Bima stood near the guild door, his dark red armor reflecting the guild lights, his body as large as ever, and his mana aura stable. Level 14, stronger than before, but still not enough. 

The once-bustling guild hall slowly grew quiet, not completely silent, but the kind of silence that occurs when people sense potential drama. Adventurer romance, universal constants, I still held the quest sheet in my hand, staring at Bima expressionlessly.

“Okay,” I said casually.

“If this isn't someone who really wants to see me dead.”

Some people around started to really pay attention. 

Oh yeah, I've got an audience. Bima clenched his jaw, clearly displeased with my tone. Good, the emotional damage was free.

“I want to talk,” he said.

In a low but tense tone, I glanced around.

“With everyone watching?”

I smiled faintly.

“You're brave too.”

Bima was holding back his emotions, or trying to, I could tell by the way his hands were clenched. Predator Sense was almost humming, there was no immediate killing intent, a little disappointing, but good. I saved the quest to temporary storage.

“Okay,” I said.

“Say it.”

Bima took a few steps closer, keeping a safe distance. He was quite clever, looking me straight in the eye.

"What do you want?"

I blinked.

“Oh?”

An interesting opening, not an apology not a threat but a negotiation.

“I just came back from hell surviving,” I replied.

“For now? Maybe sleep well.”

Some adventurers chuckled, Bima looked even more annoyed.

“I'm serious,” he said.

“Me too,” I replied.

He took a deep breath trying hard not to hit me, understandably.

"Listen." His voice was lower.

“The decision at that time was taken for the safety of the group.”

Justification package, I tilted my head.

"Group?"

“Yes.”

“Interesting.”

I took one step forward.

“Because from my perspective all I saw was one group throwing someone to their death.”

The guild hall grew quieter, no one pretending to listen now, a premium spectacle. Bima glared at me.

“You don't understand the situation.”

I laughed a little, not funny just disbelief.

“Oh I understand very clearly.”

I tapped my own chest.

“The part where I was almost killed was quite helpful in understanding.”

Bima's jaw clenched, clearly wanting to retaliate, but he held back, still aware of his location. Good, at least there was some brain development.

"I didn't come to argue about the past," he said finally.

Oho more interesting.

"So?"

Bima glanced around then said softly,

“You are being watched.”

I fell silent a little unexpectedly.

“The White House knows you're back,” he continued.

“They've been asking about you.”

Ah, there it is, the organizational problems continue. Of course, I crossed my arms.

“And why are you telling me?”

Bima was silent for a few seconds as if considering his answer. Then:

“Because if they consider you a threat, they won't just hunt you down.”

He looked at me seriously.

“They will drag us down too.”

Oh, now we're getting to honesty, it's okay to defend yourself. Consistent character writing, I smiled faintly.

“So you're afraid of the consequences.”

“Yes.” Quick answer.

Honestly, brutally, I actually respect that even more. Bima continued,

“If you intend to do something crazy, don't involve us.”

I almost laughed.

“Funny,” I said.

“After everything that happened, you still think I work based on your briefing?”

Some of the audience held back smiles, Bima looked increasingly annoyed but remained focused.

“You don't understand how big this problem is,” he said.

"Your class is not an ordinary class."

No kidding but what an amazing discovery.

“I know,” I replied.

“Quite conscious after almost dying so many times.”

Bima sighed in frustration.

“Listen.”

He lowered his voice.

“If the White Council really makes a move, even your current level isn’t enough.”

I stared at him, that sentence was probably true and that was what made me more interested.

“So,” I said.

“What do you suggest?”

Bima stared at me for a few seconds then said something I didn't expect.

“Join our group again.”

…

I blinked once, twice. Had I heard wrong? Some of the guild members also looked shocked, which was understandable. I stared at Bima as if he'd just proposed the most absurd idea of ​​the century.

“Sorry,” I said.

“I want to make sure.”

“You just suggested I go back to the group that tried to kill me?”

Bima looks annoyed.

“The conditions are different now.”

I laughed this time, really laughed quite hard until I couldn't hold it in. Guild hall was so awkward, it was very useful.

