Raven's POV
We stood before the red gate at the northern edge of the city.
It rose near the long river that cut through the heart of Aurelia, its surface rippling with crimson light. The gate was massive, embedded into the earth as if it had grown there rather than appeared—but as I stepped closer, something felt… off.
Despite its color, the pressure it emitted was weak.
Not absent—but shallow.
Not even close to the dungeon we had faced yesterday.
I narrowed my eyes slightly, extending my senses just enough to be sure. The mana flow was unstable, thin in places, almost hesitant.
Morivain's voice echoed in my mind, tinged with concern.
"This isn't right. Red gates are supposed to be dangerous—overwhelming. This one feels… restrained."
"I know," I replied silently.
She continued, thoughtful now.
"I don't think you'll be needed here. Your captain could handle this dungeon without you. Still… be careful."
I gave a small nod, more habit than necessity.
Sam stepped forward, her expression serious as always.
"We're not changing our strategy," she said firmly. "Elise stays in the center. We protect her. Raven, you'll take the front."
Her gaze shifted to me. "Are you ready?"
"I am," I answered calmly.
I drew my sword and stepped into the gate first.
The sensation of crossing through was brief—less resistance than usual—like slipping through thin water rather than a solid barrier.
On the other side, I found myself in a wide chamber with a single exit.
The room was dimly lit by glowing crystals embedded in the walls, their soft light casting long shadows across smooth stone. No movement. No sound.
No monsters.
The others entered behind me one by one, weapons ready. Sam scanned the area carefully, her hand never straying far from her sword. After a moment, she exhaled.
"Clear," she said quietly. "Too clear."
She frowned. "One path only. We move slowly and stay alert."
We advanced through the narrow passage beyond the chamber, our footsteps echoing softly in the confined space. The air was cool, heavy with silence. Minutes passed in tense quiet as the tunnel gradually widened.
Then—
We stepped into a vast hall.
I stopped without meaning to.
The room was enormous—far larger than the entrance suggested. And yet, what unsettled me most wasn't its size.
It was the light.
The chamber was brightly illuminated… but there were no glowing stones.
No torches.
No fire.
The light simply was.
It filled the space evenly, without a source, washing over the stone floor and rising all the way to the ceiling. I slowly lifted my gaze upward.
The ceiling was impossibly high, disappearing into brightness.
My grip on my sword tightened.
Something about this place felt wrong.
Not hostile ,not yet , but watchful, As if the dungeon itself were holding its breath.
Waiting , It hit me without warning , not one aura , not two, many .
I stiffened instantly, my fingers tightening around the hilt of my sword as a wave of pressure rolled through the chamber like a sudden change in weather.
"Get ready," I said sharply, my voice dropping into something hard and serious. "There's a large number of monsters approaching."
Sam turned to me at once. "How many are we talking about?"
She hesitated, then added, "Ten? Twenty?"
My eyes never left the dark opening ahead of us. The passage beyond it seemed to breathe—exhaling malice with every second that passed.
"I can't be certain," I replied calmly. "But it's more than fifty."
Sam's eyes widened.
The color drained from Daniel's face. Chris swallowed hard. Elise's fingers trembled slightly as she tightened her grip on her staff.
Fear spread through the group—not loud, not panicked, but sharp and heavy, settling into their chests.
"We should retreat," Daniel said quickly. "This isn't something we can handle head-on."
Elise nodded, her voice tight. "We won't last against that many. Even with healing—"
"There's no time," I interrupted quietly.
I could feel them now. Too close. Their auras pressed against the edges of the chamber like a rising tide.
"They're almost here."
Sam's jaw clenched. She turned to me, her voice low but urgent.
"Are they coming from behind us too?"
I shook my head. "No. Only from the passage ahead."
Sam straightened, resolve hardening in her eyes. She raised her voice, sharp and commanding.
"Draw your weapons and prepare for combat!"
Steel rang out as blades were unsheathed. Chris hefted his massive hammer, muscles tensing as his enhancement ability flared to life. Daniel stepped forward, mana gathering around him as he prepared his shield. Ayla rolled her shoulders, wind beginning to stir subtly around her blade.
Sam turned her head toward Elise. "Stay in the back. Heal anyone who gets injured—immediately."
