Journey to Become the Zenith

A Resignation and a New Shadow

Clara took one step forward.

Her posture was straight, but there was tension in her shoulders.

”Guild Master, I have something to say as well.”

Isabella didn’t even look up at first. She was already flipping through another stack of documents, purple hair sliding over her shoulder like silk.

”Can’t it wait for later?” she muttered lazily. ”We still have a sh*t ton of paperwork to go through.”

Clara inhaled slowly.

”I want to quit as your secretary.”

The room froze.

Isabella’s pen stopped mid-stroke.

Her black eyes slowly lifted.

Victor’s lips curved upward—subtle, amused.

Lane stood quietly beside him, face calm as ever.

Inside?

She was already screaming.

Of course. Of course this is happening.

”Why?” Isabella asked at last, genuine surprise breaking through her usual indifference.

Clara didn’t hesitate.

”I want to join his party.”

She pointed at Victor.

He didn’t even try to hide the sly smile spreading across his face.

Clara knew.

She knew this was partly his influence.

His battles.

His strength.

His... pull.

But she had also made the decision herself.

Isabella leaned back in her chair, fingers steepled together.

She began calculating.

So she wants to return to adventuring... and with him? The man she claims to find irritating?

Her gaze flicked toward Victor.

What do I lose?

She lost an excellent secretary.

One who handled her job perfectly.

One who nagged endlessly about paperwork.

One who never went beyond her responsibilities—but never failed them either.

And perhaps—

One who kept her grounded.

But then another thought bloomed.

No more nagging.

No more ”Guild Master, please finish this.”

A small spark of delight flickered inside her.

”If that is your choice,” Isabella said finally, tone measured, ”then so be it. From today onward, you are no longer my secretary.”

Clara narrowed her eyes slightly.

She knew that tone.

Outward seriousness.

Inward celebration.

”You better file my resignation papers properly.”

Isabella’s face twitched.

Ah.

Right.

Paperwork.

Resignation forms.

Requesting a replacement.

Even more paperwork.

”On the other hand...” Isabella added slowly, voice softening as she looked at Clara. ”I really do need you here. It’s going to be tough without you. Especially now that things might get even busier.”

Clara exhaled through her nose.

She had expected that.

”Don’t worry, Guild Master. I’ll help you file my resignation and draft the request for a new secretary.”

Isabella’s shoulders visibly relaxed.

”See? This is why I’ll miss you.”

Victor cleared his throat lightly.

”Umm... aren’t you going to ask us if we’ll take you into our party?”

He leaned back against the wall, arms crossed.

Golden eyes glinted.

Clara turned toward him.

”So... are you not going to allow me to join you?”

Victor tilted his head, pretending to think.

”Well, I guess I could...”

Lane’s hand tightened slightly around her badge.

”...but what do I get for letting you join us?”

Clara’s jaw tightened.

”What is it you want? What do I need to do so that I can join you?”

Victor’s grin widened.

”Hm. I’ll let you join—but in return, you owe me one favor. I haven’t decided what that favor will be yet. But no matter what I ask, you must comply. If you accept this condition, I’ll let you join. So—what do you say?”

Clara’s fist clenched at her side.

This man.

He enjoyed this far too much.

And yet—

She didn’t walk away.

She only hesitated for a breath.

”Fine. I agree. I will owe you one favor. No matter what you ask of me—so long as it is something I can do—I will grant it.”

Victor’s smile softened—just slightly.

”Well then... welcome to our party, Clara Kirche.”

Lane looked away quietly.

Inside her chest, something twisted.

Now it’s official.

—

Isabella tapped her pen thoughtfully.

”Interesting,” she murmured.

Then she looked at Clara.

”You do realize joining his party means you’ll be under his leadership?”

Clara flushed faintly.

”I’m aware.”

Isabella’s lips curved into a teasing smile.

”Careful, Clara. You might end up regretting it.”

Victor chuckled.

”Regret? She’s the one volunteering.”

He looked at Isabella next, eyes narrowing playfully.

”You know... you could join too.”

The room went still.

Isabella blinked.

”...What?”

Victor shrugged casually.

”A beautiful Guild Master with power? Always welcome.”

Clara’s face burned.

Lane’s eyes darkened.

Kill them both. Right now. Can I? No. I cannot.

Isabella leaned back slowly, crossing one leg over the other.

Her heartbeat betrayed her calm exterior.

”Oh? And who would run the Guild if I joined you?”

Victor’s gaze didn’t waver.

”You look bored here.”

For a second—

Isabella felt exposed.

She masked it with a smirk.

”Tempting offer,” she said lightly. ”But if I left, you’d be forced into paperwork hell.”

Victor visibly recoiled.

”Never mind.”

Clara folded her arms.

”This isn’t a marketplace.”

”Relax,” Victor said smoothly. ”I’m just recruiting talent.”

Lane finally spoke.

”...You recruit a lot.”

Her tone was calm.

But there was something sharper beneath it.

Victor glanced at her.

A small pause.

Then he smiled faintly.

”Only the strong.”

Lane didn’t respond.

Inside, she whispered to herself.

Stay stronger than them. That’s all.

—

Isabella stood up and walked around the desk.

Her purple hair shimmered under the light.

She stopped in front of Victor and Lane.

”As Guild Master, I officially welcome you into the Adventurers Guild of Fantom City.”

Her voice was different this time.

Clearer.

Less lazy.

”You have taken your first step. From here, your names will rise—or fall—by your own choices. The Guild does not bind you. It offers opportunity.”

She looked at Victor directly.

”Strength without restraint destroys itself.”

Then at Lane.

”Loyalty without growth becomes chains.”

Then at Clara.

”And ambition without wisdom burns too quickly.”

She stepped back.

”Now go.”

Victor smirked slightly.

”We will.”

—

Later, when Victor and Lane left the Guild building, Clara remained behind briefly to handle paperwork.

The evening sun cast long shadows across Fantom City.

As Victor and Lane walked toward the inn—

A familiar figure suddenly stepped into their path.

Videl.

Long blonde hair flowing.

Blue sapphire eyes wide.

She looked like a child caught mid-prank.

And behind her—

Someone was hiding.

Victor slowed.

Golden eyes narrowing.

Behind Videl stood a girl—around fourteen. Long silky black hair. Soft features. Large green eyes.

And around her neck—

A collar.

Victor’s expression darkened slightly.

He could already guess.

But he needed to hear it.

”Val,” he said evenly.

”What the hell did you do!?”