----Chapter 10----
The black glow of the Runestone lingered in my vision, pulsing against my palms even after I removed my hands. My chest heaved, and I could feel a faint thrum against my heart—like it had imprinted itself onto me.
Matheus' gaze didn't leave me. His ink-stained fingers twitched nervously.
"This… this is extremely rare," he muttered.
"A cursed Runestone. Normally, it would reject a Scale-rank registrant. Somehow… it accepted you. Incredible, but dangerous. Unpredictable."
"Dangerous how?" I asked, swallowing hard.
"Who knows," he said, shrugging.
"It could amplify combat potential, attract dark forces, or… simply go insane. I've never seen one react like this."
I glanced down at the Runestone. Its black pulses now seemed like a heartbeat of their own, cold and alive. I felt a twinge of fear.
"Alright, kid," Vories said, stepping closer. His half-lidded gaze flicked over me, unreadable.
"You're registered. Rank: Scale. But don't think that means you can wander unprepared. This world… it will chew you up if you're not careful."
I nodded quickly. My heart still pounding, I barely noticed Tharen and Runo nudging me forward toward the guild's quest board.
"This," Matheus said, gesturing at the cluster of notices, "is where your first assignment will come from. Beginners get Scale-level quests—simple, low-risk. But… keep in mind, anything unusual that notices your Runestone could become… complicated."
I swallowed. That pulse in my chest thrummed again, almost like the stone was aware of the warning.
A cluster of Scale-rank quests hung on the board:
-Deliver medicine to the West Quarter.
-Investigate missing supplies for a local merchant.
-Assist the town herbalist with a minor curse on a child.
I hesitated, glancing at Runo and Tharen.
"You're going with me?" I asked.
Runo smiled, crossing his arms over his chest, his staff leaning lightly against his side a clear sign he was already prepared.
Matheus spoke first, his tone cautious.
"Just… don't get yourself killed out there."
Tharen smirked, teasing.
"Don't be such a worrywart. No one dies on a silly quest of delivering herbs."
"Don't worry, we will be watching over him." Runo added.
I picked the quest to deliver herbs to the West Quarter with a small, contained, low risk. I didn't want to test the Runestone in combat just yet.
-----
As we walked through the bustling streets, I felt the black glow flicker faintly. Not threatening, but alerting me. Something—or someone—was noticing.
"Careful with that thing," Runo whispered, nodding toward the Runestone strapped to my waist.
"It's rare. People will notice… some for help, some for trouble."
I swallowed hard, gripping my new dagger. Its weight felt reassuring.
The West Quarter was quieter than the central market, cobblestones slick from morning dew. Children played quietly, and a few vendors tended their stalls.
Then we heard it: a commotion from a narrow alley. I froze. The black glow of the Runestone pulsed sharply.
A group of thugs, three, maybe four, were surrounding a young demi-human girl. Chains hung loosely from her wrists, and her ears twitched nervously. She tried to dodge them, but one shoved her harshly into the wall.
Instinct screamed at me. My fists clenched.
Runo grabbed my shoulder.
"Wait. Let's see. Gather evidence, act smart."
I shook my head.
"I can't just—"
"Not yet," he hissed, eyes sharp.
"We can intervene strategically. Don't rush in blindly."
I forced myself to step back, but the Runestone throbbed as if impatient. I could feel Zeberu's distant presence, whispering, testing me.
We followed at a careful distance. Desil appeared, seemingly from nowhere, holding a satchel of herbs.
"You again?" I muttered.
She grinned.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world. Let's see if the newbie can act like an adventurer."
Her presence distracted the thugs for a moment. One laughed, jabbing at her.
"What's this? A cooking girl? Scram!"
Desil tilted her head innocently, then tossed a vial. The shattering glass released a pungent smoke that sent the thugs coughing and flailing.
"Now!" Runo shouted.
I charged, dagger ready. The Runestone pulsed violently, shadows crawling along the walls as if alive. My dagger seemed to sing in my hand, sharper, faster—yet I only used it to cut the chains from the girl's wrists.
She stumbled forward, free, and scrambled behind Desil. The thugs cursed, lunged, then stopped abruptly. Shadows from the black Runestone stretched toward them—not attacking, but warning them in a strange, unnatural way. They faltered, looking terrified.
"Go!" I shouted.
The girl ran, and the thugs backed off, clearly shaken. Once we reached safety, Desil gave me a thumbs up.
"Not bad. You didn't panic… and the stone seems to like you."
I glanced down. The black Runestone pulsed gently now, almost approvingly.
Runo nodded, though her face remained serious.
