Verl Ouzen hurried into the nearest branch of the Nightglass Covenant. His footsteps echoed through the stone hall as several adventurers glanced in his direction. Ignoring the curious stares, he walked straight to the reception desk.
The receptionist looked up with a polite smile.
"Welcome to the Nightglass Covenant. How may I help you?"
Verl rested one hand on the counter.
"I'm looking for Black ViSage. I need to meet him immediately."
The receptionist searched through a few documents before shaking her head.
"I'm sorry, sir. Mr. Black ViSage accepted a rescue request earlier today. He left with several adventurers to investigate a ruined hospital. I don't know when he'll return."
Verl frowned.
"A ruined hospital..."
He clicked his tongue in frustration.
"...Damn it."
Without another word, he turned around and left the building.
---
Meanwhile...
Inside a quiet house, the moonlight slipped through the bedroom window.
Five-year-old Cherid Nanmaniverb lay awake on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
"Haa..."
He sighed quietly.
"Mom is so strict."
He rolled onto his side and hugged his pillow.
"I know she wants me to grow up healthy... but sometimes I just want to have fun like everyone else."
He remembered today's conversation.
"When I ask for chocolate..."
He imitated his mother's voice.
"'No. Chocolate is bad for your teeth.'"
He smiled bitterly.
"When I ask for chicken rolls..."
Again he copied her voice.
"'No. They're made in dirty kitchens. I'll cook something healthier for you.'"
Cherid puffed his cheeks.
"And then she makes vegetable rolls..."
He buried his face in the pillow.
"I know vegetables are healthy... but they don't taste as good."
After a long silence, his expression softened.
"...Why is Mom always thinking about my future?"
Within minutes, the little boy slowly drifted to sleep.
---
In another room...
Qwini Nanmaniverb lay quietly on her bed.
Although her eyes were closed, sleep refused to come.
She stared into the darkness.
"Sometimes..."
"I wonder why this city hides so much from its people."
"They keep telling us the outside world is dangerous..."
"But why?"
"There has to be more to the story."
Her thoughts slowly carried her back ten years into the past.
---
Ten years ago...
A much younger Qwini rode her motorcycle along an old road outside the city walls.
Fresh wind brushed against her face as she laughed happily.
"Hahaha!"
"This job is easier than I expected."
"I'm just riding around, collecting information for the government, and getting paid."
"What an amazing job."
At that time, Qwini had recently become an Information Collector.
Most people refused the position because traveling outside the city was extremely dangerous.
Bandits roamed the roads.
Marrowbanes hunted travelers.
Powerful Luxurer families secretly controlled many trade routes.
Even walking outside city territory often required paying illegal tolls.
Only merchants and government employees could freely leave the city. Ordinary citizens needed official permission.
Qwini knew the risks.
But she believed she could handle them.
After riding for several hours, she noticed a beautiful lake surrounded by trees.
"This looks peaceful."
She parked her motorcycle beneath a large tree.
After resting for a few minutes, she walked toward the clear water, enjoying the gentle breeze.
Everything felt calm.
Too calm.
Suddenly—
Splash!
Something burst out of the lake.
A massive Marrowbane Crocodile lunged forward and sank its sharp teeth into her leg.
"AHH!!"
Qwini screamed in pain.
The monster dragged her toward the water.
She desperately tried to pull herself free, but the creature was far stronger than she was.
Panic filled her mind.
"I'll die..."
"No... think!"
Her eyes landed on the phone in her pocket.
An idea appeared.
With trembling hands, she activated the music player before throwing the phone onto a large rock several meters away.
The loud music echoed through the forest.
The crocodile instantly turned toward the sound.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Qwini kicked herself free and rushed back to her motorcycle.
She accelerated as fast as she could.
Behind her, the crocodile chased for a short distance before disappearing into the lake.
Although she escaped, her leg continued bleeding.
Worse...
The Marrowbane's venom had already entered her body.
Her vision became blurry.
Several minutes later, she could barely hold the handlebars.
She stopped beneath another tree and leaned against the trunk.
"My body..."
"...I can't..."
Everything faded into darkness.
---
When Qwini slowly opened her eyes, the sun had almost disappeared.
She immediately realized she wasn't alone.
Several rough-looking adventurers surrounded her.
Each of them wore a disgusting smile.
One stepped closer.
"Look at her."
"She's unbelievably beautiful."
Another laughed.
"So..."
"Who gets to enjoy her first?"
The group immediately started arguing among themselves.
Qwini's heart nearly stopped.
"No..."
She tried to stand.
Her poisoned body refused to move.
The men laughed even harder.
"Look!"
"She still thinks she can escape."
Tears filled Qwini's eyes.
"So..."
"This is how I die..."
Just as one adventurer reached for her—
Thud.
The man suddenly collapsed.
Everyone froze.
"What?"
Another body fell.
Then another.
Within five minutes, every adventurer had collapsed unconscious.
Sleeping needles protruded from their necks.
The surviving men looked around in terror.
"Who's there?!"
"Come out!"
"Stop hiding!"
One pointed toward Qwini.
"It has to be her!"
"Kill her first!"
He charged forward.
Before he could reach her—
Thud.
He collapsed as well.
Silence returned.
Footsteps echoed from behind the trees.
A young man calmly walked into view.
His expression remained relaxed as he observed the unconscious adventurers.
This man was Zavinies.
He looked toward Qwini.
"So..."
"Who are you?"
"You don't seem to be from around here."
"Are you from one of the cities?"
Before Qwini could answer, the poison overwhelmed her once again.
She collapsed unconscious.
---
When she opened her eyes for the second time, she found herself inside a small wooden house.
Fresh bandages covered her injured leg.
Zavinies sat quietly nearby, sharpening a knife.
Seeing that she had awakened, he smiled gently.
"The poison is nasty."
"Marrowbane Crocodiles are famous for it."
"If you hadn't received treatment quickly, you would've died."
He stood up.
"If you're willing to trust me, I'll give you the medicine you need."
Qwini looked at him cautiously.
'Why is he helping me?'
'Does he expect something in return?'
Zavinies noticed the suspicion in her eyes and sighed.
"You're wondering if I have bad intentions."
He chuckled.
"If you don't trust me, that's fine."
"I'll go home, bring the medicine back here, and leave."
"So..."
"What do you want to do?"
Qwini lowered her head.
'If he leaves... another group might find me.'
'If someone intends to hurt me... it's better to face one person than an entire group.'
Zavinies suddenly sighed.
"You really think the worst of people."
He smiled helplessly.
"Come on."
"I told you already."
"I'm not going to hurt you."
Back at his house, Zavinies carefully prepared herbal medicine before handing it to her.
"Drink this."
"It'll neutralize the poison."
Then he gently cleaned the wound on her leg and wrapped it with fresh bandages.
Throughout the entire treatment, he never acted inappropriately.
He maintained complete respect.
Watching him, Qwini slowly realized something.
This man wasn't pretending.
He truly expected nothing in return.
For the first time since meeting him...
She smiled.
"Thank you..."
"I misjudged you."
Zavinies simply laughed.
"That happens."
"Now get some rest."
"You're safe here."