Kaien barely slept.
Not because he was afraid.
Because he couldn't stop thinking about the offer.
The Veiled Crown.
An organization that didn't officially exist.
A group that handled information, retrievals, assassinations, and whatever other jobs paid enough to be worth the risk.
And somehow, they wanted him.
Kaien stared at the ceiling.
"I came here to become an adventurer."
He sighed.
"Somehow I ended up getting recruited by criminals."
He turned over.
"...Mom would have opinions."
The thought made him go quiet.
His fingers found one of his braids.
For a few seconds, he just held it.
Then he closed his eyes.
"I'll be careful."
The next morning, Kaien went through his academy classes normally.
Combat theory.
Monster ecology.
Mana control.
Dungeon safety.
He listened carefully.
Even though he already knew most of the material, the instructors occasionally mentioned things that weren't in the comic.
Small differences.
Different monster classifications.
New dungeon locations.
Events he had never heard about.
Every little change made him more certain.
The future wasn't fixed.
After class, he found Mira sitting outside.
She was reading a book.
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Kaien walked past.
She looked up.
"Sheep."
Kaien stopped.
He slowly turned around.
"Don't call me that."
Mira smiled.
"But you look like one."
"I don't."
"You do."
"How?"
She pointed at his hair.
"Fluffy."
Kaien stared at her.
"That's not an argument."
"It's enough of one."
He sighed.
Mira laughed.
"You're easy to tease."
"I'm beginning to regret giving you that medical patch."
"Too late."
She closed her book.
"You heading somewhere?"
"Yeah."
"Where?"
"Somewhere."
She narrowed her eyes.
"That's suspicious."
"It's a very normal answer."
"No, it isn't."
Kaien started walking.
Mira followed.
"Where are you going?"
"Why are you following me?"
"I don't know."
She smiled.
"I was bored."
Kaien sighed.
This was going to become a problem.
After separating from Mira, Kaien headed toward the old observation building.
The woman was already waiting.
This time, there was someone else with her.
A girl.
She looked around Kaien's age.
Short black hair.
Sharp eyes.
A calm expression.
She looked Kaien over.
"So this is him?"
The woman nodded.
"Yes."
The girl frowned.
"He looks harmless."
Kaien looked at her.
"Thanks."
She blinked.
"That wasn't a compliment."
"I know."
The woman smiled.
"You two will probably get along."
"No, we won't."
Both Kaien and the girl answered at the same time.
They looked at each other.
Then away.
The woman laughed.
"Good."
Kaien looked at her.
"I've made my decision."
Her expression became serious.
"And?"
"I'll join."
She nodded.
"I thought you would."
"But I have conditions."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Go ahead."
"My identity stays hidden."
"Agreed."
"Nobody uses my real name."
"Agreed."
"I choose which academy activities I participate in."
"Within reason."
"And I don't take pointless jobs."
The woman smiled.
"Fair."
Kaien looked at the tattoo case.
"And that?"
She opened it.
Inside was a small black seal bearing the mark of Gluttony.
Kaien studied the design.
A large, uneven circular form made up the center of the mark, with a jagged row of sharp points extending along one side. Smaller pointed details broke away from the symbol, giving it an almost broken-crown appearance.
It was strange.
Distinctive.
And unlike any ordinary tattoo.
"That's Gluttony's mark?"
"Yes."
She nodded.
"The mark identifies you to the others."
"Where does it go?"
"Under your right rib."
Kaien nodded.
Hidden.
Good.
"Alright."
He sat down.
The woman prepared the seal.
"This will hurt."
"I expected that."
She pressed it against his skin.
A sharp burning sensation spread beneath his right rib.
Kaien clenched his teeth.
He didn't make a sound.
The mark slowly formed beneath his skin.
The pain faded.
The woman removed the seal.
"Done."
Kaien looked down.
He couldn't see the mark properly.
But he could feel it.
The woman handed him a mirror.
Kaien looked.
The distinctive Gluttony symbol rested beneath his right rib, hidden unless he lifted his shirt.
He touched it.
"So that's Gluttony."
The woman nodded.
"From now on, the organization knows you only as Gluttony."
Kaien looked at her.
"And you?"
She smiled.
"You can call me whatever you want."
Kaien stared.
"That's not helpful."
She laughed.
"Fair."
She stepped closer.
"My name is Seraphina."
Kaien nodded.
"Seraphina."
For the first time, her expression became slightly warmer.
"Welcome to the Veiled Crown, Gluttony."
Kaien looked at the mark again.
Then at Seraphina.
"Guess I'm part of a criminal organization now."
"Technically."
"That's reassuring."
She smiled.
"Don't worry."
"We're not very good criminals yet."
Kaien stared at her.
"...That might be the least reassuring thing you've said."
Seraphina laughed.
And just like that—
Gluttony became the first new Sin of the Veiled Crown.
Not a monster.
Not a villain.
Not yet.
Just a boy trying to protect the people he knew were going to suffer.
And now he had a new way to do it.
From the shadows.