Morning light spilled like molten gold across the cobblestone square as Alter, Lira, and Kaela arrived at the rendezvous point. The air buzzed with quiet commotion—travelers and merchants loading crates, adjusting reins, and double-checking manifests under the eyes of hired guards. Dozens of wagons—sleek, reinforced, and bearing various noble and merchant banners—lined the edges of the plaza. This was no small caravan.
Alter's divine armor shimmered faintly beneath the layered cloak he wore. Though he held his helmet at his side, his presence radiated unmistakable strength—so much that the surrounding adventurers, mercenaries, and merchants gave the trio wide berth.
A rotund man with a trimmed silver beard and an official-looking scroll stepped forward nervously. His merchant insignia swayed with each step.
"Y-You must be Sir Alter," he greeted with a formal bow. "We were informed you'd be joining this escort. Forgive me, I didn't expect… well…"
Alter inclined his head. "We're here for the mission to Celestia Capital."
The man nodded vigorously. "Yes, of course. Sixteen wagons in total, passengers and cargo included. Nobility, merchant houses, scholars... many have placed their trust in this caravan. It is an honor to have you and your companions with us."
"We're not here for honor," Alter said quietly, "Only to ensure safe passage."
Kaela stretched her arms behind her back. "With this many people, I won't even get bored."
Lira smiled gently. "We'll do our part."
Shortly after, the caravan began to roll out—slow and steady, flanked by hired guards and adventurers. But those who traveled beside Alter quickly realized their own efforts might not be necessary.
As the caravan wound through hills and forest trails, Alter activated a silent, undetectable barrier using Creator Authority—an invisible ward layered thick across their entire route. No beast or monster dared approach. Birds fell silent. The very air shimmered with divine rejection.
"What's with this... calm?" Kaela asked softly, perched atop a wagon roof. "It's too quiet."
Lira cast her senses outward. "Nothing's watching us. Nothing can."
Alter remained walking beside the lead wagon, gaze calm, hand resting lightly on the hilt of Astral Requiem. "I've placed a deterrent. They won't come near us."
The first two days passed in total silence. The caravan made great time, unchallenged.
But on the final day—just as they rounded a bend along the cliffs of the western ridges—a whistle rang out.
From the surrounding trees, dozens of figures dropped from hidden perches. Bandits, armed and cocky, blocked the road, surrounding the caravan with sneers and drawn blades.
"Well, well. What a fancy train of goods," one of them grinned, stepping forward with a rusted greatsword. "Don't worry, we'll make this quick—"
SHING.
A flash of divine steel passed through the air—followed by a distant crack. The bandit leader's voice never finished. He—and the dozen nearest to him—collapsed in unison. Their weapons clattered to the stone. Not one drop of blood was spilled.
The others looked around in confusion—then horror. More bodies fell.
None of the caravan guards had moved. Not even Lira or Kaela, who leaned casually against the side of a wagon, looking amused.
"...What just happened?" a young swordsman near the rear whispered.
"I-I didn't even see him move—!"
The few remaining bandits bolted for the trees. They didn't make it five steps before their shadows were cut and they collapsed, unconscious.
Silence fell again.
Alter turned calmly back to the caravan and said, "Keep moving."
His voice was gentle—but it echoed like thunder in the stillness.
Only then did the guards, passengers, and merchants truly see him.
Whispers rippled through the ranks like wildfire.
"That was… Alter... the Divine."
"W-We're traveling with that Alter?!"
"A god walks among us."
Kaela let out a low whistle from atop the wagon. "Took them long enough."
Lira walked up beside Alter, her golden hair swaying with each step. She leaned in and gave him a proud little smile. "You didn't even break stride."
"They weren't worth it," Alter replied softly.
And so the caravan continued onward to Celestia Capital, watched over by a man whose strength no longer belonged to the realm of mortals.
And whose legend was only beginning to spread.
As the caravan crossed the towering white-stone bridge that led into Celestia Capital, the massive gates loomed overhead—etched with ancient runes of protection and imperial authority. Beyond them, a vast city opened up like a living tapestry of wealth, diversity, and power.
Lira's golden eyes widened in wonder. "It's... enormous."
Kaela's mouth hung slightly open. "I've read about capital cities but... this is something else."
The cobblestone streets teemed with life. Vendors called out from their ornate booths under colorful awnings. Spices, enchanted tools, rare herbs, and even magical trinkets shimmered under protective wards. Horse-drawn carriages rumbled beside pedestrians. Street performers played enchanted instruments while elementalist apprentices showcased tiny illusions for coin.
