The guild hall roared the moment Andy and Nia stepped inside.
Adventurers clapped and cheered, tankards slammed against tables, and for once the stares Andy received weren't laced with doubt — but respect.
Andy froze awkwardly at the doorway, scratching his neck. "Uh… are they cheering for us?"
Nia smirked, brushing dust off her torn robes. "Don't sound so shocked. We did just slay a Guardian."
"Yeah, but… I thought they'd be throwing tomatoes, not applause."
That earned him a quiet laugh, one she tried to hide behind her staff.
The guildmaster, a giant of a man with a scar bisecting his brow, stepped forward, voice booming.
"Andy, Nia! By decree of the Guild Council, you're hereby recognized as bonded adventurers of Silver Rank. May your bond remain unbroken!"
The hall erupted again. A mug was shoved into Andy's hand.
"Drink, hero!"
Andy stared at the frothy liquid like it was a monster. "...This looks deadlier than the Shadow Beast."
"Drink," Nia commanded with mock authority.
He sighed and took a gulp—immediately coughing, sputtering, foam dripping down his chin as laughter exploded through the hall.
Nia shook her head, lips twitching. "Pathetic."
Andy glared. "Don't laugh, princess. You're next."
"I'd rather face another dungeon," she sniffed, though her smile betrayed her amusement.
The warmth between them lingered—until the guild doors slammed open.
A hush fell. Boots marched in unison, silver crests gleaming on dark cloaks. The Everhart crest.
From their midst stepped a young man clad in polished armor, his presence commanding, his expression sharp. His eyes landed on Nia first—warm, possessive—then on Andy, cold and dismissive.
"Lady Nia," he greeted smoothly, bowing with practiced grace. "It has been far too long."
Nia stiffened. "…Andrew."
He took her hand before she could react, lifting it slowly toward his lips, though his gaze flicked to Andy, gleaming with veiled challenge.
"Your family has been worried. I've come to escort you home. This… adventurer's fantasy has gone on long enough."
Andy's hand tightened on his blade without thought. His voice came out steady, low.
"She's not leaving."
The guild hall froze, the cheer drained, tension heavy as iron.
Andrew's smile didn't falter, but his words cut like steel.
"And you must be the commoner clinging to her side. How bold. Tell me, do you believe killing a dungeon beast makes you worthy of her?"
Andy's jaw clenched. He wanted to spit back—but Nia stepped forward, her voice ringing clear.
"Enough. Andy is my partner. I chose this bond. No one—not even you—will take that from me."
Gasps rippled through the guild. Andy's chest tightened, not with fear, but with a heat that made his draconic blood stir.
Andrew's smile faltered for a fraction before sharpening again, colder than steel.
"…Very well. Then let us see if your 'partner' is truly worth the Everhart name."
His eyes locked with Andy's, lightning in his gaze, and in that silence the guild hall felt less like a celebration and more like the opening of an arena.
The dungeon was behind them. But the real war had just stepped through the door.
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