The halls of the Free Guild of Ingracia still buzzed with activity, but far from the cheerful chaos of adventurers and merchants, a storm was quietly set into motion. Guildmaster Yuuki Kagurazaka sat at his desk, calm on the surface, yet every subtle line of his posture betrayed the calculations turning in his mind. Hosting an adventurer like Atem of Eterna was not a matter to take lightly.
Yuuki's eyes narrowed as he spoke to the merchant standing before him, voice low and deliberate.
"Your mission is clear. Ride to the Holy Empire and deliver this message to Commander Hinata Sakaguchi. Tell her — Atem of Eterna has appeared. He is responsible for Shizu's death."
The merchant froze, then bowed deeply. "Understood, Guildmaster. I will ensure the message reaches her swiftly and accurately."
Yuuki leaned forward slightly, his gaze icy.
"Do not embellish. Do not reveal my involvement. Speak only of facts, but emphasize this — Atem's power is beyond anything seen in these lands. The Holy Empire must understand the danger he represents. He is no ordinary adventurer… and Shizu's death is only the beginning of the ripple he will create."
The merchant mounted his steed, cloaked in enchantments to aid his speed and concealment. Each mile toward the Holy Empire carried a growing weight, as though the wind itself whispered warnings of the power he bore word of.
Through forests thick with shadow and hills rolling in silence, the merchant pressed on, fully aware that one wrong word or misstep could alter the delicate balance between humans and monsters. Atem of Eterna was no ordinary figure — he was a force that demanded respect and caution.
When the merchant reached the gates of the Holy Empire, the guards scrutinized him, suspicion etched into their faces. Once he presented the proper papers, they allowed him passage, though their unease lingered. The halls within were grand but eerily quiet, the echo of footsteps and banners betraying the tension that permeated the air.
At last, he was brought before Commander Hinata Sakaguchi, her posture rigid, her sharp eyes cutting into him like a blade.
"State your business," she said, voice controlled but tinged with the threat of immediate judgment.
The merchant bowed, keeping his words measured and neutral.
"Commander Sakaguchi, I bring urgent intelligence. A foreign adventurer named Atem of Eterna has appeared in Ingracia. He is responsible for the death of Shizu, a figure renowned across multiple nations."
Hinata's expression remained composed, but her mind raced. Shizu's death alone was alarming; that the perpetrator commanded monsters made the situation critical.
The merchant continued, choosing his words with precision.
"Beyond that, this Atem commands a village in the Forest of Jura. He has gathered beings of extraordinary strength — monsters and humans alike. Locals fear and respect him. His influence spreads quickly, and any miscalculation could provoke chaos across the region."
Hinata's eyes narrowed, her pulse quickening despite her calm facade.
"A village of monsters… led by a single individual capable of killing Shizu? In the Jura Forest? That land has long been untamed, a buffer of wilds between kingdoms… and now it bows to him?"
"Yes, Commander," the merchant said, his voice tight with caution. "The guild's reports were careful, but the implications are undeniable. Atem is not only powerful — he is unpredictable. One wrong move, and the Holy Empire could find itself at the mercy of a force it cannot control."
Hinata's mind sharpened, calculating the possibilities. One figure with such command, such lethal skill… the balance of power was shifting with every word. To confront him directly was reckless. To ignore him was equally dangerous.
Finally, she spoke, voice cold and deliberate.
"So… he is a foreign adventurer, commanding monsters, capable of killing skilled humans like Shizu. And the guild sends no orders, only observation. This Atem of Eterna… he is no ordinary variable. He is a storm waiting at the gates."
The merchant bowed, his task complete.
"Yes, Commander. That is all I was entrusted to deliver."
As he departed, Hinata remained seated, her mind racing. The Forest of Jura, the monster village, Atem's extraordinary aura… all of it demanded careful attention. Surveillance would begin. Preparations would be made. Every knight, every scout, every agent would be positioned to understand — or, if necessary, to counter him.
Outside the chamber, banners fluttered in the wind, hiding the storm of fear, calculation, and curiosity now brewing over a single name whose reach would ripple across nations: Atem of Eterna.
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"Good," Atem said, voice calm but commanding, eyes sharp with focus. "Let them watch, let them prepare. The more they anticipate, the more they reveal themselves. Knowledge is power — and we will have it first."
A tension lingered in the air, unbroken, as though the world itself held its breath at the mention of his name. Atem's shadow stretched across the land, silent, patient, and inevitable.
Interlude: Ripples Across the World
Even as Atem moved carefully through the bustling halls of the Guild of Ingracia, guiding the children with a firm yet patient hand, the world beyond the city had already begun to stir. Whispers, rumors, and unease spread quietly, like ripples in a pond.
In a far-off human settlement…
A group of adventurers crowded around a worn wooden table in a lively tavern. Ale mugs rattled as their voices lowered into urgent murmurs.
"Did you hear?" one said, eyes wide. "That foreign adventurer… Atem Eterna… killed Shizu."
Another leaned back, brows furrowed. "And he's not just any adventurer. He commands a settlement… a whole village of monsters, in the Forest of Jura!"
A third scoffed, though there was fear behind his words. "A monster village? Goblins, Kijin, orcs… all answering to one man? If it's true, he's no ordinary human… not by a long shot."
They fell silent, glancing nervously at each other. Even seasoned adventurers, hardened by battles, felt a chill at the thought of one man wielding that much influence and power.
In the courts of a nearby kingdom…
Nobles huddled around a massive oak table, maps and scrolls scattered in disarray. A messenger bowed, handing over a sealed report.
Back in the guild, Atem guided the children through simple combat drills. His movements were precise, calm, and full of quiet authority. He paused, looking at the young trainees with a half-smile.
"Keep your focus. Don't rely on luck," he instructed. "Power isn't just strength—it's understanding, control, and knowing when to act."
Even as laughter and chatter filled the guild, the world outside had already taken notice. Every choice Atem made, every lesson he taught, every step he took was creating ripples—some of awe, some of fear, some of intrigue.
And so, a calm afternoon in the Guild of Ingracia hid the storm gathering beyond its walls. The stage for the next wave of conflicts, alliances, and challenges had been quietly set.