"What you’re saying is quite intriguing. I like it."
"Yeah... it seems I underestimated him. When he transformed, it caught even me off guard."
Viola stood in a dimly lit room where the guild's elite usually gathered. She was reporting the findings of Yujin’s placement test. The facts were clear: he had scored exceptionally high in almost every category—except magic.
The Guild Master, Kluivert, was fascinated. It was as if he’d found a hidden diamond buried deep in the damp, dark earth. The grey-haired old man looked at Viola with visible enthusiasm.
"So... what rank fits a kid like that?" Viola asked, resting her hand on her hip.
Kluivert went silent for a moment. Assigning a rank to someone with Yujin’s raw potential was a massive headache. He exhaled a long sigh. "Alright, I've made my decision. Yujin... the boy is accepted as a Gold Rank."
"Gold? Are you sure?"
"Yes. He has the kind of potential that refuses to stay buried. He’ll grow."
"Fine. I’ll tell him when he wakes up."
"No need," Kluivert waved her off. "I’ll visit him myself. There are things I need to ask him. You get back to your secretary duties—I'm sure your desk is buried in paperwork."
Viola nodded curtly and left the room, leaving the old man alone in the flickering light of a kerosene lantern.
"Ugh..."
Yujin finally woke up in a place that felt all too familiar. A clinic. Wait, a clinic again? Where am I now?
He looked down at his body, which was almost entirely wrapped in bandages. His fingers were swollen, some likely broken. But the worst of it was the dull, throbbing ache in his chest.
As he was assessing his wreckage, the door creaked open. He turned to see Kluivert standing there, holding a sword.
"M-Excuse me, but what are you doing in my room?" Yujin’s eyes darted to the blade. If this old man decided to attack, it was game over. Yujin couldn't even twitch his legs.
"Ah, you're awake! Sorry for barging in, kid. Name's Kluivert. I’m the Guild Master here."
"Wait, the Guild Master?! Why are you here?"
Kluivert let out a booming laugh, as if Yujin had just told the funniest joke in the world. "Relax! I’m just checking on my newest recruit. I’m here to tell you that you’ve been accepted into the Lumeris Guild as a Gold Rank."
"Gold...? Oh, thank God."
"Glad to see you're pleased. Now, let me ask you something," Kluivert’s expression turned serious. "When you fought Zarveth... what did you see before you blacked out?"
Yujin blinked. Why is he so interested? I lost, didn't I?
"I... I don't remember anything, sir."
"Nothing? I got reports that you were actually holding your own against Zarveth for a moment."
"Holding my own? No way. All I remember is getting hit by that monster’s lightning, and then everything went black."
Kluivert looked puzzled. He trusted Viola’s report, but if Yujin truly had no memory of the "awakening," then something else was at play.
Yujin noticed a strange sensation—small, needle-like pricks of electricity dancing across his skin. He mentioned it to the old man, and Kluivert’s eyes lit up. So Viola was right.
Without another word, Kluivert leaned the sword against Yujin’s bed. "You’ve got a mountain of potential, Yujin. Don’t stop growing." He turned and walked out without looking back.
Three days passed in that cramped, dim room before Yujin was finally cleared to leave. His fingers were still stiff and bandages peeked out from under his clothes, but he couldn't stand being cooped up anymore.
He headed to the lobby, which was buzzing with adventurers. His brown eyes scanned the quest board. Suddenly, Viola appeared, asking how he was holding up. Yujin gave a casual "I’m alright" before returning to the board.
He reached for a flyer, but a pale, slender hand shot from behind him, pointing at a Minotaur hunting quest.
"I want the Minotaur."
"Hey, wait, I was choosing—"
"I said, Minotaur!"
Yujin didn't even have to look. It was Aurelia.
"Sis, I’m taking this quest with this idiot," Aurelia said to Viola.
Viola sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing. "Fine. Have it your way."
Yujin turned to the girl, confused. "Oi, what’s with the sudden team-up?"
"I have things to ask you," Aurelia replied, her glare sharp enough to draw blood.
They left the crowded city and headed toward the forest. For a while, they just walked in silence.
Suddenly, Yujin felt a surge of heat from his left. Instinct kicked in—he rolled forward just as a fireball scorched the spot where he had been standing.
"O-Oi! What the hell was that for?!"
"No reason. I’m just annoyed with you," Aurelia snapped.
Yujin was panting. Even though the fireball was small, the heat was intense. "What is your problem? I haven't done anything to you!"
"Don't make me repeat myself."
She looked away, her brow furrowed. "Where did you learn lightning magic?"
"Lightning? I don't know what you're talking about."
"Then how did you control it during your placement test?"
Yujin felt a weight in his chest. He really didn't remember. Wasn't that Zarveth’s power?
Before she could press him further, a deafening roar shook the forest. Aurelia’s eyes lit up with excitement. She bolted toward the sound, leaving Yujin in the dust.
"H-hey! Are you kidding me? She just ditched me!"
As he stood up, the bushes rustled. A swarm of small, horned creatures burst from the ground, trying to impale him.
"Acceleration!"
Yujin dodged the ambush, realizing he was surrounded. Aurelia had cleared out, but he was stuck. He drew Kluivert’s sword, the blade turning a dark crimson as he cut through the horde.
He won, but the cost was high. His chest burned like he’d been stabbed.
[Warning! You have exceeded the limit of 'Acceleration'!]
[Penalty: Physical fatigue. Traits and Skills are disabled for a limited time.]
"Ugh... great timing."
He dragged himself toward the cliff where the roar had come from. The air grew thick, heavy, and searing hot.
[You have entered a Demon Territory! Proceed with caution!]
He reached the edge and saw Aurelia below, surrounded by Minotaurs. They were massive, three times her size, but she didn't look scared. She raised her hand, and in a single burst of flame, she incinerated them all.
Damn... she’s on a different level, Yujin thought.
He slid down the cliff to collect the horns, as he was the only one with a hunting knife.
"Yo, nice job—"
A sudden heat prickled the back of his neck. He spun around, sword ready. Aurelia was behind him, but she wasn't attacking. She was staring at something behind him.
Wait... if that heat isn't from Aurelia... then who?