Yuna and her team stepped into the vast hall of the Nightglass Covenant.
The atmosphere itself felt heavy—like the air was watching them.
Behind the counter stood a female receptionist, calm and expressionless, her beauty sharp yet distant.
Paul's eyes lit up instantly.
He leaned forward with a grin.
"Hello, Miss Beauty. We're here to register as adventurers of Nightglass Covenant. Could you help us?"
The receptionist didn't react. Not even a blink.
"Yes," she replied flatly. "Of course."
She slid several forms across the counter.
"Please fill these."
Bilives nodded. "Understood."
As they started writing, Bilives leaned toward Paul and whispered sharply,
"Don't flirt. This place isn't normal. Don't judge by appearances."
Paul chuckled softly. "Relax. She's just a receptionist."
Bilives frowned.
"I'll say this again—never judge a book by its cover."
Paul sighed. "Alright, alright."
They finished the forms and handed them back.
The receptionist scanned them briefly.
"Wait here for your Badges."
Duwen tilted his head. "Badges?"
The receptionist explained calmly:
"A Badge is magical. It displays your rank, battle experience, victories, and accumulated points.
Beginner adventurers receive the Duskwell Badge.
To upgrade your rank, you must upgrade your badge."
She continued without pause.
"When your total points reach 100,000, your rank advances to Trailblazer.
To upgrade from Trailblazer to Abyssal, you need 100 million points."
Paul swallowed.
She listed examples:
"Examples of Abyssal-class adventurers include:
Dancing Hollows
Night Hunters
The Fearless Champions
The Merciless Monster"
Her gaze sharpened.
"Once issued, a badge cannot be exchanged.
A blood contract is formed between you and the badge."
Paul blinked. "Blood… contract?"
"If you attempt to remove or alter it," she said evenly,
"you will be punished by divine thunder."
Silence swallowed the hall.
She handed each of them a badge. A sharp sting followed as the contract formed.
"Contract completed," she said.
"Please wear your badges."
Bilives bowed slightly. "Thank you."
Then—
Paul opened his mouth again.
"Hey," he said with a smile, "Beautiful receptionist, what's your name? I'd like to remember it."
Her eyes didn't soften.
"Sorry. I don't wish to share my name."
Paul's smile vanished.
"What?" He reached forward and grabbed her collar.
"You're disrespecting me?"
The temperature of the hall dropped.
Footsteps echoed.
A man stepped forward—his mask covered only his mouth, leaving cold eyes exposed.
His aura alone crushed the space.
"Hey, kid," the man said quietly.
"How dare you touch my girlfriend?"
Paul froze. "G-Girlfriend…?"
In the next instant—
Everyone bowed their heads.
Every low-rank adventurer.
Every beginner.
Even Bilives felt his knees tremble.
Paul's body locked in place.
"What… is this pressure…?"
The masked man moved.
His fist struck Paul—once, twice—each blow shaking the hall.
"You touched my girlfriend," he said calmly.
"Stop," the receptionist said sharply.
"Ashryn. That's enough."
The name hit like thunder.
Ashryn Mordelle.
One of the Highers of Nightglass Covenant.
Total silence.
Paul's vision blurred. He knew—one more hit, and he'd die.
"I—I'm sorry!" Paul cried. "Please forgive me!"
Bilives forced words through the crushing authority.
"Please forgive our friend, sir!"
They couldn't move. Couldn't interfere.
Then—
A familiar voice cut through the pressure.
"That's enough."
Black ViSage stepped forward.
"He understands his mistake. Forgive him."
Ashryn tilted his head.
"Oh… Fen—ah. I mean… Black ViSage."
Black ViSage thought calmly, Good. He didn't say my real name.
"Forgive him," Black ViSage repeated.
"And heal him first. He'll die otherwise."
Ashryn smirked.
"Relax. I'm not killing him."
A flash of light—Paul's wounds healed instantly.
Paul dropped to his knees.
"I'm sorry. I swear—I'll never do it again."
Ashryn crossed his arms.
"Fine. I'll forgive you."
Paul looked up with hope—
"But," Ashryn continued,
"Only if my girlfriend kicks you once."
"No," the receptionist snapped.
"That's enough, Ashryn."
Black ViSage spoke coldly.
"You're playing with an adventurer's dignity. That's not right."
