WHFIO13

Chapter 13

“The place? Should we head to Onse?”

Cassian’s face hardened coldly as he stepped forward without hesitation. He turned to Elsez.

“You stay here. I’ll take care of it.”

“We’re going together… right? You said I should come with you.”

Elsez grabbed his arm, refusing to let him go alone. Cassian frowned at her persistence, but in the end, he did not push her away.

He could see it clearly in her eyes—an unshakable resolve that would not bend.

The two of them set out for the guild Onse.

The bustling Prosperity Street was crowded with people, full of noise and life. But just two blocks deeper, a completely different world unfolded.

The alleys behind the main street were nearly deserted.

Since sunlight barely reached that area, even in broad daylight, a chill and eerie atmosphere lingered.

Cassian, who had been watching Elsez walking briskly ahead of him, called out.

“Rookie.”

Only then did Elsez slow her steps to match his longer stride.

“I’m not even a guild member yet.”

Cassian frowned slightly at her reply, but continued.

“Anyway, stop for a moment.”

Elsez halted, giving him a puzzled look. Cassian looked straight into her upright amber eyes and said seriously:

“This isn’t your fault.”

The day before, the master of Onse had come looking for Elsez—holding guild members of Eternity hostage.

Anyone with half a brain could see this was retaliation for what happened yesterday.

Of course her heart would be unsettled. That unease explained why she hurried forward so recklessly.

Cassian had scolded her for acting out of impulse, but he didn’t want guilt to weigh down her heart after doing the right thing.

“Those bastards are the cowards.”

Elsez stared at him, then realized his intent in saying such words. A faint laugh escaped her lips.

No matter how hard he tried to hide it, Cassian hadn’t changed. He was still kind—
kind enough to worry about the feelings of a mere rookie guild recruit.

“I know. But still, they clearly want me, so it’s only right that I take responsibility.”

It had all begun with her actions. She couldn’t deny complete responsibility.

Cassian added firmly, sensing that she hadn’t understood his meaning.

“I’ll take responsibility. You don’t have to push yourself.”

Elsez blinked, staring blankly at his broad back as he walked ahead.

Three years really have changed him… he seems more grown-up now.

Among the Four Heroes, Cassian was the eldest, but three years ago he had still been two years younger than Ruel.

Back then, he had felt more like an immature younger brother or a childhood friend she bickered with.

But now, strangely, he felt more like an older brother.

Well… I am twenty-two and he’s twenty-five, so I guess that makes sense.

With a faint feeling of reassurance from his broad shoulders, she followed him.

Soon, the two stood before the tavern that served as Onse’s hideout.

A “CLOSED” sign hung on the door, but when Cassian turned the handle, it opened easily.

Inside, the tavern was dimly lit. Two burly men approached.

“We’ll need to search you.”

They frisked Cassian, while Elsez was told to empty her inventory and pockets.

From her inner pocket, Ruti tumbled out.

Elsez gave her rabbit doll a silent signal: Stay still.

The men prodded it suspiciously, checking for hidden weapons. Finding only cotton stuffing, they gave her a strange look.

A grown woman carrying around a stuffed rabbit was odd indeed.

Elsez returned their stare with a deadpan expression.

What? Got a problem?

Startled, the man quickly looked away without saying more.

The search finished, they were led further inside.

In one corner of the tavern, two Eternity guild members were bound to chairs, guarded by thugs. At the center of the room stood a woman in luxurious attire, her long silver-white hair gleaming.

Madame Latour—the master of the Dark Guild Onse.

She exhaled smoke from a cigarette holder, her gaze moving slowly between Cassian and Elsez.

“So you’re the brat who roughed up my men.”

Her voice was smooth, almost gentle, yet the atmosphere around her carried a strange, oppressive weight.

But Elsez met her gaze without flinching.

“Isn’t it Onse’s principle—and pride—not to touch the weak or defenseless?”

“That’s right. You know your stuff.”

“Then before blaming me, shouldn’t you have punished those scum who disgraced your guild?”

“I did. First thing this morning, I half-killed them and threw them out. Thanks to you, the trash was taken care of.”

Cutting off the disgraceful members was one matter. Retaliating against Elsez for dishonoring the guild was another.

Elsez narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

Noticing her wariness, Madame Latour took a long drag and exhaled smoke before speaking again.

“Relax. I didn’t call you here to fight. I simply wanted to see your face.”

“…?”

“I was curious to meet the reckless brat bold enough to lay hands on my dogs.”

Her eyes swept over Elseze, measuring her.

Sensing this, Cassian stepped forward, partially shielding Elsez from her gaze.

But Elsez didn’t look away.

Intrigued, Madame Latour smirked, lifting one corner of her crimson lips.

She liked those eyes—the unwavering defiance.

“I like your eyes, girl.”

“……”

“They remind me of mine when I first stepped into this world.”

Madame Latour seemed to reach a decision. She set down her cigarette and addressed Cassian.

“I’ll release the hostages. In exchange…”

Cassian stiffened, waiting.

“Give me that girl.”

“…What?”

“I’ve decided to raise a successor.”

Her gaze gleamed with greedy obsession as she looked at Elsez.

Everyone knew of her twisted compulsion—whatever she fancied, she had to have. Be it object, man, or woman.

Now, her target was Elsez.

Cassian let out a dry laugh of disbelief before his expression hardened like ice.

“I don’t trade people.”

“Your guildmates’ lives are at stake, boy.”

“Then I guess you don’t care if the guild you spent your whole life building crumbles to dust because of your sick fetish, old hag.”

Madame Latour’s threat was met with a snarl. Cassian’s fist shimmered with blue mana, crackling with restrained power, ready to smash everything around him.

Alarmed, Elsez quickly stepped between them.

“These people have nothing to do with me, Madame. Yesterday I was only visiting. I haven’t even signed a contract yet.”

“Hey, rookie—” Cassian frowned, but she ignored him, focusing on Latour.

“That simplifies things. No need to break his contract, then.”

“Exactly. So release them, and talk with me.”

“Not possible. If I release them now, that boy beside you will bite me the moment my guard drops.”

She gestured with her chin. A subordinate stepped forward, handing Elsez two sheets of paper—contracts.

One for the guild, one for the signee.

Elsez’s eyes narrowed, but Latour tilted her head, pointing at them.

“Sign it. Then they go free.”

Anyone who demands you sign a contract on the spot is a swindler.

Elsez muttered to herself inwardly while scanning the documents quickly.

The terms were surprisingly generous—far better than most guild contracts.

Of course. They do nothing but illegal jobs. The risk is enormous, so the reward has to be tempting.

Plenty of desperate people had wanted to join, but Onse rarely accepted new blood.

Still, one detail froze her.

If I sign this… I’ll be bound to Madame Latour.

Drawn faintly across the parchment was a black magic circle.

Unlike ordinary guilds that bound contracts through standard magic, Dark Guilds used black magic.

And black magic contracts didn’t just bind; they enslaved. They compelled obedience, forcing the signee to the master’s will.

Naturally, that was illegal. But for a guild steeped in crime, such methods were commonplace.

Elsez had no intention of signing. But with hostages involved, her options were limited.

Yes, Cassian was strong enough to crush everyone here by himself. But with lives hanging in the balance, he couldn’t act rashly.

What do I do? Do I… sign it?

Elsez swallowed hard, staring at the contract long after she’d already read it.

Think, Elsez. Use the knowledge you have—your memories of the game, of the first playthrough.

She shut her eyes tightly, combing through her memories.

Then suddenly—something clicked.

Her eyes flew open, sparkling with realization.

There was one way. One single method.