Was it just a dream?"
"Good morning, Sil."
"Huh… morning." He rubbed his eyes slowly. "Yeah. I guess it was just a dream."
But it didn't feel like one.
Sil sat up on the edge of his narrow inn bed, staring at the faint morning light bleeding through the curtains.
"Today's the day… isn't it?"
He knelt beside his bed, lowering his head.
"Lord, guide me… I'll need it."
When he rose, he reached for his sword. His fingers traced the familiar steel, steadying himself. The blade reflected his face — determined, but not fearless.
Outside, the city was restless.
Whispers traveled faster than footsteps.
Sil stopped a passing man. "What happened?"
The man leaned closer, voice low. "He was killed last night. By a beast seems like it's a weak beast due to the way his body is all mangled ."
Sil's jaw tightened.
Beast weren't supposed to roam into city's freely. They belonged in the dungeon — captured, harvested for soul crystals, sold to guilds, forged into weapons.
But lately, beast had been crawling out.
Why now?
No one knew.
And that was what made it worse. Walking away from the crowd and passing four streets at the town center there was a building 10 stories high, the A Guild where the hunters identity registration is held. The Guild courtyard was packed.
Five great guild banners towered above the crowd — silent reminders of who truly controlled the city's safety.
Sil stepped forward when his number was called.
"No. 300."
"Place your hand on the crystal," the officer ordered.
The crystal pulsed faintly under his touch.
"Approved. Here's your Hunter ID. Report to the Guild Hall and find a partner."
Sil glanced at his wrist.
Job Class: Tamer. Grade: F. Passive Ability: None. Job Level: 1
A faint orb flickered above his palm — his Level 1 Taming skill.
Weak.
Barely enough to command a low beast.
Sil exhaled slowly.
"Doesn't matter. I never planned to rely only on a Job Class."
He drew his sword in one smooth motion, spinning it once before sheathing it again. That — that felt natural.The Guild Hall was larger on the inside than it appeared from the street.
Hunters clustered in pairs already formed.
Sil approached a bald, muscular man. "Looking for a partner?"
The man looked him up and down, snorted, and turned away.
Sil forced a smile.
"Right. Solo it is."
But something stopped him.
In the far corner, sitting alone, was a boy about his age.
Still.
Calm.
Unmoving.
Sil walked over.
"Hey… are you looking for a partner?"
The boy tilted his head slightly.
"Oh. Didn't realize you were blind," Sil said quickly. "Sorry."
"It's nothing," the boy replied evenly.
There was no hesitation in his voice.
Sil scratched the back of his neck. "Well… I don't have a partner. You don't either. We could team up."
A small pause.
"I'm Sil. Sil Blade."
He extended his hand.
The boy took it without searching for it.
"Miles. Miles Tepus."
His grip was firm.
Confident.
Too precise.A loud voice echoed through the hall:
"Those with partners, step toward the teleporter!"
Sil swallowed.
"Let's go, Miles."
As they walked, a thought crossed Sil's mind.
How is he going to fight? I'll have to protect him—
"You don't need to worry," Miles said calmly. "I can protect myself."
Sil blood ran cold.
"I didn't say anything."
Can he read my thoughts?