The chaotic noise of trade and advertisement hammered against Kael's ears as he walked through the busy market of Alec District.
Merchants shouted prices with throats hardened by years of bargaining, children darted between moving bodies with bundles of herbs and cheap trinkets, and the smell—gods, the smell—was a confusing blend of roasted meat, engine grease, perfume, and dust.
Kael adjusted the white mask covering the lower half of his face, his eyes visible and continued forward, the handles of his shopping bags tugging sharply against his fingers.
In his right hand were two bags of vegetables, fruits, and spices wrapped neatly in brown paper. In the other were medicines and small maintenance tools.
Another deafening shout rose from a nearby stall, and Kael felt a pulse of irritation spark behind his temples.
The market was always like this alive, loud, overflowing with energy but today he found himself wishing for silence, something he always wished for whenever he was at the market.
As he pushed past a group arguing over the price of mana batteries, a commotion ahead caught his eye.
A thin boy with messy brown hair was hurled out of a store like a sack of waste, skidding across the ground before coming to a stop at Kael's feet.
His clothes were little more than rags, torn and stained, barely clinging to his bruised skin.
"Get out of here, you little thief!" the store owner screamed, standing in the doorway with a reddened face and trembling fist. "If I see you near my shop again, I'm gonna break your bones, you hear me?!"
The man spat on the ground before stomping back inside, grumbling about "petty thieves" and "street rats."
Kael's gaze shifted to the boy.
The child trembled as he pushed himself up, his body a map of bruises and cuts.
But that wasn't what caught Kael's attention—what truly stood out were the boy's eyes.
Purple. Clear. Burning.
Despite the pain, despite the humiliation he had just endured, there was no defeat in them.
No surrender.
Those weren't the eyes of a broken child.
They were the eyes of someone who refused to stay on the ground.
Intriguing, Kael thought, the corner of his lips twitching beneath the mask.
The boy staggered upright and limped toward a narrow alleyway, casting one last glance at the shop before disappearing into the shadows.
Without hesitation, Kael followed. His steps became soundless, the air around him shifting slightly as he burst forward with a speed no normal person would notice.
He cut ahead of the boy and leaned casually against the brick wall of the alley just as the kid hobbled past.
"Yo, thief," Kael said lazily.
The boy didn't even look at him. He simply tried to walk around.
Kael smirked and placed a hand on the kid's shoulder. His grip was firm, stopping the boy in place with effortless strength.
"Ignoring people when they talk to you isn't a great habit, you know," Kael said, amusement dripping from his voice.
"My name isn't 'thief,' so I assumed you were talking to someone else, mister," the boy replied flatly—calm, direct, unafraid.
Kael blinked.
Oh? This kid has bite.
"So, thief," Kael continued, teasing, "what's your name?"
The boy stared at him for a long second before answering quietly, "Allen."
Kael nodded. "Okay then, Valen. I'll remember the name.
The boy frowned. "I said Allen—"
Kael was already walking past him. "See you if our paths cross again, kid. Keep that fire alive and also you live in Vale so you are a Valen."
As he moved out of the alley, one of the bags he had been holding was no longer in his hand.
Allen froze. At his feet lay a bag filled with fruits, vegetables, and a few small wrapped items.
His hands trembled as he picked it up.
His head lowered, shoulders shaking slightly as water dripped from his chin—whether from tears or sweat, no one would ever know.
"Thank you… White Mask," Allen whispered to the empty alley.
Kael was long gone.
Back on the bustling street, Kael glanced at the supplies remaining in his hand and shrugged. "Guess it's a team job then," he muttered. "Let's hope this doesn't turn into a disaster."
He pulled out his phone and dialed Julia.
"Hey. About that job… tell me the details."
Three Hours Later
Kael stepped through a swirling portal arriving at the other side.
He now wore a lightweight black hoodie over an ash-colored vest, and his mask—this one covering his entire face—gleamed faintly beneath the sunlight.
Ahead of him stood the enormous familiar gates of the snow wolf mercenary facility.
But what caught his attention even more were the four figures waiting just outside.
Julia stood beside three unfamiliar people—no doubt the teammates for the mission.
As soon as Kael appeared, Julia raised her hand with a bright smile. "Hey, Kael! Over here!"
The others turned toward him mid-conversation.
The first was a towering man, around 2.2 meters tall, with a stern expression and heavy armor covering his broad frame.
Black hair cropped short. Early thirties. Kael mentally labeled him: Tank.
Beside him stood a short man—no more than Kael's shoulder—with equally black hair, a loose blue shirt, black pants, and a strap filled with small tools across his torso.
He grinned with a goofy, overly confident expression that screamed trouble.
And the last was a woman with golden hair tied in a ponytail, bright green eyes, a red crop top, black pants, and golden bracelets etched with the figure of a dove—standard insignia for licensed medics.
As Kael approached, the short one scoffed loudly.
"Well, well, well. Look who finally decided to grace us with his royal presence—the king himself!"
Kael gave him a slow nod. "Yes, yes. My humble half-dwarf subject."
The short one froze. "You!"
Kael ignored him completely and sent Julia a look that clearly said: This idiot is on the team? Seriously?
Julia looked away, whistling lightly.
The short man, rolled up his sleeves dramatically and stomped toward Kael, muttering something about teaching manners.
Before he got far, a massive hand rested on his shoulder and held him in place.
"That's enough, Marvin," the tank rumbled, his deep voice brooking no argument.
He then glanced at Kael. "You too. It was rude making us wait."
"Got distracted," Kael replied simply, with no sign of apology.
Julia quickly stepped between them. "Ahem. Enough macho nonsense." She cleared her throat again, forcing a professional smile.
"Since everyone's here, let's introduce ourselves and get familiar."
The blonde girl waved cheerfully at Kael. "Hi! I'm Lena. Nice to meet you! The big guy here is Max, and the short one there—"
"I know," Kael interrupted gently. "Name's Kael."
Max nodded in acknowledgment. Marvin huffed dramatically and crossed his arms.
Julia clapped once. "Perfect! Now, as you all know—the mission this time is to explore and clear a dungeon. A new one has appeared dangerously close to the Duke's Manor."
The group's expressions remained neutral.
Julia continued, "Vale Kingdom's division is simple—three main states: the Central Capital, Lynor State, and Selion State. Alec District belongs to Lynor. This dungeon is in Central territory, so be cautious. No one knows what class it is yet, there wasn't enough time to get the specific class due to the Duke's urgency but it's at most B- class."
She gestured toward the gate behind her.
"Without further ado… set off. And may your journey be fruitful."
Kael adjusted his mask, glancing at his new teammates.
Hope they aren't the curious type.