The next morning, sunlight filtered through the windows of the Guild Agency in the middle-class district, casting warm hues across the rooms.
The agency was bustling with activity, everyone busy, the sounds of papers shuffling, phones ringing, and quick conversations between staff filling the air.
Celestine stood by her desk, phone in hand, speaking with the head of the Guild Agency, her voice calm yet full of seriousness, every word flowing with precision and focus.
Outside the agency, a scuffle erupted between the middle-class people and the poor. Words flew like daggers, some cursing the poor and calling them monsters, while the poor threw insults back, labeling the middle-class as spoiled and arrogant
The Novara police arrived quickly at the scene, trying to calm the situation before it escalated.
The middle-class people shouted defiantly:
"Kick out the poor!"
The poor shouted back angrily:
"We are not responsible for the gangs' actions!"
But the middle-class crowd didn't relent:
"Stop lying! Reveal where they are hiding!"
The police stood between the two sides, trying to set a boundary for the chaos, raising their hands to disperse the crowd, attempting to extinguish the spark of anger before it fully ignited.
The air was thick with tension, shouts overlapping with the blare of sirens, each side trying to assert its stance.
Ravena sat in front of the large screen, her dark eyes glinting with a small red dot.
Her hand rested on her head, long black hair cascading over her shoulders as she watched the scene unfold.
Her elegant clothes reflected her status, yet she looked irritated and exhausted.
"Damn… because of what that boy did yesterday, this is happening…" she said in a low voice, a mix of anger and fatigue.
Beside her stood Brane.
A massive man in his forties, short curly hair, and a scar across his neck.
He oversaw the training, and his presence exuded strength and seriousness.
Brane spoke seriously:
"There was already tension between the two districts, but yesterday's incident made it worse."
Ravena closed her eyes for a moment, trying to gather her thoughts, while the sounds of the clash continued through the screen.
Ravena's calm was shattered the moment notifications reached her.
She stood up quickly, her eyes sharp and intense.
"These are orders from the Church!" she whispered, her voice charged with determination.
Brane, the massive man, raised his voice to command:
"Everyone, come quickly! We need an urgent meeting!"
He immediately picked up his phone, calling:
Ryen, Celestine, Kryne, Selvara, and another girl yet unnamed.
Everyone knew this was urgent.
Everyone gathered quickly, their steps hurried as they made their way to the upper floor of the Guild Agency.
Silence filled the air, each person sensing the weight of the events that called for this meeting.
When they arrived, they opened the door and entered the meeting room.
The large table awaited them, chairs neatly arranged, and screens on the walls displayed the latest information about the situation in the city.
The atmosphere was tense, every individual feeling the weight of the responsibility resting on their shoulders.
Everyone sat around the large table in the meeting room.
Ravena stood before them, lifting her head with confidence:
"Welcome."
Celestine took her seat, her long black hair fading into a faint dark purple, cascading over her shoulders.
She wore a long black robe covering her entire body, calm yet exuding strength and authority.
Selvara stepped forward next, the head of intelligence.
Her white hair had been shortened and dyed with black streaks, still strict and composed, showing her experience despite being in her thirties.
Ryen, in his late twenties, with messy brown hair, looked both concerned and angry, clearly invested in what was happening.
Kryne, a man in his thirties, wore a cap, brown hair peeking out.
He had discarded his cigarette before entering, appearing calm and disciplined despite the tension in the room.
The young girl, in her twenties, short in stature, had extremely long black hair reaching the floor.
Her loose clothing hung over her small frame, making her look exhausted and sleepy. She held a cake and nibbled on it slowly as she sat.
Kryne, as he had done last time, refused to join them at the table.
He stood near the entrance, slightly leaning, hiding his face under his cap, silently observing the scene without taking part in the conversation.
Ravena placed her hands on the table, her gaze sharp and unwavering.
"As a reminder to all of you, we have discovered a plot by a gang aiming to destroy the Church in Novara."
The room was quiet; everyone was aware of the matter, yet the tension was palpable in the silence that followed.
