The golden sun hung overhead as the Silver Star party strode through the wide gates of the Magic Research Facility. The building shimmered with a soft glow of mana crystals as they passed through.
Rein stepped forward to the reception desk, where a young researcher glanced up from a set of scrolls.
"We're here to see Shuri-san," Rein said calmly.
The receptionist raised a brow. "And… you're?"
Rein flipped out a polished gold A-rank guild card. On the front, it showed all the adventurer's details, and on the back, the Black Star Clan's insignia was engraved along with the team's name and rank.
"We're here on a direct order from the Guild Master," he said calmly.
The researcher's eyes widened slightly. "Oh, you're the Silver Star Team... A-rank."
"I'm sorry for my rudeness earlier. She's in the main lab—second floor, east wing." He bowed quickly.
The group moved through the corridors. When they opened the door to Shuri's workspace, a sudden shout echoed across the lab.
"It's finally complete!" Shuri exclaimed, raising a glowing device into the air with a wide, triumphant grin.
Surrounded by scrolls, glowing runes, and discarded prototypes, Shuri looked completely in her element. Her hair was tied up in a loose bun, and her coat was slightly singed from her latest experiment.
"Elin-san!" she said cheerfully as she spotted the familiar face among the party.
"Shuri-tan," Elin beamed, skipping ahead, "You look like you haven't slept in two days."
"I haven't!" Shuri said, proud as ever. "But it was worth it. The magic collar—I mean, the artifact I've been working on —is finally stable. One last practical test, and it's ready for public use."
Lysa and Faren leaned in with interest.
"Can we see it?" Lysa asked.
But before Shuri could respond, Rein cleared his throat. "We should focus on the reason we came for."
Shuri blinked and tilted her head. "Oh? What brings the Silver Star team here?"
Rein stepped forward and carefully placed the strange cuff on her workbench.
"We found this near a site in the forest. A fight had occurred—bloody, brutal. This was the only trace left behind. We believe it could be linked to the recent disturbances."
Shuri's eyes narrowed as she examined it, already pulling tools and enchantment readers toward her. "Hmm… this is.."
Elin leaned over the table, watching Shuri with admiration.
Shuri frowned slightly, still inspecting the cuff. "I'll need more time to analyze this."
Rein gave a short nod. "Understood. We'll return tonight to hear what you've found."
Elin offered Shuri a small wave and a smile. "Take care, Shuri-tan. Don't forget to eat."
"I won't!" Shuri called back as the Silver Star party turned and headed for the exit.
Scene shift
In the fading light of evening, a small wind-elemental familiar fluttered silently out of the alley, disappearing into the sky.
In the alley between two abandoned buildings, where shadows stretched long and the air hung heavy with damp mist, a figure in a dark cloak waited with the note in his hand.
Moments later, another presence dropped soundlessly from the rooftop above—slim, masked, and silent. Three more figures remained perched overhead, cloaked in the night.
"The retrieval mission has changed a little," the cloaked figure said quietly. "There's an extra item to acquire now."
The person gave a small nod.
"Tonight is the night. We move out."
No more words were spoken. The shadows scattered, leaving the alley empty once more.
Night – Guild Office, Algora
The warm golden glow of lamplight filled the otherwise quiet Guild Master's office. Outside, the moonlight poured gently through the tall arched window, casting silver patterns across the desk and shelves.
Shin sat on the couch near the table, calm as always. A delicate teacup rested in one hand, while the other gracefully guided a cookie to his mouth. The quiet crunch echoed faintly in the room. A small plate beside him held the last two cookies—perfectly round, still warm, and dangerously close to extinction.
Behind the desk piled high with wax sealed envelopes, Vel was hunched over—his head resting on one arm while his other hand trembled with a quill.
"Ughhh… my soul… it's leaking out…" Vel muttered, dragging the quill dramatically across the paper as if it physically hurt him. A half-written reply to Eldoria's guild leader lay beneath his head, smudged slightly from his cheek. Another dozen unopened letters from Marina were stacked beside it, like a slowly forming mountain of suffering.
His eyes lifted weakly to Shin. "S-Shin… please… save at least one cookie… that was… that was my possession…"
Shin sipped his tea, unbothered. "You can have it," he said coolly.
Vel's eyes lit up.
"—After you reply to all the letters from Marina and Eldoria."
The light immediately died.
Vel collapsed onto the desk again, sobbing quietly. "So cruel… You know the pen burns my fingers…!"
Shin elegantly turned a page of a report. "Then consider it punishment. For dodging the letters for the last 3 days"
Vel made a dramatic gagging noise and stared longingly at the cookies. "You don't understand, Shin. They're Choco-almond with a hint of cinnamon. This is emotional torture."
Shin gave a faint, unreadable smile. "You can do it. I believe in you."
Scene Shift
Night had settled over Algora City. Above, four shadowy figures moved like whispers across the rooftops—leaping soundlessly from one building to the next. Their black cloaks fluttered with each motion, blending with the darkness, eyes fixed ahead. They were closing in on the magic research facility, keeping to the heights, hidden from view.
Meanwhile, on the ground below, the Silver Star party approached the same destination.
They were lightly geared, having left most of their combat equipment behind. This wasn't a mission—just a quiet visit to check in. Rein walked at the front, calm and focused, with Faren, Lysa, and Elin trailing close behind.
"They're seriously saying an evil god's behind this?" Faren muttered, shaking his head in disbelief.
"It's getting ridiculous," Lysa replied. "First it was a cursed tree, now it's a god? People need to calm down."
Elin laughed softly. "But come on—evil god? That's a little dramatic."
Rein gave a small sigh. "Doesn't matter what they say. All that matters is what Shuri finds."