Chapter—Punishment of Act
The world did not wait for explanations.
It never did.
Breaking News — Everywhere
Screens across the city lit up at the same time.
Homes. Cafés. Guild halls. Government offices with local news channel headlines.
"BREAKING: Aurafiest Member Enters High-Risk Dungeon Alone"
"UNAUTHORISED ENTRY CONFIRMED — RESCUED BY AURAMASTER"
"WHY SHE ENTERED DUNGEON ALONE?"
"IS IT INTENTIONAL,MISTAKE OR DONE MY ANY MONSTER?"
Footage replayed endlessly.
Rescue teams shouting orders.
Government officials forming barricades.
And then—
A blurred figure stepping out of the dungeon.
Cloaked. Calm. Unbothered.
Auramaster.
In his arms—Marin.
The video cut before anyone could get closer.
Again and again the moment replayed, slowed, zoomed, analyzed.
Across the city, reactions exploded.
Marin's Room — Night
Marin lay still on her bed.
The ceiling above her felt unfamiliar—too quiet, too clean, too safe.
Her body had healed completely. Aura stabilization was perfect.
Yet her chest felt heavy.
Her communicator vibrated.
She didn't look.
It vibrated again.
And again.
She finally turned her head.
Missed calls: 27
Messages stacked endlessly.
An uncle demanding to know what she was thinking.
Old friends sending confused concern.
Strangers calling her brave—or stupid.
She was injured and this all make him more tired.
Then a call came through again.
She answered.
"Marin," Arika's voice snapped through the screen. "Are you alright Marin?"
Marin closed her eyes.
"You entered a dungeon alone," Arika continued, furious and shaking.
"I know you did not entered dungeon is not a mistake you entered dungeon due to some reason."
Klare appeared beside her, calmer but no less serious.
"You broke every rule and put your life danger," he said quietly.
"Do you understand what could've happened?"
Marin swallowed.
"I know,You all get worried about me due to my act ,I'm sorry for that," Marin said softly.
Arika replied"I think you shoukd rest Marin but I will again day you should not entered the dugeon alone risking your life whatever reason you entered but now I am happy you are fine I hope you get well soon."
They share there warm regard and
the call ended.
She set the communicator down.
Another message arrived immediately.
From Guilde Asscociation Headquarters.
You are required to report to Kaizen's office as soon as possible.
Marin stared at the words.
She already knew why.
Somewhere Unknown
A dark room.
Only a single screen glowed.
The news played again.
Auramaster's outshape figure paused on screen, frozen mid-motion.
A shadowed female figure stood watching.
"So," the figure murmured, voice low and thoughtful,
"the Marin finally met him."
The image shifted to Marin being carried away.
"Hm," the figure continued.
"Interesting , I should be there it could help her.Also i get to see auramaster once more and him too."
The screen showed analysts arguing.
A faint smile appeared beneath the face.
"I think its right time they need my help."
The screen went dark.
"I suppose I'll have to step in."
Guilde association Headquarters — Morning
Marin walked through the halls slowly.
Each step echoed louder than usual.
Guild members stopped talking when they saw her.
Some stared.
Some looked away.
No one smiled.
She stopped before a familiar door.
All where already present there.
All ask about her health.
Marin replied that she is alright now.
Then she knocked.
"Enter."
They enter Kaizen's Office
The room felt heavier than before.
Kaizen sat behind his desk, posture straight, expression unreadable.
Uno leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
Liod stood near the window, restless.
Chika sat rigid, hands clenched in her lap.
And Luke—
Luke stood near the back.
Silent.
Watching.
Marin bowed deeply.
"I'm sorry."
Kaizen studied her for a long moment.
Then he spoke.
"You are the first guilde member," he said slowly,
"to get this close to Auramaster."
He paused.
"But tell me, Marin—"
His voice hardened.
"At what cost?"
Marin lowered her head.
"My life," she said honestly.
"And the guild's reputation."
Kaizen nodded once with deep breath.
"What's done cannot be undone," he said.
