Chapter 12: The Notorious Party
Then Seraphina stifled a yawn as she picked up one of the papers scattered across the wooden table, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the edges. The morning light seeped through the curtains, casting a soft golden hue over the room. Her silver hair spilled over her shoulder, catching the glow as she lazily scanned the words before her. But the letters blurred together, her mind drifting back to last night's conversation.
She clicked her tongue, frustration curling in her chest. Why am I even thinking about him this early?
"Ugh, I wish I could just kill him," she muttered under her breath, her grip on the paper tightening. "Because of him, I can't even concentrate on anything now. Annoying bastard..." Her lips twisted as she tossed the paper onto the table. A pause. Then a quiet sigh. "And yet, why do I still bother?"
Her stomach grumbled, breaking the silence.
She leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temple. Right. I skipped breakfast, didn't I? Her eyes flicked toward the window, watching dust particles dance in the sunlight. I should eat something... but does it even matter?
She exhaled, rolling her eyes at herself. It does. If I don't, I'll just be in a worse mood all day.
Annoyed but unwilling to endure hunger any longer, she reached for the small silver bell beside her and pressed it firmly. The soft chime echoed through the quiet chamber. A few moments later, the door creaked open, and Lyra entered, her posture stiff with discipline.
"Do you need something, Captain?" Lyra's voice was polite, hands clasped behind her back.
Seraphina barely lifted her gaze. "Yes. Get me something to eat," she ordered, her tone more exhausted than commanding.
Lyra hesitated. "What would you like to eat, captain?"
Seraphina blinked. Something warm would be nice. She shifted her weight, glancing at the papers again as if they held an answer. But admitting she wanted something comforting felt... unnecessary. She lifted her chin. "A-anything is fine," she muttered.
The knight gave a quick nod. "Of course, Captain. I'll bring it right away."
As the door clicked shut, Seraphina slumped further into her chair, her fingers drumming against the table. The quiet stretched on, filled only by the distant chirping of birds outside. She tilted her head back, staring at the ceiling.
I really need to stop letting him get under my skin...
---
Meanwhile…
The streets bustled with activity. Voices overlapping in lively chatter. Merchants called out their wares, the scent of roasted meat and freshly baked bread thick in the air. The sun hung low in the sky, stretching long shadows across the cobbled roads.
Kael walked at his usual pace, hands tucked into his pockets, his mind elsewhere. He was heading to the guild to meet up with his party, looking forward to discussing their next quest.
But as he rounded a corner—he felt it.
A presence.
Three adventurers stood in his path, their armor well-maintained, weapons polished to a shine. The emblem on their chest plates marked them as members of Iron Fang, a mid-tier party notorious for their arrogance and love of throwing their weight around.
The leader, Galen—burly, short spiky blond hair, and a smirk that radiated unchecked confidence—stepped forward, blocking Kael's way. His broad chest puffed out slightly, a stance meant to intimidate.
Kael barely spared him a glance and moved to step around him.
Before he could, another of the trio, Dain—a tall man with a deep scar cutting down his left cheek—shifted to cut him off, crossing his arms with a smug grin.
Kael sighed, stopping in place. His gaze sharpened. "Move."
Galen sneered. "Oh? And if we don't?"
Kael's jaw tightened. He didn't have time for this. "Then I'll go through you."
The third adventurer, Veyrik—a lean man with dark hair and sharp, narrow eyes—let out a slow, mocking whistle. "Cocky, aren't you? An E-Ranker talking like that? You got guts, I'll give you that."
Dain scoffed. "No, no. He doesn't have guts. He's just stupid."
Kael didn't respond. He simply glared at them, his fingers twitching slightly at his sides.
Galen chuckled, shaking his head. "Tsk, tsk. Seems like someone's gotten full of himself after joining an A-Rank party."
Dain's smirk widened, his voice dripping with venom. "I wonder why they even let trash like you in."
"To carry their supplies, obviously," Veyrik laughed. "Bet they make him clean their boots, too. Every A-Ranker needs a pet, right?"
Galen smirked, nodding in agreement. "That must be it. They're just dragging you along out of pity. A weakling like you? What could you possibly contribute?"
Kael ignored the words and moved to step past them again.
But before he could react—
A rough hand grabbed his collar.
Galen yanked him forward, his grip like iron, and without warning—
Crack!
A fist smashed into Kael's mouth.
Pain exploded in his jaw as his vision blurred. He staggered backward, barely catching himself before his legs gave out. But another blow followed—a hard shove to the chest. He lost his balance, crashing onto the stone street.