Alter walked quietly through the flow of it all, his divine armor muted beneath a long cloak. His expression remained calm, but his senses swept through every street, alley, and tower with the trained perception of someone who had seen more battlefields than cities.
Eventually, the caravan stopped at a designated plaza lined with marble columns. A royal clerk, clad in crimson and gold, approached with a stamp in hand.
"Mission completion acknowledged," he said formally, pressing the seal onto the party's guild scrolls. "May the adventurer's path remain clear."
With the escort completed, Alter, Lira, and Kaela parted ways from the other mercenaries and made their way through the southern district toward the Adventurer's Guild.
As they reached the building—Kaela came to a stop.
"Wait... this is the guild?"
The towering marble structure rose nearly four stories high, its glass windows etched with golden glyphs. Banners fluttered from the balconies above, and a large silver crest of the guild was inlaid on the doors.
"It's twice the size of the one in Veltharn," Lira said, stunned.
Inside, the guild buzzed with activity—rows of mission boards, enchanted announcement panels, and lounges occupied by high-ranking adventurers. Exotic races and elite teams clustered around tables. Powerful auras danced through the room like coiled dragons.
But as Alter stepped inside, the noise seemed to soften.
Eyes turned. Conversations paused. Even without his helmet, the sheer pressure of his presence wrapped the room in a quiet reverence.
He walked with Lira and Kaela to the front desk, where a sharply dressed receptionist—a woman with short auburn hair and emerald eyes—looked up and greeted them.
"Welcome to the Celestia Adventurer's Guild," she said politely. "How may I assist you?"
Lira smiled and handed over their mission scroll. "We're here to turn in our caravan escort."
Kaela leaned forward on the counter, half-grinning. "We even got a free fireworks show along the way."
The receptionist chuckled as she took the scroll. "I'll begin processing this right away."
Then Alter stepped forward.
"I have business with the guild master."
She looked up, confused. "I see. May I ask who—?"
Alter reached into his cloak and produced his guild insignia.
S-Rank.
The silver and black sigil gleamed like moonlight, unmistakable.
The receptionist's eyes widened. "Y-You're...!"
He nodded once and then, with slow precision, placed a sealed envelope beside the badge.
A formal letter of introduction—signed by Garron, Guild Master of Veltharn.
The receptionist immediately stood, straightening her blouse. "One moment, please!"
She disappeared behind the back corridor. Moments later, she returned—slightly breathless.
"The Guild Master will see you immediately. Please follow me."
Alter turned and gestured gently for Lira and Kaela to follow.
Kaela smirked. "That didn't take long."
Lira brushed her hair back. "He is Alter."
They were led past layers of ornate doors and into the upper floors of the guild—a place only high-ranking adventurers or personnel were allowed to tread.
At the end of the hall stood a massive double door carved with reliefs of dragons, stars, and battlefields.
As it opened, a calm but powerful presence awaited them inside.
The Guild Master of Celestia.
And the next chapter of Alter's journey was about to begin.
The heavy doors closed behind them with a soft thud, sealing the chamber in calm silence.
The office was vast—more of a throne room than an office. Towering windows behind the central desk let golden sunlight pour in across the polished blackwood floor. Tapestries bearing the insignia of the Central Alliance hung between shelves packed with ancient tomes, artifacts, and scrolls. An enchanted globe hovered off to the side, slowly spinning and casting flickers of light across the room.
Behind a broad crescent-shaped desk sat a woman of commanding presence.
Her long navy-blue coat was embroidered with sigils of rank and runes of command. Her silver hair was neatly tied back, her piercing amber eyes locked onto the three as they approached. Her aura wasn't the kind that shouted power—it was calm, precise… and absolute.
"I am Guild Master Ardria Valen," she said, folding her hands before her. "Welcome to Celestia, and to the heart of the Adventurer's Guild."
Alter stepped forward and offered a respectful nod. "I am Alter. This is Lira and Kaela—both registered adventurers under the Veltharn branch."
Ardria's gaze narrowed slightly.
"Yes. Your name reached us before your arrival. A letter from Garron, and… rumors long before that." She reached over and opened the sealed parchment. As her eyes scanned the contents, the edge of her lip lifted into a faint smile.
"Multiple dungeon clears—solo—on Extreme Mode. Mythic and Divine-level loot donated to support not one, but two guild branches. Your contributions are already reshaping the southern territories' adventurer dynamics."
