DARIA
HANAMI
HOUSEHOLD: RYUJIN
The Ryujin estate was more than a mansion; it was a small kingdom unto itself. Towering walls surrounded the property, but it was the grounds that left visitors breathless.
Cherry blossom trees lined the wide street leading to the entrance, their petals drifting lazily in the wind and painting the entire avenue in soft pink.
Inside the gates, the garden stretched endlessly, dotted with oaks, elegant maples, and flowering shrubs.
Here and there, fantastical beasts roamed freely, breathtaking in their uniqueness.
A pair of skythorns, sleek feline creatures with shimmering opalescent fur and horned crests, prowled along the edges of a crystal pond.
A majestic lumigon perched on a stone pillar, its wings folded and its eyes sharp, glowing faintly.
Gleaming starhawks circled lazily overhead, while smaller creatures—a silver-scaled lynther, a crimson-tailed fennegorn, and a frost-breasted taloncat—wandered the courtyards, perfectly at ease.
Inside, the mansion was impossibly vast. Vaulted ceilings stretched high above, painted with intricate murals of celestial landscapes.
Crystal chandeliers hung from every room, casting refracted light across polished marble floors.
Hallways branched in every direction, lined with portraits of Ryujin ancestors and shelves filled with rare artifacts.
Every window offered a view of the gardens, the cherry blossoms, or the fantastical creatures wandering the grounds.
Sakura Ryujin led Kokoro through the estate to the indoor hot spring, a luxurious retreat built into the mansion itself.
Steam rose gently from the water, but the design made it feel as though they were outside. Stone pathways wound through miniature waterfalls, and soft moss underfoot made the air feel alive with nature.
The ceiling above was a massive skylight, letting in sunlight and giving the illusion of an open sky.
"Wassup, Kokoro? You kinda seem angry at someone or something," Sakura said, leaning against the stone edge of the hot spring. "So tell me, what's wrong?"
Even here, in the midst of such beauty, Kokoro's frown stood out.
But the warmth of the water and the gentle scent of cherry blossoms hinted that even the heaviest burdens could feel lighter here.
"I've always wondered what kind of job your parents are into. So tell me… besides, I've never even seen them. You don't talk about them," Kokoro said.
"That isn't what's bothering you," Sakura replied, a small smirk on her lips.
"You just want to change the topic. Anyway… my parents are dead. I'm the last surviving member of my family."
She smiled.
"That is, if you don't count Lady Marcelline Veyra. She's a friend of my parents and my guardian. She looks after me, but only comes by once in a while."
Kokoro tilted her head, her earlier curiosity fading into something quieter.
"I… I didn't know," she said softly. "I had no idea you've been carrying all of that by yourself, Losing your parent and still showing up every day like nothing's wrong… how do you even manage to make it to school on time?"
"What's up with the whole cherry blossom trees all around the street?"
Sakura's eyes softened as she watched a petal drift past her.
"About that… actually, my family owns this street."
She paused.
"Before I was born, the name Sakura was always something my mom liked. When they found out she was pregnant, they planted these cherry blossoms. This is a gift from them to me. Whenever I look at them, it feels like they're closer to me… reaching out."
She smiled.
"About why I was kind of pissed off… it's just… how do I explain this? Well… my mom wants to transfer me to another class," Kokoro admitted, a crease forming between her brows.
"What?!"
Sakura shot upright, water slipping from her as she stepped out.
"Why would she do that? No, we're talking to her. We have to."
"I don't think she'll change her mind."
Kokoro sighed.
"She said I'll take on the family business, and I need to learn more about it. Fighting and all that… isn't really our family thing."
Sakura sighed, brushing water from her hair.
"I see… How about this? I'll talk to your mom about letting you stay in our class. You focus on the family business for now."
"She would never accept," Kokoro replied.
"Nah, she will. I'll have Lady Marcelline Veyra go. She's really good at negotiating. Trust me, there's nothing she can't handle. She's basically my mom in a way."
Sakura smiled at her.
Kokoro cracked a small smile.
"See? All is fine. Now let's get going. Koji's waiting… and you know he doesn't like waiting. He's the hyper type," she said, laughing.
---
DARIA: JURAL DISTRICT
THE DEX ADVENTURER PARTY
Late Afternoon
The sun was dipping low.
"This is it… Jural District. Finally," Darian exhaled, stretching his arms as the dirt road opened into wide plains. "Three days of travel. I'm exhausted."
Kaia adjusted the strap across her shoulder, her blue hair swaying lightly behind her.
"We're here to eliminate a spider. Not just any spider—a Matron Graveweaver. First, we meet the village chiefs before proceeding."
Taren rolled his neck once, his heavy shoulders shifting beneath his sleeveless armor.
"Good. I want details before I start breaking things."
Lysander smirked faintly.
"You always want to start breaking things."
They moved forward.
The village appeared slowly beyond a low hill, with clustered homes built from timber and clay, their roofs layered neatly with dried straw.
Smoke drifted gently from chimneys. Narrow paths wound between houses, and flowering vines climbed wooden fences.
Children ran barefoot through the open square, chasing one another with carved wooden swords.
A few paused when they saw the Dex approaching.
Whispers followed.
"Adventurers…"
"Look at their badges…"
Each member wore their rank badge visibly at the collar, engraved metal tags etched with their name and rank.
Darian — Gold 1
His badge gleamed faintly under the sun. His black hair framed calm, steel-gray eyes. He walked with quiet authority, his cloak resting neatly over fitted combat attire.