"You're not out of danger yet. That stone… whatever it is, it's going to make life complicated. And it won't just attract monsters."
I shivered. The distant memory of Zeberu's voice whispered in my mind:
"Now, boy… entertain me more."
Back at the guild hall, Matheus took note of the incident.
"This is exactly why you need supervision," he muttered, shaking his head.
"A cursed Runestone and an inexperienced adventurer… it's a volatile combination."
Vories, leaning casually against the wall, smirked.
"Keep your wits, kid. You did well today, but don't get cocky. You have a long way to go."
I nodded, exhausted but alive.
And as I returned to my corner to rest, I could feel it. The black Runestone thrummed like a heartbeat, alert, patient, waiting for the next challenge.
Somewhere in the shadows of the city or perhaps beyond it, Zeberu was watching.
I clenched my fist. I would get stronger. I would survive. And I would find a way to take back what was mine.
-----
By late afternoon, the sun almost sets, painting the guild hall in warm amber light. The hustle of clerks and adventurers continued, but there was a subtle lull—a quiet moment for new registrants to catch their breath.
I sat on a bench near the wall, the black Runestone strapped to my waist, still pulsing faintly.
Desil had disappeared somewhere in the hall, probably checking on supplies or gossiping with the herbalist she knew.
Runo and Tharen were whispering over maps and notes, preparing for their own evening quests.
I touched the Runestone lightly, and it throbbed in response. My chest tightened. It wasn't just a cursed stone—it was alive in a way that made me uneasy. Almost sentient.
Matheus appeared behind me, holding a stack of scrolls.
"Your first quest, officially," he said, sliding one toward me. "Scale-level delivery and reconnaissance. Nothing dangerous… in theory."
I picked it up, reading the scribbled instructions:
Deliver a package of medicinal herbs to a healer in the East Quarter. Report any unusual activity. Do not engage combat unless unavoidable.
The "unusual activity" line made my stomach twist. The black Runestone pulsed faintly, almost like it was agreeing.
"Do you think…" I hesitated, glancing at Matheus.
"Yes?" he prompted.
"This is… normal?"
He exhaled sharply, looking more tired than annoyed.
"Normal is relative. You have a cursed Runestone. Everything about your registration was unusual. From now on, think carefully. Every decision could… attract attention."
I nodded, biting my lip. I had no idea what "attention" might mean, but I already felt it. Something dark and distant, like a shadow pressing against the edge of my mind.
I adjusted the strap of the dagger at my waist, then followed the directions to the East Quarter. The streets narrowed and twisted, the cobblestones uneven. Shadows stretched long in the setting sun.
The East Quarter was less crowded than the central market. Shops were older, buildings leaning into each other, paint faded, windows grimy. The smell of smoke and earth hung thick in the air.
Then, movement.
A glimmer of red aura in a nearby alley—small, low, but unmistakable. A creature.
I froze. The Runestone pulsed violently. My fingers twitched toward my dagger.
From the shadows, a small Aetherwood wisp emerged, glowing faintly green.
Its form was delicate, almost beautiful, but its intentions were unmistakable—it wanted to attack.
I inhaled sharply, forcing myself to stay calm.
Runo's voice echoed in my head:
"Observe first. Don't act recklessly."
I crouched behind a corner, observing the wisp. It circled the alley like a predator, sensing movement, searching for easy prey.
The Runestone pulsed stronger. Almost guiding me. Shadows stretched slightly, twisting toward the wisp. I felt… something stirring inside me. The stone wasn't just a passive object. It was reacting, almost teaching me.
I took a deep breath, dagger in hand, and slowly edged closer. The wisp noticed me, its tiny form flaring with light. I hesitated.
Then… I cut a narrow branch from the alley's fence, tossing it toward the wisp. It swirled toward the movement, distracted just long enough for me to slip past and continue toward the healer's shop.
The Runestone pulsed faintly, as if approving.
When I reached the healer's door, I knocked softly. A petite woman with silver hair and piercing blue eyes opened it.
"Delivery?" she asked, her voice warm but sharp.
"Yes, herbs from the guild," I said, handing over the package.
Her eyes flicked briefly to the Runestone strapped at my waist. They widened ever so slightly.
"Interesting… very rare stone," she muttered.
"Careful with that. Not many can control its… resonance."
I blinked.
"Resonance?" She smiled faintly.
"Some stones are sentient, in their own way. They react to intent, danger, even fear. Keep calm, and it won't harm you. Lose control… and it may harm others."
I swallowed hard. The weight of the stone pressed against me in a new way. I had survived the forest.
I had registered. But this… this was different. As I left, I sensed movement in the shadows again. Not the wisp. Something larger, more deliberate. A figure watching, just beyond the streetlight's reach.
