Kaze woke up to the lively hum of the guild's new life. The manor, now bustling with activity, felt more like a home than ever. Chris and Ana, the twins he had rescued, were assisting with adventurer requests, while Princess Anisa was handling the management side of things. Luna, always attentive, was overseeing the operations, making sure everything ran smoothly.
Despite the growing success of Veilborne Guild, Kaze couldn't shake the nagging feeling that the true challenge was yet to come. The guild had earned a reputation, and with it came the test of its real strength. The Cindral Knights, a renowned rival guild, issued a challenge—a dungeon raid to prove if Veilborne was worthy of its newfound fame.
The news of the guild's formation had spread like wildfire, sparking mixed reactions across the land. Some were intrigued, while others saw it as a direct challenge. But none were more vocal than the *Cindral Knights*. They were known for their arrogance and their belief that no guild could stand against them for long.
When Kaze accepted the challenge, he knew this raid wasn't just about defeating monsters. It was about survival. But that wasn't something he could easily convey to his guild. They all had expectations—expectations he couldn't quite meet. But he wasn't about to show them that fear. Not yet.
The day before the raid, Kaze sat on the sidelines, watching his guild members train. He had never joined them in physical combat—after all, what good would it do? He had no offensive power of his own, not in the traditional sense. His only skills were his extreme luck and his ability to lie convincingly. But that didn't mean he couldn't guide them. They just didn't need to know the truth.
Luna, Chris, and Ana were training fiercely. Kaze's gaze lingered on Luna's fluid movements, her strength as an S-rank clear with every strike she delivered. Chris and Ana, still young, showed promise, though they lacked experience. Kaze observed quietly, never offering more than a few words of encouragement here and there. He was, after all, the guildmaster, not a combatant.
"You're doing well," he called out to Luna, his voice calm and composed, though internally, he was a bundle of nerves.
Luna nodded, flashing him a brief smile. "Thanks, Guildmaster."
Kaze didn't let on that his nerves were fraying. Tomorrow, he reminded himself, *I just have to survive tomorrow.*
The next day, the raid began, and so did the whispers about Kaze. The Cindral Knights had arrived, and with them came their leader, Roland, a brash and arrogant adventurer known for his cocky attitude.
Roland couldn't resist a jab. He walked right up to Kaze, eyeing him with an air of superiority. "So, you're the so-called Saint of Despair? An SS-rank adventurer, huh? I wonder how that's possible when I don't even see a hint of power in you. What's your secret—magic tricks?"
Kaze didn't respond, his expression unreadable. He didn't need to explain himself. He wasn't here to prove anything to Roland. But as Roland turned to walk away, Kaze silently stared at his back, his mind working.
*Let him think whatever he wants. If that's how he measures strength, then let him.*
The dungeon was a massive, foreboding place, its dark corridors filled with traps, monsters, and the looming threat of death. Kaze couldn't help but feel a wave of fear wash over him. This wasn't a simple dungeon; this was a place where even seasoned adventurers could fall. And Kaze was far from seasoned.
As the guild ventured deeper, the tension grew. Kaze's hand clenched at his side, but he kept a cool facade. He couldn't let his guild members see how terrified he truly was. He had to appear strong. He was their leader, after all.
They encountered their first monster—a massive ogre, its bloodshot eyes glowing with malice. It stomped toward them, roaring in fury. Luna immediately stepped forward, ready to engage, but Kaze raised his hand as if to say, "Wait."
The moment his hand moved, the dungeon above them trembled. A portion of the ceiling, heavy with sharp rocks, broke loose and plummeted onto the ogre with a deafening crash, crushing it instantly.
Everyone froze, staring in shock. The ogre, a fearsome creature that had charged toward them with deadly intent, was now nothing more than rubble. A wave of his hand... had caused that?
The guild members exchanged wide-eyed glances. It was like Kaze had cast a powerful spell without even trying. They couldn't believe their eyes. They'd all seen it—Kaze didn't utter a single incantation, nor did he wield a weapon. His mere gesture had led to the collapse of the ceiling, an incredible display of power.
Deep inside, Kaze was just as stunned as they were. *That was... luck?* He couldn't help but feel a rush of disbelief. *I've never had anything like that happen before...*
But on the outside, Kaze's expression remained calm. He gave no sign of the panic that flared inside him. He'd learned by now that confidence could be just as effective as strength, and in moments like this, it was all about maintaining composure.
Luna turned to him, eyes gleaming with a mixture of awe and respect. "Guildmaster... you really are something."
Kaze didn't answer. He simply nodded in acknowledgment, though inside, he was still processing what had just happened. *That shouldn't have happened. But I'll take it.*
Roland, who had been standing back and observing the guild, stared at Kaze with growing uncertainty. His arrogant smirk faltered as he watched Kaze handle the situation with such eerie calm. *What the hell just happened?*
But Kaze gave no indication of any real power. Instead, he waved his hand dismissively and turned to the next challenge in the dungeon, keeping his thoughts to himself.
