Chapter 5: "The Seventh Shadow"
Night fell over Virelia, painting the skies with starlight as Division 10 gathered at the village's only inn, a cozy wooden building with warm lamps lighting the entrance. Inside, the scent of stew lingered in the air, but no one was eating. Everyone stood at attention.
The door creaked open.
Captain Elara stepped in—her presence sharp like steel in the room—and beside her was a short, hunched elder with a long silver beard and kind but troubled eyes.
> "This is Elder Harven, the Chief of Virelia," Elara announced.
All of Division 10 bowed respectfully.
The captain nodded. "Enter. There's something you all need to hear."
Everyone followed quietly into the main hall of the inn, now arranged for a war meeting. A few recruits were missing.
Elara scanned the room.
> "Ursa. Where's the other half?"
Vice-Captain Ursa stepped forward and saluted. "They were patrolling the southern trail. They'll be here soon."
Elara didn't look pleased. "We'll wait."
Just then, the door burst open. Synoh, Yoshi, and the rest of the remaining patrol team entered, slightly out of breath but unharmed.
Elara gave them a sharp look. "About time."
She nodded to Elder Harven.
> "You may speak now, Elder."
Harven sat slowly, eyes sweeping across the young faces before him. His voice was soft but carried weight.
> "Several weeks ago, a man in a dark cloak began appearing in our village. He brought strange gems… pulsing, glowing stones that didn't come from any mine around here."
Everyone listened quietly.
> "After his visits, natural disasters began. Quakes. Rockslides. Strange pulses from the forest. And now… the rumors are true. A new dungeon is forming near the Moonveil Falls."
Murmurs spread across the room.
One bold recruit raised his hand. "Then why didn't Captain Elara tell us? Shouldn't the Chief have been here earlier—"
He trailed off as Elara turned her head toward him slowly, smiling—but not in a comforting way.
> "Are you questioning your commanding officer?"
The recruit stiffened so hard it looked like he might faint. "N-No, Captain…"
Before the tension exploded, Elder Harven raised a hand gently.
> "Please, Captain. He meant no harm. In truth… I came to you now because I believe my life is in danger."
That stunned the room.
> "I've noticed… eyes watching me. Shadows at night. I don't know who sent them, but I'm certain—someone's trying to silence me. That's why I've requested protection. If you'll allow it…"
Captain Elara crossed her arms, her face unreadable. Then, she nodded once.
> "You'll have a bodyguard rotation starting tomorrow."
Then Ursa brought forward a parchment and placed it on the table.
> "We also gathered intel, Captain. The strange adventurers we met earlier—Leon's group. They're known under one name in the underworld: The Seven Deadly Sins."
This silenced the room.
Even Synoh's eyes narrowed.
One of the new recruits whispered, "But… there's only six of them. Why call themselves seven?"
> "Because," Synoh said calmly.
> "There is one more," Elara added at the same time.
Their voices overlapped perfectly. Everyone turned to look at them.
For a moment, their eyes met. Calm. Calculating.
Ursa's brow furrowed, suddenly flaring with irritation.
> "Tch. You're not that close with the Captain to talk in rhythm."
She glared at Synoh while the others laughed nervously.
Then, Elara waved her hand, shutting everyone up.
> "Their known members are:
Leon – Pride. The leader. Arrogant and unshakable.
Kaela – Envy. Cold and calculating.
Bob – Gluttony. A large man with terrifying strength.
Maria – Lust. Beautiful, seductive, and extremely deadly.
Shaw – Wrath. Always quiet, but when provoked… destructive.
Las – Greed. Obsessed with wealth, always hoarding gold.
The seventh… Sloth… remains a mystery. No sightings. No records."
The room went still.
Elder Harven looked more shaken now than before.
> "If these people are tied to the dungeon's appearance… then I fear Virelia is already in danger."
Captain Elara slammed her fist on the table.
> "Then it's simple. We stop it before it begins."