Chapter 30 Finally Cross Path With Them （1）
As the first light of dawn spilled across the horizon, I stepped out of the inn, stretching my arms and taking in the crisp morning air.
The city was already stirring awake—merchants shouting as they opened their stalls, children running across the cobblestones, and adventurers gathering to prepare for their day.
Yet, despite the normalcy around me, a strange shiver crawled down my spine.
That feeling again.
The sensation of being watched.
I slowed my pace, my eyes scanning the rooftops and alleys.
My hand twitched, ready to draw my blade if needed.
But no matter where I looked, nothing seemed out of place.
Just ordinary townsfolk going about their business.
With a small frown, I muttered under my breath, “Maybe I’m just imagining things.
” Still, I couldn’t shake the heaviness of the air clinging to me.
Shoving the thought aside for now, I continued down the street.
A few minutes later, I found myself standing before the guild’s storage area.
The massive wooden door looked sturdy, reinforced with iron bands, and faint scratches from past monster materials were etched along its frame. I knocked firmly.
From inside, a familiar voice rang out. “Who is it?”
“It’s Raito,” I called back.
The door creaked open, revealing Werner. His tired face lit up with a grin. “Ah, good morning.”
“Morning,” I replied with a nod.
“Come on in.”
Stepping inside, I immediately noticed the difference. The once-cramped storage hall, where mountains of monster carcasses had been piled high, was now nearly empty. The air smelled fresher without the overwhelming stench of blood and fur. I blinked in surprise.
“Wait… what happened to the massive piles of monsters?” I asked, turning toward Werner.
He rubbed the back of his neck. “They’ve all been sold.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Already? I thought it would take weeks for the guild to move that much material.”
Werner chuckled. “Normally, yes. But the Guild Master pulled a few strings. Connections, favors, you know how it is. You don’t need to worry about the details.”
I let out a low whistle. “Huh. Guess I underestimated how resourceful the guild could be.”
“Oh, that reminds me.” Werner suddenly clapped his hands together. “Almost forgot—your earnings.”
He reached under the desk and with a grunt, pulled out not one, but two massive sacks of coin. The sound of clinking metal echoed through the room as he dropped them onto the table.
My jaw nearly dropped. “You’re kidding me… this is all mine?”
Werner smirked, folding his arms. “Yep. Three thousand, five hundred and forty-nine gold coins. Not bad, huh?”
I stared at the sacks, then back at him. “I really earned this much…?”
“Sure did. Not bad for your age. Actually, I’m a little jealous,” he said with a hearty laugh.
Shaking my head in disbelief, I stored the sacks into my Item Box. The system confirmed the weight vanishing instantly, though my heart still felt heavy with the amount. That much gold… it was almost enough to buy land, a house, maybe even fund an expedition.
As I adjusted my cloak, Werner leaned casually on the counter. “Oh, before I forget—Guild Master wants to talk to you.”
My brows knit. “About what?”
Werner’s grin widened. “Heh. You’ll find out soon enough.”
A few moments later, I stood before the heavy oak door of the Guild Master’s office. The gold-plated plaque gleamed faintly in the morning light that filtered through the nearby window. Taking a steadying breath, I raised my hand and knocked.
“Who is it?” came the Guild Master’s deep voice from inside.
“It’s Raito, sir. Werner said you were looking for me?” I replied.
“Oh, come in.”
I pushed the door open, and my steps faltered as my eyes swept across the room.
Several people stood inside. Not adventurers, not guild staff—no, they carried themselves differently. Their clothes were cleaner, their postures more upright, their presence heavier. For a moment, my mind raced. Who are these people?
Then my gaze landed in the corner—on a familiar face. One of the royal guards who had stood beside us during that fateful summoning. My stomach twisted. The realization hit me like a hammer.
The people gathered here weren’t strangers.
They were my classmates. My friends. The ones summoned alongside me.
My chest tightened. I barely recognized them, their appearances changed so much since that day, but there was no mistaking the truth.
The Guild Master’s voice broke the silence. “Everyone, this is Raito, the adventurer I was telling you about. And Raito, these are the heroes.”
Before I could react, one of them—a tall young man with golden-blonde hair that shone like polished metal—stepped forward. His blue eyes glimmered with confidence, his smile almost blinding. He extended his hand toward me.
“So you must be Sir Raito. My name is Daito, one of the summoned heroes. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
The name struck me like lightning. My vision blurred for an instant, my mind tumbling back into memories I’d long buried. Daito…? My cousin…?
I forced my face into a calm smile and clasped his hand firmly. “Nice to meet you too.”
Inside, though, my heart screamed. You’ve got to be kidding me. This is Daito—my cousin Daito. No wonder I barely recognized him. He’s changed so much.
As we let go, Daito turned smoothly, his expression proud. “Let me introduce the others.”
He gestured to the group, and one by one, they stepped forward.
Daito motioned first to a girl with calm, steady eyes.
“This is Yanie.”
