Fifteen minutes later, Rin stepped out into the hall, wiping a faint smear of blood from his knuckles. Kyran had limped away, bruised, bloodied, but smiling.
Convincing.
Rin dismissed the guards, finally alone.
He sat at the edge of the bed, staring at the wall.
Everyone of power have to serve 3 years in the borders then they can choose either to stay or they can have a position in one of the cities under the Eastern royal family.
Rin wanted to leave for two reasons, because his uncle is suspicious of him and this place is too dangerous,one mistake and he is dead.
If he just leaves, he would look even more suspicious so he needs to stay low, only mess with low levels and wait for the three tears to end,he sighed there is nothing he can do right now.
Time moves fast,two and a half years have passed.
The preparations were complete. Weapons sharpened, armor checked, and formations established. Rin stood at the edge of the gate, his expression unreadable. Around him, his men,loyal, hardened through years of brutality and reward,stood in tense silence. This was the final raid before he would be free of the guild's three-year obligation. Just one more expedition, and he could choose his future.
He had built everything carefully,his influence, his strength, his persona. The "stick and bone" method worked. Loyalty was rewarded; disobedience was punished, harshly. Now, at 29% purity, Rin could manifest energy thanks to his rare armor, though his reserves still couldn't match those at 30% and above. The gap was real, and he knew it.
Still, he was respected. Or feared. Maybe both.
Then, the unexpected happened.
A soldier in standard black-and-silver guild armor approached, breathless. "Lord Rin," he said, bowing slightly. "The Guildmaster… has requested your presence."
Rin's eyes narrowed. "Uncle?"
"Yes, sir. He says… he wants you to join his force in the gate."
For a moment, Rin didn't move. The world seemed to hush around him. Those who overheard the message exchanged stunned glances. Even some of his elite soldiers shifted uncomfortably.
Join Valen Solas himself?
Rin wasn't the strongest. Not yet. Even the weakest of the main force,the true core of the royal guild,could kill him if they wanted. Valen's own sons, both with 40% to 60%+ purity, stood far above Rin in terms of raw power yet neither of them had the chanceto standnext to valen.
Rin took a deep breath. His heart was racing, but his face remained neutral.
"…Very well," he said.
As he made his way through the central camp, whispers followed him.
"Why him?"
"Is this a mistake?"
"Maybe Lord Valen sees something…"
Rin ignored them all.
At the gate's edge, where the command group had gathered, Valen stood like a statue carved from iron, his armor radiating authority. His silver hair and deep golden eyes were unmistakable.
He turned when Rin approached.
"You'll stay with me," Valen said, his voice even but heavy.
Rin blinked, unsure if he heard right. "Sir?"
Valen didn't repeat himself. He merely stared at Rin with eyes that revealed nothing.
The silence stretched for a heartbeat too long.
"…Understood," Rin finally said, bowing his head slightly.
He could feel the eyes on him. The weight of judgment, curiosity, and subtle hostility from others in the elite unit. He was an outsider being brought into the center. No one knew why.
And Rin didn't either.
As the gate began to shimmer with energy, and the ground beneath them thrummed with power, Rin stood beside his uncle, uncertain and anxious, the implications crashing down on him like a wave.
Whatever waited on the other side, this was no longer just another raid.
The gate opened.