The wheels of the bloodstained wagon creaked with every jolt. The stench of dried iron and burnt carapace trailed behind the procession, lingering like smoke on the wind.
James walked beside it—armor-clad, one-armed, and scowling.
"Sorry about the walk," Captain Alric Thorne said from atop his obsidian warhorse. He scratched at his temple, genuinely sheepish. "Wagon's full, and, well… not exactly the kind of cargo you can squeeze in next to."
James grunted. "It's fine."
"Won't be long till we reach Sunderguard," Alric offered. "Once there, you'll get a bath, a bed, a meal. And maybe, if you feel like talking… a little background. Where you're from? Who trained you? Parents? Fighting style?"
James opened his mouth to respond—then froze.
A sudden pressure settled on Alric's shoulder. The captain blinked and slowly turned his head.
"Oh come on," Nysilus said, perched with his legs crossed, wings lazily fluttering. "That's what you open with? 'Tell me your life story'? At least buy him dinner first."
James internally sighed. Here we go.
Alric furrowed his brow. "And… who are you?"
The fairy dramatically placed a hand on his chest. "His partner. His confidant. His spiritual coach. And his dietitian."
James shot him a glare. Nysilus winked.
"We hail from the Crescent Wastes. James was raised by beasts. Fought a dire wolf at six. Tamed it by seven. By ten he had six mounts and a pet basilisk named Gerald."
"Gerald?" the captain repeated.
"Mhm. Gerald."
Alric blinked, then leaned back slightly in his saddle. "Wait… you're a Beast Tamer."
The fairy smirked. "Ding ding ding."
"That explains it," Alric muttered, more to himself. "You weren't just navigating those woods—you were controlling them. That armor, the aura, your survival in the den… even the lack of rank."
He eyed James carefully. "Beast Tamers rely on mana more than any other class. As long as you keep your pool filled, you control the battlefield. That'd explain your confidence."
"But…" he narrowed his eyes. "Commanding animals takes immense focus. Training them, evolving them—it's not beginner-level magic. Only high-ranking Mages or advanced Tamers can pull that off."
Nysilus made a noise. "Well, have you seen his face? He looks thirty and fifteen at the same time. Nobody knows what level he is."
Alric chuckled, despite himself. "Where've you been hiding, little guy?"
But his thoughts darkened immediately.
That thing bypassed my detection barrier entirely.Landed on my shoulder without even a tickle in my senses.No wingshift. No aura.What… is he really traveling with?
Before he could ask more, the trees began to thin.
And then—like a veil being lifted—the kingdom appeared.
Sunderguard.
The capital rose like a dream from the forest's edge. Towering walls of ivory stone shimmered beneath a lattice of protective enchantments, runes carved deep into every brick. Bridges of crystal-blue glass arched over canals of lavender water, where fish with glowing fins leapt and danced. Birds of radiant plumage chirped tunes unlike anything James had ever heard—layered, melodic, alien.
The air smelled of jasmine and roasted sugar. Giant trees with golden leaves lined the main roads, shedding light like duskfire lamps. Magi-inlaid carriages glided over cobblestone, while armored sentries rode on beasts that looked half-lion, half-hawk.
The people were beautiful—robes of deep green, cobalt armor trimmed in silver, flowing hair that shimmered with dyes only this world could produce.
James stopped walking, eyes wide.
For a moment, he forgot the ache in his legs. The city shimmered like something out of a dream he didn't remember having.
"Welcome," Alric said proudly. "This is Sunderguard."
He hopped off his mount. "My men will escort you to an inn. Eat. Rest. Walk the city. I'll return later with questions and updates on Maya's condition."
James nodded. "Got it."
Two guards handed him a coin pouch. "Enough for two nights."
James watched them ride off, then turned to the inn in front of him.
The Broken Sigil it read—wooden, old-fashioned, and already noisy inside.
When he stepped through the door, he was hit with a wall of sound—grunts, laughter, metal clinking on wood. Wounded adventurers lounged at tables, drinking broth or polishing busted gear. A bard strummed lazily in the corner, his lute slightly out of tune.
Then—
"Use Mana Control," Nysilus whispered.
James obeyed.
MANA DETECT – ACTIVE
Five silhouettes immediately lit up in his vision:
[Lazlo – Class: Shadowblade | Rank: D | HP: 71/220]Short, hunched, dual daggers at his side. His left leg was wrapped in layers of bloodied bandages.
[Emrynn – Class: Wind Mage | Rank: C | HP: 182/430]Slender, wide-eyed, mana flickering around her like tiny storms. She coughed quietly.
