The night breeze was quiet in the outskirts of Silverhaven.
Past the city walls, beyond the clamor of forges and taverns, stood a lone estate, dark stone walls, a heavy iron gate, and a lantern-lit path that led to a modest, square-shaped mansion nestled within a 100x100 plot of wilderness. Birds no longer sang here. Even the wind approached the place with caution.
Because the man who lived here… was Red.
His black armor creaked slightly as he stepped through the door, locking it behind him. The living room was neat, sterile. His sword rack glowed faintly in the dark, twin blades resting side by side: Storm Wheel Wind and Obsidian Destroyer.
He ascended the stairs and entered his private chamber.
No trophies lined his shelves. No mementos from dungeons past. Only a small wooden table beside his bed.
He pulled something from his inventory.
A framed screenshot, full-body capture of a familiar black-armored woman, standing at attention with her crimson cape flaring and rose hairpin glinting.
Akane Hiromoto.
Red stared at the picture for a moment longer than usual, then gently placed it next to his pillow.
"...You're stunning even in freeze-frame," he muttered, flatly.
He sat on the edge of his bed, opened the system menu, and tapped [Save Game].
Then he leaned back and stared at the ceiling.
The challenge she issued played again in his mind.
Train five rookies from nothing to Gold Rank.
In one year.
And if he succeeded… she'd be his wife.
His heart skipped once. Just once. Then he went still again.
"But only if I win," he murmured.
[Logging out…]
In the real world, Red, or rather, the man behind the avatar, logged out, stretched his arms, and rubbed his tired eyes. He opened his banking app. His savings took a slight hit as he recharged his premium points. It wasn't cheap.
But it was worth it.
"Gotta prepare for this year-long hell. Even if it's for her."
He bought several in-game resource packs, unlocked a couple of mentor-class privilege scrolls, and then lay back in bed.
He smiled slightly.
Maybe… just maybe, this will be interesting.
Then, sleep took him.
The next morning.
Red awoke in his real-world capsule, stretched, cracked his neck, and logged right back in.
And just like that, his senses returned to the world of Natharas.
The sky was clear. The road to Silverhaven stretched before him.
He walked.
Not fast. Not slow.
Just steady.
The guild was quieter this morning, though not by much. Rumors about the "Baphomet rescue" had already spread. But Red ignored them.
He approached the main counter.
Sophia stood behind the counter, scanning paperwork. Her cold expression didn't shift when she saw Red. But she did speak first.
Receptionist Sophia: "Good timing. She's already here."
Behind her, on the ceremonial table, were three documents:
Retirement Notice – Signed by Red, dated.
Adventurer Contract for Rookies – Sealed with magic wax.
Marriage Form – Half-filled… with Red's name.
The other half was blank.
Akane stood beside the desk, arms crossed, frowning. Her cheeks were slightly red, not from embarrassment, but from sheer emotional overload.
"You didn't have to fill that part out so soon," she snapped.
Red glanced at her. "I just wanted to save time."
Akane: "You arrogant!! I haven't even signed it yet!"
Red didn't blink. "That's why it's blank."
Sophia watched them, amused. "You two are already like a married couple."
Akane flinched.
She stepped up to the contract and, after a moment of hesitation, scribbled her name quickly.
Akane: "Don't get the wrong idea…! I'm just….just making sure you understand the weight of this."
Then her eyes narrowed.
"Also," she said quickly, "I'm changing the terms."
Red's gaze flicked to her.
"Originally, you needed to train one rookie. Now…" She smirked. "Five."
Sophia looked up. "Are you certain, Miss Akane?"
"Very," Akane said with a devilish smirk. "Let's see if the silent ghost swordsman can handle a full party of lost puppies."
Red opened his mouth to protest, but Sophia slammed the contract shut with a magical seal lock.
"Too late. It's official," she said, amused.
Akane let out a victorious little "hmph."
"Also," she added, "Your first rookie must come from slavery. Just like how I recruited Nadia."
Red's voice dropped. "You want me to buy a slave?"
Akane shrugged. "Up to you. You just need to get one. How you obtained it is your own problem."
He stared at her for a second.
Red: "…Fine. Then you're coming with me."
The two left the guild together, walking through the morning streets of Silverhaven.
The streets of Silverhaven bustled as they walked side-by-side, heading toward the shady lower district where black markets still thrived despite guild law.
They walked in silence for a while.
Awkward silence.
Akane's hand swayed near his. So close she could feel his heat.
Maybe… if he just… moved his pinky, I could…
Red's thoughts weren't much different.
Would it be weird to hold her hand during a slave hunt? Probably. But her gauntlet looks nice. Stylish polish… rose motif. Attractive fingers…
Neither spoke.
Neither made a move.
They just walked. In sync.
The black market stood hidden beneath a torn tapestry near the base of an old well. Underground corridors wound deep into the city's belly, where flickering torches illuminated stone walls.
Dozens of cells.
Dozens of faces.
Thin. Dirty. Barefoot. Young.
Each behind rusted bars, tagged with paper contracts on their necks.
"This is it," Akane said quietly. "Pick who you want."
Red stepped forward. His vision activated:
[Inspect All] – Passive Trait: Max Perception]
Stats. Backgrounds. Traits.
All of them scrolled before his eyes.
All underfed. All level 1 or 2. All scared.
This is disgusting.
He clenched his fists.
Then he looked back at Akane.
"I won't buy one," he said.
Akane: "…Huh?"
Red: "I'll free them all."
And without another word.
Red unsheathed both swords.
The guards noticed too late.
In a flurry of movement and black steel, the first row of slavers fell. Red's blade danced through the tents like a phantom, slicing through chains, cutting through leather armor and bone. Screams erupted. Bandits surged forward.
Akane stood behind him, watching, eyes wide.
He didn't stop.
The fight was over in under five minutes.
Guards collapsed in heaps.
Traders screamed before falling silent.
The slave master, a bloated man covered in gold chains, tried to flee. He didn't make it past the door. Red struck him once, clean through the chest.
Flames from a purification rune lit the room.
One by one, the slave contracts burned in the air, vanishing in a shower of sparks as Red severed their bindings with a single swing of magic.
The cages opened.
Children, teens, and a few adults stepped out slowly, eyes wide with disbelief.
They were free.
All of them ran.
All except one.
A silver-haired girl, maybe sixteen, stood in place. Thin. Pale. But her silver eyes burned with strength beneath the grime.
She stepped forward, barefoot.
"…Thank you," she said.
Red didn't answer.
"I… want to become like you," she added. "Someone who saves people. Someone strong. Please… take me with you."
Red narrowed his eyes. "What's your name?"
Selena: "…I'm Selena. I'm sixteen. I was born in the slums. I don't want to be weak anymore."
He looked at her for a moment.
Then nodded.
Red: "You're my first."
Akane, standing silently behind him, felt a twinge in her chest she didn't understand.
Why… Do I feel jealous? She's just a rookie… right?
And so, the first rookie joined him.
Not bought. Not chosen.
But saved.
[Rookie Acquired – Selena]
[Rookie Count: 1 / 5]
[Quest Progress: 1 Year Remaining]