The flames outside raged like a storm, pressing against the barrier of death that held them back.Kaelen had never gone up against a Flame Elemental before—but that didn’t really matter. Instinct kicked in. His perception was razor-sharp, every sense honed. With a quick cast of Insight, the creature’s stats unfolded before his eyes like an open book. Strength, resistances, abilities—everything. Within seconds, he already knew how to take it down.That’s what made his high perception so terrifying. Most adventurers could only pick up a few vague hints about a monster. But Kaelen? He saw the full picture—every number, every skill, every tiny detail the game world tried to hide.Fighting an Elemental, though… that was a whole different challenge. These things weren’t humanoid or beast-type. You couldn’t just aim for the head and score a critical hit. No, with creatures made purely of magic and energy, you had to find the weakness yourself.And this one? It was nothing but living fire—no

The mustached troublemaker had left, but the private room didn’t regain its earlier calm. Instead, a heavy, oppressive tension hung in the air, thick and stubborn.One man had ruined the mood. Simple as that.“Who was that?” Kaelen asked, glancing at Aunt Amelia. Out of everyone in Faust, she was the one he trusted most for information.“You don’t recognize him?” Amelia shook her head lightly, her expression flickering with uncertainty. “I could dig around and find out more if you want.”“No need,” the Warrior said before Kaelen could respond. His gaze swept across the group. “I know this one. He’s a lone adventurer.”“Impossible,” Finn scoffed. “Just by himself? A lone adventurer? He’d be dead long ago if that were true.” The man’s smug attitude had already rubbed Finn the wrong way.“Of course, he didn’t level entirely on his own,” the Warrior explained, shaking his head. “His party was wiped out recently by a rare level-19 monster. He was the only survivor. Since then, he’s never j

Faust Cathedral’s main hall glowed with divine light. Streams of color spilled down like liquid rainbows, filling the air with a magical shimmer. Pretty enough to make anyone forget their worries—but the tension in the hall was palpable. No amount of light could hide it.Archbishop Aurelia’s face was grim. That alone was enough to set everyone on edge. Normally, she wore a serene smile, or at least a neutral expression, no matter the situation. But now? Concern shadowed her features, a rare crack in her usual composure.Kaelen felt it too. The pressure was heavy, almost physical, pressing down on his shoulders.The record had been broken. Again. And this time… by two hours. Kaelen and his team had pushed hard, closing in, only to see it slip further away. One hour and forty minutes ahead—still monstrous. Enough to make even the boldest professional pause.“Speak. Share your thoughts,” Aurelia finally broke the silence, her voice cutting through the tension.“This… this is incredible,”

The light of the gods poured from the heavens, cutting through the vaulted ceiling of Faust Cathedral like a blade.Inside the main sanctuary, the hall buzzed with movement—figures milling, talking, readying themselves. Normally, a gathering of level 19 professionals was a rare spectacle, almost legendary. Here, it was ordinary. Everyone present was at least level 19; anyone weaker wouldn’t even get close.The Sheriff stood at the center, his voice sharp, cold, unyielding, as he assigned tasks to the professionals.One by one, they accepted their missions and strode out. The once-packed hall slowly emptied. Eventually, only two remained.Doya and Gordon.One led the Twin Professionals’ Guild, the other the War Sword Professionals’ Guild.Archbishop Aurelia, standing beside the Sheriff, let her gaze drift from the departing figures and murmured softly, “It’s about time… go see Chris.”“That lunatic? Why bother?” The Sheriff’s voice carried an edge today, not his usual icy detachment.A

The tense, solemn air that had once hung over Faust was gone. Gone. The fear on the streets had vanished, replaced by something completely different—a wave of pure, unbridled celebration.Every corner of the city seemed to hum with joy. Even the smallest alleyways felt alive, as if the city itself was cheering.The preparations for war had ended suddenly, almost anticlimactically. But Kaelen and his four companions had stolen the spotlight. Everyone knew it was their effort alone that had prevented a battle. They were heroes now—the pride of Faust.Seizing the moment, the previously canceled celebrations roared back to life. As Kaelen walked down the streets, crowds pressed in from every side, cheering and shouting his name.“There’s Kaelen!” Jeka shouted from a distance, raising her right hand high and waving like mad.“Jeka, could you tone it down a little?” Shia muttered, frowning beside her.“I’ll keep that in mind… next time,” Jeka whispered, but kept waving energetically anyway.