[Soul of the White Rose (Unlocked)][Hidden Quest Recommended Level: 25][Quest Description: The soul sealed within the White Rose has protected this city for thousands of years. She has witnessed countless beautiful stories unfold here. But now, someone seeks to steal everything she has sworn to protect.][Quest Objective: Defend Sunset City during the beast tide two weeks from now.][Quest Reward: 20 Gold, 20,000 EXP][Special Reward: Sage's Soul][Accept this hidden quest?(Hint: Accepting this quest will grant an additional modifier —[Soulmate])*][Additional Modifier: Can directly add one modifier to an adventurer.]
"An additional modifier?"
Kurose Akira stared at the notification window, genuine surprise flashing across his face.
When selecting adventurer modifiers, he was normally limited to three modifiers total, combined in a fixed configuration. But an additional modifier meant adding one more on top of the existing three—
—or directly granting an entirely new modifier to an already recruited adventurer.
An extra modifier was pure upside. No one in their right mind would ever refuse something like this.
"Accept."
[Hidden quest accepted successfully!][*Congratulations! You have obtained the additional modifier — Soulmate !**]
Akira's lips curled slightly as he studied the new modifier.
The recommended level, though…
Fortunately, there were still two weeks before the beast tide. Enough time to strengthen the guild's overall power.
Everything was still within reach.
Still—
Why did that Soulmate resemble Natasha so closely?
What exactly was the relationship between that soul and Natasha?
Could Natasha herself be a magical manifestation born from the White Rose's power?
Akira glanced sideways at Natasha, seated beside him, his mind filled with questions.
Natasha, however, didn't notice his gaze at all. Her eyes were fixed on Roxia, who was stepping down from the White Rose Flower, a radiant smile blooming across her face.
Bathed in the blessing of the White Rose, Roxia looked utterly transformed.
Her skin seemed infused with magic, shimmering with a soft, dazzling glow. Her beautiful eyes sparkled like starlight, enough to leave anyone breathless.
"So this is… the power of a Vowbound Knight?"
Roxia stared dazedly at her own hands, sensing the terrifying strength bestowed by the White Rose Gift stirring restlessly within her, waiting to be awakened.
When she lifted her head and looked forward—
Hundreds of law-enforcement knights throughout Sunset City dropped to one knee in unison, offering the highest knightly salute to their new Vowbound Knight.
"We welcome the Vowbound Knight!"
The thunderous roar echoed across the arena.
Surrounded by reverence and adoration, Roxia's eyes gleamed with starlight, joy overflowing from her heart.
She loved this feeling.
The intoxicating sensation of being the center of all attention—like the moon embraced by countless stars—filled her with immense satisfaction.
"That's wonderful~ Roxia~ you finally made it~"
Natasha wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. At last, she had witnessed the moment Roxia became a Vowbound Knight.
Now, Roxia's parents could finally rest in peace.
"Here—wipe your tears."
Akira handed Natasha a handkerchief.
"Thank you~"
Natasha accepted it and gently dabbed at her eyes.
This small scene, however, made Ivsha freeze for a moment, her expression turning subtly confused.
Because her Mr. Kurose Akira seemed to have forgotten… what that handkerchief had been used to wipe before.
"Mr. Kurose Akira, let's go!"
Natasha finished drying her tears, returned the handkerchief, then took Akira's hand and stood up.
"The Vowbound Knight selection ceremony is over. The White Rose's magic barrier has disappeared—we can go congratulate Roxia up close now."
"Oh."
Akira nodded, though inwardly he felt puzzled.
Natasha's hand was soft, warm, and smooth—unmistakably real. It was hard to believe she was merely a construct of the White Rose's magic.
"Let's go~"
Natasha gently tugged him along, hurrying toward Roxia's position.
They weren't the only ones moving.
Members of the Yerman Family quickly gathered around Roxia as well.
"Roxia, you were incredible!"
"Our Yerman Family has once again produced a glorious Vowbound Knight—this is our family's highest honor!"
"As the Yerman Family's heir, you will now rightfully lead the entire house! You are our pride—your achievement fills us all with pride!"
The family members showered her with praise and joy.
Mero, her uncle, also stepped forward.
Forcing a strained smile onto his face, he congratulated her, "Roxia, congratulations on becoming a Vowbound Knight. I knew you could do it."
"Thank you for your trust and support, Uncle."
Roxia smiled and nodded politely—
Yet in the very next instant, a trace of icy coldness flickered through her eyes, unnoticed by anyone else.
Then she addressed the crowd. "Since the Vowbound Knight selection has concluded, everyone should prepare to return."
"Yes!"
Amid congratulations from knightly families across the city, the Vowbound Knight selection ceremony finally came to a perfect close.
Before departing, Roxia's first action was to hurry toward Akira.
She wanted to see her aunt, Loserine.
But when she reached Akira, she found—
Loserine was gone.
"Aunt… where is that knight?" Roxia asked Akira softly. "I want to thank her."
"There were too many people crowding in just now. I had her return first," Akira explained.
The near-fanatical devotion of the law-enforcement knights toward Loserine had honestly frightened him, so he had quickly teleported her back to the guild.
"I see."
Roxia's lips curved faintly upward.
She wasn't in a hurry. As long as Akira was here, she would have chances to meet her aunt again.
Still, one question lingered in her mind—
Why had her aunt joined Akira's guild?
Why become an adventurer at all?
And him…
Roxia's clear blue eyes shimmered with shifting light as she stared intently at Akira, as though trying to uncover a crucial secret hidden within him.
Akira didn't avoid her gaze.
Instead, he studied Roxia just as closely.
Since becoming a Vowbound Knight, she had changed in subtle ways—hard to describe precisely.
For example…
Her skin seemed whiter. Softer. More lustrous.
With a thought, Akira opened her status panel.
[Roxia (Elite)]Level: 12 (0/2400)Race: HumanStrength: 140 / Agility: 140 / Mana: 100 / Constitution: 140Growth: 8 (Gain +8 to all attributes per level)Skills: (Expand)Trait: [White Rose & Vowbound Knight]Status: Curse (Demonic Fluid Fragrance)
"Hm? I can see the curse type now? What the hell is Demonic Fluid Fragrance?"
Akira raised an eyebrow in surprise.
It seemed his intimacy with Roxia had reached the threshold required to view her curse details.
[Demonic Fluid Fragrance:The cursed individual will secrete a sweet-smelling fluid that attracts magical creatures.Ages 18–35 are the peak period.(This curse is inherited through bloodlines and affects only female members.)]