Luminis spun midair, a silver blur laced with glinting black shards. The winds coiled around it like dancers obeying a silent rhythm. The forest went eerily still — even the leaves refused to rustle, as if the world itself was holding its breath.

  Each rotation carved pressure into the air, cracks forming in the earth below. A low hum built into a shriek. The very atmosphere distorted, bending light and sound around the blade's furious dance.

  Ryo stepped forward, palm raised as if conducting a symphony. His eyes glinted with a quiet finality.

  His voice, soft but razor-sharp:

  "Grace becomes death in a single thrust."

  Then came the word — not a command, but a decree from a throne unseen:

  "Dagnir."

  In that instant, Luminis surged forward like a spear of judgment. The wind split behind it. Trees bent away. The air itself seemed to scream.

  A shockwave thundered in its wake, ripping grass from the soil, turning earth into streaks of clean stone. The sky above dimmed for a second, as if recoiling.

  The BullLord's eyes widened.

  It didn’t even have time to roar.

  The silver dagger struck dead center — right through the monster’s heart. But it didn’t just pierce; it obliterated. Light burst from the impact like a miniature sun.

  A hole the size of a boulder exploded through the BullLord’s chest — and in a flash, the beast, and the world behind it, evaporated. Trees. Rock. Shadow. All reduced to a void of silver ash.

  Luminis hovered on the other side. Gleaming. Unstained.

  Ryo lowered his hand slowly, a single breath escaping his lips.

  “…Good girl.”

  As Luminis floated beside Ryo, the last remnants of the BullLord’s body disintegrated into ash, the earth beneath them still crackling from the sheer force of the attack. Ryo stood motionless, surveying the scene before him. The area around them was eerily quiet, the destruction far beyond anything he’d expected.

  He wasn’t surprised. After all, he knew what Luminis was capable of. What amazed him was the sheer control and precision in which it carried out his commands. The dagger spun gracefully in the air, its power still resonating around them.

  [System Notification]:

  "Stunned reaction detected. Luminis has only used 26% of its power."

  Ryo smirked, crossing his arms as he gazed at the glowing dagger. He wasn’t stunned, though. He knew exactly what it could do.

  “Only 26%?” Ryo muttered, a confident grin tugging at the corner of his lips. “That’s just the tip of the iceberg.”

  He had full trust in his abilities—and in Luminis. After all, he had summoned and wielded this power with precision before. This fight? Just another reminder of the vast potential he still had left to explore.

  He wasn’t worried about the strength of his weapons or powers. No, it was just a matter of time before he unlocked even more. “Let’s see how far we can really go,” he whispered to himself.

  The light shimmered as the gate dissolved behind him, its swirling colors fading into nothing. The warm afternoon sun touched his skin once more as Ryo stepped out, his boots crunching against the pavement.

  A soft metallic sound whispered beside him—Luminis reappeared mid-air for a moment, its silver form pulsing faintly before vanishing into light, returning to wherever it rested when not summoned.

  Ryo stretched his arms with a quiet sigh.

  "What time is it?" he asked casually, glancing around.

  [System Notification]:

  "Current Time: 2:00 PM."

  “Still got time to kill,” he muttered, slipping his hands into his pockets as he walked off, the scent of forest and battle still faint in the wind behind him.

  Just as Ryo began to walk, his phone buzzed sharply in his pocket.

  He glanced down.

  Incoming Call: Unknown Number

  His eyes narrowed. He tapped to answer.

  “Who is this?” he asked, tone calm but serious.

  A familiar voice crackled on the line—playful, teasing.

  “Chill, pretty boy. It’s me,” came Elira’s smooth reply. “Got a minute?”

  Ryo blinked. “Yeah. I got nothing to do for now.”

  “Perfect,” she said with a grin in her voice. “I want you to meet someone. Someone... familiar to you.”

  Click. The call ended.

  Ryo stared at the screen, frowning slightly. “Familiar?” he muttered.

  [System Notification]:

  “Funny how she says that… like she didn’t already know about certain people you forgot.”

  “Tch. Acting innocent now, are we?”

  Ryo sighed. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

  The system said nothing, but he could practically feel it smirking.

  Location: Seoul — District 13, Arcadia Plaza

  Shop: Moonbrew Café — a cozy rooftop café known for its scenic view and exotic blends.

