Scy's POV
Morning came… but the air still felt heavy.
As if the night hadn't truly ended.
I stood outside the house, staring at the ground where the blood had already dried. The bodies were gone—I made sure of that before the sun rose. No traces. No witnesses.
But that didn't change anything.
"…They weren't random."
I could tell.
Their movements, their coordination… they weren't ordinary thugs. Someone trained them. Someone sent them.
And that meant—
someone was already watching me.
"You're awake early."
I turned around.
Natalia was standing by the door, her expression calmer than last night, but I could still see the uneasiness in her eyes.
"…Couldn't sleep?" I asked.
"…Not really," she replied. "What about you?"
"I don't sleep much."
She gave a small nod, then walked closer, stopping a few steps away from me.
"…Are you going to tell me what's happening?"
Straightforward.
I liked that.
"…Someone sent them," I said.
Her expression stiffened.
"…You mean… they weren't just criminals?"
"No."
"…Then who?"
I looked away.
"…That's what I'm going to find out."
Silence followed.
Then—
"…I want to come with you."
I glanced at her.
"…No."
Her brows furrowed slightly.
"…Why?"
"Because it's dangerous."
"…I already know that," she said quietly. "But I don't want to just stay here and do nothing."
I stared at her for a moment.
There was no hesitation in her eyes.
No fear.
Or maybe—
she was just choosing to ignore it.
"…You'll slow me down."
She didn't react immediately.
Then—
"…Then I'll get stronger."
That answer…
was unexpected.
"…And how are you planning to do that?" I asked.
"…Teach me."
I paused.
"…You're serious."
"Yes."
For a moment, I considered it.
Having someone with me wasn't ideal.
But leaving her behind…
was worse.
"…Fine."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"…Really?"
"…But don't expect me to go easy on you."
She gave a small smile.
"…I don't want you to."
We left the house shortly after.
The city was already alive—people moving around, merchants shouting, adventurers gathering. But this time, I wasn't here to observe.
I was here to find answers.
"…Where do we start?" Natalia asked.
"The guild."
"…Adventurer Guild?"
"Yes."
If there was any place where information moved freely—
it was there.
As soon as we entered, the noise hit us.
Voices.
Laughter.
Arguments.
It was chaotic.
But the moment I stepped inside—
I felt it.
Eyes.
Watching.
"…They know something," I muttered.
"…What?" Natalia asked.
"Stay close."
We walked toward the counter.
The receptionist looked at me, then at Natalia.
"…New adventurers?" she asked.
"…Something like that," I replied.
She smiled faintly.
"…Then you came at the right time."
"…I'm not here to register."
Her smile faded slightly.
"…Then what do you want?"
I leaned forward slightly.
"…Information."
Her eyes narrowed.
"…About?"
"…A group that moves at night. Armed. Organized."
Silence.
The people around us seemed to quiet down… just a little.
"…We don't deal with that kind of topic here," she said carefully.
"…Then I'll ask somewhere else."
I turned—
but—
"Wait."
I stopped.
"…What do you know about them?" she asked quietly.
So she did know something.
"…They came for me," I said.
Her expression changed.
"…I see."
She looked around, then leaned closer.
"…If that's the case… then you're already involved."
"…With what?"
She hesitated.
Then—
"…The Black Fang."
Natalia stiffened.
"…Black Fang…?"
"…An underground group," the receptionist continued. "Assassins. Mercenaries. They don't move without a reason."
"…Who hires them?"
"…Anyone who can afford them."
I frowned.
"…So someone paid them to kill me."
"…Exactly."
Silence.
Then—
"…And if they fail?"
The receptionist looked at me directly.
"…They don't stop."
Natalia grabbed my sleeve slightly.
"…Scy…"
"…I know."
I turned back toward the exit.
"…Where are you going?" she asked.
"…To send a message."
"…What kind of message?"
I looked forward.
"…That they chose the wrong target."
As we stepped outside, I could feel it again.
That same presence.
Watching.
Waiting.
"…They're here," I muttered.
Natalia tensed.
"…Already?"
"…Good."
A faint smile appeared on my lips.
This time—
I wasn't going to wait for them.
"…Let's go."
And without hesitation—
I walked straight into the shadows.