Halochassis

The next operation of the Iron Bandits was to gather more information about the Celestial Wardens. The archives within the Librarium contained only fragmented accounts of the organization—brief mentions of completed missions, vague descriptions of powerful individuals, and countless redacted passages that hinted at secrets deliberately buried. It was nowhere near enough for Adzeel’s plans. 

If they wanted detailed records of the Wardens’ exploits, combat styles, and movements, there was only one place left to search: the archives of the Adventurer’s Guild. Every major quest, monster subjugation, and national crisis that involved the Celestial Wardens had been meticulously documented there by generations of guild staff, making it a treasure trove of information.

Unfortunately, the guild’s archive was among the most secure rooms in the entire building. Only three people possessed the key—the guild owner, the guild receptionist, and members of the Celestial Wardens themselves. Breaking down the door was out of the question; it would alert the entire district within seconds. Stealing the key was even riskier. 

Instead, Risha had spent several days quietly surveying the guild from neighboring rooftops, disguised as an ordinary traveler. She memorized patrol routes, watched employees lock up each evening, and even observed how the building settled after sunset. Eventually, her patience paid off. She discovered several narrow maintenance openings hidden beneath the guild’s roof, entrances originally meant for repairs rather than intruders. They were small, difficult to access, and almost impossible to notice from the ground, making them the perfect infiltration point.

When darkness finally blanketed Luminous City, the operation began. The warm glow of lanterns illuminated the bustling streets below as taverns echoed with drunken laughter and musicians filled the night air with cheerful melodies. Taking advantage of the city’s lively nightlife, Adzeel and Aether disguised themselves as late-night carpenters carrying wooden toolboxes, spare roof tiles, and coils of rope over their shoulders. Their disguises were convincing enough that the night guards merely glanced at them before granting permission to inspect the roof for ”storm damage.” 

Once they reached the upper level, Risha silently separated from the two men. Moving with the grace of a shadow, she crouched low against the slanted roof, her footsteps making barely a whisper against the weathered tiles. The cool night breeze brushed against her face as she carefully lifted one roof tile after another, stacking them neatly to avoid making unnecessary noise. Beneath them, she finally uncovered a small wooden hatch barely large enough for a single person to squeeze through.

Without hesitation, Risha slipped inside. The cramped space between the ceiling and the roof smelled of aged timber, dust, and dried insulation. Thick wooden beams crisscrossed above her as cobwebs clung to the corners, brushing against her sleeves whenever she crawled forward. Every movement had to be measured; even the slightest creak from the old planks beneath her knees could betray her presence to those below. Through tiny cracks in the floorboards, she could occasionally glimpse adventurers laughing over drinks or hear the clinking of mugs echoing through the guild hall. 

Guided by the floor plan she had memorized, she slowly navigated the narrow crawlspace until she reached the section directly above the archive room. The festive noise from downstairs conveniently masked the faint sounds of her movements, greatly reducing the risk of anyone detecting the infiltration.

While Risha searched through the guild’s confidential records, the rest of the operation unfolded below. Shin had been assigned perhaps the simplest-looking yet most nerve-racking role of them all. His mission was to remain inside the guild hall and ensure that the receptionist never had a reason to leave her counter and enter the archive room. 

To maintain his cover, he purchased a mug of beer and blended in with the evening crowd, occasionally taking slow sips despite having little interest in alcohol. Every laugh he forced, every casual glance around the room, and every meaningless conversation was carefully calculated to appear natural. His real attention, however, never drifted far from the receptionist’s desk.

And that brought the operation to its current predicament.

Lireina had walked into the guild.

The timing could not have been worse.

None of the four Iron Bandits were in any condition to summon their Halochassis. The side effects from their previous transformations still lingered throughout their bodies, leaving their muscles sore, their blood circulation sluggish, and their heads heavy with lingering fatigue. Even Adzeel, who normally welcomed combat with open arms, had reluctantly forbidden anyone from transforming unless absolutely necessary. Shin was the only exception. After repeated exposure to his Halochassis, his body had gradually adapted to its burden, allowing him to recover faster than the others. Even so, he knew he was nowhere near full strength.

To make matters worse, the person standing before him possessed senses that bordered on monstrous.

