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After agreeing to join the “descendant team,” Renn was provided a place to stay on the third floor of the alchemist’s workshop.
The rooms, though smaller than the main facility’s working areas, were still comfortable enough for two or three people to share.
During her late-night conversations with Mint, Renn learned a few things about Alchemist Corp and the mysterious hunter group.
First, the higher-ups of Alchemist Corp already knew where the legendary heroes’ bodies were buried—an incredibly well-guarded secret. Using the Mana waves collected from these sites, Velle had developed the Mana scanners that were now used to track down descendants.
Second, the idea of harnessing the heroes’ powers came from Velle herself, though her theory wasn’t fully proven yet. Still, with no other clues about how the mysterious hunters were using Axel’s power, they were left with no choice but to follow it. The fact that Axel’s Mana had vanished from his burial site only lent more weight to Velle’s argument.
And third, Velle wasn’t just any alchemist—she was a prodigy, the youngest in Alchemist Corp’s history. She was also a descendant of one of the seven heroes—Delphine—with a 76% match. This gave her unprecedented access to confidential information and an almost limitless supply of resources from the alchemist community.
Back in their room, Renn had reluctantly agreed to share a space with both Velle and Mint. The arrangement was cozy: one bunk bed and a soft carpeted floor. After they’d all finished showering, Mint insisted that Renn take her bed, while Mint herself slept on the floor.
“Are you sure, Mint? I can sleep on the floor, you know,” Renn offered from the bottom bunk, her voice tinged with guilt. “Plus, it’s not like I’m… y’know, taking up a lot of space.”
“No way! What kind of host lets the guest sleep on the floor?” Mint replied brightly, patting the thick carpet. “Besides, the floor’s not bad at all. Super comfy!”
“O-okay…”
“Just don’t stay up too late, either of you,” Velle said from the top bunk, her eyes glued to the pages of a book. “I need my peaceful sleep.”
“Yes, ma’am…” Renn and Mint chimed in unison, dragging their voices in playful mockery.
“But seriously,” Renn added, glancing up at Velle. “You being a descendant too is a shocker. I didn’t see that coming.”
Velle didn’t look up, but her tone softened. “Finding a match over 75% is rare enough. I was honestly surprised you hit 90%.”
“T-thanks… I guess. So, what’s next?”
Velle finally set her book aside and leaned over the edge of the top bunk, peering down at Renn. “We should be getting reports from other workshops by tomorrow. We’ll check if we’ve found any other descendants and then make our next moves.”
“You said there were two other descendants already. Who’s the other one?”
“The prince of Cladun—Howl Cladun.”
Renn’s eyes widened. “A prince!?”
Velle nodded, unfazed. “Yeah. Surprised? Your ancestor was royalty, after all.”
“Well… yeah, but I’m not a princess or anything.”
“Are you sure?”
“Huh?”
“You said you’ve never met your real parents, right? Who’s to say you’re not a lost princess?”
“T-that’s ridiculous…” Renn tried to laugh it off, but Velle’s words lingered. Could there be something to it? Without knowing her real parents, her true identity was still a mystery. Who am I, really?
“Anyway!” Mint’s cheerful voice broke the tension. “Time for bed! I’ll turn off the lights, okay?” She hopped up and flicked the switch, dimming the room.
A soft glow from the moonlight spilled in through the skylight, casting a peaceful, silvery light over the room. It wasn’t enough to stop Velle from continuing to read, her silhouette still visible in the top bunk.
Mint settled onto the floor, pulling a spare blanket over herself, while Renn, feeling a little guilty, offered to share hers.
And so, the night passed peacefully, the moonlight watching over them until morning arrived.
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Renn woke late the next morning, stretching lazily in the bottom bunk. Mint walked into the room, wrapped in nothing but a towel that clung to her figure.
“Morning, Renn!” Mint chirped, shaking the water from her hair.
“Morning… Did you just finish your bath?”
“Yep! Velle’s already downstairs working. You should go say hi. I’ll clean up and make the bed since it’s mine, after all.”
“Thanks for letting me crash here.”
