— Kaine's POV —
Kaine leaned against the guild's back wall after Renji left, arms crossed, a smug grin stretched across his face.
The wooden door behind him creaked open.
Two men stepped out — rough, unshaven types dressed in worn gear, their eyes sharp with curiosity. One carried a crossbow across his back; the other twirled a dagger between his fingers.
"So? That was the rookie you mentioned?"
asked the dagger guy.
"Yeah,"
Kaine replied casually.
"Renji Akatsuki. Newbie with a fire spell and a weird-ass unique skill."
The crossbow guy snorted.
"Looks like a pushover. What's the play? We going to 'help' him clear the boss and then split the cash?"
Kaine smirked.
"Nah. This one's different. He's not an idiot."
He remembered the way Renji stared him down — eyes sharp, no fear, no hesitation. It irked him... and excited him.
"He figured me out on the spot,"
Kaine muttered.
"Didn't even blink. That's not normal."
The dagger guy shrugged.
"So we're dropping the ambush plan?"
Kaine shook his head.
"No. We're going to play first."
The other two looked at each other, confused.
Kaine grinned.
"We'll let him take the lead. Watch him fight. If he kills the boss, I'll see what kind of power he's hiding."
"If he's weak... we clean up."
"And if he's strong?"
Crossbow guy asked.
Kaine's smile turned colder.
"Then we'll find out how far that strength goes… before it breaks."
He pushed off the wall and began walking toward the gate.
"Either way… I'm going to enjoy this."
— Renji's POV —
Early morning mist curled around the trees as Renji walked east of Erandel, toward the designated location: Eastern Ridge, a dense forest area where dangerous creatures roamed.
His coat was fixed as best as he could manage. His dagger had been sharpened overnight. Mana had fully recovered.
And more importantly… his mind was clearer than ever.
"A D-rank mini boss… Forest Howler."
He recalled its description from the guild records: A mutated alpha wolf, larger than the Shadow Wolves. Enhanced speed, howl-based stun, vicious claws.
A serious challenge.
He walked silently along the road, feeling the growing weight of tension ahead. He knew Kaine wasn't trustworthy. He also knew Kaine wasn't coming alone.
They're watching me.
But that was fine.
"Let them."
Renji's unique skill had shown him that knowledge was power. If Kaine wanted to "observe" him, then he'd give him something worth seeing.
He stopped just before the trees thickened, gazing into the dark ridge.
"Let's see who really comes out on top."
And then, he stepped into the forest.