The first light of dawn slipped gently through the curtains of Room 14 inside the Royal Inn.The golden rays painted soft patterns across the floorboards, dancing over the pair of messy boots and the faint trail of sword oil glistening near the window.
A faint groan echoed from the bed.Kaito stirred, rubbing his eyes sluggishly."...Suho?" he muttered, his voice groggy, searching for his companion.
The second bed beside him was empty. The sheets were cold.No signs of the white-haired swordsman anywhere.
"Where did that idiot go...?" Kaito grumbled, standing up. His bare feet touched the polished wooden floor, and a chill ran up his spine.
After a quick stretch, he noticed Suho's sword missing from its resting place — only the scabbard remained leaning against the chair.That was unusual.
"Don't tell me he went out again without telling me."
Kaito sighed heavily.Suho had always been like this — restless, curious, the kind of guy who could turn a quiet morning into an unexpected adventure.
He took a quick shower, muttering to himself as he dried his dark hair.By the time he put on his black robe — the one that made him look like a wandering mage — the sun had fully risen above the Royal Capital.
Kaito locked the door behind him and went downstairs.The Royal Inn's first floor was already bustling: waiters carrying trays of steaming food, adventurers laughing over breakfast, and the faint music of a bard playing near the fireplace.
Kaito approached the counter. "Excuse me," he said politely to the inn's receptionist — a woman with curly brown hair and a cheerful smile."Did you happen to see someone? White hair, red eyes, about my height, always looks like he's planning something stupid?"
The woman chuckled softly. "Oh, yes. He left about an hour ago. Said he wanted to go for a walk."
"A walk?" Kaito sighed. "He could've at least left a note. Typical Suho."
He thanked her and stepped out into the street. The morning air was fresh — filled with the scent of baked bread and the sound of vendors shouting their deals.
But in the back of his mind, he was already picturing Suho getting into some sort of trouble.He knew it.He just knew it.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the bustling Royal Capital, Suho was doing exactly what Kaito feared: wandering around like a curious tourist.
The streets were alive — merchants showing off sparkling jewels, knights patrolling proudly, and kids running past with wooden swords shouting, "For the Kingdom!"
Suho's crimson eyes scanned everything with interest. "So this is life in the capital, huh? Way busier than I imagined."
He reached into his pocket, feeling nothing but air."Right… no money." He sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I guess sightseeing doesn't cost anything at least."
As he walked past a bakery, the scent of fresh croissants made his stomach growl. He looked longingly at the display window, where golden pastries glistened under the morning sun.
"No… focus. We need money first. Quest first, food later," he muttered, shaking his head like he was scolding himself.
Then, a sudden commotion broke his train of thought.
A wave of murmurs rolled through the crowd.People began lining up along the street, whispering excitedly. Flags bearing the royal crest were being hung, and guards started forming a perimeter.
"Huh?" Suho blinked in confusion, walking toward the growing crowd. "What's happening here?"
He tapped the shoulder of a middle-aged man beside him."Hey, what's going on? Why's everyone gathering?"
The man turned, his eyes sparkling with excitement."Are you new here, lad? The royal carriage is about to pass! His Majesty and Princess Alicia are on their way back from the cathedral!"
"Princess… Alicia?" Suho repeated.
Before he could ask more, a loud cheer erupted."The Princess is coming! The Princess is coming!"
The crowd's energy surged like a wave. People pushed forward to get a glimpse. Suho, slightly taller than most, could already see the ornate carriage approaching from the main road.
The royal procession was breathtaking — golden carriages drawn by snow-white horses, soldiers in silver armor, and banners fluttering under the clear blue sky.
And then, the carriage door opened slightly…
She stepped out for just a moment, greeting the citizens with a calm, elegant smile.
Suho froze.His eyes widened.
The girl was… stunning.
Her long, golden hair shimmered under the sunlight, flowing like threads of silk. Her emerald eyes held both grace and authority.She was dressed in a royal-blue gown with silver embroidery that gleamed with every step.
Even the air seemed to pause for her.
"...She's really beautiful," Suho whispered under his breath.
But then — a faint memory flashed through his mind.A voice, soft yet firm.
"Suho… don't get too close to the royal bloodlines. Trouble follows beauty like shadows follow light."It was Aria's voice, echoing in his head like a warning from another world.
He exhaled quietly. "Yeah, yeah. I remember, Aria. I'll behave."
Still, his eyes lingered on the princess.And strangely… she was looking back.
Princess Alicia, seated inside the carriage, had been pretending to wave gracefully — until her gaze accidentally met his.
