The morning air was crisp as Nyx stirred awake, the soft glow of dawn slipping through the wooden blinds. The faint rustling of leaves outside the window mixed with the distant hum of the waking city.

Her body felt heavy, the exhaustion of constant travel and emotional weight still clinging to her. She lay there for a few moments, staring at the ceiling, letting herself breathe.

But she had no time to linger.

She stretched, rolled her shoulders, and sat up, the thin blankets slipping off her frame. Her silver hair fell messily over her shoulders as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

Today’s a new day, Nyx.

With that thought, she stood and began preparing.

By the time she made her way downstairs, the Starlit Hearth was already stirring with quiet activity. A few early risers sat near the fireplace, sipping warm drinks and speaking in hushed tones. The scent of fresh bread and brewed tea lingered in the air, comforting yet unfamiliar.

At the counter, the innkeeper looked up as she approached. He was an older elf with graying hair and sharp emerald eyes that seemed to scan her carefully, as if measuring her worth.

“I’m checking out,” Nyx said, reaching into her pocket for the coins Uriel had given her.

The innkeeper accepted the payment but didn’t hand over her change immediately. Instead, he watched her with a look that was far too knowing.

“You’re heading out early. Where to?”

Nyx hesitated for only a moment before answering, “The Hunter’s Guild.”

The skepticism in his eyes was immediate. She could see it plainly—the doubt, the silent question of whether a small girl like her truly belonged in a place like that.

“You sure about that?” he asked, crossing his arms. “The guild’s no place for sightseeing.”

Nyx simply nodded. She had grown used to these kinds of reactions.

The innkeeper exhaled through his nose, then finally relented. “It’s at the heart of the city. Just follow the main road, past the market square. Can’t miss it.”

“Thank you.” She bowed slightly out of habit before heading for the door.

Outside, Alinthor was already alive with movement.

Merchants opened their stalls, displaying fine elven fabrics, enchanted jewelry, and baskets overflowing with vibrant fruits. Children weaved through the streets, laughing as they chased each other, their pointed ears peeking through their tousled hair.

For the first time since she arrived, Nyx truly took in the beauty of this place.

The towering white stone buildings, their ivy-draped walls shimmering slightly under the morning sun, gave the city an almost ethereal feel. The glowing blue lanterns, enchanted with soft magic, lined the cobblestone pathways, casting a serene glow even in daylight. The curved bridges, arching over crystal-clear streams, reflected the sky like polished glass.

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It felt magical. Dreamlike.

And yet, it wasn’t home.

She continued walking, hands tucked inside her cloak, her steps slow and steady.

Then, a thought tugged at the back of her mind.

The man who gave her the ride.

Where had he gone?

She had kept an eye out for him, but it was as if he had vanished.

She hadn’t even thanked him. The thought left a small weight on her chest. She was raised to be respectful, to express gratitude.

Maybe she would run into him again.

She hoped so.

But for now, she focused on what lay ahead.

After a long walk, Nyx finally reached the Hunter’s Guild of Alinthor—Moonveil.

The building was larger than she expected, its grand white-and-yellow structure standing proudly at the heart of the city. The golden banners swayed slightly in the morning breeze, embroidered with the crescent moon entwined with a silver bow—the emblem of Alinthor.

It was a guild of hunters, mercenaries, and warriors—people who made their living by venturing into dungeons, slaying beasts, and completing tasks too dangerous for ordinary folk.

And she was about to step into their world.

She took a breath and stepped inside.

The shift in atmosphere was immediate.

The air was thick with the scent of leather, steel, and faint traces of blood. The deep rumble of voices filled the hall, accompanied by the occasional burst of laughter or the clanking of metal tankards.

Hunters were everywhere.

Seasoned warriors clad in dented armor, their weapons slung over their backs. Archers with sleek bows strapped to their shoulders. Mages draped in enchanted robes, their fingers faintly glowing from residual magic.

Some huddled in groups, exchanging stories of past raids. Others studied the large quest board, scanning for their next job.

As Nyx walked past them, she felt their stares.

Some barely spared her a glance, too preoccupied with their own business. Others, however, turned to look—eyes flickering with curiosity and skepticism.

“A kid? In a hunter’s guild?” a man muttered under his breath.

“That’s new,” another chuckled, leaning against the counter. “Lost, little one?”

Nyx ignored them.

She had heard it all before.

Without hesitation, she walked straight to the front desk, where a tall elf woman with sleek lavender hair sat reviewing a stack of parchment.

The woman barely acknowledged her at first, her quill scratching against paper.

Nyx stood her ground, waiting.

Finally, the receptionist looked up, her golden eyes scanning Nyx with mild surprise before her expression turned neutral.

“And you are?”

Nyx met the woman’s gaze, her back straightening.

“I’d like to take on a quest.”

The room fell silent.

For a moment, the hunters nearby stopped talking, their conversations cut short as they turned to watch.

The receptionist studied her, tapping a slender finger against the wooden counter. “You don’t look like a hunter.”

“I am.”

A few chuckles echoed from behind her, but Nyx didn’t react.

The woman arched a delicate brow. “Do you have proof of rank?”

Nyx reached into her cloak and pulled out a small metal badge—one she had taken from her old guild back in her village.

It was weathered, the engraving slightly faded, but still recognizable as a hunter’s token.

The receptionist took it, her golden eyes flicking between the badge and Nyx. Something unreadable passed through her gaze.

Then, with a sigh, she slid the badge back across the counter.

“We don’t usually accept solo hunters your age,” she admitted. “But… rules are rules.”

She picked up a piece of parchment, scanned the available jobs, then placed one down in front of Nyx.

“Prove yourself. This is an F-rank job—straightforward enough. Complete it, and we’ll talk about more.”

Nyx took the parchment, glancing at the details.

A simple extermination quest—hunting down spider-like creatures that had been attacking caravans outside the city.

It wasn’t challenging.

But it was a start.

She folded the parchment and nodded.

“I’ll take it.”

The hunters behind her laughed again, shaking their heads as if already dismissing her.

But Nyx didn’t care.

She was one step closer to her next path.

And she would prove them wrong.