Laughter echoed in his ears.
"A weakling like you doesn't deserve an A-Rank party," Galen sneered, flexing his fingers. "It's insulting to every real adventurer out there."
Kael remained on the ground, tasting blood in his mouth. Slowly, he wiped it away with the back of his hand and looked up. His eyes were cold.
Veyrik crouched beside him, grinning. "Hand over all your money. It's not fair that a pathetic E-Ranker earns more than us, right?"
Kael didn't answer.
Dain clicked his tongue. "Tch. No response?" He reared his leg back and drove a solid kick into Kael's ribs.
Kael grunted but didn't make a sound.
"Still acting tough, huh?" Veyrik snorted before driving his own boot into Kael's stomach. "I hate guys like you."
Another kick. Then another.
Kael gritted his teeth, feeling the bruises already forming. But through the pain—he smiled.
Galen's eye twitched. "What's so funny, huh? Are you really so eager to die?"
Kael spat out a bit of blood, his lips curling slightly. "Nothing. Just wondering if this is the best a C-Rank can do."
The smirk vanished from Galen's face.
"You little—!"
He raised his fist again, ready to smash Kael's face into the stone.
But before it could come down—
Snap!
A fireball shot through the air.
It slammed into Veyrik's outstretched hand just as he started casting a spell. He yelped, stumbling back, clutching his burned palm.
"What the hell?!"
Kael blinked, lifting his head.
A familiar voice rang through the street.
"Seriously? Ganging up on one guy? How pathetic."
Mira stood a few feet away, her fingertip still faintly glowing from the spell she'd just cast. Behind her, the rest of the party had arrived.
Leon was at the front, his bright green eyes burning with fury. Arthur stood beside Mira, his fingers twitching with barely restrained magic. Elara was at the end, arms crossed, her piercing gaze locked onto the Iron Fang members with pure disgust.
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Galen stiffened as Leon strode forward, but Dain and Veyrik weren't ones to back down so easily.
"You little brats think you can just walk in here and—" Dain growled, but before he could finish, Arthur raised a hand.
"Ice Bind."
Frost shot from Arthur's palm, surging across the ground like living vines. The ice wrapped around Dain's legs before he could react, locking him in place.
"Tch—!" Dain gritted his teeth, trying to break free.
Veyrik, despite his burned hand, snarled and lunged at Mira.
"Oh, please." Mira rolled her eyes. She snapped her fingers, and a small explosion burst at Veyrik's feet. The force sent him tumbling backward, crashing onto the stone street with a grunt.
Galen growled, finally snapping out of his frozen state. He swung wildly at Leon—
Only to find his fist stopped mid-air.
Leon had caught it.
Galen's eyes widened. Before he could pull back, Leon twisted his wrist—
Crack!
"AARGH!" Galen cried out, his knees buckling as pain shot up his arm.
Leon didn't even flinch. He simply unsheathed his sword, the sharp edge gleaming under the morning sun. In one swift motion, he brought it to Galen's throat.
Galen froze. Sweat beaded on his forehead as the cold steel pressed against his skin.
Mira and Arthur moved swiftly, shoving Dain and Veyrik to their knees before they could struggle again.
Leon finally spoke, his voice eerily calm.
"Why were you touching my friend?"
Galen gulped. "W-We were just—"
"Why did you hit him?" Leon pressed, his tone dropping lower, more dangerous. "Because he's just an E-Rank?"
Galen stammered, unable to answer.
Leon's fingers tightened on the hilt of his sword. His voice sharpened like a blade.
"Who gave you permission?"
Galen flinched, his breath hitching.
Leon's fist shot forward.
Thud!
A violent impact.
Galen doubled over, gasping for breath, before he was sent flying backward. His body slammed into the stone wall of a nearby building, cracking the surface.
Silence.
A suffocating aura filled the air. The weight of it was unbearable, pressing down like an unseen force.
Leon's killing intent.
His bright green eyes gleamed with something monstrous as he rested his sword on his shoulder and began walking forward, slow and deliberate.
Galen looked up, and in that moment—he saw death. He trembled. His body refused to move. A dark stain spread down his pants.
Leon stepped closer. Each footstep echoed like a death toll.
The pressure grew heavier, and heavier, and heavier—
Until—
"Why?" Leon's voice cut through the suffocating silence. "Why do you people always do this?"
Galen couldn't respond.
---
(Chapter Ended)