Among the hundreds of faces, she noticed one that stood out.A young man with snow-white hair and crimson eyes — standing quietly, looking at her with an unreadable expression.
Her heart skipped.
"Who… is that?" she murmured softly to herself.
Her personal maid glanced at her. "Your Highness?"
"Nothing." Alicia quickly looked away — but her cheeks betrayed her, tinted slightly pink.
Still, she couldn't stop herself from glancing again.There he was.Calm. Tall. Handsome. A mysterious aura that felt completely different from the nobles she usually met.
In her mind, she thought,
White hair, red eyes… he looks dangerous. But… why does that make him look even more—
She cut her thoughts short, pressing her fan to her lips.
But Suho, noticing her constant stare, began to grow uneasy."Okay, why is she looking this way?" he muttered under his breath. "Don't tell me she's interested or something— no, impossible."
He slowly began to back away, blending into the crowd.I should leave before this turns weird.
Inside the royal carriage, one of the guards — a tall man in silver armor — noticed Alicia leaning forward.
"Your Highness," he said respectfully, "please do not step out of the carriage. The crowd is too dense."
"But—" she protested softly. "There's someone I—"
"I'm afraid it's too dangerous. His Majesty's orders are strict."
Alicia pouted slightly, her emerald eyes narrowing. She glanced once more toward where Suho had been standing.
But by then… he was gone.
Her heart sank, just a little."Just my luck," she murmured, leaning back into her seat.
The carriage rolled forward, the royal parade continuing down the main street — while Suho, now several alleys away, sighed in relief.
"Good. That was close," he said, brushing off imaginary sweat."The last thing I need is to get involved with a princess. Aria would murder me."
He chuckled softly to himself and started walking again — this time toward the Adventurer's Guild.
Meanwhile, Kaito finally arrived in the central plaza, panting lightly after searching for nearly an hour.He scanned the crowd, muttering, "Suho, if you got yourself arrested or hit on a noble's daughter, I swear—"
He noticed the remnants of the royal parade — confetti on the streets, chatter about Princess Alicia's beauty, and some people still looking dazed.
"Great. He probably saw that too," Kaito grumbled, pushing through the crowd. "That guy attracts trouble like it's a magnet."
He glanced around again — but Suho was nowhere to be seen.
"Alright," Kaito muttered, raising a brow. "If I were Suho… where would I go next?"
After a moment's thought, he smirked."The Adventurer's Guild, obviously. He's too practical for anything else."
He turned on his heel and began walking toward the western district — unaware that somewhere, not far away, Princess Alicia was still thinking about a mysterious white-haired boy she had seen among the crowd.
And so, their paths — one born from curiosity, the other from destiny — had just begun to cross.
"Damn that Suho!" he shouted between breaths. "He went sightseeing while I was sleeping! Again!"
People turned to look at the frustrated mage, but he didn't care.He had been looking for his partner for nearly half an hour, and knowing Suho's knack for getting into trouble, it felt like a ticking bomb waiting to explode.
Just as he rounded the corner near the central fountain, he spotted a familiar white-haired figure casually walking along the sidewalk, hands in pockets, looking as if the world was his playground.
"SUHO!!"
Before Suho could even turn around, a sharp smack! echoed across the street.
"Ouch!" Suho winced, rubbing the back of his head. "Hey, what the hell was that for!?"
Kaito glared at him, his golden eyes practically glowing with irritation."For leaving me behind, you idiot! You didn't even wake me up!"
Suho blinked, then gave a nonchalant shrug. "You looked peaceful. I didn't want to ruin your beauty sleep."
"'Beauty sleep'?" Kaito hissed, "You're lucky I didn't turn your hair green."
Suho chuckled, brushing it off. "Alright, alright, my bad. Anyway, now that you're here, let's go to the Adventurers' Guild. We need money."
Kaito sighed in defeat. "Fine. But next time you sneak out, I'll roast your breakfast with a fireball."
"Deal," Suho replied with a grin.
The two began walking together through the capital's main street, bantering lightly as the city came alive around them.Suho's red eyes gleamed with quiet amusement, while Kaito's expression slowly softened — though he still muttered under his breath now and then.
After nearly half an hour of walking, the road opened up into a massive plaza.At the far end stood a grand stone building adorned with banners depicting swords, shields, and a lion insignia — the mark of the Royal Adventurers' Guild.
"Finally," Kaito exhaled. "Looks… bigger than I expected."
Suho nodded, admiring the intricate carvings on the walls. "Yeah. It feels… alive."
As they stepped closer, the large oak doors swung open automatically — powered by runic magic — and the two entered the guild hall.
