The receptionist led us through the back hall of the guild, down a stone corridor that opened into a tall, dimly lit chamber. At its center stood a man with a wide back, grey streaks in his beard, and a presence that weighed heavier than his armor.
Guildmaster Gerald Ashvale.
He turned as we entered, his deep voice echoing through the room.
"So.You've now brought in the corrupted troll cores?"
"Yes, sir," I stepped forward. "We encountered multiple trolls mutated by some kind of dark corruption. Their behavior was erratic, and their cores were tainted."
Lyra added, "One of them exploded upon death, releasing toxic mist."
Thorne's face darkened. "This isn't the first report. But your group brought back the most evidence—and survived the deepest trek into the forest."
He walked toward us, his boots echoing. Then he turned his gaze on me.
"Noah, I'm issuing a Special Investigation Quest to your team. Your task: track the origin of this corruption, uncover the cause, and if possible… eliminate it. You'll be compensated based on results. Even a rank advancement is on the table."
My eyes flicked to the girls. "What do you think?"
Scarlett smirked. "I'm in."
Lyra gave a cool nod. "Sounds like a challenge."
Layla grinned. "You don't even have to ask. If my husband's going, I'm going."
I shook my head with a smile. "Alright then. We accept."
Thorne nodded. "I'll prepare the documentation. You'll leave when ready."
Back at the counter, we received our quest payout—gold coins clinked as they were counted and bagged.
I handed the pouch to Scarlett. "Divide it evenly."
Scarlett passed them out, but when she gave Layla her share, the girl simply smiled, then turned to me and slipped the pouch back into my hand.
"I don't need it," she said, her amber eyes gleaming. "My husband takes care of my needs. Right?"
"...Right," I muttered, trying to ignore the heat rising in my face.
Lyra chuckled under her breath. Scarlett rolled her eyes but smiled.
Later that evening…
The inn's bathhouse was warm and fragrant. Steam curled above the water like lazy spirits, and the soft sound of splashing echoed as the girls relaxed behind the divider. I sat on the other side, soaking the fatigue from my muscles.
Afterward, we gathered at a round wooden table in the inn's cozy lounge. A feast of hot vegetable stew, buttered bread, fruit pies, and chilled juice awaited us.
Scarlett sat beside me, her crimson hair tied back. Layla leaned lazily on my shoulder, while Lyra sipped tea quietly but seemed more at ease than usual.
As we ate, laughter came easily. Jokes about the trolls, teasing each other's attacks, and Layla proudly exaggerating how she "single-handedly saved Noah twice."
Then I remembered something.
"By the way," I said, reaching into my pouch and pulling out a small gem. "The rings I gave you. There's a hidden feature I forgot to mention."
Scarlett blinked. "What feature?"
I held mine up and activated a tiny surge of mana.
"Status Link: Activate."
A faint light pulsed from the ring, and a translucent screen appeared above it—showing my name, class, rank, and basic stats.
The girls stared in awe.
"No way…" Scarlett tried hers, and
her screen lit up.
________________________________
[Status Window]
Name: Scarlett
Race: Human
Age: 17
Class: ??? (Hidden)
Potential: ??? (Undiscovered)
[Titles]
★ ???
[Traits]
•Cold Precision
•Shadowborn Grace
•Wind Dancer
[Elements]
Shadow | Wind
[Base Stats]
Strength: A-
Agility: A++
Endurance: A-
Intelligence: A
Mana: A
Charm: S+
[Weapon Art: Phantom Dagger Art]
•First Form: Silent Gale
•Second Form: Eclipse Spin
•Third Form: Death Pierce
[Skills]-
Dagger Storm
Stealth
Poison Blade
Assassin's Mark
[Magic Spells]-
•Shadow Element :
Shadow Step
Shadow Spear
Shadow Dance
Veil of Shadows
Shadow Summon
•Wind Element :
Wind Slash
Wind Shuriken
Wind Step
Windstorm
———————————————–
Layla gasped. "Ooooh~ It even shows my 'Charm: SS' rating. See, Noah? Proof."
———————————————–
[ Status Window]
Name: Layla
Race: Human
Age: 17
Class: ??? (Locked)
Potential: (??)
[Elements]: Curse, ??
[Titles]
★ The Cursed Child
[Traits]
•Yandere
•Possessive,
•Devoted
[Base Stats]
Strength: A+
Agility: A+
Endurance: A
Intelligence: A+
Mana: A+
Charm: SS
[Weapon Art: Wraith's Scythe Art]
•First form: Reaper's Slash
•Second form: Dark Spiral
•Third form: Soul Harvest
•Fourth form: Phantom Grasp
•Fifth form: Eternal Nightfall
[Skills]
Cursed Flame
Cursed Touch
Cursed Thread
[Spells]
Hex of Misfortune
Weight of the Damned
Curse of Weakness
Shadow Bind
Cursed Reflection
Soul Drain
Reverse Curse———————————————–
Lyra raised a brow. "This is… useful. We can track our growth.".
———————————————–
[Status Window]
Name: Lyra
Race: Human
Age: 17
Class: Ice Witch (SS) | ??? (Sealed)
Potential: (???)
[Elements]
Ice | Snow
– Elemental Fusion Possible: [???] (Locked)
[Titles]
★ The One with a Heart as Cold as Ice
[Traits]
• Cold Beauty
• Ruthless
• Trust Issues
[Base Stats]
Strength: A+
Agility: A+
Endurance: A
Intelligence: A+
Mana: A+
Charm: S+
[Weapon Art: Frozen Spear Art]
•First Form: Glacial Strike
•Second Form: Frozen Shroud
•Third Form: Frostbite Piercer
[Skills]
Chill of the North
Icy Veil
Deep Freeze
[Magic Spells]
•Ice Element:
Frost Lance
Glacial Barrier
Ice Shard
Frostbite
Blizzard's Wrath
•Snow Element:
Snowball
Snowfall
Snowstorm
Snow Jump———————————————–
Scarlett smiled at me. "You really thought ahead, didn't you?"
I shrugged. "Just wanted to make sure we were all in sync."
Layla pulled my arm around her shoulder, grinning. "You're such a thoughtful husband."
I sighed, but I couldn't stop smiling.
"Why are there '??' in mine ?" Lyra asked me .
"Ah , me too " Scarlett said.
"Me, three" Layla joined them.
" Ah- that it may be because it can determine your complete potential or you are just to strong for this device " I just said whatever i could think of , thankfully girls nodded.
Layla was even smirking at me saying it can't handle me .
After a small discussion we all went to bed of course, in our usual positions as if it was natural.
Outside, the stars glittered above the inn's rooftop, and inside, everything felt warm, safe—for now.
But tomorrow…
We hunt the corruption....
-to be continued...