Chapter— The Door That Changed Everything
There was Silence in the Kiazen office.
The voice that pressed against the ears.
Every eye in Kaizen's office was fixed on the door.
The female voice still echoed in their minds.
> "I heard you need a member for your guild."
The handle turned slowly.
The door opened.
And the person who stepped inside froze the entire room.
"—Shuri?"
Luke's voice broke the silence, sharp with shock.
Shuri stood there casually, travel bag slung over one shoulder, long hair slightly messy from the journey. Her eyes scanned the room calmly, then landed on Luke.
For a second, no one spoke.
Then—
"Shuri?" Chika whispered.
Uno blinked.
Liod straightened instantly.
Marin stared, eyes wide.
Shuri tilted her head and smiled lightly.
"What?" she said. "That reaction hurts, you know."
Luke stepped forward immediately.
"Shuri, what are you doing here?" he demanded.
Shuri shut the door behind her with a soft click and walked in as if she belonged there.
"Don't be mean," she replied.
"You're the one who told me to join Aurafiest someday, remember?"
Luke froze.
"My schooling is over now," Shuri continued, voice cheerful.
"So I thought—I'll study here… and join your guild."
Luke ran a hand through his hair.
"You should've told me you were coming!" he said.
Shuri frowned.
"I'm not a baby, Luke."
Her voice sharpened slightly.
"You always come, take me with you, and then leave me behind."
The room grew quiet.
"That time," she continued, calmer,
"it was the first time I travelled alone, so my parents were worried."
She crossed her arms.
"But this time, I argued. Properly. And I came alone."
Luke sighed.
"At least inform me," he said quietly.
Shuri's lips curved into a mischievous smile.
"I already informed your parents."
Luke stiffened.
"I wanted to surprise you," she added, eyes sparkling.
"So… did I?"
Luke groaned.
"You're mad."
Shuri laughed softly.
Then her expression changed.
The playful tone vanished.
"I think," she said calmly,
"you need my help."
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
She turned toward Marin.
As she looked at him, her eyes sharpened.
"I saw the news," Shuri said, voice serious now.
"And Marin—"
She paused.
"You entered a dungeon alone."
Marin didn't reply.
His gaze stayed lowered.
"I know you didn't do it without reason," Shuri continued.
"I know you did it intentionally."
Marin's fingers tightened.
"And I know," she added quietly,
"your goal was to meet Auramaster."
The air felt heavy.
Kaizen stood up slowly.
"I clearly instructed," he said firmly,
"that this task must not be disclosed to anyone."
Shuri turned toward him respectfully.
"Sir," she said, bowing slightly,
"I may not have spent much time with Aurafiest."
She straightened.
"But I know the people in this guild."
Her eyes moved back to Marin.
"Especially someone like Marin."
She took a step forward.
"A person with strong bonds and coordination with his team," she said,
"would never enter a dungeon alone without deep thought."
Her voice grew confident.
"It's simple. There was a task. Marin took it alone, risking his life."
She paused.
"And that task is related to Auramaster."
Silence.
Liod spoke slowly.
"You've done deep research on us."
Shuri turned to him.
For a brief moment—
Their eyes met.
Shuri chest tightened.
That feeling again…
His confidence wavered.
Then Shuri blinked.
Her thoughts snapped back.
Focus. This isn't the time.
She inhaled and continued.
"As I heard," she said calmly,
"Marin is being suspended."
Everyone nodded.
"That's obvious," Shuri said.
"And equally obvious—"
She smiled faintly.
"You need my help to save this guild.So i think this is best time to join the guilde so I came here."
For a moment—
There was a silence
Then—
Joy exploded.
Chika clasped her hands together.
Uno laughed in relief.
Liod exhaled deeply.
Even Marin looked up, surprised.
Kaizen smiled slightly.
"Well," he said,
"that solves the problem."
He looked at Luke.
"Add her to Aurafiest," Kaizen ordered.
"And inform her of everything I've already explained."
Everyone bowed.
"Thank you, sir."
They left the office together.
---
Hallway — Guilde Headquarters
As they walked, Marin slowed.
He stopped.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly.
Everyone turned.
"For my actions," Marin continued.
"I endangered the guild."
Liod placed a hand on his shoulder.
"No worries," he said firmly.
"You're alive. That's what matters."
Uno nodded.
"But next time," he added,
"no task without informing everyone."
One by one, they all agreed.
"We promise," Chika said softly.
"Nothing that hurts us again."
Marin nodded.
Emotion filled his chest.
---
Registration Hall
8
Chika suddenly clapped her hands.
"Since we're already here," she said,
"why don't we register Shuri now?"
Shuri's eyes lit up.
"Yes!" she said excitedly.
"I want to see how you all got registered!"
They headed to the registration counter.
Shuri went through the process—
Aura measurement.
Identity verification.
Guild assignment.
After some time—
A small device beeped.
The staff handed her a card.
Aurafiest — Member
Shuri stared at it.
Her hands trembled slightly.
"I… finally joined," she whispered.
Then—
Her excitement exploded.
"I want to enter a dungeon!" she shouted.
"Where can I find one?"
Luke sighed.
"Calm down," he said.
"You registered today."
He glanced at her.
"You just travelled here. Don't you need rest?"
Shuri pouted.
"I'm just excited," she said.
"I forgot I'm tired."
She smiled warmly.
"I'm happy… I finally joined Aurafiest."
Marin watched quietly.
His expression stayed distant.
Luke noticed.
He stepped closer.
"Soon," Luke said softly.
"We'll all be together again."
He smiled gently.
"Just one month."
Marin nodded.
---
Night — Walking Home
The group split up.
Luke walked with Shuri.
He glanced at her.
"Don't you think," he said,
"you're more excited than before?"
Shuri slowed.
Her voice dropped.
" Actually I trained hard there," she said quietly.
"Really hard."
Luke looked at her.
"When I came I see all of you, how you work,coordinate," she continued.
"in Aurafiest."
She inhaled.
"I waited for this day."
Her voice softened.
"That's why… I got carried away."
Luke smiled faintly.
"I see."
She turned suddenly.
"There's another reason," she said.
Luke raised an eyebrow.
"What is it?"
Shuri turned away.
"I don't think," she said quietly,
"I need to tell you all my reasons."
They continued walking.
---
Marin — Later That Night
Marin sat alone.
The room was dark.
His thoughts restless.
Then—
Message received.
He checked it.
From Shuri.
> Don't remain sad.
I know you want to know more about Auramaster.
I want to know too.
But we'll do it together.
Just one month.
After that… we'll unmask Auramaster's identity.
Marin stared at the message.
For the first time since the dungeon—
He smiled.
---
Somewhere far away—
Someone watched the city lights.
And smiled as well.
The game had only just begun.
End of Chapter