Alister stood in Yuuto’s office, his mind still processing the whirlwind of events. As his eyes scanned the room, he tried to come to terms with his new role as team leader.
His thoughts were interrupted when Yuuto, sitting behind his sleek desk, leaned forward with a smile.
“There are a few people I would like for you to take into your team, Alister,” Yuuto spoke, his tone serious but warm.
“I believe they have the potential to learn a lot from you and your dragons. Obviously, your friends are going to be your core team members, but there’s one more person I’d like to introduce you to.”
Alister raised an eyebrow, a look of curiosity crossing his face. He repeated Yuuto’s last two words, “one more?”
Yuuto smiled slightly, a look of mischief in his eyes. “Yes, one more. You’ll find out soon enough.”
With that, Yuuto stood up and sat at the edge of the table.
“You can come in now.”
The office door slid open with a smooth hiss. A young man stepped into the room, his black hair tousled slightly, and his intense red eyes immediately fixed on Alister.
The man was taller than most, broad-shouldered, and carrying a massive greatsword across his back. The air of strength he had around him was hard not to notice.
Yuuto then spoke up. “This is Anzo.”
“If it weren’t for you joining our guild… let’s say he would have been White Comet’s rising star. He possesses an S-ranked talent, and I must admit, he’s fairly skilled.”
Anzo’s eyes narrowed as he scanned Alister, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “So you’re the one everyone can’t stop talking about,” Anzo said, his voice low but tinged with challenge. He took a step closer to Alister, sizing him up with a look of approval mixed with intrigue.
Alister extended his hand, offering a firm handshake. “Alister,” he said, his voice calm but carrying authority. “I’m glad to have you on the team.”
Anzo grasped his hand firmly, trying to tighten his grip. To his surprise, Alister didn’t flinch, his hand just as strong, holding steady in the handshake. Anzo’s eyes widened slightly before The let out a low chuckle.
“Oh? What do we have here?” Anzo mused, his smirk widening. “I got a bit confident in my personal strength since you are supposed to be a Summoner.”
“But with a grip like this, I guess you’re good enough to be a rival.”
Alister met his gaze evenly. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Yuuto watched the exchange with a touch of amusement, but his expression remained serious. “Anzo tends to be a bit arrogant, but he’s a hard worker. You’ll find he’s driven by a desire to prove himself, and that makes him a valuable team member.”
Anzo rolled his shoulders, making a show of cracking his neck. “I’m not here to be anyone’s second best, that’s for sure. But if you think you can handle me, I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Alister nodded, “That’s exactly the kind of attitude we need. We’ll see how well you work with the others.”
Anzo gave a half-smile, clearly amused by the challenge. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Yuuto watched the two, sensing the subtle tension that had begun to form between them. He chuckled lightly, crossing his arms. “Good. I’m glad to see you’re both on the same page. Alister, Anzo has his own unique strengths, and I think you’ll be able to learn a lot from each other.”
Anzo looked at Alister, his red eyes burning with his red mana. “We’ll see if you’re as good as they say you are. I don’t like losing.”
Alister met his gaze, barring his. “Neither do I.”
Suddenly Alister heard Draven’s voice echo in his head. ‘My lord, that sword this human has on his back… It’s giving off a faint dragon aura.’
Alister then directed his gaze to the sword’s handle, which he could see over Anzo’s shoulder. Alister then pointed at it as he asked, “Where did you get that sword?”
Anzo raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk spreading on his face. “Curious now, are we?” he said.
Without waiting to be asked, he unslung the massive sword from his back and let it fall with a heavy thud to the floor before him.
Alister’s eyes widened as he observed the weapon more closely. The aura was unmistakable- a faint, yet powerful, dragon essence clung to it.
Before Alister could speak again, Mar’Garet, who had been standing silently beside him, leaned forward. Her eyes were sharp, narrowing as she studied the sword.
“Doesn’t this sword look like Draven’s?” she asked. “The only difference is the way the runes are arranged.”
Cinder, still silent but watching intently, narrowed her gaze. Her voice was colder, sharper. “Indeed. Did this human steal it?”
Anzo let out a short laugh, his eyes twinkling with amusement at the accusation. “Steal it? Why the hell would I do that?” he said, shaking his head. “I bought it at an auction.”