Elise swallowed, then nodded. "I will."
Sam faced the passage again, her grip tightening around her sword. Flames flickered faintly along the blade's edge.
Her voice dropped, fierce and steady.
"Don't die."
I stepped half a pace forward, positioning myself instinctively at the front.
The darkness in the passage rippled.
Shapes began to move.
Dozens of them.
Red eyes ignited one by one, like embers flaring to life in the shadows. The sound followed—claws scraping against stone, distorted breathing, the low, hungry growl of creatures that knew they outnumbered us.
I inhaled slowly.
I lowered my stance, blade angled forward, senses sharpening to a razor's edge.
"Hold the line," I said quietly.
The first monster burst into the light.
Then the second.
Then dozens more poured in after them.
They emerged from the passage in a single, terrifying wave.
Wolves.
Or something that used to be.
Their bodies were massive—far larger than any natural beast—thick with corded muscle beneath dark, coarse fur. They stood upright on their hind legs, towering over us, their posture twisted into something almost humanoid. Their jaws were elongated, packed with fangs far too long for their skulls, saliva dripping as they snapped their teeth together.
Their claws were worse.
Each one curved like a dagger, black and gleaming, long enough to pierce armor with ease.
The moment the first of them crossed into the chamber—
They charged.
All at once.
Sam shouted an order, Chris surged forward, and Daniel activated his shield—
But none of it mattered.
Because the wolves didn't look at them.
Not even once.
Every single crimson eye locked onto me.
Only me.
"Raven—!" Ayla shouted.
They ignored her completely.
The first beast lunged straight for my throat, claws slashing through the air with brutal precision. I twisted aside just in time, the edge of its claws grazing my sleeve instead of my skin.
Why… me?
There was no hesitation in their movements. No confusion. No shared aggression toward the group.
This was a hunt.
Targeted.
Focused.
Behind me, I heard the clash of steel as Sam and Chris struck—heard Ayla's wind howl as she sent a blade of compressed air straight through one of the monsters—
It didn't even slow.
The beast didn't react.
It didn't turn.
It kept coming for me.
"They're not responding!" Daniel shouted. "It's like we're not even here!"
I gritted my teeth.
So that was how it was.
I couldn't unleash my full strength—not with everyone watching, not here. And killing them outright would only raise more questions.
So I adjusted.
The second wolf came at me low, aiming to take out my legs. I stepped into the attack instead of away from it, my sword flashing once.
Steel met flesh.
Mana surged.
The moment my blade connected, I felt it—the familiar pull. Its mana rushed into my sword, then into me, cold and wild. The beast screamed as its muscles seized, its legs buckling beneath it as the flow of power was ripped away.
I didn't finish it.
I spun, slashing the tendons behind its knees, then kicked it backward.
The creature collapsed, twitching, alive—but incapable of standing.
Another leapt from the side.
Then another from above.
I moved constantly—ducking, pivoting, striking with ruthless precision. Every blow was calculated, every cut meant to cripple rather than kill. Thighs. Shoulders. Spines. Joints.
Each strike drained them.
Each touch stole their strength.
I let my own ability flow quietly, invisibly, pulling mana from them in controlled streams. Enough to weaken them. Enough to stop them.
Not enough to be noticed.
Around me, chaos reigned.
Sam's flames scorched fur and flesh, Ayla's wind tore through the air, Chris's hammer crushed skulls—but still, the wolves refused to turn their focus away from me. They took the hits without care, bodies burning and breaking, just to reach me.
"Why won't they turn to us .?!" Elise cried from behind.
I didn't have an answer , Only a growing unease , This wasn't instinct , This was a command.
One by one, they fell—piles of massive bodies littering the stone floor, still breathing, still alive, but broken beyond movement. Their crimson eyes dimmed as their mana was drained away, leaving them hollow.
After more than twenty minutes of continuous fighting.
Finally— , One remained.
It stood a few steps away from me, chest heaving, its legs shaking as it struggled to stay upright. Its claws scraped weakly against the stone, its fangs bared in a silent snarl.
I stood before it, sword lowered but ready, my breathing steady.
Not a single scratch marked my skin.
The wolf took one final, unsteady step toward me—
Then collapsed to one knee, utterly spent.