Kaela blinked. "That's… one way to put it."
Ardria looked to Alter.
"I've reviewed your exploits. Garron was not exaggerating. He called you a force of nature cloaked in mortal form."
Alter said nothing. His expression remained still, unreadable beneath the shadows of his helmet.
"I understand you're considering relocating to the capital?" she continued.
"I am," Alter confirmed. "My intention is to remain active—supporting the guild's future, assisting development, and… confronting greater threats."
"I see." Ardria rose from her seat.
As she walked around the desk, her heels clicked softly against the stone, stopping only a few feet away. Despite her composed expression, a subtle tension lingered beneath her posture—like someone meeting a wild creature in human guise.
"I appreciate directness," she said. "We don't usually extend accommodations or resources to incoming adventurers without proper trial or observation—but in your case, Alter, we will make an exception."
She raised her hand, and a silver crest appeared in the air before her.
System Prompt — Guild Upgrade Offer
▸ You have been granted direct access to Central Alliance operations.
▸ Guild Tier Access: S+
▸ You may request missions of Imperial Interest or above.
▸ A private guild room will be prepared for you and your party.
"I'll have a residence arranged for you within the city," Ardria continued, her tone measured. "It will be listed under your alias only—Alter. I expect discretion, and cooperation."
Alter nodded once.
"You'll have it."
Ardria turned her eyes briefly to Lira and Kaela.
"I take it your companions are long-term?"
Lira stepped forward with a proud smile. "Where he goes, we follow."
Kaela gave a casual salute. "And clean up the mess if he breaks anything."
For the first time, Ardria allowed herself a faint smirk. "Very well."
She turned and gestured to the far wall—an enchanted map of the surrounding dungeons and territory. Some glowed red. Others pulsed with faint purple warnings.
"There are enemies moving beyond our borders. The Demon Gods aren't the only threats that loom over this continent," she said, almost to herself.
"I suspect your presence here will shake the balance even more."
Alter's voice was low, steady.
"Then it's time to start tipping the scale."
—New Beginnings in Stone and Sunlight—
Alter stood with his arms crossed as the heavy double doors creaked open, revealing their newly assigned private guild room. The air was tinged with fresh pine from the wooden beams, and the soft glow of ambient mana lighting gave the chamber a quiet, dignified calm. Polished stone walls met with smooth hardwood floors, trimmed in elegant silver motifs denoting their status as an elite team.
Lira stepped forward first, her golden hair bouncing with each step, eyes sparkling with curiosity. "It's bigger than I expected," she said, her voice echoing softly in the wide space.
Three doors stood in a row beyond the common area, each leading to its own private bedroom. Alter opened one—simple but refined, with high-quality linen bedding, a wardrobe, and even a small writing desk. Kaela darted into another and flopped down on the bed with a grin.
"Private rooms, soft beds, and no monster guts for once," she muttered. "I could get used to this."
Alter set his helmet down on the mantle, unfastening the divine armor piece by piece. His body was still wrapped in quiet, divine energy, the blue luster of his transformation faintly visible under the plain shirt he pulled over his torso. He turned and gave the girls a nod.
"Let's head out. We've earned a break."
✦✦✦
Once they were dressed in casual city wear, the three exited the guild hall and stepped into the heart of the capital. The streets buzzed with life—artisans shouting over prices, vendors hawking exotic spices and enchanted trinkets, and children weaving through the crowds with paper charms fluttering from sticks.
Alter walked quietly in the middle, hands resting casually at his sides. His presence was still commanding, even in simple clothing. Lira strolled beside him with a warm smile, fingers brushing his as they passed a flower stand. Kaela occasionally dashed ahead to look at a shiny bauble or call out the best roasted skewers.
"We should look for property," Lira said suddenly. "Something private. Spacious. If we're staying here for a while, I want something we can call ours."
Kaela nodded, licking honey from her fingers. "I vote for a backyard. Somewhere to train."
Alter paused, considering. "We'll check the residential postings."
As they continued, they passed a magical posting board enchanted with listings. It shimmered as they approached, displaying available private residences in the noble and upper adventurer districts. Several large estates were available—many with secluded gardens, training courts, or even personal mana springs.
Alter narrowed his eyes. "Let's visit a few tomorrow. We'll choose one that fits."
"Together?" Lira asked with a hopeful glance.
He looked at her, then nodded. "Yes. Together."
