The members of Cloud Peak Guild were stunned. Dark Mages!!! Those guys don’t care if they cripple you in battle. They only think: can this spell kill you?

To Cloud Peak Guild members, Dark Mages were utterly evil—black-hearted and ruthless inside and out.

“Hey hey hey, Guild Master, don’t tell me we accepted this commission, huh?”

“You idiot, didn’t you see the Guild Master’s special seal stamped at the bottom?”

The guild members looked closely. Sure enough, Alan’s bright red magical seal marked the commission slip.

“Guild Master, are you trying to reach the heavens? Taking this mission without knowing the Dark Mage’s rank—are you stupid?”

A nearly two-meter-tall man approached Alan, staring at him like he was a fool.

He knew Alan was an S Rank Mage. But how could a rookie like Alan stand against a Dark Mage?

What were Dark Mages? They lived under constant pursuit by legitimate mages and the Light Cathedral. Growing up like that, their combat experience was terrifying.

If the Dark Mage infiltrating Newdali City was one of them, Alan—a gifted mage—might get killed.

High magic rank meant nothing without experience.

“Eli Gao, this commission isn’t just ours. The Forest Elf and Dragon Guilds have it too. I won’t go solo on capturing the Dark Mage. But you all should be careful these days.”

Alan knew Eli Gao worried about him. He didn’t take the “idiot” comment to heart.

Eli Gao was that tall man. He had long limbs and a long face. With such looks, he should’ve been a swordsman. Yet he was a genuine mage.

“Haina, a glass of rum.”

Eli Gao sat beside Alan. He wouldn’t push the Dark Mage topic. Alan had decided. All Eli Gao could do was hope Alan died with dignity—not blown to bits by dark magic.

After all, Alan was their guild master. Dying well suited his status.

A glass of rum appeared before Eli Gao. He took it, sipped lightly, and looked at Haina. “Haina, I think it’s time to discuss the next guild master.”

Alan was speechless beside him. He wasn’t dead yet! How little did Eli Gao think of him? Alan was an S Rank Mage and a Level 3 Swordsman. Even against a Dark Mage, he shouldn’t lose his life.

Haina shot Eli Gao a glare. Alan was her chosen man. Without her permission, just let him try to die!

“Alright, I forgot. You’ve raised Alan as your man since childhood, you—”

Whoosh!

Eli Gao flew in a parabolic arc from the bar to the guild hall—punched by Haina.

“Tsk tsk tsk, Brother Eli Gao, we admire your talent for courting death. Flirting with Sister Haina? A punch is light punishment.”

Guild members in the hall saw Eli Gao crash down. They all grinned at him.

“Alan! This is the guild your grandfather and father ran for two generations. Look what they’ve turned the members into!”

Haina retracted her fist, biting her red lip. Flustered because Eli Gao spoke truth. Angry because Alan’s grandfather and father corrupted the guild’s spirit.

Alan lifted an eyelid. “A man who scams his own grandson and son—you expect him to be virtuous?”

Haina fell silent. Yeah, that made sense. You couldn’t expect much from such a person.

...

While Alan complained about his grandfather and father, on the street outside Cloud Peak Guild, a small figure cloaked in black robes pulled out a parchment. She checked it, glanced at the guild sign, and walked toward the door.

Creak.

The guild door opened. At first, everyone thought a member had returned. Until a clear, timid voice spoke: “Um... is this... the Cloud Peak... Guild?”

A petite girl appeared, her face hidden under the black hood.

“Hello, this is Cloud Peak Guild. Little sister, are you here to post a commission or join us?”

Haina left the bar, approached the hooded girl, and smiled warmly. “Um... I’m... I’m here to find my fiancé. His name is Alan. Grandpa said he’s the guild master.”

Thud!

As the words fell, Alan accidentally fell off his stool at the bar.

The Cloud Peak Guild buddies were all stunned.

Fiancé? Alan?

Haina’s confusion vanished instantly. She turned, glaring fiercely at Alan. “Alaaaaan!”

In that moment, Haina transformed from a smiling angel to a demoness. A chilling aura radiated from her.

Guild members quietly slipped aside. They couldn’t afford to anger demon-Haina.

Alan scrambled up, scared. “Haina, calm down. I know nothing about a fiancé. We grew up together—you know every mole on my body. Trust me.”

“Then what about this girl’s fiancé?” Haina sneered. Her blue hair fluttered without wind. She’d see how Alan explained this!

Alan was baffled. When did he get a fiancée?!

Under Haina’s blade-like gaze, Alan cautiously approached the hooded girl. “Little sister, I’m the guild master here. But I’m definitely not your fiancé. I’ve never—”

“Are you Alan?” The hooded girl interrupted, looking up.

Alan nodded. Then he saw a pair of light pink eyes.