Among all the Celestial Wardens, Lireina was renowned for her extraordinary perception. Her hearing could distinguish individual footsteps within a crowded marketplace. Her sharp emerald eyes missed almost nothing, while her instincts often detected danger long before it revealed itself. Only the elusive Queen of Shadows surpassed her in terms of sensory ability. Shin understood that better than anyone.

A bead of sweat slowly rolled down the side of his temple despite the cool evening air.

Inside his coat, Shin discreetly pressed his fingers against the concealed glove hidden beneath the fabric, reassuring himself that it was still there. His pulse quickened with every passing second.

If Lireina discovers what we’re doing... my life is literally over.

His thoughts raced faster than his heartbeat.

Even if I transform into Azazel, I won’t be able to stop her without exposing everything. The mission would fail.

”What are you doing here, Shin?” Lireina asked with her usual bright smile. Resting her chin on both hands atop the wooden table, she leaned forward ever so slightly, her long golden hair cascading over her shoulders as her vivid green eyes locked onto Shin’s crimson ones. There was no suspicion in her expression—only innocent curiosity—but that somehow made the encounter even more terrifying for him.

”I’m just trying the beer here in the Adventurer’s Guild,” Shin replied, forcing the corners of his lips upward into what he hoped resembled a relaxed smile. He raised his mug slightly for emphasis before taking another small sip. ”I heard it’s cheap here.”

”Yup. Cheapest in Luminous City,” Lireina replied cheerfully. Then she leaned in closer and lowered her voice into a conspiratorial whisper, as though revealing a state secret. ”Just between you and me... the beer’s cheap because they use low-quality barley.”

Shin took another drink before giving an exaggerated nod. ”Yeah. I can definitely taste it. That bitter aftertaste feels like it’s scratching my throat.” He let out a small chuckle before gesturing toward the empty seat across from him. ”Would you like one?”

”I still prefer the expensive wine you bought for me last time,” Lireina admitted with a playful grin. ”But sure. One beer won’t hurt.”

Shin raised a hand toward one of the waitresses weaving through the sea of adventurers with practiced ease. She acknowledged him with a nod before disappearing behind the counter. A few minutes later, she returned carrying a freshly filled wooden mug. White foam spilled over its rim, while the rich aroma of roasted barley drifted into the air as she gently placed it in front of Lireina.

The sight immediately drew the attention of several nearby adventurers.

Murmurs spread from table to table as more than a few men glanced toward Shin with obvious envy. Some frowned into their drinks, others exchanged confused looks, and one even sighed dramatically before downing his entire mug in a single gulp. To them, Shin was merely an ordinary NPC sharing drinks with one of the most beautiful elves in Luminous City—a privilege many of them secretly wished they had.

Shin noticed the jealous stares almost immediately, but he couldn’t spare even a second to care.

The mission came first.

Somewhere in the guild, Risha was likely still searching through countless documents, every passing minute bringing the operation closer to success. All Shin had to do was keep Lireina seated long enough for someone to send the agreed-upon signal that the infiltration was complete.

Suppressing the tension threatening to show on his face, Shin took another sip of the cheap beer, set his mug down with deliberate calm, and searched his mind for a topic that would keep Lireina talking for as long as possible.

“Hey, why are you here?” Shin asked, keeping his voice light even as his pulse thudded in his ears. “In the dead of the night. Are you planning on taking up quests?”

“No,” Lireina said casually, her tone as smooth as ever. “I was only going to fetch the magic crystal that my colleague borrowed from me. I was planning to check the archives on some cases, especially about our first encounter with the Halochassis.”

At that, she suddenly straightened, as though a spark had lit up inside her head. The soft lantern glow caught the edges of her golden hair as her expression shifted into realization.

“Oh, thanks for reminding me! I have to fetch the records about the Magic Academy!” Lireina said, already pushing back her chair. She began walking away from the table, her steps light and unhurried, toward the restricted door marked [Archives]. “I’ll be back in a jiffy!”

Shin froze.

No signal had come from the others yet, which meant Risha was still inside. If Lireina walked in now, there would be nowhere for Risha to hide, nowhere to escape, and no excuse that could save her. The thought hit Shin like ice water. His throat tightened, and for a split second, the noise of the guild around him faded into a distant blur of clinking mugs and muffled laughter.

“Lireina, wait! Wait!” he blurted, shoving himself up from his seat and rushing after her.

