The carriage rolled to a slow stop in front of the Adventurer’s Guild, its polished black lacquer gleaming beneath the morning sun. Etched into its doors—the unmistakable green rose sigil of House Altheron.

A symbol that had, by now, become impossible to ignore.

Even those unfamiliar with politics or noble houses understood its significance.

That crest was everywhere—hanging from banners, stamped on documents, even carved into the guard stations around the city. It was power. Influence. A silent declaration of control.

So when the door swung open and a young swordsman in black robes stepped out, the entire courtyard seemed to still.

Even before anyone recognized his face, they felt his presence—calm, composed, and undeniably dangerous.

Then their eyes shifted—

From the imposing figure of Yun Jin…

To the golden-haired beauty who followed behind him.

A ripple of hushed murmurs spread through the gathered adventurers.

"Who is she?"

"She’s gorgeous!"

"Wait—why does she look familiar?"

Some of the more observant guild members felt a creeping sense of recognition, but before they could place it—

"Oh no. It’s him."

A few people immediately averted their gazes, pretending not to notice Yun Jin at all. Some had witnessed his brutal performance in the Death Throne Arena. Others had only heard the rumors. But all of them came to the same conclusion—

It was safer not to get involved.

Meanwhile, the majority of the attention remained fixated on the golden-haired “lady” beside him.

"Who is she?"

"She arrived in Altheron’s carriage—is she a noblewoman?"

"No way—look at her posture. That’s not some pampered noble. She’s got presence."

And then, from somewhere within the murmurs—

"See? I told you they were dating."

THWACK.

A loud chop to the back of the speaker’s head sent him face-first into the dirt.

The guild receptionist sighed, dragging him away by the collar. "That is NOT how you greet customers!"

Yun Jin, who had definitely heard it, barely reacted. He simply exhaled through his nose and walked inside.

Merlin, on the other hand, was twitching.

The moment Yun Jin stepped into the guild, the energy inside shifted.

Conversations quieted. More than a few people glanced his way, then quickly looked away.

Yun Jin paid them no mind. He was here for a reason.

His gaze swept across the quest board, scanning through the posted jobs with a casual, calculating air.

Plenty of Rank D missions—the usual. Nothing challenging.

His eyes moved past them instantly.

Then, he found something that caught his attention—a Rank C- mission.

Merlin, who had just caught up, immediately spoke up. "You’re still injured. You should stick to something easier."

Yun Jin smirked. "Did we ever say we were going alone this time? No. We're going to find more people to join us on this journey."

Merlin narrowed his eyes, folding his arms. "So… a party?"

Yun Jin shrugged casually. "Yeah? So, that’s what you call it around here..."

Yun Jin ignored him and activated [Mana Eyes].

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A faint glow flickered behind his irises as he scanned the room, searching for someone… interesting.

Then—he found it.

And at that exact moment—

Someone found him.

"YOU!!!"

A shout rang through the entire guild, loud enough to make every single person freeze.

Yun Jin barely had time to turn before a blur shot toward him.

Then—

STUMBLE.

The figure’s foot caught the ground at the last second, sending them tumbling forward.

Yun Jin’s hand snapped out instinctively, catching her by the waist.

A familiar warmth. A familiar presence.

Yun Jin grinned. "If you wanted to hug me that badly, you could’ve just asked, Reva."

Reva, now firmly in Yun Jin’s grasp, went beet red.

Then, in an instant, she shoved him away, planting her feet.

Her fists clenched. Her body trembled—not from weakness, but from frustration.

"YOU!" she shouted. "How dare you disrespect our fight?!"

Yun Jin raised an eyebrow. "Disrespect?"

She stepped closer, voice rising. "Why didn’t you kill me!?"

For a moment, the room went silent.

Then, someone whispered.

"…Love quarrel?"

Yun Jin sighed heavily.

"No."

He turned back to Reva, expression calm. "I didn’t disrespect our fight. I went all out."

Reva’s jaw tightened. "Then why did you spare me?"

"Because I don’t take innocent blood," Yun Jin said smoothly. "My target wasn’t you."

A pause. Then—a casual shrug. "I just stopped your heart for a minute or two so the announcer would let you go."

He grinned. "Honestly, you should be thanking me."

Reva’s anger surged—then faltered.

She exhaled, stepping back, shoulders lowering slightly. "I… apologize."

Then, after a pause—"But why are you still here? If they see you alive—"

"I lied."

Yun Jin blinked.

Reva crossed her arms, looking away slightly. "I told them it was my bloodline’s ability. A ‘gift of revival.’ They let me go."

A pause.

Then, a bit quieter:

"But… I have no money left."

Yun Jin watched her for a moment, then smirked.

"Join my party, then."

Reva’s head snapped toward him. "Are you sure?"

But before Yun Jin could answer, he noticed something strange.

The adventurers around them—

They were uncomfortable.

Subtle shifts in posture. Averted gazes. Some even muttering under their breath.

Yun Jin’s brows furrowed slightly. "What’s the problem?"

One of the nearby adventurers finally spoke up.

"She’s from the North."

Yun Jin raised an eyebrow. "And?"

The adventurer hesitated, then spoke in a lower tone.

"They eat people."

Reva immediately bristled. "WE DO NOT!"

But the skepticism remained. Muttered remarks. Disapproving glances.

One voice even called out—"Get back to the mountains where you belong!"

The frustration boiled in Reva’s chest.

But before she could lash out—

"It’s fine."

Yun Jin spoke smoothly, cutting through the tension.

He looked at Reva, unbothered. "You can’t kill me even if you tried."

Reva’s jaw clenched. "Tch—!"

But despite her frustration, a flicker of gratitude crossed her face.

And then—

A voice rang out.

"If you’re looking for a party member—"

Yun Jin turned first, his sharp gaze locking onto the newcomer.

Recognition struck instantly.

Standing at the entrance of the guild, clad in the flowing white-and-gold robes of a priestess, a faint divine glow tracing the delicate patterns along the fabric, was a woman he hadn’t expected to see again so soon.

Seraphine Lysval.

The girl he had saved from the Dryad’s dungeon.

A magical bracelet gleamed on her wrist, faint traces of mana pulsing within its intricate design—an artifact rather than mere ornamentation.

Merlin turned a second later, eyes widening in recognition.

Seraphine met Yun Jin’s gaze evenly, her expression calm, composed—yet there was something beneath it, an unspoken weight in her voice as she took a step forward.

"May I join you, sir?"