As the sun peeked over the rooftops of Asteria, a warm orange light spilled into the room at the Stellar Inn.
Fenra stirred awake, rubbing her eyes. In her mind, she mumbled drowsily, That dream... sleeping beside Raizo... She yawned and sat up slowly. Then, her half-lidded eyes scanned the bed.
Her heart skipped.
Raizo was beside her—still fast asleep.
She froze, her cheeks bursting into red. "W-Wait… That wasn't a dream?!"
Across the bed, Silvia slowly opened one green eye. She saw Fenra's expression and smirked. "Shhh, you mutt. Raizo's still sleeping."
Fenra wanted to growl back but caught herself. She glanced at Raizo's sleeping face and lowered her head. "R-Right…"
Eventually, the two girls climbed out of bed and headed downstairs.
At the dining hall, they quietly nibbled at their breakfast. The silence between them wasn't hostile—just awkward.
After a few moments, Fenra muttered without looking up, "Silvia… Did we… really sleep with Raizo?"
Silvia blinked, surprised Fenra didn't call her pointy ears for once. She nodded. "Yeah. We really did."
Just then, a familiar voice spoke behind them.
"Good morning, you two."
They both jumped.
Raizo stood there, rubbing his crimson-red eyes, his usual calm smile in place.
"G-Good morning," both girls stuttered, cheeks heating up again.
"Morning, kid!" the innkeeper called from the kitchen. "Come eat before it gets cold!"
Raizo nodded and took a seat. A bowl of soup and warm bread were placed in front of him.
Fenra, still flustered, asked while poking at her food, "Raizo… what's the plan for today?"
Raizo looked up, chewing thoughtfully. "Remember the poor district you mentioned before, Fenra? That's where we're going. We still have a fourth badge… and we need a new party member."
As they left the inn and made their way through the streets of Asteria, Raizo reflected silently.
> In Raizo thought in his past life… I was just Johnrhey.
I watched anime where even poor characters held incredible power—hidden gems, discarded by society. Maybe… just maybe, someone like that is waiting here.
He activated his Appraisal skill as they walked. The poor district was full of weak stat lines—tired men, sick women, and starving children.
Until...
His eyes caught someone sitting alone in a narrow alleyway.
A girl. No older than them. But her stats were off the charts.
Raizo stopped.
The girl sat in tattered clothes, clutching a massive sword like a lifeline. Her body looked thin—but the blade was clearly too heavy for a normal person to wield. She stared up at them, purple eyes glowing dimly.
"Who are you?" she asked in a raspy voice.
Raizo turned to Fenra and gave her a small nod.
Fenra reached into her pouch, pulled out a piece of bread, and approached slowly. "Here. You look hungry."
The girl didn't speak. She just took the bread and scarfed it down like she hadn't eaten in days.
Raizo noticed the large sword beside her. He stepped closer, extending a curious hand to examine it—but the moment he got near, the girl dropped her food and threw her arms protectively around the blade.
She growled. "Don't touch it…"
Her hood fell back, revealing a small horn on her forehead.
Silvia's eyes widened. "Raizo—she's an Ogre."
Raizo blinked. "Ogre?"
> But Ogres are supposed to be big… and bulky…
This girl looks nothing like that.
Before he could say more, the girl grabbed her sword and lunged.
"Raizo!!" Fenra shouted, instantly reacting. She jumped in front of him, her claws clashing against the girl's sword, protecting him from the blow.
"How dare you attack Raizo!" she growled.
Silvia was already in position, one enchanted arrow nocked and ready.
"Say the word, Raizo," she warned.
But Raizo calmly raised a hand and stepped forward. "That's enough. Both of you—put down your weapons."
Silvia and Fenra hesitated… then slowly lowered their arms.
The girl stood there, sword still in her grip. Her breath was heavy. Eyes defiant.
Raizo met her gaze. "What's your name?"
She grunted. "Shekiah. I'm of the Ogre race. I'm strong. I don't lose."
"Well, Shekiah…" Raizo said gently, "Why don't you join us? Be our tank. We have food, clean beds, and we fight together. You don't have to be alone."
Fenra crossed her arms and nodded. "What Raizo said."
Silvia added, "We're not bad people. You could do worse than us."
Shekiah narrowed her eyes. She pointed her massive sword at Raizo's chest.
"I won't just join because you asked," she said. "If you want me to follow you… you'll have to defeat me first."
Raizo didn't flinch.
"Very well," he said calmly, drawing Voidbringer. "Then let's fight."
The clash of steel echoed through the alleyway. Raizo and Shekiah's swords met in a brutal exchange, sending out a gust of wind so strong it whipped through the nearby houses and shook the windows. Dust scattered. Loose stones flew. The ground beneath their feet cracked from the raw force.
