued,
"The Nightglass Covenant is not an assassin organization."
"We protect villages."
"We rescue civilians."
"We eliminate Marrowbanes."
"We punish those whose crimes threaten innocent lives."
"But we do not become murderers simply because someone holds hatred."
His tone never rose.
Yet every word carried undeniable authority.
"I'm actually relieved you whispered the word 'kill.'"
"If the people around us had heard that conversation..."
"They would misunderstand what this organization stands for."
"If your objective is assassination..."
"There are organizations that accept such work."
"But not this one."
Verl slowly lowered his head.
"...I understand."
As Black ViSage observed him more carefully, his gaze suddenly paused.
His eyes landed on something attached to Verl's belt.
A familiar object.
A crystal cube glowing with a faint blue light.
Black ViSage stared at it for several seconds.
"...Wait."
"You..."
His voice became slightly softer.
"...You're Verl Ouzen."
Verl blinked.
"You remember me?"
Black ViSage looked at him from head to toe.
A faint feeling of satisfaction crossed his mind.
"When I first met you..."
"You looked like nothing more than a walking skeleton."
"Starving."
"Injured."
"And completely abandoned by fate."
"But now..."
"You've changed."
"Your body has recovered."
"Your eyes carry determination."
"I'm glad to see you've survived."
Verl subconsciously touched the glowing crystal cube.
"This..."
"You remember it too?"
Black ViSage nodded once.
"Of course."
"I made it."
Several Years Earlier...
The afternoon sun quietly illuminated an abandoned road outside the city.
Black ViSage walked alone, carrying a small satchel over one shoulder.
Inside the bag rested dozens of strange relics and magical tools.
He looked at them silently.
"I've created too many."
Most people regarded magical relics as priceless treasures.
Items capable of freezing enemies...
Creating barriers...
Concealing one's presence...
Or storing magical energy.
Among them, the rarest were relics known as Undying Exes.
Throughout the continent, such artifacts could usually be found only inside forgotten Sage Kingdoms...
Ancient Mage Kingdoms...
Hundred-year-old royal palaces...
Or hidden treasure vaults.
Even then...
Finding one was considered nearly impossible.
Only legendary Sages and Mages possessed enough knowledge to create them.
Black ViSage happened to be one of those few.
However...
Creating an Undying Exes required tremendous concentration and several hours of uninterrupted work.
Sometimes seven hours.
Sometimes fourteen.
Even longer depending on the relic's complexity.
Because of that, he rarely created them.
Instead...
He preferred crafting simple magical tools.
Relics capable of freezing opponents for a few seconds.
Temporary camouflage devices.
Short-range sealing cubes.
Small conveniences rather than legendary treasures.
After all...
He rarely needed such items himself.
"I already possess enough strength."
"I don't rely on relics to win battles."
As he continued walking...
His footsteps suddenly stopped.
Not far away...
A young boy lay against a broken stone wall.
His clothes were filthy.
His body was painfully thin.
Every visible bone could almost be counted.
His breathing was weak.
The boy looked as though he had not eaten for days.
Black ViSage quietly approached him.
"What is your name, kid?"
The boy immediately reacted.
Instead of answering...
He lunged forward with surprising aggression.
A desperate punch.
Followed by another.
Then a kick.
Every attack carried fear rather than confidence.
Black ViSage simply stepped aside.
Not a single blow touched him.
After several failed attacks...
The exhausted child collapsed onto one knee.
Black ViSage remained standing.
"I have no intention of hurting you."
He reached into his bag and pulled out a fresh loaf of bread.
"Here."
"Eat."
The boy hesitated.
His instincts screamed not to trust strangers.
But...
His empty stomach screamed even louder.
Slowly...
He accepted the bread.
Within seconds...
He devoured the entire loaf.
Not even a crumb remained.
Black ViSage watched quietly.
Then spoke.
"You've already eaten it."
"If I intended to poison you..."
"You would already be unconscious."
The boy froze.
His eyes widened.
"...You're right."
"If you wanted to hurt me..."
"You already had the opportunity."
Black ViSage nodded.
"Exactly."
"If you're willing..."
"Come with me."
"I'll buy you a proper meal."
The starving boy looked at him for a long moment.
Finally...
He stood.
"...Okay."
Black ViSage simply turned around and began walking.
The boy silently followed behind him.
For the first time in many days...
He felt that perhaps...
Not every stranger in the world wished him harm.
The restaurant owned by the Nightglass Covenant was one of the finest establishments in the city.
Unlike ordinary taverns, it was clean, peaceful, and filled with the aroma of freshly prepared food. Adventurers often gathered there after completing dangerous missions, while merchants visited to discuss business over warm meals.
The starving boy followed Black ViSage inside.
His eyes widened.
He had never entered a place like this before.
The polished wooden floor, expensive furniture, and neatly dressed staff made him feel completely out of place.
Black ViSage calmly pulled out a chair.
"Sit."
Verl obeyed without saying a word.
A waiter quickly approached.
Black ViSage ordered several dishes, fresh bread, soup, roasted meat, fruits, and clean drinking water.
When the food arrived, he gently pushed every plate toward the boy.
"Eat."
Verl stared at the feast in disbelief.
"...All of this?"
Black ViSage simply nodded.
"As much as you want."
Without waiting another second, Verl grabbed the bread and began eating.
His movements were clumsy.
He didn't care about manners.
He only wanted to satisfy the hunger that had tormented him for days.
Black ViSage quietly watched him.
There wasn't a single hint of disgust in his eyes.
Only silence.
Several minutes later...
