By the time James returned to the Silver Phantom Guild with the unconscious woman, night had fallen over Iguro Town. The streets were quiet, the distant sound of the harbor waves carrying through the air.
Olivia was at the front desk going through a ledger when she saw them. Her expression shifted from curiosity to sharp concern in an instant.
"What happened?" she asked, hurrying over.
"Found her in the forest," James said, setting the woman gently on one of the long benches. "Two cloaked men were dragging her—didn't look like they had good intentions."
Olivia's jaw tightened, but she didn't ask further questions. Instead, she fetched clean cloth, hot water, and a faintly glowing crystal. Her hands moved with practiced precision, cleaning scrapes, checking for deeper injuries.
"She'll be fine," Olivia said at last. "Rest will do the rest."
By morning, the woman was sitting upright, a bowl of broth in her hands. Her eyes were sharp, scanning the room as though calculating every exit and potential threat.
"My name's Ilyanna," she said finally. "Level five Archer. Human."
James sat nearby, still feeling the ache in his arm from blocking that sword yesterday. "You're welcome, by the way."
Ilyanna gave a small nod. "I… owe you. If you hadn't stepped in, they—" She stopped, her fingers tightening around the bowl. "Those men had been watching me for weeks. I've been living on the streets since I was a child. My parents… both adventurers. Died in a dungeon raid. Since then, no one wanted to take me in. Fragile health, they said. Too much trouble."
Olivia leaned against the wall, listening.
"But I learned archery," Ilyanna continued. "Tracking, camouflage… little tricks. Was enough to survive. Until they grabbed me yesterday."
The silence in the room felt heavy for a moment.
Olivia pushed off the wall and walked toward her. "You've got skills, and you're still here despite everything. That means something. Ilyanna…" She glanced between the two younger adventurers. "The Silver Phantom Guild could use someone like you. Food, a bed, and a share of every quest. You'd never have to watch your back alone again."
James added, "And I can vouch for her being worth the trouble."
Ilyanna studied them both, her expression unreadable—then she set down the empty bowl. "Alright. I'll join."
Olivia gave the faintest of smiles. "Then welcome to the Silver Phantom, Archer."
For the first time since its sign went up, the guild had three members.