Behind the messy guild desk, the receptionist was still standing, even though all activity had completely stopped.
Her eyes quietly followed Rena, who was about to leave the guild.
She crossed her arms on the desk, tilted her head slightly, adjusted her glasses, and observed Rena.
This kid…
Just as Rena was really about to leave, the receptionist called out to her, eyebrows raised.
Rena!!!
Rena lifted her head a little, turning her body toward the receptionist with relaxed eyes.
Yeah?
The receptionist hesitated for a fraction of a second—
as if choosing words that wouldn't break the spirit she had just witnessed. She smoothed her hair a little.
Aren't you tired?
Rena???
The question came out softer than she intended.
Not judging.
Not forbidding.
Just… worried.
Rena was silent.
For a moment, she truly felt her body—her sore arms, her heavy legs, her breath that still wasn't fully steady.
Then she crossed both arms, lowered her gaze, closed her eyes, and answered honestly, quietly.
Hmm…
…I am tired, yeah.
Rena glanced at her badge for a moment, pinned it next to her school badge, then raised her eyes again.
But… I don't feel like stopping right now.
If I were an ordinary person, maybe I wouldn't say something so naive.
Because…
The receptionist was confused. She adjusted her glasses as if they had something to do with her hearing.
Because???
Rena paused for a moment, regulating her breathing rhythm. Then, with a smile—
Suddenly, Rena's body emitted a faint green light that enveloped her, including her dirty robe, which became clean in an instant.
Ahh… that's a relief…
So fresh!!!! Brrrr!!!
The receptionist was surprised, but on the other hand, she laughed at herself a little, fixing her hair as she looked at Rena, and thought to herself.
Ahh!! How ridiculous of me…
I should have realized that Rena is an adventurer just like any other—with unique and strange powers.
Realizing how silly she was, the receptionist let out a small laugh.
Haha… sorry, Rena…
I should have known from the start.
Hearing that, Rena just smiled widely, clenching both fists.
Yeah… that's how it is. At least you don't need to worry about me, because I'm an adventurer!!!
The atmosphere turned quiet. Both Rena, near the guild door, and the receptionist, behind her desk, smiled at each other.
The receptionist studied Rena's face.
There was no forcefulness there.
No despair.
Just a determination that was still warm.
She smiled faintly.
Hmm… I understand.
The receptionist finally bowed her head slightly.
Thank you for joining this guild. People like you mean a lot to us.
And let me introduce myself. My name is Diana. I look forward to working with you.
Rena didn't bow back. Instead, she drew her sword with her left hand and pointed it toward Diana.
Of course, Miss Diana!!
Looking forward to working with you!!!
They both smiled again, but this time Diana cut the smile short, adjusting her glasses.
Just don't collapse before your next rank up, okay? Hehe.
Her tone was light, but there was clear concern in it.
Rena nodded slightly, then this time truly left the guild, saying.
Of course!!! Haha…
Bye, Miss Diana!!!
Inside the adventurer's guild, the atmosphere slowly changed.
The laughter had stopped.
Conversations vanished.
What remained were… the remnants of chaos.
Chairs out of place.
Scattered cups left uncleaned.
Quest papers strewn here and there.
Diana the receptionist stood behind the desk, gazing at the room that had been so lively, now feeling like a battlefield after a small skirmish.
She let out a long sigh.
…finally quiet.
But her body didn't rest.
She took off her glasses for a moment, wiped them with a cloth—as if preparing for the next "battle," not with swords or magic, but… with a broom and rag.
She stepped out from behind the desk.
One by one, she straightened the chairs.
She gathered the cups.
She cleaned the dirty floor without much noise.
Her movements were practiced—fast, efficient, without complaint.
But in between, her mind returned to one person.
That kid…
Her hand paused for a moment as she picked up a fallen quest paper.
…Rena.
She stared at the now-closed guild door.
A faint smile appeared again, this time more subtle.
Her spirit… is kind of dangerous.
Not in a bad way—
but in the sense that someone could push themselves too far without realizing it.
She continued her work.
The sound of the broom sweeping the floor became the only sound in the room.
And though she was tired, though she couldn't truly rest yet—
there was a small feeling left inside her that she held back, only imagining it in her heart.
Fellow receptionists… the men who disappeared… the women who are probably still grieving over what happened—haven't even come to replace their shifts.
With her professional demeanor, Diana continued sweeping. Then, broom in hand, she looked toward the door.
I hope you, Rena, can find out what's really happening…
I believe… people like you might be able to change something in the future.
---
Meanwhile, Rena—who had already left the guild—instead of looking for food or taking a break to celebrate her rank up, was now sitting on top of the city gate, watching people go in and out of the city.
Hmm… where is it?
Should I just wait here?
Suddenly, a gate guard shouted at Rena.
