Why did a guild officer know where I lived?
The thought flickered through my head, but I didn't have time to dwell on it.
Because standing at my door, introducing herself as Hikawa Reina, was a woman who clearly knew exactly who I was—and had come with a purpose.
"Dad, who's at the door?"
Misaki's casual voice drifted from the living room.
Damn. I couldn't let her worry.
I forced a mental switch, slipping on the mask of the easygoing middle-aged man I pretended to be.
"Just someone from work," I called back. "We've got a bit of a complicated discussion."
Turning back to Hikawa, I gestured inside.
"Come in. It's cramped, but you're welcome."
She inclined her head gracefully and stepped into the apartment. The lingering aroma of sukiyaki clung to the living room. Misaki peeked curiously from behind the table, her eyes round as she took in the sight of a stunning woman in a suit. I couldn't blame her—never in her life had one of my so-called "coworkers" looked anything like this.
"This is my daughter, Misaki. And this is... Hikawa-san, from the guild."
"Pleased to meet you. Hikawa Reina."
She greeted Misaki with a flawless professional smile. The way her expression snapped from neutral to radiant that fast... I had to admit, it impressed me.
Misaki busied herself with tea while I sat opposite Hikawa, the half-finished sukiyaki pot still between us on the table. The whole scene felt absurdly mismatched.
"So then," I said bluntly, "what brings you here?"
Her smile vanished. The ice returned.
"I'll be direct, Sato-san. Is your skill truly nothing more than 'exploration-type'?"
Of course. Straight for the jugular.
I sighed inwardly, keeping my face bland.
"As far as I know, it's exactly as reported."
"Today, we received a report that the B-rank party 'Crimson Fang' was completely neutralized by you. Are you saying a mere 'exploration-type' skill could achieve that?"
"Neutralized? Hardly. They blundered into traps on their own. I was just... lucky."
"'Lucky,' again. You seem fond of that word."
Her gaze was sharp, probing.
It was a negotiation. A battle of wits. I'd been here before—back in my salesman days, facing down hard-nosed clients. Read between their lines, reveal nothing of your own, tilt the table in your favor.
I didn't flinch. I was good at this game.
"Your power may already be at a level the guild cannot overlook," Hikawa continued. "If you are concealing an unreported ability, I urge you to disclose it now. For your own protection as well."
"Appreciate the concern. But I'm just an F-rank adventurer scraping by. Day-to-day, that's all I manage."
From the kitchen, Misaki turned, watching me with wide, conflicted eyes. Respect mixed with suspicion. To her, I must have looked like someone entirely new—her mild-mannered dad, calmly fencing with a sharp-tongued beauty.
I could almost hear her inner voice: Dad... what kind of side job are you actually doing?
In the end, Hikawa found no proof. She had to withdraw.
I walked her to the door.
"Sorry for barging in at dinnertime," she said.
"No worries. If anything comes up, I'll reach out to the guild myself."
She paused, turning back just before stepping out. Her eyes were darker than the night outside, calm and unreadable.
"One warning. Whether for good or ill, your power will not be ignored forever. If you truly wish for a quiet life, then you may want to reconsider your current path."
The words hovered somewhere between threat and genuine advice.
"Don't forget them," she added softly, before slipping into the darkness.
I shut the door and let out a long, heavy breath.
The shadow of an official organization—that was the kind of risk I'd hoped to avoid above all.
And yet, that shadow was creeping into my modest peace.
Maybe... maybe I couldn't keep living the way I had. Not anymore.