  Ryo ascended the polished stairs of Arcadia Plaza’s rooftop, the glass windows reflecting the busy streets far below. As he passed by the café’s front panel, a flicker of motion caught his eye in the reflection.

  A girl with shimmering golden hair.

  Waving wildly.

  He stopped. Stared.

  Of course it was Elira.

  She sat by the window with two drinks already waiting, waving at his reflection like a hyper child spotting their friend across a playground. Ryo exhaled a tired breath.

  He entered without changing expression.

  Inside, the air smelled of caramel roast and city breeze. Elira beamed and waved again—this time in real life.

  Ryo walked past her. Ignored the wave.

  “Still acting cool, huh?” she teased with a puffed cheek, then motioned beside her. “Whatever. Anyway—look who I brought.”

  Ryo’s gaze shifted.

  There she was. Seraphine.

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  Her eyes met his instantly—cool violet glinting under the sunlit café canopy. Her expression didn’t change, but something subtle flickered behind her gaze.

  “Ryo,” she said softly.

  He crossed his arms. “Didn’t expect to see you today.”

  Elira blinked. “Wait... you two really—?”

  “We’ve met,” Seraphine said smoothly.

  Ryo looked away.

  “Tch. Kinda hard to forget someone who stole a kiss then vanished like smoke.”

  Elira nearly choked on her drink. “What the hell?”

  Ryo rubbed his temple. “Don’t ask.”

  The tension lingered for a second… then Elira cleared her throat and leaned forward.

  “Look. All that aside—I called you here for a reason. I want to ask if you'd be interested... in joining a guild.”

  Ryo raised an eyebrow but said nothing yet.

  Outside, the golden sun lit Elira’s hair like fire.

  Inside, Ryo’s silence was louder than anything.

  Ryo leaned back in his chair, his eyes drifting to the window beside him. The sky stretched wide and calm, painted in hues of pale blue and lazy clouds. His expression was unreadable—bored, maybe, or just lost in thought.

  "What guild?" he asked flatly, voice low and unbothered.

  Elira leaned forward on the table, resting her chin on her palm. "Seraphine’s."

  That got a small flicker in his eyes—but just for a second.

  "She’s starting her own. And I’m asking you to be her first member."

  Ryo said nothing.

  Elira sighed deeply, like she already knew this would be difficult. "There’s a lot in it for you. Benefits, monthly payouts, custom gear, dungeon priority, team selection authority—hell, even your own suite in the guildhall when it's built."

  Still nothing. Ryo’s gaze didn’t move from the sky.

  "And... access to S-Rank and higher gates too," she added, sitting upright now. "Though those are incredibly dangerous, especially for your current ra—"

  "Deal."

  The word cut through her sentence like a blade.

  Elira blinked. "Huh?"

  Even Seraphine raised her eyebrows, surprised.

  Ryo finally turned his head toward them, a small grin tugging at his lips.

  "You were saying something about danger?"

  Elira stared for a moment before groaning. "Seriously...?"

  The system’s voice pinged softly in the back of his mind:

  > [System Notification]:

  "User has accepted a guild contract. Preparations for registry pending. Risk assessment: nonexistent. Recklessness level: typical."

  Ryo looked back up at the sky, his grin fading into something calmer. "S-Rank or not... I go where the fight is."

  Seraphine silently sipped her drink, but a tiny smile played at the corners of her mouth.

  The bell above the café door jingled sharply.

  CLACK.

  A tall man stepped in with swagger in every step, red hair slicked back and burning like wildfire under the afternoon sun.

  "Fancy meeting you here, Storm Valkyrie..."

  His smirk widened as his eyes locked onto Seraphine.

  "Or should I say... Miss Seraphine?"

  Seraphine’s smile instantly dropped. Her golden lashes lowered, brows knitting together in displeasure.

  "Raze Hiroto..."

  Her voice was ice.

  "You’re still alive, huh?"

  Raze laughed like it was a compliment. He turned to Elira, giving a mock bow.

  "And if it isn’t the manager of Brightport Guild herself. You look stunning as ever. How about a date with me sometime? First class—no cost, just charm."

  Elira didn’t hesitate.

  "Please no."

  Her voice was dry, flat, and entirely done with his energy.

  Raze clutched his chest theatrically.

  "Ouch. Denied with no hesitation."

  Then his eyes landed on Ryo.

