We went straight to Galahad's office the moment we got back to the Guild. The heavy oak door creaked as I pushed it open, and the familiar smell of old parchment and oiled steel wrapped around us like a weight.
"What happened? Tell me everything."
Galahad's gaze cut sharp as a drawn blade, his voice low but carrying through the quiet room. That steady weight behind it made my shoulders tense without meaning to.
"We were ambushed in the underground archive," I said. "Right when we started digging into Zelva Kingdom's secrets, a group of unknown assassins attacked."
Galahad's brows pulled tight. He exhaled once, slow and controlled, then his eyes narrowed again.
"…So. Someone really is trying to bury this."
Edmond crossed his arms, head bowing slightly as his voice rumbled like gravel. "They weren't Guild members?"
I shook my head. "No. They called themselves heirs to Zelva Kingdom's will."
The air went still. It felt like the lamplight flickered—just for a heartbeat—as if the room itself didn't want to hear that name.
"…The will of Zelva Kingdom," Galahad muttered, breathing out through his nose. "So a faction guarding that fallen kingdom's legacy… still active."
"That's not all." My voice came out lower than I meant. "We found signs of a hidden 'selection function' inside the Matching Adventure app."
"Selection… function?" Edmond's gray eyes narrowed, a spark of interest slipping under his usual caution.
"Maybe the app wasn't just pairing compatible people," I said slowly, "but judging us by some other criteria entirely."
Caina spread the worn book across Galahad's desk. The brittle pages crackled faintly, and that faint old-ink smell drifted up again. "It might've been evaluating not only personal factors like bloodline, ability, or magic affinity… but also the unknown potential of their combinations." His fingers glided across a line of faded script. "And according to this, several highly compatible parties who used the app vanished—one after another."
"Vanished?" Galahad's voice was low, sharp-edged. "As in… dead?"
"Unknown." Cecilia's tone was unusually cold as she glanced at the record. "They simply disappeared and never returned."
"So you're saying," Edmond murmured, "the app might be choosing certain people… and taking them somewhere."
"That's the most likely theory." Caina didn't even blink. "And if that's true… then we might be candidates for that 'chosen' group."
The words froze the room. I hadn't realized my hand was clenched so hard my knuckles had gone white.
Galahad folded his arms, exhaling through his teeth. "…Explain."
"If the selection function was active," I said carefully, "then maybe us being matched as a 100% compatibility party… wasn't coincidence. It was deliberate."
"…I see." Galahad's slow nod pressed the air down heavier around us. "Then why try to kill you? If you were to be 'selected,' wouldn't they leave you alive?"
"That's what makes no sense," Lilis said, frowning as she tilted her head. "Maybe we don't fit their perfect little checklist… or maybe we just learned too much and they wanted to erase us."
"…Either way, they're clearly enemies." Galahad's voice stayed even, but I caught the faintest sigh escape him, just once. His jaw tightened under the weight of command. "The Guild can't ignore this."
"Then you'll back us up? Officially?" I asked, stepping forward despite myself. Hope flickered like a stubborn ember in my chest.
"That will be… difficult." Galahad shook his head, the motion sharp with finality. "Anything about Zelva is taboo among the old nobles and politicians. No one will touch it. If we move openly, the Guild's very standing could crumble."
"But—!" My voice rose before I caught it. My hands were fists, heat and frustration crawling up my arms. We'd gotten this far only to—
"…There might be another way." Edmond's calm voice cut in like a blade through cloth.
"Edmond?" Galahad's eyes shifted to him.
"If the Guild can't move officially… nothing stops us from offering personal support."
"…Hmph." Galahad's arms stayed folded, his gaze dropping. Silence hung like lead while his mind ran through calculations I couldn't see.
"…Fine." He finally looked up, gaze firm. "No formal aid. But under my name, I'll authorize limited intel and supplies."
The air loosened just enough for me to breathe. "Thank you," I said, and we all bowed deeply. Relief and new resolve mingled in our voices like warm light bleeding through cracks.
Then—buzz.
My Smart Ring trembled on my finger.
"…What?" I glanced at the display.
[ACCESS ATTEMPT DETECTED]
On the tiny screen, my familiar avatar blinked wide eyes and flicked her soft furry ears. She twirled her little staff and a faint swirl of stardust shimmered out, her pink ribbon bobbing as she tilted her head.
"Hmmm? Someone tried to poke at your account, but… no idea who!" she chirped, twirling once more before the glitter faded.
"What's wrong?" Lilis peered over my arm.
"Someone tried to access my account," I muttered. "This warning's never shown up before."
Cain's eyes sharpened instantly. "Then someone might be monitoring us."
"No doubt," Galahad said grimly. "If that's true, they already know your movements. Be careful."
"…Yeah." I closed my fist around the ring. Its cold metal bit into my skin, and something harder than fear settled under my ribs.
That settled it.
We weren't just adventurers anymore.
We were caught in something much, much bigger.
Notes:
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.