Kaela snickered. "Aw, look at the mighty god-king playing house."
Alter raised a brow. "You'll be sleeping outside if you keep that up."
"Worth it," Kaela grinned.
They laughed, and the sun dipped lower over the city, casting golden light through the spires. Alter slowed his pace slightly, letting the warmth of this new life soak in. After so long on the battlefield, among ancient ruins and echoing dungeons… this peace was a rare treasure.
And tomorrow—they would begin the search for their home.
The trio stepped into a renowned restaurant just off the main thoroughfare of the capital—a place known for its refined atmosphere and rare delicacies. The moment Lira and Kaela entered, the hum of conversation faltered. Heads turned. Whispers followed.
The golden glow of Lira's hair and the graceful way she moved drew the eyes of nobles and commoners alike. Her new hairpin shimmered with arcane light, subtly amplifying her natural allure. Beside her, Kaela exuded a fierce, wild charm—her stylish attire, her eyes sharp and untamed.
Alter, behind them, felt the stares like daggers. Annoyance crept across his face like a shadow, dark lines forming beneath his eyes, the faintest pressure leaking from his aura.
A fork clattered loudly across a table.
One nobleman stood in place, unmoving, mouth agape.
The atmosphere grew tense.
"Alter," Lira said softly, leaning closer. Her voice was soothing, a warm whisper in his ear. "Ignore them. You're here with us."
His gaze drifted to hers, the tension slowly bleeding from his shoulders.
Kaela, however, wasn't so merciful. She turned, her expression sharp, almost feral.
"Don't even try anything," she snapped at a group of gawking men.
A sudden snap of killing intent swept across the room.
Several guests recoiled as if struck, coughing, choking, suddenly losing their appetite. A waiter dropped his tray.
One man fainted.
Kaela smirked and returned to her seat. "Better."
They sat, and though the eyes still came—none lingered for long.
The food was exquisite, and the mood, once settled, shifted to soft laughter and idle teasing. Alter remained quiet, thoughtful—but clearly more at ease with the girls beside him.
After the meal, they left with satisfied stomachs and lighter hearts. The afternoon light slanted between the tall buildings, and the bustle of the capital returned in full force.
Then, as they passed a quiet stretch of buildings near the artisan quarter, Alter suddenly paused.
His eyes narrowed. He tilted his head slightly.
Down a narrow alley.
Metal clashed against metal—sharp, clean, rhythmic.
Clang.
Clang.
A roar of fire. The bellows of a forge.
But it wasn't just any smith. That rhythm—every strike was deliberate. No wasted motion. No hesitation. The heat, the mana signature in the air—it was all at a level only a master craftsman could emit.
Alter's expression shifted, intrigued.
"What is it?" Lira asked.
"A forge," he replied. "But not just any forge. Someone skilled—very skilled."
Kaela crossed her arms. "You can tell that just from here?"
He glanced sideways. "I can hear the hammer's rhythm. It's not just brute forging. There's artistry in it."
Kaela snorted and gave him a playful shove. "What can't you hear?"
Still, her expression warmed. She was used to this—Alter's strange, almost divine senses—yet still found them entertaining.
Without hesitation, Alter stepped into the alley, the girls following closely behind. Lira glanced at the surroundings, a bit surprised they were leaving the main street, but trusted him implicitly.
Kaela grinned. "Let's see who's playing music with molten steel."
And so they ventured off the main road, down into the heart of flame and metal—unaware that they were about to meet a blacksmith unlike any other.
The rhythmic pounding grew louder as they followed the narrow alley, the sound of hammer against steel echoing off the stone walls. Alter led the way, focused and curious, his steps silent despite the cobbled ground. Lira and Kaela walked slightly behind, casting glances at the rows of closed shutters and shaded awnings. Kaela, dressed in a soft gray tunic over fitted trousers, shifted her shoulders and commented lightly, "It better not just be someone fixing horseshoes."
Alter glanced back with a faint smirk. "That's not horseshoes."
The alley opened into a modest courtyard tucked behind the busier parts of the capital. There was no grand sign, only a single iron emblem hanging over a wide double-door forge: an anvil entwined by a serpent of flame. Heat poured from the slightly ajar doors, and inside, the bellowing forge hissed like a living creature.
A deep metallic clang rang out again. Then another.
Alter stepped inside.
