Chapter 131 – New Beginnings
Chapter 131
New Beginnings
Date : Day 24 of Grimleaf 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Morning came for Hyoren with a strange sense of contentment.
Soft light from the dual suns of Kresneger slipped through the cream-colored curtains, illuminating the bedroom with warm golden hues. Dust motes drifted lazily through the beams, creating small constellations that shifted with the slightest movement of air.
At first, Hyoren was confused.
About where he was. The room was unfamiliar—the dimensions wrong, the sounds different, the scent carrying hints of something floral that he could not quite identify. And about the unfamiliar feeling surrounding him.
Usually, he only felt warmth and weight on his left side whenever he woke up beside Elise. The sensation had become familiar over their time together—a comforting presence that he had grown accustomed to. But now, there was another similar warmth pressing against his right side too. The additional weight was noticeable—a soft pressure that he had no memory of experiencing before.
Hyoren slowly opened his eyes.
On his left, a woman slept peacefully with her rhythmic breathing. Long silver hair cascaded across his chest while she snuggled comfortably against his shoulder. Her expression was serene—the kind of peacefulness that came from feeling completely safe.
Elise.
On his right, another woman slept quietly. Short brown hair spread messily across the pillow while soft cat ears twitched occasionally, tickling his cheek whenever they brushed against him. One of her arms was draped over his chest possessively—even in sleep, she seemed unwilling to let go.
Ina.
Then realization fully dawned on him.
The duel yesterday. The confession afterward. His decision to accept Ina as his lover too. And now, both of his women were sleeping beside him with peaceful expressions.
The bed was honestly cramped. Ina claimed it was large enough for three people, but Hyoren was fairly certain it had originally been made for only two.
Because of that, his small movement ended up waking both women.
Elise opened her emerald eyes first. A gentle smile appeared on her lips immediately.
"Morning, Hyoren..."
Her voice was still thick with sleep—carrying a husky quality that made the simple greeting feel intimate.
Hyoren leaned closer and kissed her softly.
"Good morning, Elise."
Not long after, Ina also woke up.
"Munyaa..."
She yawned sleepily while rubbing one eye. The sound was almost like a cat's cry—soft and drawn out in a way that seemed perfectly suited to her nature. Then her amber eyes fluttered open.
"Morning..."
Hyoren smiled and kissed Ina next.
"Good morning, Ina."
Ina slowly sat up before stretching both arms high above her head. The motion was languid—cat-like. Morning sunlight enveloped her petite figure beautifully.
For a moment, she simply stared at Hyoren and Elise quietly. Her amber eyes moved between them—taking in the reality of their presence beside her as if confirming that they were truly there.
Then she smiled softly.
"I thought this was a dream..."
Her voice was gentle.
"I feel blessed."
Hyoren and Elise also sat up afterward. The mattress shifted beneath them as they adjusted their positions—creating enough space for all three of them to sit comfortably.
Hyoren pulled both women into his arms.
"Me too... Elise... Ina..."
The three quietly enjoyed the warmth for several moments longer before reluctantly separating. But the day was already waiting for them. Especially for Ina. The responsibilities of her position at the Guild would not wait—no matter how much she might wish otherwise.
She slid off the bed first before picking up her cream-colored silk nightgown from the floor. The garment lay where it had been discarded the night before.
The sight alone made Hyoren cough awkwardly. It was undeniable evidence of what happened last night.
Ina casually draped the robe over herself while pretending not to notice Hyoren's reaction. Her expression remained neutral—though the slight curve at the corner of her lips suggested she was not as oblivious as she pretended to be.
Elise also retrieved her emerald nightgown from the foot of the bed before wearing it again. The fabric slid over her head with practiced ease.
Once done, Ina looked toward them with a smile.
"I need to work today... What about you two?"
Hyoren only pulled up his pants before answering thoughtfully.
"Hmmm. I'm not sure. Our house won't be ready until the 29th... and the dungeon won't open until the 30th, right?"
Elise, who had just finished tying her robe, nodded.
"So we have four free days, huh?"
She tapped her chin lightly.
"I need to train my Mapping skill before we enter the dungeon. So I'll probably spend most of my time in the Residential's District."
