She paused for a moment before adding, "It's better if you two forget about it. This won't be the first time you witness something … and it won't be the last."
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Asher and Serena standing in silence.
Serena clenched her fists. "Forget about it? How are we supposed to forget?"
Asher didn't respond immediately. He simply stared at the distant villagers being led to their new shelter, their faces hollow with grief.
"She's right," he said finally. "This is just how the world works."
Serena turned to him, eyes filled with anger. "That's a terrible excuse."
Asher gave a small, humorless chuckle. "It's not an excuse. It's reality."
Serena bit her lip but said nothing.
They returned to the inn and began having lunch. Asher ate in silence, while Serena barely touched her food, lost in thought.
"How can you eat so soon after everything that happened?" she asked, staring at him.
Without looking up, Asher replied, "We need to survive, Serena. They were weak—it wasn't their fault. And we were late to help them. That was our fault." He sighed, pushing his plate aside. "But we can't just sit here and sulk because of this. If we stop now, who will save the next village?"
Serena clenched her fists but didn't argue.
They couldn't change the past.
But they could make sure this didn't happen again.
Serena let out a deep breath, forcing herself to take a bite of her food, though it tasted like nothing. The weight of the villagers' suffering still pressed heavily on her.
Asher, noticing her silence, leaned back in his chair. "Sulking won't change anything, Serena."
She shot him a glare. "I know that."
"Then act like it," he said, his tone calm but firm. "We have work to do."
Serena scowled but didn't respond. She knew Asher wasn't being heartless—this was just his way of coping. Still, the way he spoke about it so rationally irritated her.
After finishing their meal, Asher stood up. "Let's go. We need to report what we found about the Red Fate Organization."
Serena frowned. "Do you think the Guild will actually do anything about it?"
"They have to," Asher said. "A group that's creating Corrupted creatures and trying to make their own god isn't something they can ignore."
Serena exhaled sharply. "Fine. Let's get this over with."
The two of them left the inn, heading straight for the Guild. But as they walked through the city streets, Asher suddenly stopped.
His sharp gaze locked onto a hooded figure standing in the alley ahead, barely visible in the shadows. This chapter is updated by Novel~Fire. (n)et
Serena followed his gaze. "What is it?"
Asher narrowed his eyes. "We're being watched."
Serena's body tensed as she followed Asher's gaze toward the hooded figure in the alley. The moment they locked eyes, the figure turned and disappeared into the shadows.
"Should we follow?" Serena whispered, already gripping the hilt of her daggers.
Asher exhaled, his eyes glowing faintly red as he activated his Blood Sense, tracing the lingering presence of the person's blood. "No need. If they wanted to attack, they would've done it by now."
Serena frowned. "Then what do they want?"
Asher started walking again, motioning for her to follow. "They're either scouting us or trying to intimidate us. Either way, it means we're on the right track."
Serena sighed. "Great. Just what we need—more enemies."
As they approached the Guild Hall, the heavy doors creaked open, revealing a bustling interior filled with adventurers, merchants, and guild officials. The air was thick with the scent of parchment, metal, and roasted meat from the small tavern section inside.
They made their way to the receptionist's desk, where the same woman from earlier glanced up at them.
"You're back fast," she noted, raising an eyebrow.
Asher placed a small, sealed memory crystal on the counter. "We have more information—urgent information—about the group responsible for the corruption."
The receptionist's casual demeanor vanished instantly. She picked up the crystal and gestured for them to follow.
"Come with me," she said in a low voice, leading them toward a private meeting room in the back of the Guild.
As the door closed behind them, Asher leaned against the wall while Serena crossed her arms.
"Alright," the receptionist said, placing the crystal on the table. "Tell me everything."
Asher's gazed at her. "It's called the Red Fate Organization—and they're trying to create their own god."
The room fell into a tense silence as the words settled. The receptionist's expression remained unreadable, but her fingers tapped subtly against the table—a small, nervous gesture.
