The surroundings were filled with screams and explosions. Bloods were spilled everywhere, no one's left unscathed. It is indeed a sight of war.

A battlefield without good or evil, it's all about fighting. The feeling of pain, sorrow and fear of death is certain. Everyone's putting their lives at risk, not knowing who will win.

On a corner, a certain duel was on fire. Mages, fighting for their own belief. One who attacks and one who protects.

"You can't defeat me in that state , Knoah," the leader of the side who opposes, declared. Knoah was on his knees and drivern into the corner, hardly catching his breath.

"Hiding your true form won't benefit you, unleash it." The enemy placed its foot on top of Knoah's head. He groaned in pain when the enemy stepped on it like it was some kind of a soccer ball.

Knoah isn't an idiot that he knew from the beginning fighting an opponent like this one wouldn't be easy. He clenched his fist when his chance of protecting her is getting lower than expected.

"Knoah!"

Knoah's eyes grew big when he heard a woman's familiar voice. He mumbled, "Sht! She shouldn't come here!"

His head was still pinned down but his trying to resist it, wanting to warn the girl who's now running towards them. Everyone knew that she's the target of his opponent!

"Oh, she's here."

The weight on Knoah's head suddenly went off for his enemy removed its foot atop his head. He saw his opponent smiling at Amanda who's in the verge of anger right now, while her sweats are slowly dripping. No one knows whether it's fear, nervousness or excitement is what she's feeling right now. But anyone can notice how she's gripping her katana hardly.

"Distance yourself from Knoah!" She slowed her pace as she walked towards the guy who's in the ground laying, while her katana is pointed at the enemy who's currently amused by her.

"I should be the one protecting you! Not the other way around!" Knoah shouted using the ounce of strength he has left. Thinking how useless he is right now with Amanda having the intent to kill the enemy in front of them right now.

"Oh? How can you protect her? You can't even defeat me," the enemy emphasized while a grin is visible in its face, "Remember what I taught you, you can't defeat a monster without becoming one."

Monster. Knoah's teeth gritted as he heard the word. The only word who describes himself, the one he loathed to hear. No matter how hard he escaped from reality, he just can't.

"I trust you. Remember what I've told you?" a calm voice stopped him from overthinking. A pair of warm hands held his face, he lifted his head and saw Amanda's sincere face that mumbled the words he needed to hear,

"You are not a monster."

2 years had passed since her families' assassination. She's still in the middle of unlocking its mystery. She had come into different places and such for her journey continues.

Amanda opened a folder that contains information that might help her find who's responsible for it. It's based on her research and investigations. But most of them are just fake rumors.

While scanning through the pages, she saw a man named Henry Schwartz, said to be one of the citizens, before the assassination, which was asked where their clan's location might be.

According to the other people, Amanda had asked about the man, that the man she's referring to was already killed. She deliberately stopped her investigations then.

But now she's thinking, there were no concrete evidence that he's already dead which might led a chance to find him alive. It's the only lead Amanda has right now, every info she got was crap. Now she's desperately hoping this one won't be a waste of her energy.

She then decided to go out to find the man again.

...----------------...

Amanda's Point of View

According to the other intel, I gathered, the one in front of me is his house. I won't bother finding him if only he's not the only lead I currently had. I hope he's still breathing yet.

I knocked at the door and a woman, probably between her 30's, opened the door.

"Do you know someone named Henry, ma'am?" I politely asked. Her eyebrows furrowed and looked at me like I was kind of a bug.

"I already said I don't know!" She slammed the door close. What does she mean about 'already'? Did someone also come asking about Henry?

I knocked again. The woman opened it and was about to close the door again when used my hand to stop the door from closing. Luckily, she let me.

"Can you describe the looks of the person who came asking about Henry?" I asked and tried hard to be polite. I need to know why a person is asking for Henry. Call me cautious but it's way better than being careless.

She left our a deep sigh and answered, "A tall male with his long bangs covering his face. That should be enough." She slammed the door before I got to thank her. Some people have really short patience, don't they?

