Anthesis of Sadness
Chapter 34: The One Who No Longer Fights

Chapter 34: The One Who No Longer Fights

Opening the door cautiously, I discovered a room lit by the cold light of a window set behind a large desk of solid wood. The daylight carved out a silhouette in backlight, letting me glimpse the outline of a man seated, focused on a pile of documents he was annotating with a skillful hand.

Contrary to my expectations, he wasn’t part of the Gorr’Shul race. No dark tattooed skin, no massive build, no oppressive aura. No, this man seemed... human.

His outfit was simple yet neat: a linen tunic beneath a leather vest, sleeves rolled up to reveal nervous forearms. His calm stood in sharp contrast to the belligerent atmosphere of the place, as if he belonged to another world.

He didn’t immediately raise his eyes to me. His quill continued scratching the parchment for a few moments before he stopped, closed his inkwell, and finally straightened slightly in his chair.

— I was wondering when you’d arrive, he said in a calm voice, without the slightest hint of surprise.

His eyes, two icy embers, settled on me.

— I was wondering when you’d show yourself, he murmured in a deep voice.

So he had sensed my presence. In an instant, he had deployed his aura — a subtle but noticeable pressure — inviting me to fully enter the guild, to cross that invisible threshold.

I knew he was stronger than me, infinitely so. Every fiber of my being felt it. But there was a reason, after all, why he had summoned me. I couldn’t let myself be impressed — not now.

— I have something to ask of you, he finally said, his voice calm but firm, as if his request was nothing more than a formality.

I straightened, meeting his icy gaze despite the intense light behind him. In this dim room, his presence seemed denser, more imposing. I couldn’t help but feel that he was weighing me in silence.

— First, sit down, he said, pointing to a chair placed directly in front of him.

I complied without hesitation, but a silent tension hung in the air, as if every movement was being closely scrutinized.

He waited for me to be seated, then continued, his tone measured yet pressing:

— There’s a beast... that I need you to eliminate. You know, we’re a small town, with only a few elite groups. And they’ve already left on an important mission. That’s why I need your help.

His gaze grew sharper, trying to gauge my reaction. The request seemed simple on the surface, but I knew that in this kind of situation, there were always details people preferred to leave out, risks they chose not to mention.

I couldn’t respond right away — a heavy silence settled between us.

As if expecting it, he reacted almost instantly, without a moment’s hesitation:

— Is it because of the Shapeshifter that’s with you?

A cold shiver ran down my spine. I was shocked. How did he know that? How could he sense a presence he hadn’t even seen? He couldn’t... not at that level. How far did his abilities go? And above all, what was a man this powerful doing in a small town like this?

I tried to stay calm, but a question formed in my mind: if he hadn’t acted until now, did that mean he had no intention to? Maybe he wasn’t looking to cause trouble.

— Exactly, I finally answered, my voice calm despite the inner turmoil.

— I understand, he said calmly. But you have no reason to worry. All the major players on the demonic continent are in a meeting. You won’t be hunted for a while.

I suspected the reason for this meeting — probably linked to the summoning. Those kinds of events were always heavy with consequences.

I let nothing show on my face, keeping calm.

— And you? You’re not going to stop me?

He barely shrugged.

— Why would I do that?

He continued, his voice still calm:

— You know, on the demonic continent, there are three great powers: the State, the Guild, and the religion of Malphas. We cooperate on the surface, or for major affairs, but in truth, we’re not really on good terms. Do you understand?

It reminded me of certain political alliances back on Earth. Smiles on the surface, daggers behind the back. Nothing had really changed, even here.

I nodded, but another question burned on my lips.

— And you? You’re far more powerful than me. Why don’t you go yourself?

He smiled slightly, but there was neither arrogance nor disdain in his gaze.

— Ah, you know... I made a promise. I won’t fight anymore, unless it’s vital. And I intend to keep that promise, otherwise... someone would deal with me.

I stared at him, stunned. What kind of person could possibly deal with someone like him?

Then, without another word, he raised his left hand and, with a slow gesture, showed his ring finger. A shining silver ring rested there.

A flash of understanding passed through my mind, thinking of Cassandre. I understood this guild master very well now. Ah, women could be far more terrifying than any enemy when they wanted to be. I laughed, amused by the reality of the situation.

— I completely understand, I replied, wiping away a tear of amusement.