Renn took a quick bath and changed into her usual clothes before heading downstairs to find Velle.
The main workshop was bustling with activity. A handful of alchemists worked alongside Velle, scribbling notes or carrying small containers filled with softly glowing materials.
Velle noticed Renn’s approach and glanced up from her desk. “Had a nice sleep, sleepyhead?”
“Yeah… better than my bed back in Wendale.”
“Alchemists do get better perks. The amenities here aren’t bad at all.”
“Uh huh. So, have the reports come in yet?”
“A few of them,” Velle replied, her focus shifting back to the papers. “I’m still going through what we’ve received, but it’ll take a while. You’ve got time to head out if you want. Explore the city or do whatever. I’ll be done by the afternoon.”
“Alright, catch you later then.”
Seeing Velle hard at work gave Renn a pang of guilt. Velle had clearly put in the effort to rise through the ranks as an alchemist, while Renn’s time had mostly been spent on lighthearted adventures. Now, with everything happening, her previous goals felt a little… immature.
Leaving the workshop, Renn decided to sharpen her skills. Her spear techniques were solid, but carving up monster parts had always been tricky. She spent her last bit of money on a quality carving knife before heading to the forest outside Alma, ready for a bit of training.
The forest bustled with activity as hunters went about their work, their presence a clear sign that this was a popular hunting ground.
“Hey, you there! New hunter?” a man called out, his sword casually resting on his shoulder as he held the body of a small monster in his free hand.
“Ah, yes! Nice to meet you.” Renn replied, trying to sound polite.
The man eyed her spear with a smirk. “That spear doesn’t look half bad. Reminds me of when I was just starting out. You can join us if you want, though most of the monsters around here are cubs.”
“Cubs? You mean they’re young?”
“Not exactly.” He chuckled, glancing at a patch of nearby trees. “They might look small, but monsters start off as regular animals—rabbits, wolves, birds. Over time, they absorb Mana from the land or from whatever they eat, and that’s what turns them into monsters. The longer they survive, the bigger and stronger they get.”
“I see… so that rabbit over there,” Renn pointed to a small white rabbit nibbling at some grass near a bush, “could become a monster too?”
“Maybe,” he shrugged. “It all depends on what they end up eating. Some stay regular animals their whole lives, others… well, you don’t want to meet ‘em when they grow.”
Before Renn could ask more, another voice called out from a nearby hill. “Hey! I need help over here!”
“Duty calls.” The man turned to leave. “Stick around this area, alright? It’s safer.” And with that, he jogged off toward the shout.
Renn watched as he ran to assist the other hunter, curiosity gnawing at her. Then the man’s startled voice carried across the forest. “Whoa! What happened to him?!”
Alarmed, Renn sprinted toward the commotion. When she arrived, she found a hunter sprawled on the ground, his clothes torn and stained with blood. Fresh wounds crisscrossed his body, the sight of them making Renn’s stomach churn.
“W-what happened?!” Renn asked, her voice shaky as she stared wide-eyed at the injured man.
“I don’t know,” the hunter who had called for help responded, his face pale. “He was coming down from the mountains like this.”
“Not many of us head that way,” the swordsman muttered as he knelt beside the injured man. “Hey, can you hear me? What did this to you?”
“G…gah… m-monster… s-so… strong…” the hunter gasped, his voice weak, but the fear in his eyes was unmistakable.
“We need to get him back to the city, fast,” the other hunter said, his voice laced with urgency.
“Right. Miss, stay away from the mountain areas, okay?” the swordsman warned before they both carefully lifted the injured man and hurried back toward Alma.
Renn stood frozen for a moment, watching them disappear through the trees, her hands trembling slightly. A monster strong enough to do that to a seasoned hunter, and it was this close to the city? If hunters weren’t constantly managing the area, could the monsters grow that much stronger? Could Alma be in danger?
Her mind raced. Part of her wanted to see for herself—what kind of creature could have done this? But another part of her, the more cautious part, screamed that it would be reckless. Suicidal, even. She was alone, with no backup. If something happened to her out there, no one would even know.
