Sylara waved her hand casually, her keen eyes fixed on Akira.
"You've been the center of attention lately," she remarked, her tone light but her gaze sharp. "I wanted to see for myself what all the fuss is about."
Akira met her stare calmly. "If you've read the report, you already know what happened. There's nothing else to say."
Sylara smirked, resting her chin on her hand. "Direct as always. But reports don't tell me everything. For instance... how someone your age fights with the skill and composure of a seasoned STAR."
Akira shrugged, his voice indifferent. "Experience isn't about age. You adapt or fail. That's all."
Sylara raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed by his bluntness. "Spoken like someone who's seen too much for their years. And yet, here you are, still standing. Most your age can't claim that."
Akira's expression remained unreadable. "Was that the only reason you called me here?"
Sylara laughed softly, a sound both pleasant and edged with something sharper. "You don't care for small talk, do you? Fine, let's get to the point. Your strength—it's impressive, Akira. And it's growing quickly. Even now, I can sense it. Whatever you're doing, it's working."
Akira didn't respond immediately, his face a mask of neutrality. "Is that a problem?"
"Not at all," Sylara replied with a smile. "In fact, it's quite the opposite. Staying out of the spotlight while making waves—I wonder how long you can keep that up."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Akira's lips. "That's my concern, not yours."
Sylara leaned forward, her gaze locking onto his. "True. But remember, Shoto Akira—this world has a way of dragging even the most elusive into the light. Sooner or later, the right—or wrong—eyes will find you."
Sylara's words hung in the air, and Akira's expression remained impassive as she leaned forward, her gaze piercing into his. But inside, his thoughts churned. "Why is she acting like this? What does mean by that? Is she testing me? Or is there something she knows that she hasn't shared yet?"
Akira then met her gaze without flinching, his eyes glinting faintly. "Then I'll deal with it when the time comes."
For a moment, the room was silent, the tension palpable. Then Sylara leaned back, breaking the silence with a light laugh. "You're quite interesting, Shoto Akira. Cha-Jong wasn't exaggerating when he spoke highly of you. And you proved it by defeating Captain Imzar and clearing that evolved dungeon."
She waved a hand dismissively. "Anyway, I won't keep you any longer. Your reward is ready with Grido. He's waiting for you downstairs."
Akira gave a brief nod. "Understood."
He turned to leave but paused at the door. "Is that all?"
Sylara's smile widened slightly. "For now, yes. But don't be a stranger, Akira. I have a feeling we'll meet again soon."
Akira left without another word, the door clicking shut behind him. Sylara stared at the door for a long moment, her mind racing. She leaned back in her chair, her smile fading into a thoughtful expression.
"Sooner or later, the world will know who you really are—and that you're alive, son of Shiro," she whispered, her voice barely audible in the quiet room. "And when that day comes... I wonder, what will you do?"
Akira walked out of Sylara's office, a sense of unease settling over him. Her words lingered in his mind, hinting at truths he wasn't ready to confront. Why did she act like that? Does she know something? The implications of her comments about his strength and the possibility of being exposed gnawed at him. He knew that attention, especially the wrong kind, could be dangerous.
"For now, I need to get stronger—and fast,"he thought, his footsteps echoing on the stairs. "But how long can I stay hidden? How long before they know about me? The weight of Sylara's warning pressed on him, a reminder that his past was never truly buried. He clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. "No matter what comes, I'll be ready. I have to be."
"Akira, deep in thought?" a voice called out, snapping him back to reality.
He turned to see Grido leaning against the wall, a small smile on his face. "Something like that," Akira replied, his expression as unreadable as ever.
"You alright?" Grido asked, his tone tinged with concern.
"I'm fine," Akira said. "What about you?"
"Nothing serious," Grido replied. "Just a few bruises. Victor's still in the hospital, recovering. Anna's taken a week off to rest. That dungeon... it was a close call. We were lucky to make it out alive."
"Yeah," Akira said quietly. "I suppose we were."
"Thanks to you, mostly," Grido added, his smile growing slightly. "Anyway, I'm guessing you're here for your reward?"
Akira nodded. "Sylara said you'd have it."
"Right. Follow me," Grido said, gesturing for Akira to follow.
The two descended deeper into the guild building, navigating a maze of hallways until they reached a heavily secured vault. Massive iron doors stood before them, etched with intricate runes. Grido placed his hand on a crystal panel, and with a soft hum, the locks disengaged. The doors swung open, revealing a room filled with treasures.
Inside, rows of weapons, armor, and magical artifacts gleamed under the soft light. Daggers shimmered with latent energy, swords radiated a golden glow, and cloaks seemed to ripple like shadows. Shelves were lined with potions and enhancement stones, each exuding an aura of power.
Akira's eyes swept across the room, his face calm but his mind racing. "Why bring me here?"he wondered. "Is this another test? Or a way to bind me to the guild?" He pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the task at hand.
Grido stepped aside, gesturing toward the treasures. "Pick something. Anything you want. It's yours."
Akira raised an eyebrow. "These are rare items. Guild treasures like these aren't usually handed out so casually."
Grido chuckled. "Yeah, they are rare. I think you know that already. Sometimes, weapons just pop out of the bosses or monsters you defeat in dungeons. Those weapons are different from the ones we craft—rare, powerful, and sometimes even beyond what we can make. The main reason we collect magical stones isn't just for their energy or benefits, though that's a big part of it. We also use them to enhance our weapons, make them stronger, sharper, tougher. But Sylara insisted. She said you deserved it."
Akira's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of curiosity breaking through his usual stoicism. "Why go this far?"
Grido hesitated, then spoke carefully. "Because you saved our lives, Akira. Sylara may seem cold, but she genuinely cares about her guild members. You risked everything in that dungeon to fight the Aqua Variant Werehyenas and the boss Thermos. We made it out because of you, and she wants to show her gratitude."
Flashback
Sylara leaned back in her chair, her gaze steady. "Akira is strong, but he's also independent. To earn his trust, we need to show him we value him. This isn't just about giving him gold. Let him choose something from the vault. He's earned it."
Grido nodded, understanding her reasoning. "What if he decides not to stay with the guild?"
Sylara smiled faintly. "At the very least, he'll know we respected him. People like Akira... they remember that. And there's more to it. I believe it's important to foster good relationships with individuals like him—people with potential. Treating him well is an investment in the future."
End of Flashback
Back in the present, Akira stepped further into the vault, his sharp eyes scanning the treasures. He moved slowly, methodically, letting his instincts guide him. He paused occasionally, considering various artifacts—a dagger that shimmered like liquid steel, a cloak that seemed to bend light around it—but none felt quite right.
Then, something caught his attention. He moved closer, drawn to it almost instinctively. His hand hovered just above the item, his voice a low murmur. "I choose this"