One month had changed everything.
The Aegis of the Fallen had risen from concept to reality with terrifying speed. Branch offices now stood in every major capital. Each bore the guild's symbol: a broken shield with wings.
The funding had come exactly as demanded. Royal treasuries opened. Merchant guilds invested. Two hundred and seventeen members now—staff, administrators, and adventurers taking contracts from escort missions to monster extermination.
Masha ran it all. Her tactical mind managed contracts, personnel, finances. She was perfect for it.
Which meant Dante could hunt.
For thirty days, he'd moved across the continent like a plague. Every major threat. Every monster nest. Every bandit camp.
He'd killed them all. And every corpse became a soldier.
His necromantic army had tripled to nearly two hundred summons. Each kill made him stronger.
The continent whispered his name with fear once reserved for gods.
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The Elven Kingdom's dungeon stank of blood and rot.