Hey!!!
What do you think you're doing!!!!!!!
Get down!!!!
Rena was a little startled, tucked both hands in, and ran away, thinking to herself.
Eh??
How did that guard know I was up there???
Crap! I have to run!!!!
The gate guards didn't chase her, but one of them—not wearing armor—contacted the city guards via telepathy.
City guards.
City guards…
Please catch that student. Characteristics: wearing a very wide robe with a magic school uniform, small body, seems nimble!!!
Rena, thinking she had escaped, slowed down her run. She ended up in the city market, which was very crowded. Pulling her hands out, she thought.
Crap… at this rate, it'll be hard to find someone with a higher rank than me to leave the city…
As Rena walked casually, suddenly the city guards spotted her and shouted.
There's that naughty student!!!
Citizens, move aside!!!
Hearing that, Rena quickly ran away from the guards, bumping into citizens in her way.
The citizens, confused, just stood there for a moment, which annoyed the guards.
Damn!!! Clumsy citizens!
If this keeps up, our salaries will be cut!!!
Damn!!
Suddenly, one of the city guards—a woman with two braids—became frustrated, her eyebrows sharply furrowed. She conjured magic in her right hand and held a crystal in her left.
Level 5 fireball magic!!
If that's how it's going to be, I'll do it the hard way!!
Everyone move aside if you don't want to get burned!!!
The citizens panicked and scattered, while others whispered as they ran.
Aaa!!!
Level five magic? No way a city guard can do that!!!
That's level five magic—military commander level!!!
The fire in the braided guard's right hand grew large and hot, even making her struggle to hold it herself, though she tried to stay strong.
Move aside!!
Hurry!!!!
The merchants there could only run away, leaving their goods behind. The citizens wandering around also ran away.
Ahhhh!!!
What is really happening!!!!
This city has gone crazy since the men disappeared!!!
Another guard who was with the braided one stepped back a few paces and rebuked her.
Hey… isn't this overkill???
Besides, you're using that magic crystal to strengthen your spell. And isn't that still an early-stage creation from the otherworldly heroes???
Plus, we're not supposed to use it without the head guard's permission!!
Meanwhile, Rena was still hiding and running to where she thought was safe, glancing behind her with shifting eyes, thinking.
Crap, I have to hide. That magic being thrown around is seriously incredible!!
Suddenly, Rena bumped into someone—but this time, she was the one who got knocked back.
Eh!!! What just happened??
That person extended their left hand, smiling with squinting eyes.
Are you okay??
Rena accepted the hand while looking at the person—wearing a glittering robe, with a large bow in their right hand that pulsed with energy and mana as if the arrows could appear and disappear in an instant.
Thank you, Miss???
Hmm???
The person introduced themselves, squinting their eyes.
Let me introduce myself. I'm Claire, the hero.
Maybe I'm not as famous as the otherworldly heroes, but I've consistently contributed, you know…!!!
Rena just stood there, mouth agape, as if she couldn't believe a hero was in front of her. On the other hand, her eyes sparkled as she thought.
Maybe this is my chance to leave the city with this hero!!
Seeing Rena gawking, Hero Claire slowly started to walk away.
Looks like there's some trouble in this city, huh…
The citizens and even the guards seem stressed from the loss of the men!!...
Meanwhile—
The braided city guard was slightly annoyed and turned her gaze to the other guard.
Quiet!!! What I'm doing is right!!
Besides, I'm about to get a promotion.
Suddenly, the braided guard lost control of her fireball magic.
Eh!!!
Crap, this is too hot!!
I can't control it!!!
Then, a hero with a large bow in hand shot the fireball, carrying it upward along with the arrow. The fireball was about to explode instantly, but suddenly it shrank—as if the fireball magic was completely absorbed by the arrow.
Meanwhile, the braided guard collapsed face down, her body too weak to stand, eyebrows furrowed.
Ahh… looks like I'm going to be punished.
Then the braided guard dropped the magic crystal. Strangely, the crystal rolled directly toward Hero Claire.
Eh? Magic crystal??
How does a city guard have that???
Hero Claire, seeing all this and the crystal, furrowed her brows sharply as she looked at the braided guard.
Seems like this isn't something that can be solved with just an apology.
Meanwhile, the other city guards, seeing Hero Claire, tried to run away. But the arrow that had been shot earlier, still in the air, automatically aimed at them quickly.
One of the guards there shouted.
Watch out! It's Hero Claire's arrow!!
Before they could run, Hero Claire's arrow turned into a mana net and trapped the city guards.
Ahhh, sorry, Hero Claire!!
We were just following along!!!
Hero Claire, hearing the guards' excuses, spoke calmly, her eyes squinting—not for a smile this time, but to emphasize something.
Just explain yourselves at the trial, okay!!...