I stared down at it, heart pounding—not from fear, but from realization.
Something had sent them.
And whatever it was…
It knew exactly who I was.
When the last of them fell, I finally let my back touch the stone wall.
Cold rock seeped through my skin as I bent forward slightly, drawing in a slow breath. Not from pain—there was none—but from the weight of it all. The echo of claws, the pressure of being hunted, the certainty that something had chosen me.
Around the chamber, the others moved methodically.
Steel rose and fell.
Crushed skulls.
Final breaths.
The wounded beasts didn't resist anymore. Deprived of mana and strength, they were little more than broken bodies waiting for the end.
Inside my mind, Morivain's voice stirred.
"That was strange," she said, mild curiosity laced with something sharper. "They came for you. Only you. Do you know why?"
I frowned slightly, keeping my gaze on the floor. "No," I answered honestly. "I was as surprised as you were."
The silence didn't argue back—but I could feel her attention lingering.
Once the last wolf was put down, footsteps approached. I straightened slowly as the rest of the team gathered around me.
Their expressions said everything they didn't immediately voice.
Confusion.
Unease.
Awe they didn't know how to name.
Elise was the first to speak. "Raven…" Her voice was tight with worry. "What was that?"
Daniel followed quickly. "Why did they attack you alone?"
Ayla crossed her arms, eyes sharp as they searched my face. "They didn't even acknowledge us. It was like we weren't there."
Before I could answer, Sam was already in front of me.
"Are you alright?" she asked, hands firm but careful as she checked my shoulders, my sides. "Any injuries?"
I offered a small smile. "I'm fine. I didn't get hurt."
Chris frowned, pointing at my arm. "Then what about that?"
I glanced down.
My sleeve was torn open from shoulder to elbow, fabric shredded by claws—but beneath it, my skin was untouched.
I lifted my arm slightly. "This? I barely dodged. Just cloth damage."
Sam stepped back slowly, studying me now rather than inspecting. "This is… unusual," she said quietly. "I've been a hunter for a long time. I've never seen monsters behave like that."
Her gaze locked onto mine.
"Why did they target you?"
I met her eyes calmly. "It was probably a tactic," I replied evenly. "Take us down one by one. I was in front, so I became the focus."
Ayla didn't look convinced.
Neither did Sam.
I continued before the silence could thicken further. "We should keep moving. The longer we stay, the higher the risk. Let's finish this dungeon quickly."
Sam raised a hand, stopping me before I could step forward. "We'll rest for a moment," she said firmly. "You fought all of them yourself. You must be exhausted."
I shook my head slightly. "I'm fine. And those monsters weren't strong individually."
I straightened fully, forcing my posture steady and composed.
"This is a red gate," I added. "Not because the monsters are powerful—but because there are many of them. They always attack in large numbers."
It was the truth.
Just not the whole truth.
The team exchanged glances, uncertainty still lingering between them—but in the end, Sam nodded.
"Alright," she said. "Stay alert. We move carefully from here."
As they began to reposition, I looked ahead into the glowing depths of the dungeon.
Whatever had sent those beasts after me—
This wasn't over yet.
After the last body hit the ground, we moved on.
The passage ahead narrowed, then stretched again, swallowing our footsteps in complete silence. No growls. No echoes of movement. Only the faint scrape of armor and the steady rhythm of breathing. We walked like that for several minutes, until the air changed—cooler, heavier.
The next chamber opened before us.
It wasn't smaller than the last one, but it felt different. The walls were uneven, jagged like the inside of a natural cave, and the light was scarce—no glowing stones, no mana lamps. Shadows clung to every corner, thick and watchful.
Sam slowed to a halt.
"Raven," she said quietly. "Do you sense anything?"
I closed my eyes.
The world shifted.
Mana bled into my awareness—threads, pulses, distant sparks. Not close. Not yet. But numerous. Too numerous.
I opened my eyes. "There are many of them," I said. "But they're far away."
Sam exhaled, relief flickering briefly across her face. "Good."
Then her tone changed.
"Alright," she said louder, turning to face the team. "I want to change our formation. Just to be sure."
My stomach tightened.
She looked directly at me. "Raven. You and I will switch positions."
I opened my mouth to object—but she didn't give me the chance.
