NOVPUBDawn had barely broken over the White Lion fortress when Klaus arrived at the briefing hall. The stone chamber, usually reserved for senior officers, was lit by hanging lanterns that cast long shadows across the aged walls. Captain Kalix waited at the head of a large oak table, scrolls and maps spread before him. Beside him stood a man Klaus rgnized immediately—Commander Leone of Team 27, the same squad Team 55 had defeated in their recent ranking matches. Themmander's face remained stoic, but the tight set of his jaw betrayed lingering resentment.
Klaus was the first of Team 55 to arrive. He nodded respectfully to Kalix and took a position near the wall, arms folded as he surveyed the room.
"Punctual," Kalix remarked with a hint of approval. "The others should be here shortly."
As if on cue, Alexandra entered, followed closely by Juron and the rest of Team 55's elite fighters. Their expressions were a mixture of anticipation and wariness—this was their first official mission since being redesignated as an elitembat unit. Behind them came another group, bearing Team 27's insignia. The tension in the room thickened immediately as the recently defeated squad filed in, their gazes carefully avoiding their victoriousunterparts.
"Now that everyone is here," Kalix began, "let's get to the matter at hand. As some of you have already noticed, Commander Leone of Team 27 and his strike team will be joining you for this mission."
Commander Leone's jaw tightened slightly, but he offered a curt nod. "My team is at your disposal, Captain."
Kalix rolled out a large map across the table. "The situation is this: We've lostntact with our outpost in Northwatch, at the Frost Veil border." His finger traced a path to the northernmost region of the map. "The Duke of Northwatch, Lord Calderas, oversees one of our most critical defensive positions against the Eternal Rift."
The Eternal Rift. Klaus felt a flicker of rgnition. Unlike the temporary tears in reality that appeared randomly throughout thentinent of Runiya—rifts that Klaus himself had closeduntless times in his previous life as a mage of the Zagerfield family—this one had remained open for over a century,ntinuously spewing monsters into the world.
"Three days ago, our messenger birds stopped returning," Kalixntinued. "Then ourmmunication mages lostntact. This in itself isn't unusual—storms in the region often disrupt magical signals. However..."
He paused, eyes scanning the room.
"The timingincides with reports of increased monster activity along the northern routes. We fear the outpost may bempromised."
"A rescue mission, then?" Juron asked, his deep voice breaking the silence.
Kalix shook his head. "Rnnaissance first. We need eyes on the ground to assess the situation beforemmitting larger forces."
Commander Leone cleared his throat. "Originally, my team was assigned to lead this mission, with Team 55 providing support." His gaze flickered to Klaus, barelyncealed resentment in his eyes. "However, given recent... developments, Captain Kalix has decided to reverse our roles."
The implication hung in the air. Team 55's meteoric rise through the ranks had changed the dynamics.
"Team 55 will take point," Kalixnfirmed. "Fifteen of your best, led by Klaus. Team 27 will provide support with twenty of their members."
Alexandra exchanged a glance with Klaus, surprise evident in her eyes. This was unprecedented—a newly formed elite unit being given lead on such a critical mission.
"I've selected those with the strongest synergy," Klaus said evenly. He had already decided which members would ampany them—fighters who had adapted best to his training methods.
"Your primary objective is to reach Northwatch and determine what has happened," Kalix said. "If possible, reestablishmmunication. If not, return with your assessment. Do not engage unless absolutely necessary."
He rolled up the map and handed it to Klaus. "You depart at midday. Griffons have been prepared for the journey."
As the briefingncluded, Team 27's members filed out first, resentment evident in their stiff postures. Commander Leone lingered, approaching Klaus directly.
"Your reputation precedes you, Lionhart," he said quietly. "The youngest Swordmaster on thentinent, now leading an elite unit after just weeks of membership." His tone held an edge of bitterness. "First you defeat us inmbat, now you usurp our mission."
