At this moment, in a corner of Bonn City.

A trembling man knelt on the ground, his voice shaking uncontrollably.

Before him stood a towering shadow.

"Seth," a cold voice cut through the darkness. "What troubles you? Is there truly something in this insignificant Bonn City that can frighten you witless?"

Hidden beneath a hooded black robe, his face remained unseen. Only ghostly crimson eyes glowed like embers, making Seth flinch and lower his gaze. The mocking tone in the voice sent another shiver down Seth’s spine.

"H-High Priest! Y-you don’t understand! I met someone terrifying!" Seth stammered.

"Oh? How terrifying?" The High Priest crossed his arms, one eyebrow lifting with faint interest.

"She... she’s monstrous! My men—annihilated within seconds! Even my Shadow Tentacles shattered under her assault!"

"Hmm." The High Priest stepped closer. A pitch-black arm shot out, grabbing Seth by the collar and lifting him effortlessly. Paralyzed by instinctive fear and the Priest’s overwhelming aura, Seth didn’t dare struggle.

The High Priest’s crimson eyes narrowed, locking onto Seth’s. A flash of blood-red light pierced Seth’s pupils. His body went limp, consciousness fading for a heartbeat.

"I see..." A glacial smile curled the High Priest’s lips. After skimming Seth’s fragmented, panic-clouded memories, he pieced together the events.

"Someone who effortlessly crushes Second Rank Extraordinary Beings... and toys with Third Rank opponents. It seems Bonn City harbors another formidable presence besides Hero Aileen." He tossed Seth aside like discarded trash.

Seth coughed violently, scrambling back to his feet as awareness returned. He knew this daze was a side effect of the Priest’s power.

"That little one may seem strong," the High Priest continued, "but her combat skills are crude. Reckless. She won’t be difficult to handle." He turned his crimson gaze on Seth. "Continue preparing the sacrifice. I’ll deal with Hero Aileen and this newcomer." He paused. "Our numbers dwindle. The city guard intensifies searches at Aileen’s urging, and casualties from that girl’s rampage have halved our ranks."

Seth’s eyes widened in realization. "I—I understand! You wish to recruit more followers! Leave it to me, High Priest!"

The High Priest gave a silent nod.

"But... Bonn City attracts many outlaws near the war-torn borders. What if the new recruits disobey? Or worse—spies from the Church or Adventurers Guild might infiltrate us!" Seth pressed urgently. "The sacrifice demands absolute loyalty..."

"Fear not. I have ways to ensure their obedience." The High Priest waved a dismissive hand. Seth visibly relaxed.

"Now go. I must resume the ritual array. The Adventurers Guild’s patrols have disrupted my work."

"Yes, sir! Immediately!"

---

In an alley beside the Adventurers Guild in Bonn City.

"Phew... Should be safe here..." Rayelle wiped sweat from her brow, her fluffy tail swaying as she pressed herself into shadowed cover. *Thank goodness Aerin didn’t force me to stay. That would’ve been disastrous.*

She pulled a map from her chest—bought with coins "liberated" from Chaos Cultists. *Ugh. They were dirt poor. After this map, I’ve barely any coins left for Chriss’s gift.* Sighing, she scanned the map until her eyes fixed on ruins outside Bonn City. *If I recall correctly, this is the Chaos Sect’s meeting place.*

Remote and prowled by vicious Extraordinary Beasts, few dared tread there. *They probably haven’t changed locations.* Still, she had to confirm. Crimson Moon Day was only a week away—every chance to locate the Sect mattered. Rayelle memorized the route ten times before stepping from the alley. *No more getting lost.*

Night fell like a veil. She tugged her hat lower. Darkness cloaked her as she darted through streets, her horns and tail unnoticed. Soon, the city gates vanished behind her.

Then she got lost in the forest.

Rayelle stared at the tangled, indistinguishable paths. *Why does nothing match the map?!* In the city, she could ask directions. Here, only man-eating beasts lurked. Yet strangely, all traces of them had vanished since she entered—silence hung thick.

*Wait... isn’t there an abandoned tower nearby?* If she could spot it from high ground and align it with distant Bonn City’s lights, she might reorient herself. Nodding firmly, she sprinted through the trees until a large earthen mound appeared.

She scrambled atop it. There—the black silhouette of the tower. And beyond it, Bonn City’s glow. Using them as landmarks, she pinpointed her location.

"Alright! Moving out!" As Rayelle prepared to leap down, a foreign presence materialized behind her. Every hair on her body stood on end.

"Who’s there?!" She whirled around, tail bristling, eyes locked on the shadowy figure in the woods.