"I know," she said firmly, as if reading my thoughts. "I know you're trying to protect us. And I know you don't want anyone else getting hurt."
She stepped closer and placed a hand gently on my head, fingers warm through my hair.
"But we care about you too," she continued. "This is just to confirm something. One time. To make sure you're not their target."
I hesitated, then nodded. "Alright."
"But," I added calmly, "if it happens again—if they come for me alone—that's fine."
Ayla raised an eyebrow sharply. "And how exactly is that fine?"
I smiled, slow and controlled. "I'll be the bait."
The word hung heavy in the air.
"Don't worry about me," I went on. "I can handle them alone. You'll attack from behind—whether they acknowledge you or not."
Elise's face drained of color. "Raven, what are you saying? That's extremely dangerous."
Chris nodded grimly. "Yeah. Last time they came in swarms."
"I know," I said softly.
And I meant it.
I adjusted my grip on my sword, feeling the familiar pull of mana beneath my skin, restrained—waiting.
"I'll be fine," I repeated. "Now—if you're done asking questions, get ready."
My gaze shifted toward the darkness ahead.
"There's another wave coming," I said quietly.
Then, after a pause—
"And it's larger than the last one."
It didn't take even ten seconds.
Footsteps thundered through the cavern—dozens of them. No. More than that. The sound rolled like a tide against stone.
"They're coming!" Sam shouted. "Get ready!"
Steel rang as everyone drew their weapons. Chris lifted his hammer, mana flaring faintly along its head. Elise took position in the rear, already forming a healing sigil between her palms.
Then they emerged.
The wolf-creatures poured out of the darkness in a snarling mass—towering bodies, claws scraping against stone, eyes burning with feral intent. Their roars shook the cave.
They charged.
Straight toward us.
And then—
They passed Sam.
Completely.
As if she didn't exist.
Every single one of them veered, their bodies twisting mid-charge, their glowing eyes locking onto me.
My breath caught for half a heartbeat.
Daniel stepped in front of me without hesitation, slamming his foot into the ground as his barrier flared to life. A translucent shield snapped into place just as the first wave crashed into it.
The impact was brutal.
The shield shattered like glass.
Daniel was thrown backward, his body hitting the cavern wall with a sickening force before he collapsed to the ground.
"Elise!" Sam shouted.
Elise sprinted toward him instantly.
I didn't have time to follow، Because now— They were all coming for me, So many of them.
Too many.
One clean hit from those claws would tear me apart.
I exhaled slowly and moved.
I didn't retreat toward the team.
Instead, I slipped past the first lunging beast and sprinted deeper into the cavern, drawing them after me—pulling them away, widening the distance between myself and the others.
Stone blurred beneath my feet.
Claws sliced through the air where my head had been a moment before. Fangs snapped shut inches from my throat.
Morivain's voice echoed in my mind, sharp with realization.
"There has to be a reason they're targeting you alone," she said. "If you keep dodging like this, you'll be here all day."
"I know," I replied calmly.
A pause.
"Then," she said slowly, "are you going to fight seriously?"
A smile tugged at my lips.
"I'll just use my speed," I answered.
"This should be fun."
I tightened my grip on my sword and drew in a deep breath.
Mana surged.
I activated my absorption.
The world slowed.
I vanished.
Wind screamed as I moved—slipping between bodies like a blade through water. I twisted past snapping jaws, slid under sweeping claws, my sword flashing again and again.
One strike—clean decapitation.
Another—straight through the heart.
A third—my blade cleaving straight down, splitting the beast in two before it even hit the ground.
Mana flooded into me with every kill, sharp and intoxicating.
Behind me, I sensed it—Sam and the others attacking from the back , cutting down the few that hesitated, the ones that briefly turned away from me.
But most never did , they died facing me , It didn't take long.
The last wolf collapsed at my feet, its body dissolving into black mist.
Silence fell over the cavern , I slowed, then finally stopped .
A long breath escaped me as I rested the tip of my sword against the stone floor.
Done , for now.
I walked over to Daniel first.
"Are you alright?" I asked, lowering my voice. "That hit was brutal."
He laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm fine. No wounds—just bruises. Elise already patched me up."
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding and tapped his shoulder lightly. "Thank you. For stepping in front of me."