Hyoren nodded in realization.
"Oh right. I forgot about that."
Then another thought crossed his mind.
"Maybe I'll train too. Either with Reon, Jackey... or..."
He remembered something important. Magic.
"Maybe I'll ask Oria to finally teach me properly. She promised to teach me once my Magic Manipulation reached Level 3."
He glanced at his hand briefly.
"I already got Light Magic thanks to Luminara's help... but I want to properly learn magic myself."
Ina nodded understandingly.
"So we'll separate for now?"
She sighed faintly. The exhale carried a note of disappointment—the kind that came from wanting to spend more time together but recognizing the demands of reality.
"My work will become busy because of the dungeon opening. So I probably won't be able to accompany you two much."
Hyoren smiled reassuringly.
"Don't worry, Ina. We'll all move into our house together on the 29th anyway."
Suddenly, Ina clapped her hands as if remembering something.
"Oh right! Speaking about the house... I actually have a suggestion."
Elise became interested immediately.
"What is it, Ina? Isn't everything basically settled already? The repairs and appliances are being handled through the Merchants' Guild."
Hyoren nodded as well.
"Elise is right. The house has plenty of rooms too. Even Jackey could get his own room."
Ina smiled. The expression was knowing—the kind of smile that suggested she was about to reveal something they had not considered.
"It's about a caretaker."
Her tails swished slowly behind her.
"You guys will often enter dungeons. I'll stay at home more often, but I still have guild duties too. And the house is big..."
She folded her hands together.
"I think we should hire a caretaker."
Elise tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"You're right. It would be difficult to maintain such a large house by ourselves."
She nodded slowly. Her silver hair swayed with motion.
"And I definitely don't want the house we spent so much money repairing to become neglected."
Hyoren furrowed his brows while thinking.
"So what's your suggestion?"
Ina's cat ears perked up slightly.
"I have an acquaintance. She's a former adventurer."
Ina's expression softened afterward. The change was immediate—a transition from businesslike to something more personal and empathetic.
"She became widowed after her husband... who was also her party member... died during a quest. She's raising her daughter alone now."
Ina looked toward the window quietly. Her gaze seemed to focus on something beyond the glass—perhaps remembering, perhaps simply giving herself time to choose the right words.
"She mostly takes easy quests just to survive... I've wanted to help her for a while."
Then she sighed. The exhale carried a weight that suggested this was not the first time she had thought about this situation—or been frustrated by her inability to resolve it.
"But she keeps refusing direct help."
Ina looked back toward Hyoren and Elise. Her amber eyes held a mixture of determination and hope.
"So I thought... Hiring her as a caretaker while giving her a stable salary and a safe place to stay, which would help her without hurting her pride. How about it?"
Hyoren and Elise exchanged glances briefly before nodding almost immediately.
"That sounds good, Ina... If you vouch for her, then she should be trustworthy."
Hyoren nodded too.
"Elise is right. I trust your judgment."
Then he asked.
"So when can we meet her?"
Ina thought for a moment. Her ears twitched slightly.
"I'll tell her to come to our house on the 29th. We can discuss hiring there."
Both Elise and Hyoren agreed easily.
"Sounds good."
With that, the matter was settled. The conversation had reached its natural conclusion—leaving behind a plan that would benefit not just their household but someone who clearly needed help.
Afterward, the three moved on with their morning routine.
Washing their faces.
The water was cool against their skin—a refreshing contrast to the warmth of the bed they had just left.
Fixing their hair.
Ina's cat ears twitched as she ran a brush through her brown locks while Elise worked through her silver strands with practiced efficiency.
Getting dressed properly.
The rustle of fabric filled the room as each of them retrieved their clothing and prepared for the day ahead.
Not long after, they sat together in the dining room while eating simple sandwiches prepared by Elise and Ina. But the simplicity of the food seemed to matter less than the company with which it was shared. Conversation flowed easily between bites—touching on small topics that carried no weight beyond the pleasure of sharing them.
Then eventually, they were ready to leave.
The three stood outside Ina's room while the door locked behind them with a soft click. .
Ina was already wearing her guild clerk uniform once again. The crisp lines and structured fabric conveyed authority and competence in equal measure.
