While walking out of the tavern, Zephyr can't help but feel like he's getting stabbed in every direction due to all the collective stares he's been getting after the revelation that he is the legendary {Fate Threader}, the leader of the strongest guild, [Grim Fate].

'Man, I want to become an ant and just get squashed. Hello, easy painless death.'

Behind him is none other than Anastasia who has been glaring at the rude people who are staring at Zephyr with judgemental eyes. Though, behind Anastasia as well, was Erika and her two colleagues from [Shadow Core] who seem to be following them. With that said, Zephyr turns around to confront them, but as he did, Fiona and David pulled Erika back.

"Apologies Lord {Fate Threader}, Erika seems to be wanting to talk to you ever since back then, but she's too stubborn. I hope you're not that bothered with our presence here…"

Fiona speaks for the group while Erika is waving at Anastasia and Zephyr.

'Uh, yes, I'm actually bothered with you guys following me.' He wanted to say it, but he would sound rude so he chose not to. Instead, he fakes it and does a thumbs up.

"It's fine! Thank you for your honesty."

"For the legendary {Fate Threader} to be so casual and friendly, that's a surprise. Not that I do not prefer it, it's just not what I expected."

David commented, but then he got glared at by Fiona.

"Oh, I meant no disrespect of course. I actually like you already, despite being overwhelmingly strong yet you still keep yourself to be so humble. If all of the strong guys are just like you then come hell or high water, the lives of ordinary citizens will be secured."

'Oh that's what ya meant. I have a question though, who the hell is this overwhelmingly strong individual you are talking about? Can't be me for sure.'

Zephyr scratches his head while chuckling, showing his "humble" side once again. Due to that, Fiona's trust and confidence with him raises quite a lot. He then responds-

"Well, there's nothing I should be proud of or something worth boasting about anyway."

He speaks his honest way of seeing things, although it's to be expected to be misunderstood after all the achievements he has garnered.

"See, that's what I'm talking about. You're a nice person Zephyr-"

As David casually and unconsciously blurted out his name like they're close enough to do so, Fiona and Erika were startled, while Ana gave him a sharp glare.

"I-I'm sorry, it's just that, I've unconsciously talked like that because of how approachable you are–"

"I don't mind." Zephyr immediately responded.

"In fact, I prefer it if you address me like that. I mean, that's my name, not {Fate Threader} or anything."

"....."

"I'LL FOLLOW YOU EVEN THROUGH THE DEPTHS OF ABYSS Z-Z-ZEPHYR!!" (in a positive way)

All of the representatives of [Shadow Core] remarked in unison as they all have fully accepted Zephyr and idolizes him, while the person in question just tilts his head in confusion.

"Eh?"

Not long after, Ana nudges his sleeve. Looking at her, her eyes look like they are longing for attention.

"Z-Z-Ze-Ma-..."

"You do you, Ana…" She still can't address him without any high honorifics.

After they had their dinner, Zephyr bids farewell to the representatives of [Shadow Core] for now. The two then proceed to walk towards their own guild hall, which is given to them in secret. A secret location that of course, no one knows where it is. In order to gain access, one must have the access ring, crafted by none other than the innovative, genius alchemist, trader, and engineer, Sophia Horenstein, one of the six members of [Grim Fate].

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

The Guild Master's quarters is designed to give Zephyr the absolute peace he requested back then when Sophia is laying out the groundworks. With top of the line sofa, chairs and bed, there's no more pleasure that Zephyr would have wanted more.

"Yaaay! Finally done with the day. I missed you, my bed!"

With a single jump, he immediately fell asleep to the comfort of his customized bed.

— — —

Meanwhile, Gringar and King Crow are currently passing the night by drinking to their heart's content, however, alcohol seems to have no effect on these two.

"Fuhahahaha! I can't wait to show {Fate Threader} my power. To think I'm fortunate enough to have this opportunity early on!"

He grabs a barrel and chugs on it directly.

"Still, be careful. I know how strong you are, and with the addition of [Grim Fate], the quest should be easy. But being too lax inside a dungeon would lead to regrettable consequences. Especially…with the dungeon he chose."

"Hrm. |Cave of Echoes| huh. What can you tell me about it?"

"Let's just say that it was a dungeon that's been sweeped multiple times already."

"What the–? Then what's the point!"