“Bima,” I said after I had calmed down enough.

“I like your confidence.”

"Truly."

I stepped closer, our gazes level, but our auras were completely different now. I used to be afraid of him. Now? Not anymore.

“Listen carefully,” I said softly.

My tone was cold.

“I'm not interested in joining.”

“Not interested in working together.”

“And even more so…”

I smiled a little.

“Not interested in pretending everything is okay.”

Bima's expression hardened with hope, I patted his shoulder lightly as I passed him in a friendly but emotionally hostile gesture.

“If the White Council comes,” I said without looking up.

“Take care of yourself.”

I walked towards the guild exit but before I left I stopped for a moment and turned my head slightly.

"Oh yes."

Bima looked at me. The investigation quest was still in my hand, I lifted it slightly.

“Thanks for reminding me,” I said casually.

“I do have a lot more important problems than you guys.”

Critical attack, I exited the guild, the night air feeling a little cooler and fresher. The conversation gave me two important pieces of information. 

First: The White Council is indeed targeting me, that's natural. 

Second: even Bima is scared enough to try a very unexpected but interesting alliance.

I looked at the investigation quest again.

Anomalous root phenomenon.

Northern ruins? Very suspicious. It's likely gruesome, which means it might be useful. I tucked the quest into my pocket with a faint smile.

"Okay."

“Tomorrow we start a new problem.”

Because if my class is related to something bigger I need answers and my feeling is that this quest is not a coincidence at all.

[END CHAPTER 22]

Morning came too quickly or maybe I was just chronically sleep deprived after leaving the guild last night, I rented a cheap room at an inn near the adventurer's district. 

Cheap in a way: the bed is hard enough to be considered an interrogation device but at least it has a roof and no monsters, a massive improvement. 

I stood in front of the small mirror in the room checking the condition of the scars starting to fade, mana recovered about seventy percent and the body felt much better thanks to the savage vitality. 

Honestly the passive ability is problematic, I wore a simple dark robe I bought this morning it was more practical and also helped a bit to hide the fact that my sword looked like a villain protagonist artifact.

I went downstairs to a fairly crowded inn, where I had a breakfast of hard bread and a thin soup made by champions. After eating, I headed straight for the city's north gate. 

The city of Lumeria in the morning is much livelier, merchants start opening their shops, carriages pass by, knights patrol, adventurers set off on quests. 

The fantasy city atmosphere was completely felt, and I enjoyed it for about three minutes. Until a familiar voice rang out.

“Cancer.”

I stopped and turned around—of course, it was Mira, because it seemed the universe wasn't done testing my patience yet. She walked over, wearing white armor and a healer's robe, neater than yesterday, but still looking like someone harboring too much unresolved guilt. I stared at her.

"What is it?"

Let's get straight to the point, Mira looked a little nervous but still went ahead.

“I heard you took the northern investigation quest.”

News spread fast or maybe the gossip within the guild was just unstoppable.

“And?” I asked.

“I’m coming,” he said.

…

Not at all, I immediately shook my head.

"No."

Mira blinked.

“Why?”

I stared at him blankly.

“List the reasons why you want the short or premium version?”

Some of the guards near the gate held back a sideways comedic smile, Mira sighed.

"I'm serious."

“Me too,” I replied.

He looked at me sternly.

“The quest is dangerous.”

“That's usually the reason I leave,” I said.

Unhelpful yet accurate, Mira stepped closer.

“The root of the anomaly is likely related to your class.”

Oho, interesting card he continued talking.

“The White House is also investigating the area.”

Now that's more interesting, I squinted.

“How do you know?”

Mira answered quickly.

“Our group received instructions.”

While it's true that the protagonist's party connections are incredibly useful, I briefly thought bringing Mira along sounded like a terrible idea. It was terrible, but inside information could potentially be very useful. Annoying compromise, I sighed.

"Good."

Mira looked a little relieved too quickly that was a mistake, I raised a finger.

“With conditions.”

He nodded quickly.

"Whatever."

A dangerous phrase.

“First, you come along as a temporary supporter.”

“Not a partner.”

Her expression changed slightly as expected.

