Chapter — The Decision and the Secret Task.
The massive stone doors slowly closed behind Aurafiest and Vielbond, sealing away the echoes of battle that still lingered in everyone's minds. The dungeon had been cleared, the wounded rescued, and yet a single question still hung heavily in the air.
Who have cleared the dugeon and would claim the Illusioner?
Kaizen stood at the center of the hall, his cloak gently swaying as he turned to face both guilds. His expression was calm, but the sharpness in his eyes made it clear—this was no simple matter.
"We did not anticipate two guilds clearing the dungeon simultaneously," Kaizen said. "Normally, the clearing guild would receive full ownership of the reward.But this time..."
A few members exchanged glances.
"However," he continued, "the artifact recovered is not an ordinary item."
The Illusioner lay on a black velvet cloth atop a stone pedestal. Even without being activated, it emitted a strange pressure—subtle, but unsettling. It looked simple: a cylindrical device with two small buttons marked with unfamiliar symbols. Yet everyone who looked at it felt the same thing.
This thing is dangerous.
"This item cannot be sold," Kaizen added. "It cannot be duplicated. And more importantly, it cannot remain unused."
Silence followed.
Marin opened his mouth, clearly about to speak—but before he could, a quiet voice cut in.
"I think… we should give it to Aurafiest."
Everyone turned.
Arika stood slightly forward, hands clenched at his sides. His wounds had been treated, but his posture still showed exhaustion. Despite that, his eyes were firm.
Marin frowned. "Arika, wait—"
Arika shook his head. "We cleared the dungeon, yes. But without Aurafiest, we would've lost more people. Maybe… we wouldn't have survived at all."
Klare, who had been standing quietly near the back, lowered her gaze. After a moment, he spoke—her voice soft but steady.
"He's right," he said. "We fought… but we were trapped in an illusion loop. Without their help, we couldn't have broken it."
He paused, then added, "And… they saved our wounded members."
Kaizen's eyes narrowed slightly. "Leader Klare," he said, "are you confirming Vielbond's decision?"
Klare nodded. "Yes. The Illusioner should belong to Aurafiest.My member of guilde would also agree ."
He turns toward to all his guilde member and all have agreed the decision of Klare by nodding there head.
The tension in the room finally broke.
Members of Aurafiest let out quiet breaths of relief. Some smiled. Others looked stunned.
Kaizen gave a short nod. "Then it is decided. Aurafiest shall be recognized as the official clearing guild of the dungeon."
A wave of joy spread through Aurafiest.
"Congratulations," Arika said, forcing a smile despite his fatigue. "And… thank you."
As he spoke, his eyes briefly met Uno's.
Uno looked away instantly.
Arika felt his face heat up.
Why am I suddenly nervous by seeing him ,It never feel before…?
Kaizen cleared his throat. "However," he said, raising a finger, "there is one more matter."
The room quieted again.
"The Illusioner is a special artifact. It cannot be placed in guild storage. It must be wielded by a registered individual."
That sentence dropped like a stone.
"What?" Marin said.
Uno blinked. "You mean… one person has to wield it?"
"Yes," Kaizen replied. "And be responsible for its use."
Confusion spread across Aurafiest's faces.
"Who would—" Chika started, then stopped.
Slowly, one by one, their gazes drifted toward the each other.
Marin replied-"We still could not decide who should use this item Illusioner."
Kaizen nodded. "You may take tonight to decide.You can decide and meet me tomorrow with your decision."
Liod asked"What is task which will be given to us."
Kaizen replied"You will get to that too tomorrow."
With that, the meeting ended.
---
The Next Day — Guild Association Office
Aurafiest stood together as Kaizen welcomed them into his office.
"Congratulations," Kaizen said. "Your guilde have sucessfully cleared the dugeon."
Then continued"But that also preaty mess trough."
Then he added "So you will be given a reward from a government and special secret task."
Uno asked"What is the reward and task?"
Kaizen replied"First of all your reward. Your guilde will be given a new base."
Marin in amaze ask"A new base?"
Kaizen replied" Yes a new base with more infrastructure."
Cheers erupted instantly.
"We have new more advanced base!" Uno exclaimed.
But Kaizen raised his hand. "Do not forget. Along with reward comes responsibility of task."
The room quieted.
Kaizen's expression hardened. "Your assigned task… is ."
Every member straightened.
"You already know of the Unique Auramaster," Kaizen continued.
They nodded.
"The association has been unable to trace him," Kaizen said. "No identity. No origin. Only sightings."
All where confuse why Kaizen was saying thing which they know already.
"It is important to us to know about the world unique aurmaster."
Luke felt a strange tightening in his chest.
"So"
"Your mission," Kaizen said slowly, "is to gather information about him. Observe. Track. Identify him."
There was a moment of silence in the room.
Marin frowned. " Am I heard correct To identify the identity of auramaster?"
Kaizen replied"Yes, You heard correct your guilde as been entitle with the task of identifying auramaster as soon as possible and give data to association."
He added"Is your guilde ready for this task?"
Room again became silent with everyone face being confuse.
End of Chapter.