"You've caused quite the trouble, Nyx Vaelthorn."
An old man, seated behind a familiar desk, stared at Nyx—dead serious. Nyx recognized him from their last interaction and had assumed he was someone important in the guild… but he hadn't expected the same old man to be the Guildmaster of the Mercenary Guild.
Renald—the "War God of the North."
"I don't think saving my ass from that dog-bastard counts as causing trouble for you, old man," Nyx replied casually as he sank into the chair opposite.
"You've really turned into a mouthy brat, haven't you?" the Guildmaster said, a trace of amusement flickering through his otherwise stern voice.
Nyx locked eyes with him.
"Keeping a polite mouth never did anyone any good. Don't you think?"
Renald studied him closely, trying to read past the words—looking for the flicker of something hidden beneath Nyx's stare.
Then his tone shifted—he leaned forward, voice low and firm.
"The upper echelon is in uproar. They've witnessed a potential threat rising. They won't let you live in peace, now that you've made yourself known."
Nyx held his gaze, unflinching.
"I've heard a lot about you, Guildmaster Renald," Nyx said as he casually crossed his legs.
"The War God of the North, who held the entire northern front during the demonic beast invasion—just with the help of one man."
He paused. Watched Renald's expression shift.
"But when it came time to repay that favor, that same War God left the man hanging at death's door."
Nyx's eyes narrowed, his voice low and laced with venom.
"People call you the War God, Sir Renald. But you're nothing more than a f*cking coward who bends to the nobles' will—just another loyal dog wagging its tail."
He scoffed, like the entire situation was beneath him.
"They sent you to warn me? Go back and tell them I don't give a fuck what they do. But if they ever interfere in my matters—or with my people..."
He paused. The air turned heavy.
"I'll come for their heads. Every last one. Even the emperor."
Nyx turned without waiting for a reply and walked out, the tension hanging like a blade in the air.
Renald remained still, staring at the door long after it shut.
A flicker of something—pain, guilt, regret?—crossed his eyes.
And then, just as quickly, it was gone.
He walked through the guild halls like nothing had happened, but his pulse still thundered from the confrontation.
---
"Tch. That ruined the good mood I built," Nyx muttered as he casually stepped back into the inn where Ruby was still being treated.
Valon, noticing the stormy look on his face, raised an eyebrow and smirked.
"You look like you just stepped in dog shit. Everything good?"
"Yeah. That was some pretty massive shit," Nyx replied, playing along as he dropped into a chair.
"So, what are your plans now?" Samantha asked, leaning against the table.
"As always—gotta earn some bucks. Why? Interested?"
"Once Ruby's healed, we'll be heading back out too. Can't hunt on an empty plate, right?" Valon added, arms crossed.
"That's mercenaries for you."
There was a brief pause before Nyx spoke again.
"Wanna form a team?"
Valon and Samantha both turned to look at him—surprised. Not by the idea, but by how casually he threw it out there.
"I think we can manage some pretty solid hunts… you know, if we ignore the part where we suck at cooperative attacks."
He glanced between them, this time a bit more serious.
"What do you say?"
Samantha exchanged a quick glance with Valon before nodding.
"Sounds like a good plan. And honestly, I think Ruby and Valon could benefit from having you around."
Valon rolled his eyes but didn't argue. A nod sealed it.
Nyx just gave a calm nod in return—but inside, his thoughts were running wild.
'Thank god they accepted. No way in hell I'm stepping into that cursed forest alone again… just to end up as dog food for actual dogs.'
System:
-_-
'Oii sys, what's the price for the potion you gave.'
[1000 SP ]
"... You ripped me off, didn't you?" Nyx complained.
[You think a healing potion, capable of healing you within seconds, costs a penny?]
"Makes sense. Buy me one." Nyx couldn't deny as he bought another one and threw it towards Samantha.
He got up from his chair and started to leave, leaving Samantha and Valon in confusion about the bottle he threw.
"Think of it as compensation for bringing you guys with me today. Heal her with it and meet me at the gates, same time, same place."
---
'Now how the hell do I get out of this situation?' Nyx thought, staring at the two figures currently drilling holes into his soul.
Rhea, like a dutiful wife catching her husband mid-affair, locked eyes with Nyx—stone-faced, arms crossed, judgment radiating off her like solar flares.
"What happened?"