He grinned. "Don't worry about it. It's literally my job to be the shield."
I turned back to the others. "If everyone's okay, we should keep moving. There are still plenty of monsters left."
Elise hesitated, her fingers tightening around her staff. "Aren't we going to talk about what's happening?" she asked carefully. "About why they're only attacking Raven?"
All eyes shifted to me.
Questions. Doubt. Unease.
I frowned slightly, letting confusion color my expression. "I honestly don't know why they're doing that. I was just as surprised as you were."
Sam studied my face for a moment longer than necessary, then exhaled.
"We'll deal with it later," she said firmly. "For now, we finish this dungeon."
The team hesitated—but only briefly. One by one, they nodded and started moving again.
The next wave came soon after.
And it was the same.
Every time.
The monsters ignored everyone else and rushed straight for me. I took the front, cutting them down head-on, while Sam and the others attacked from behind. Again and again. Blood, claws, mana, steel.
We moved like a machine.
By the time the echoes of the last battle faded, the dungeon was nearly empty—only a handful of monsters remained.
And the boss.
The air changed as we approached the final chamber.
Heavier. Thicker , We stepped into the boss room .
The chamber was vast, illuminated by an eerie glow, reminiscent of a cavern deep within the earth. Shadows danced along the walls, and about twenty monstrous figures stood guard, their eyes gleaming with a mix of loyalty and ferocity.
"This is the leader," Sam said, her voice steady as she gripped her sword tightly. "Finally. Be ready, and stay alert. He seems incredibly powerful, even his guards look stronger than the creatures we've faced so far."
I turned my gaze to the leader, examining him closely. Morivain scoffed, her brow furrowing in skepticism. "He doesn't look that strong to me. I think they could handle him on their own."
"Perhaps," I replied softly, "but I'll lend them a hand." I noticed the leader's intense gaze shift toward me, a glimmer of recognition flickering in his cold eyes.
He was a massive beast, his fur as dark as a moonless night, and his claws and fangs appeared larger than any I had encountered before. Suddenly, he let out a roar that echoed through the cavernous room, speaking in a language I couldn't comprehend. In an instant, the creatures surrounding him lunged at us, their eyes wild with aggression.
With a sigh, I thought to myself, *I'm truly exhausted. I just want to rest.* Yet, I raised my sword and surged forward, moving with a speed that surprised even me. In less than ten seconds, I had severed the heads of the first few attackers, leaving the rest, including the leader, stunned into silence.
The Boss furious roar reverberated in my ears as he charged at us with astonishing speed, his size misleading. I turned to Sam, urgency lacing my voice. "Let's attack him all at once and finish this quickly."
Sam nodded, rallying the rest of the team. "We'll strike together!"
As the leader swung his massive hand down towards me, I ducked and spun behind him, The moment my blade bit into the boss's back, black blood sprayed across the stone.
The wound was shallow—deliberately so , The real strike happened beneath the surface.
My intention wasn't to kill him but to draw out his mana, leaving the final blow to my team .
I felt it immediately.
Mana flooded into my sword, thick and violent, like a raging current being forced through a narrow channel. The boss roared in pain—not from the cut, but from the sudden drain.
Good.
It spun around with terrifying speed, a massive claw tearing through the air where my head had been a heartbeat earlier. I bent backward just enough to let the strike pass, the wind of it ripping strands of hair free.
"Now!" Sam shouted.
Daniel slammed his shield into the ground and activated his ability. A translucent barrier expanded outward, locking the boss's movement for a brief moment—just enough.
Chris didn't waste it.
He roared and brought his hammer down with all his strength. The impact shook the entire chamber, cracks spider-webbing across the floor as the blow crushed into the boss's leg.
Ayla followed instantly.
She leapt high, wind spiraling violently around her blade. "Don't move!"
Compressed air detonated as she slashed downward, her strike carving deep into the boss's shoulder. Blood sprayed, dark and steaming.
The boss howled.
Elise raised her staff from the backline, chanting rapidly. Warm light surged forward, wrapping around Daniel and Chris as the backlash from the boss's aura tried to crush them.
"Hold your ground!" she called. "I've got you!"
The boss tore free from Daniel's barrier with brute force and fury, swinging wildly. One claw nearly caught Sam—but she twisted aside, flames erupting around her sword as she counterattacked.
