[Xyrus Adventurer Guild – Lobby]
The name hit me like a brick.
Twin Horn.
A party of seasoned adventurers, known for their unity, effectiveness, and… familiarity. I remember reading about them. No, more than that—Arthur knew them. I had seen their faces flash across panels in the manhwa like background furniture to his journey, but even side characters leave footprints when you know the future.
And now? I'm going to work with them.
"Ghost?" Mary tilted her head, snapping me out of my thoughts. Her smile widened slightly, probably mistaking my momentary silence as nervousness.
Cute.
I gave a short nod. "Thanks."
Taking the mission scroll, I stepped away from the counter, ignoring the curious glances from a few nearby adventurers. Ghost still drew attention—less than before, thanks to my new, less-obvious attire—but people still whispered. A solo B-rank candidate who is climbing the ladder in just two months? That was bound to turn heads.
Heh...losers.
[ Outskirts of Xyrus, Morning]
The air was crisp, the sky cloudless as the sun cast a golden hue over the road. I stood just outside the north gate, where the Guild had arranged a rendezvous point. According to the brief, the mission was a reconnaissance sweep of a mutated mana beast sighting. Mid-tier threat. Expected resistance: moderate. Perfect for a first party mission.
I leaned against a tree, arms crossed, disguised in my new adventurer gear. Kevlar-lined morphing clothes, mithril underneath, nothing flashy. I heard the faint sound of gear and chatter approaching.
Then I saw them.
Reynolds Leywin led the group, a little broader and more serious than I remembered from the canon. He walked like a man trying to protect everyone at once. Beside him, Helen, cool-eyed and calculating, scanned the area like she was mentally mapping escape routes. Durden carried the largest weapon I'd seen outside a blacksmith's fever dream. Adam, already grinning like we were headed to a tavern, not a fight. Angela whispered something to Lensa, who chuckled softly.
Then they noticed me.
"You must be Ghost," Reynolds said, tone even, eyes sharp.
I nodded. "And you're the Twin Horn."
"Alright, let's introduce ourselves," he said, motioning the others forward.
Adam stepped up first, hand outstretched. "Name's Adam Krensh. Speed, spearmanship, and charisma." He winked. "Nice to meet you! Heard a lot. Like, a lot a lot. Guildmaster's been singin' your praises. Solo clear of twenty missions? You a one-man army or what?"
I shook his hand with a practiced, polite grip. "Just efficient."
Helen stepped in next, arms crossed. "Helen Shard. Scout,wind affinity, and second brain of the group when the boys forget to use theirs."
I met her gaze, neutral. "You are a half elf?."
"Is that a Problem." She asked.
"No."
She blinked. Then smirked. "Fair."
Angela gave a small nod, brushing a lock of golden hair behind her ear. "Angela Rose. I'm the support. Healing, barriers, anti-idiot spells."
Lensa grinned, stepping in beside her. "Lensa . Swordswoman. Mostly close range, sometimes sass." She pointed at my shoulder. "Cute snake, by the way."
I glanced at Jörmi, who flicked his tongue at her in reply. "He's a good listener."
Durden chuckled deeply, his voice like gravel. "Durden Walker. You break it, I smash it. As long as your snake doesn't eat my boots, we're good."
Finally, Reynolds stepped forward again, his voice calm but firm. "And I'm Reynolds Leywin. Leader, defender, and designated worrier of this band of fools."
He extended a hand.
I took it. Solid grip. Controlled.
"I'll be blunt," Reynolds said. "We've worked together for years. We know each other's rhythms. You're the variable here, Ghost. I don't care how good you are—what I want to know is, can you move with us?"
I didn't hesitate. "We'll find out."
Helen smiled faintly. "That's either confidence or recklessness."
"Why not both?"
Adam whooped. "Oh, I like this guy."
Reynolds exhaled slowly, then nodded. "Alright. Enough talk. We've got a mission. B-rank, maybe A depending on how things evolve. Eliminating the bandits near the Elshire Forest.We'll head out by noon. Ghost, you riding with us or meeting us there?"
"I'll come with."
Adam whistled. "Oooh, team bonding time."
Angela smirked. "Try not to fall asleep on Reynolds' shoulder."
---
The wagon wheels creaked as the forest blurred past.
I sat on the edge of the wagon, hood up, mask off—but a scarf in place to keep my lower face hidden. The Twin Horns were close by, walking or riding alongside.
Angela dropped into step beside me, passing a dried fruit.
"You always this quiet, mystery man?"
"Usually."
"That's boring."
"Safety isn't loud."
She laughed. "Maybe. But you're not just safe, are you?"
She was probing. Gently. I didn't answer. Just chewed the fruit.
Helen rode near the front, keeping eyes on the trees. She glanced back every so often.
"Your posture's too relaxed," she said after a while.
I looked at her. "Problem?"
"Only that people who carry themselves like you do usually don't end up in temporary teams."
"I'm just here to see how groups operate. It's research."