The short girl suddenly showed a look of shock on her face and shouted loudly:
"Huhhhhhhhhhhh!"
She quickly realized she had interrupted the official speech.
She sat back down, glancing at Ravena with embarrassment, whispering:
"Sorry..."
Ravena closed her eyes for a moment, recalling the events, then continued speaking:
"We managed to update the location of their headquarters. The Church decided to wait for their move, then strike their base directly. Our target is to take down their five leaders known by numbers. As for the other followers, the police will handle them."
After a moment, Brane spoke calmly:
"Won't any of the guilds take care of them?"
Selvara nodded in agreement:
"Yes, I have the same question."
Ravena responded calmly, her gaze steady:
"No, the Church entrusted us specifically to deal with them and bring them in."
Everyone reacted with surprise, some quietly questioning: "Why us?"
The short girl was also shocked, a little behind the rest, and shouted loudly:
"Huhhhhhhhhhhh? Us?"
She quickly noticed that everyone was staring at her, sat back down on her chair embarrassed, and whispered:
"Sorry..."
Ryen laughed confidently, a spark of excitement in his eyes. "Finally, it's my turn to shine," he said, practically vibrating with anticipation.
Ravena continued her explanation, her tone calm and measured. "The Church has indeed chosen those who will take on this mission. And they are…"
Everyone tensed, preparing themselves for the announcement.
Celestine, Selvara, Brane, and Kryne remained composed, their calmness a testament to their experience and discipline.
Meanwhile, Ryen's confidence burned brighter, certain that he would be chosen.
The short girl, sitting quietly, continued nibbling on her cake, her eyes flicking toward Ravena, curious and attentive despite her casual demeanor.
Ravena spoke clearly, her voice firm and commanding:
"Miss Celestine and Miss Selvara,
Mr. Brane and Kryne,
the rest of you will continue your day here at work as usual."
Ryen looked completely defeated, as if hope had left him entirely, his eyes wide with shock.
The short girl had already fallen asleep, her small frame rising and falling gently with each breath.
Celestine placed a hand over her heart, a soft smile touching her lips.
"Ah… I knew I wouldn't get away from this mission." She felt her phone vibrating, but she switched it off without a second thought.
Brane spoke quietly, his tone calm and measured, "It's my pleasure."
Selvara smiled softly, composed and serene.
"Well then…"
Kryne glanced at them briefly, exhaled slowly, and said nothing, keeping his expression neutral.
Ravena stood, placing her hands firmly on the table.
"Two other guilds will send some of their members for support. You will gather here on the lower floor, then move out toward the Troublemakers' hideout, targeting only their leaders. Understood?"
Each member assigned to the mission replied in their own way.
She sat down and gave them the order to disperse.
Everyone left except the small girl and Ryen, who was shocked for not being chosen.
While everything was happening at the Guild Agency, Toxivar stood alone inside the Troublemakers' headquarters, his long green hair cascading over his shoulders, two strands hanging in front of his face.
He slowly moved toward a large room at the center of the headquarters, where all the gang members were seated, each focused or attentive to their surroundings. Toxivar sat calmly before them, his eyes gleaming with intense focus, as if every word he would speak in a moment would carry more weight than any of their previous actions.
He spoke slowly, his voice low but filled with authority:
"Yo…"
The entire hall falls silent the moment Toxivar begins to speak.
Dozens of gang members turn their eyes toward him some anxious, some excited, all listening.
He steps forward, shadows shifting across his face as that unsettling, wicked smile slowly curls upward.
He raises his hand slightly, as if announcing the start of a new era:
"Today… is our day."
His voice is calm yet it hits their chests like an explosion.
"We'll be launching an attack inside Novara."
"All of us will move toward the city center."
That smile grows wider…
His green eyes glint with controlled madness.
"Steal… set fire to anything you see… destroy everything."
Whispers rise.
Breathing quickens.
Tension sharpens like blades.
He leans forward slightly, his voice dropping even lower
More dangerous:
"Today… those who live in luxury… those who caused our suffering…"
"Will feel the same pain."
The entire headquarters erupts at once:
"YEEESSSS!!!"