Fire and steel struck together.
Sam's blade carved a burning line across the boss's chest, the flames searing deep into muscle and bone.
Still—it didn't fall.
It locked its eyes on me again.
Of course it did.
It charged.
I didn't meet it head-on.
I vanished to the side, boots barely touching the ground as I moved, my blade grazing its flank again and again. Each cut was small. Controlled.
But every time—
I drank more of its mana.
The boss slowed.
Its movements became heavier. Sloppier.
Its roars turned ragged.
Morivain's voice echoed softly in my mind, amused.
You're hollowing it out.
I smiled faintly.
The boss slammed both claws into the ground, releasing a shockwave of raw force. The team staggered—but didn't break.
Daniel stepped forward again, shield raised, blood running from his forehead. "Not… yet!"
Ayla moved like the wind itself, her blades of compressed air slicing into the boss's legs, forcing it to its knees.
Chris charged from the side, muscles bulging as he channeled everything he had left.
"Fall already!"
His hammer came down one final time—crushing the boss's arm and driving it fully to the ground.
It tried to rise.
Couldn't.
Sam stepped forward slowly, flames dancing along her blade, eyes burning with resolve.
"This ends now."
I took one last step back, lowering my sword. my sword humming quietly at my side, heavy with stolen power.
The mana flow from the boss was almost gone—thin, weak, barely clinging to life.
Sam raised her sword high.
And brought it down.
The blade cut clean through the boss's neck in a single, decisive strike.
The massive body collapsed with a thunderous crash, black blood spilling across the stone.
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Final.
The dungeon trembled.
A low hum filled the chamber as the mana pressure began to dissipate—the unmistakable sign of a dungeon boss defeated.
I exhaled slowly.
Around me, the team stood battered, bloodied, exhausted—
But alive.
Sam turned toward us, breathing hard, then let out a short, disbelieving laugh.
"We… did it."
Ayla wiped blood from her cheek and grinned. "Another red gate cleared."
Elise slumped against her staff, relief flooding her face. "Everyone's alive…"
Chris rested his hammer on the ground, chuckling hoarsely. "I'm never complaining about training again."
Daniel looked at the fallen boss—then at me.
Long.
Thoughtful.
I met his gaze calmly.
Unwounded.
Unshaken.
The dungeon's light began to fade, the walls trembling as the collapse sequence started.
Time to leave.
Sam looked at me as the last echoes of the dungeon faded and asked,
"Are there any monsters left?"
I shook my head slowly. "No. The boss was the last one."
She exhaled in relief, shoulders finally lowering. "Good. Then let's get out of here."
We made our way toward the exit, the dungeon already beginning to feel hollow—empty in that unmistakable way that only happens after a core is destroyed. When we stepped through the gate, the outside world rushed back in.
The excavation and retrieval team was already there.
Because the gate had been so close to the city, they had arrived quickly—wagons parked neatly, guild insignias fluttering, mana instruments already humming as they scanned the area. They greeted us with practiced smiles, relief clear on their faces.
Sam lifted her head and glanced at the sky.
"Looks like we finished earlier than expected."
I followed her gaze.
The sun was still high, resting comfortably in the middle of the sky.
Late afternoon—around five, maybe.
I let out a long breath before I could stop myself. "I'm exhausted."
Elise immediately stepped closer, worry written all over her face.
"Are you alright?" she asked softly. "You've been sighing a lot… you look a little pale. Are you hurt?"
I smiled faintly. "I'm fine, really. Just tired."
She let out a small laugh. "Of course you are. You fought more monsters than anyone today. Anyone would need rest after that."
I didn't answer—just returned the smile.
"Alright," Sam said, clapping her hands once. "Let's head back to the city."
The ride to the northern gate took about fifteen minutes. The guards recognized us immediately and opened the massive doors without delay. As we stepped inside, the noise of the city wrapped around us—vendors calling out, people laughing, carts rattling over stone.
Life, uninterrupted.
We moved through the streets at an unhurried pace. Everyone looked worn down. Daniel and Chris were walking together, trading tired jokes and laughing more out of habit than energy. Sam, Elise, and Ayla walked ahead, discussing something quietly.
