The next morning arrived with a quiet hum of routine, the kind that felt almost deceptive after everything that had happened the day before.
Arceus finished his breakfast without rushing, though his mind was already moving ahead, mapping out plans, profits, and possibilities. The faint clink of utensils against the plate echoed in the small kitchen, but his attention wasn't on the food anymore. It was on momentum. On growth. On the thin, dangerous line he had started walking.
***
A few minutes later—
***
The engine of his motorcycle rumbled to life, vibrating beneath him as he rode through the streets of Averton City. Morning traffic had begun to thicken, the air carrying a mix of dust, fuel, and the distant scent of street food stalls opening for business. The city was awake, alive, and indifferent.
***
But Arceus wasn't paying attention to any of that.
***
His thoughts circled around one thing—
***
The guild.
***
When he finally pulled up outside **Zero Guild**, the building looked just as worn and quiet as ever from the outside, its chipped signage and faded walls giving no hint of what lay within.
***
But the moment he stepped inside—
***
Something felt… off.
***
Two men stood at the reception counter, leaning in just a bit too close, their posture relaxed but intrusive. Their voices were low, almost conversational, but their body language spoke louder than their words ever could.
***
They weren't just talking.
***
They were pressuring.
***
Behind the counter, Veronika stood with her usual composure, but it wasn't quite right today. Her shoulders shifted subtly, her fingers tapping lightly against the desk, her gaze flickering away every few seconds as if searching for an exit that didn't exist.
***
From the doorway, Arceus narrowed his eyes slightly.
***
Are they flirting… or cornering her?
***
He didn't like the look of it.
***
He stepped forward, the wooden floor creaking faintly beneath his weight.
***
That single sound—
***
Was enough.
***
Veronika's eyes snapped toward him instantly.
***
And before he could even process what was happening—
***
"Hey, darling, you're here."
***
"…Say what—"
***
He didn't even get to finish.
***
She rushed toward him.
***
Fast.
***
Too fast.
***
Her arms wrapped around him without hesitation, her body pressing lightly against his chest as she pulled him into a sudden, unexpected embrace. And before his brain could catch up with reality—
***
A soft, quick kiss landed on his cheek.
***
Time froze.
***
Arceus stood there like a statue struck by lightning, his thoughts scattering in every direction at once.
***
"Uhh… hi…" he managed, his voice caught somewhere between confusion and disbelief.
***
Behind her—
***
The two men had gone completely still.
***
Staring.
***
Processing.
***
Judging.
***
Then Veronika pulled back slightly, just enough to meet his eyes.
***
And in that brief moment—
***
He saw it.
***
The glint.
***
The signal.
***
Help me.
***
Arceus understood.
***
Instantly.
***
Without another word, his expression shifted, his confusion melting into something smoother, something deliberate. His arms came up naturally, wrapping around her waist as he pulled her closer, his posture relaxing into something far more intimate.
***
"What's wrong?" he asked softly, his tone warm, almost teasing. "Missed me already?"
***
A slight pause.
***
"We just spent last night at my place."
***
Silence.
***
Absolute silence.
***
Veronika's eyes widened.
The two men froze.
***
One of them blinked rapidly before stammering, "Vera… you said you were out with your friends last night. Did you… sleep at your boyfriend's place?"
***
The other crossed his arms, his expression darkening, his voice carrying a sharp edge. "How far have you two gone? If this is serious, you should've told us. At least your parents."
***
Arceus: "…"
***
And just like that—
***
The entire situation flipped.
***
Completely.
***
Arceus blinked once.
Twice.
***
Then slowly turned his head toward Veronika.
***
She looked back at him.
***
Awkward.
***
Very awkward.
***
"…Wait," he said slowly, his voice flattening as realization dawned. "Who… are they?"
***
Veronika let out a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of her neck as she avoided his gaze for a second. "They're… my brothers."
***
A beat.
***
"…Your what?"
***
Too late.
***
Both men had already stepped forward.
***
Without warning, they each grabbed one of Arceus's arms and pulled him toward the couch, forcing him down into the seat with firm, practiced ease.
***
Arceus shot a look at Veronika.
***
She gave him a tiny, helpless gesture.
***
Just… go with it.
***
Great.
***
Interrogation mode.
***
Activated.
***
"How old are you?" the first one asked bluntly, his tone sharp, his eyes scanning Arceus from head to toe.
***
"Twenty-four," Arceus replied immediately, his answer slipping out on instinct.
***
"And what do you do?" the second added, leaning slightly forward, his gaze more probing, more calculating.
***
"I'm a monster egg seller," Arceus said calmly. Then, after a brief pause, "And… a guild member here."
***
The addition wasn't lost on them.
***
"Native of Averton?" the first one asked.
***
"Yes."
***
"Live alone?"
***
"Yes."
***
"Any debts?"
***
Arceus shook his head. "Used to have some. Cleared them after selling my house."
***
That answer made them pause.
***
Just slightly.
***
"Own your place?" the second asked.
***
"I rent."
***
A brief silence settled.
***
Then—
***
"How did you meet her?"
***
Arceus leaned back slightly, his posture relaxing despite the pressure.
***
"I came here to meet Master Alaric Von Seraph," he said. "Her cat was sick. I helped treat it."
***
A small pause.
***
"We talked after that."
***
"We got along."
***
Veronika shifted slightly in the background, her fingers tightening together.
***
The questions were expected.
***
Predictable.
***
But then—
***
The second brother leaned in further.
***
"Do you know," he said slowly, "that she's the heiress of Velcra Networks?"
***
"Brother—" Veronika tried to cut in.
***
But Arceus spoke first.
***
His expression changed.
***
Just a little.
***
Serious.
***
"I know."
***
The room stilled.
***
"She told me herself," he continued, his voice calm but firm. "And she also told me she has nothing to do with their business."
***
He met their gaze directly.
***
"She wants to build something on her own."
***
A pause.
***
"And that's exactly why I like her."
***
Veronika froze.
***
Arceus didn't stop.
***
"I'm not interested in the heiress of Velcra Networks," he said. "I like the receptionist of Zero Guild."
***
His tone sharpened slightly.
***
"I don't respect people who were born into wealth and act like it makes them superior."
***
A beat.
***
"But she's different."
***
He gestured lightly around the worn-down guild.
***
"She could've bought her way into Sector 1."
***
"Instead…"
***
"She's here."
***
"Building something from scratch."
***
His voice softened just slightly.
***
"That's something worth respecting."
***
Silence.
***
Heavy.
***
One brother's eyes widened.
The other's expression hardened.
***
Different reactions.
Same impact.
***
Before either of them could respond—
***
"Enough."
***
Veronika stepped forward sharply, her patience snapping as she grabbed Arceus by the wrist and pulled him away from them.
***
"Stop interrogating my boyfriend."
***
Her grip tightened.
***
Her glare burned.
***
And for the first time since he walked in—
***
The power in the room shifted.