"Let's move on," Kaze said softly, his voice steady, though the weight of the dungeon pressed on him. He couldn't show any fear now, not when his guild was looking up to him.
The deeper they ventured, the harder the monsters became. When they finally reached the boss room, they faced a terrifying two-headed dragon. Its eyes gleamed with malice, and the air crackled with tension.
Kaze stood at the back, his gaze locked on the dragon. He wasn't going to fight. He wasn't foolish enough to think he could survive a battle with something like that. Instead, he relied on his only strength—his extreme luck.
The guild went into action, with Luna leading the charge. Kaze, with a flick of his wrist, seemed to guide the flow of the battle. Each monster that fell, each trap that was avoided, felt like the hand of fate itself guiding them.
Finally, with a decisive blow from Luna, the dragon collapsed. The guild stood victorious.
But as they took a moment to catch their breath, Kaze noticed something strange—a faint glow pulsing from deep within the dragon's scorched chest. Nestled between its ribs, barely visible beneath charred scales, was a crystal—iridescent, alive with shifting colors.
Drawn by instinct or curiosity, Kaze reached out and brushed his fingers against it.
A soft hum turned into a low rumble.
The ground trembled beneath their feet.
Luna turned sharply. "What did you just—?"
Before Kaze could respond, the dungeon itself seemed to exhale—a deep, ancient sound echoing from far below. Dust fell from the ceiling. Faint whispers stirred in the shadows.
Kaze narrowed his eyes, gaze fixed on the crystal still clutched in his hand.
Something… had awakened.
And whatever it was—wasn't done with them yet.
The whispers grew louder.
The walls of the dungeon groaned as if remembering something ancient. Cracks spiderwebbed across the stone floor beneath Kaze's feet, and the air shimmered with a strange heat.
"Kaze, step back!" Luna warned, gripping her staff.
But he didn't move. His eyes were still locked on the strange crystal in his palm—now pulsing like a heartbeat. He wanted to drop it, scream, run—anything—but he knew the moment he showed fear, it was over. So instead, he stood still, composed, eyes half-lidded like he *meant* for this to happen.
He slipped the crystal into his coat.
*Poker face. Always the poker face,* he reminded himself.
Behind him, the rival guild was still gaping in stunned silence. Roland, the cocky adventurer who had spent the whole raid trash-talking Kaze, finally found his voice.
"What… the hell was that?" he asked, half in awe, half in fear. "You waved your hand… and a ceiling spike crushed a monster. Now the dungeon's reacting like it recognized you."
Kaze turned slowly, hands behind his back, expression unreadable.
"I suggest you return to town," he said flatly, voice calm. "You've seen enough for today."
Roland gulped, nodded, and didn't say another word. He left with his tail between his legs, his guild quickly following. The legend of Kaze Arashi—the Saint of Despair—was cementing itself one lucky accident at a time.
Only Luna and the twins stayed close. Ana looked at him, wide-eyed. "Master… you're amazing."
Kaze managed a tiny nod.
*Amazing? I was just trying to tell Luna to wait!*
The tremor died down, but the sense of unease lingered. They continued deeper into the dungeon, now eerily quiet, until they reached a great stone chamber lined with ancient carvings. The crystal in Kaze's pocket pulsed again—faint, but insistent.
They didn't speak about it yet, but everyone could feel it.
Something had changed.
---
Back at the Manor…
Princess Anisa sat at the front desk, reading reports with a sigh. She hadn't wanted to stay behind, but someone had to manage the growing list of adventurers wanting to join Veilborne. The name was spreading fast—SS Rank Saint, powerful mages, elite twins. The myth was growing far beyond the truth.
She rubbed her temple.
"Knowing Kaze… he probably tripped over a rock and made it look like strategy."
Still, she smiled. That idiot had a way of turning disasters into miracles. And if anyone could survive a dungeon with nothing but luck and lies—it was him.
---
**Meanwhile, within the dungeon…**
The party pressed forward. Twisting corridors and ancient traps tested their nerves, but somehow, everything just worked out. Arrows missed them by inches. A stone door jammed right before releasing poison gas. Even a hidden mimic refused to open when Kaze leaned against it, as if fearing to touch him.
To the others, it was power.
To Kaze?
*This dungeon is trying to kill me and failing. And I'm pretending I'm the boss.*
His heart raced with every step, but his face stayed calm. Always calm.
When they reached what seemed to be the final chamber, the ceiling opened to a spiraling column of moonlight. A stone pedestal sat in the center—empty.
Then… a whisper.
"You've taken the shard… now bear its weight."
The walls began to move.
Something… descended.