Ashryn shrugged.
"I don't care. He caused this."
Black ViSage turned away.
"I don't want to see this."
He left.
Paul trembled.
"Please… Miss… if you don't… he'll kill me."
The receptionist exhaled sharply.
"…Fine."
One kick.
Paul collapsed—alive, but humiliated.
Ashryn smiled.
"This time, I forgive you. Next time, I'll torture you for a month—then kill you."
Paul bowed repeatedly.
"No—never again! Thank you for sparing me!"
Ashryn turned.
"Come, Ariya."
He gestured to another receptionist.
"Replace her."
Ariya sighed.
"You went too far."
Ashryn smirked.
"Now no one will ever dare touch you again."
Ariya shook her head.
"You're impossible."
Ashryn stopped near the exit and glanced back at Ariya.
His voice dropped, no longer carrying the weight of authority.
"Why are you still working as a receptionist?" he asked.
"I told you to rest. Your health isn't good—quit this job."
Ariya crossed her arms lightly.
"No."
Ashryn frowned. "No?"
She looked away, her voice calm but firm.
"I like this job. I like watching people, hearing their stories. It keeps me grounded."
Ashryn sighed.
"You're stubborn."
Ariya smirked slightly.
"And you're overprotective."
She paused, then added, softer,
"But yes… I was thinking of taking a rest starting tomorrow."
Ashryn's expression eased.
"Good," he said. "Don't make me worry for nothing."
Ariya glanced back at the registration hall.
"And next time," she added, "don't solve everything with fear."
Ashryn chuckled faintly.
"No promises."
They walked out together, their figures slowly disappearing into the shadows of the Nightglass Covenant.
Yuna thought to herself,
I made the right choice telling my brother to wait for us. I'm glad he didn't enter Nightglass Covenant. I'm glad he didn't see anything… Huh. This is really good for me.
Meanwhile, in the jungle, Bilives shouted,
"You fool, Paul! Why did you do that? I told you to stay silent!"
Bilives hadn't said anything to Paul inside Nightglass Covenant because the situation could have become unstable. The others hadn't said anything either, knowing that any conflict would make things worse.
Now, Bilives shouted again,
"For you… we feel shame! Why are you always so overconfident? I think the man did the right thing handling you!"
Yuna stepped forward.
"Calm down, Bilives."
Duwen added,
"Bilives is right. Even we didn't choose the group name for you yet."
Jebrin said,
"Yeah, you need to control yourself, fool."
Yuna raised her hands.
"Hey, calm down, guys."
Paul's face turned red.
"I'm really, really sorry… You could've told me to leave the group."
Jebrin shook his head.
"Stop talking. We're friends. We would never do that."
Bilives took a deep breath and said,
"Paul, next time, I don't want any chaos. In Nightglass Covenant, we could have lost all our reputation because of you."
Paul bowed his head.
"I'm sorry… I really am."
Bilives spoke firmly,
"Alright, team. Our target is the Marrowbanes. We need to hunt them down and bring back their hands as proof that the mission is complete."
Yuna stepped forward, thinking quickly.
"Before we rush in, we need a solid plan. Let's decide our strategy, assign roles, and make sure everyone knows what to do. We can't afford mistakes."
Duwen nodded.
"Agreed. Surprise and coordination will be our advantage."
Paul fidgeted but said,
"Then… who goes first? And who covers which area?"
Bilives crossed his arms, analyzing the map they had of the Marrowbanes' territory.
"Listen carefully. Yuna, you coordinate the team. I'll take point on the left flank. Duwen and Jebrin cover the rear. Paul, stay close to me and watch our sides. Timing and stealth are key. Any wrong move and it could cost us."
Yuna agreed,
"Good. Let's divide into two pairs. I'll be with Bilives to guide the strategy, and the others stick together. Keep your eyes open for traps—the Marrowbanes are clever."
Bilives looked at each of his friends, his expression serious.
"This isn't just a hunt. This is about proving we're capable. Stick to the plan, follow orders, and we all come back alive."
The team nodded, understanding the stakes.
Yuna added one last thing,
"Alright, everyone. Let's move quietly. No noise, no mistakes. Eyes sharp, and focus on the mission."
With that, the team set off toward the Marrowbanes' territory, ready to put their plan into action.