Elise was wearing a green blouse with dark green pants. She also draped a familiar yellow blazer over them.
Meanwhile, Hyoren was wearing his trusty sturdy tunic and trouser.
***
Ina started walking first. Her footsteps carried a purposeful rhythm.
"Let's fetch Jackey and process his transfer to Akela branch. After that, we'll officially register him into your party."
Hyoren and Elise nodded before following her downstairs. The wooden stairs creaked beneath their feet. The morning light filtering through the windows cast long shadows across the steps, creating patterns that shifted as they descended.
The three walked through the quiet guild dormitory until they reached the room at the very back of the first floor.
Ina knocked on the door firmly.
"Hey, Jackey. Wake up!"
Almost immediately, the sound of footsteps came from inside. The noise was quick and heavy—the kind of movement that suggested someone who was already awake and moving with enthusiasm. Then the door opened.
Jackey appeared before them. His frame filled the doorway—the broad shoulders and muscular build that characterized him making the entrance seem almost too small for his presence.
The tabby Cat-clan beastkin stood there with his hulking frame fully dressed already.
His clothing was practical and well-worn—the kind of attire that suggested he had been ready for the day before the sun had fully risen. Despite being a muscle-brain, he surprisingly seemed to be a morning person. His orange hair was ruffled, but there was a hint of him trying to tame it. The strands stuck up at odd angles in places—defying his apparent efforts to bring them under control.
"Coming, Big Sis!"
Ina nodded approvingly.
"Let's go, Jackey. We need to officially transfer you to this city's guild branch and register you into the Freedom Party."
Jackey grinned eagerly.
"Yeah! I'm officially becoming part of the gang, huh?"
Hyoren chuckled.
"You already acted like one yesterday anyway."
Jackey smirked.
"Hahaha! True!"
The four of them departed from the dormitory afterward and entered the main guild building.
Morning crowds already filled the hall. The space was alive with activity—adventurers and staff moving through the space with the kind of purpose.
Adventurers gathered around the quest boards while others lined up in front of the counters. The boards were covered with papers of various sizes and colors—each one representing a task that needed completing and a reward that awaited those brave enough to claim it. The atmosphere buzzed with discussion and excitement.
Especially because the dungeon opening was only five days away.
The upcoming event had cast a palpable energy over the entire guild—an anticipation that seemed to infect everyone within its walls. Some adventurers discussed preparation. Their voices carried the serious tone of people who understood the dangers that awaited them and were taking steps to ensure they survived. Others talked loudly about equipment and party recruitment.
The entire guild felt alive.
Ina looked around briefly before spotting an empty counter.
"There."
She led the group toward it. The counter was manned by Sherly, the blonde clerk with neat bob-cut hair.
Sherly immediately straightened her posture when she saw Ina approaching. The change was subtle but noticeable—a shift from relaxed attentiveness to something more formal and respectful.
"Good morning, Senior Ina."
Ina nodded lightly.
"Morning, Sherly. Please process my little brother's transfer to Akela branch."
Then she pointed toward Hyoren.
"And register him into the Freedom Party afterward."
Sherly nodded professionally.
"Understood. I'll process it immediately."
Ina gave a satisfied nod before turning toward Hyoren and the others. The expression on her face was one of someone who had completed her portion of the task and was now handing off responsibility to others.
"I need to start working now, so I'll leave you guys with Sherly."
She smiled softly.
"Let's meet again later."
Then Ina headed upstairs.
Her footsteps carried her away from the main hall. As Vice Guild Master, she had far too much work waiting for her. Especially with the dungeon opening approaching in only five days.
Hyoren watched her leave. His gaze lingered on the staircase for a moment—tracking Ina's ascent until she disappeared from view—before turning his attention back to the matter at hand.
Then he handed over his, Elise's, and Jackey's guild cards. The metallic cards transferred from his hands to Sherly's.
"Here, Sherly. Please process everything."
Sherly accepted the cards and immediately began working.
Her fingers moved quickly and skillfully as she manipulated the magic tools. The instruments responded to her touch—activating with subtle pulses of light that indicated their function. Several runes glowed faintly while information updated automatically.
The process finished in less than five minutes.
Sherly handed the cards back politely.