Instantly, the noise of chatter, clinking armor, and laughter filled the air. The smell of ale and roasted meat mixed with the faint scent of parchment.
It was crowded.Dozens of adventurers — knights, mages, archers, beastfolk — filled the hall. But the moment Suho and Kaito walked in, the room gradually quieted.
All eyes turned toward them.
"...Huh?" Kaito whispered. "Why's everyone staring?"
Suho smirked slightly. "Maybe because we don't look like broke travelers?"
To be fair, they didn't.Suho's white hair shimmered under the light, and his crimson eyes gave him a mysterious, almost divine aura.Kaito, with his black hair and golden eyes, looked sharp and composed — the kind of mage who knew exactly how powerful he was.
Whispers began spreading across the guild hall.
"Who are they?""Never seen them before.""That white-haired one… he looks dangerous.""The black-haired one's wearing high-tier mage robes. Are they nobles?"
Suho ignored the murmurs and walked straight to the front desk, Kaito following beside him.Behind the counter stood a young woman with chestnut hair and a friendly smile — the guild's receptionist.
"Good morning!" she greeted cheerfully. "Welcome to the Royal Adventurers' Guild. How can I help you two?"
Suho smiled back. "We'd like to register as adventurers."
The woman nodded, taking out two forms. "Of course. May I know your skills and current level?"
Kaito leaned on the counter with a confident grin. "Name's Kaito. Level 5 Fire Magician."
The guild hall fell silent.
Every adventurer who overheard the words Level 5 turned instantly.Their eyes widened, jaws dropping.
"Did he just say Level 5!?""At his age!? Impossible!""A Fire Magician that young could qualify for Rank S!"
The receptionist froze mid-writing, her quill shaking slightly. "L-Level 5 Fire Magician?"
Kaito smiled calmly. "Yup. You can test me if you want."
Suho glanced sideways, slightly amused. "You sure know how to make an entrance."
Kaito smirked. "You love it."
The receptionist swallowed hard, then looked at Suho. "A-and you, sir?"
Suho tilted his head slightly. "Suho. Level 5 Swordsman… and Level 5 Magician. All elemental types."
For a moment, there was total silence.
Then — chaos.
"WHAT!?""All elemental magic and swordsmanship!?""He's lying!""That's not humanly possible!"
Even the receptionist dropped her pen. "E–excuse me… both magic and swordsmanship at Level 5!?"
Suho nodded casually. "Yeah."
The commotion grew louder until the receptionist stammered, "P-please wait a moment! I… I need to call the Guildmaster!"
A few minutes later, the heavy double doors at the back of the hall creaked open.A tall, muscular man with grey hair and sharp eyes stepped out. His presence alone silenced the crowd.
His name was Gareth Stormfist, the Guildmaster of the Royal Adventurers' Guild — a former A-rank warrior who once fought alongside heroes.
He approached slowly, his boots echoing against the marble floor."So… you're the two causing all the noise?" he said in a deep, commanding voice.
Kaito and Suho turned to face him.
"Yes, sir," Suho replied calmly. "We just came to register."
Gareth folded his arms, his piercing eyes examining the two of them."I heard some pretty wild claims. Level 5 magician and swordsman, was it?"
Suho nodded. Kaito added confidently, "And a Level 5 Fire Magician."
The Guildmaster raised a brow. "That's… quite extraordinary. But words mean little without proof."
Kaito smirked. "You want proof? Sure."
Before anyone could stop him, Kaito walked toward the window.He pushed it open slightly, feeling the warm air rush in from outside.
"Wait, Kaito—" Suho began, sensing what was coming.
But it was too late.
Kaito raised his hand.A glowing red magic circle formed in the air, spinning rapidly with ancient runes. The temperature in the room spiked instantly.
Everyone gasped as Kaito's golden eyes shone like molten fire.
"Let's make this quick," he muttered. "Inferno."
A blinding surge of crimson light burst from his hand.Outside, the sky flared red as a massive pillar of fire shot upward — arching toward the distant mountain range beyond the capital.
The explosion was so intense that even from miles away, a mountain peak erupted in flames, smoke curling into the sky.
The entire guild went dead silent.You could hear a pin drop.
Even the Guildmaster — a man who had seen dragons — looked completely stunned.His jaw clenched as he slowly turned back to them.
"…You just burned part of the royal mountain," he said quietly.
Kaito smiled awkwardly. "Ah. My bad. I'll put it out later."
Suho sighed, facepalming. "I told you not to overdo it."
