“Hey Mav, going to talk to Father Organos again today?” a familiar young man asked as he polished the temple doors.

“Yeah, is he there?” Mav replied.

“Yes, just go inside. He’s reviewing the names for the next batch of children for the Bestowal Ceremony,” the young man said.

“Alright, thanks,” Mav said, giving a nod as he walked into the temple.

As Mav entered, the cool, shaded interior of the temple was a welcome respite from the scorching sun. The scent of coffee lingered in the air, mixing with the earthy aroma of the stone floor. Sunlight streamed through the high windows, casting long shadows and illuminating the intricate carvings on the walls.

Inside, Organos sat at a large wooden desk, clad in his familiar white robe. He held a few sheets of paper and had a steaming cup of coffee beside him.

Mav felt a blend of anticipation and anxiety as he approached Organos. The weight of his concerns about the forest and the urgency to act were palpable.

Organos adjusted his glasses and took a slow, deliberate sip from his coffee, savoring the warmth as he studied the papers in front of him. The soft rustle of parchment and the occasional clink of his cup were the only sounds in the otherwise serene space.

“Father,” Mav called out, his voice echoing softly in the spacious temple.

Organos turned, his serious expression softening into a warm smile. “Mav!”

“Am I bothering you?” he asked, stepping closer.

“Not at all. Please, have a seat,” Organos said, gesturing to an empty chair beside him.

Mav settled into the chair. Organos continued, “Is your father at the Merchant Guild again today?”

“No, it’s just me."

“Did you come to the capital with someone else then?” Organos asked.

“No, I ran here."

Organos nearly choked on his coffee. “You ran here?!”

“Yes, Father,” Mav confirmed, his tone steady.

“I used Dark Yellow Transcendence to make the trip. I can maintain it now for more than a second. It’s level 10 now, just like Dark Green Invincibility.” He showed Organos his status screen to prove his point.

“So you really went alone leveling your skills up,” Organos said, processing the information.

“Don’t worry, Father. I was very careful, just as I promised. I even did research on the Daimoniki before testing my skills on them,” he said, showing his library card.

“I see you’ve already met with Mina. But even if you were cautious—” Organos began, then sighed. “So, how can I assist you today?”

This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

Mav straightened, his expression serious. “Can Daimoniki normally speak, Father?”

Organos pondered for a moment. “I’ve heard that their king, Vasilias, could speak, according to oral traditions passed down to me. But I don’t know of any other Daimoniki who can talk.”

“Well, I encountered one in the forest.”

“What?” Organos asked, surprise evident in his voice.

“Yes, it was a humanoid Daimoniki, covered in black fur and with muscles bulging everywhere,” Mav described.

He recalled the Daimoniki vividly—the beast’s dark fur bristled in the dim forest light, and its eyes, glowing with an eerie intensity, seemed almost human in their intelligence. Its presence had been both menacing and strangely regal.

“Must have been a Fighter Gorilla. But you said it can talk? I’ve never heard of such a thing before,” Organos said, baffled.

“That’s not all, Father. It also used three high-level skills of different flame types—Yellow Enhancement, Green Protection, and Blue Healing,” he added.

Organos’s eyes widened in disbelief. He set down his coffee, his usual calm demeanor giving way to deep contemplation.

“That’s not possible. How did you even know that?”

“Because I fought it,” he said firmly.

“You what?” Organos’s eyes widened further.

“I had no choice. It would have killed me if I hadn’t fought back. It even claimed it had killed humans in that forest before me,” he said, his voice resolute.

As Mav spoke, he noticed the deep lines etched on Organos’s face—evidence of many years of wisdom and concern. Despite the kindness in Organos's eyes, they betrayed a hint of worry.

“Can you check with the guilds to see if any of their new members have gone missing? It might be the Daimoniki’s fault,” Mav requested.

Organos was silent for a moment, then nodded. “Alright, I’ll check with them. Meanwhile, don’t take any rash actions.”

“How long will I have to wait, Father?” he asked impatiently.

“I’m not sure. Without evidence, there’s not much I can do. They’ll need to confirm if any members have been missing for days and where they were last headed. It could take some time,” Organos explained.

“Can’t you just get a top ranker from a guild to accompany me? You have connections with them, right?” he suggested.

Organos leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled as he considered Mav’s request. “It’s not that simple, Mav. I can’t just call on them at will."

“I see,” Mav said, frustrated.

His jaw tightened with resolve as he listened to Organos. The adrenaline of his previous encounter still coursed through him, fueling his determination to confront the threat head-on.

“You’re not thinking of going back there alone, are you?” Organos asked, worry evident in his voice.

“I have to, Father. I can’t wait any longer. That forest is too close to our village. What if it attacks? I’m filled with worry right now—my family and the villagers are there, unaware of the threat so close by. I need to act before it’s too late,” Mav said, standing up.

Before he could leave, Organos called out, “Mav.”

He stopped in his tracks as Organos approached, handing him three gold coins.

“I can’t stop you, but please take this. It might help you buy a high-tier mana potion. It’s all I can offer right now. I promise I’ll talk to the guild leaders to get them to investigate,” Organos said.

Mav looked at the coins, gripping them tightly. “Thanks, Father. I’ll definitely pay you back.”

“Just be careful, alright? That’s all I ask,” Organos said earnestly.

“I will,” he assured him before exiting the temple.

As he stepped out into the bustling streets of the capital, the city’s noise was a stark contrast to the tranquility of the temple. He navigated through the crowded market, heading towards the library with a sense of urgency and purpose.