Footsteps echoed across the restaurant.
A woman dressed in elegant clothing approached their table with graceful confidence.
Her long hair flowed behind her as several employees respectfully greeted her.
She smiled.
"Well... what a coincidence."
She looked directly at the masked man.
"Mr. Fe—"
She stopped herself.
A playful smile appeared.
"Oh..."
"Mr. Black ViSage."
Black ViSage let out a quiet sigh.
"Stop pretending."
"And stop trying to expose my identity in public."
The woman giggled.
"My mistake."
"I haven't seen you for years."
"I got a little excited."
She was Yxes, one of the highest-ranking members of the Nightglass Covenant.
Her authority was second to very few people within the organization.
Her gaze shifted toward Verl.
The boy's dirty clothes and thin body immediately caught her attention.
"...Who's this?"
She frowned.
"Why is there trash sitting in my restaurant?"
Verl instinctively lowered his head.
Before he could react...
Black ViSage spoke.
"Enough."
His calm voice instantly silenced her.
"Don't call him trash."
"He has a name."
"And unlike some people..."
"He still remembers what it means to struggle."
Yxes blinked.
Then laughed softly.
"My, my..."
"You actually defended someone."
"That's rare."
Verl remained completely frozen.
The pressure coming from Yxes was overwhelming.
Even without releasing her aura, he felt as though he couldn't breathe.
If she wanted...
She could probably kill him with a single gesture.
Yxes noticed his fear.
She smiled mischievously.
"Oh, don't worry."
"I'm not here to hurt him."
Then she looked back at Black ViSage.
"You know..."
"I've already cast Zero Radiation Zone."
"No one outside this table can hear our conversation."
Black ViSage nodded.
"I know."
"But that doesn't change anything."
"I don't like unnecessary attention."
"If people see me chatting casually with a Higher, they'll start asking questions."
Yxes crossed her arms.
"I think it would increase your popularity."
"I don't need popularity."
"I need peace."
She burst into laughter.
"You really haven't changed."
Black ViSage remained silent.
After a moment, Yxes looked toward the cashier.
"I'll pay for your meal."
"No."
Black ViSage answered immediately.
"I have enough money."
"You don't need to spend yours."
Yxes sighed dramatically.
"I knew you'd refuse."
She waved her hand.
"Fine."
"I won't disturb you anymore."
As she walked away, she glanced back once.
"Take care, Mr. Black ViSage."
Then she disappeared into another part of the restaurant.
Silence returned.
Verl finally released the breath he had been holding.
"...She's terrifying."
Black ViSage looked at him.
"Strength isn't something you should fear."
"You should fear the heart of the person who possesses it."
Verl quietly remembered those words.
After finishing every dish, he slowly stood up.
"...Thank you."
Black ViSage shook his head.
"You don't have to thank me."
He reached into his pocket and placed a small pouch of coins onto the table.
"Use these wisely."
"Buy food."
"Find a place to sleep."
"And survive."
Verl carefully accepted the pouch.
Just then...
His eyes noticed a faint blue glow coming from inside Black ViSage's coat.
"...What's that?"
Black ViSage looked down.
"This?"
He pulled out a small crystal cube.
Its surface shimmered with mysterious blue light.
"It's only a simple magical tool."
Verl couldn't take his eyes off it.
"It looks beautiful..."
"Can I have it?"
Black ViSage immediately replied,
"No."
Relics weren't toys.
Even his simplest creations possessed dangerous power.
But...
When he looked into Verl's eyes...
There was no greed.
No desire for power.
Only the innocent curiosity of a child who had rarely seen anything beautiful in his life.
Black ViSage became silent.
After a few moments...
He sighed.
"...Fine."
He placed the crystal cube into Verl's hands.
"But listen carefully."
"This isn't an ordinary ornament."
"If your life is ever in danger..."
"Press the small button on the right side."
"Only then."
Verl nodded repeatedly.
"I understand."
Although...
In reality...
He barely listened to the explanation.
His attention was completely captured by the cube's beautiful glow.
Black ViSage simply smiled beneath his black knight mask.
"I doubt he'll remember what I just said."
He turned around.
"Take care of yourself, Verl."
Then he quietly walked away.
Present Day
Black ViSage looked at the same crystal cube hanging from Verl's belt.
"So..."
"You finally used it."
Verl nodded.
"It saved my life."
"If I hadn't pressed that button..."
"I would've died."
For a brief moment, silence filled the table.
Then Black ViSage spoke.
"As for your request..."
"I'm sorry."
"I can't help you."
"Neither I nor the Nightglass Covenant accepts assassination requests."
"If you truly seek revenge..."
"You'll have to walk that road alone."
Verl lowered his head.
"...I understand."
He wasn't angry.
In fact...
He respected Black ViSage even more.
The man hadn't changed.
His principles remained stronger than any weapon.
Verl slowly turned around and began walking away.
After taking a few steps...
He suddenly stopped.
"...Huh?"
He touched his stomach.
The sharp pain that had tormented him earlier...
Had completely disappeared.
"...It's gone."
A relieved smile appeared beneath his mask.
"At least..."
"My stomach doesn't hurt anymore."
Without realizing it...
The strange pressure released by Ashryn Mordelle earlier had completely vanished.
Taking one last glance toward Black ViSage...
Verl quietly left the headquarters.
Meanwhile...
Black ViSage watched his departing figure in silence.
"He's changed."
"...Let's hope he doesn't lose himself again."
The hall of the Nightglass Covenant returned to its usual bustle, but somewhere beyond those walls, the wheels of fate had already begun turning once more.