The Guildmaster's expression softened into a disbelieving grin. "Hah… You two are insane."He exhaled deeply, then looked at the receptionist. "Register them. Immediately."
The woman nodded quickly, scribbling furiously on the forms.
Gareth crossed his arms again, studying the two newcomers."Level 5s at your age… I've never seen anything like it. You're either a blessing to this kingdom… or a walking disaster."
Suho smiled faintly. "Hopefully the first one."
Kaito chuckled. "Depends who annoys us first."
The Guildmaster laughed heartily for the first time in years. "Ha! I like you two already. Welcome to the Adventurers' Guild."
The crowd finally broke into murmurs of awe and respect.Adventurers whispered among themselves, pointing at Suho and Kaito.
"They're monsters…""No, geniuses. I can't believe they're joining our guild.""The white-haired guy and the fire mage… this is insane."
Suho turned to Kaito with a smirk. "Well, that escalated quickly."
Kaito shrugged, grinning proudly. "Hey, at least now we have a reputation."
"Yeah," Suho muttered, glancing out the window toward the distant smoke. "And a giant mountain fire to explain."
The guild hall was lively as ever. Laughter and the clanking of mugs echoed from the tavern side, where groups of adventurers boasted about their latest kills — goblins, bandits, even a rogue wyvern or two.
At one corner, however, stood two figures who looked utterly disappointed.
Suho and Kaito had spent the last twenty minutes staring at the massive wooden quest board that covered half the wall.
Dozens of posters hung there — "Hunt 10 Slimes," "Escort a Merchant Caravan," "Clean Sewer Rats," "Collect Herbs."Nothing… exciting.
Suho tilted his head. "Hmm… nothing good."
Kaito groaned dramatically. "Why is it that every single quest here either pays in copper or disease?"
Suho snorted, crossing his arms. "You could take the rat extermination one. You already look used to dirt."
Kaito glared at him. "Oh, ha-ha. Real funny, Mr. Hair-Conditioner."
Suho ignored him and continued scanning the board, eyes narrowing at another request."'Help an old lady find her lost chicken.' Reward… two silver coins."
Both of them sighed at the same time.
"This can't be real life," Kaito muttered.
"Technically, this isn't our real life," Suho said with a smirk.
"Not helping."
Just then, a deep chuckle echoed behind them.They turned to see a familiar figure — Guildmaster Gareth Stormfist — approaching with a mug of ale in one hand and a grin on his face.
"Looking disappointed already, huh?" Gareth teased, his voice rough and warm like gravel on fire.
Suho looked back. "Well, the quests here seem a bit too… basic."
Kaito crossed his arms. "Yeah, we didn't come all the way here to collect mushrooms, old man."
Gareth raised a brow. "Old man, huh? You've got guts, kid."
Kaito smiled cheekily. "I also have fireballs."
The guildmaster burst out laughing. "Hah! You've got spirit. I like that."He took a sip of ale, then looked between them. "You're right, though. There's nothing on that board worthy of your power."
Suho tilted his head slightly. "Then… how do we make money?"
Gareth's grin widened. "Well… maybe I do have something for you."
Kaito's eyes gleamed. "How much are we talking?"
The guildmaster leaned in dramatically, his deep voice dropping to a whisper."One. Hundred. Gold coins."
For a second, neither of them reacted.Then both shouted in unison:
"WHAT!?"
Heads turned across the guild. A few adventurers nearly spilled their drinks.
Kaito's jaw dropped. "One hundred gold!? For one job!?"
Suho blinked, trying to process it. "That's enough to buy an entire house."
Gareth laughed heartily, clearly enjoying their reaction. "Aye. But it's a special request. One that requires absolute reliability and… a bit of muscle."
Suho's expression turned serious. "So it's dangerous, then?"
Gareth shook his head. "Not exactly. You'll be escorting someone important — very important, in fact — on a journey to Avalon."
Kaito tilted his head. "Avalon? Sounds fancy. Who's the VIP?"
Gareth leaned back with a sly grin. "The Royal Family themselves. The King and the Princess."
Suho froze. "…Wait. What?"
Kaito blinked twice. "You mean the Princess Alicia von Arclight?"
"The very same," Gareth confirmed. "They're traveling to Avalon to attend a summit with a certain group of people — the Heroes."
Suho and Kaito exchanged glances."Heroes?" they said simultaneously.
Gareth nodded. "Aye. Summoned from another world to defeat the Demon King."
Suho's eyes widened, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Summoned from… another world?"
Gareth nodded gravely. "That's right. The Kingdom of Arclight called forth five individuals from a distant realm — brave souls who wield powers beyond comprehension."