"Here are your guild cards."
She smiled professionally.
"The transfer has been completed successfully. Jackey is now officially registered under the Akela branch and recognized as a member of the Freedom Party."
Jackey immediately grinned widely. His arm shot upward with enthusiasm that seemed to demand acknowledgment from everyone in the vicinity.
"WOHOO! Official now!"
Hyoren ignored the Cat-clan beastkin and accepted the cards before nodding toward Sherly.
"Thank you, Sherly."
Sherly bowed slightly.
"You're welcome."
After that, the three of them left the guild together. Their footsteps carried them toward the massive doors that served as the entrance to the building—each step taking them further from the organized chaos within.
Behind them, the lively sounds of adventurers and guild staff continued echoing throughout the massive hall.
***
Outside the Adventurer's Guild HQ, the three of them stopped. The massive doors closed behind them with a heavy thud that seemed to mark the transition from the organized chaos within to the broader chaos of the city beyond.
Morning sunlight illuminated the bustling streets of Akela while adventurers continuously entered and exited the guild building behind them.
The flow of people was constant—a stream of individuals moving with purpose toward their various destinations. Some carried weapons that glinted in the light. Others wore the kind of practical clothing that spoke to long journeys and hard work.
Above the city, the dual suns of Kresneger perched. The golden Sol was already fading. What once dominated the sky had now become nothing more than a tiny speck of golden light.
Meanwhile, silver Luna ruled the skies.
Its pale radiance blanketed the world with cold silver light even during daytime, creating an undeniably otherworldly sight. The now larger sun cast its glow across everything below—transforming the familiar streets into something that seemed touched by magic. The streets, buildings, and even the adventurers moving through Akela looked faintly washed beneath Luna's glow. It was bright, but the colors seemed muted beneath the silver light.
It was beautiful. Alien. A constant reminder that this was not Earth. The sight still caught Hyoren off guard sometimes—the way the world looked under Luna's dominance, the way the light played across surfaces in patterns that would never exist under a normal sun.
And Luna's dominance also marked the approaching winter.
In six days, the month would change. Sol would disappear completely from the sky. The golden sun would retreat—leaving Luna to rule alone until the cycle turned again.
And once that happened—winter would officially begin across Kresneger.
Hyoren turned toward his two party members.
"Jackey, we basically have four free days before we move into our house. Then on the 30th, we'll dive into the newly opened dungeon."
He looked directly at the tabby beastkin. His gaze was steady—carrying the kind of directness that came from a leader addressing a new member of his team.
"What are you planning to do?"
Jackey immediately smirked widely. The expression stretched across his face with the kind of unapologetic enthusiasm that seemed to be his default state.
"Brothel!"
He crossed his arms proudly.
"I want to taste how good Akela's escorts are! I heard they're famous! HAHAHA!"
His boisterous laughter echoed through the street.
It caused several nearby adventurers and passersby to chuckle knowingly. The sound seemed to carry further than it should—drawing attention from people who had no reason to care about the conversation but found amusement in it nonetheless.
Hyoren resisted the urge to facepalm.
The impulse was strong—the kind of reflexive response that came from being associated with someone whose priorities were so transparently different from his own. He shook his head to dispel the thought.
Meanwhile, Elise simply sighed in resignation.
"Sigh... It seems Ina was right about you."
Then she shook her head helplessly. Her silver hair swayed with the motion.
"But oh well... Just be responsible, okay?"
She pointed vaguely toward the city district ahead.
“You can find us at Wanderer’s Rest if you need anything. And if you don’t know where it is, just ask Ina.”
Jackey immediately gave a thumbs up.
“Will do, Big Bro! Elise!”
Then he grinned shamelessly.
"Now if you'll excuse me... I can't wait to experience my first Akela woman!"
Without another word, he bolted away enthusiastically into the crowd.
His hulking frame moved with surprising speed—weaving between other pedestrians with an agility that seemed at odds with his muscular build. Within moments, he had disappeared into the mass of bodies—absorbed by the city that had clearly captured his interest. The sight of his retreating form was brief—a flash of orange hair and tabby tails before the crowd swallowed him entirely.
Hyoren and Elise watched him disappear.