But she was already at the metal door, her fingers curling around the handle. On the other side, Risha must have sensed the movement, because Shin could practically imagine the panic spreading through the archive room like a dropped lantern in dry grass. There was no time for her to sprint back to the hatch in the ceiling. She was exposed, trapped in the open, with nowhere to go.

“Lena!” Shin cried out, using the nickname without thinking.

Lireina stopped immediately and turned around. A blush bloomed across her cheeks at once, soft and quick, as if she had been caught off guard by something far more intimate than the tense situation around them. Even her hand loosened on the door as she closed it again, just slightly. “What?”

“I…” Shin panted, bracing one hand on his knee and trying to catch his breath. The air inside the guild felt too warm all of a sudden, heavy with the smell of beer, roasted food, and polished wood. He could feel sweat gathering at the back of his neck. “I just want to tell you one thing.”

“What is it?” Lireina asked, tilting her head with such innocent confusion that it almost made Shin feel worse. Her expression was soft and open, like a curious puppy waiting for praise.

“You… You look beautiful tonight,” Shin said at last.

It was the only thing his mind could produce. No clever excuse. No delayed conversation. No distraction strong enough to buy time. Just the truth, spoken in desperation.

Lireina blinked, then playfully slapped Shin’s face. The blow was light, more teasing than painful, but it still made his cheek sting faintly. “You silly. You really have some weird way of teasing me, didn’t you? Don’t worry, I’ll just take care of this and join you back at the table. Give me a minute.”

“A-Ah, okay.” Shin scratched the side of his head, forcing an embarrassed smile onto his face even as his mind raced.

Then he glanced toward the windows.

Outside, framed against the night, Aether stood in his carpenter disguise, motioning frantically with both hands. The movements were sharp and urgent, the kind of sign language that did not need translation to understand. 

We need more time.

Lireina turned back to the door again, fingers wrapping around the knob a second time. The metal creaked softly under her grip. On the other side, Risha must have tensed all over again, because Shin could almost feel the danger pressing against the room like a tightening wire. She still had not found the records of the Celestial Wardens. If Lireina stepped inside now, everything would collapse in an instant.

Time seemed to stop.

Shin felt his thoughts sharpen and scatter at the same time, each heartbeat pounding harder than the last. He needed to stop her. He needed to hold her here, just a little longer. One more minute. Even ten seconds would do. Anything more, and Risha might get away clean. Anything less, and she would be caught.

Before Lireina could pull the door open, Shin moved.

He thrust both hands against the metal surface and shoved it shut with all his strength. The impact echoed through the guild with a heavy, solid thud, and Lireina let out a startled sound as she was suddenly pinned between the door and Shin’s body. The breath left her in a small gasp, and for an instant, the world narrowed to the heat of close contact, the faint scent of her perfume, and the stunned look in her eyes.

From Lireina’s point of view, Shin had just done a kabedon.

An eastern gesture, a wall-bang of sorts, where a man corners the woman he likes with one hand against the wall, trapping her in place in a way that was supposed to feel bold, dramatic, and unmistakably intimate.

“E-Eh? S-Shin? What is it?” Lireina stammered.

The sudden closeness had completely caught her off guard. Her emerald eyes trembled with confusion as she instinctively leaned back against the metal door, only to realize there was nowhere else to go. A rosy blush quickly spread across her cheeks before reaching the tips of her long, pointed ears, tinting them a vivid strawberry red. Her heartbeat pounded so loudly that she was certain Shin could hear it through the silence between them.

Shin’s hands remained firmly pressed against the door, not because he wanted to trap Lireina, but because he couldn’t afford to let it open. Beneath his calm exterior, every muscle in his body screamed with tension. He could practically feel Risha’s life hanging on the other side of the metal door.

Forgive me, Lena...

He took a slow breath.

”Lena...” Shin began softly. ”I have always had my eyes on you ever since I was a kid. To me, you’ve always been the perfect woman. Kind... strong... beautiful... the kind of person everyone naturally looks up to.”

His voice shook ever so slightly.

”I’ve kept these feelings bottled up for years. Every time I wanted to tell you, I convinced myself it wasn’t the right moment. I thought someone like me didn’t deserve someone like you.”

Lireina swallowed hard.

