The guild felt… heavier than usual.
Not loud.
Not chaotic.
Just—
Tense.
I pushed the door open slowly.
Eyes immediately turned toward me.
"...He's back."
"...That guy again…"
"...Rank D rookie."
I ignored them.
Walked straight inside.
Like usual.
But before I could reach the counter—
"...Kazu."
I stopped.
The Guild Master.
Standing near the back.
Watching me.
"...Come."
Short.
Direct.
No room to refuse.
"...Yeah."
His room was quiet.
Simple.
No decorations.
Just a table.
Two chairs.
And pressure.
"...Sit."
I did.
He sat across from me.
Studying me.
"...You've improved."
I didn't respond.
"...Not enough."
He nodded slightly.
"...Good answer."
Silence.
A few seconds.
Then—
"...What do you want?"
I asked.
Straight.
He leaned back slightly.
"...I want results."
"...Then give me something to do."
He smiled faintly.
"...Careful what you ask for."
He placed something on the table.
A document.
Sealed.
"...Open it."
I did.
Inside—
Information.
Names.
Routes.
Symbols.
And one name—
"...Silver Eclipse."
My grip tightened.
"...So it's confirmed."
He nodded.
"...Not officially."
"...But enough for us."
I looked up.
"...Then why are they still free?"
Silence.
Then—
"...Because they're useful."
I frowned.
"...To who?"
"...The Crown."
That answer alone—
Explained everything.
I leaned back.
"...So we're dealing with protected trash."
"...Exactly."
He didn't sugarcoat it.
"...And we can't touch them directly."
"...Then what's the point of this?"
I tapped the paper.
"...You want me to spy on them?"
He didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"...Yes."
Silence.
I stared at him.
"...You serious?"
"...Completely."
"...I'm Rank D."
"...Yes."
"...They're elite."
"...Yes."
"...I'll die."
"...Most likely."
I clicked my tongue.
"...You're insane."
He shrugged slightly.
"...Maybe."
A pause.
"...But you're the only one who fits."
"...How?"
He leaned forward.
"...You're already involved."
"...They know you."
"...They underestimate you."
His eyes locked on mine.
"...And you hate them."
Silence.
"...So this is revenge?"
I asked quietly.
He shook his head.
"...No."
A pause.
"...This is strategy."
He pointed at the document.
"...We suspect they're moving the artifact soon."
"...Illegally."
"...Outside royal protocol."
My eyes narrowed.
"...Meaning?"
"...Meaning we can catch them."
A pause.
"...If we have proof."
I exhaled slowly.
"...And you want me to get that proof."
"...Yes."
"...Alone."
"...Yes."
I laughed quietly.
"...You're really trying to kill me."
He didn't react.
"...I'm giving you a chance."
Silence.
Longer this time.
"...What do I get?"
I finally asked.
He didn't hesitate.
"...Freedom."
I frowned.
"...What?"
He looked at my neck.
"...Your mark."
My body froze.
"...You know?"
"...Of course."
A pause.
"...You think I'd send a slave on a mission without knowing?"
My jaw tightened.
"...So?"
He leaned back.
"...Complete this mission."
"...And I'll erase your status."
Silence.
My heart—
Moved.
Just a little.
"...You can do that?"
"...I have connections."
"...Not clean ones."
A faint smile.
"...But effective."
I looked down.
At my hand.
Then—
At the document.
"...If I refuse?"
He shrugged.
"...Then you walk away."
"...Stay weak."
"...Stay hunted."
A pause.
"...And eventually die."
"...Tch."
I leaned back.
Closed my eyes for a second.
Thinking.
Mira.
Her smile.
Her words.
"Easy to discard."
My fist clenched.
"...Fine."
I opened my eyes.
"...I'll do it."
The Guild Master nodded.
"...Good."
He stood up.
"...Then listen carefully."
He pointed at the map.
"...They'll move through the eastern route."
"...Night transport."
"...Low visibility."
I nodded.
"...Got it."
"...Your job is simple."
He looked at me.
"...Don't fight."
I frowned.
"...What?"
"...Observe."
"...Track."
"...Survive."
A pause.
"...That's it."
"...And if I get a chance to kill them?"
He didn't hesitate.
"...You don't."
Silence.
"...Even if it's Mira?"
"...Especially if it's her."
My jaw tightened again.
"...Tch."
He stepped closer.
"...You're not ready."
A pause.
"...But you will be."
He handed me a small object.
A ring.
Dark.
Cold.
"...What's this?"
"...Tracking seal."
"...If you get close to the artifact—"
"...It reacts."
I took it.
"...Convenient."
"...Don't lose it."
He turned away.
"...You leave tonight."
"...That fast?"
"...They won't wait."
I stood up.
"...One more thing."
He stopped.
"...What?"
"...If I die."
Silence.
"...What happens?"
He didn't turn.
"...Then you were never enough."
I smirked slightly.
"...Fair."
As I walked toward the door—
He spoke again.
"...Kazu."
I stopped.
"...Yeah?"
"...Don't trust anyone."
A pause.
"...Not even me."
I smiled faintly.
"...I wasn't planning to."
The door closed behind me.
Outside—
The air felt colder.
Heavier.
But clearer.
I looked at the ring.
Then wore it.
"...Freedom, huh."
I whispered.
My eyes hardened.
"...Mira."
The night hadn't even started yet.
But I was already walking into it.
And this time—
I wasn't chasing strength.
I was hunting truth.
Even if it killed me.