  The mood shifted.

  Raze’s easy grin faded slightly as he sized the guy up. Ryo, silent the whole time, was leaning with one arm on the table, gaze like sharpened steel.

  "Who the hell is this guy?"

  Raze’s voice held a note of irritation.

  "Why are you glaring at me like that, pretty boy?"

  Ryo didn’t even blink.

  The system pinged silently behind Ryo’s thoughts:

  > [System Notification]:

  "Warning: Detection of hostility. Provocation level: moderate. Response: optional."

  "Also… wow. He really walked in with that hair and attitude?"

  Ryo slowly stood up, expression unreadable.

  "Ryo, don’t," Elira said firmly, placing a hand on his arm before he could move.

  "Yeah, stop." Seraphine crossed her arms, eyes still on Raze. "He’s not worth it. Just a waste of time."

  Raze’s grin returned like a virus.

  "Wait... Ryo..?

  The so-called B-Rank super rookie?"

  He laughed—a loud, cocky cackle that echoed across the café.

  "You’ve gotta be kidding me. You’re seriously wasting time on this guy? This trash?"

  He pointed to himself with both thumbs.

  "When I’m standing right here—a full-blown S-Rank. Get real."

  Ryo slowly turned toward him, face deadpan, then finally spoke.

  "You're talking a lot for someone who looks like a rejected red pepper cosplaying as a delinquent."

  "Huh?!" Raze blinked, caught off guard.

  Ryo tilted his head slightly, voice cold and calm.

  "You're not dangerous. You're just spicy for no reason."

  The café went dead silent. Even the system chimed in with a low ping:

  > [System Comment]:

  "OUCH.

  Target 'Raze Hiroto' critically burned. Recommend medical attention for ego."

  Raze’s eye twitched as Elira tried—and failed—not to laugh. Seraphine covered her mouth, clearly enjoying it more than she should.

  "You little—"

  "Keep barking, paprika," Ryo muttered, sitting back down and glancing at the window like nothing happened.

  Raze’s aura flared. His hand twitched near the hilt of the blade strapped to his back, murder barely veiled in his eyes.

  He stepped forward, ready to attack—

  when suddenly—

  Riiing.

  His phone buzzed, loud and shrill in the silence.

  Everyone froze.

  He glanced at the screen, irritation flashing.

  Then a click of his tongue—"Tsk."

  A beat passed.

  "You got away this time," Raze growled, sliding the phone back into his pocket.

  "But don’t get too comfortable, rookie. The next time we meet... you’re dead."

  Ryo met his glare without flinching.

  Calm. Cold.

  He stood, only slightly, voice smooth like a knife dipped in frost.

  "So are you."

  A tense silence.

  Raze’s eyes narrowed, jaw clenched tight—but he turned, coat flaring as he stormed out of the shop.

  > [System Notification]:

  "Hostile presence retreated.

  Threat Level: Delayed.

  Recommended action: Continue sipping tea like a badass."

  Elira let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

  Seraphine smirked faintly.

  And Ryo? He just sat down again, sipping his drink like nothing happened.

  About thirty minutes passed—

  Empty plates, half-finished drinks, and a few lingering laughs later.

  Ryo stood from his seat, brushing back his hair as he glanced toward the window.

  The sun was still high, golden rays spilling through the glass like liquid fire.

  "Just call me again... if it’s something important," he said casually, hands in his pockets.

  "And if you’re really going to create that guild—"

  His eyes flicked toward Seraphine for a moment.

  "—come up with a good name. Something that actually fits you."

  Seraphine blinked.

  A soft, almost unnoticeable smile touched her lips.

  Then a faint blush bloomed across her cheeks.

  "R-Right..." she murmured.

  Her hand lightly touched her chin as if deep in thought—but her eyes stayed on Ryo’s back as he walked off.

  Beside her, Elira grinned like a fox.

  As Ryo stepped out of the café—

  [Secret Transfer Complete]

  [System Notification: Elira has quietly given your contact info to Seraphine.]

  > "That sly grin... she really went ahead and did it," Ryo muttered under his breath.

  But a corner of his mouth curled up.

  Behind the glass, Seraphine glanced down at her phone with Ryo’s number displayed on the screen.

  She held it like a treasure.

  "Hmm... a name for the guild, huh?" she whispered.

  "Then I’ll make one that’ll reach even you."