Meanwhile, the government forms a special expedition team to locate Forbidden Mage Technology.
The government knows that Mages and Sages once possessed extremely advanced technology, far superior to modern systems.
However, most of that technology collapsed and was lost when the meteor struck the world.
Recently, traces of that forbidden technology have resurfaced.
To investigate, the government assembles an elite team.
Expedition Team
Captain (Platinum Rank Adventurer): Bilives Gouden
Silver Rank Adventurers:
Duwen Hovin
Jebrin Olkaser
Paul Dennis
Vinisus Yuna
After confirming the location where the forbidden technology may exist, the government officially dispatches this team to recover it.
Hunting Robbers — Wardens & Oracles
Elsewhere, Alrick McQueen and his fellow Wardens move through a village alongside the Oracles to hunt down robber groups.
Suddenly, Sali speaks.
Sali:
"Hey, Wardens."
Trent:
"Yes?"
Sali:
"Do you know what the Nightglass Covenant is?"
Trent:
"No.
But I do know they're an unofficial adventurer organization."
Sali:
"Huh.
Even a kid knows that much."
She continues calmly.
Sali:
"They're not just unofficial adventurers."
Trent becomes tense.
Suddenly, Alrick speaks.
Alrick:
"Nightglass Covenant is more powerful than the government.
Even the government fears them."
The air grows heavy.
Alrick (continuing):
"They even have influence over an Oracle."
At that moment, Lorenz claps slowly.
Lorenz:
"Well said.
That was the truth."
Sali looks at Alrick with interest.
Sali:
"You know something.
You're not a fool like Warden Trent."
Trent says nothing.
He only mutters quietly—
Trent:
"…Hmm."
Arrival at Nightglass Covenant
Soon after, the group arrives at a Nightglass Covenant office.
Sali:
"Silence."
She points forward.
Sali:
"Me, Gel, and Lorenz will enter the office.
The rest of you—wait here."
The others nod.
All:
"Okay."
Liriya — The Traveling Mage
Meanwhile, Liriya officially registers herself as a Traveler.
She journeys from village to village, carefully gathering information while hiding her true identity as a mage.
One day, during her travels, she overhears disturbing news—
A village chairman has secretly hired an assassin to kill the chairman of a neighboring village.
Liriya pauses.
She realizes this world is far darker and more corrupt than she imagined.
And her journey has only just begun.
Liriya at the Bar
Liriya enters a dimly lit bar known as Sarjen Vi Lezan Bar.
The atmosphere is heavy.
Almost everyone inside is whispering about the same thing—
Assassins.
In recent days, assassin activity has increased dramatically.
Liriya sits at the counter and orders a beer 🍺.
She then turns to the bartender.
Liriya:
"What exactly is an assassin?"
The bartender narrows his eyes.
Bartender:
"Why should I tell you that?"
Liriya smiles faintly.
I know what to do, she thinks.
She subtly activates manipulation magic.
The bartender's pupils dull slightly—his will overridden.
Liriya:
"Tell me about assassins."
Assassin Classification
The bartender speaks mechanically.
Bartender:
"An assassin is a person who hunts people secretly and mysteriously.
They always hide their identity and never reveal themselves openly."
"There are four types of assassins."
Dark Shade – Highest Class
Hidden Shadow – High Class
Hydro Hunger – Mid Class
Junior Thief – Low Class
Bartender (continuing):
"Dark Shades and Hidden Shadows are extremely rare… and incredibly powerful."
"Hydro Hungers are also strong, but most of them are inexperienced.
They are rare, but unstable."
"Junior Thieves are common in this region.
They usually attack at night or in jungles."
"Their attacks are weak."
"To kill a powerful man, they may need twelve strikes.
For a weak man, two to four strikes are enough."
"It depends on the target's endurance and durability."
Liriya listens quietly.
The Origin of Assassins
Liriya:
"Tell me their history."
The bartender continues.
Bartender:
"The assassin class began in an orphanage."
"That orphanage was extremely poor.
The children and caretakers were starving."
"They begged for help…
But no one helped them."
"One teacher finally decided to hunt criminals to earn money."