Renn clenched her spear tighter. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. Nope. Not going in there. Her instinct, for once, overpowered her curiosity. With a sigh, she turned and started walking back toward Alma, her steps slow and reluctant.
But just as she began to leave, a high-pitched scream pierced the air, coming from the direction of the mountains.
Her heart lurched in her chest. More people were out there.
Before she could even think, her body moved on its own. Her legs sprang into motion, and within seconds, she was sprinting toward the mountains, her feet barely touching the ground as she darted through the trees. The spear in her hand felt heavier than usual, but her grip tightened around it, her knuckles turning white as her pulse pounded in her ears.
There was no room for fear now—just a single, all-consuming thought driving her forward: Someone needs help.
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Back in Alma, the two hunters hurried into the alchemist workshop, their urgent voices breaking through the usual quiet. “We need help—now!” one of them shouted, drawing the attention of everyone inside. Alchemists from upstairs rushed down the moment they heard the commotion, with Velle leading the way.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
“Bring the medkits,” Velle ordered, her eyes already assessing the injured man as he lay sprawled across the center of the hall. His clothes were ripped, blood soaking through the fabric, and his face was pale—too pale.
“What happened?” Velle asked sharply, crouching beside him. Her eyes flicked across the torn wounds, tracing the blood seeping through his skin, noting how shallow his breathing had become.
“He… he was attacked. By a monster up in the mountains!” one of the hunters managed to gasp out, his voice trembling with disbelief.
“A monster in the mountains?” another hunter echoed, shock rippling through the crowd. “How could it be strong enough to do that?”
“I recognize that guy! Isn’t he the one who bought that expensive mana weapon?” a voice called out from the back of the hall.
“Yeah,” the swordsman who had carried him muttered grimly. “Guess he thought he could take it on alone.”
The injured man stirred slightly, groaning in pain, his voice barely a whisper. “Th-the… others…”
Velle’s head snapped toward him, her expression hardening. “Wait, what others?” she asked, her voice tight.
The man gave a shallow, rattling breath, trying to speak but too weak. The air in the room seemed to freeze. Every second stretched, the weight of his words hanging between them.
Velle’s eyes narrowed. “Did anyone else go to help?”
The swordsman hesitated. “No, most of the hunters in the forest aren’t strong enough to handle something like this. I even told the girl with the spear to stay put—”
“What?!” Velle cut him off, her hand shooting out and gripping the swordsman’s shoulders with surprising strength. “The girl with the spear? Where is she?!”
The man flinched under her grip. “S-she’s in the east forest, near the hill! You’ll probably find some blood there too—that’s where we found this guy.”
Before he even finished speaking, Mint came rushing down the stairs, carrying a large box of medkits. “I’ve got the medkits! Move aside! Wait—Velle, where are you going?!”
Mint froze mid-step as she watched Velle throw aside her alchemist robe, revealing a sleek, functional outfit underneath. The dark fabric hugged her figure, layered with light armor and small utility belts strapped around her waist, along with shorts for easier movement. The scholarly look remained, but with a practical twist for battle—a contrast between intellect and readiness for action.
“I’m going to check on our member,” Velle replied, her tone clipped. She didn’t look back, already heading for the door. “You take care of him.”
Without another word, Velle vanished through the crowd outside, her strides purposeful, disappearing into the streets of Alma.
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The mountains were oppressive, the air growing heavier with each step Renn took. She pushed through the thick forest, shadows wrapping around her like a living thing. Still, she ran, her heart hammering in her chest, driven by the distant, faint screams for help.
Every cry tore at her, pushing her legs faster, but her breath grew short, the weight of fear pressing down. Up ahead, she saw the clearing bathed in light. The screams were coming from there.
She clenched her spear, sweat slicking her palms, her knuckles pale with tension as she broke through the last tangle of trees.
The scene that met her eyes froze her where she stood.
A massive creature towered over the clearing, dwarfing the trees around it. At first glance, it looked like a bear, but something was horribly wrong. Its gray fur gleamed unnaturally smooth, rippling over bulging muscles. Its crimson eyes glowed like embers, burning with malice. Blood dripped from its massive jaws, fresh from its last kill.
