CHAPTER 57: FAITHFUL MEETING

My knees were shaking. My shirt clung to my back, and my pants were soaked with sweat, at least, I hoped it was sweat. I was breathing fast, short sharp gasps. Panic gripped me.

I slowly turned around, praying the ghost hadn’t seen me. My instinct told me to run and never look back.

But then... I heard something.

The wailing had changed. It was not just crying anymore, it sounded like someone speaking. Low, broken words mixed with sobs.

Swallowing hard, I forced myself to glance back at the figure. This time, I covered my eyes with one hand, leaving a small gap between my index and middle fingers. I peeked through it like a terrified child watching a horror movie, half-expecting the worst.

...

Luckily, no jump scare.

Thank god.

As I looked more carefully, I saw a lady kneeling in front of a tombstone. One of her hands rested gently on the stone, her head bowed low. I could barely make out what she was saying, just fragments carried by the wind. I cupped my right ear, trying to amplify the sound.

"I’m sorry, Mother. Even after you and father are gone... I’m still a useless daughter."

She must have just lost someone she loved deeply. I figured I should not interrupt, people grieving need space. I was about to quietly back away when she continued:

"I can’t face any of this anymore. No one wants someone like me. I just... wish I were dead."

Oi, oi... That was a red flag.

As an unofficial advocate of anti–self-harm, an honorary title bestowed by the old man from the Realm In-Between, and also just as a fellow human being, I knew I had to step in.

I stepped forward, my [Torch Bug Net] gripped in my left hand.

"Excuse me... err, miss, or madam, are you alright?" I asked, trying my best not to sound awkward.

Now, in the back of my mind, I expected her to either flinch in surprise or stay silent, as is always the case in those dramatic love stories

What I got was the last thing I ever expected.

Without any warning, the lady dashed at me with terrifying speed. She kicked my leg out from under me, and before I could process what was happening, I was on the ground, with a black blade pressed against my neck.

Dark aura poured from her body like smoke escaping a furnace.

Oh my god.

This was far worse than a ghost.

"Who are you!? Are you following me!?" she shouted, her voice sharp and trembling.

She glared down at me. In the glow of the [Torch Bug Net], I could finally see her face, messy black hair partly covering the right side, sharp eyes like a predator, yet brimming with tears.

Did I just mess with the wrong girl?

"I-I’m really sorry! I didn’t mean any harm! I just wanted to help!" I stammered, my voice cracking with panic.

I did not know who this girl was, but I could feel it, she was strong. Stronger than anyone I did ever met.

I could not even risk activating [Hero Grace]. One wrong move, and my head might part ways with my body before I could blink, let alone summon Indra.

And in that moment, the only thought that crossed my mind was...

"Do... do you want some chicken wings?"

I gave her the most awkward smile I have ever made in my life, holding up the box of leftover chicken wings in my right hand like it was a peace offering to a wild beast.

I had no idea why I said that. It was dumb I knew. But some primal survival instinct deep inside me told me to offer food or die.

She looked at me.

Expressionless.

She must thought I was the biggest idiot on the continent.

Suddenly, from beyond the darkness behind the girl, a figure emerged.

"Lady Cynthia," the robed figure said. "Sir Kelar is waiting. Please prepare for the next session."

They wore a long dark robe that concealed every part of their body, face hidden beneath the hood.

Cynthia glanced at me, her eyes cold.

"Don’t ever let me see you again."

The words were simple, but they carried a chilling weight. A shiver ran down my spine.

She turned away. Her sword dissolved into black mist and vanished from her hand. Without another word, she followed the robed figure into the shadows and dissappear.

What the hell was that?

Is that how women in this world react when someone disturbs their privacy?

If that was the case, I really need to stop doing that.

I stood up, brushing the dirt off my pants. My eyes drifted to the gravestone she had been kneeling before.

It read:

"Here lies a gentle mother."

And beneath it, in smaller letters:

"Lisa Graham."

That must be her mother.

She must be in pain. I know that kind of sadness. Bob lost his mother too. I remember how broken he looked back then...

But before I could fall too deep into memory, the [Torch Bug Net] began to flicker, light sputtering like a dying candle.

"Oh shoot! Time’s almost up!"

I bolted, sprinting across the cemetery, with my left hand holding the flickering torch, and my right clutching a box of chicken wings.

---

A figure was standing on top of the hill of the cemetery. Its eyes glittered with the moonlight. It look sharp at a man running fast through the cemetery with a unique light on his hand. The figure then retreat slowly into the darkness.

---

The sunlight poured across the sky, bright and warm. The heavens above were a vibrant blue, with only a few clouds drifting lazily.

At the Dawnbloom Guild, the place was buzzing with activity. With the carnival fast approaching, the guild was busier than ever. Adventurers came in waves, snatching up quests from the board. Within an hour, the board was completely empty, only to be refilled just as quickly by the tireless staff.

This cycle had repeated daily for the past month.

"Another busy day..." sighed a woman stationed behind the quest counter.

She wore a maid-style uniform, paired with a decorative rabbit-ear headband. Her outfit clung tightly to her body, almost ready to burst at the chest and hips.

"As long as the carnival isn’t over yet, we’ll have to deal with this, Yui," replied another woman beside her. She wore the same uniform, but hers was more modest, fitting more comfortably on her slimmer frame. A pair of dog ears adorned her headband.

"But our wages haven’t changed at all, Elsa! I already asked the Guildmaster about it, and she said the guild can’t offer any bonuses because of budget issues."

Yui slumped over the counter, letting her arms dangle limply below the desk.

Elsa gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

"Cheer up, Yui. After work, let’s go to that café you’ve been dying to try. My treat."

"Wait...really?! Elsa, you’re the best! I’m so glad to have a friend like you!"

Yui lunged forward, hugging Elsa tightly, making Elsa’s face buried into Yui’s chest.

"Erm... excuse me? Can I ask something?"

A voice interrupted them from the other side of the counter.

The two snapped to attention, instantly regaining their composure.

"Hello! How can I help you today?" Yui asked, smiling professionally.

Standing before them were two unfamiliar men, one slim man and the other one fat.

They were clearly newcomers, but something about the fat one’s funny expression made him hard to ignore.

---

At the same moment, on the second floor of the guild, a heated discussion was taking place in the Guildmaster’s Room. Inside were two men. One of them was familiar, a brown-haired man with an axe strapped to his back. William.

"What are you trying to do, Will?" asked the other man, who appeared to be in his forties. He wore rectangular glasses, and his dark blue hair reached his shoulder blades, tied neatly at the ends. His sharp gaze was now fixed angrily on William.

"As I said, Beltimore, I want you, the vice guildmaster, to authorize a new intake of members as soon as possible. Preferably before the carnival," William said firmly.

"Do you even remember we just did the initiation ceremony two weeks ago? We only recruit once per month. The next one is scheduled after the carnival."

"Please, Beltimore," William pleaded. "I’m asking for your help. This might be our only chance."

"Chance? What chance are you talking about?" Beltimore frowned, confused. As far as he remembered, this was the first time William had ever made a request like this. They had known each other for over ten years, fighting together in expeditions, completing quests side by side, and surviving countless battles. William had always been calm and logical, never impulsive.

But today... this was not the William he knew.

William met his eyes, unwavering. "A chance to make our guild great."

That got Beltimore’s attention. His brows rose, clearly intrigued.

"And what exactly does this emergency recruitment have to do with our guild’s prestige?"

William hesitated. He was unsure whether to reveal the truth. But to convince Beltimore, he would have to gamble.

"I believe I may have found potential S-rank individuals," he said at last, his voice low but steady.