************
That was a different story entirely.
Because the black hooded woman—arguably the most famous solo adventurer in the Empire—was taking someone with her. A young man she had met only today.
Am I dreaming? the receptionist thought as she stole a glance at Ryan. This woman refuses every offer, avoids every party, and walks alone no matter how dangerous the mission. And now she's taking a newcomer?
It was unheard of.
She forced herself to focus. There would be time to question this strange development later. Right now, she needed to retrieve the necessary records related to the undetermined mission request the hooded woman had selected.
Without another word, the receptionist excused herself and slipped into the archive room, leaving the hooded woman and Ryan alone.
Ryan shifted in place, awkward and uneasy. He could feel the weight of countless eyes on him. Adventurers seated at tables, standing against walls, or pretending to read mission slips were all watching.
Why is everyone looking at me? Did I do something?
He peeked sideways at the hooded woman. She didn't even glance at him. She remained completely absorbed in the mission leaflet, posture still, expression unreadable behind her veil.
She's impossible to read… Ryan groaned inwardly.
......…..
............….
..................….
After a brief minute, the receptionist returned with several folders in hand. She laid them neatly on the counter and opened the first one.
"According to the information written here," she began, settling into a professional tone, "Fordel Village is situated at the mid-border of the Silveria Empire."
Ryan leaned forward to read over her shoulder. The hooded woman stood still, mismatched eyes sharp and attentive.
The receptionist continued, turning to the next page.
"About a month ago, the village experienced a flood. After the water drained, the villagers discovered something beneath the village area."
She pulled out a rough sketch from between the pages. The hooded woman took it immediately.
The drawing was shaky, uneven, and lacked clarity. The lines seemed as though the person drawing them had been frightened or uncertain of what they saw.
A faint frown tugged at the hooded woman's masked expression.
"Since none of them are experienced adventurers," the receptionist went on, "the village chief submitted a request for someone to investigate. They fear whatever is beneath the ground may pose a threat."
Silence fell briefly.
The hooded woman then spoke, voice steady and cold.
"The mission leaflet. When?"
The receptionist nodded and flipped toward the back of the file, searching for the submission date.
Her eyes widened.
"J‑just this morning…?"
The shock in her voice was clear. She checked again, just to be certain.
"That's strange," she muttered. "The flood happened a month ago. Why wait until today to send the request?"
The hooded woman remained quiet, but her gaze darkened slightly behind the veil.
Something is not right, she thought. The timing is off. And the description is vague… too vague.
Before she could think further—
"W‑wait! Hold on!"
Ryan blurted out suddenly, lifting his hand like a nervous student in class.
Both women turned toward him—one politely, the other with a silent, piercing stare.
The hooded woman arched an eyebrow.
The receptionist translated easily. "She means continue."
Ryan swallowed.
"R‑right… Okay." He took a breath. "Yesterday, when I arrived in the Capital… I talked to someone who said he came from Fordel Village."
The receptionist straightened. The hooded woman's eyes narrowed.
Ryan continued, "He told me that Fordel Village… isn't really a village. It's actually a mass graveyard. From the war years ago."
Silence crashed over them.
The hooded woman fixed her gaze on him—sharp, unreadable, intense. Ryan felt his legs wobble under the pressure. He had no idea what she was thinking.
How am I supposed to understand her with just one eyebrow raise?! Does she need me to pay gold coins per word?
The receptionist noticed his internal suffering and stepped in.
"She's asking whether that information is reliable."
Ryan blinked in relief. "O‑oh! Uh… I'm not sure if it's true," he admitted, "but it's still a hint. And we won't know unless we investigate it ourselves."
The hooded woman held his gaze for a long, quiet moment…
then nodded.
A single, small nod—yet undeniably approving.
Ryan nearly sighed out loud.
Thank the gods… she didn't glare at me.
The receptionist resumed reading the report.
"Given the unclear details, the delayed request, and the region's history, this could fall under a mid‑to‑high tier risk classification. However,…" She closed the file softly. "We still cannot assign a proper rank."
The hooded woman spoke again, as blunt as ever.
"Tricky one. We should go."
Ryan felt his heart stop.
"GO? As in right now? Immediately?!"
She didn't answer.
She didn't even look at him.
She simply turned and began walking away.
Ryan sputtered and hurried after her. "Lady! A little warning would be nice—!"
He wasn't the only one alarmed.
The receptionist froze, eyes widening at the woman's declaration. Whispers rippled through the guild like wildfire.
"D‑did she just say they're going? Together?!"
"This is real?! Someone hit me!"
"She's taking a companion? Her? THE solo adventurer?!"
"And a newcomer at that!"
"What kind of charm does that guy have?!"
"This is going to shake the whole Capital!"
Ryan stopped dead.
They're talking about… ME?!
Panic surged through him. He looked around, bewildered, but everyone was too busy gossiping about the impossible sight in front of them.
The hooded woman ignored all of it.
She remained steady, silent, and focused as she examined the documents one last time.
Alexa—the receptionist—looked at Ryan sympathetically and gave an encouraging thumbs up.
He stared at her.
Why is everyone acting weird today…?
Finally, the receptionist composed herself and cleared her throat.
"Now that everything is settled," she said kindly, "may I have both your cards for validation?"
Still confused, Ryan dug into his pocket and handed over his E‑rank Adventurer Card.
The hooded woman did the same.
Only then did Ryan notice the stark contrast.
His copper‑colored E‑rank card…
And her—
Black Card.
The highest rank.
The rarest rank.
The rank whispered about by adventurers across the entire continent.
Ryan's breath hitched.
His heartbeat raced….
—And his thoughts halt for a second.
*************