Dozens of voices roar, shaking the room laughter, excitement, chaos.
Toxivar doesn't react.
He simply turns his back and walks toward the exit with calm, controlled steps.
Just before leaving, he stops.
He turns his head slightly, green hair swaying, that twisted smile widening.
In a quiet voice that cuts through the noise:
"We move… at midday."
He closes the door.
The hallway he enters is long endlessly long.
Cracked walls, flickering lights, and silence swallowing every footstep.
It feels like walking through the guts of a dead building.
At the very end stands a large metal door, scarred and cold.
He reaches for it and pushes it open.
The room inside is dim…
Pairs of eyes shine from the darkness.
He smiles.
"Hello… Numbers."
Inside the dim room…
A round table sits in the center, four figures around it, each wearing a long hooded coat that hides their faces completely.
Only their silhouettes and the faint outline of their hands are visible.
Number One speaks his voice calm, deep, sounding like a man in his mid‑thirties:
"Toxivar… did you tell them what I instructed?"
Toxivar smiles, hands behind his back:
"Yes, Number One."
Number Two leans slightly forward, his voice quiet but steady:
"We'll observe the situation first. If it works in our favor, we'll move toward the rich district."
Number One nods slowly, replying with cold certainty:
"Yes… that is what we will do."
Silence settles again, heavy and tense, as if the air itself is waiting for their next command.
In the lower floor of the Guild Agency, the meeting room was relatively small but meticulously organized. The walls were adorned with screens displaying the movements and a large table stood in the center.
Celestine sat calmly, her long black hair fading into a soft dark purple, her hands resting on the table as she studied the data before her.
Bran, the massive man with a scar on his neck, sat confidently, his eyes gleaming with focus as he observed every detail on the screens.
Selvara sat beside him, a calm smile on her face, her composed demeanor bringing reassurance to the room.
Kryne, the young man with a cap, leaned against the corner wall, his face shadowed beneath his hat, silently observing the others without participating in the conversation.
Celestine placed her hands on the table, sighing quietly:
"No one has moved yet… the situation is still heating up, and the people are still fighting."
Selvara, sitting beside her, raised an eyebrow and replied calmly:
"And also, no one from the other agencies has sent any support yet… things could escalate if this continues."
Bran watched the screens in silence, while Kryne remained standing in the corner, observing without saying a word.
Brane takes a short nap.
Kryne removes his cap, places it on the table, then sighs.
"We haven't been assigned a mission like this in a long time," he says quietly.
"Especially me… I feel nostalgic."
Celestine smiles at him.
"You're right," she says, then asks,
"How's the injury on your hand?"
Kryne responds,
"It's fine, but honestly… the poison in that Talented girl's weapon was really strong."
Celestine's phone rings again. She picks it up and stands, sighing.
"Ugh, who is this annoying?" she mutters.
"Hello, who's speaking?"
A familiar voice responds,
"It's me, Milo, Arthur's son."
Celestine smiles.
"Milo! How are you?"
Milo interrupts her,
"I'm standing near the Guild Agency. Can you come out and talk to me?"
Celestine nods.
"Alright…" She turns to those in the room.
"I'll be back quickly."
Celestine leaves the Guild Agency, catching a glimpse of Milo from afar. She walks toward him.
"Milo… do you need something? Why did you come all this way?"
Milo looks very serious. His brown hair is slightly messy from the morning breeze, his eyes sharp and filled with determination.
"What are you going to do about the Troublemakers?" he asks.
Celestine explains everything to Milo in detail… from the Church's orders to the mission assigned to her team.
Milo listens silently, his eyes fixed on her with unwavering seriousness.
Then he says,
"Can I fight with you?"
Celestine freezes for a moment, surprised by his request. She takes a breath and replies gently,
"Milo… the place will be dangerous."
But Milo answers immediately, conviction burning in his voice,
"Toxifar… I'll deal with him. I can talk him down!"
Celestine looks at his determination and resolve.
"Damn… don't look at me like that," she mutters under her breath.
"Alright… fine," she finally says.
