It happened unexpectedly.
A voice beside him.
"You're Andres, right?"
He turned slightly.
A young man stood there—casual stance, but observant eyes.
Not threatening.
But not careless either.
"…Who's asking?" Andres replied calmly.
The man smiled lightly.
"Name's Kael. I've seen you around the guild."
Andres said nothing.
Waiting.
Measuring.
Kael didn't seem offended.
"You work efficiently," he continued. "Quietly."
A pause.
"…I respect that."
That alone made Andres pay attention.
Respect wasn't freely given here.
"…What do you want?" Andres asked.
Kael shrugged.
"Nothing complicated."
Then his gaze sharpened slightly.
"Just wondering if you'd be interested in working together."
The first offer.
The first connection.
Andres didn't answer immediately.
Because this—
Was where things started to change.