Only those who reached Class D were allowed to bear the title of Sentinel.
But for those whose strength fell below that threshold, the path was not closed entirely. There was still a way to protect, to stand between the people and chaos — they could become Custodian.
The Custodians were the shield of the common people, born from those who, despite their lack of overwhelming power, still carried the spirit to defend others.
While Sentinels hunted monsters, traitors, and Doombringer's, the Custodians upheld peace in the cities, dealing with crime, unrest, and minor threats before they ever escalated.
It was a system of balance — a necessary one.
The existence of the Custodians allowed the Sentinels to focus solely on the higher threat, leaving everyday crime and low-tier threats to capable hands.
The Sentinel Order even funded the Custodian, providing them with gear, salaries, and resources to maintain stability across every district.
And the Custodian were not defenseless.
Each Warden was granted a specialized weapon — an item shaped and refined based on their personal traits.
Whether it enhanced their speed, sharpened their senses, or strengthened their strikes, the weapons elevated even the weakest ability into a useful one.
A man walked casually along the sidewalks, A Custodian badge on his chest.
Up ahead, a small figure appear into view — a cat, eyed him cautiously.
He smiled and crouched down.
"Hey, kitty. Are you lost?" he said, reaching out a hand.
The cat approached, then allowed a few strokes along its back.
The man grin as he petted the cat.
"Sorry, kitty... I don't have any food on me," he said awkwardly.
The cat gave him an offended look, Pretty unimaginable expression for a cat. Before turning and walking away.
He laughed awkwardly, as the cat disappear on his point of view.
"Not what I expected to be...Haha " he muttered, rising to his feet.
Tilting his head back, he gazed fixed up onto the sky.
"Hmm... What a quiet neighborhood," he said mutter. "I've been patrolling these streets so many times now... and not a single case has ever popped up."
The words of his superior drifted into his memory:
(Why are you hassling yourself patrolling that area so often? There's not even a single criminal case happening there! What's the word...? Ah, yeah — "Peace Neighborhood." You shouldn't work so hard. Just take it easy.)
His superior munching lazily on a powdered donut, icing clinging to his uniform.
The Custodian shook his head, chuckling under his breath as he turned back toward the small park nearby.
"But... it's not wrong to be cautious, right?" he said to himself, as he continue patrolling.
As he roamed along the sidewalk, the Choroad sign came into view, hanging over the entrance of the narrow alley.
He glanced at it briefly — just a tired, empty alleyway like always — and kept walking, humming softly under his breath.
His phone suddenly buzzed in his pocket. He couldn't help but smile.
He answered.
" Miles, are you still patrolling? " His mother said. Her voice was warm but carried some concern.
"Yeah," he said, glancing up at the sky. " Just doing one last round though. "
"You've said that every night this week," she shouted, and Miles could imagine her mother angry face. " Miles, Even though crime these day are a rare cases, Don't you let your guard down. Danger could come in many variables. "
He laughed softly. " Well, That's why i became a Custodian. I couldn't became a Sentinel...." As he remembered the evaluation day.
Not because he wasn't brave.
Not because he didn't have the will to protect.
But because when the Class evaluations came… he hadn't made the cut.
Class E.
While his resolve was admirable, he didn't possess the power or abilities needed to stand among the Sentinels.
He remembered that day clearly. The silence after the results. His eyes widen in disbelief.
One of the higher rank sentinel said.
" Don't be disappointed. Even heroes need backup, Miles. And you — you'd make a fine Custodian. Too bad you couldn't be like your father. " He smiled in comfort.
" As if pitying me. But I knew the true meaning behind that smile. " he said, as the Sentinel smirked mockingly. " ( How laughable to hear that from my father so-called comrade. ) " Miles gazed fixed toward the Sentinel.
At first, he hated that word. Custodian. It sounded like someone who took credit of Sentinel name. Like someone who cleaned up after the real protectors were done.
But then something changed.
The first time he helped a scared kid find their missing brother in a blackout. The first time he stopped a mugging in a dark street .The first time he walked an old woman home after the street light went out — and she hold him like he was her last line of defense.
He reminisce something his father once told.
You don't need to beat up villain to protect. Sometimes, all it takes is showing your back to the people—because then they know, they see a reason to hope… a reason to believe...
Hero Exist .
Back to street.
" You know me, Mom. If there's danger, I wouldn't have any second thought. " He smile.
" I guess you as stubborn as your late father. " There was a pause.
"I left dinner on the table. Warmed up just an hour ago. Don't forget to eat it. " His mother said in gentle voice.
"Alright, Mom. " Miles said.
" If you forget to eat again. I make sure to apply another job application for you! " she scolded, Her voice sharp but not angry.
"I know, I know," he said with a guilty smile. "I was going to head back soon anyway. Just wanted to do one last strolled. "
"Just be careful okay? " she asked,
" I'll be fine, Mom. Jeez... I'm not a kid anymore. " Miles said.
"Well, You still my son. So as long as i'm alive, You need to listen to me. " His mother said in gentle voice.
He slowed down a bit.
" Yeah… " he murmured. " I'll be back soon! " He then hung up the call.
" I guess i go back early today... " Miles was about to left — when he heard something.
The sound had come from the alley — faint.
Miles glanced toward Choroad Alley.
" ( Choroad...? ) " As Miles goes into the alley. " Well, It's probably cat or something but... Nothing hurt from being to cautious. " he said.
He then continue strolling the alley. The deeper he went, the darker it got. " What a dark alley. If i was at 2 years ago. I probably head back by now... " He muttered.
And then—
He stopped in his track and crouched down. His eyes widen in shock but manage to maintain his composure. " I guess i'll be back late again, Mom. Could be late than before. " He mutter nervously as he saw a blood trail on the ground.
" Damn...It really is blood... " He murmured to himself. " ( The trail could be cat or dog's blood. But no way to be certain unless check it out myself. ) " He thought. Sweat trickled down his brow.
Miles then pulled out his flashlight and goes deeper into the alley. Each step he take, echoed louder than the last. " Why do i feel like i'm in a horror movie? " He mutter as his grip on his flashlight tighten.
Then, All of a sudden.
Clang!!
A surge of panic hit him as he whipped his flashlight toward the sound. " W-Who's there?! " he shouted.
The shaft of light swept over a heap of garbage—just as it spotted a rat darting off, its tail vanishing behind a corroded bin. A tin can teetered behind, rattling against the ground.
" Fuhhh...It's a rat..." Miles let out a breath that he didn't realize he's been holding.
In that same moment, A voice spoke behind him.
" Scared the shit out of me. I thought it was gonna be a ghost or something. " A voice rasped from behind miles.
" There's no way. Ghost doesn't exist y'know. " Miles said.
...
A moment of silence followed as a sudden realization hit him.
" Who the hell are you?! " Miles turn his back defensively.