Celestine receives a call from Selvara.
"Yes? They've arrived! Alright, I'm coming…" she replies.
She looks at Milo.
"Milo, let's go."
Celestine returns to the Guild Agency and enters the room, Milo staying outside for now.
She looks at the visitors.
"Oh, it's you!"
Selvara responds calmly,
"They are the Fenrir Twins from the Third Agency."
The Fenrir Twins stand side by side.
Their hair is short and black, their bodies large and muscular, faces marked with scars.
They wear formal suits that suit them perfectly, and they remain silent.
Celestine greets them.
"I'm glad to be working with you."
Then she asks Selvara,
"What about the second agency? Didn't they send anyone?"
Selvara replies,
"No, they apologized for that. They said they are very busy."
Celestine looks around.
"Alright, I've brought my little assistant instead of them! Come in..."
Milo entersSelvara looks at him with a doubtful gaze.
"Who is this young man? And how old is he?"
Celestine replies,
"Milo is 18 years old. He is the son of the adventurer Arthur."
Kryne looks at him.
Brane glances at Milo.
"Isn't he too young to participate in this? He's not even officially part of the team."
Kryne agrees.
"Yes, I share the same concern."
Celestine responds calmly,
"He knows exactly where the mischief-makers are hiding."
Everyone looks surprised.
Selvara, suspicious and strict, asks,
"What if he's a spy for them, trying to lure us?"
Celestine reassures her,
"No, I assure you!"
Milo speaks calmly and confidently,
"As proof that I am not a spy… I will enter their base first…"
Celestine continues Milo's thought,
"We will enter their base first, just the two of us."
Milo looks at her and smiles.
Selvara is still uncertain but trusts Celestine.
"Alright… but request Ravena's approval first."
Celestine turns to the others,
"What about you? Are you all okay with this?"
Brane replies calmly,
"If the boy is determined, then fine…"
Kryne nods,
"Alright, I agree…"
Fenrir twins remain silent.
Celestine leaves the room and calls Ravena.
A few minutes later, she returns smiling,
"I got her approval…"
Celestine looks at Milo,
"Alright, Milo. Welcome to this mission."
Milo smiles and bows respectfully,
"Thank you, Miss Celestine!"
Time passes, and it reaches midday.
Meanwhile, the troublemakers move out of their hideout, led by the boy wearing a scarf, Julian.
Julian stands beside Toxivar.
"Julian, I'm counting on you for this," Toxivar says.
Julian raises his hand and makes a thumbs-up gesture.
Toxivar looks at the crowd.
"Alright, troublemakers… LET'S GO!"
All the troublemakers scream and run toward the middle-class district.
The police, still trying to calm the fights in the middle-class area, hear the commotion and prepare themselves.
Julian climbs onto the roof of a house, overlooking the crowd as they move forward.
Some of the crowd carry weapons, others hold pistols.
Toxivar stands in front of the house where their hideout is located, smiling.
Then he descends and returns to the hideout.
Cameras capture the crowd of troublemakers.
Celestine, Milo, and the others watch everything unfold through the screens.
Celestine opens the door to the room.
"Alright… let's move!"
As they exit the agency, Celestine leads the group.
Kryne watches the crowd, making sure no one notices them.
Celestine says, "Everyone else, let's move quickly toward the slum district!"
Kryne separates from them, moving swiftly across the rooftops.
He notices the police have begun clashing with the crowd.
From a distance, he spots Julian wearing his scarf, looking directly at Kryne as well.
Celestine, Milo, Selvara, Bran, and the Fenrir twins split up slightly, keeping some distance between them.
Milo stays with Celestine, Selvara is with Bran, and the Fenrir twins move together.
Their destination is the same, but they separated to avoid drawing attention to themselves.
The city's atmosphere was tense and electric. The air carried the faint scent of smoke and dust from the earlier clashes, mixed with the subtle aroma of the evening. Shadows stretched long across the streets under the fading sunlight, while distant sirens and shouts echoed through the alleys. Every corner seemed alive with anticipation, as if the city itself was holding its breath, waiting for what was about to unfold.