Sleep did not come easily.
Kuro lay on his side in the small guild room, blanket pulled up to his chest, staring at the faint glow of the runes carved into the ceiling. They pulsed slowly—steady, protective.
Safe.
At least… that's what they were supposed to mean.
He squeezed his eyes shut.
Every time he drifted close to sleep, he felt it again.
That pressure.
Like eyes opening somewhere far above the world.
{Elvastia…} Kuro whispered in his thoughts. {Are you awake?}
[Unfortunately.]
Kuro huffed quietly. {You don't sleep, do you.}
[Nope. Curse of being an ancient, mysterious, incredibly good-looking voice in your head.]
{You're impossible.}
[And yet, here I am.]
Kuro hesitated, then asked the question gnawing at him.
{Was it… really bad today?}
There was a pause.
Not a joking one.
[You didn't explode the guild, didn't erase a city block, and didn't let it take control.]
Another pause.
[By our standards? That's a win.]
Kuro let out a shaky breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
Morning Comes Too Fast
By the time the sun rose, Kuro was already awake.
He sat on the edge of his bed, feet dangling, absently flexing his fingers. Mana responded instantly—too instantly—like a loyal dog that hadn't learned when to sit.
"Still scary," he murmured.
A knock came at the door.
Before Kuro could answer, it swung open.
Lucien leaned in, hair a mess, dark circles under his eyes. "Good news! We're not dead."
"…That's good news?" Kuro asked.
"Considering yesterday? Absolutely."
Mika appeared behind Lucien, fully dressed, sword already at his side.
"You ready?" Mika asked.
Kuro nodded, then hesitated. "For… what exactly?"
Mika's mouth twitched. "Walking. Watching. Not dying."
Lucien snapped his fingers. "Ah yes, the holy trinity."
[Truly inspirational.]
Eyes in Every Corner
The guild headquarters felt different in daylight.
Too quiet.
Adventurers moved out of the way as they passed—not just because of Mika this time, but because of Kuro. Conversations dipped. Glances lingered a second too long.
Kuro hugged his arms to himself.
"They're staring again," he whispered.
Lucien leaned closer. "Think of it like this: you're mysterious."
"Mysterious scary," Kuro corrected.
"Same thing," Lucien said cheerfully.
Mika slowed his pace just enough to walk slightly in front of Kuro—not blocking him, but making a point.
The stares eased.
[He does that on purpose, you know.]
{What?}
[Positioning. Body language. Silent threat of violence. Very effective.]
Kuro looked up at Mika's back.
"…Oh."
A Quiet Warning
They reached a balcony overlooking the inner courtyard. Below, trainees sparred, magic flashing in controlled bursts.
The Guildmaster stood waiting.
"You felt it again last night," he said without preamble.
Kuro stiffened. "…Yes."
The Guildmaster nodded, as if that confirmed something. "The barrier held. But attention was given."
Lucien frowned. "Attention from what, exactly?"
The Guildmaster's gaze slid to him—measured, heavy."Something that doesn't like being ignored."
Kuro's fingers curled.
"So… what does it want?" Kuro asked softly.
The Guildmaster didn't answer right away.
"Not you," he finally said."Not entirely."
That was somehow worse.
Mika's jaw tightened. "Then what does it want?"
The Guildmaster met his eyes."To see what you become."
Silence stretched.
[Oh I hate that. I hate that SO much.]
Resolve
Later, as they walked back inside, Kuro slowed.
"Mika," he said quietly.
Mika stopped at once. "Yeah?"
Kuro looked down at his hands—then up, determination flickering through the fear.
"I don't want to hurt anyone. And I don't want to be something people are afraid of."
Mika knelt so they were eye level. His voice was steady, unwavering.
"Then we make sure you don't."
Lucien crossed his arms. "Plus, if anything world-ending shows up, we'll hit it really hard. Team effort."
Kuro smiled weakly.
[See? You've got backup. Overdramatic backup, but still.]
Kuro took a deep breath.
Whatever was watching.
Whatever was waiting.
He wouldn't face it alone.
And for the first time since the whisper in the clouds—
That thought made the fear loosen its grip.