The forge interior was cluttered, yet meticulously organized. Racks of tools lined the walls, strange alloys glinted in crates and barrels, and on the far side, standing over an anvil, was a woman—a blacksmith. Her arms were bare and toned, soot smeared across her cheeks. Sparks danced from her latest strike, illuminating her focused expression.
She paused as she sensed their presence and turned, her silver eyes narrowing slightly.
"You're not from the merchant guild," she said bluntly.
"No," Alter replied, removing his hood. "Just… admiring your work."
The woman blinked. Her gaze slid over him—then to the girls—and briefly back to the divine aura that clung to Alter like a second skin, even through his casual clothing.
"You've held a hammer before," she noted.
Lira stepped up beside him. "He's forged divine weapons."
Kaela leaned toward Lira and whispered, "Smooth introduction."
The blacksmith raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
Alter nodded. "You were using a resonance technique. Advanced. You don't see many who can pull that off."
The woman lowered her hammer and wiped her arm with a cloth. "I'm not one for titles, but I go by Nael. This forge's mine."
"Alter," he said simply, offering a brief nod. "These are Lira and Kaela."
Nael gave a short glance of respect. "You want something forged?"
"No. Just… impressed." Alter walked closer to inspect her tools. "You refined the forge flow with reverse-choked bellows. That's not common outside of dwarf forges."
Nael chuckled. "Most people don't notice that. You're not just a fighter, are you?"
Alter smiled faintly. "Not exactly."
Lira watched him speak with an amused, soft expression. Kaela wandered to the side, poking at a display of throwing knives while subtly appraising the weight balance.
After a few moments, Nael spoke again. "You're welcome to use the forge if you ever need it. It's not every day I meet someone who knows what they're looking at."
Alter inclined his head. "I may take you up on that."
With that, the three took their leave, stepping back into the afternoon sun.
As they re-entered the bustle of the capital, Lira leaned close and whispered, "You looked excited back there."
Alter chuckled. "It's not every day you stumble across a blacksmith like her."
Kaela nudged him in the ribs. "What's next? Gonna forge in your sleep too?"
"Tempting," Alter replied.
Their sightseeing resumed, but something had changed—another door opened in this new city. And Alter, godlike in power yet still rooted in the craft, felt something stir.
The capital had more to offer than he first thought.
And he was ready to explore it all.
The moon hung high above the capital, bathing the city in silver-blue light. Within the grand Adventurers Guild residence, a hush had settled over the private upper floors reserved for elite members. Behind thick walls and enchanted barriers, all was quiet.
In one of the three adjoining rooms, a door creaked softly.
Lira stepped through—barefoot, her golden hair cascading like light itself, dressed in a soft nightgown that clung lightly to her curves. She moved silently, graceful as a shadow, and closed the door behind her without a sound.
Alter lay beneath the covers, half-sitting as if he had sensed her approach long before she touched the door. His gaze softened when she entered.
Without a word, Lira walked over and slipped into bed beside him. Her hand reached for his cheek, fingers brushing gently against his skin. Alter leaned down and kissed her slowly, pulling her close. Their bodies pressed together, wrapped in each other's warmth as the sound barrier quietly activated—sealing their moment in a bubble of absolute silence.
What followed was a dance of heat and emotion, their breaths quickening in the quiet, the room heavy with desire and affection. Lira's moans, passionate and unrestrained, remained locked inside the barrier—heard by no one else. Her silhouette rose and fell like a wave under moonlight until, finally, with a final tremble, she collapsed forward—her head coming to rest against Alter's chest, flushed and breathless.
He held her close, feeling the rapid thrum of her heartbeat settle into a steady rhythm.
Time passed.
Eventually, her breathing slowed. She murmured something softly—perhaps his name—then drifted into sleep with her cheek resting against him.
Alter kept his arms around her, staring up at the ceiling.
Despite the divine essence in his veins, the godlike presence he now carried, and the authority to bend the world's laws to his will—here, in this room, in this moment—he let himself be simply human.
Just a man holding the woman he loved.
Still, his thoughts drifted like clouds in the night.
A home, first. A proper residence for us.
Then… a team. A squad I can train. Groom into elites—not just for guild work, but for the future.
The world is wide. And the skies stretch beyond this continent. I need people I can trust.
His eyes closed, the tension in his body finally fading.
He didn't need to sleep anymore. Not really. Not since his class evolution. But tonight, he allowed it.
Just for a little while.
In the room blanketed in silence, divine and mortal hearts beat as one beneath the warmth of the sheets—and outside, the moonlight streamed in, watching over them both.