Below it, hunters lay sprawled and motionless on the ground. Renn’s breath caught in her throat, her legs trembling as she stood there, frozen. She didn’t even hear the faint, hoarse cries of the last hunter, trapped in the beast’s claws.
“H-help me… p-please…”
With a sickening snap, the monster twisted the hunter’s neck. It tossed his limp body aside as if discarding a toy, sending him smashing into a tree across the clearing. With no more prey to slaughter, the beast’s glowing eyes shifted to her.
Renn’s chest tightened, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The world felt like it was closing in around her. This can’t be happening. How can I fight this thing? Panic flared through her mind, her thoughts spiraling. Didn’t someone call for help? Was it him? Is he dead? They’re all dead…
A deep, guttural growl shattered her spiraling thoughts. Her body reacted on instinct as the creature’s massive paw crashed toward her. She barely managed to dive to the side, her breath knocked from her lungs as the ground shook beneath the beast’s blow.
She lay on the ground, panting hard, her entire body trembling. The fear was overwhelming, more than the exhaustion from her frantic run through the forest. She gripped her spear tighter, but it felt wrong in her hands—useless.
She glanced at the fallen hunters. I’ll die just like them.
But the beast wasn’t stopping. Its eyes locked on her, and with a terrifying roar, it lunged again.
Renn’s body moved on its own. She scrambled to her feet, barely avoiding the deadly swipe of its claws. Her spear slashed out in a desperate arc, the blade grazing the monster’s flank, but it barely left a scratch on its thick hide.
It growled, the sound vibrating through the air as it lashed out in fury. Renn ducked under the blow, but the force of the wind from the beast’s strike nearly knocked her off her feet. She stumbled, her heart racing as her mind scrambled for a solution.
I can’t win. It’s too strong.
Her chest burned with desperation. Her limbs felt heavy, slow. The monster didn’t slow down—it charged again, its teeth bared, ready to rip her apart. Renn rolled out of the way, narrowly avoiding its fangs.
Her body screamed at her to stop, to give in, but she couldn’t. She wasn’t ready to die. Not yet.
With shaking hands, she forced herself to stand, raising her spear with trembling arms. Her mind was chaos, her heart pounding with terror, but amidst the panic, she let out a bitter, cracked laugh.
“What was I thinking?” she muttered, her voice barely audible over the pounding in her ears. “Charging in here alone... dumbass.”
Her knuckles whitened around her weapon as the beast closed in again. “Fine,” she spat, her voice shaky but defiant. “If I’m going to die, I’ll face it head-on.”
With a wild cry, Renn charged. She slid between the monster’s legs, turning as she slashed at its flank, barely leaving a mark. The beast roared, swinging its massive arms. Each swipe was fast and deadly—one wrong move and it would all be over.
It hit.
The impact sent her flying through the air. She rolled, her body crashing into the dirt, pain blooming everywhere. Her spear clattered out of her hand, lost somewhere in the distance. She lay still, her body trembling as she stopped at the base of a tree, where the broken-necked hunter lay lifeless.
Her vision blurred. I’m sorry… she thought weakly, her mind thick with guilt. I’m sorry...
The ground trembled as the beast approached, its footsteps heavy, slow, deliberate. Renn lay there, broken and powerless as it loomed over her. Its massive head lowered, sniffing her limp body. She barely felt it nudge her with one massive paw, checking if she was still alive.
She didn’t move.
Satisfied, the monster turned away, losing interest. Its enormous frame lumbered off, the ground quaking beneath its weight.
Renn’s blurred gaze followed the beast as it walked away. Darkness began to creep in at the edges of her vision, but just before she slipped into unconsciousness, she thought she saw it—
A blur of movement. A flash of light. And then, the monster’s massive body was sliced clean in half.
Then, everything went black.
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Three days after the attack, the official report on the “Gray Bear” from the mountains near Alma was released. The creature was one of many wanted monsters listed on the hunters’ bulletin, known for surviving encounters and growing stronger each time. Though typically found deeper in the mountain ranges, the bear had recently strayed into Alma’s territory, killing several hunters before it was finally brought down. Three bodies were recovered from the mountains, with four more discovered near the base. The beast had been killed, but the identity of the hunter responsible remained unknown.
