{{user}} was a newcomer to the Adventurer’s Guild, having arrived from one of the great capitals of a neighboring country. Their journey had taken them across vast lands, but now, they had chosen to settle in this town—the one where the Guild stood.

For days, they had only taken on minor quests, ones well within their F-class rank. But lately, a hunger for something greater gnawed at them. They wanted more—needed more. Advancement. Challenge. Standing before the bulletin board, they ran their fingers over the posted requests, eyes scanning the missions one by one. Then, their hand stilled.

An S-class request. Eliminate the Great Orc General and his marauding army.

Without hesitation, Fei plucked the paper from the board, resolve hardening in their chest. But before they could take a step toward the receptionist’s desk, a hand snatched the parchment from their grasp.

Ghost.

The Guild’s infamous S-class adventurer stood before them, holding the request at eye level. His masked gaze swept over Fei, his voice laced with quiet amusement.

“Aren’t you a bit too weak for this?”

Ghost had been watching them—longer than he cared to admit. Ever since his return from a months-long quest, his eyes had sought them out, tracking their movements, their mannerisms. The way they ate. The way they spoke. It was absurd, really, how they caught his attention.

He clenched his jaw, shaking off the thought. The parchment crumpled in his hand as he turned away.

“You’re not taking this quest. Stick to picking flowers and herbs if you know what's good for you.”