"I'm not finished yet. It may have been looted already, but there was a looming mystery in this Cave. You do know that we, GEO, reforms sweeped dungeons into livable lands. But we chose not to do it with this one yet."

"What's your reason?"

"Well…first off, we had a surveillance team catch a glimpse of {Fate Threader} visiting this certain dungeon on a random basis. We had a suspicion that he's researching something about this dungeon."

"Hooh? He's already mapped this one out then. Why do you think he still chose to go with this place?"

"That's the mystery of it. We don't know how deep and calculating his mind actually is, so we're betting on him with this one. But then, my second reason comes to mind."

"Was that reason connected as to why {Fate Threader} still chose |Cave of Echoes|?"

"Most probably."

Gringar emptied his tall glass of mead. As he lets out a refreshed sigh, he continued-

"We've actually sent a group of hunters inside to investigate. Knowing that the dungeon was already looted, they asked for a higher reward. Of course, we did so, but we didn't raise it that high."

"So, what's the result of their investigation?"

Gringar squints.

"Nothing to report. Up to this day…those six star ranked and two blood ranked hunters haven't gone out of the dungeon yet…"

"But that doesn't add up to anything. The dungeon is supposed to be cleared and looted already, also, what's supposed to be its connection to the recent phenomenon of a monster leaving its habitat?"

"That's what we're about to find out."

Gringar looks out of the tavern's window.

"Zephyr must know something for sure."

Meanwhile, the said person is comfortably sleeping, oblivious of everything that's been happening and whatever is going to happen. With that, the night has peacefully passed by and a new day dawns. Zephyr seems to be shackled in his bed, as his body still craves for more rest.

"Aaah, morning comes once again. I can foresee my future, my day will be grim and I will have more responsibilities on my shoulders."

He monologued as if he's already decided that his future will always be concatenated with pain and grief.

Even with that kind of attitude, he still pursues to stand up and carry the heavy weight of the guild's name in his back for his guild mates as they are all his precious friends. Upon opening the door of his chambers, Anastasia has been waiting outside for him, already dressed and ready to spend the day with him once again.

"Good morning, Master Zep. I'll be in your care again today."

Zephyr thought to himself that Anastasia was always sticking to him whenever possible. He's somehow feeling guilty that he's been robbing Ana of her precious time to be spent with some more girly stuff instead of escorting and fighting for him all day long.

"Good morning Ana. You know, you can always do your own thing, like…putting in some time with your hobbies, something like that."

Anastasia gently shakes her head with her eyes closed.

"I chose this myself. Having Master Zep on my side already brings me so much joy…or are you seeing me as a hindrance, Master…?"

Seeing her getting depressed with those words, Zephyr can't help but to comfort her with a gentle pat in the head. He talks as he smiles-

"No way, with Ana on my side, I feel like all possible danger will be gone away."

Anastasia smiled, her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were quite teary. It's a gorgeous expression that she only shows in front of Zephyr.

"Well, let's go then. I'm thinking of having pancakes for breakfast."

"I'll gladly join you, Master Zep."

As they walk out of their quarters, Zephyr pulls his hood down and looks at Ana as if reminiscing something.

'It has been a long time since we met, I still remember when she can't give out even the slightest smile, but Ana…she has certainly changed hasn't she. That's a good thing.'

While they're walking, a certain someone stops in front of them. A girl who can be perceived as a dark sorceress like Ana, although she gives off a livelier aura.

"Ah! Found you, Master!"

"....." Anastasia was speechless.

"Hm? Oh, it's Ana's self-proclaimed apprentice. Hello there."

"Gah!" The self-proclaimed part hits her hard.

"L-Lord Zephyr, please!"

Anastasia then steps forward, standing in front of her self-proclaimed apprentice, staring at her with blank expression.

"What are you doing here, Athy?"

Athy, a star ranked sorceress that Zephyr and Ana met back then when they cleared a Star ranked dungeon due to having free time. (Ana did most of the work) Due to witnessing Anastasia's supreme skills, she began to idolize her and followed her, proclaiming herself to be her apprentice despite all the rejections Ana made. Zephyr on the other hand thought that it would be a good thing for Ana to have at least someone she could spend her time with other than him.

"Master, Lord Zephyr, please! Bring me along with the next quest you'll be going to!"

"...??"

"How did you know?"