I forgot to ask about which direction he went to. Whatever, I'll just find him my own. I asked other people if they had seen a guy like the previous woman described earlier and pointed a direction.

Until I've noticed that I'm already in the middle of the forest. I can only hear the birds humming and the clapping leaves. I hope I can still distinguish later which way I came from.

I just ignored the thought and continued to walk straight. I noticed a cloud of smoke coming from the direction I'm going to. I decided to follow that.

I saw a man facing the fire and a bucket full of fish beside him, he must be grilling. I'm facing his back so I can't tell whether it's the one who the woman was talking about, or someone else.

I was about to take a step when someone appeared from nowhere in front of the man who's grilling a fish. It was so sudden like a strike of lightning.

"Henry Schwartz, I'm here on a mission to eliminate you," the man, who suddenly popped out from nowhere, said. Just as the woman described, a tall male with his bangs covering his face. No doubt, it's him, the man who's also finding Henry. But I didn't expect him to find Henry to eliminate. I doubt that he just wants to kill the man without proper reason. It should be important to take a life without hesitation.

He opened his palms and a ball of lightning went out from it. I was alarmed and went as fast as I could in front. He stopped when he saw me. He looked at me telling me to get out of the way. I can tell that he's totally irritated by me right now.

"Unfortunately, you'll fail your mission as long as I'm here," I cautioned but it seems he doesn't care about it. There's no way I'll let him kill Henry.

"Then I'll just kill you with him." He didn't even hesitate! I have no choice but to fight him!

I drew out my katana and stood in front of him, I won't let the man behind me get killed. I need to ask the information first.

To be honest, I don't know if I can cope up with him. Judging from the ball of thunder earlier, he's a skilled mage and I'm not. I think I might be driven into the edge.

But I'm confident in my swordsmanship skills and also my reflexes. I trained to be on par with mages so this one would be my first step into making us equal to each other. If I can't, then all those harsh pieces of training are just useless.

Yet I can't deny the fact that my knees are shaking right now. Who would not be scared at the one in front of me? I can't clearly see his face because of his front hair covering his eyes so I don't know his reaction by me standing in front of him.

But if something happens, I have something hidden in my sleeves though.

"I don't know who he is to you woman but I just want to warn you he is a dangerous one." he didn't wait for my response and suddenly a struck of lightning came passing through me and he vanished in my sight.

I was taken aback. As I suddenly recovered from the shock, I moved my gaze behind and saw a headless man, many drops of blood are spilling from it.

"What happened?!"

I stiffened as I saw Mr. Henry's head on the ground. The body collapsed and blood was drained out of him. This is insane!

The scenery in front of me made me recalled my painful past. Drops of blood are everywhere and killings won't stop. I remember it clearly and now I'm trembling, I even lose hold of my katana.

My last clue disappeared in an instant. I looked at the man responsible for it. He's holding a lightning blade.

"I would like to kill you for interfering but the mission said no killing except the target."

Until an idea popped out of my head, I still have something hidden under my sleeves. I let it out and threw it at him. He might dodge it but it's a paralyzing smoke bomb, anyone who inhales it would be paralyzed in an instant.

I bought it from a certain woman in the previous town I went to. It's very expensive but I know it'll be useful at times like this.

I thought I won. I thought I succeeded, instead, he walked in the smoke like nothing. And went in front of me and mumbled words until he knocked me off.

"Don't attack me using her inventions," that was he uttered before I lost consciousness.

...----------------...

Author's Notes: English is not my first language. So if you have difficulties understanding the story, don't be afraid to point them out. It will also help me on my journey as an aspiring writer. Thank you!

I opened my eyes after I was knocked out. My head is still kinda dizzy but I manage to get up. I waited as the view of my eyes cleared out. I looked at my surroundings and saw myself still in the forest.

