The warm amber glow of early morning filtered through the cracked windows of the temporary shelter. The air was quiet, filled only with the subtle hum of mana coursing through the atmosphere and the rhythmic sound of someone sharpening a blade.
Auther sat cross-legged near the fire pit, eyes closed, gently circulating mana through his core. The familiar process felt smoother now—less like forcing a river through a straw, and more like channeling a current that wanted to obey.
He was growing.
The recent mission had proven that.
The E4 beast had fallen, and though it had taken coordination, effort, and Veira tapping into something ancient within herself, they'd triumphed.
And now, things had changed.
He wasn't just a lone survivor anymore.
Behind him, soft footsteps padded across the wooden floor.
Veira approached with two tin cups of tea. She handed one to him wordlessly and sat beside him, her knees brushing his. She was quiet, but her aura was calmer—more centered. Her awakening had brought her closer to something she didn't yet understand. But it was clear she was ready to explore it.
Before either of them could speak, the door creaked open.
"Finally," came a light, teasing voice. "You two are always up before everyone else. Overachievers."
Auther turned toward the voice, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Elira."
The beastkin girl stepped in, her silver-tinted hair tied back into a short braid, and a long training staff resting over her shoulder. She looked healthier—more confident—than when he'd first found her.
Trailing just behind her was Lyra, her long silver-blonde hair tucked neatly behind her pointed ears, her expression calm as always. In her hands was a spellbook she had likely been reading even while walking.
"I was starting to think you two had gotten so used to solo missions, you forgot you had a team," Elira said with a grin, playfully nudging Veira.
Veira smirked slightly. "You were the ones doing intensive training. Didn't want to interrupt."
Lyra gave a graceful nod. "The Association gave us access to a private training chamber in the southern block. We've been using the last few days to… catch up."
Auther tilted his head. "You both disappeared right after the last dungeon. I figured you were recovering, but…"
Lyra glanced down, then met his eyes. "Truth is, we didn't feel strong enough. Veira was already standing beside you in battle. We didn't want to be burdens. So we trained. Hard."
Elira chimed in, a bit sheepishly. "We may not have super bloodlines or special systems, but we can still carry our weight. You took a chance on us, and we don't want to slow you down."
Auther looked between them—Elira's determined eyes, Lyra's calm resolve, and Veira's silent support.
"You're not burdens," he said simply. "We're a team now. If we're going to survive and thrive, we do it together."
Veira nodded in agreement. "He's right. I may be the closest to him right now, but you both have your place. No one's replaceable."
Lyra's lips curved upward. A rare, genuine smile.
"Then let's prove it."
---
Later That Day – Awakeners Association Branch Office
The Awakeners Association wasn't as grand in this sector—just a reinforced three-story building carved into the remnants of a pre-system tower—but inside, the tension in the air was palpable.
Teams came and went—some bloodied, others limping. Everyone sought strength. Everyone sought survival.
Auther and his team stood before a short, heavyset woman with cybernetic eyes and a clipboard in hand.
"You're the F-rank four-man team that cleared the unstable gate in Sector 12, right?" she asked without looking up.
"That's us," Auther replied.
She tapped a few keys on her terminal. "Good. We've got something that fits your profile. A fractured ruin outside the western perimeter. A gate formed there last week, but no boss has appeared yet. The readings suggest a timed collapse—three days max before the interior destabilizes."
"Danger level?" Veira asked.
"High-F to low-E. Expect unpredictable mana surges and mutated wild-type beasts."
Lyra stepped forward. "What's the mission?"
"Retrieve whatever lies at the core. There's rumored to be an ancient mana focus—a relic, perhaps. That's your target. Clear out hostiles, and extract anything that glows or hums ominously."
Elira leaned toward Auther, whispering, "That description's not ominous at all."
He smirked. "We'll take it."
"Good," the woman said. "Departure is tomorrow at first light. You're cleared for Association transport and gear requisition. Dismissed."
---
That Night – Outside the Training Quarters
Auther leaned against the stone wall, watching his team from a distance.
Elira was running drills with her staff, combining speed and agility in rapid bursts. Her bestial instincts gave her uncanny reflexes, but she was refining them—learning control.
Lyra sat beside a glowing crystal, eyes closed, her mana forming protective layers of light around her like ripples in still water. Her control over energy was growing elegant, almost beautiful.
Veira stood alone, blade drawn, watching them with quiet pride.
Auther walked over.
"I missed this," he said.
Veira raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"This. The feeling of being part of something. A unit. A team."
She looked at him. "You built this. Whether you know it or not."
He looked down at his palm, then clenched it into a fist. "I need to do more. Stronger enemies are coming. I can feel it."
"And we'll face them together," she said. "But… Auther?"
He turned to her.
She hesitated. "Thank you. For giving us a place. A purpose."
He didn't reply with words. Just a quiet nod.
---
Mission Ready Screen – Personal Log
> Team: Unranked (4 members)
Auther Finn – E4 – [Skill Creation]
Veira – F9 → E0 (Hidden Bloodline Awakening Ongoing)
Elira – F8 – [Enhanced Senses, Beastkin Physiology]
Lyra – F9 – [Mana Control, Barrier Artistry]
Mission Objective: Investigate and retrieve relic from Fractured Gate
Time Remaining Before Collapse: 2 Days, 18 Hours
Prepared Skills:
Mana Edge II
Kinetic Burst
Targeted Mana Spike
Combat Sync (Shared Passive – Team)
SP Available: 217
Auther stared at the mission log for a long time.
Four names now.
Not just his.
Let's see what we can do. Together.