Snow and I started moving toward the Hunter's Guild. The receptionist looked at me and said, "How can I help you?"
"I want to clear a high-rank dungeon," I replied calmly.
She looked at me for a moment and said, "Sir, there are B-rank dungeons available where you can enter solo."
I shook my head. "No. I want at least an A-rank permit."
She checked her system and said, "Sir, there is a team of three members looking for a fourth person. They are going for an A-rank dungeon. Would you like to join them?"
I knew that if I refused, I would have to go into a B-rank dungeon, which would not benefit me anymore. So I agreed.
I moved toward the waiting area where they were standing.
"I am Austin. I am the fourth member of the group," I said.
Their eyes widened when they saw Snow with me.
They introduced themselves. Two were boys and one was a girl. The A-rank knight was Sakura, the B-rank knight was Julius, and the A-rank healer was Sarada.
They told me they were from Moon Mansion.
I immediately remembered the rumors about them — illegal experiments on humans, strange research, and leadership of a cult called Fallen Moon. Nothing had ever been proven, and they mostly lived isolated in the woods.
Something felt strange.
I could sense that they were looking at Snow again and again.
We started moving toward the dungeon, and soon the environment changed.
The air became heavy and dark.
Monsters began appearing, but we killed them easily as we moved deeper inside.
After some time, we reached the boss territory.
Snow was sitting on my shoulder. I placed her gently on a large stone and gave her chocolates.
"I will be back in a while," I told her.
She nodded quietly.
Soon all four of us were standing in front of the boss.
I looked at Sakura and sensed something odd in his aura.
The fight began.
The boss was a half-snake, half-human monster with poisonous fangs and a massive body.
It started throwing venom attacks, but we dodged them easily. Sarada provided healing and buffs, increasing our speed and strength.
In the middle of the fight, I was standing in front of the monster when it prepared to throw venom at me.
At that moment, I sensed a blade coming toward my back.
I already knew this would happen.
In an instant, I used shadow teleport and appeared behind Sakura. I punched him hard in the chest.
Blood came out of his mouth, and at the same time, the venom meant for me entered his body.
Everything happened too fast for anyone to react.
I activated Shadow Spikes, and shadows pierced through Sakura's body.
He died instantly.
Julius and Sarada stood frozen in shock.
They realized their plan had failed.
Without wasting time, I picked up Sakura's blade and used Shadow Slash with Shadow Steps, moving like a blur.
In a single strike, I killed the boss monster.
Now their shock turned into fear.
I pointed the blade toward them.
"If you want to fight or take revenge, you can attack me," I said calmly. "But I promise you — you won't leave alive."
"No… no… we don't want to fight," Sarada said quickly. "We don't know why Sakura attacked you. We joined this group randomly. We have nothing to do with him."
I looked at them for a few seconds, then turned away.
We moved outside the dungeon.
I picked up Snow and said, "We are going home."
Then I left.
"That child… it was definitely her," Sarada said while walking away. "She has the same aura. We can't leave her."
"That idiot Sakura thought being A-rank made him invincible," Julius said.
Both of them started moving toward Moon Mansion.
I returned to the guild and entered Harry's office. I told him the whole incident.
Harry's expression became serious.
"They all belong to Moon Mansion," he said. "They lied to save themselves from you."
Suddenly, the door opened, and two young boys walked inside.
"Austin, meet Aayan and Jawad. They are from Pakistan," Harry said. "I told you about them earlier."
I greeted them.
"Aayan, did you find your friend?" Harry asked.
"No, I haven't," Aayan replied.
Suddenly, his eyes fixed on Snow.
In the next moment, Snow was in his hands.
He used a strange technique and entered her memories.
I instantly teleported in front of him and touched Snow to take her back — but I was pulled into her memories as well.
"Don't make noise. This place is dangerous," a man whispered.
Two men were carrying a young girl.
In the next scene, I saw them extracting her powers and injecting them into Snow.
I recognized that girl.
She was the same girl I saw in the park before entering the tower.
Another fragment appeared.
A basement inside Moon Mansion.
The girl was locked there.
A portal opened, and a couple appeared — Snow's parents.
"We have to hurry," the woman said.
They picked Snow and heard footsteps.
"Someone is coming," the man whispered.
The woman created a portal, and they escaped to a deserted area.
Moments later, a dungeon break occurred.
The rest of the story became clear.
Snow's parents sacrificed themselves to save her.
We returned to reality.
The room was filled with a cold, chilling aura.
I saw Aayan's eyes — one glowing orange-red and the other blue.
Without saying anything, he left Harry's office in rage.
Jawad quickly followed him.
I told Harry everything we saw in Snow's memories.
Harry understood immediately.
"Aayan's friend is captured by Moon Mansion," he said. "They are using her powers. She is in danger."
Harry called someone and explained the situation.
"You must help him," a voice said from the other side of the phone. "If he loses control, the damage will be unimaginable."
Harry looked at me.
I nodded and instantly moved outside in the direction Aayan had gone.
At that moment, a system window appeared.
New Mission: Assist the Crownless King of Ice and Fire
— End of Chapter 15 —
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