There was only one survivor.
At Alma’s alchemist workshop, Velle and Mint worked in a heavy silence. The recent loss weighed on them, but neither spoke much of it. Mint had been especially downcast after the injured man they’d tried to save succumbed to his wounds. Velle had reassured her, but Mint still struggled with the feeling that they hadn’t done enough.
“We did what we could,” Velle had said, her tone firm yet not unkind. “The workshop isn’t equipped for injuries that severe. You can’t beat yourself up over it.”
Mint had nodded, though the weight remained. “I know, but… I just wish we could’ve done more.”
Now, as she shuffled through some papers, she stole a glance at Velle. “Hey… why hasn’t she woken up yet?”
Velle didn’t lift her eyes from her work. “Hard to say. The potion healed most of her injuries. What’s left is up to her body.”
Mint chewed her lip, her worry plain on her face. “Do you think it’s trauma? Like… after what she went through?”
Velle paused, her quill stilling against the parchment. She finally turned to face Mint, her gaze steady. “It could be. Trauma can keep people in a state like that. But she’ll wake up when she’s ready. Her body just needs time.”
Mint pressed her hands together, nodding slightly. She knew Velle was worried too, even if she didn’t show it. Velle never showed much emotion—she kept her cool no matter what. But it was Velle who had carried Renn back from the mountain. Her Zephyr and Eurus that she used to help carrying Renn had blood on them, indicating she had run into a fight herself. Mint had seen it, the way Velle had ordered everyone to prepare a bed on the third floor without a word of complaint, despite the exhaustion in her eyes.
“I’ll go check on her again,” Mint murmured, getting up from her chair and heading toward the stairs.
Velle sat at her desk, but her mind wandered. Could she have saved more hunters if she had arrived sooner? If she’d intervened before the situation spiraled out of control? Maybe... but that wasn’t her role. She wasn’t a hunter—she was an alchemist, and her responsibilities were clear. Even though the public report didn’t reveal who actually killed the beast, the truth would reach the higher-ups soon enough. And when it did, she knew the consequences of her actions would inevitably follow.
The sound of hurried footsteps snapped her out of her thoughts. Mint was rushing down the stairs, her face pale.
“V-Velle! Renn—she’s—”
Velle didn’t wait for her to finish. She shot to her feet and bolted up the stairs, her heart pounding. She burst into the room where a few alchemists had gathered, fresh towels and water in hand, tending to Renn in shifts since her return.
Pushing through them, Velle’s sharp gaze found Renn sitting up in bed. She looked weak—pale and gaunt—but conscious.
“Ah… Velle…” Renn’s voice was barely a whisper, but she managed a faint smile.
Velle approached slowly, her expression neutral but her eyes scanning every inch of Renn for any sign of lingering damage. “How do you feel?” she asked, her voice level.
Renn hesitated for a moment, then lifted her arms, inspecting herself. “I… I think I’m okay? No pain… no scars. Just… really tired.”
Velle’s shoulders relaxed, though she kept her tone firm. “Good. But don’t do something that reckless again,” she warned, her voice carrying a quiet intensity. “You look like you haven’t eaten in days. If you can walk, get some food.”
Renn nodded weakly. “I will… I’m sorry…”
The weight of her near-death experience still hung heavy in the air. Renn’s voice trembled slightly as she spoke, her exhaustion clear in her every word. She watched as Velle turned toward the door, clearly intending to leave without saying much more.
But before Velle could step out, she paused, her hand resting on the frame. Her back was to Renn, but her voice softened, just for a moment.
“…Welcome back.”
Renn blinked, the words catching her off guard. Her lips curved into a small, grateful smile, the tension in her chest easing just slightly. “…Thanks.”
Velle didn’t look back, but after a moment of stillness, she walked out, leaving Renn alone with her thoughts—and the faintest hint of relief in her heart.