Zeberu. I didn't know how, but I could feel him. That dry hiss of his voice in my memory, the dagger glowing back at Hemlin's manor—he was aware.
My heart thudded, but I forced myself to breathe.
I wasn't ready for him. Not yet.
But the black Runestone pulsed faintly in my hand. Almost like a heartbeat.
And I knew one thing for certain:
I had no choice but to grow stronger.
Because whatever was coming… was inevitable.
-----
The streets of Iskervale were quieting as dusk approached. Lanterns flickered to life, casting pools of golden light across the uneven cobblestones. I retraced my steps toward the guild hall, still acutely aware of the lingering sense of being watched. Every shadow seemed alive, every alley a potential trap.
When I reached the hall, Runo and Tharen were still lingering outside, their conversation low but intense. I waved at them, trying to appear confident, but my hands trembled slightly, the Runestone's faint pulse echoing in my chest.
Inside, the guild hall was calmer than earlier, though the remnants of the day's chaos lingered in murmurs and hurried footsteps. I approached the clerk Matheus, clutching the package and my notes about the alley incident.
"I… I saw a creature while delivering the herbs," I began, trying to sound composed.
"It was small, but it seemed dangerous. I… I had to distract it to make it to the healer's shop."
Matheus raised an eyebrow, jotting notes in his ledger without looking up.
"Good. Scale-level adventurers aren't expected to face monsters alone. But reporting is crucial. Observing, noting, and escaping without harm is exactly what we need from rookies."
He scribbled down my description of the wisp, its color, size, and behavior. Then, his gaze shifted sharply toward the corner of the hall.
"Though…" he muttered, "this could indicate a subtle disturbance in the city's balance. Small monsters rarely appear in East Quarter alleys unless someone—or something—is stirring them."
I frowned.
"Something?" He shrugged.
"Keep your eyes open. Not everything dangerous carries a name or a rank. Some threats hide in plain sight."
After lodging the report, I wandered toward the back of the hall, feeling the weight of the black Runestone against my chest. That faint pulse had started to feel like a warning.
I scanned the crowd, and my gaze landed on the shadow of a figure leaning against a doorway—a tall silhouette, movement deliberate but cautious.
Something about the aura… cold, almost viscous, reminded me of Zeberu.
Could it really be him? Or just one of his agents? My stomach tightened. Whatever it was, it wasn't here to help.
I took a slow breath, reminding myself of the hooded girl's words: Seek the truth. Find what is hidden. Work within what you can control.
A soft tap on my shoulder made me jump. I turned to see Desil, ladle in hand but her expression serious, almost fierce.
"You made it back," she said, voice low.
"And you survived the first real test."
"I… think so," I muttered, glancing at the shadows where the figure had been.
"There's… someone watching. Or something. I don't know."
Her eyes flickered, scanning the hall before settling on me.
"Good instinct. Always trust what you sense, Hiroki. But patience is just as important as action. If you overreact, you'll play right into Zeberu's hands—or anyone acting on his orders."
I swallowed hard.
"So… what do I do?"
She crouched slightly, placing a hand on my shoulder.
"Grow stronger. Learn the city, its rules, its secrets. Let the guild teach you what you can handle. Then… one day, you'll know when to strike—and when to wait."
Vories approached silently from behind, his presence calm but commanding. He rested a hand lightly on Desil's shoulder in acknowledgment, then his gaze shifted to me.
"The Runestone you carry… it's dangerous, yes," he said.
"But it's also a tool. Control it, and it can protect you—and others. Lose control, and it will be your undoing. Understand that, and you'll last in this city longer than most."
I nodded, gripping the stone tightly. Every pulse felt like a heartbeat. Every vibration was a reminder: I was being watched, tested, and shaped by forces I didn't fully understand.
-----
Night settled across Iskervale. Lanterns reflected in the slick cobblestones, and the wind carried the scent of smoke, herbs, and faint iron. I stepped outside the guild hall, alone for the first time since the day began.
From the corner of the street, a faint purple glow flickered briefly behind a shuttered window—the unmistakable light of the dagger Zeberu had claimed. I froze.
A whisper brushed through my mind, cold and familiar: Now, boy… entertain me more.
The city felt alive with unseen eyes. Every shadow might hide an agent, every light might conceal a threat. And somewhere, in the distance or perhaps right here, Zeberu was waiting, patient, silent, and venomous.
I gritted my teeth. My palms tightened on the black Runestone. This was only the beginning. And yet, for the first time, I felt ready to step into the darkness.
Because one day… I would reclaim everything.