Early in the morning, the group of heroes gather in front of a rented house; it’s sturdy walls to their backs. Cale looks towards the group and says, “This is what we’ve worked so hard for. Our first silver mission won’t be an easy one, but I’m confident we’ll easily succeed. Let’s head out.”. He turns around and starts walking towards the City gate where, unbeknownst to them, Centum is patiently awaiting their departure.

In the afternoon, hours after the heroes’ departure, a yellow crystal frantically vibrates in a drawer of Rebecca’s desk. She pauses momentarily, the anticipation building in her heart. Wasting a second, she carefully opens the drawer and picks up the vibrating crystal, properly securing it in her hands. “It’s only been a little more than a month, but he’s already here? I don’t have much time,” she says, standing up and walking towards the stairs.

She takes the stares down, walking past a thick metal gate, and enters the Guild’s basement. It’s mainly used to store quest rewards and quest-related items. She walks pasts the stacks of neatly piled boxes and stops in front of a smooth wall hidden in the corner of the warehouse. She places the yellow crystal against the wall, and it rumbles open, revealing a hidden doorway.

Inside, a central altar dominates the hidden room. To the side, numerous containers, hiding untold secrets, fill in the gaps. Next to the altar, Rebecca finds the Guild Leader, Xephos, already waiting inside. He looks towards her and says, a hint of disdain lining his tone, “He’s also called you? Typical, always placing his precious, adopted granddaughter before Guild procedures.”.

Rebecca frowns, but before she could rebuke, a large orange portal takes form on the altar. The portal wobbles unstably, barely avoiding a complete collapse. Stepping through, a tall figure, two meters in height, exit the portal. “Greetings, Founder,” they both say in unison while bowing. The Founder is a muscular elf with sleek, grey hair complementing his aged face.

Clad in well-fitting, light armour and wielding a staff with a red crystal embedded on top, the Founder steps forward. “Rebecca, my dear how delightful to see you,” he says, embracing her in a hug. “Xephos, has the situation worsened?” he asks, a serious expression on his face.

Xephos shakes his head and says, “No, sir. We’ve done as you’ve instructed and maintained our distance, merely observing his actions.”. “Good,” the Founder comments, “The last thing we want is everyone dead.”. Rebecca frowns in shock, forcing herself to keep quiet. The Founder continues, “What have you observed, spare no detail.”.

“The person is a man. He’s always covered in a hooded, purple robe that hides his face. Except for the one time where he spoke to Rebecca, he’s avoided any other interaction thus far. He always carries a thick, white metal tome on him; the metal is unlike any I’ve ever seen before. Every day, he follows the group of newly summoned heroes and writes in a leather book; it’s currently unknown what he’s writing. His purpose remains a mystery,” Xephos reports.

The Founder goes quiet and says cryptically, “As expected, he’s the same. The same actions, but an obscure goal. I have some inclination on his purpose, but I dare not guess. Summon him to the top floor. I need to speak to him. Make sure to treat him with the utmost respect.”. Next to the Founder, Rebecca says apologetically, “Grandfather, I didn’t expect your swift arrival, the group of heroes have departed on a weeklong quest; he’s most likely following along.”.

“Then, we’ll wait,” the Founder says, exiting the hidden room, heading towards the top floor. “For two hundred years, you’ve remained hidden, and now you suddenly make an appearance on a backwater planet that’s rejecting the magic I wield. A week is insignificant compared to the hundreds of years I’ve been searching,” the Founder says to himself.

On the vast planes, outside of Avalon, the group of heroes march forward. A casual atmosphere hovers around the group, a newfound sense of confidence easing the tension. In the middle, Eric says boastfully, “When we’re gold rank, then Clara wouldn’t dare to turn me down for a date. Just because her father is the Guild Leader, she thinks she’s better than me, but with a gold Guild card, she’ll swoon into my arms.”.

Mia laughs from the back but doesn’t comment. Next to him, Emily says mockingly, “I don’t think your low rank is the reason she won’t go out with you. Cheer up, once you're gold rank, then you can begin fixing your other flaws.”. “Hey, what’s that supposed to mean,” Eric rebukes, and the group burst out in laughter.

“Don’t worry, Eric; we like you. I’m sure you’ll find a girlfriend, someday,” Mia says, patting Eric’s shoulder. “At least, you’re on my side,” he adds. At the front, leading the group, Cale orders, “Quiet down, we’re going off the road from here on. I don’t want any mistakes; keep your eyes open for anything suspicious.”.

They tighten their formation, the plain’s grass’ height increases each hour that they walk. By midday, the grass is at waist height. With the noon sun beating down on them, their focus wavers. From the tall grass, a gold panther leaps at Mia. Almost missing its presence, Eric barely manages to intercept it. Blocking the attack with his shield, he’s knocked back by the massive impact.

Emily quickly draws her bow, piercing an arrow into the gold panther’s shoulder. Cale flanks the gold panther, unsheathing his dagger. With surgical precision, he stabs its throat, killing it. Seemingly unfazed, they quickly process the gold panther, gathering anything useful. Continuing their march, Eric, utterly unperturbed by the battle, asks Emily, “So, what about me doesn’t Clara like?”. Emily shakes her head, refusing to answer.

Stealthily following the group, Centum records his observations, “The heroes, ever courageous, slay the pitiful gold panther. Their teamwork has drastically improved after a month of questing, but their righteous heart has grown weak. They’ve abandoned the righteous path of total destruction, obliterating the evil that they face; rather, they choose to mercifully strike, swiftly kill their foes. Has this foreign world corrupted them beyond repair? Their future is uncertain.”.

Closing the leather book, images of heroes smiting evil, completely eradicating vile existences, flash through his thoughts. He sighs to himself, “Why do they need to collect the creature’s body parts? Aren’t heroes meant to shun worldly rewards?”. His eyes shine with excitement as he contemplates, “I can’t wait for them to grow stronger. When they unleash their destined might, none will dare to stand before them.”.

Centum’s thoughts wander as he follows the heroes, years of only reading heroic tales showing their unintended side effects.