I lagged behind.
My thoughts kept circling back to the dungeon.
To the wolves.
To the way they had ignored everyone else and come for me alone.
Something about it felt wrong—too deliberate.
"Raven."
Sam's voice pulled me back.
I blinked and looked up at her. "Hm?"
She raised an eyebrow. "What do you think?"
"About…?" I asked, genuinely confused.
Elise smiled knowingly. "We were saying we're all heading to Maris's tavern. Are you coming with us?"
I shook my head gently. "Not today. I think I'll head home. I'm really tired."
Sam studied me for a moment. "Are you sure you're not injured?"
"I'm sure," I said, smiling again. "Just exhausted."
Daniel and Chris tried—briefly—to change my mind, but I stood firm.
In the end, Sam nodded. "Alright. Go rest, then. We'll meet again tomorrow morning at the usual time."
I gave a small nod in return. "See you tomorrow."
I had just turned to leave when Ayla spoke up.
"I should head home too," she said, then glanced at me with a small smile. "I'll walk with you for a bit, if that's alright."
We said our goodbyes to the rest of the team and started down the road toward the orphanage. It was about a fifteen-minute walk, but despite the exhaustion weighing on my limbs, I didn't mind. After spending half a day buried inside a dungeon, the open air felt like a blessing. The breeze was cool, clean—real.
Ayla broke the silence first.
"You fought really well today."
I looked at her and replied honestly, "And you weren't bad either. Your control over wind magic is incredibly precise. It impressed me."
She laughed, rubbing the back of her neck. "Thanks. I trained for a long time to reach this level."
We walked for a while in comfortable quiet before she spoke again, more carefully this time.
"Raven… what were you doing during those two years you were away from the city?"
I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
She smiled lightly. "Nothing specific. Just curiosity. Two years is a long time to disappear."
I kept my eyes forward. "Nothing special," I said calmly. "I traveled to many cities and places. Met a lot of people. Fought a lot of monsters. Made some friends along the way."
She hummed thoughtfully. "Sounds like you had quite the adventure. But then… why come back here?"
I tilted my head up toward the sky. After a short pause, I exhaled.
"Alright," I said quietly. "I'll tell you this much. I'm looking for something. And I heard it might be here—in Aurelia. That's why I returned."
Ayla's eyebrows shot up. "Looking for what?"
I laughed softly. "Sorry. That's as far as I can go."
She frowned. "Why not?"
I glanced at her and winked. "Because it's a secret."
She punched my shoulder lightly. "So if you weren't searching for that thing, you wouldn't have come back at all?"
I didn't answer.
She huffed. "You're cruel," she muttered, then laughed again.
Soon, the orphanage came into view. The front garden was still lively—children running around, their laughter ringing through the air. Near the entrance stood Sister Mary, speaking with two familiar figures.
Kara.
And Princess Lyria.
They hadn't noticed me yet.
The moment Ayla and I stepped through the front gate, the children saw me.
"Raven's back!"
"Raven! Play with us!"
Their excited shouts rang out all at once.
Kara, Princess Lyria, and mother Mary turned toward me together, staring in silence for a brief moment—surprise written clearly across their faces.
Ayla leaned closer and whispered, "Why are they looking at us like that?"
The three of them hurried toward us, worry quickly replacing surprise.
"Raven," Sister Mary asked anxiously, "what happened to you? Are you alright?"
I smiled. "I'm fine."
Princess Lyria reached out as if to touch me, then pulled her hand back sharply. "What do you mean you're fine? You're covered in blood—and your clothes are torn!"
I blinked. "My clothes are torn?"
I looked down.
She was right.
My sleeve was ripped from shoulder to elbow. Three long claw-like tears crossed the front of my shirt, exposing part of my stomach. Even my pants were torn in places.
How did I not notice that?
I looked back up at Princess Lyria and smiled again. "It's not my blood. I'm really okay."
Kara turned her gaze to Ayla's equally battered outfit. "You too. What happened to you both?"
Ayla laughed awkwardly. "Work mission," she said simply.
Sister Mary shook her head, already turning toward the building. "I'll prepare warm water for you to wash up first. We'll talk after you're clean."
She disappeared inside, leaving me standing there amid curious children, worried friends—
And torn clothes I probably should have paid more attention to sooner.
