The street was sealed within minutes.
City guards surrounded the ruined inn, weapons drawn, eyes sharp. The remains of the monster were already dissolving into faint motes of mana, leaving behind scorched stone and frozen cracks along the walls.
Arelion stood to the side, arms crossed, watching the scene unfold.
"…B-rank," he muttered again.
Inside a city.
At midnight.
Iris stretched lazily beside him. "You're thinking too hard."
"I'm thinking the right amount," Arelion replied. "This shouldn't have happened."
Elayne nodded. "Agreed. A monster with Mana Overload entering city limits suggests either negligence—or intent."
Iris glanced at her. "You're sharp for a knight."
"I get that a lot."
Before the conversation could continue, a man in guard captain's armor approached them. His gaze flicked from the damaged building to the frozen street—then to Iris.
"…Report," he said.
Elayne stepped forward smoothly. "A single monster breached the city perimeter. Estimated B-rank. It possessed a self-detonation–type skill."
The captain's expression tightened. "Casualties?"
"None," Elayne replied. "The monster was eliminated immediately."
The man exhaled in relief.
"That thing nearly took out half a block," Iris said casually. "You might want to check your barrier patrol."
The captain winced. "We will."
His eyes shifted to Arelion. "You three… adventurers?"
Arelion hesitated for half a second.
"Yes."
"…Rank?" the captain asked.
Arelion handed over the card.
The captain blinked.
"…F?"
Iris burst out laughing.
"Don't laugh," Arelion muttered.
The captain looked confused, then slowly handed the card back. "I'll… file the report."
As the guards began clearing the area, Arelion felt it again.
That faint shift.
The world tilted—just slightly.
Values surfaced at the edge of his perception.
Not numbers.
Not labels.
Intent. Responsibility. Impact.
Inner thought:
It's reacting again… not to strength.
His gaze lingered on the shattered inn, the frozen street, the people whispering nearby.
This incident had weight.
Consequence.
"…So that's what you respond to," he murmured.
Iris raised an eyebrow. "Respond to what?"
"Nothing," he said quickly. "Just thinking."
She smirked. "You think a lot for someone who doesn't swing a sword."
Elayne turned to him. "We should report this to the guild."
"Yes," Arelion agreed. "If B-rank monsters are wandering around, people should know."
Iris cracked her knuckles. "Good. Maybe they'll finally stop underestimating Rank F."
Arelion smiled faintly.
Inner thought:
Maybe that's exactly the value this crown is measuring.
Not power.
But impact.
As they walked away from the ruined inn, Arelion felt certain of one thing—
This city was only the beginning.