That earned me an actual snort.
"Sure. Research."
Adam came riding up beside me. "I give it two days before you save one of our butts. Place your bets, people."
"Can't believe the masked man isn't already tired of us," Lensa said. Her voice was dry, almost teasing now.
Reynolds finally spoke from the front. "Let him settle in. If he can pull his weight, that's what matters."
---
[Forest Camp, Mission Route — Nighttime]
The stars blinked softly above the tree canopy, faint light filtering through the dancing smoke of a small, flickering fire.
We'd made camp after a long trek. Mission hadn't started yet—this was the night before. The Twin Horns had insisted on traveling together, even though I offered to scout ahead alone. Reynolds had firmly denied it.
Apparently, teamwork wasn't optional.
So here I was, leaning against a tree stump just at the edge of the firelight, silent, arms crossed, mask still on. I could feel the warmth of the flame, hear the occasional crackle of burning wood, and the quiet laughter from the others settling in.
Jörmi lay loosely curled around my neck like a relaxed scarf, tongue occasionally flicking toward the fire.
"Alright," Adam declared, dropping down beside the flames and poking the fire with a stick. "New rule. We're stuck together for few days at least. That means no silent types allowed."
He pointed the stick at me like a weapon.
"Ghost, you're up. Say something."
I didn't move. Let the silence stretch. Then, calmly:
"…Something."
That earned a soft chuckle from Angela and an exasperated sigh from Helen.
"You walked right into that one," Lensa said, shaking her head.
Adam grinned, unbothered. "Fine, fine. But if you're gonna sulk in shadows the whole trip, at least tell us why you picked 'Ghost' as a name. Bit edgy, no?"
"Bit fitting," I said, voice low, even.
Reynolds, who was sharpening his blade by the firelight, paused briefly and looked up. "You've got the eyes of someone who knows too much."
I didn't answer.
Silence again. Even the fire crackled softer for a moment.
Angela, trying to lift the mood, leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "Alright, change of pace. Campfire tradition. Everyone shares something weird about themselves."
"Why?" I asked.
She smirked. "Because it's the easiest way to figure out who's secretly insane. Durden, you're up."
The large man blinked. Slowly. Then, deadpan:
"I name my axes."
There was a beat. Then Adam snorted. "Of course you do."
Durden raised an eyebrow. "And I whisper to them before a fight."
That broke the tension. Helen rolled her eyes. Lensa giggled. Even Reynolds let out a soft, amused grunt.
Angela leaned toward me, eyes gleaming. "Alright, Ghost. Your turn."
I sipped from my canteen, deliberately slow. "…I once convinced a noble I was a mute, just to avoid conversation."
Adam clapped. "That's exactly the level of petty I respect."
Helen shook her head, her tone skeptical but amused. "You're a walking red flag, you know that?"
"I'm aware," I said, tilting my head. "But I make a great warning sign."
Angela let out a full laugh, bright and genuine. "Okay, I'll give you that one."
Lensa smiled, studying me closely. "You're not from around Xyrus, are you?"
I didn't blink. "Around is relative."
"You don't use mana like that is taught in the academy."
"Maybe I got lost on the way to academy."
That earned a smirk from Helen. "So, self-taught?"
"Maybe."
"Or trained by someone."
"Possibly."
Angela narrowed her eyes. "You ever answer a question directly?"
I thought about it.
"No."
Another round of laughter. The tension dissolved further, melted into embers and comfort. Even Reynolds looked relaxed now.
He turned serious after a while. "All joking aside… you work well alone, Ghost. But out here, it's different. In a group, lives depend on trust. On knowing the person beside you won't hesitate."
I met his gaze, voice calm.
"I don't hesitate."
Reynolds nodded slowly, not entirely satisfied, but willing to leave it at that—for now.
The others started shifting into sleep positions. Helen took first watch.
I stood quietly and moved a bit farther from the fire, still within view but just outside the ring of warmth. I preferred the shadows.
Angela walked by on her way to her bedroll, pausing beside me.
"You're hard to figure out, Ghost."
"That's intentional."
She smiled, then added softly, "Just don't let your secrets get someone killed."
I didn't answer.
Didn't need to.
---
[Later that night]
As the others slept, I remained still keeping a watchful eye for anything suspicious.
Jörmi stirred lazily, coiling tighter around my neck.
Their camaraderie… it was strange. Warm. Familiar.
Dangerous.
But something about them—their bond, the way they welcomed even someone like me—chipped at the walls I'd built.
Just a little.
"Don't get soft," I whispered to myself.
But what's the point in becoming this strong and I can't even make friends. Fuck it, I will live freely not in the fear of losing my loved ones.
Tomorrow, the mission starts.
[Southern Elshire Forest — Morning]
The trees grew denser here. Fog clung low to the ground, twisting between roots like ghostly fingers. Even the birds were quiet. Too quiet.
"This feels wrong," Helen murmured, her bow half-raised.
