Chapter - 19 The Boy Without Light
After finishing the explanation, the young lady sent them to check the quest board if they wanted to take a mission.
As they walked toward the board, they heard murmurs around them.
"Hey, look at these kids."
"Ohhh~ just look at those girls."
The adventurers sitting nearby kept whispering.
"HEY—" Aren snapped angrily.
Lucien stopped him. "Aren, ignore them."
After all, these types of people are everywhere, Lucien thought.
"But—" Aren calmed himself down. "Okay."
After checking the quest board—
"For F-Rank…" Lucien carefully scanned the board, searching for their first quest.
"Well, how about this?" Seris said, pulling a quest sheet from the board.
"Healing herbs?" Lucien read it, then looked at Aren and Lira. "What do you think?"
"That's a good one," Aren said cheerfully. "Even though we can't take any other quests. Ha! Ha!"
…Why is he laughing? Lucien wondered.
The mood suddenly dropped.
Thump.
Lira punched Aren in the stomach.
"Big brother," she said calmly, "don't say unnecessary things."
As Aren collapsed, clutching his stomach and wheezing, Lucien, Seris, and Lira walked toward the receptionist.
"HEY! LIRA! SERIS! LUCIEN—WAIT!" Aren shouted, staggering after them.
Lucien glanced at Lira.
She noticed.
Silently, she placed her left hand over her right arm, pressing the muscle—then smiled.
Lucien swallowed.
…Scary.
At the receptionist's desk—
"We accept this mission," Lucien said, showing the quest paper.
"Hm?" the receptionist responded.
Then she looked at all of them at once.
"~Cuteee! Are you new adventurers?"
"Well, yes," Lucien replied. Then he recognized her.
Fiora — the guild receptionist. A dependable, big-sister type who often helped Aren and Lira. She had chestnut-brown hair tied in a low ponytail and warm hazel eyes. She wore a simple guild uniform that matched her gentle presence.
Fiora picked up the quest paper.
"Healing Herbs mission," she nodded. "It's a basic F-Rank quest. Perfect for beginners."
She placed the paper down and continued.
"The task is simple. Collect Moonleaf and Greenroot herbs from the forest outside town. They usually grow near clear streams. Be careful—low-level monsters like slimes and wild boars sometimes appear."
She smiled reassuringly.
"There's no strict time limit, but you must bring back at least ten bundles. Once confirmed, you'll receive silver coins and contribution points for rank promotion."
Her gaze softened.
"Good luck on your first mission."
She's full of energy, they all thought.
After leaving the Adventure Guild—
"Then what's next?" Aren asked.
"We'll start gathering the herbs now," Lucien replied, stretching his arms.
He smiled. "Let's go. Our first mission."
Seris smiled lightly and nodded.
"Okay!" Lira said.
"Let's go!" Aren said energetically.
They were all full of energy.
Outside the Town – Forest
Many minutes later—
"Where are they, Lucien?" Aren asked.
"How would I know? Just look for them," Lucien replied.
They weren't finding many herbs, so they split into two groups:
Lucien and Aren.
Seris and Lira.
Many Hours Later
"Seris sis, we found five bundles," Lira said. "Why don't we check how many my brother and Lucien collected?"
Seris looked around. She didn't see any more herbs.
"Okay, let's go."
"Finally, we finished five bundles," Lucien said in a tired voice.
"Yes, this was harder than training," Aren replied.
As they talked, they heard Lira's voice.
"Hey! How many herbs did you guys find?"
"So, ten bundles are complete," Lucien said. "Then—"
Back at the Adventure Guild
Lucien and his party returned to Fiora to submit the herbs.
"Ten bundles," she said with a gentle smile. "Well done, Party Leader Aren."
Aren smiled proudly. "Well, we all gathered them."
Fiora looked at Lucien and the others.
"Well done."
Lucien watched them smiling and talking to each other.
But he felt nothing.
As expected… my emotions are decreasing, Lucien thought.
After checking the herbs, Fiora handed them twelve silver coins.
"Here. Your first payment."
"Twelve silver coins?" Aren asked. "Isn't that too much?"
"They're divided equally among the four of you," Fiora explained. "And it's not too much."
Lucien took the coins and placed a hand on Aren's shoulder.
"Let's go."
"Okay," they replied.
Fiora waved at them as they left the guild.
Inside the Guild – Guild Master's Office
Cedric knocked and entered the office.
Inside sat Kael, the Guild Master.
Kael's build was powerful and imposing. Broad shoulders, thick arms shaped by years of battle. His body carried the quiet strength of a seasoned warrior—muscular, scarred, unyielding.
His face was sharp and masculine, with a strong jawline and neatly trimmed beard. A faint scar traced across his brow. Short black hair framed his features, marked by a streak of silver. His steel-gray eyes were calm and heavy, filled with experience.
"Guild Master Kael, I have an important matter to discuss," Cedric said.
"It's been a long time since you entered my office," Kael replied seriously.
Cedric placed four copied adventurer cards on the desk.
Kael looked at them.
"Four children's cards?"
"Read the names," Cedric said.
"Lucien… Aren Valebright… Lira Valebright… Seris Fadehart—?"
His eyes widened.
"Fadehart?"
The Fadehart family was a noble house. When it fell, its remaining members disappeared without a trace.
"What do you think, Cedric?"
"I believe she is a real member of the Fadehart family."
Kael narrowed his eyes.
"I doubt you came here just for a missing noble family."
He continued reading.
"Aren Valebright. Lira Valebright. Thoughts?"
"They're talented," Cedric replied. "Lira excels in magic. Aren in swordsmanship."
"That's good," Kael said. Then he looked at Cedric seriously.
"What did you see with your sword?"
Cedric answered carefully.
"In Aren, Lira, and Seris, I saw light. A light that will grow in the future."
"Three children?" Kael muttered.
Then he picked up Lucien's card.
"So he's the main topic."
"Yes," Cedric said.
"This boy is different."
"Different?"
"When I checked him with my sword intent," Cedric continued, "I saw no light. Only endless darkness."
Kael stayed silent.
"There was something else," Cedric added. "Something blocking that darkness… preventing it from leaking out."
That boy…
Kael closed his eyes briefly.
"What does his darkness mean?"
"It was filled with hatred, anger, and negative emotions," Cedric said.
"So you're saying—"
Cedric cut in.
"That boy will become too dangerous… if we let him live."
Kael's gaze sharpened.
"Do nothing."
Cedric looked shocked. "But why? That boy is just—"
"Don't decide things too early."
"But—"
"That is final. Don't do anything foolish."
Cedric took a long breath and calmed himself.
"…Okay. But Guild Master, don't forget this."
Kael nodded seriously.
After Cedric left the office, Kael picked up Lucien's card and stood by the window, looking at the night sky.
"…What are you?"
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End of Chapter 19
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