Kaito frowned. "Wait, wait, hold on. Summoned from another world… like us?"
Suho's gaze darkened slightly. "Yeah. Why weren't we summoned as heroes?"
Kaito crossed his arms, looking genuinely annoyed. "Yeah! I mean, we've got the looks, the skills, the tragic backstory—"
"Tragic backstory?" Suho interrupted. "We got hit by truck-kun?"
"Same difference!" Kaito shot back.
Gareth blinked, clearly confused by their strange dialogue, but decided not to ask. He simply continued, "You two don't seem surprised by the concept. Usually, people are shocked when I mention other worlds."
Suho coughed. "Ah—uh, we've… read about it before."
"Yeah," Kaito added quickly. "Big fan of… multiverse stuff."
Gareth stared at them for a long second, then shrugged. "Huh. Alright."
He took another gulp of ale before leaning forward again."So. Interested? You'll be joining the royal escort to Avalon. Pay is guaranteed upon successful completion — one hundred gold coins, each."
Suho blinked. "Each?"
Gareth smirked. "Each."
Kaito's eyes practically turned into shining gold coins. "I'm in."
Suho shot him a look. "You agreed too fast."
Kaito waved him off. "Come on! One hundred gold coins, Suho! That's enough for us to live like kings for a month!"
Suho sighed. "Or die like idiots in a week."
Gareth laughed again. "Don't worry. It's not a suicide mission. The only real danger is keeping up with the Princess's mood swings."
Kaito chuckled. "Mood swings, huh? Sounds easier than fighting monsters."
Gareth gave a sly grin. "You say that now… but the Princess can be a handful."
Suho looked slightly nervous. "Define 'handful.'"
Gareth scratched his beard. "Let's just say… she doesn't like men who ignore her."
Kaito grinned. "Well, she'll like me then."
Suho shot him a deadpan look. "She'll throw you out a window in ten seconds."
"Worth it," Kaito said proudly.
Gareth led them to his office to finalize the deal. The room was decorated with old weapons, maps, and a few dusty trophies — a dragon horn, a shattered sword, and what looked like an ancient helmet.
"Alright," Gareth said, pulling out a sealed document. "This is the royal contract. Sign here, and the job's yours."
Suho and Kaito exchanged glances, then signed their names without hesitation.
Gareth's expression softened slightly. "I'll be honest. I've seen countless adventurers walk through these doors… but you two are different. You've got that spark — that hunger for something more."
Kaito smirked. "We just want money."
Suho elbowed him. "And maybe a bit of peace."
The guildmaster chuckled. "Hah! You remind me of myself when I was your age. Reckless and stupid."
Suho smiled. "So… both of us, then."
They all laughed.
Then Gareth grew serious again. "Be at the royal palace tomorrow morning. The caravan to Avalon departs at sunrise. Dress properly — you'll be representing this guild."
Suho nodded. "Got it."
Kaito, still grinning, added, "Oh, and maybe tell the Princess not to fall for my charm too quickly."
Gareth gave him a look. "You? Charm? She'll feed you to her griffins before breakfast."
Suho burst out laughing.
Later that evening, back in their inn room, Kaito threw himself dramatically onto the bed. "Can you believe it? One hundred gold! We're finally rich!"
Suho sat at the table, arms crossed, expression thoughtful. "I'm not celebrating yet. Something about this job feels… strange."
Kaito turned his head lazily. "You mean the whole 'escort the king and princess' thing?"
"Yeah. And the heroes." Suho's crimson eyes glowed faintly in the dim light. "If they were summoned from another world… like us… what does that make us?"
Kaito frowned, sitting up. "You're right. If the kingdom can summon people like that, why weren't we part of it?"
Suho looked out the window toward the capital lights. "Maybe… we weren't supposed to be."
There was a moment of silence.
Then Kaito broke it with his usual grin. "Or maybe they just missed the best duo in existence."
Suho laughed quietly. "Yeah… maybe that."
Kaito flopped back on the bed again, staring at the ceiling. "Whatever happens tomorrow, we're still together, right?"
Suho looked over and smiled faintly. "Always."
"Even if the Princess falls for you?"
"…Then I'll run."
Kaito laughed so hard he nearly fell off the bed. "Yeah, right! You'd trip on her dress!"
Suho threw a pillow at him. "Shut up and sleep."
As laughter echoed through the small inn room, the night outside grew silent — the stars glimmering above the royal capital, unaware that tomorrow, the two mysterious young men from another world would be standing side by side with kings… and heroes.