The warmth spreading through her face only intensified. Her thoughts, usually so clear and composed during dangerous missions, had become a complete mess. She could barely hear the conversations around the guild anymore. The laughter, the mugs clinking together, the crackling fireplace—all of it faded into the background until the only thing she could focus on was Shin standing inches away from her.

Then Shin continued.

Still keeping the door firmly shut behind her, he looked directly into her eyes.

”Lena... I love you.”

The words escaped his lips with surprising sincerity.

”I want to court you. I’ll climb the highest mountains, cross the deepest oceans, and even pull down the stars and the moon if that’s what it takes to make you smile.”

He smiled awkwardly, his own face turning bright red.

”Please... go out with me.”

Silence.

Complete silence.

The entire Adventurer’s Guild seemed to stop breathing.

The lively conversations that had filled the tavern only moments earlier vanished without a trace. Dice stopped rolling across tables. Half-raised mugs froze in midair. Even the crackling fireplace somehow seemed quieter.

The guild receptionist stood motionless behind her counter, both hands covering her mouth.

Outside the window, Aether, still dressed as a carpenter, stared with his jaw hanging open.

Even Adzeel, who rarely looked surprised by anything, slowly raised an eyebrow.

Inside the archive room, Risha had completely forgotten about the documents scattered across the floor. She stood frozen, listening through the door with wide eyes.

Every single person present waited for one thing.

Lireina’s answer.

Meanwhile, Lireina herself had completely shut down.

Her emerald pupils widened until they nearly filled her irises. Her cheeks had turned a deep crimson, while steam might as well have been rising from the top of her head. She instinctively covered part of her face with one hand, trying and utterly failing to hide the enormous smile spreading across her lips.

She couldn’t stop smiling.

She simply couldn’t.

For centuries, Lireina had received countless confessions.

Thousands of adventurers.

Young nobles.

Kings.

Princes.

Heroic knights.

Powerful mages.

Even famous explorers whose names had spread across the continent.

Being one of the most beautiful women in the world came with endless admirers. Yet every confession had ended exactly the same way.

A gentle smile.

A sincere apology.

A polite rejection.

Not because they were bad people.

Simply because none of them had ever made her heart race.

None of them had ever made her feel like this.

This...

...was different.

For the very first time in her incredibly long life...

...the person confessing was someone she genuinely liked.

Someone whose kindness she had quietly admired.

Someone whose company she secretly enjoyed.

Someone whose smile had become strangely comforting before she even realized it.

Slowly, almost absentmindedly, Lireina released the doorknob.

The metallic click echoed softly through the silent guild.

She placed both hands over her racing heart, as though trying to calm it.

It didn’t work.

”S-Sure...”

Her answer was barely louder than a whisper.

Yet everyone heard it.

For one heartbeat, nobody reacted.

Then—

The Adventurer’s Guild exploded into chaos.

Cheers erupted from every corner of the tavern. Wooden mugs slammed against tables as adventurers shouted, laughed, and whistled.

Several male adventurers collapsed dramatically onto the floor as though they had suffered fatal wounds.

”It should’ve been me, not him!” one cried while pounding the table. ”It’s not fair!”

Another buried his face into his mug.

”I spent three years trying to impress Lady Lireina...”

”I trained until I became an A-Rank adventurer for this...”

”My life is over...”

Meanwhile, the women adventurers squealed excitedly among themselves.

”I knew it!”

”They actually look cute together!”

”Did you see the way she smiled?”

”Oh my gosh, she actually said yes!”

Even the guild receptionist found herself blushing as she watched the unbelievable scene unfold before her eyes.

A warm smile spread across her face.

”Finally...” she said quietly, almost to herself. ”Lireina has found someone worthy.”

Outside the guild, standing beside the windows in their carpenter disguises, Aether and Adzeel witnessed the entire confession.

Aether burst into laughter before enthusiastically clapping both hands together.

”Our boy actually did it!”

Whether the confession had begun as a desperate distraction or not no longer seemed to matter.

He had succeeded beyond anyone’s expectations.

Beside him, Adzeel folded his arms and let out a slow sigh. A crooked grin spread across his face, though a faint twitch at the corner of his eye betrayed a hint of irritation.

”Fucking hell...”

He shook his head in disbelief.

”Shin is with the Untouchable Windwalker now!?”