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Chapter 15: The Calm Before the Storm
Scene 1 – Inside the Guild
Pushed open by Rinion's hand, the old wooden guild door let out a low, tired creak before the three stepped inside.
The interior was crowded with adventurers of all kinds—
dark cloaks, masked faces, low laughter, and sharp eyes that watched every newcomer like hawks waiting for prey.
The dim lighting made the place feel more like a hideout than a guild.
Wooden tables were scarred with sword marks and battle scratches, silent proof of countless past fights.
Rinion walked forward confidently toward a man wiping a sake glass behind a long counter.
Rinion: "Are you the guild master?"
The man lifted his gaze calmly, a faint smile on his lips.
Mora Dodi (coolly): "Yes. I'm the guild master—Mora Dodi. How may I help you?"
He had an average build, neatly styled black hair, and elegant blue clothing that gave him a professional air despite the chaos around him.
Rinion (thinking): (He's way too handsome… despite that strange name.)
Rinion: "We want to register as adventurers."
Mora opened a drawer and took out a transparent crystal orb, a faint light pulsing inside it.
Mora: "This orb measures power up to Rank A. Each of you must place a hand on it.
If your result is below 70 at Rank E, you won't be accepted."
Rinion stepped forward first and placed her hand on the crystal.
A thin beam of light glowed… then numbers appeared.
87 – Rank D
Rinion: "Yes!!"
Zokimoshi stepped up next, tapping the crystal excitedly like a child.
He placed his hand on it—this time the orb shone brighter and steadier.
97 – Rank A
Mora's eyes widened.
Mora: "Only three points away from Rank S… impressive."
Rinion (thinking): Why is he still talking so coldly…?
Zokimoshi (grinning proudly): "This doesn't even reflect my true strength."
Then it was Kiura's turn.
He stepped forward slowly… nervous about the result.
Rinion (gently): "Don't worry. Focus your mana into your hand."
Kiura placed his hand on the orb.
…
Nothing.
Whispers spread through the guild.
"Look! That kid has no mana!"
"Hahaha, maybe he'll score a 45…"
Mora: "You have two more attempts."
Kiura tried again.
Still nothing.
Some adventurers laughed. Heat rushed to Kiura's face in embarrassment.
Kiura (thinking): (Is this because of the cloak? But… it only hides my presence.)
Mora: "Final attempt."
Kiura: "O-Okay…"
He placed his hand down for the third time.
…
Still nothing.
Kiura stepped back sadly. Mora reached out to lift the crystal—
Suddenly—
CRACK.
The orb shattered silently into countless fragments, followed by a violent surge of energy that made the air tremble.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Pressure crashed down so heavily that several adventurers dropped to their knees.
Rinion lost her balance and fell to the floor.
Terrified whispers erupted.
"That… that's Rank S energy!!"
"Who released their mana?!"
Zokimoshi strained against the pressure.
Zokimoshi: "This won't defeat me…"
Kiura, however, stood perfectly still—
as if the pressure didn't exist at all.
Mora stared in shock.
Mora: "Impossible…"
Kiura turned to leave before anyone could speak—
but Mora shouted.
Mora: "Wait!"
He rushed into a back room and returned moments later carrying a much larger crystal orb.
Mora: "This one can handle up to Rank S. Please… try again."
Kiura placed his hand on it.
The crystal glowed faintly… and numbers appeared.
70 – Rank E
Kiura jumped in joy as if he'd found buried treasure.
Rinion shared his excitement.
Mora (confused): "How… did you only score 70? Then why did the previous orb shatter?"
The adventurers murmured among themselves.
"Oh… so it wasn't him."
"A powerful person must've passed by outside…"
The three finally left the guild.
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Scene 2 – City Streets
Rinion: "Finally, we're out of that gloomy place."
They walked through the streets as the city slowly returned to normal.
Then—
suddenly, the colors dimmed.
A face appeared beside Zokimoshi's ear, and the world lost its color for a split second.
A mysterious voice whispered:
"I heard… a legendary bear has appeared in the northern forest…"
Zokimoshi's eyes widened.
Zokimoshi: "A… legendary bear?!"
The voice—and the figure—vanished instantly.
Kiura: "What's wrong? You look spaced out."
Zokimoshi (excited): "I have to go!!"
And he took off running at incredible speed.
Kiura: "Hey—wait! Where are you—?!"
Zokimoshi's voice echoed as he disappeared.
"HEY BEAR!! I'M COMING TO FIGHT YOU!!"
Rinion: "Leave him. He's weird."
She turned to Kiura with a mischievous smile.
Rinion: "Come on, weakling."
Kiura: "H-Hey! I'm not weak! I'm… Rank E now!"
Rinion: "Hahaha… you don't understand the rankings. Come, I'll explain."
They walked until they reached the city plaza.
A large fountain stood at its center, water shimmering under the sunlight.
Rinion: "Alright, Kiura. The ranks go like this:
E – G – D – B – A – S
S being the strongest… and you're in the weakest category: E."
Kiura (angry): "There must be some trick!"
Rinion: "There's no trick, weakling."
Their argument was suddenly cut short by distant screams.
People ran in panic—falling, colliding, fleeing from one direction.
Rinion: "What's happening?"
She turned—and saw a man walking slowly through the chaos.
Heat distorted the air around him as if it were burning.
His steps were heavy, his back slightly hunched, hands in his pockets.
A black cloak marked with a flame symbol covered red clothing beneath it.
His hair was a mix of red and black…
and his eyes glowed like burning embers.
Suddenly—
he tripped and fell.
He stood up, stepped back, and said calmly:
Man: "Sorry. I'll redo my walk."
And began approaching them again—slowly.
Kiura: "Who is th—"
The colors of the scene shifted.
Time slowed, like a tense anime cut.
A thin thread of fire shot forward at lethal speed—straight toward Kiura's chest.
At the very last moment—
Rinion shoved Kiura away with all her strength.
The beam split the fountain behind them, shattering it into flying fragments.
Buildings behind it were sliced apart in a blazing orange flash.
The man stood smiling.
A wide smile—twisted, insane.
Man: "We finally meet."
━ To be continued ━
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