She inclined her head politely, her long chestnut hair tied neatly into a braid that brushed against her shoulder.
Her green eyes were sharp, always scanning, as if weighing threats even in a peaceful room.
She wore light leather armor in muted forest hues, and a bow rested against her shoulder with the ease of someone who trusted it more than her own breath.
Her aura was calm yet alert—exactly like a ranger who lived with one foot always in the wild.
Next, Daito gestured to a tall figure whose presence was hard to ignore.
“This is Yuchikimo.”
The young man stepped forward with quick, fluid strides, his movements carrying an almost feline grace.
Instead of bulky armor, he wore sleek silver plates trimmed with black leather, designed more for agility than brute defense.
His frame was lean yet athletic, built for speed.
His black hair was cut short and neat, but his sharp gray eyes were alive with restless energy, constantly flicking between me and the others as if calculating the fastest strike.
Even at rest, he radiated tension—like a blade poised to be drawn in an instant.
Then Daito turned to the smallest figure of the group, who practically bounced forward.
“And this is Zachi.”
She was petite, with short brown hair that framed her face neatly, though a few playful strands hung loosely over her amber eyes.
Those eyes sparkled with mischief, like she was always two steps ahead, holding a secret she had no intention of sharing.
Her slim-fitting robes shimmered faintly with glowing runes, elegant yet brimming with raw magical power.
Her fingers twitched slightly at her sides, restless, as though eager to unleash a spell just for the thrill of it.
Next came someone who carried an entirely different weight. Dio inclined his head toward him.
“This is Kairo.”
The young man’s dark skin was framed by a black cloak embroidered with intricate silver patterns that seemed almost alive in the light.
His golden eyes were piercing, steady, and carried the kind of power that couldn’t be ignored.
Small motes of magic flickered around his hands, orbiting lazily like they belonged to him.
In his grip, a staff topped with a crystal pulsed with quiet, steady energy.
His aura was calm, but it pressed against the room like a storm held just beneath the surface.
Daito’s tone softened as he continued.
“This is Hero.”
A boy stepped forward with a gentle smile.
His short, sandy-blue hair caught the light, softening his features even more.
Simple white robes draped over him, and pinned to his chest was a silver emblem of the sun.
From him radiated a faint warmth, a healing aura that brushed against my skin like sunlight on a cold morning.
His blue eyes shone with kindness, but beneath that kindness I caught something steadier—steel resolve.
He was a mage, yes, but one with a healer’s soul and a warrior’s determination.
Finally, Daito’s gaze shifted to the last figure.
“And this is Ayame.”
She stepped forward with the calm poise of a hunter, her long golden -blonde hair tied into a high ponytail that swayed lightly behind her.
Her crimson eyes were sharp, glimmering with confidence and a predator’s patience.
Instead of heavy armor, she wore sleek leather reinforced with dark steel, light enough to allow swift, silent movement.
A finely crafted longbow rested across her back, its polished surface etched with faint runes, and a quiver of black-fletched arrows hung at her side.
Even as she stood still, her hand hovered near the bowstring, ready to strike.
There was something in the way she carried herself—graceful, precise, and undeniably deadly—like a hawk circling above, waiting for the perfect moment to dive.
I swallowed hard and forced myself to stand tall, even as my mind reeled.
“Nice to meet you all,” I said aloud, keeping my voice even.
I looked back to the Guild Master, narrowing my eyes. “So… is there a reason you wanted to see me, sir?”
The Guild Master leaned back in his chair, the weight of his gaze pressing down on me. His fingers drummed slowly against the armrest before he finally spoke. “Yes. Actually, I want you to take on an A-rank mission for me.”
An A-rank? Already? My brow furrowed. “What kind of mission?”
He folded his hands together, his tone serious. “I want you to assist the heroes during their stay here.”
I blinked, caught off guard. “Wait… assist the heroes? Isn’t that kind of mission meant for a full party? You’re telling me to tag along like a babysitter?”
The Guild Master’s lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile.
“You’re not wrong. Normally, we would’ve assigned them to an A-rank party, but every one of them is already caught up in their own urgent matters.
That leaves us… short-handed. And since you just reached A-rank yourself, this mission is a perfect fit for you. ”
I crossed my arms, feeling a twinge of irritation. “Perfect fit? Sir, with all due respect, a mission like this isn’t something I can handle alone. I’m not in a party.”
The Guild Master waved a hand dismissively, as though swatting away my concern.
“That won’t be a problem. You don’t need to form a party for this.
All I require is that you accompany the heroes and make sure their mission here is completed without issue.
If they succeed without any major problems, I’ll consider your role fulfilled and let the matter rest.”
His tone was final, and the room grew heavy with the weight of his words. My gaze flicked back to the group of heroes behind me—their confident faces, their shining armor, their weapons humming with power. And then back to Werner, who seemed more than certain about his decision.
I let out a long sigh, rubbing the back of my neck. “Alright… so what exactly is their mission here?”