I turned back to the children and smiled gently.
"We'll play another time," I said. "I have guests right now."
A few of their faces fell immediately.
"But you always say that," one of them complained, arms crossed.
"You're always busy," another added.
Then Eric—small, quiet Eric—looked up at me with sad eyes.
"The last time we saw you was two days ago," he said softly. "You're always busy."
That one hit harder than I expected.
I crouched down and rested my hand on his head, ruffling his hair lightly.
"I promise," I said with a warm smile, "we'll play tomorrow. I'll bring lots of games—and sweets too. What do you say?"
Their moods shifted instantly.
"Really?!"
"Don't forget your promise!"
"If you forget, we won't talk to you ever again!"
I laughed quietly. "I won't forget. Now go on—go play."
They ran off toward the garden, laughter filling the air again.
I straightened and turned to Kara and Princess Lyria.
"Please, come inside. Let's talk in there."
"Alright," Lyria replied.
I then glanced at Ayla.
"How about a cup of tea before you head home?"
Before I could react, Ayla suddenly stepped closer and wrapped her arm around mine, smiling shyly.
"If you don't mind… I'd really like that."
I raised an eyebrow, thinking, What's wrong with her all of a sudden?
Morivain laughed softly in my head.
" Oh, this is going to be fun."
I ignored her.
We settled into the living room. Princess Lyria and Kara sat together on the sofa near the window. I took the chair across from them, while Ayla sat beside me—far too close—and still hadn't let go of my arm.
I pretended not to notice and looked at Lyria, who was unusually quiet.
"So," I asked gently, "what brought you here today?"
Lyria answered softly, "After finishing our meetings, Kara and I felt a bit bored. We decided to take a walk, and since we were near the orphanage, we thought we'd visit the children… and see what you were doing."
I smiled. "I'm glad you came. Actually, I wanted to tell you something as well."
Lyria's eyes widened slightly.
"What is it?" she asked, her voice cautious.
"It's nothing serious," I said. "I just wanted to let you know that I won't be able to train you tomorrow either."
"What?" she blurted out before covering her mouth quickly.
"I—I'm sorry," she said, embarrassed. "That just slipped out."
She cleared her throat. "Why won't you come tomorrow?"
I was about to answer when Sister Mary entered the room, carrying a tray with white patterned teacups and a teapot. She placed it on the table carefully.
"I brought some tea I bought today," she said kindly. "I hope you like it."
She handed everyone a cup, then paused.
"I'm sorry, Raven. There's none of that drink you prefer left—and I know you don't like tea."
I smiled faintly. "No need to apologize. I don't feel like drinking anything right now."
Sister Mary poured herself a cup and sat down, adjusting her glasses.
"Now," she said, looking at us over the rims, "why are you all in such a miserable state?"
"It's nothing special," I replied calmly. "We had a mission today. This is just how we ended up afterward."
"A mission?" she repeated. "What kind of mission?"
"We closed a red dungeon today," Ayla answered casually.
Kara froze. "Red?"
She leaned forward. "Red gates are extremely dangerous. How did you close one? And were you alone? Wait—don't tell me it was the red gate on the eastern border."
Ayla laughed. "That's a lot of questions all at once."
I stood up.
"I'll let Ayla explain the details," I said. "I'm going to take a bath."
I had just turned when Ayla said brightly,
"Can I bathe with you? I'm covered in blood, dirt, and sweat too. Let's go together."
I slowly looked at her, raised an eyebrow, and said flatly,
"Do you want to die?"
At that exact moment, Princess Lyria began coughing violently.
I rushed to her side and knelt in front of her.
"Are you alright? What happened?"
Kara placed a steadying hand on Lyria's back.
"Easy girl ," she said. " or You'll kill yourself."
Sister Mary handed Lyria a glass of water.
"Are you alright, my child?"
Ayla tilted her head with a small smile.
"Are you okay, Princess?"
Lyria drank slowly, then smiled faintly.
"I'm fine. Thank you."
I studied her face closely.
"Are you sure?"
She met my gaze for a moment, then nodded.
"I'm fine now."
I straightened.
"Alright then. I'll be quick and come back."
And with that, I left the room—my mind far less calm than my expression suggested.