{ELSY}
✨ Purple Citadel
"There's no mission for me?" I asked, my voice small, worried.
Finally, I had made it to the Citadel—the heart of adventure, where heroes of every race gathered. And most importantly . . . where Rain was.
The moment I awakened my powers, I left the elven continent and ran here, dreaming of one thing: finding him, joining him, standing by his side.
The clerk, a cheerful woman with honey-blonde hair and a polite smile that looked a little too practiced, tilted her head.
"Your rank is too low for the available missions right now. I suggest you pair up."
"P–paired up?" I stammered. My face heated instantly. Paired up? With who? I didn't know anyone here! This place was buzzing with adventurers—beastkin, humans, dwarves, even demons—but I felt completely out of place.
I had been cooped up in the Elvin continent all my life. This was the first time I'd stepped into such a grand place, the Citadel walls gleaming purple like polished stone, banners fluttering with guild insignias.
But still—Rain was here. I couldn't give up.
I leaned forward, gripping the counter. "Then . . . is there a mission for D-Rank like me? Just give me anything!"
The clerk—Hana, her nametag read—gave the same sweet smile that somehow felt like a dagger stabbing me.
"I'm afraid not. All the missions here in the Citadel are for higher ranks. Why not try the next town over? Or a village?"
My lips pressed tight. I wanted to argue, but . . . she was right. This wasn't some cozy village board with "fetch me berries" quests. This was the center of the world. Of course only high-ranked adventurers operated here.
". . . Alright. Thank you."
I sighed, my shoulders drooping as I turned away.
So this was how it was. Even if my heart burned to see Rain, the city was huge—finding him wouldn't be so easy.
"I want to take this mission."
I paused.
That voice.
Low. Steady. Beautiful enough to make my knees tremble.
I froze. Slowly—ever so slowly—I turned my head.
And there he was.
Tall. Lean. Clad in black from head to toe, a long coat brushing his boots. A half-mask hid the lower half of his face, but it didn't matter—no one alive could mistake that aura.
White hair, glinting blue eyes sharper than steel, and a presence so cold it made the noisy guild hall fall silent.
Rain!
My heart almost burst out of my chest.
"R–Rain!" I squeaked, my voice cracking.
I slapped my hands over my mouth, face burning red.
Stupid! Too loud! Too obvious!
The clerk blinked and composed herself. "I'm sorry, Rain, but you can't solo this one."
"Huh?" Rain's face darkened, his eyes narrowing like twin blades. "My rank is high enough to solo this one."
"Yes, that's true," Hana replied, her tone polite but strained. "But the new law states that unstable dungeons shouldn't be attempted alone anymore."
"What?"
The air shifted.
Rain's murderous aura burst out like a wave, sharp and suffocating. The rowdy guild hall fell silent in an instant, adventurers scattering to the far corners like startled mice. Tanky warriors who could wrestle ogres suddenly found excuses to sprint to the bathroom.
Everyone except me.
I was too busy staring, completely entranced. Ahh . . . even when he's terrifying, he's so handsome!
Hana's hands trembled on the counter, her smile frozen in place. Beads of sweat ran down her temple. "I-It's because . . . you reported the presence of a goddess in an unstable dungeon you soloed not long ago. The higher-ups created a temporary law. No one is allowed to enter alone, even Rank-S adventurers. Until further notice, soloing is . . . impossible."
Rain clicked his tongue, the sound sharp as a whip. His glare deepened, enough to send shivers crawling down my spine. My knees nearly gave way.
He's so scary. He looks like he could kill everyone in this room with a glance.
My heart pounded. My hands shook.
. . . But he's so hot when he's angry!!
Before I could stop myself, words spilled out of my mouth.
"Uhm . . . if you don't mind, I'll go with you!"
The entire hall went silent again. You could've heard a pin drop.
Rain's head turned toward me with the slow inevitability of doom. His piercing blue eyes locked onto me, and my whole body shrank back like a scolded puppy.
"Huh?" His voice was low, dangerous.
I gulped. My lips moved faster than my brain.
"U-Uhm . . . I'm a D-rank healer. But I'll make sure not to get in your way!"
Even I wasn't sure if he could hear me, because I practically whispered it into my boots.
"Are you sure, Elsy?" Hana's professional smile finally cracked, worry showing in her eyes. "Rain has a . . . notorious reputation. He never shares loot."
"I've done all the work. Why would I share?" Rain growled, utterly unbothered.
"That's fine!" I chirped, way too fast. "I don't care about loot."
It was true. I just wanted to be with him.
Everyone here knew Rain's reputation—his cold attitude, sharp tongue, and absolute refusal to team up. That's why most adventurers gave him wide berth, muttering about how he was impossible to work with.
But I didn't care. Let them call him selfish, cruel, or a loner. I'd seen him. The Rain who risked his life for me many years ago, the one whose strength left me breathless. The man I loved.
Even if he rejected me a hundred times . . . I wanted to stand beside him.
"Well, if you're fine with that—" Hana began.
"It's not fine."
Rain cut her off like a blade. His glare turned on me again, sharp and dismissive. "I don't want to partner up. Especially not with a low-rank elf."
The words hit me like a slap. My chest ached.
But he wasn't wrong. I was weak. Just a newly awakened adventurer with nothing but simple healing spells to my name. Compared to Rain, I was a speck of dust.
Still . . . I lifted my chin, forcing my voice not to tremble. "I don't care what anyone says. Even if I'm low-rank, I'll prove I can keep up with you. So… please let me go with you."
My heart hammered so loudly I thought it might explode. The entire guild held its breath, watching what would happen next—Rain's icy refusal against my desperate determination.
Who would win in the end?