Chapter 20 — Forbidden Pages and Unwanted Pursuers

Kai leaned against the guild’s stone wall, arms crossed, his hood and mask lowered for once. Emerald eyes watched the street with patient calm.

Soon, Garrick emerged, the Guild Director’s heavy steps measured and deliberate. He carried something in hand — a bronze-etched badge and an iron key bound by leather cord.

“You held up your end,” Garrick said simply, extending them. “So will I. This badge and key grant you access to the restricted archives. Inside, you’ll find knowledge few in this kingdom are even allowed to glimpse.”

Kai took them without ceremony. “What’s guarded inside?”

“Everything,” Garrick replied. “Advanced metallurgy, alchemy, forbidden herbs. Techniques most adventurers wouldn’t understand even if they tried. But remember—” his voice lowered, “—what you learn, you’re responsible for. Power is never free.”

Kai said nothing, slipping the badge into his cloak.

The library was housed within the guild itself, its tall double doors flanked by two armored knights. They stood stiffly as Kai approached. With one glance at the badge and key, they stepped aside.

Inside, a hush fell. Dozens of shelves lined the vaulted chamber, lantern light flickering across rows of rare tomes bound in worn leather. At the center tables, SS-ranked adventurers and a handful of Black-ranks glanced up, their expressions ranging from irritation to disdain.

A boy of thirteen in a hood, marked as B-rank, had no business being here.

Kai ignored their glares. Calm, precise, he navigated the aisles until he found what he sought — a thick tome bound in red iron, its spine etched with runes: Legendary Metallurgy and the Eternal Flame.

He tucked it under his arm and left without a word.

Night had fallen by the time Kai made his way back through the streets. The book weighed heavy in his hand, his mind already dissecting what he had glimpsed within.

But as he cut through a narrow alley, instinct screamed.

He pivoted, catching a wrist in midair, and in one smooth motion pinned the intruder against the wall. His blade hovered at their throat.

Silver hair spilled against the stone, wide violet eyes staring back at him.

“…Lira?”

Her cheeks flushed scarlet. “K-Kai…?”

For a heartbeat, silence. A thirteen-year-old boy had effortlessly pinned a twenty-four-year-old woman, their faces only inches apart.

Kai frowned, confused. “Why did you pull me in here?”

Flustered, Lira avoided his gaze. “…I was hiding.”

“Hiding?”

She nodded quickly. “From a nobleman. He won’t stop pursuing me, no matter how many times I refuse.”

Kai exhaled, annoyed. “So tell Darius.”

“I can’t!” she blurted. “He’d never let me live it down. He’d tease me for months…”

Kai rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Tch.”

A movement caught his eye — a round-faced young man in ornate clothing, strutting through the street with a small retinue of attendants.

Kai’s gaze flicked to Lira. “…That him?”

Her shoulders tensed. “Yes.”

Kai stepped out from the alley, cloak stirring faintly.

“Hey,” he called, voice flat and cold.

The noble stopped, affronted. “You dare address me so? Do you know who I am, boy?”

Lira rushed out behind Kai, trying to intercede. “Wait, don’t—”

The noble’s eyes lit up at the sight of her. “My Lira—”

“She’s not interested,” Kai cut him off sharply, emerald gaze like ice. “Leave her alone. Find someone else.”

The young man’s face twisted with rage. “You insolent brat! Don’t interfere! I am Valenhardt Droswain, heir to Marquess Alberic Droswain! One day, I’ll inherit lands and armies. You dare stand in my way?”

Kai was already walking away with Lira in tow. “I don’t care.”

Valenhardt’s fists clenched, his attendants panicking as his voice rang out in the street.

“You’ll regret this! Both of you!”

Unseen from the rooftops, Selene lounged like a cat, watching the scene unfold with crimson-eyed amusement.

Later, Kai dropped Lira off at an inn, where Darius was reconnecting with his old party — a seasoned group of S-rank adventurers. Darius gave Lira a puzzled look, when Kai handed her off without explanation.

By the time Kai returned to Ray’s forge, Selene was already there, sitting cross-legged on the workbench, idly twirling a hammer in her pale fingers.

Ray, unfazed, continued stoking the forge’s fire. He gave Kai a knowing glance, but said nothing. He already knew what Selene was — and yet he allowed her in his shop without protest.

Kai stepped inside, cloak brushing the floor.

Selene’s lips curved into a sly smile. “Welcome home, little phantom. Did you miss me?”