A Bug In Fate

A week had passed since Alden accepted his very first mission.

Inside the Adventurers’ Guild, the atmosphere remained as lively as ever. Adventurers lined up before the reception counters to submit completed requests, while others crowded around the massive mission board, searching for their next job.

Laughter, arguments, and the clinking of mugs echoed throughout the hall.

At one corner of the guild, several groups of adventurers sat around wooden tables, chatting while taking a short break.

"Hey, did you hear?" one man said as he leaned back in his chair. "That rookie reached Silver Rank in just one week."

"The swordsman?" the woman sitting across from him asked before taking a sip from her drink.

"The one who never joins a team?"

"Yeah, him."

Another man, a bow resting beside his chair, nodded.

"I’ve actually seen him fight before. His movements are clean... but what surprised me more was his sword."

"The thing looked like it had survived a war."

"Haha!" the burly man leading the team burst into laughter. "Maybe he’s too poor to buy a better one."

"Should I help him out as his senior?"

His Rupture Realm aura leaked out ever so slightly as he laughed, causing a few nearby adventurers to glance over.

The woman rolled her eyes.

"That doesn’t sound right."

"I’ve seen him entering the city library several times. Someone who’s spending money on books probably isn’t completely broke."

The archer nodded in agreement.

"I’ve also seen him working with other adventurers during a few missions."

"Working together and joining a team aren’t the same thing," the woman replied.

"He always leaves after the mission ends."

"No permanent teammates."

The burly man folded his arms and grinned.

"That kid’s a little crazy."

"But..."

"I like people like that."

Similar conversations could be heard throughout the guild.

Ever since Alden began completing mission after mission on his own, more and more adventurers had started noticing the strange rookie.

Some had witnessed him fighting monsters from a distance.

Others had briefly worked alongside him during guild requests.

Although very few actually knew him personally...

Almost everyone had heard his name.

Just then, someone near the entrance spoke.

"Hey..."

"He’s here."

Several heads instinctively turned toward the guild doors.

A young man with black hair and crimson eyes walked inside at an unhurried pace.

His expression was relaxed, almost as if he were taking a casual stroll through the city instead of entering one of the busiest places in Ravenhold.

A plain-looking sword rested quietly at his waist.

To an outsider, he looked no different from any ordinary adventurer.

But those who had fought beside him—

—or watched him fight—

knew exactly how dangerous that seemingly ordinary sword became once it left its sheath.

Completely unaware of the attention he had attracted, Alden walked straight toward the mission board.

His eyes scanned the available requests for only a few moments before he reached out and pulled one free.

With the mission parchment in hand, he calmly made his way toward the reception counter.

---

Alden made his way toward the familiar reception counter.

After spending an entire week completing missions, he had become a regular face at the Adventurers’ Guild.

Unlike the other adventurers who often chatted with one another, Alden walked straight to the counter without wasting any time.

"Hey."

He greeted Boren with a smile as he placed the mission paper on the counter.

Boren looked up, and the moment he recognized Alden, he let out a long sigh.

"...Can’t you take a day off?"

Alden blinked.

"Hm?"

"You completed ten missions yesterday."

Boren rubbed his forehead as if he had a headache.

"First the Bronze-rank adventurers came to complain."

"Now even the Silver-rank ones have started grumbling because you keep taking all the high-paying missions."

Alden immediately defended himself.

"That’s not true."

"I only accept the difficult ones."

The receptionist at the neighboring counter overheard the conversation and glanced at Alden with a sympathetic look.

Boren raised an eyebrow.

"If by ’difficult’ you mean the ones with the biggest rewards..."

"...then yes."

Alden coughed awkwardly.

"Well..."

"I never picked the easy ones."

"I was being generous."

"If they have a problem with me, they’re welcome to come and talk."

As he spoke, Alden casually glanced over his shoulder toward the guild hall.

The moment several adventurers noticed him looking their way, they instantly averted their eyes.

One suddenly became fascinated by the mission board.

Another raised his mug as if he had been drinking the entire time.

Someone even started studying the ceiling.

"..."

Alden turned back toward Boren.

"...See?"

"No one has a problem."

Boren stared at him silently.

"..."

After a brief pause, Alden suddenly laughed.

"Haha, I’m kidding."

"I know they’re just frustrated."

Not a single person in the guild looked convinced that he had been joking.

Boren shook his head helplessly.

"You’re more troublesome than you realize."

"Don’t be surprised if you find yourself surrounded one day."

He wasn’t trying to scare Alden.

Jealousy was simply part of human nature.

Alden, however, merely smiled.

"Don’t worry."

"I’m a friendly person."

He handed over the approved mission paper.

Boren accepted it before giving Alden a completely expressionless look.

"...I believe you."

His tone contained absolutely no trace of belief whatsoever.

The nearby receptionist couldn’t help covering her mouth as she quietly laughed.

---

Alden tucked the newly accepted mission into his pouch and turned toward the guild’s exit.

He had barely taken a few steps before stopping.

Someone was standing directly in his path.

It was a young woman dressed in a neat black-and-white maid uniform.

Her posture was flawless, and a gentle smile rested on her face.

At first glance, she looked like nothing more than an ordinary servant.

Yet Alden’s Mana Sense told a completely different story.

A Peak Rupture Realm cultivator...

His expression remained calm, though he instinctively became more alert.

The woman gave a polite bow.

"Hello."

Her soft voice carried through the guild hall.

Alden returned the greeting with a friendly smile.

"Hello. How can I help you?"

"If you’re here to hire me for a mission, my prices are quite reasonable."

He raised one finger.

"Four gold coins for a Bronze-rank mission."

A second finger followed.

"Eight gold coins for a Silver-rank mission."

Then a third.

"And twenty gold coins for a Gold-rank mission."

He paused before adding with a grin,

"I also offer discounts for repeat customers."

...

For a brief moment, the guild fell completely silent.

Several adventurers looked at Alden as though he had completely lost his mind.

Some of those who had invited him on missions before simply covered their faces with helpless expressions.

There he goes again...

Others recognized the maid and stared at Alden with pity.

He’s actually negotiating with her...?

The maid, however, didn’t react at all.

Her smile remained as professional as ever.

"Sir, I am not here to hire you for a mission."

"I came under my master’s orders."

"My master wishes to meet you."

"Would you be willing to spare a little of your time?"

"Oh?"

Alden studied her for a moment.

Anyone capable of having a Peak Rupture Realm cultivator serving as a maid was certainly no ordinary person.

Probably a noble...

He wasn’t particularly interested in getting involved with nobles, but refusing outright without knowing the reason didn’t seem wise either.

After a brief moment of thought, he nodded.

"Sure."

"Lead the way."

The maid gave another respectful bow.

"My master is waiting on the second floor."

"This way, please."

She turned gracefully and walked toward the staircase.

Alden followed a few steps behind.

The moment they disappeared upstairs, whispers erupted throughout the guild.

"Did you see that?"

"Isn’t that the Ashcroft Family’s maid?"

The lower-ranked adventurers looked around in confusion.

"So they’ve finally noticed him..."

Some of the veteran adventurers simply exchanged knowing smiles but said nothing.

A rookie who had risen from Bronze to Silver Rank in a single week...

It would’ve been stranger if the noble families hadn’t taken notice.

Meanwhile, Alden quietly climbed the stairs.

His expression remained relaxed, but his thoughts were already racing.

He had a feeling...

This meeting wouldn’t be as simple as it seemed.

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