Chapter 23: Our Journey Has Begun

Inside the Adventurer's Guild, Leonix and his party looked dejected. In Layla's hand, a folded paper held the results of their mission evaluation.

"Only... a D score?" Seraphine asked, her voice filled with disbelief.

"We tried our best, Master Sera," Leonix said with a pained look. "But as you said, there were only small monsters around here. Slimes, Undead, that's it."

Sera, the small-bodied Guild Master, only sighed. "I'm sorry, children. But that's the way it is. Your popularity isn't growing. The people need true heroes, not just exterminators."

Everyone fell silent. Their hope of gaining recognition seemed futile. Suddenly, Danny stepped forward.

"I have an idea," he said in a calm voice. "There's a gladiator event in a neighboring country. The winner can ask for anything. It could boost our popularity."

Layla grinned, her eyes sparkling. "Gladiators? Sounds fun! I'm in!"

Natalia and Seraphine nodded in agreement. Their mission to change destiny had begun.

The next morning, the six of them boarded a ship. The sky was clear, and a gentle sea breeze blew. During the journey, they saw the beautiful sea, with joyful fish leaping as if to welcome them. The atmosphere on the ship was peaceful, a stark contrast to the bitterness of the world.

However, in the middle of their journey, Leonix saw something striking.

In the distance, a magnificent city appeared. Gigantic white buildings rose, with tall towers adorned with flags. The city looked grand, luxurious, and filled with the splendor of ancient architecture. But as they got closer, other details began to emerge.

"Look at Nazaria," Layla said, her voice filled with a bitter tone. "It looks beautiful, doesn't it? But behind its luxury, there's a caste system."

"A caste system?" Shion asked, a confused look on her face.

"Yes," Layla nodded. "For other human races like Elves and animal-folk, they were enslaved after losing a civil war in this country. Even children are sold to be couriers for adventurers."

Layla's words were like a thunderclap, shattering the beautiful image they had formed. When the ship docked, the reality Layla had described hit them instantly. Chains clattered. At the harbor, many animal-folk and Elves—especially children—were in chains, forced to carry goods. They looked thin, their eyes empty. It was a heartbreaking sight.

Layla, Seraphine, and Natalia could only fall silent, their jaws clenched at the cruelty. But Leonix, with his black eyes, stared straight at a little girl. Her hair was orange like a fox, her ears poked up through her hair, and her eyes were yellowish. She looked weak and terrified.

Leonix started to walk toward her, but Danny held his hand.

"Just leave it," Danny said, his face expressionless. "Most of them are pickpockets or robbers. It's normal."

"No," Leonix replied, his eyes blazing. "There's nothing 'normal' about this." He pulled his hand away from Danny, refusing to believe the narrative.

They headed to the Adventurer's Guild to register for the Gladiator event. There, they filled out the forms and were informed that the event would be held in two days.

As they looked for an inn, Leonix kept looking back, his eyes searching for the little fox girl. He knew that behind the cheerful facade he wore, there was a dark side he hated—injustice.

On the other side of the city, in a luxurious restaurant, an old man with white hair and a white beard, his eyes a sharp blue, held a glass of wine. His gaze was fixed on the street, following Leonix's party. A cynical smile was etched on his face.