Guild Master Kaelyn leaned back in her chair, eyeing Miss Sera sharply.
"What's with the sudden uproar, Seraphina?"
Her gaze shifted to me. Her eyes landed on the green pendant around my neck, and a knowing expression crossed her face.
"One with the king…" she murmured, then smiled faintly. "So you're the little one who was just appointed Royal Accountant. Working under His Majesty, are you?"
Her eyes drifted behind me—and widened ever so slightly at the sight of Princess Maya.
"Even the princess is here?"
"We don't have time for introductions," Miss Sera cut in. "Put out an urgent quest immediately. We need to search for missing orphanage children and someone named Lord Veil."
Guild Master Kaelyn blinked. "What? Orphanage kids? Could you at least start from the beginning?"
"We found several children in terrible condition inside an unregistered orphanage," I explained quickly. "Some are missing, and this 'Lord Veil' seems to be involved—likely as their leader."
Kaelyn's sharp eyes locked onto mine. "And how exactly do you _know_ there are others?"
Before I could respond, Princess Maya stepped forward.
"Because it was _me_ who supported that orphanage," she admitted, her voice tinged with guilt. "When I returned today, many of the children I met were missing."
The room fell silent for a beat.
Kaelyn sighed heavily. "Trouble always finds you, doesn't it Seraphina?"
"We don't have the luxury to chat," Miss Sera snapped. "There's a chance this is tied to demons again. We can't take risks."
Just then, a sharp _boom_—no, more like a pulse—rippled through the air. The very walls seemed to vibrate, and a loud, echoing hum drowned out the room for several seconds.
The sound came from everywhere at once.
"What was that?" I asked, ears still ringing.
Guild Master Kaelyn shot up and moved to the window behind her. As she threw it open, a chilling sight met our eyes.
A thick fog was rolling into the city—fast.
And beneath the misty veil, crowds of people were running in panic.
"What in the world…" Miss Sera muttered, peering out beside her. "Why are they running—and what's with this fog?"
Kaelyn squinted into the distance. "They're running away from the _Central Market Street_."
"Master... we were just there," I said grimly.
Miss Sera clenched her fists. "Damn it. We might've missed something. Let's move."
Without another word, we dashed down the stairs—Guild Master Kaelyn following close behind.
Inside the guild hall, adventurers were already stirred by the noise. Most had risen from their seats, confused and tense.
"Adventurers!" Guild Master Kaelyn called out from the center of the hall, her voice commanding and clear. "This is urgent. Help evacuate the citizens away from the Central Market! Prioritize children and elders!"
"This is a call from the Grand Marshal," Miss Sera added, stepping forward and raising her crimson pendant for all to see. "Knights are moving in, but we need your help. Act swiftly."
The adventurers stood in silence, shocked by the sudden call to action—and the fog still creeping outside.
I stepped forward, pulling out and revealing the emerald pendant on my chest.
"Don't be afraid," I said. "If you can't fight, help evacuate. If you _do_ step in, know this—those who aid us will be _well rewarded_."
A few murmurs began to rise.
A sword clinked as someone stepped forward.
One by one, adventurers readied their weapons.
The hunt was about to begin.