The forest gradually thinned as the party moved forward.
Tall trees gave way to dirt paths, wooden signposts, and the distant sound of voices. The beetle could feel it even before he saw it—vibrations through the ground, footsteps, carts, metal clanking against metal.
…Civilization, he realized.
Serin slowed her pace.
Ahead of them stood a large stone-and-wood building reinforced with iron beams. A massive emblem was carved above the entrance: a sword crossed with a shield, encircled by runes.
The Adventurer's Guild.
People were everywhere.
Adventurers of all kinds—humans, beastkin, elves—moving in and out, chatting, laughing, arguing. Some carried weapons stained with dried blood. Others wore fresh armor, clearly new.
The moment Serin stepped into view—
Everything stopped.
"…What is that?"
"Is that a monster?"
"Why is she carrying it like that?"
Dozens of eyes locked onto him.
The beetle stiffened.
…Why does it feel like I'm being put on display?
Lyria noticed immediately and stepped closer to Serin.
"Uh… maybe we should cover him or something?"
Ren shook his head.
"Too late."
Serin ignored the murmurs and walked straight toward the counter.
The guild receptionist—a sharp-eyed woman with short brown hair and glasses—looked up lazily… then froze.
Her pen slipped from her fingers.
"…You're kidding me."
Serin placed the beetle gently onto the counter.
Not slammed.Not tossed.
Gently.
Okay… at least she's not evil, he thought.
The receptionist leaned forward, adjusting her glasses.
"Report," she said.
Serin spoke calmly.
"Forest outskirts. Juvenile Giant Spider eliminated."
Murmurs spread.
"Solo?""No way."
"By this creature," Serin continued.
The room exploded.
"What?!""A bug?!""That thing killed a spider?!""Is it a summon?!"
The beetle's antennae twitched wildly.
STOP YELLING ABOUT ME LIKE I'M NOT HERE.
The receptionist rubbed her temples.
"Please tell me this is a joke."
Ren stepped forward.
"We witnessed the entire fight. It used a charging skill and showed tactical behavior."
Serin added:
"It also attempted escape, dodged capture, and reacted intelligently."
The receptionist stared at the beetle again.
Longer this time.
"…Does it understand language?"
Everyone went quiet.
The beetle froze.
DON'T LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT.
Lyria leaned over the counter, smiling softly at him.
"Hey… little guy?"
She waved.
He stared back.
One second passed.Two seconds.
He slowly tilted his head.
Gasps.
"…IT REACTED.""I TOLD YOU!" Lyria shouted.
Serin's eyes narrowed.
"Fascinating."
A new panel flickered in the beetle's vision.
[System Notice] [Exposure to Civilization Detected] [New Pathways Unlocked] — Social Observation — Threat Evaluation
…Social WHAT?
The receptionist straightened.
"Alright. This is above standard procedure."
She snapped her fingers.
"Someone fetch Guildmaster Harlan. Now."
Footsteps hurried away.
The beetle felt something heavy settle in his core.
This is bad.
Very bad.
Moments later, the crowd parted.
A large man with a thick beard, a long coat, and a presence that made the room quiet stepped forward.
Guildmaster Harlan.
He looked at the beetle.
Once.
Then twice.
Then he smiled.
"…Well," he said slowly."This is new."
The beetle's heart sank.
Yep.
Definitely kidnapped.
As the Guildmaster reached out—
The system chimed softly.
[Key Event Triggered] [Status: Under Observation]
And somewhere deep inside him, a strange feeling stirred.
Something old.
Something watching.