“There is no authority.”

“No drama.”

“And if things get worse, I won't save you.”

Half-truth perhaps, Mira was silent for a few seconds then nodded.

"Agree."

Interesting, he was so eager to join in for some suspicious motives, I stared at him for a few seconds Predator Sense detected no hostility no hidden attacking intent, fine then.

“For now,” I said.

We left town heading north for about two hours, the main road slowly turning into a rocky dirt track, the trees getting thicker, the air getting colder, the atmosphere was too quiet, a classic atmosphere of danger. 

Mira walked a few steps behind me, keeping a professional distance. It was nice, a little more awkward, but after a long moment of silence, she finally spoke.

“Why did you still let me come along?”

I didn't look back.

“Because of the information.”

Mira's refreshing honesty fell silent, fair enough. I added,

“And healers are useful.”

A little rough he sounded almost chuckling, almost, maybe character development after some time, 

We arrived at the northern ruins a vast area full of the remains of old stone buildings, collapsed pillars, broken statues, black roots growing everywhere. 

The mana aura felt strangely familiar, I stopped Minor Mana Sense automatically activated my heart beat a little faster, the World Thorn sword reacted the green veins on its blade glowed faintly. Interesting, very interesting Mira noticed.

“It reacted?”

I nodded slowly.

“Yes.”

And I don't like what it means.

A notification appears.

Area discovered:

Forgotten Shrine Ruins

Special condition:

Fragment resonance detected

I froze. Fragment resources? Okay, there you go, no further ado, I smiled a little.

“Yep.”

“We are definitely in the right place.”

We stepped deeper into the black roots that filled the floor like giant veins, each step felt like entering territory that shouldn't be touched. 

Predator Sense started to activate there was danger very close but didn't move just watched, I gripped the sword tighter.

“Mira.”

“Ready to heal?”

He nodded his staff glowing faintly. 

Good we went down the cracked stone stairs to the underground area a large open room in front of it was dark, an ancient altar circle in the center and someone was already standing there. 

Long white robes, blonde hair, small wings of light floating behind her, I froze. Oh come on, it's not her again. 

Seraphiel slowly turned her golden eyes to meet mine, her expression remaining blank as if we had just happened to meet at the supermarket.

"Ah." he said calmly.

“Faster than predicted.”

I looked at him and took a deep breath.

“Why did I even pretend to hope that today would be normal?”

Mira, behind me, froze completely, an aura of fear immediately surged, but it was understandable. Seraphiel raised one hand, and a golden magic circle reappeared, not the original one.

“Hand over the fragment,” he said.

I raised my sword with a faint smile appearing.

"Good."

“Second round, then.”

[END CHAPTER 23]

I looked at Seraphiel seriously. Doesn't this man have any other hobbies? No meetings? No heavenly documents? No holidays? Apparently not. 

Seraphiel stood before the ancient altar, her expression as impassive as ever, her white robes moving gently in the chilly breeze of the ruins. Her oppressive aura filled the entire room, overwhelming, but unlike before, this time I didn't immediately feel despair. 

Still scared? Sure, I didn't want to kill myself, but I was also much stronger now, and more importantly, I wasn't alone. Mira technically stood behind me, her staff raised, and a healing aura began to flow. Good, a useful healer had been acquired. Seraphiel glanced at Mira briefly but disinterestedly, rude but understandable, her focus returning to me.

“Last time you got away by luck,” he said.

I spun the sword in my hand.

“And a little illegal explosion.”

Correction is important Seraphiel ignored my sarcasm as expected, it felt bland as she stepped down from the altar.

"Stop fighting." he said.

“That fragment was not supposed to be inherited by humans.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Then the god who gave it to me must have a bad sense of humor.”

For a split second, I saw a small change in Seraphiel's eyes, a reaction. Interesting, even a small reaction, she knew something. Good, I caught that.

“So it’s true,” I said quietly.

"My class is not a coincidence."

Seraphiel didn't answer, the silence was also an answer Mira whispered from behind.

“Cancer…”

“Yes?”

“I really don't like this situation.”

“Trust me, me too.”