Though Velle had finished reviewing the reports from other workshops regarding hunters’ Mana wave matches, she decided to give Renn a few more days to rest before moving forward with the next steps. During this downtime, Velle maintained regular contact with Howl Cladun, the prince of Cladun, to keep him updated.
One evening, in a dimly lit room on the second floor of the workshop, Velle sat before a large screen, using a Mana-infused telecommunication device to communicate with Howl. The flickering light from the screen cast long shadows across the room, adding to the air of quiet urgency.
“So, she survived? That’s good news!” Howl’s voice boomed from the device as his image appeared on the screen, his usual grin wide and carefree.
“Yeah, but that’s about the only good news we’ve had lately,” Velle replied, rubbing her temples, the weariness evident in her tone.
“Ah, I’ve heard. Another attack, huh? Those bastards!”
“That, and we didn’t find anyone worthwhile besides Renn from the other workshops. At least we now know they don’t have the exact locations of the legendary heroes’ burial sites. The attack on Romoel and this recent one prove they’re still hunting blindly, which is a relief... but their numbers are unconfirmed. They could grow at any time, and meanwhile, we’re stuck waiting for our least experienced member to recover.”
“Hey now, don’t be so hard on her. You’re worried about her too, right? I’d say you focus on taking care of her for now, and leave those guys to me.”
“Don’t underestimate them, Howl,” Velle warned, her voice low and serious.
“Oh, please! How about you don’t underestimate me instead? Hahaha!” Howl’s laughter was loud and contagious before the screen abruptly went black.
Velle sighed, running a hand through her hair. After shutting off the telecommunication device, she stood up and stretched, feeling the weight of the conversation with Howl still lingering. She headed toward her bedroom, planning to collapse into her bed with a book and relax. But as she approached the slightly ajar door of her and Mint’s shared room, the sounds of lively chatter and clattering plates grew louder.
Velle paused at the doorway, pushing it open fully. The sight before her made her eyes widen. In the middle of the room, a table was crammed with dishes of all sorts, and Renn, Mint, along with a few other alchemists, were feasting happily like it was a festival.
“Ooh, Velleee~” Mint called out, her voice muffled by the food stuffed in her mouth.
“What’s going on here? And don’t talk with your mouth full,” Velle scolded, her tone sharp but with a playful edge.
Mint hurriedly swallowed, flashing a sheepish smile. “Sorry! We’re celebrating Renn’s recovery, and, uh… well, you know, it’s your money that paid for all this food,” she added with an awkward chuckle.
Renn raised her hand apologetically, holding a chicken thigh in the other. “Yeah, sorry, Velle. But hey, I’m getting better, right?”
Velle let out a deep sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. “I told you to focus on resting, not throwing a feast in my room.”
“Exactly!” Renn replied with a wide grin. “What better way to rest than with good food?”
Velle shot her a look, trying to hide the hint of amusement that tugged at the corner of her lips. “Fine. Just don’t make a mess.”
Turning away from the table, she headed for the ladder leading up to the top bunk, muttering, “I’m going to read. Don’t stay up too late, all of you.”
“Aww, come on, Velle! Join us!” Mint teased, waving a fork in the air. “You look like you could use some extra nutrients yourself.”
“I’m perfectly fine with my body, thank you,” Velle replied dryly, already climbing the first step of the ladder.
“Just one bite!” Mint insisted, grabbing Velle’s arm and tugging her away from the ladder.
“Yeah, just one bite!” Renn chimed in, her grin mischievous, quickly rallying the others into a chant of “One bite! One bite!”
Velle rolled her eyes, trying to shake them off. “Let go of me! I swear, if you—hey!”
But her protests were drowned out by the room’s laughter as Mint and Renn pulled her to the table, forcing her into a seat between them. Despite herself, Velle couldn’t help the slight smile that crept onto her face as she looked around at the joyous group.
The night was filled with laughter, banter, and plenty of good food. It wasn’t just a celebration of Renn’s recovery but a moment of relief for the entire group. For a while, they forgot about the dangers lurking outside Alma’s borders, simply enjoying each other’s company and the warmth of friendship.
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