TIKKA: PALACE
"This is exhausting," Charlotte muttered, pressing the royal seal into yet another document.
"Not just exhausting… boring. Can't I hand all this paperwork over to Lord Silas Vane? It would make things much easier."
The wide desk before her was buried beneath stacks of parchment, each waiting for the authority of the crown.
Silas stood across from her, composed as always.
"No, my king," he said calmly. "This responsibility belongs to you. It is not something I can do in your place."
Charlotte sighed softly but continued stamping.
After a moment, Charlotte spoke again.
"Anyway… how is the orphanage coming along?"
As the words left her mouth, the change began.
Her brown eyes faded into silver-white, light fracturing within them like a prism.
At the same time, her hair lost its natural color, turning completely silver and gleaming faintly beneath the palace lights.
Silas noticed immediately.
"They are progressing well," he answered, but his voice carried hesitation.
He looked at her more closely.
"My king… your eyes… and your hair. They've changed again. Your eyes were brown, but now they hold that prism-like light… and your hair is completely silver."
He paused.
"You look different. Even your voice sounds different. Forgive me if this is a troublesome question."
Charlotte met his gaze without blinking.
"It is still me, Silas. I am still the King of Tikka."
Her silver eyes did not waver.
"This is simply my truest form. In this state, lies cannot exist before me. Nothing can hide. Everything reveals itself exactly as it is."
Silas felt a chill he could not explain.
Charlotte spoke again, her voice carrying quiet authority.
"A lie may walk freely among men, but the moment judgment arrives, it forgets how to stand."
TIKKA: PHANTOM THIEVES HIDEOUT
VAIL FOREST
Deep inside Vail Forest, far from roads, far from cities, and far from watching eyes, the Phantom Thieves had built their home.
The trees there grew tall and strong, their thick trunks forming a natural wall around the clearing.
Sunlight filtered through the heavy canopy in thin golden rays, painting the forest floor in shifting patterns of light and shadow.
A narrow stream ran quietly through the clearing, its clear water flowing over smooth stones with a soft, endless murmur.
That stream was their lifeline.
They drank from it, cooked with it, and the children played beside it.
Near the stream stood a modest wooden cabin.
It was simple, built by their own hands and strong enough to endure the seasons.
A small fire pit sat outside, thin smoke rising gently into the still air.
It was peaceful.
Zinna stood near the stream, staring into the flowing water.
His red hair caught the light, and his blue eyes reflected something deeper than calm.
"Hey, Thane," he said. "What do you think happens now?"
Thane stood nearby, his black hair slightly messy, his posture relaxed but his eyes alert as always.
"I don't trust them," Zinna continued. "The last job didn't bring enough money. The Black Market would've paid more."
He glanced back at the cabin.
"We need more if we want to keep this place running."
He paused.
"And now we have copycats. They're calling themselves the Phantom Thieves. Even if we stop, they'll keep stealing. People will still blame us."
A small smile formed on his face.
"So we go back. Steal Enorian one last time. The next wagon heading to Daria."
Thane didn't respond immediately.
His gaze shifted toward the children running along the stream, their laughter light and free.
"You know," Thane said quietly, "Fulton hasn't reacted to our last heists. That alone is strange."
He folded his arms.
"They've been supplying Daria for years. We've hit them more than once, and still… nothing."
He shook his head.
"I think going back would be a mistake."
He looked toward the cabin.
"We have enough money already. Enough to open a sushi restaurant."
A faint smile appeared.
"Nina's cooking is good enough to make that work. We could stop all this and live normally."
His eyes returned to the children.
"…We should stop risking their lives too."
Zinna followed his gaze.
But his expression didn't change.
"Just one last heist," Zinna said.
His voice was calm and certain.
"Then we disappear."
He crossed his arms.
"Call it insurance. Backup money."
His eyes darkened slightly.
"Lot is dead. Demi-humans are being freed. And the new king… sounds like she's a good ruler. Things are getting better."
He exhaled.
"She's twelve. She can be manipulated, controlled by someone wicked. Her mind is fragile and can be led astray. That alone makes things even more troublesome," Thane said.
He looked back at Thane.
"This kingdom is unstable. We take the Enorian, combine it with our savings, move to Daria, and open the restaurant there," Zinna replied.
His smile returned.
"It's a perfect plan. What do you say, Thane?"
Silence filled the clearing.
Only the sound of the stream remained.
Thane finally sighed.
"I'll think about it. One last heist," he said.
Right then—
"FOOD IS READY!" Nina's voice called out from the cabin.
Both men turned.
The little children ran inside.
Nina stood in the doorway, her red hair tied behind her, her blue eyes bright.
She waved at them with a warm smile.
Behind her, the smell of freshly cooked food drifted into the forest air.
For a moment—
The Phantom Thieves weren't criminals.
They were just people.
DARIA: VALERIAN
THE GUILD
"This is taking too much time. What are they waiting for? They should start the exam already," Cassandra said, bouncing her leg impatiently, her excitement impossible to hide.
The door opened.
A young man stepped inside.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting," he said. "I'm Jake Cole."
He wore a plain light-gray shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and simple black trousers.
Nothing fancy.
Nothing flashy.
His hair was short, dark blond, and slightly messy, like he didn't care much about styling it.
His eyes were blue and calm.
His body was well-built—broad shoulders and a narrow waist. The build of someone who trained regularly.
Hanging from his neck was a gold adventurer tag.
JAKE COLE — GOLD RANK
Before he could continue—
"JAKE!"
"Oh my gosh, it's him!"
Several girls in the room immediately called his name, smiling brightly.
One even waved.
Jake gave a small, polite nod.
Cassandra leaned toward Hesper.
"What's this creep all about? He seems popular."
"Focus," Hesper said quietly. "We're here for the exam."