Kaia — Silver 4
Her silver-edged badge reflected the light sharply. Her long blue hair was tied high, revealing pale silver-violet eyes that seemed almost glass-like.
She carried a long, sleek weapon across her back.
Taren — Silver 3
His badge sat against his broad chest, nearly small against his massive frame.
He had dark brown, cropped hair and deep amber eyes. His arms were thick with muscle, his forearms wrapped in reinforced bindings.
Lysander — Silver 2
His badge swung lightly as he moved.
Ash-blond hair brushed his forehead, while his crimson eyes scanned constantly.
Lean, balanced, restless.
The villagers greeted them warmly. Some bowed slightly, while others thanked them before a word was spoken.
They were led toward the central hall, where three chiefs waited, representatives from three neighboring villages.
Inside, the atmosphere shifted from warmth to concern.
"The Graveweaver has struck three times this month," the eldest chief said. "It comes at night. It takes livestock, leaving nothing but holes in the ground."
"Three villages?" Darian asked calmly.
"Yes. It doesn't stay in one territory."
Kaia stepped forward slightly.
"Where were the last sightings?"
A map was rolled open across the wooden table, with markings circling farmland borders near the forest edges.
Taren studied the patterns.
"It's expanding."
Lysander leaned back against a pillar.
"Or preparing."
Silence lingered.
After the discussion, the chiefs insisted they stay for a meal.
Long wooden tables were brought out. Bowls of stew, roasted root vegetables, fresh bread, and grilled river fish were set before them.
Taren wasted no time eating.
Lysander glanced sideways at Kaia.
"So… when are you going to tell us about that thing you've been carrying?"
Kaia's fingers tapped lightly against the long weapon resting beside her.
Darian smirked faintly.
"You mean the device she spent all her savings on?"
Kaia shot him a look.
"It's not a device. It's precision magic engineering."
She lifted it slightly for them to see.
The weapon was long and narrow, crafted from blackened alloy with a smooth, matte finish. Intricate silver and faint blue carvings ran along its length, patterns resembling constellations and flowing currents.
Near the center was a reinforced grip shaped perfectly for stability.
Toward the front, a narrow barrel extended with layered rings etched in tiny glyphs.
Embedded along the side were small crystalline chambers that pulsed faintly when touched.
"It channels compressed Dio and stabilizes trajectory through engraved symbols and calibration," Kaia explained. "Long-range elimination. Extreme accuracy."
Taren raised a brow.
"So… you point and it deletes things from far away."
Kaia sighed.
"That is an oversimplification."
Darian chuckled.
"She used every coin she made over the past two years for that thing they call technology. Things are really changing, and at a fast pace."
"It's an investment," Kaia replied calmly. "If the Matron has layered armor, close-range combat will be inefficient. Plus, it's in Jural District of all places. One of its abilities is acidic venom."
Lysander leaned forward slightly.
"You really think this job is just Silver-level?"
Darian's expression shifted, subtle but noticeable.
"No. That's why I'm here, and Kaia."
A brief pause followed.
Then Lysander smirked.
"By the way… you remember Hesper and Cassandra? The girls who fought that elite soldier some weeks ago?"
Taren nodded while chewing.
"The ones who wouldn't stop throwing punches."
"They became adventurers," Lysander said. "Registered last week."
Kaia blinked once.
"Already?"
"Yeah."
Darian leaned back slightly.
"They might be strong and all that, but they wouldn't stand a chance against creatures they know nothing about. I think it's a reckless decision. It depends on the party they join."
Outside, the children's laughter echoed faintly through the open windows.
Inside, tension lingered beneath the calm meal.
Three villages.
Expanding territory.
Underground tunnels.
"The Graveweaver Matron isn't just hunting," Darian said.
"It's establishing ground. And to top it all off, it's a female. It produces a fine silk that can be used to create luxury fabric. We'll harvest the silk first, then kill the spider. That way, we'll make double the money."
---
DARIA: DAMON HOUSEHOLD
"Looks like your friends had a lot of fun," Damon said, leaning back in his chair with a small grin on his face. "Too bad I didn't get to meet them. I was too busy with work."
Maria, still wiping her hands on a towel, set down a steaming dish in front of Aristo.
"You've changed the DPS skin, Aristo. Lady Lisanna helped you, didn't she?"
She reached across the table and held his hand.
"Sorry, my little baby boy. I've been so busy, but I've got four more skins ready. This one should last longer, I promise."
Aristo smiled faintly.
"Thanks, Mom."
Maria's gaze moved to Cassandra.
"And you, my little angel. How have your studies been? Any improvement controlling your anger?"
Cassandra shrugged.
"Fine."
Maria gave her a small frown.
"Just fine? You've been quiet lately… Is something wrong?"
"Nothing," Cassandra muttered, looking down at her plate.
Damon chuckled, shaking his head.
"Kids. Always mysterious."
He looked at Phobos with a teasing smirk.
"And what about you, young man? Any dates lately, or are you still hiding in the library?"
Phobos rolled his eyes.
"Dates? Nah… I just went to the library with Zira. She had no one else to go with."
Maria laughed softly.
"Spending time with a girl? That counts as a date, Phobos."
"That counts as a date?!" Phobos exclaimed. "I don't think so! It was just… library stuff."
Damon grinned.
"Library, huh? Sure, Phobos. That's what they all say before a real date sneaks up on them."
Maria shook her head, still smiling.
"You boys and your excuses."
She stood and began gathering the dishes.
"Alright, dinner's over. Time for bed. Phobos, take your plate to the kitchen."
She glanced toward Aristo.
"Aristo, don't let Cassandra eat all the dessert again."