"One day, a powerful landlord noticed him."
"The landlord blackmailed the teacher and ordered him to kill another landlord."
"When the teacher refused—"
"The landlord threatened to burn down the orphanage and kill all the children."
"He offered money and donations if the teacher obeyed."
"The teacher accepted… to protect the children."
The Tragedy
Bartender:
"The first landlord was Siner Guptil."
"The second landlord—
A powerful foreign landowner—was Jordan Joldigus."
"The teacher assassinated Jordan Joldigus."
"But he was captured by guards."
"Jordan's son, Keane Joldigus, tortured the teacher every day."
"Eventually, the teacher killed himself—
He chose death over endless torture."
Birth of the Assassin Club
Bartender:
"After the teacher's death, Siner Guptil took control."
"He transformed the orphanage into an assassin training ground."
"He manipulated the children."
"He told them—
The strong always kill the weak. If you want to survive, you must become strong."
"He funded weapons, training, and poison."
"That orphanage became the first assassin club."
Liriya slowly lifts her beer.
Her eyes narrow.
This world is far more rotten than she imagined.
And assassins…
They are not born.
They are created.
Black ViSage — The Bodyguard Request
Meanwhile, Black ViSage hears a rumor circulating through the 9th Office of Nightglass Covenant.
A wealthy landlord had put out a request.
The landlord, Edmund Harrowfield, was under threat.
Other landlords were furious with him, and he feared for his life.
To survive, Edmund decided to hire adventurers as bodyguards.
The reward he offered was extremely high.
As a result, many adventurers rushed to apply.
But Edmund raised his hand and said firmly:
Edmund Harrowfield:
"Wait. I only want powerful adventurers."
He approached the receptionist.
The receptionist, Marian Holt, checked the records and shook her head.
Marian Holt:
"I'm sorry, sir, but powerful groups like Night Hunters or The Fearless Champions rarely accept bodyguard missions.
They prefer treasure hunting and high-risk exploration."
Edmund clenched his fist.
Then why is there no one suitable in the 9th Office? he thought.
Why does every powerful group refuse my request?
He discreetly slid a pouch of coins across the counter.
Edmund Harrowfield:
"Then tell me this—
If no powerful group will accept, recommend a solo adventurer.
Someone strong enough… and satisfied by the reward."
Marian hesitated.
Then she spoke a name.
Marian Holt:
"There is one.
A mysterious and extremely powerful adventurer."
"His name is Black ViSage."
"But I don't know whether he will accept your mission or not."
Edmund's eyes widened.
Edmund Harrowfield:
"Where is he?"
Marian looked past Edmund.
Slowly, she spoke.
Marian Holt:
"He's standing… right behind you."
Liriya — The Traveller's Path
Meanwhile, far away in the 27th Office of Nightglass Covenant, Liriya Catteman arrives quietly.
She listens to conversations around the hall.
That's when she hears something interesting.
A group of adventurers was looking to hire a traveller.
Their current traveller was ill.
They planned to explore a Dragon Cave, a place rumored to contain the remains of a dragon.
Liriya watches them carefully.
They're not very powerful, she thinks.
But their goal is… amusing.
She smiles faintly.
Why Travellers Matter
A traveller is essential for normal adventurers.
Travellers know:
Safe routes
Hidden paths
Dangerous zones
Places where monsters usually roam
Powerful groups like Dancing Hollows or The Fearless Champions don't need travellers.
They already know every safe place and shortcut.
But normal adventurers depend on travellers to survive.
Without one, they often die before reaching their destination.
The Hiring
The receptionist notices Liriya.
The receptionist, Elena Whitmore, raises her voice.
Elena Whitmore:
"Hey—Liriya Catteman!"
"She's a registered traveller."
"You can hire her."
The adventurers turn toward Liriya.
After a brief discussion, they agree.
They hire her.
Their group name is Burning Flames.
All of them are Trailblazer Rank adventurers.
However, despite accepting her, they feel uneasy.
They whisper among themselves.
She doesn't look like a high-class traveller…
Is she really experienced enough?
Liriya notices their doubt.
She says nothing.
She simply smiles.