I'm the only one here. Henry's body and that man who killed him is gone. Did he clean it up already? It's like I woke up from a nightmare. Unfortunately, everything that had happened is real, no Henry to ask to.

Hopelessly, I went back to my apartment where I rented. Aww fck, I think it'll take me years until I will reach my goal.

I need to find whoever killed Henry and make him suffer—or not. I'm not that idiotic to go after someone stronger than me. I'll just waste my time when it comes to that. It's his job and I'm not that immature to rant about it. It's also my fault for being weak, no need to blame it on someone else.

I slammed myself on my bed thinking what I should do next until I've heard the landlady's annoying voice.

"Amanda! Your rent last month is still unpaid yet! When will you pay for it?!" I'm still not financially stable, I don't have a job, that's why.

"Next week!" I yelled at her but I kinda controlled my voice. Even though the landlady's a btch, she's nice for letting me live here without my rent.

"You always say that even though you won't! Be sure you'll pay for me or else, I will kick you out of here!" The annoying voice stopped. Arghh! Where should I get some money in this state? I'm not in the mood to get a job~

Someone knocked at my door, I thought it was the landlady again but it was Maricel, the girl next door. I asked what she wants and she showed me a bundle of money she has in her hand.

She threw it at me like it was nothing. I was about to thank her when she said something,

"Join a guild using that. Go on a mission and they'll pay you money." So in short, she's telling me to get a job? It's a drag!

"I would like you to join ours but we only require mages," she explained. Missions? I remembered the guy who took me out was also talking about missions. I can assume he's a member of a mage guild. But why would a guild mission orders someone to kill? Isn't that against rules?

A guild is an association of merchants. They accept missions requested from various people around the place. It's your choice if you'll accept the request or not. They will pay you once you've successfully done it. But come to think of it, it can also be just a normal request with someone who hates Henry, right?

Anyway, I can't deny the fact that this is also a perfect opportunity to go out and find information about my clan's hunter. I can explore places if I want to, might as well learn new things on them.

"I'll think about it," I replied and she went out. A guild, eh? There's no harm if I try one...

...----------------...

I've researched every non-mage guild, and as expected, the rewards are little compared to the mage guild. The missions on non-mages are just plain missions for kids while on the mages one has mission levels from easiest to hardest.

Of course, the harder the mission is, the much money you'll receive. I really don't care about the job, all I need is the money. Technically, I'm a mage myself but not like others being used in offensive and defensive things. It's more like a support, betting my life that is.

Maricel doesn't know it because I haven't told anyone about it yet. It's risky trusting someone in my state. So maybe she just assumed that I don't use magic.

Our clan's cursed because using our magic bets our life instead. But it doesn't mean I'm not special like them. I don't even know if it's considered as an ability or a curse. Our ancestors fcked us up.

Now I'm standing in front of a guild named, "Sirius". The logo was shown on top of the name sign. It looks like a dog.  Maybe the name of the guild was from the star named Sirius? If I consider the constellation the star is from, the dog logo makes sense.

It is said to be one of the strongest guilds because of the so-called Elites. The 10 most powerful in that group. I wonder what advantages in being a member of that group? Maybe I should set my eyes on them first.

I walked passed through the door. The beer's lingering scent went through my nose as if it was a perfume for the members inside. Yet it doesn't really affect me that much since the beer isn't that smelly like any other.

I saw a bunch of people laughing and drinking with others. Are they the guild members? I can tell they are a happy go lucky people. I can say that even I didn't expect what greeted me. Someone was fighting against each other. Looks like the members are that carefree.

"Where should I apply to be a member of this guild?" I asked the timid one at the back. She seems like she doesn't care about what's happening in her surroundings.

She pointed something behind me and I saw an office with a woman inside. I mumbled 'thanks' and went there.

As I walked nearer, I've noticed that her hair was made out of fire. I'm glad her clothes aren't affected by those. A fire mage. She looks like a hot-headed potato. I noticed the template that's in her table, it says "AMBER" with capitalized letters that looks like she's pointing out that her name is Amber. I talked to her about being a member.