Elise chuckled softly.
"He's truly devoted to his... passion... Fufu."
Hyoren looked utterly exasperated. The expression on his face was one of resigned acceptance.
"Yeah... at least he's honest."
He sighed.
"Though I'm pretty sure our party will never become quiet with him around."
Elise nodded in agreement.
"That's true..."
Then she turned properly toward Hyoren.
"So, what's your plan today, Hyoren?"
She brushed her silver hair behind her pointed ear.
"I'll continue training my Mapping skill. Hopefully I can learn it tomorrow... or the day after at the latest."
Hyoren suddenly remembered something. The thought surfaced with clarity—a detail that had been lingering in the back of his mind waiting for the right moment to emerge.
"Elise, can you transfer some money from the party account to mine? I want to buy something."
Elise tilted her head curiously.
"What is it?"
She looked him up and down briefly.
"I thought we already settled your gear issue. And supplies can wait until before we enter the dungeon on the 30th..."
Hyoren smiled faintly.
"I want to buy throwing weapons."
Elise blinked once. The reaction was brief—a moment of surprise before understanding began to dawn.
"I'm a tank now, not a damage dealer. But I still want ranged options. Throwing weapons could be used to hold enemy back when they tried to flank us too."
He crossed his arms thoughtfully. The posture was one of consideration—his mind working through the logic of his request as he explained it.
"Watching Jackey throw those axes yesterday made me want to continue sharpening my throwing skills."
Elise giggled in understanding.
"Fufu… So that's what this is about."
She nodded lightly.
"Throwing daggers, right?"
She looked up, trying to remember Hyoren's playstyle before. Her gaze drifted slightly as she accessed memories of their earlier adventures together.
"You used to carry four Cinder-maw daggers before changing roles. Something similar should cost around five to six hundred thousand Kres."
Then she took out her guild card and manipulated it skillfully with Aethell. The metallic cards seemed to respond to her touch—glowing faintly as she channeled her energy into it.
The card glowed faintly while the transfer was processed. A few moments later, she nodded.
"Okay. It's done."
She returned the guild card into the storage bag attached to her belt.
"So what are you planning after buying the weapons?"
Hyoren tapped his chin thoughtfully.
"I guess I'll finally start learning magic properly. Jackey is busy, so no training with him."
He smiled slightly. The expression carried a hint of anticipation—the kind of look that came from someone who was looking forward to something they had been putting off.
"I'll go visit Oria."
Elise smiled widely at that.
"That's a good idea."
Then she giggled mischievously.
"Fufufu… Give my regards to that pipsqueak, okay?"
Afterward, she glanced toward the road ahead. Her emerald eyes seemed to trace the path she would be taking—mapping out the route in her mind before she began walking.
"Ina will probably stay busy for the next four days. So we'll return to Wanderer's Rest tonight, alright?"
Hyoren nodded.
"Alright."
Elise smiled warmly before beginning to walk away. The expression was soft—carrying the kind of affection that seemed to be reserved for moments when they were parting, however briefly.
She waved at him lightly.
"See you tonight, Hyoren."
Hyoren waved back.
"See you later, Elise. Stay safe."
He remained standing there for a while, watching her silver figure gradually disappear into the bustling crowd. The sight was familiar—her form becoming smaller and less distinct as the distance between them increased until she was swallowed entirely by the mass of people moving through the streets.
Yesterday, so many things happened.
The duel. The confession. Ina became his lover. Jackey joined the party. Buying a house. It had been an incredibly busy day. The memories seemed to blur together—a cascade of events that had fundamentally changed the shape of his life in ways he was still processing.
And now, for the first time since yesterday, he was alone. But, definitely not lonely.
Elise was waiting for him tonight. The thought carried a warmth that seemed to spread through his chest—a reminder that he would return to someone who cared about him.
Ina, though busy with guild work, but she was there, he easily reached her if he want.
And Jackey—the loud and straightforward Cat-clan beastkin—had become part of the Freedom Party.
Thinking about all of that, a contented feeling spread through Hyoren's chest.
Then he started walking. His footsteps carried him forward—away from the guild and toward the shops where he hoped to find what he needed. It marked the beginning his new days in Akela.