The streets of Luminous were buzzing as always, the noise of merchants calling out their wares mixing with the clang of steel from some blacksmith's stall and the chatter of adventurers heading to and from jobs. This was the heart of the Alvan Kingdom—wide plains and mountain ranges wrapped around the land like a giant shield, and here in the center of it all stood this city, bright and restless and alive. It always smelled faintly of spices and oil, and the wind carried the sound of wagon wheels rattling over the cobblestone.
Our boots clicked along the path as the towering stone headquarters of the Adventurers' Guild came into view. It loomed like some old fortress—broad marble stairs leading up to iron-framed doors, a sprawling front yard lined with trimmed hedges, and a massive crest of gold etched into its wall, the emblem of the kingdom itself. Just seeing it made my shoulders tense; this place wasn't just a hub, it was where decisions that shaped the whole Guild were made.
Lilis walked beside me, spinning one of her daggers around her finger with a bored look, her short light-blonde hair catching the sun every time she glanced around. "So, we can't just stroll into the underground archive, huh?"
"Of course not," Caina murmured, calm as ever, her silver hair falling over one eye as she scanned the grand entrance. "It holds important documents. Random people can't just walk in."
We stepped up to the reception counter. The woman there gave us an apologetic smile, bowing her head slightly. "I'm very sorry, but meeting with the Guildmaster requires a reservation."
"Figures…" I rubbed the back of my neck, frowning. "So, what now?"
Before any of us could think of an answer, a calm voice spoke from behind.
"I heard your conversation. If it's about the underground archive, I can arrange an introduction."
We turned to see Edmond Weiss, the vice-guildmaster himself, standing with that composed, sharp-eyed presence of his. He looked effortlessly neat, dark hair slicked back, his steel-gray eyes quiet but alert.
"Your investigation sounds interesting," he said lightly. "Frankly, understanding that app in full would benefit the Guild as well."
The receptionist blinked at him, clearly surprised. "If the vice-guildmaster approves… then I can escort them."
And just like that, thanks to Edmond's quiet pull, we found ourselves standing in front of the Guildmaster's office.
I knocked. A deep voice rumbled from inside. "Enter."
The door creaked open, and the air seemed to thicken. Galahad Strauss was exactly what the stories said: a towering man with graying black hair and sharp, piercing eyes that pinned us in place the moment we stepped in. There was something about the way he sat, broad arms folded across his chest, that spoke of years commanding battlefields.
"So, you're Leon Adel. I've heard about you," he said.
I nodded, keeping my voice steady. "We'd like permission to access the Guild's underground archive. To uncover the full details of the 'Matching Adventure' app."
Galahad's gaze sharpened. He didn't say a word for a long few seconds, just studying each of us as if weighing our worth.
"The underground archive contains highly confidential information. I cannot give permission lightly," he finally said.
Cain's tone stayed cool, but I could hear the steel under it. "But the app is already being used as an official Guild support tool. Isn't it a problem that we don't fully understand it?"
Galahad shut his eyes briefly, thinking. Edmond's voice came next, calm and clear. "…They have a point. Shouldn't the Guild at least understand what it has endorsed?"
Beside me, Lilis whispered under her breath, "He's actually pretty dependable…"
"Hmm. Perhaps," Galahad muttered, then opened his eyes again, heavy with decision. "Your passion is noted. But access to the underground archive requires a strict review."
"How long would that take?" I asked.
"At least several days." A faint grin tugged at his mouth. "But there is a faster way."
I leaned in. "What way?"
"If you can prove your worth to the Guild. For example… making a useful contribution, or solving a problem."
Lilis's green eyes lit up instantly. "So, if we take on a Guild request, we could earn the right to enter?"
"Exactly," Galahad said with a nod.
Before we could discuss it further, a sudden scream tore through the hallway outside.
"What the—!?" I spun as the floor trembled faintly.
We rushed out. In the Guild's main hall, several monstrous shapes were rampaging, their huge bodies slamming against the marble floor. Their eyes glowed a vicious red, and sparks burst from the ground each time their claws gouged into the stone.
"Monsters!? Inside the Guild!?" Cecilia gasped, her violet eyes wide in shock.
"But the barrier should've stopped them… no way…" Cain's calm mask cracked for once.
"Ordinary barriers should block any monster intrusion," he said sharply. "If this ties back to the app's abnormal behavior, this is serious."
Galahad's low growl rumbled like distant thunder. "No precedent exists for an app affecting monster behavior… but this sight leaves me no choice but to consider it."
The tension spiked like a wire about to snap. Lilis darted forward in a blur, her twin daggers flashing in her hands.
"Think later! Let's just take them down first!"
"Go!" I shouted, and the battle erupted across the hall.
With Elsa away, our defense was thin. Lilis and Caina tried to cover the gaps, but our formation fell into chaos almost immediately.
Whatever was behind these rampaging beasts, we would have to survive this fight before we could even begin to find out.
Notes:
• Lilis - Agile rogue/thief — Leon's close friend and playful teaser. Strikes fast with twin daggers and vanishes into stealth. Petite, light-blonde hair, mischievous green eyes. Reminder: Playful trickster hiding sharp instincts.
• Cain - Calm, brilliant mage — the group's strategist and analyst. Uses lightning magic with precise, logical focus. Slender, silver hair, calm blue eyes. Reminder: Stoic thinker and precision spellcaster.
• Edmond - Vice-guildmaster (v1c12) — secretly aids Leon despite neutrality. Expert in swift swordplay and covert tactics. Lean, short dark-brown hair, steel-gray eyes. Reminder: Sharp-eyed tactician who works from the shadows.
• Galahad - Adventurers' Guildmaster (v1c12) — commands respect, guards Guild neutrality yet values Leon's resolve. Master greatsword user and morale pillar. Broad-shouldered, graying black hair, piercing dark eyes. Reminder: Stern but honorable veteran leader.
• Cecilia - Gentle yet firm healer (v1c11) — Leon's emotional support and moral anchor. Wields holy healing and purification magic. Graceful, golden hair, violet eyes. Reminder: Kind priestess with hidden resolve.
• Elsa - Proud red-haired warrior — once a frontline fighter, deeply trusts (and loves) Leon. Masters raw strength and combat. Tall, long crimson hair, fierce golden eyes. Reminder: Fierce protector, sharper after her return.