Fenra and Silvia stood back, awe reflecting in their eyes.
"So strong…" Fenra whispered.
Silvia nodded, stunned. "He's… on another level."
Raizo narrowed his eyes and whispered,
"Pyrope's spark, thrust of flame, burn and claim!"
Fire Magic: Flame Thrust!
His sword ignited with searing red flames as he dashed forward, aiming to overpower Shekiah.
But the Ogre girl only smirked. "Then I'll meet you head-on!"
"Cosmic energy, flow through my blade, shattering swipe, eternal dominance!"
Fighting Magic: Breaking Swipe!
Shekiah roared and swung her greatsword, her muscles glowing with radiant mana. The collision of their attacks shook the entire block. Mana burst out in every direction like a shockwave. Beneath there feet a crack started , pebbles and shards flying high into the sky.
Fenra shielded her eyes from the light. "That's insane…!"
Silvia gasped. "Their magic… it's tearing the place apart!"
But as the clash continued, Shekiah's expression changed. Her sword began to crack.
"No—!" she screamed.
A loud shatter rang through the alley.
Her blade broke in two, and she stumbled back, stunned.
The Dilhaze party froze.
Raizo lowered his sword slowly, looking at the broken pieces. "My bad…"
Shekiah fell to her knees, fists clenched. "No… not again…!"
Raizo picked up the largest fragment of her weapon and walked over, offering it to her. "Let's go to a blacksmith. I'll help get this repaired."
Shekiah looked up in confusion. "Why…? Why would you help me?"
"Because I broke it," Raizo replied calmly. "And… I want you to join us."
Fenra stepped forward. "What about the duel? Isn't it over?"
Raizo shook his head. "It's not about winning or losing anymore."
Shekiah stared at him for a moment… then stood up, silent.
Raizo turned to Silvia. "When you were scouting, did you find a blacksmith?"
Silvia nodded. "Yeah. Right near the Adventurer's Guild."
"Good," Raizo said. "Let's go."
The Dilhaze party walked through Asteria's streets, Shekiah trailing behind, her eyes locked on Raizo's waist.
> That sword… it's glowing… What kind of weapon is that?
It doesn't look like anything forged in this realm…
Soon, they arrived at the blacksmith's.
The moment the door opened, Fenra gasped at the rows of shining weapons hanging on the walls.
Silvia waved to the man at the counter. "Hey, Mr. Greg!"
Greg looked up and grinned. "Silvia! Back already?"
Raizo stepped forward. "You two know each other?"
Silvia shrugged. "Not really. I bought my new bow here, that's all."
Greg scratched his beard. "Name's Greg. What can I do for you?"
Raizo nodded to Shekiah. "We need a sword repaired."
Shekiah hesitated, then presented the broken weapon.
Greg examined the blade carefully. "This is… huh. Handmade? Strong material, but hasn't been maintained. Still, I can fix it. That'll be five gold coins."
Shekiah looked away—clearly unable to pay.
"I got it," Raizo said, handing the coins without hesitation.
Greg blinked. "Alright then, come back tomorrow. I'll fix it up—maybe better than before."
Later that afternoon, they sat in a cozy restaurant. Shekiah devoured her meal in silence while the others talked.
Fenra peeked at her. If this girl joins the party… she'll be another rival.
Silvia frowned to herself. Why does Raizo keep recruiting women?
Meanwhile, Raizo couldn't stop laughing.
"Hahaha!"
Silvia raised a brow. "What's so funny?"
Raizo pointed to Fenra. "You had food on your nose. Looked like a boar!"
Fenra blushed furiously. "W-What?!"
Silvia giggled. "See? I told you."
"You pointy-eared—!"
Fenra threw a bowl at Silvia, splashing her with sauce.
Silvia gasped. "You—!"
Raizo raised a hand. "Now, now—calm down."
But even he couldn't stop laughing. The girls pouted but chuckled along.
Shekiah watched them, blinking.
> They're laughing... even after fighting so hard.
They're… family.
She stood up suddenly. "Raizo."
Everyone looked at her.
"I want to join your party," she said with conviction.
Raizo blinked. "But… our duel—"
Shekiah shook her head. "That's over. I saw enough. You're someone I can trust."
Raizo smiled. "Then… welcome to Dilhaze, Shekiah."
Shekiah tried on several outfits, but none seemed to fit until she pulled out a sleek purple combat suit with silver trim.
Raizo raised a brow. "You like that one?"
Shekiah nodded.
"That'll be four gold coins," the receptionist said.
Raizo paid without hesitation, and the party returned to the Stellar Inn, now with four rooms.
But when Raizo handed out keys…
Fenra frowned. "Can I sleep with you again?"
Raizo laughed and gently patted her head. "Maybe tomorrow."