"Tracks lead this way," Reynolds said, crouching beside a torn patch of dirt. "Fresh. Bandits or worse."
"Or both," Angela muttered, casting a small detection spell. "Mana signatures ahead. At least seven. Concealed."
Lensa readied herself hand on her sword's hilt. "Ambush?"
Durden pulled out both axes and gave them a loving pat. "Good. I was getting bored."
I didn't speak. Just shifted slightly, stepping behind a thicker tree trunk, my breathing steady. Jörmi slipped down from my shoulder and curled in the shadows. Waiting.
We weren't being hunted.
We were already surrounded.
---
[Moments Later]
"NOW!"
The shout came from the trees as arrows whistled from all sides. But we weren't rookies. Everyone scattered in practiced motions.
Durden and Adam barreled forward as a wall of steel and muscle.
Angela's staff thrummed with a barrier spelling as she blocked an arrow midair.
I moved left, quiet and fast, like smoke against stone. I didn't use vectos, not openly—too flashy. Instead, I moved with pure efficiency, ducking low and weaving through the brush. One of the bandits tried to flank Helen—
He didn't see the kunai I kicked into his throat.
He crumpled without a sound.
I slid behind another tree as Lensa fired off a trap that detonated with a flash of ice.
Helen loosed an arrow through the smoke, impaling a rogue mid-chant.
Two down. Five to go.
I glanced at Reynolds—he was in the thick of it now, dual blades flashing with practiced brutality. Adam followed with explosive strikes, pushing the line back.
But one figure hadn't moved—atop a distant boulder, cloaked in black, casting something heavy. His mana pulsed irregularly.
"Mage—back left," I said .
"On it!" Helen barked.
But the caster was already finishing the chant.
I didn't wait.
I sprinted.
Let's show off a bit.
Mid-dash, I activated a pull — not enough to reveal true vector control, but just enough to slide a loose branch toward me. I caught it mid-run, snapped the end off, and with a sharp motion, hurled it—
Thunk!
The makeshift spear jammed into the caster's throat.
He gargled, fell, spell dying in his mouth.
Four left.
Angela paused, eyes wide. "You just—threw that?"
"Improvised," I replied, already moving.
I joined Durden and Reynolds at the front as they clashed with the remaining three. One was a berserker, nearly Durden's size. The other two darted around them with daggers and magic bursts.
"Hold the big one," I told Reynolds.
"Thought you don't give orders," he grunted.
"I don't," I said. "Just don't die."
I vanished into the low mist, closing in on one of the mages. She cast a fireball, but I rolled under it, closed the gap, and—
CRACK!
Elbow to the neck. She dropped dead .
The final rogue tried to run, saw me coming, and panicked—throwing a volley of fire darts.
I let one graze my arm. Just enough to appear human.
Then I was in front of him.
He screamed.
I didn't let him finish.
All clear.
---
Reynolds walked up, panting, wiping blood off his blade. "You move… differently. That wasn't mana-enhanced speed."
I didn't respond.
Adam blinked. "And you took that fire dart like it was nothing."
I gave a faint shrug. "It hurt. Still alive."
Angela stepped closer, arms crossed. "You killed that caster with a stick."
Helen nodded slowly. "That wasn't luck."
Lensa's eyes narrowed. "Where did you even learn to fight like that?"
I looked around the battlefield—bodies cooling in the grass, fog drifting like spirits around us.
Then I said, simply:
"In the neighborhood."
They all looked at me, not convinced, but also… intrigued. Maybe a little wary.
---
As we walked away from the scene, Angela matched my pace.
"You're quiet. But not cold."
"Am I?"
"You didn't hesitate to kill. But you avoided lethal strikes when you didn't have to."
I didn't answer.
She smiled. "You're not heartless. Just ruthless."
Jörmi poked his head out from my collar, flicking his tongue toward her.
Angela laughed. "Even your pet has attitude. Is he your bond?"
"Yes." I replied.
"He is cute."
"Cute, you say."
I let a small smile slip.
The mission was done.
But the questions were just beginning.
[Xyrus]
As we were approaching the guild, the twin horn all turned to face me.
"What."I asked as Reynolds stepped forward.
"Ghost, would you like to join Twin Horn?" He asked sincerely.
"Why?"
"I mean, why not. You are strong and work well in a team, what more do you need." This time it was Angela who replied.
"And you have a cute bond." Lensa chimed in.
"So, what do you think?"
What should I do, do I join them or not. If I join them I will have allies in the future but I won't be able to go all out in the battles. Am I overthinking again, the question is do I even want to join them or remain a lone wolf?
"Sure, why not." I replied completing my inner introspection.
I did it, now future ghost has to face the consequences.
-----------------------------
CHAPTER END
A.N.
Too much talking, wouldn't you agree. I tried to form an unspoken bond between them.
What do you think. And I was thinking about a time skip, a big one like 3-4 years, should I give it or not.
Anyways, as you might know ' no chapter Tommorow'.
Thank You.