"Creating their own god?" she repeated, her voice even.
Asher nodded. "That's what Malakai, one of their members, claimed before we killed him. The Red Fate Organization isn't just corrupting creatures at random. They're systematically manipulating the future, trying to shape fate itself to create something… powerful."
The receptionist exhaled sharply. "That's a bold claim."
Serena crossed her arms. "We wouldn't be here if it weren't true."
The receptionist glanced down at the memory crystal Asher had placed on the table. "This has proof?"
"Yes," Asher confirmed. "It contains Malakai's final words, as well as evidence of the Corrupt Core we found inside the twin-headed serpent. Whatever they're planning, it's big."
She hesitated for only a moment before picking up the crystal and pressing her fingers against it. A faint blue glow pulsed from within as she absorbed the stored memories. Her brows furrowed as the recorded voices played in her mind.
A few minutes later, she placed the crystal down and let out a deep sigh. "This… complicates things."
Serena narrowed her eyes. "How much do you already know about them?"
The receptionist hesitated, then looked between the two of them. "Officially, nothing. Unofficially…" She leaned forward, lowering her voice. "The Red Fate Organization has been on the Guild's radar for years, but we've never been able to pin them down. Every lead either disappears or turns up dead before we get close."
Asher's gaze sharpened. "So you do know something."
She nodded. "Not much, but enough to know they aren't just some cult worshiping corruption. They have powerful backers, people with influence in places they shouldn't."
Serena scowled. "And you're telling us the Guild hasn't done anything about it?"
"We've tried," the receptionist shot back, frustration slipping into her tone. "But every time we get close, they cover their tracks. Even high-ranking adventurers who go after them tend to disappear."
Asher crossed his arms, considering her words. "Then that means we're already on their list."
The receptionist met his gaze. "If you weren't before, you are now."
A heavy silence settled over the room.
Serena exhaled, shaking her head. "Great. More people trying to kill us."
The receptionist gave a small, grim smile. "Welcome to the real battlefield."
She leaned back, thinking for a moment before speaking again. "I'll have this information forwarded to the higher-ups, but I don't know if they'll act on it immediately. The Guild has its hands full with the ongoing monster outbreaks. If you two want to do something about this, you'll likely be on your own for now."
Asher smirked slightly. "That's fine. We work better without restrictions."
The receptionist gave him a knowing look. "Then let me offer you a piece of advice—stay alive. If the Red Fate Organization is trying to shape the future, then anyone who opposes them won't be safe."
Asher and Serena exchanged glances before nodding.
"We never expected to be safe," Serena muttered.
The receptionist sighed, then stood up. "I'll get this processed. In the meantime, watch your backs. You're already being watched, and if they see you as a threat…"
"They'll come after us," Asher finished.
The receptionist nodded. "And when they do, I hope you're ready."
"Believe me, this is not the first time we've had an organization come after us," Asher said.
The receptionist looked at him and sighed. "So, either you're incredibly unlucky, or you're a magnet for trouble."
Asher shrugged. "Probably both."
The receptionist shook her head, muttering something under her breath before leaning forward. "Look, if you two really plan to go after them, be careful. The Red Fate Organization isn't just another group of lunatics. They're methodical, calculated. If they've taken an interest in you, it's not just because you killed one of their men—it's because you've disrupted their plans."
Serena crossed her arms. "Good. That means we're doing something right."
The receptionist sighed. "That attitude will get you killed."
Asher shrugged. "Only if we're careless."
The receptionist gave him a long look before nodding. "Fine. Do what you want. But if you get into trouble, don't expect the Guild to pull you out of it. As far as we're concerned, this is still unofficial business."
"Noted," Asher said, turning toward the door.
Serena followed, but before they could leave, the receptionist called out one last time. "One more thing—if they are shaping the future, that means they already have a plan for you. Don't play into their hands."
Asher paused at the doorway, glancing back over his shoulder. His expression was unreadable. "We'll see who's really in control of the future."
With that, they stepped out into the night.