Mira's grip on her staff tightened, and Arlan felt her sharp gaze on him. The words from the hooded figure lingered in the air like a curse.
"A necromancer with a pet rat. How fitting."
Arlan swallowed hard. His pulse pounded in his ears, but he forced himself to stay calm. If he reacted too strongly, Mira would know something was wrong. If he played dumb, he might be able to get out of this.
He exhaled slowly. "I don't know what you're talking about."
The figure chuckled—a soft, knowing sound. "Oh, I think you do." Their voice was smooth, confident, laced with amusement. "You're good at hiding, boy. But not good enough."
Arlan clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms. "You have the wrong person."
The stranger tilted their head slightly, as if considering him. "Perhaps. Perhaps not."
Mira shifted her stance. "I don't know who you are, but you're awfully interested in my friend here. Explain yourself, or you'll regret it."
The figure let out a soft hum. "You got a good friend, Arlan. She's protective." They glanced toward Mira. "A good quality. But tell me, mage, do you truly know the one you're defending?"
Mira's expression didn't waver. "Better than you do."
The figure's lips curved beneath their hood. "Is that so?" They turned back to Arlan, their posture relaxed. "Keep your secret, then. For now. But we will meet again."
Then, without another word, the stranger took a step back—and disappeared. Not into the night like a normal person, but into the shadows themselves, their form melting away like mist, vanishing into the darkness.
Arlan stood frozen, his body rigid.
Mira cursed under her breath. "That was a Shadow Veil technique," she muttered. "An assassin?"
Arlan shook his head, his stomach twisting. "I don't know."
He did know. Whoever they were, they weren't an ordinary assassin. They had called him a necromancer. They knew.
And that meant his secret wasn't as well-kept as he thought.
Mira turned toward him, eyes narrowed. "Arlan. What the hell was that about?"
He scrambled for an answer. "I have no idea."
A long silence stretched between them. She studied him, searching for something in his expression. For a moment, he was sure she'd call him out—push him until he cracked.
But then she sighed, rubbing her temples. "This is getting weird."
Arlan forced a laugh. "You're telling me."
Mira hesitated before shaking her head. "Let's get back to the others. I don't like this."
Arlan nodded quickly, eager to escape the conversation. Bones let out a soft, rattling click from his pocket as if reminding him that he wasn't truly alone.
But as they walked back toward the guild hall, Arlan knew one thing for sure.
Someone was watching him.
And next time, they wouldn't just be testing the waters.
They'd be coming for him.
The atmosphere inside the guild was warm and familiar—chatter, laughter, the clinking of mugs. But Arlan couldn't shake the weight pressing on his chest.
Leila waved at them as they entered. "Took you long enough! We were about to order without you."
Tomas smirked, kicking out a chair for Arlan. "Did you get lost or something?"
Arlan forced a grin as he sat down. "Something like that."
Mira took her seat beside Beren, still quiet. Arlan could feel the occasional glance she sent his way, but she didn't push him for answers. Not yet.
Leila tapped her fingers against the table. "So, what's next? We did goblins, we did beetles—what's the next grand adventure?"
Tomas leaned back, folding his arms. "I was thinking we push a little deeper into the dungeon. Nothing crazy, but the second floor's got better loot."
Beren nodded. "I could use the practice. Goblins were too easy."
Leila grinned. "Says the guy who almost got stabbed in the knee."
Beren scowled. "That didn't count."
"It totally counted," Leila teased, nudging Tomas with her elbow. "You saw it."
Tomas chuckled. "Oh, I definitely saw it."
Arlan smirked despite himself. Even after everything, the group still felt like home.
But as the conversation continued, he felt a shift. A subtle thing, but noticeable.
Tomas and Leila sat a little closer than usual, their playful banter carrying a bit more weight. The way Leila leaned into him, the way Tomas responded with an easy grin—something unspoken lingered between them.
Arlan raised an eyebrow.
Well. That's interesting.
Beren was oblivious, already talking about potential dungeon routes. Mira, however, wasn't. She glanced between Tomas and Leila, a knowing smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
Arlan almost laughed. So she sees it too.
The thought was a welcome distraction. At least someone's secrets weren't about forbidden magic and shadowy assassins.
For now, at least.
As the group made plans for their next quest, Arlan allowed himself to relax. Just a little.
Because whatever was coming—whoever was watching him—he wasn't ready for it.
Not yet.
But soon, he would have to be.