"W-Well, you see... I was just walking down the market when... uh, a fire started in an inn, and... yeah, my clothes got burned a little. That happened."
Even Nyx didn't believe himself.
Rhea didn't blink. "What about the blood?"
"Uh-hhh... this isn't blood. Just spicy soup. Fell on me. Totally normal... hot... soup. Nothing else."
…
"Do you even believe yourself right now, young master?"
Karl broke the silence, stepping forward and sitting beside him with the kind of exhausted expression that said, I've cleaned up your messes since you were in diapers, don't test me.
"Okay, fine. I went monster hunting in the forest. I got these holes and burns there." Nyx sighed in defeat, seeing the unwavering persistence of the duo.
Karl sighed, looking at the young man in front of him.
"We won't interfere with your matters, young master. But please—be safe."
He got up from his seat and left for his study.
'That's all? Huh? Then why the hell was he staring at me like I destroyed an entire nation?'
Rhea, who was still watching Nyx closely, walked over and sat beside him, clearly unconvinced by his flimsy excuse.
"You angry?" Nyx asked, seeing the concern etched into her face.
"No, just..." Rhea began, but suddenly a warm hand wrapped around hers.
"Want to go watch the sunset with me?" Nyx asked, locking eyes with her.
"...Okay." She answered almost instinctively, though her thoughts were still lingering on Nyx's increasingly reckless behavior.
---
They reached the rooftop of the manor, where Nyx sat down on the slope, patting the spot beside him. Rhea quietly joined him, and they both gazed out at the golden horizon.
Nyx was about to admire the view when Rhea broke the silence.
"You've changed, youn—Nyx. Sometimes it feels like you're not even the same person I used to know. Like you're a completely different person."
She sighed softly, resting her head on his shoulder.
"But that change... it was good. Because you started to... be more yourself."
After a moment's pause, she added, "And that change scares me the most. It's like you're leaving your past behind and moving forward so fast… we can't catch up to you."
She looked up at him.
"Are we a burden to you, Nyx?"
Nyx was silent. He couldn't think of an answer right away. Ever since he'd transmigrated into this world, meaningful relationships had been rare. But the few he did have—were priceless.
After a long pause, Nyx turned toward the horizon where the sun was melting into the sky.
"I have changed... because I want to change, Rhea. I want to leave the past behind and move forward without regrets. But that doesn't mean I want to leave behind the only people I care about."
"You and Karl... you're the only people I have that I can call family. I know I've changed—and yeah, I'm probably going to change a lot more. But that doesn't mean you'll ever be a burden to me."
Nyx turned to face her fully.
"There are going to be a lot of changes in my life soon. And honestly? I don't think I'll be able to handle most of it alone. So..." He looked out at the setting sun again.
"Let's forget the past—just like that sunset—and start anew, shall we?"
He stretched his hand toward her, gently taking Rhea's delicate fingers in his own and giving them a soft squeeze.
"Yeah..." she whispered, as tears began to fall. She hugged him tightly, not letting go.
"And yeah... just call me Nyx. I'm not used to the 'young master' part," Nyx said with a teasing grin, trying to lift the mood a little.
"I've been calling you that for almost my entire life," Rhea pouted.
"Just call me Nyx. Just like back then?"
Rhea stared into his eyes for a moment—then slowly nodded, a soft smile forming on her lips.
"Okay."
---
They both returned to the living room, where Karl sat with a tense expression. A letter lay before him, sealed with the insignia of the city lord.
Nyx spotted the letter—and his mood instantly soured.
"What's that, Karl?" he asked, stepping forward to stand beside him.
With a grim look, Karl unfolded the letter—or rather, the notice—and began to read aloud, his tone darkening with each word.
"Lord Belford, the new city lord assigned here by the kingdom, has issued a notice: either surrender the manor and all its belongings within thirty days, or pay one hundred thousand gold coins within the same time frame."
His voice trembled with restrained rage by the end.
"So they're basically telling us to give up everything... and kneel at their mercy?" Nyx said, voice calm but sharp, already calculating his next move.
I've got a line too, you arrogant bastards. And once you cross it, I won't hold back. I'll show you exactly how I survived alone, day after day, back on Earth...
A flash of killing intent flickered in Nyx's eyes as he stared down at the letter in his hands.
"If they want a fucking game..." he muttered coldly, "...I'll show them the game of life."
A.N. Sorry, for only one chapter today.