"Name?" She asked with one of her eyebrows raised. I can tell her patience is not that long, base on her looks and attitude towards me.

"Amanda Crey," I sighed as I mention my fake surname. I'm really glad I did some research and found out about the clan who's magic is to strengthen their physical strength. I did some physical training to make it more believable. Having callouses won't affect my goal.

"Place you hand in this," she ordered and offered a magical ball. It is a device used in measuring how much magic power we possess but doesn't necessarily show what it is so it's safe for me.

I did what she told me and the magical ball showed numbers, "1000."

"It's on average. Okay, you pass." She grabbed my hair and forced me to show my nap. I just let her since I don't sense danger or any ill intentions from her. She stamped something in it.

"That's the guild's crest, you're now an official member," she explained. I slightly touched where the crest is. It's kind of uncomfortable that I can't see it. Maybe I can see it later on in the mirror.

"Can I already go on a mission?" I questioned.

"You can only go on D ranks. You need to work harder in order for you to be able to go on a higher mission," she explained and I sighed in disappointment. It's not possible for me to pay my rent in a single mission.

D ranks pays over 500-1,000 coins and my rent goes upto 5,000. I need atleast 5-10 jobs to settle the pay. Arghh, it's tiresome. I might not reach my goal by solving rent problems.

I almost cursed when someone tapped my shoulders. I looked behind me and saw a woman with long dark blue hair, smiling at me like we're close friends.

She held my wrist and drag me in front of everybody, "Let's welcome her! Our new member!"

"Welcome to the guild, Amanda!" they toasted their mugs with beers in it and started the party. Well, it's not that special since they are already doing a party before I came.

"Can I really not go on a C-rank mission?" I asked the lady with a fire head, Amber. She laughed and drank the whole bottle of beer. She's a woman but a drunkard.

"You're still a newbie. Don't rush things," she tapped my head while saying those words in a drank way. She's probably different when she's drunk. Well, being a member was fast.

I noticed a board on the side with some papers posted on it. It says 'Missions Available'. Interested, I went there to see it closer.

I found out I should choose one to be mine. According to Amber, what I should do are D-ranks. I noticed everything seems so easy. Finding a lost pet, being an escort of a VIP, fixing broken things, etc. The price is quite resonable.

There's a notice posted on the other side of the board, it's a piece of information about the categories of every mission. D and C class, which are the ones in front of me right now. The B and A class which is between a thousand and hundred thousand of coins reward, I think it's on the other board.

My eyes twinkled as I saw a kind of category who has a reward of a million. An S-Class. The higher the better, I thought. But there's a reminder that only Elites are qualified to take that kind of mission. The S class missions are also in the Elite's hall, the fourth floor. I observed my surroundings and noticed that they are all busy doing their own businesses.

I asked someone where the bathroom is and when I found it, I hurriedly went inside. I let out the invisibility potion I bought with the paralyzing smoke bomb.

I drank it and went upstairs until I reached the fourth one. It's exhausting because it's too high. As I stepped in it, I saw different rooms but one caught my attention. It has a big door, different from others. I went to a suspicious-looking room.

Maybe, if I succedeed getting an S-Class, I can pay my rent yearly bill. I can also set aside for myself. That is, if I do succeed.

A bulletin the same as the one on the first floor, greeted me as I entered. Maybe these are the S-Class missions mentioned. I scanned and found a 10 million reward but, I froze when I saw its mission,

...____...

..."Finding the Gardner"...

...There are no sufficient details but there is only one Gardner alive. Find him/her and bring it to us....

...____...

My heart was thumping loud as I read each and every word. I was about to touch it when someone stopped me.

"You have the guts to enter the Elites' hall without permission and lastly, don't use Zoe's invention in front of me, again," a familiar voice warned me. I shifted my gaze to look who it is,

Hair covering its eyes, tall, and a man. No doubt, it's him again. The one who killed Henry.