Klaus met his gaze steadily. "This isn't about ego, Commander. Judge us by results, not pastmpetitions."
Leone studied him for a moment before nodding curtly. "Just remember, in the field, chains ofmmand exist for a reason. My team has years of experience in northern operations, and with riftntainment."
"Experience I value," Klaus replied, memories of his own extensive rift management from his previous life flickering in his mind. "But the mission parameters are clear."
After Leone departed, Alexandra moved to Klaus's side. "Well, that wasn't awkward at all," she muttered sarcastically. "Nothing likemmanding people who still have bruises from our last eunter."
"They're professionals," Klaus said. "And so are we." He turned to address his assembled team. "Prepare forld-weather operations. The northern climate is unforgiving this time of year. Pack light but essential. We move fast and stay vigilant."
As Team 55 dispersed to prepare, Kalix approached Klaus privately. "A word of caution," he said, voice low. "This mission came directly from the highmmand. There's interest in how you'll perform."
"Political interest?"
Kalix's expression remained impassive. "Let's just say your rapid ascension has drawn attention. Success here will cement your position. Failure..." He left the implication hanging.
"Understood," Klaus replied.
"One more thing," Kalix added. "I'm aware of your... specialnnection to the dragon. I assume you're leaving it behind?"
Klaus nodded. "Dudu remains at the Annex Mansion under my mother's care. A dragon would draw too much attention on this mission."
"Good hunting, Lionhart."
Klaus found Alexandra waiting for him outside the briefing hall. "So, our first real mission," she said, falling into step beside him. "And not just any mission—a high-priority rnnaissance to a potentiallympromised outpost. Someone must really want to test us."
"Or see us fail," Klaus observed.
Alexandra raised an eyebrow. "You think this is a setup?"
Klausnsidered the question. "No. The threat is real enough. But the timing..." He shook his head. "It doesn't matter. Wemplete the mission regardless."
They walked in silence for a moment before Alexandra spoke again.
"My father once mentioned the Eternal Rift," she said thoughtfully. "He treated soldiers who'd been stationed at Northwatch. Said thenstant exposure to the rift's energy affected their minds over time. Made them see things that weren't there."
Klaus filed this information away. Unlike the standard rifts that appeared throughout Runiya—thoselorded by threat level that he had handled routinely in his past life—the Eternal Rift was an anomaly. Its persistent nature defied the usual classification system.
"The Duke of Northwatch—you know anything about him?" Klaus asked.
"Lord Calderas? Not much. Old nobility, been governing the region for decades. Keeps to himself mostly. The position is more military than political—not many ambitious nobles volunteer to live at the edge of an eternal monster invasion." 𝚗𝚘v𝚙𝚞b.𝚌𝚘m
Klaus nodded, his mind already mapping out possibilities,ntingencies, and potential threats. Something about this mission felt wrong—a subtle unease that had nothing to do with the tactical challenges they faced.
"Rifts have been appearing more frequently lately," he noted. "Not just in Rikxia, but across Runiya. Reports from the south mentioned three new ones in Zagerfield territory last month alone."
Alexandra's eyes widened slightly. "How do you know about Zagerfield territory's rift activity?"
Klaus realized his slip—knowledge from his past life bleeding into his current one. "Intelligence reports," hevered smoothly. "I make it a point to stay informed aboutntinental threats."
As they reached the armory to gather supplies, Klaus paused, his gaze dropping to the ring on his finger. Thennection to Greed remained faint, a whisper rather than the clear voice he'd once known. He sent a pulse of arcane energy through it, feeling the familiar resistance.
"Iuld use your insight now, old friend," he thought.
The ring remained silent, but for the briefest moment, Klaus felt a flicker of something—a warning, perhaps, or merely his own intuition.
Either way, as he selected his gear for the northern journey, the unease lingered. Whatever awaited them at Northwatch, Klaus suspected it would test more than just theirmbat abilities.
It would test their very survival.
