Gabriel exhaled slowly, letting the last of the trembling leave his hands. The red from his pulsing irises settled into their usual crimson.

The door creaked open.

Hanitz returned with two steaming plates balanced on one arm, the scent of salted pork filling the room before he even crossed into the hall.

"Eat," the giant grumbled. "Before you pass out on my floor again."

Gabriel didn't argue. He lowered himself into the nearest chair. Hanitz sat opposite, the wood from the chair creaked as the giant placed his weight on it. Neither spoke. Only the faint clatter of plates and the crackling from the hearth sounded out.

"You look less dead," Hanitz muttered, as the softness in the giant's eyes didn't reach his voice.

Gabriel snatched at the food like an angry wolf. His body had been deprived of it for days.

"You're eating the same way you used to after training."

Gabriel looked up mid-mouthful.

"You didn't train me." The muffled sound spilling out.

"Sure Lad, sure." The Guild Master chuckled.

Gabriel didn't bother responding.

A moment passed.

Hanitz opened his mouth, likely to ask something he wasn't sure Gabriel would answer, but the sudden thunder of boots pounding up the corridor cut him off.

"Guild Master!" a voice shouted from the opening. Frantically.

The boy flew in before either of them stood.

A young guild runner, barely old enough to hold a sword. Burst inside, chest heaving, rainwater dripping from his hood.

He froze when he saw Gabriel at the table. The demon-eyed adventurer's clothes were still covered in dried blood, his mouth full of salted pork.

Urgency shoved the fear aside.

"Guild Master, there's trouble," he stammered. "A rider just arrived from the west road!"

Hanitz remained seated. "Settle down, Erin."

"I told you already, you don't need to piss your pants every time someone requests an adventurer lad. Ha, ha, ha."

"Take a breath," he added, the scolding softening. "And tell me what they want."

Erin swallowed hard and nodded. He took a shaky breath.

"Four monsters," he said quickly. "Brinekin."

Hanitz snorted. "That it?"

"They came out of the river," Erin continued. "Lean things. Pale skin. Too many teeth. They've dragged people into the river. T-two fishermen so far."

Hanitz's smile faded. "Location?"

"An hour west of Eldenreach. Small river village. Westhorpe."

Silence settled over the table.

Hanitz glanced at Gabriel. "Can you go, lad?"

The former Paladin nodded his head.

Four D-rank monsters shouldn't be an issue. I know their strengths and weaknesses. They're one of the first beasts I was taught about in the Paladins.

They are quick, I need to be cautious of that. The last few beasts I haven't been prepared for.

The giant placed his hand on his chin, "I won't lie, lad. It's getting real difficult to explain to the Capital Guild how an F-rank adventurer is taking on higher-ranked bounties."

Easy to ambush, I could take out two before the other two know I'm there.

He paused for a moment, looking at Gabriel, who was still mentally preparing.

"Ennu! Fill out his paperwork. Put him at B-rank." The giant bellowed. "Actually, put him at C-, I don't want any more questions from the Capital Guild"

Y- Yes, Master, a quiet voice came from out of sight.

Gabriel snapped back to reality. "Why? I told you I'm okay at F-, no one asks questions, and the lord doesn't make patrolling requests of me like he does Tess and Gilbert."

Hanitz face turned red. "Did you ignore what I said to you, Lad? The Capital Guild is asking too many questions. F-ranks don't hunt D-rank monsters, let alone the two B-ranks. Like the two you hunted in Blackhaven."

The former Paladin nodded.

He knew Hanitz was right, and the guild had to record all monsters hunted by the guild members. Even if they don't collect the corpse, it stops a novice from claiming the kill.

Gabriel pushed off the table and stood up.

"I need to go to Mera's and collect my things."

Hanitz's eyes narrowed. "I know you said you didn't want to stay at the guild with me, lad, but you need to be real careful of that woman."

Gabriel didn't understand what Hanitz was trying to say, but he trusted the giant. More than anyone else in Eldenreach.

The Guild Master turned his head, searching.

"Ennu! Fetch the lad a change of clothes, if he walks around with red eyes and blood all over him, someone will try and take his head! Ha, ha, ha."

Yes Master! The elf girl again shouted from the shadows.

These are new clothes. They could be washed, the former Paladin shouted inwardly.

Gabriel scoffed and turned towards Erin. "Tell them I'll be there today."

The young boy froze. Fear spread across his face. "Y-, Y-, Yes, sir!" he shouted mid-spin. Before fleeing the guild hall.

Gabriel glanced over his shoulder at Hanitz.

"Ha, ha, ha!" Hanitz laughed, deep and booming. "You made the boy piss himself again. Get going before it gets dark. I'll have a horse waiting for you by the gate," a smile still on the giant's face.

Gabriel didn't answer.

He turned instead, pushing his chair back. The laughter faded behind him as he crossed the guild hall, the noise of the morning beginning to bleed in. Adventurers arguing over contracts, steel being checked, the smell of oil and sweat thick in the air.

He collected his new clothes, swords and robe from Ennu on the way out.

He paused near the notice board, eyes drifting over jobs he didn't bother reading. Bounties. Escorts. Pest control. All of it felt smaller than it used to.

He adjusted the straps on his armour, practised light movements. His fingers brushed the hilts at his back, checking weight and balance without looking.

Fishermen dragged under, bodies not recovered, most likely eaten.

Gabriel's jaw tightened.

He turned toward the guild doors, pushing them open into the cold morning air. The street outside was already busy, carts rolling past, merchants shouting, guards changing shifts.

He stepped into the street and started walking.

Another hunt awaited him.

And somewhere, deep beneath the surface, the faint pulse of crimson stirred. Eager to be unleashed.

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