I then continued, trying to get back to the point:

— Tell me about this beast, please.

He replied almost immediately, his tone becoming more direct.

— Of course. It’s a Vhor’Gul. A large mass of flesh and tentacles, buried underground. Only huge appendages emerge to capture anyone who comes too close.

He paused for a moment, then added, as if that wasn’t enough:

— It emits deep howls, sounds that disturb the mind, leaving you completely disoriented. Then it slowly crushes you in its tentacles. It’s a dangerous creature.

A chill ran up my spine. No speed, no steel, just a terrifying slowness. As if the beast wanted you to feel death coming.

I shuddered imagining the scene, but he continued:

— The problem is, it settled on a main road. It doesn’t move, blocking passage, hindering merchants and travelers... It’s become a real issue. That’s why I need you to drive it out.

He stared at me, waiting for an answer.

I decided to be more direct.

— I can do it. But I’ll need a few things in return.

He raised an eyebrow slightly, inviting me to continue.

— I’d like you to register us with the guild — the girl and me. And if possible, at a relatively high rank.

I knew I was asking a lot. But I had to play my pieces quickly. Every delay could cost a life.

He gave a faint smile.

— Ah, you’re not registered yet?

He must’ve found that strange, but asked no further questions. After a brief moment of thought, he nodded.

— I can do that. What else do you need?

— A map of the demonic continent. The most detailed one you have.

He nodded.

— That’s doable too. Anything else?

I took the makeshift bag I had brought with me and placed it in front of him, opening it slightly to reveal the contents.

— Could you buy this from me?

Inside, several Gorvak horns glowed faintly under the light filtering through the window.

The guild master called a receptionist, a woman with a professional demeanor, who quickly examined the horns before purchasing them from me.

Handing me my payment, she explained the monetary system after I asked about it. She was polite and pleasant, making the exchange smooth.

Krag, the base coin, was equivalent to bronze coins, I thought.

Drek was worth 10 Krag — the silver equivalent.

Zarn was worth 10 Drek — a gold coin.

Varkh was worth 10 Zarn — essentially a platinum coin.

As I absorbed this information, a thought crossed my mind: my references really were those of an otaku. That idea made me smile inwardly.

She called Lysara, who quickly arrived with two guild tags. After a few precise gestures, she handed us the two plaques.

I addressed Lysara, beckoning to her. She came quickly, and the receptionist, with a precise motion, gave us our guild plaques.

Mine was made of a black abyssal alloy, marbled with thin moving veins, even darker than the metal itself. Its sheen seemed to swallow light rather than reflect it, giving it a mysterious and ominous appearance.

I inscribed the plaque with the name Lukaris.

The metal felt strangely alive. As if it pulsed slightly beneath my fingers. Maybe it was my imagination... Or maybe something really had changed.

As for Lysara’s, it was made of deep red obsidian, with purple glints that shimmered under certain lights. The surface was smooth, almost supernaturally glossy, and seemed unbreakable. Her name, carefully engraved, was clearly visible.

I took a moment to admire the plaques before putting mine away and handing hers to Lysara so she could do the same, fully aware of the symbolism they represented.

She stared at it for a moment, without touching it. Just... observing. As if she feared that by taking it, she would truly accept this new life.Then she took it.

Then I took the opportunity to ask the receptionist another question, asking if she could explain the guild’s ranking system to me. Remaining polite and patient, she responded clearly.

She started with the lowest ranks, explaining that they corresponded to the continent’s minerals and their rarity.

— Ashen Blades, she said at the beginning. Rank F, I thought.

— Shadowiron Blades, Rank E.

— Brasclaw Blades, Rank D.

— Blood Blades, Rank C.

She paused for a moment, a slight smile at the corner of her lips, then added:

— That’s the lady’s rank, she said, pointing to Lysara.

A Rank C.

So that was Lysara’s recognized strength in this world governed by hierarchy and brute power.

She who, just a few weeks ago, had been a lost child, silent, broken... Now bore a title that many adult warriors never managed to reach.

A strange shiver ran through me.

It wasn’t nothing. It was no longer nothing.

Lysara was no longer just a shadow at my side — she had become a recognized force. A ranked presence. A threat, in the eyes of the system.

And yet, she still said nothing.

Just standing there, holding that red plaque in her hands.

A Rank C...

And it was only the beginning.

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