[Gravik – Class: Hammerbound | Rank: D | HP: 400/760]A walking mountain of muscle. Shoulder out of socket. Glaring at a splintered warhammer.
[Sera – Class: Healchant | Rank: D | HP: 112/300]Sitting cross-legged, humming softly. Her hands glowed faintly.
[Kael – Class: Tamer (Lesser) | Rank: E | HP: 97/180]Eyes hollow. No beast beside him.
"All low-ranks," James muttered.
He approached the counter. A tall woman with short crimson hair and a partially mechanical arm leaned forward with a curious smirk.
"Don't think I've seen you around before."
"Just got in," James replied.
She eyed him up and down.
"Well, you're a good-looking bastard. In a grumpy sort of way."
Nysilus burst out laughing.
James looked up—his stare shut the fairy right up.
The woman chuckled. "Name's Ari Velryn. Welcome to the Sigil. Rooms upstairs. You paying with coin or service?"
"Coin."
She handed him a key, then nodded toward a wall-mounted board covered in paper slips and sealed notes.
"Bounties and missions. Your usual grind. I wouldn't go after anything until your party checks in, though."
"I don't have a party."
Ari blinked. "...Well that's a problem."
"How so?"
She leaned closer. "It's regulation. Can't take a guild-approved mission without a party of five. You can go for bounties solo, but most who try don't come back."
James sighed. "Great."
He turned, trudging toward the stairs—but her voice followed him, sharper this time.
"Hey! Grimface!"
He paused halfway up, eyes narrowing as he glanced over his shoulder.
Ari leaned on the counter, mechanical arm resting lazily beside her. "When you come back down, we'll get you scanned. Your mana, your system tags, stat alignment—the usual."
James just stared.
She grinned. "It puts you in the registry. Once that's done, we can slot you into a temporary party. If your results come back high enough—A-Rank or above—you might not need a full squad to pull missions."
He raised a brow, curiosity breaking through the usual scowl.
Ari rolled a coin across her knuckles. "Sunderguard makes exceptions for elites. Some missions are open to solo agents—usually the deadly kind, the rich kind, or both."
She flipped the coin once, caught it. "You ever hear of the Noble Syndicate?"
"…No."
"Didn't think so," she said, not unkindly. "They're top-tier. Operate in parties of three. Old bloodlines, aristocratic guilds, and nightmare resumes. If your scan's clean and your Rank's up there, who knows? Might be room for a new face in the big leagues."
She gave a dry laugh. "Not that they're friendly. Or sane."
James gave a short nod—more to end the conversation than agree—then turned and disappeared up the stairs.
Ari watched him go, her fingers drumming against the wood.
In his room, the armor hit the floor piece by piece with loud clanks. His muscles screamed with relief. He stepped into the shower and let the water rush over him—steam and exhaustion swirling into the air.
A knock came not long after.
"Lunch is served!" came a voice.
"I'll be down in a minute."
James frowned. "I need normal clothes…"
He moved to the window, eyes narrowing.
"…Guess I'll have to improvise."
🔧 GEARCRAFT – ACTIVEMaterials Used:
170x Ash-Infused Core Dust
1x Shadowweave Lining
2x Spectral Resin Thread
1x Blood-Forged Needle
1x Binding Cloth (Rare)
RESULT: [Ashwalker's Suit – Rarity: Epic]
The black suit formed from crackling ash, stitched by invisible threads. It was sleek, form-fitting, and shimmered in low light. Wisps of black rose gently from the fabric like smoke. The long-tailed jacket swayed as if moved by invisible winds.
🔔 SYSTEM ALERT[New Armor Crafted – Set Bonus Active][+15 Agility | +12 Stealth | +10 Speed | +5 Evasion][New Skill Unlocked – Cloakstep (Active): Temporarily become invisible for 4 seconds or until you strike.][New Skill Unlocked – Shadow Stitch (Passive): Footfalls make no sound. Aura suppressed while moving slowly.]
Cloakstep. Shadow Stitch. Support, stealth, party bonuses… This doesn't feel like the build of a killer, he thought
🔔 REWARD UNLOCKED[Crafted 3 Unique Gear Sets – Bonus Reward Granted]→ Mysterious Accessory Box→ Broken Spear: "Fang of Mourningstar" – Durability: 12/100 | Potential: Unknown
James stared at the chipped weapon.
"…Are you kidding me?"
"Are you finished?!" Nysilus yelled from across the room.
James bit his glove and tugged it tight, the jacket hissing as it locked into place.
He stepped into the hall, posture sharp.
"I'm ready."