He turned to Silvia and patted her head too.
Silvia blushed, looking away. "Idiot…"
Everyone retreated to their rooms and slept peacefully.
The Next Morning
The party returned to the blacksmith.
Shekiah's jaw dropped as Greg handed her the repaired sword. It gleamed like new, runes etched into the blade.
"I added enchantments," Greg said proudly. "That sword of yours has real potential."
"Thank you…" Shekiah whispered, stunned.
Greg turned to Raizo, eyes narrowing.
"Hey kid," he said. "That sword on your hip… it's not from here, is it?"
Raizo looked down. Voidbringer sat silently in its sheath. "Oh, this? I… bought it from a shop."
Greg frowned. "Which shop?"
Raizo paused. "…I don't remember."
Greg studied him for a moment… then let it go.
"Well," he said. "Keep it safe. That sword… gives off something I've never felt before."
Raizo nodded. "I will."
And with that, the Dilhaze party—now four strong—walked out of the blacksmith's shop, the wind at their backs, unaware that their greatest trials were yet to come.
The door of the Adventurer's Guild creaked open as the Dilhaze party stepped inside. The bustling atmosphere shifted slightly—some adventurers turned to look.
Whispers began spreading through the room.
"Isn't that the elf girl…?"
"Yeah, the one who kicked those two guys in the—"
"I heard she said she already belonged to someone—crazy!"
Raizo glanced sideways at Silvia.
She kept walking, looking straight ahead, but her twitching ears and red cheeks betrayed her embarrassment.
Fenra snickered quietly. "Looks like you made yourself famous, pointy ears."
"Shut it, mutt," Silvia muttered, pretending not to hear any of the gossip as she brushed her golden-blonde hair behind her ear with forced grace.
The group reached the counter, where a familiar receptionist smiled at them.
"Welcome What can I do for you today?"
Raizo gestured to Shekiah, who stood silently behind him.
"We'd like to register a new member to our party. Her name is Shekiah."
The receptionist nodded and brought out the crystal ball and registration form. "Please step forward and place your hand on the crystal."
Shekiah stepped up calmly, placing her hand on the orb.
A soft pink glow pulsed out.
The receptionist looked at the orb and jotted down the stats.
---
Name: Shekiah
Race: Ogre
Class: Tank
Attack: 250
Defense: 370
Stamina: 290
Mana: 340
Magic Type: Fighting, Earth
Ability: Terra Defense
---
"Everything seems in order," the receptionist said with a smile. She scribbled quickly on a form and slid a fresh Guild Card across the counter to Shekiah.
"Welcome to the Guild, Miss Shekiah."
Raizo stepped forward again. "Also, whenever we complete quests as a party, I'd like the points to go to Shekiah for now. She's the newest member and still building her rank."
The receptionist raised an eyebrow, then nodded. "Understood. I'll record it in your party ledger."
She flipped through a thick registry and asked, "What's your party name again?"
Raizo replied with confidence, "Dilhaze."
The receptionist scribbled it down. "Alright, Dilhaze is now officially a party of four. You're all set."
Just as they turned to leave, two rough-looking men blocked their way. The taller one pointed a finger directly at Silvia.
"Well, well, look who it is."
Silvia crossed her arms, unfazed. "Oh hey, how are your balls doing? Want me to rearrange them again?"
Fenra burst into laughter, trying to muffle it with her sleeve.
The second man growled. "So this is your so-called party?"
Silvia coughed and quickly shifted her tone. "Ah… You must've misunderstood. What I meant before was… I belong to this party—Dilhaze—and that," she said, pointing at Raizo with a smirk, "is my master."
Raizo blinked, caught off guard. "Huh?"
The men looked at him—at his calm demeanor, his dark coat, and most of all… his eyes.
Raizo's gaze locked with theirs. His right eye glowed with a faint red, the color of bloodlust. His left remained calm, brown, like still earth. It sent a chill through their bones.
"I—uh…" the man stammered, taking a nervous step back.
"Forget it, let's go," the other muttered.
The two backed off and disappeared into the crowd.
Fenra walked up beside Raizo, grinning. "You didn't even say a word, and they already ran off. That's our master."
Silvia huffed. "He is pretty scary when he gets serious."
Shekiah, observing everything quietly, nodded. "I can see why you follow him."
Raizo scratched the back of his head. "I'm not your master… you know."
"You are now," Silvia said without hesitation.
"Obviously," Fenra agreed.
Raizo sighed in defeat. "You three are too much."
The four of them laughed lightly as they exited the Guild, their first true day as a full party behind them. The Dilhaze party was finally whole—or so they thought.
But as they stepped into the streets of Asteria again, the wind carried a strange scent… a storm was coming, and i