Building bonds through shared dangers. 

Seraphiel raised her sword of light, golden mana filled the room, a mental warning sounded of danger, I immediately activated Root Domain. 

The roots all over the room moved around me in a defensive formation, Seraphiel attacked quickly, so fast I almost saw the afterimage.

CLANG!

Our swords collided, the impact hitting my arm, but this time I held on and didn't fly away. Good, I grinned slightly as Seraphiel noticed.

“You are growing.”

"Thank You."

“Intensive training trauma is very effective.”

I pushed back the flowing mana, Corrupted Burst activated, a greenish-black aura exploded from my sword, Seraphiel took a half step back. Another attack, I attacked in a barrage.

Slash.

Seraphiel's diagonal thrusts block everything so efficiently, it's really annoying.

CLANG. CLANG. CLANG.

Still having ridiculous skills, but this time at least I could keep up with the pace for the most part. Mira raised her staff, a white magic circle appearing, and a magic buff appeared. Oh? Interesting, a light enveloped my body.

A small notification appears.

Buff received:

Holy Reinforcement

Strength +

Agility +

Mana recovery +

Oh, this is great, this is great! I immediately felt lighter, my movements quicker, my reactions sharper. I glanced at Mira.

“Now you are useful.”

“Focus!”

I shot forward my speed increased drastically, Seraphiel blocked but her expression changed slightly finally the minor inconvenience had been resolved. 

I utilized the Root Snare opener, roots emerged from under the altar wrapping around one of Seraphiel's legs for just a split second but it was enough, I slashed horizontally.

SHRAK!

My sword hit the side of his shoulder armor, a scratch appeared and a thin layer of blood appeared, I froze for a moment. Did I just... 

Yes, I can, I managed to injure the Executor of minor but highly emotional damage. Seraphiel looked at the small wound on his shoulder, her golden gaze returning to me this time different, sharper, a little more serious. Good, Promotion unlocked: taken seriously by divine matters.

“Impressive,” he said dryly.

I smile.

"Thank You."

Then his expression turned cold. Oh no, this second round was really bad, the wings of light behind him opened fully and a golden aura exploded out.

BOOM.

I was pushed back a few steps, the pressure increased many times over, the room shook, cracks appeared on the altar floor.

A notification appears.

Warning.

High-output mode detected.

Of course the second round with the Boss. 

Seraphiel raised her hand dozens of light swords appeared floating in the air, I looked up.

“No.” Not at all. 

He swung his hand all the swords shot towards me, I activated Root Domain to the maximum the roots formed a wall.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The roots exploded one by one, I blocked several attacks but one sword pierced my shoulder.

“GHK!” It hurt, it was sharp and it was very harsh. 

I drew the lightsaber and stepped back, blood gushing out. Mira immediately cast a white light healing spell, enveloping the wound, reducing the pain. Seraphiel glanced at us, frowning slightly.

"Work together," he said.

As if the concept was foreign to him, I smiled faintly.

“Yes.”

“A friend who doesn't try to kill me is quite helpful.”

Verbal critical damage had no visible reaction which was disappointing but that was when the World Thorn Sword in my hand started to vibrate more strongly than before. 

The blade glowed a bright dark green as if reacting to the altar, I looked over at the altar behind Seraphiel as it also lit up ancient symbols appeared.

A new notification appears.

Fragment synchronization available.

Secondary fragment detected.

My eyes widened. Wait, a second fragment? On the altar? Wow, wow, wow. 

The stolen goods were visible, I looked at Seraphiel then at the altar then back to Seraphiel, now it all made sense she wasn't just hunting me, she was also guarding the fragment. Interesting, very interesting my smile widened.

“Now I understand.”

Seraphiel narrowed her eyes.

“You are not the main star,” I said.

“You're just getting in my way.”

The aura in the room felt frozen, Mira behind me looked worried or more precisely concerned, because my smile now was probably psychologically unhealthy. 

I gripped my sword tighter as the mana swirled wildly, Root Domain fully activated, and the roots throughout the ruins began to move. A second round? No, this had just turned into a robbery.

[END CHAPTER 24]