The words hung in the air for a moment, leaving everyone in the room silent as they processed what he had said. An auction. The notion was so casually dropped, yet it only deepened the mystery of the sword.
“It cost me a fortune. Apparently, the berserkers had obtained it in one of their dungeon
raids.”
“The sword looked neat, so I figured it was a good investment.”
Alister’s brow furrowed. Buying a dragon-imbued weapon at an auction? That didn’t sit right
with him.
‘Now that I take a closer look at it… This looks like Alexei’s sword… What is it doing here?’
‘How could it have been obtained in a dungeon?’
‘Dungeons are technically special rifts, so that may be possible…’
‘Even if they did get to that sword through a dungeon… How would they have obtained it?’
‘Was it stolen? I doubt humans
I be able to pull that off.’
‘There are also additional runes here on the upper side… Did a blacksmith make some
modifications?’
“An auction, huh?” Alister finally repeated, his voice filled with skepticism. “And the runes… they were part of the original design?”
Anzo shrugged, casually adjusting the greatsword’s weight in his hands before swinging it back onto his back. “Could be. Could be not. Who knows? I didn’t bother with the details. It’s a
fine weapon, no matter the history behind it.”
Yuuto stood up from the table and walked up to Alister.
“Since you two are acquainted now, don’t you think it’s time for your first team raid? A little
spin to see how well you work together?”
“You can’t avoid participating in a dungeon this time, I hope you know that.”
Alister raised an eyebrow, hesitant. “Won’t we need a team strategy for something like that?”
Yuuto chuckled, tapping Alister’s shoulder lightly. “Don’t worry about that. I’m sure you’ll be
fine. Nothing could possibly go wrong, right?”
“Besides even if it did I’m sure you’d handle it no problem.”
Alister gave a nod, “I suppose I understand.”
Yuuto glanced toward Mar’Garet, who had been standing silently by Alister’s side, her
piercing crimzon eyes locked on him. There was no mistaking the intensity of her glare, a small touch of curiosity and something else—perhaps murderous intent.
Yuuto smiled at her, unbothered by the silent communication. He understood and respected her protectiveness over Alister. “I see you’re watching closely, Mar’Garet, do I have
something on my face?” he asked.
Mar’Garet didn’t respond, but her eyes never left him. Her posture remained tense, as if
silently daring Yuuto to comment further.
Yuuto’s smile only widened. “Well then, you gouy go get ready for this raid. I’m sure you can
easily handle all to your preparations. Just remember, keep it light and see how you do. This is
just a little test run, after all.”
Alister simply nodded as he said, “Understood, well be one our way now.”
….
Alister stood in front of the massive A-ranked dungeon gate, his gaze fixed on it as he
observed the swirling energy of the rift.
‘It’s been a while since I last raided a dungeon…’ He thought.
The air around them felt charged, tense. Flanking him were his five dragon generals, their
presence almost overwhelming.
To his left was Alzuring, and Draven, to his right, Mar’Garet, Cinder and Terra, each stood with a calm yet determined expression.
In front of him stood his team: Axel, Blitz, Lila, Beatrice, and Anzo, all awaiting the raid to
begin. The atmosphere was thick with nervous energy, each of them wondering what lay
beyond the gate.
Blitz turned to Axel, nudging him with her elbow. “So, who’s the new guy? I don’t recognize him,” she whispered, eyeing Anzo, who was standing off to the side, his arms crossed, studying them all with an aloof expression.
Anzo, overhearing her, smirked and leaned in. “I’m the guy who’s gonna outperform all of you. I heard their talent is some kind of flight-or-fight reaction. Works only when both of you are in danger-pretty much useless, right?”
Blitz’s face reddened with anger as she gritted her teeth, her fists clenched at her sides. Before she could yell, Alzuring, stepped forward with a menacing presence. “Watch your words,” Alzuring warned. “Do not speak ill of my lord’s team members.” His eyes locked with Anzo’s, a small but unmistakable threat in his gaze. “If you dare act out of line, I will personally punish you. Remember your place.”
The air grew still as Anzo, momentarily taken by suprise, met Alzuring’s stare. His smirk faltered for a second before he reluctantly nodded, an unspoken understanding passing
between them.
Alister, calm as ever, glanced at his team, his eyes settling on Anzo.
“Alzuring, go easy on him.” “Let’s focus on the raid.”