Chapter 33 – The First Encounter

## Short Prologue – Resetting the Path

In a quiet room lit only by flickering candlelight, Zareen stood before a wooden table where Gifa had placed a new contract book.

His expression was somber. Ever since completing several high-level missions, his name had spread quickly throughout the guild. Many adventurers—especially veterans—had begun to question him. Whispers followed him wherever he went: accusations of cheating, using forbidden methods, and claims that he wasn’t a normal adventurer at all.

Zareen lowered his gaze. “Master… I don’t want to be the center of all this chaos. If it continues, I won’t just be hunted by monsters—other adventurers will start coming after me too.”

Gifa regarded him silently for a long moment, then sighed deeply. “I knew this day would come. You are different, Zareen. That black card isn’t just some symbol… and the world will not easily accept what it means.”

She placed her hand gently on the contract book. “But there is one path you can take. You can change your magic specialization—shift from attacker to supporter. But there is a price.”

Zareen lifted his head. “What price?”

“All of your levels, stats, and abilities will be reset. You will return to the state of a beginner. The black card will remain, because it is a part of who you are.”

Silence filled the room. The weight of her words sank into him like stone. Becoming a beginner again meant giving up everything he had earned—his power, his potions, his reputation as a solo mage.

But Zareen let out a wry smile. “If that’s what it takes to stop their suspicion… I’m willing. After all, starting from zero is something I’m used to.”

Gifa studied him carefully, then nodded. With a motion of her hand, a glow surrounded Zareen’s black staff. The light shuddered, then faded away. Zareen felt his body grow lighter—yet weaker.

Inside him, the system echoed:

**[Status has been reset.]**

**[New Magic Path: Support.]**

Zareen looked at his hands. A gentle lavender glow appeared at his fingertips—not a fiery blaze or crackling lightning, but a simple, soothing healing light.

Gifa allowed herself a faint smile. “From this point on, everyone will see you as a beginner. Some might even laugh at you. But that is exactly where you will discover your true path.”

Zareen nodded. His chest still ached a little, but he felt lighter, as though a great burden had been lifted. There would be no more suspicious eyes weighing down every step he took.

---

The next day, rumors spread across the guild hall:

“A new rookie? Really? At a time like this?”

“Didn’t they say this world’s server is close to shutting down? Weird…”

“Hey, I heard that newbie has a black card. No way, right? Probably just gossip.”

Amidst the whispers, a young man with a calm expression entered the guild, carrying a plain support staff. It was Zareen—no longer an offensive mage, but now a supporter.

Few knew the truth: beneath that beginner’s status lay a power unlike any other.

---

Chapter 33 – The First Encounter

The Eastern City Hunter’s Guild was always bustling every morning. The sound of boots echoed across the stone floor as adventurers moved about, shouting offers of service, while the tables were stacked with mission scrolls.

In front of the massive mission board stood a young man with black hair, looking a little unsure of himself. His hand kept moving between writing his name on the form and erasing it again. This was **Zareen**, a new mage with nothing but a plain wooden staff strapped to his back.

“Why are there no missions for solo players…?” he muttered under his breath.

His eyes landed on the bold letters of one of the scrolls:

> **Mission: Guard the Northern Gate from the Monster Fog Assault**

> *Requirement: Minimum of 4 party members.*

Zareen let out a long sigh. “Ugh… always a party. This is what I get for doing everything alone until now.”

The black staff strapped to his back gave off a faint vibration, almost mocking him: *I told you—one day, you’d have to work with a team.*

---

### Three People at the Round Table

Not far from the mission board sat three figures around a round table.

The first was a girl clad in black armor, her helmet resting on the table. Her long black hair framed her sharp eyes—eyes that hid a faint warmth behind their stoic expression. She was **Yuna**, a Dark Knight.

Beside her sat **Sari**, a petite assassin with short hair. Her nimble hands idly flipped a small dagger while her mouth never seemed to stop talking.

The third was **Doni**, a brown-haired young man with a longbow slung across his back. He sat leaning forward, looking hopeful, clearly trying to convince Yuna.

“Come on, just this once! I can be useful!” Doni pleaded.

“No,” Yuna replied curtly, her gaze never leaving her cup.

Sari chuckled softly. “Give it up, Doni. Yuna’s stubborn—she only wants an all-girl party.”

Doni slumped back in his chair, his face falling in defeat.

---

### Zareen’s Restlessness

Meanwhile, Zareen was still standing in front of the board. Each time he tried to sign his name, he erased it again. “If I sign up… I still need three more people. But who would want to team up with a beginner like me?”

To the guild members, Zareen looked like a complete novice. His status was fresh, his magic weak, and his staff plain. None of them knew that he had once cleared high-level missions all by himself before resetting his entire path.

From the round table, Yuna’s gaze lingered on him. Her eyes narrowed, as if she were weighing something. But the moment he almost looked her way, she quickly lowered her head, a faint pink creeping onto her cheeks.

Sari noticed immediately and grinned mischievously. “Hmm? Yuna, are you crushing on that guy?”

Yuna nearly choked on her drink. “N-no! I’m just… curious. He looks… unusual.”

Sari snickered. “In that case, let me go make the first move.”

---

### The Invitation

Just as Zareen erased his name for the fourth time, a cheerful voice called from beside him.

“Hey, you’re Zareen, right? The so-called ‘Lavender Mage’ everyone’s been talking about?”

Zareen almost jumped. “Eh!? Y-yeah… but please don’t call me that. It’s just a silly rumor.”

Sari grinned. “Relax. I’m Sari, an assassin. That’s my friend Yuna.”

Zareen glanced at Yuna, who was still sitting at the table, pretending to stare into her cup. But he caught a quick, shy glance from her direction.

“What’s going on…?” he asked, confused.

Sari pointed at the mission board. “You were looking at the Northern Gate mission, right? Perfect—we’re after the same one. But we need another member. How about you join us?”

Zareen scratched his head. “I… usually work solo. Honestly, I have no idea how a proper party works.”

“Even better!” Sari patted his shoulder enthusiastically. “Think of it as practice. Besides, I’m pretty sure you’re more than just some silly rumor.”

Zareen hesitated, then glanced toward Yuna. She was still looking down, but this time her flushed cheeks were clearly visible.

Finally, he took a deep breath. “If you don’t mind having me… I’ll join.”

Sari beamed. “Great! From now on, we’re a team.”

---

### Doni’s Misfortune

Before Zareen could even relax, Doni stood up. “Then I’ll join too! That makes five of us!”

For the first time, Yuna looked up. Her sharp gaze pierced Doni like a spear. “No.”

Doni froze, his hopeful expression instantly shattering. “Why… always me…”

Sari patted his shoulder sympathetically, though she was clearly holding back a laugh. “Cheer up, Don. Maybe next time… or maybe never.”

Zareen stood awkwardly, feeling bad for Doni but not brave enough to go against Yuna’s decision.

---

### The Beginning of a New Party

At last, the mission form read:

* **Yuna – Dark Knight**

* **Sari – Assassin**

* **Zareen – Support Mage**

The guild receptionist stamped the paper. “Alright, the Northern Gate mission is officially assigned to your team. Good luck out there.”

Zareen stared at the form for a moment, then allowed himself a small smile. *So… this is my very first party.*

Sari clapped him on the back. “Don’t worry, Zareen. As long as you’re with us, there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

Yuna gave a small nod, the faintest hint of a smile crossing her lips.

Zareen lowered his gaze, feeling his heart beating faster than usual. He knew that even though he now looked like a beginner, a completely different kind of adventure was about to begin.