Jake began handing out papers and pens.
The paper contained written questions:
What is the first rule of survival during a guild mission?
What should you do if your party leader is injured?
When is retreat the correct decision?
Why are parties required for low-rank adventurers?
What is more important, pride or survival?
"You have one hour," Jake said. "Answer everything."
He turned and walked out.
Behind Cassandra, several girls began whispering.
"He's so handsome…"
"I heard he reached Gold Rank at nineteen…"
Cassandra rolled her eyes and focused on her paper.
Time passed.
Exactly one hour later, Jake returned.
He collected the papers.
Then he left again.
A few minutes later—
The door opened.
Another man entered.
He was taller.
More serious.
His hair was jet black, and his eyes were golden-brown, sharp and intimidating.
His gold tag reflected the light.
"I'm Victor Hale," he said.
His voice was firm.
"We'll now proceed to the arena. Your combat exam begins."
He handed each of them a number plate.
Cassandra looked at hers.
27
"Follow me."
He turned and walked out.
They followed him down a staircase.
It was dark.
Cold.
Quiet.
Their footsteps echoed.
Then—
Light appeared ahead.
They stepped out and entered a massive arena.
Bright.
Wide.
Beautiful.
Stone walls circled the entire space.
They were underground, but the arena was brilliantly lit.
Weapons lined the racks—swords, spears, shields.
Rows of seats waited above.
The applicants sat down.
Cassandra gripped her number tightly.
Her heart was racing.
The real test was about to begin.
Victor stepped forward, his boots echoing softly against the stone floor.
"If you're able to use Eno Weapon Creation, you may fight with your own weapon," he said calmly, his voice carrying across the arena.
"If you are not, you may choose one from the rack. That is why they've been provided."
He gestured toward the long wooden stand behind him.
Swords, spears, axes, and shields rested neatly in place.
"No excuses," he added.
He looked down at the list in his hand.
"Number 3."
A young man stood nervously and walked into the center.
He grabbed a sword from the rack.
Victor didn't draw a weapon.
"Begin."
The man charged.
Too fast.
Too reckless.
Victor stepped slightly to the side.
His hand moved.
A simple strike.
His palm hit the man's wrist.
The sword fell.
Before the man could react, Victor's foot swept his leg.
The man hit the ground hard.
Victor's hand stopped inches from his throat.
Silence.
The entire fight had lasted three seconds.
Victor straightened.
"Bronze Rank One," he said flatly.
The boy was helped away.
Victor called again.
"Number 8."
This time, a girl stepped forward.
She formed a weapon from Eno.
A short red spear made of fire.
It was flame made tangible.
She threw it straight at Victor, aiming for his head.
Cassandra leaned forward slightly.
"Oh… she can use Eno."
The girl attacked carefully.
Better control.
Better balance.
Victor nodded once.
Then moved.
He dodged her first thrust.
Grabbed the spear.
The flame was instantly extinguished.
"Hmm, I see," Hesper said as she watched the match. "He's creating water over the flame spear. Normally, his output is greater than hers, allowing him to extinguish the flames."
Victor charged at her.
Before she could move, his elbow struck her shoulder.
She fell to the ground.
Victor placed two fingers against her chest.
A killing point.
She froze.
"I can't believe I lost…"
"Bronze Rank Two," Victor announced.
He stepped back.
Newbie exams are so boring. Nothing fun ever happens. If it weren't for the guild master calling me in today, I wouldn't have bothered coming here to assist with the exam, he thought.
The girl nodded, breathing hard, and stepped away.
Victor didn't even look tired.
"Number 12."
A larger man entered.
Muscular.
Confident.
He created two Eno blades made of earth.
He attacked aggressively.
Fast swings.
Heavy force.
Victor watched calmly.
Then—
He moved.
Faster than the man expected.
He stepped inside the attack.
His shoulder slammed into the man's chest.
The air left his lungs.
Victor grabbed his arm.
Flipped him.
The ground shook when he landed.
Victor placed his foot on his chest.
Finished.
"Bronze Rank One."
Cassandra's eyes widened slightly.
"He's strong…"
Her gaze shifted upward.
"There," she whispered to Hesper.
She pointed toward the upper platform.
A man sat alone.
Older.
Around forty-five.
Calm.
Watching everything.
He wore dark formal clothing.
No armor.
No weapon.
Just presence.
"He looks important," Cassandra said quietly. "He could be the Guild Master."
Below—
Victor continued.
"Number 27."
Cassandra froze.
That was her turn.
Then suddenly, a man ran into the arena.
"So sorry I'm late," he said. "Had a little trouble. I was attacked by some gang and had to take care of them first. I can't believe I got knocked down to the ground. It was kind of a mess."
As he turned, Cassandra nudged Hesper.
"Hey, Hesper, look who just dropped in—the Shadowstep guy," she said.
"What are you doing here?" Hesper asked.
"I guess that punch wasn't enough. You had to stalk me?" Cassandra said.
"Stalk you?! That's one crazy accusation," he replied.
Lysander sighed.
"I'm kinda busy now. You two can resume your discussion later. She's about to take a test."
He glanced toward Victor.
"Besides, you're late. We can talk about the group that attacked you and deal with them later. For now, I need to finish this as fast as possible."
He cracked his knuckles.
"Give me ten seconds, and this will be done quickly."
"I don't know, man, but you'll need days to finish this," Lysander replied. "That's if she doesn't end up beating you instead."
Victor's face twisted with irritation.
"What are you saying, Lysander?!"
He looked toward Cassandra.
"You think I'll get bested by a newbie?"
"Cassandra, hold back and don't cause too much destruction!" Hesper shouted from behind.
Victor's expression hardened.
"What's this? They're getting cocky. I'll put them in their place."