In the end, Stella slipped quietly out the back door.
The nun had told her an entire roomful of people were waiting to see her—and more were still on their way. That kind of reception was far too much for her.
Even if every person meant well, Stella simply couldn't handle that kind of attention. She asked the nun to pass along her thanks on her behalf.
She also insisted on covering the resurrection fee herself, asking the nun to return the money to whoever had already paid it. It didn't feel right letting strangers spend for her sake.
Seriously, had I really helped that many people? It's only been a few days…
Pulling her cloak tighter, hood drawn low to hide her face, Stella made her way home, pushing through the stabbing pain still gnawing at her head.
On the street, she passed a small group of familiar-looking adventurers. Their conversation carried clearly to her ears:
"I hear Stella's at the Resurrection House. I'm quite interested in her—maybe we can recruit her into our team," said a handsome blond man named Leon.
"Eh~" drawled Maru. "I just hope she's got that mature, big-sister vibe. A cute-girl type would work too, but she'd better not clash with my 'adorable' role in the group."
"Don't mess around. I heard she already has a team, and she's made quite a name for herself," Drew said calmly—he was back from the Mage's Association already?
"Then we just steal her," Terl suggested bluntly.
A bead of cold sweat slid down Stella's back. She quickened her pace.
She had spent nearly all her time buried in the dungeon these past few days, only stopping by the guild to hand in information. She had no idea her name had spread this far—far enough to catch the eye of the strategy teams.
Just what I needed…
By the time she reached her home, a bad feeling twisted in her gut. Sure enough, a young man she didn't recognize stood waiting at her door.
She turned to leave, but too late—he spotted her and jogged over.
"Miss Stella! Please wait—wait! I'm from the Adventurers' Guild!"
"The guild?" She finally stopped, eyeing him warily. "What does the guild want with me? More confirmation on dungeon intel? I'll tell you right now, I don't remember the maps that clearly."
"No, no, not that."
The guild staffer waved his hands nervously. "You encountered demons in the dungeon yesterday, correct?"
Yesterday? Stella blinked. Only then did she realize an entire day had passed while she'd been out cold in the Resurrection House.
Ever since becoming a Warrior of Sunlight, aside from the crushing fatigue, she had also developed a tendency to oversleep.
"Yes, I ran into them."
The staffer leaned forward eagerly. "And they…?"
"They died," she said with a shrug.
"W-what!?" His eyes widened in awe. "You—you killed them all yourself?"
"Uh…" Stella scratched the back of her head. "It's a little more complicated than that. Can we talk about it tomorrow? My head's splitting right now…"
"No need to worry. Mr. Sid has personally prepared a calming magic ritual for you. I was sent to bring you there." The staffer smiled with relief. "Also, Mr. Sid wishes to speak with you regarding the demons. The two adventurers you saved are at the guild as well."
Adventurers I saved?
Stella frowned. She had never once seen Baron or Celi's faces—they'd stayed far too well hidden.
Still, her headache pulsed again. Simply lying at home would only mean enduring the pain. Better to give Sid's ritual a try.
A short while later, she followed the staffer to the Adventurers' Guild, climbing straight up to the third floor.
That floor was only ever used for serious matters.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Mr. Sid, Miss Stella has arrived," the staffer announced.
"Come in."
Stella stepped into the meeting room. At the far end of the long table sat Sid.
An imposing old man radiating quiet power—that was her first impression.
If she had to put it into words, she felt this guild master could probably take down the Crucible Knight.
…Wait, why was she measuring people against the Knight now?
This was her first time meeting him. Even when she had reported information about bonfires and altars, she had never been granted an audience with him.
The room was otherwise empty. The two adventurers mentioned earlier were nowhere in sight.
Stella hesitated, then took a seat along the side of the table. "So, Guild Master Sid, what is it you wanted with me?"
"Just sit there. Don't move."
The words were cryptic.
Before she could ask, an overwhelming surge of magic rose from his body, branching into streams that spilled across the floor.
Something was being activated.
Layer upon layer of intricate magic circles bloomed beneath her, each ring locking into the next. Symbols lit up in sequence, even floating into the air to surround her completely.
Nervousness fluttered in her chest—until warmth flowed out of the circle, seeping deep into her spirit. Instantly, her pain evaporated.
So this is the calming ritual he mentioned… impressive.
The ritual lasted nearly half an hour, steadily draining away the exhaustion clinging to her soul.
Sid waited patiently the entire time, steady as a mountain. Age had given him unmatched composure—he could probably sit motionless all day without strain.
When the circles finally faded, Stella stretched, feeling lighter, almost refreshed. "Thank you so much, Guild Master Sid!"
"Just call me 'sir.'"
Sid leaned forward, cutting straight to the point. "I want you to tell me everything about what happened when you encountered the demons. I've already heard the events once from the two adventurers you saved."
Seriously, who are these two? I've never even laid eyes on them…
Still, Stella recounted the story. The only detail she left out was being sliced in half by the Knight—twice. That was far too humiliating to admit.
When she finished, Sid fell silent in thought. At last, he lowered his crossed leg and asked:
"Afterward, did you see the adventurers who died to the demons?"
"…?"
A question mark practically popped above her head. She had just revived. How could she have seen them? She didn't even know who they were.
Sid chuckled ruefully. "Forgive me. I'm too impatient. But the situation forces haste."
"What situation?" she asked.
"The demons." He raised one finger. "We once believed their infiltration of the continent was minimal. But now, even Bedford City bears their mark. That means…"
He slowly raised a second finger. A third. A fourth.
Stella's nerves prickled. "So what do we do? Gather forces to wipe them out?"
"Wipe out what you cannot find?"
He shook his head. "No, the reason I summoned you is something else. In your reports, you mentioned becoming a Warrior of Sunlight after obtaining an artifact from a certain altar. Correct?"
Stella nodded.
"I have organized an exploration team. Soon, they will delve deep into the Sein Dungeon to seek out that altar. I wish to invite you to join them."
Her eyes widened. "Wait—you're not going too, are you?"
"Of course not." Sid smiled faintly. "But I have gathered companions for you who can truly be called elite."