"So we move forward."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Tell me," he said.
"What did you learn?"
Marin straightened.
"As of now," she said carefully,
"I learned that Auramaster uses the name Auron."
The room reacted subtly.
Luke's fingers tightened.
Kaizen nodded.
"A false name," he said. "Expected."
"Did you ask why he hides his identity?" Kaizen asked.
"Yes."
"And?"
"He said he wants to remain normal," Marin replied.
"That's why he doesn't reveal himself to the government."
Kaizen tapped his finger against the desk.
"Anything else?"
Marin shook her head.
"Before I could ask more," she said,
"he vanished."
Kaizen leaned back.
"That's very little," he said bluntly.
"No origin. No trace. Just a name."
"A name that isn't real," Marin added.
"Exactly," Kaizen said.
"So why do you believe this encounter mattered?"
Marin inhaled.
"He didn't tell me about his personal life," she admitted.
"But I learned something through conversation."
Kaizen gestured. "Explain."
"Auramaster is highly intelligent," Marin said.
"Not just powerful."
Luke felt his pulse quicken.
"He's hiding his identity," Marin continued,
"but he's also deliberately confusing the entire world."
She met Kaizen's eyes.
"That makes him difficult to track. Almost impossible."
The room was silent.
"He wants a normal life," Marin said.
"That means when he's not Auramaster… he lives like an average person."
Uno frowned.
"That's speculation," he said.
Marin shook her head.
"It's deduction."
She clenched her fist slightly.
"To live like that," she said,
"he must have perfect control over his aura. Enough that even experts can't detect him."
Luke looked away.
She's right.
Too right.
Kaizen closed his eyes briefly.
Then nodded.
"I agree," he said.
"Your reasoning is sound."
Marin's shoulders loosened slightly.
Then—
"But," Kaizen continued, voice firm,
"your actions were reckless."
The tension returned instantly.
"You broke protocol," he said.
"You entered a dungeon alone."
Chika spoke softly, voice shaking.
"You scared us."
Marin bowed again.
"I know," she said.
"I accept responsibility."
She looked up.
"Whatever punishment you decide… I'll accept it."
She hesitated.
"But please," she added quietly,
"don't punish Aurafiest as a whole. This was my decision."
Kaizen studied her for a long time.
Then spoke.
"Very well."
Everyone leaned forward.
"Marin," Kaizen said,
"you are suspended from Aurafiest for one month."
The words landed heavily.
"For one month," he continued,
"you will not participate in dungeon raids, missions, or guild operations."
He paused.
"You are temporarily not a member of Aurafiest."
Chika gasped softly.
Liod cursed under his breath.
Kaizen wasn't finished.
"That leaves Aurafiest with four members and no person with category Aura creator/destroyer," he said.
"Below the minimum requirement."
Silence filled the room.
"However," Kaizen added,
"due to your contribution in collecting data on Auramaster—"
Luke stiffened.
"I will allow Aurafiest to add one new member of any category to stop the dissolvation of guilde."
He raised a finger.
"Seven days."
"If you fail," he said calmly,
"the guild dissolves."
Liod spoke sharply.
"How are we supposed to find someone trustworthy in seven days?"
Kaizen shook his head.
"I've already help whatever I can do, without five member guilde isnnot safe for dungeon." he said.
"Punishment is punishment."
Everyone felt the weight of it.
Then—
Knock. Knock.
Kaizen frowned.
"Yes?"
A staff member peeked in.
"Sir," he said hesitantly,
"someone is here… asking to meet Aurafiest."
"Who?" Kaizen asked.
Same question was in mind in all of them.
Before the staff could answer—
A calm female voice same from before spoke from behind the door.
"I heard," the voice said smoothly,
"that you're looking for a member."
The door opened ,
But figure was still cant be seen .
The figure replied.
"How about," she said with a faint smile,
"I join Aurafiest finally?"
Luke's breath caught.
The room froze.
Every one was amaze who coulf be this figure from behind the door.
End of Chapter.