Chapter 8 : prelude to hunt

The grand hall was illuminated by glittering chandeliers, their crystals casting shards of light across the walls draped with richly embroidered tapestries. Tables covered in red silk were arranged in circles, each laden with refined dishes and sparkling flutes of champagne. Ryo, dressed in a dark suit that starkly contrasted with his light pink hair, stood slightly apart, observing the crowd. Nobles in elegant attire chatted animatedly, their laughter echoing through the air heavy with excitement. He felt like an intruder in this world of glamour and sophistication.
Lady Rose was as at ease as a butterfly, while her brother grumbled beside him, stiffening every time a woman smiled at him.This guy won’t be getting married anytime soon.
Mona, radiant in a blue satin dress that caught the light, approached him with a mischievous smile.“Good evening, how are you feeling?”“Still alive.”“I can see that.” She glanced around the room, her eyes landing on Stellar stuffing himself with cream puffs before turning back to Ryo. “Are you having fun?”“Not really,” he admitted nervously. “Look at them all… they seem so comfortable.”“It’s just a façade,” she replied, giving him a playful nudge. “Follow me, and pretend to be confident.”
She pulled him toward the center of the hall, where a group of nobles was deep in animated conversation. Ryo forced a smile, listening to discussions about art, political alliances, and the latest gossip on illicit affairs.
“Ah, the famous Mona!” exclaimed a tall man in a flamboyant suit. “Always chasing new adventures, I suppose?”“And always ready to tell a few, Andros,” she answered lightly. “Allow me to introduce Ryo, a… friend.”Andros’s sharp gaze fell on Ryo. “A friend, you say? I hope he’s not a spy. We already have enough problems as it is.”
A bead of sweat slid down Ryo’s temple, but Mona shot him a look that told him to stay calm.“Ryo isn’t a spy,” she declared confidently. “He’s a courier like me. Just started recently.”“A courier, hmm?” Andros seemed to relax slightly, though his eyes remained scrutinizing. “Interesting. Which agency are you with, young man?”
Realizing it was his turn to speak, Ryo straightened his shoulders.“I… I don’t belong to any agency yet, actually…”
A murmur of interest rippled through the group. Nobles surrounded Ryo with questions about his skills. Mona gave him a wink, and he felt a wave of support at his back.
Andros let out a loud, hearty laugh. “Not bad for a novice. You might just have a place among us, Ryo. But remember—this world is full of pretenses.”
At that moment, the music began to play, a bewitching melody that drew the guests onto the dance floor. Mona tugged Ryo by the hand.“Come on! You need to learn how to dance, not just talk.”“Dance? But I don’t know how!” he protested, but she gave him no choice.
She pulled him into the whirl of couples gliding gracefully across the floor. Soon, Ryo found himself falling into rhythm, a smile spreading across his face. The tension melted away as he let the music carry him, forgetting—if only for a moment—the weight pressing on his shoulders.
As the evening wore on, he found himself enjoying the gala. The laughter, the conversations, the dancing… it all made him feel just a little less lost. Maybe, just maybe, he could find a place here—even in this world.
When the music stopped, he turned to Mona and Rose, who had joined them by then, his heart still racing.“Thanks for dragging me in here. I didn’t think I’d enjoy myself this much.”“This is just the beginning, Ryo,” Rose replied with a smile—one that faded when a shadow loomed near them.
Amos towered over Ryo, his translucent eyes studying him with skepticism.“So this is the walking corpse. Surprising.”“If you’re here, that means Ilyade isn’t far behind.”“I didn’t know the Sunwhispers could tell the future,” the orange-haired man said ironically as he stepped closer.
Lady Rose said nothing and withdrew. Her behavior startled Ryo; she was the type to laugh at everything, so why did she suddenly seem offended?
As he tried to catch up with her, a commotion caught his attention.“But I told you, I have to see him! He knows who I am! Let me through, for heaven’s sake!”“Aldah?”
The troublemaker stilled, glancing at Mona, who had approached to see who was causing the ruckus.“Mona, please, help me. I must meet Lord Ian Vespera.”“Of course, I’ll let him know you’re here.”“Thank you!”
Mona melted back into the crowd.She won’t do anything…
Ryo froze. That voice—it was the Beast.What?That girl won’t help her.What makes you say that?Something humans like you don’t have.
Ryo turned to the girl at the entrance. She looked desperate. A glance back at the crowd, and his face hardened: Mona was chatting with a group of people, showing no urgency whatsoever.
The pink-haired boy watched her for a few minutes. Sure enough, she was moving from table to table without the slightest concern for her… “friend.”You should do something.
“Hey, Aldah, right? Looks like Mona got sidetracked. How about I help you find Lord Vespera?”“You’re too kind, thanks! What’s your name?”“Ryo.”“Nice to meet you, Ryo.”
After some pleading from Ryo and a firm warning from Elowen, Aldah was allowed inside—on the condition that she not leave Ryo’s side.
They eventually found Ian Vespera. A man with dark hair and piercing eyes; the longer Ryo stayed near him, the more uneasy he felt.This guy gives me a bad feeling.No kidding?You should tell your hosts to go home.Why, are they in danger here?I don’t know what you humans call danger, but someone just unleashed a pack of mana hounds near the manor.
Ryo’s blood froze in his veins at the thought of Andrea’s smiling face.
A courier rushed into the hall with a letter, handing it to Lady Rose. The moment she read it, her mark activated. A golden seal flared on the floor, and Lady Rose vanished, followed by her brother. Ryo dashed outside, unsure how he could keep up with them.
The mark on his chest ignited, and a seal almost identical to the Sunwhispers’ appeared at his feet.Visualize the manor and snap your fingers. Tough luck if you miss, kid—I’ll just find another human.
Ryo followed the instructions and appeared in the garden, though vertigo and nausea overtook him.You’ll get used to it with time. I’m surprised your body hasn’t disintegrated already.
When Ryo lifted his head, a mana hound stood before him, a red ribbon clenched in its teeth—the same ribbon Andrea always wore.