At that very moment, in the next room over.

Aerin had no idea her pure white little sword spirit had secretly slipped next door to cuddle up with a certain adorably timid little chaos dragon.

“Still couldn’t squeeze any useful intel out of him…”

Aerin sat slumped at the table, sighing as she stared at the blood-smeared paper in her hand.

The cultist they’d captured earlier hadn’t known much. Even with the city lord’s assistance and Aerin’s own ruthless interrogation, they’d only extracted three scraps of information.

First: the Chaos Sect would hold a sacrifice on Crimson Moon Day—one week from now.

Aerin already knew this. It was mostly for the city lord’s men to tighten security.

Second: a “High Priest” was orchestrating everything.

Aerin didn’t recognize the title. She hadn’t encountered anyone by that name in her past life.

Could this be the mastermind behind it all?

Third: a certain “esteemed guest” would soon arrive.

No further details on this figure—the cultist likely knew nothing more.

Undoubtedly, this guest would assist in the sacrifice.

Aerin frowned at the notes on the paper.

The intel was neither useless nor truly helpful.

What she desperately needed was the location and specific ritual details—to sabotage the sacrifice and protect Chloe.

She’d scouted Chloe’s neighborhood these past few days but spotted no suspicious figures.

Time to infiltrate the Chaos Sect herself.

Disguise her face with illusion magic, slip inside, and extract the truth from within.

After the alley fight, those sewer rats would’ve burrowed deeper. Surface-level searching was pointless now.

But—

Aerin’s gaze fell on a charred black dragon scale resting at the table’s edge. She picked it up, frowning.

If Rigmore was involved, things would get messy.

That bastard had been a nightmare last life—curing her chronic low blood pressure through sheer stubbornness.

Her fingers traced the scale’s ridges, thoughts drifting to Rayelle.

That child’s strength… exceeded expectations.

The alley’s aftermath had been terrifying: a three-meter-wide hole smashed through the wall, cracked earth, scattered limb fragments.

Even against a Second Rank—or possibly Third Rank—opponent, Rayelle hadn’t been overwhelmed.

Aerin’s respect for her deepened.

Third Rank Extraordinary Beings neared humanity’s peak strength. From her two lifetimes’ knowledge, fewer than a hundred existed worldwide.

Yet Rayelle—a battle-inexperienced dragon hatchling—could hold her ground against them.

Dragon Kind’s innate combat instincts?

If I train her properly… she could be a valuable ally against Rigmore.

Aerin hesitated about recruiting Rayelle for the Chaos Sect mission.

The girl was sweet, gentle… Aerin genuinely liked her. She didn’t want her hurt—or lost.

But Rayelle’s strength meant she wouldn’t be a burden. Aerin could protect her while they worked together.

*I’ll ask her opinion.*

Aerin stood, pushing the door open—

“Hm?”

A tiny shadow froze mid-scuttle right outside.

Snowy hair, porcelain skin, soft whimpers… Aerin recognized her instantly.

“Rayelle? What are you doing?”

Aerin crouched down.

Rayelle jolted, trembling inwardly. *Worst luck ever—caught the moment I stepped out!*

She clenched her tiny fists, squeezing her plump, wriggling tail tightly between her legs. Head bowed, she avoided Aerin’s gaze, terrified her twitching tail or wings would betray her.

“Rayelle?”

“A-ah! Aerin… Aerin-nee…”

Rayelle stammered a reply, desperate to keep Aerin from leaning closer.

Trapped by her own tail, she couldn’t flee without risking her cloak flying open.

*Think of an excuse—now!*

Before Aerin could speak again, Rayelle blurted:

“I-I was going to… secretly visit Chriss! She’s so frail… I wanted to buy her something…”

“Oh?” Surprise flickered in Aerin’s eyes.

*This child wants to buy gifts for Chriss?*

*What a good kid.*

“But… do you have money?”

Aerin suspected she didn’t. She’d offer some—if Rayelle accepted.

Chriss was Chloe’s sister, after all. And she’d healed Rayelle. Aerin owed her kindness.

“No… b-but I’ll earn it! I’ll find work!”

Seizing Aerin’s pause, Rayelle inched backward, ready to bolt.

She sensed Aerin’s offer—but every second near her risked exposure. Her traitorous tail and wings squirmed like they had minds of their own.

“Earning it yourself?” Aerin’s voice softened with admiration.

*She refuses handouts… wants to work for it?*

*So thoughtful.*

“Well, Rayelle… there’s something I wanted to ask you.”

“Y-yes, Aerin-nee?” Rayelle blinked up, curious.

“I’ve been reviewing some Guild commissions. Would you like to join me? Good practice.”

Aerin avoided mentioning the Chaos Sect directly. Start small—ease her into the danger.

“Ah… I’d like to explore the city first. Maybe later?”

Rayelle gently declined. She couldn’t be tied to Aerin’s side—not when she needed to hunt the Chaos Sect alone.

“Alright.” Aerin respected her choice. No pressure.

“Be safe out there, Rayelle. Return soon.”

“Th-thank you, Aerin-nee!”

Rayelle waved, then bolted out of the Adventurers Guild like a startled rabbit.

In a blink, she vanished from sight.

“That child…”

Aerin murmured, pulling a map from her robes. Golden light enveloped her body—silver hair darkened to black, green eyes bled crimson, her features subtly reshaped.

Unrecognizable now.

She nodded, tracing a mark on the map—a Chaos Sect meeting place from her past life’s memories.

Time to move.