After finalizing the purchase of the egg, I decided not to visit the Mercenary Guild that day.
Instead, I returned to Duracal's shop. I wanted to help him—and I also wanted to see my three mentors.
As I walked, I held the egg close and slowly sent my dark affinity into it. Not forcefully. Carefully. Like testing deep water with my toes.
When I reached the shop, I put the egg aside and started working. I helped with finishing blades, held metal in place while Duracal hammered, and cleaned the workspace whenever there was a pause.
Between tasks, I would pick up the egg again and continue feeding it my affinity.
That was when they arrived.
All three of my mentors entered the shop at once.
The moment I saw them, a smile broke across my face. I instinctively showed them my mercenary card.
They smiled back.
Then Siena spoke.
"So," she said calmly, "did you try to say hello to death again?"
I froze.
I gave an awkward smile and tried to change the subject—but under Siena's gaze, escape was impossible.
I told them everything.
About the fight. About the injury. About how I barely made it out.
Rathen struck the back of my head lightly.
"You won the fight using everything you had," he said. "And you got injured before the real battle even began. Careless."
Bharam crossed his arms.
"If the battlefield doesn't favor you," he said, "then you make it favor you. Still—you survived. That matters."
Siena sighed, then smiled faintly.
"As long as you come back in one piece," she said, "I'll continue training you."
We sparred lightly—very lightly. I lost every bout.
Still, it felt good.
When I showed them the egg, their expressions shifted to curiosity.
"We'll be watching closely," Rathen said. "Let's see what answers you."
That night, when no one was around, I made a decision.
I didn't just send dark affinity into the egg.
I sent miasma as well.
Carefully. Slowly.
If something hatched, I wanted it fierce.
A thorn lion. A saber tiger. Something worthy of battle.
The next morning, I left the egg secured in Duracal's shop and went to the Mercenary Guild to take another job.
The moment the receptionist saw me, she stiffened.
"Please proceed to the second floor," she said.
I didn't understand why.
I assumed it was about my performance—maybe a raise, maybe a warning.
I was wrong.
The second floor was crowded.
Dozens of mercenaries stood there—armed, hardened, dangerous. Some were tall and muscular. Others carried themselves with quiet menace.
Then William stepped onto the platform.
"Silence!"
The room obeyed.
"Reports confirm the existence of a goblin colony deep within the Lankase Forest," he announced. "This is an extermination operation."
Every one-star silver mercenary and above is required to participate.
Three-star silver and above will form the vanguard.
Lower-ranked mercenaries will be assigned to rear support and perimeter suppression.
Two- and three-star teams will patrol the forest's outskirts, hunting escapees.
Guild mages will monitor the battlefield. Enemy numbers and mercenary positions will be tracked.
He paused.
"Do not leave your assigned area. Do not kill targets outside your designated zone. Violations will result in immediate card cancellation and permanent expulsion from all mercenary guilds."
No one spoke.
Assignments were handed out.
As a solo mercenary, I was given a small western sector.
Emergency flares were issued.
"The colony is concentrated in the north," the officer warned. "The west is mountainous, miasma-dense, and unstable. Do not advance deeper."
Before moving out, I briefly introduced myself to nearby teams.
Most ignored me.
One group didn't.
The Winged Sword.
A well-known three-copper-star team.
Ron, the swordsman and captain.
Sam, another swordsman.
Niles, archer and scout.
Maria, magician.
Paul, healer.
Experienced. Calm. Efficient.
After introductions, we moved out.
The goblin extermination had begun.