Part I – A Rat That Refused to Die Rain continued to fall over Ashhaven long after Drake disappeared into the crowded streets.
The city, illuminated by thousands of mana lamps, shimmered beneath the silver curtain of rain.
Carriages rolled through the noble district while Hunters hurried toward taverns and inns after another exhausting day inside the dungeons.
To most people…
It was just another evening.
To a select few…
The balance of Ashhaven had quietly begun to shift.
— At the highest point of the city stood Valerius Manor.
Unlike the towering Guild Headquarters, the manor had not been built to inspire hope.
It had been built to remind others of power.
White marble walls surrounded the enormous estate, stretching nearly half a kilometer in every direction.
Ancient statues depicting generations of the Valerius bloodline stood proudly within perfectly maintained gardens, while mana barriers shimmered invisibly around the estate, protecting it from both monsters and unwanted visitors.
Every servant moved with absolute precision.
Every guard carried enchanted equipment worth more than an ordinary citizen could earn in a lifetime.
This was not merely a home.
It was a kingdom hidden within the city.
Inside the western wing…
Leon Valerius lazily sat upon an expensive leather chair, swirling a glass of crimson wine in one hand.
His expression carried the arrogance of someone who had never once been told no.
He had no reason to believe today would be any different.
A beautiful maid quietly poured another glass before stepping back with her head lowered.
Leon barely acknowledged her existence.
His attention remained fixed upon the enormous fireplace burning before him.
The flames danced calmly.
Peacefully.
Almost hypnotically.
A knock echoed through the room.
Leon frowned.
“You may enter.” The heavy wooden door slowly opened.
A middle-aged servant dressed in a black formal suit stepped inside before bowing deeply.
“You summoned Intelligence, Young Master.” Leon nodded without looking away from the fire.
“What did they find?” The servant hesitated.
“…Nothing.” Silence.
Leon finally looked toward him.
“What do you mean…
nothing?” “The search parties explored the eastern entrance of the Dead Ruins.” “No human remains were recovered.” “No equipment.” “No trace of Drake Ashcroft.” Leon sighed in annoyance.
“So he died deeper inside.” “Probably.” The servant lowered his head.
“The Guild has already classified him as deceased.” Leon laughed quietly.
“I expected as much.” He took another sip of wine.
“A rat remains a rat.” “It doesn’t matter whether it dies beneath a carriage…” “…or inside monster territory.” The servant remained silent.
Then…
A second knock interrupted the room.
This one…
Far more urgent.
Leon frowned.
“Come in.” The door opened once more.
Another servant entered hurriedly, his breathing slightly uneven.
He immediately dropped onto one knee.
“Young Master…” “We’ve received an emergency report from our Intelligence Office.” Leon’s expression barely changed.
“What is it?” The servant swallowed.
“This afternoon…” “…Master Appraiser Aldren Kael suspended all appointments.” Leon raised an eyebrow.
“And?” The servant continued.
“He has not suspended his appraisal office in twenty-three years.” Silence.
Leon leaned back into his chair.
“Old men become eccentric.” “I fail to see why that concerns me.” The servant slowly looked up.
“Because…” “…the final visitor before the office closed…” “…was identified.” The room suddenly felt colder.
Leon set his wine glass down.
His eyes narrowed.
“…Who?” The servant hesitated.
Then quietly answered.
“Drake Ashcroft.” Everything became still.
The crystal wine glass in Leon’s hand shattered without warning.
Crimson liquid splashed across the marble floor.
Neither servant dared move.
Mana slowly spread throughout the room.
Invisible.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
Leon remained seated.
His face showed almost no emotion.
Yet the pressure leaking from his body caused both servants to instinctively lower their heads.
“…Repeat that.” His voice was calm.
Far too calm.
The servant swallowed.
“Our surveillance team positively identified him entering the Hunter Exchange approximately two hours ago.” “He later met privately with Master Appraiser Aldren Kael.” “No appraisal report was submitted.” “No artifact was registered.” Leon’s fingers slowly tightened around the armrest.
The enchanted wood cracked.
“…Impossible.” “I watched him run into the Dead Ruins.” “He couldn’t have survived.” No one answered.
Because no one could.
The evidence spoke for itself.
Drake Ashcroft…
Was alive.
— Leon slowly stood.
His expression gradually twisted into something far darker than simple anger.
He walked toward the enormous window overlooking Ashhaven.
Rain continued falling over the city.
Somewhere out there…
The orphan he had personally sentenced to death was breathing.
Walking.
Living.
The thought alone filled him with indescribable irritation.
Then…
Something unexpected happened.
Leon smiled.
Not with relief.
Not with amusement.
But with excitement.
“So…” “The little rat crawled back.” His reflection smiled alongside him in the rain-covered glass.
“I knew you wouldn’t disappoint me.” Behind him…
The servants remained perfectly still.
They had served Leon long enough to understand.
Whenever the young master smiled like this…
Someone always suffered.
Leon slowly turned around.
“Summon Victor.” The servant immediately bowed.
“At once.” Within minutes…
The office door opened again.
A giant of a man stepped inside.
He stood well over two meters tall, his broad shoulders filling the entire doorway.
Countless scars covered his exposed arms, each one a reminder of battles fought inside dungeons across the continent.
Unlike ordinary bodyguards…
Victor carried no arrogance.
Only discipline.
He bowed once.
“You called for me, Young Master.” Leon nodded.
“I have a task.” Victor remained silent.
“I want you to find someone.” “Drake Ashcroft.” The giant’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“The orphan?” “Yes.” “I don’t want him killed.” Victor looked surprised.
Leon slowly smiled again.
“Not yet.” He walked back toward the fireplace.
“I want to know…” “…how someone survives the Dead Ruins.” His crimson eyes reflected within the flames.
“If he found something valuable…” “…then it belongs to House Valerius.” Victor nodded once.
“It will be done.” As the giant turned to leave…
Leon spoke again.
“Oh…” Victor stopped.
“If Drake resists…” The young master’s smile disappeared completely.
“…break everything except his hands.” “I’ll need those.” Victor silently left the room.
The heavy doors closed.
Leon remained alone beside the fire.
Outside…
Thunder echoed across Ashhaven.
Far away…
Completely unaware that the most powerful Noble Family in the city had begun hunting him once more…
Drake quietly walked through the rain toward the hospital.
The game had changed.
This time…
The hunters intended to keep their prey alive.