Sibonen stood frozen, unsure what to take.

  Isrin, standing nearby, picked up equipment one by one and handed it to him.

  "These are magic belts that protect against projectile attacks. Take two."

  She handed him two small belts enchanted with defensive spells.

  As Isrin continued gathering supplies, Sibonen curiously picked up a strange object.

  "What’s this ft thing?"

  It looked like a small U-shaped device with a slight dip in the center.

  "That's a communication orb," Isrin expined.

  "We’ll tune it to Lady Riche’s channel before departure."

  They gathered a few more items and exited the magic equipment vault.

  Back at the office, after setting everything down, Isrin smiled at Sibonen.

  "You’re free to head out for the day."

  Instead of returning to the inn, Sibonen made his way to the archive.

  Though it was called the "Western Frontier," the areas they would be passing through were virtually unexplored wilderness.

  If there’s danger ahead, it’s better to prepare than to pray.

  Sibonen believed in preparation over hope.

  He searched for any maps or documents reted to the region.

  Most of the terrain was poorly charted, and there were few records of monsters or wild animal attacks.

  Recalling his military academy days, Sibonen decided to borrow a magical camoufge device—a tool known to confuse beasts temporarily.

  he next day, Sibonen and Isrin finalized supply checks.

  They moved closer to the Count of Roberto’s territory, the st border settlement before entering the frontier.

  Finally, the day of departure arrived.

  "You’re the type to prepare for everything, huh?"

  Isrin smiled as she spoke.

  Sibonen nodded seriously.

  "I’ve suffered too many times because of small mistakes.

  From now on, I intend to be thorough in everything."

  Isrin looked a little startled by the weight of his words, but her smile soon brightened.

  "Well, it’s a tough first mission, but let’s do our best!"

  The convoy consisted of five cargo wagons and two supply wagons, protected by twenty-five personnel.

  Sibonen recognized the Code C operatives leading the front with Izi:

  Jensen, who had punched him during the sparring match,

  Atari, the female mage,

  and Baku, the dual-axe warrior.

  Joining them was a new recruit, Calleo, a famous mercenary recently contracted into Code C.

  Behind them were eleven Code D guards, two supply officers, and five hired mercenaries.

  "Today, we’ll move up to the mid-mountain and camp there.

  If anything suspicious happens, signal immediately."

  Jensen shouted from the front, and everyone responded in unison.

  The first part of the journey was retively safe—

  the path to the mountain base was still within mapped territory.

  "Hey, Sibonen. You sure you want to carry your pack yourself?" Isrin asked.

  Sibonen chuckled.

  "Old habit from military school.

  If something happens, there might not be time to unload supplies from the horse."

  Although he wondered if he was overreacting, he decided it was better to be cautious.

  He tightened his pack close to his body.

  After hours of travel, they reached a suitable campsite halfway up the mountain.

  The sun was beginning to dip beyond the horizon.

  "Is everything okay for you two?" Atari asked, approaching Sibonen and Isrin.

  "We're fine," Isrin said, smiling. "We’ll be doing this for about two more weeks anyway."

  Sibonen nodded in agreement.

  Atari smiled warmly.

  "Don’t worry too much.

  As long as Lady Izi is with us, things usually go smoothly."

  Sibonen tilted his head curiously.

  "Does Lady Izi make that much of a difference?"

  Atari blinked, surprised, and gnced at Isrin.

  "You didn’t expin to him?"

  Isrin looked embarrassed.

  "Oh, right... I never told you about Izi, did I? Well—"

  Before she could expin, a signal horn sounded from the front.

  "We're camping here! Wagons halt! Begin setting up defenses!"

  Jensen's voice boomed across the field.

  The caravan stopped, and the crew quickly began setting up camp.

  "Assigned scouting groups, move out.

  Everyone else, set up camp and prepare for the night."

  Dish was an incredibly organized unit.

  By day, they protected the wagons; by night, they conducted perimeter patrols and set up defenses.

  They're more like a military unit than simple guild guards.

  Sibonen thought to himself as he pitched his tent.

  After finishing his meal, Sibonen returned to the campfire.

  "You know," he said to Isrin, "the way Dish operates feels almost identical to the military academy’s elite guard training."

  Isrin nodded.

  "That’s because many of Dish’s founding masters were former military officers."

  Hearing that made everything click for Sibonen,

  though the guild remained a fascinating mystery.

  "Hey, newbie. You taking good care of Lady Isrin?"

  Jensen strolled over, grinning.

  "Of course," Sibonen said politely. "Are you in charge of this mission?"

  Jensen chuckled and plopped down nearby.

  "Not officially. I’m just the oldest Dish operative here, so naturally, I take point."

  He stretched zily.

  "Anyway, no threats in today’s scouting reports. Rest easy."

  Sibonen and Isrin nodded.

  The Code D guards began gathering around the fire, chatting and ughing.

  Where’s Lady Izi?

  Sibonen scanned the camp and spotted Izi standing alone near the wagons, outside the main camp circle.

  Concerned, he walked over.

  "The night’s getting colder. Would you like to come closer to the fire?"

  Izi turned her pale blue gaze toward him.

  "Thanks, but I’ll stay here a little longer. Something feels off."

  Sibonen hesitated but didn’t leave.

  Sensing his lingering curiosity, Izi spoke softly.

  "Curious, aren't you?"

  Sibonen hesitated, then nodded cautiously.

  "You’re a curious one," Izi said with a faint smile.

  "Nothing major—just hearing a lot of movement nearby, outside our scouts' patrols.

  Probably a herd of migrating beasts."

  Sibonen's eyes widened.

  He hadn't heard anything.

  "You’re amazing, Lady Izi. I can’t hear a thing."

  Izi shrugged nonchantly.

  "Of course you can't. You’re not supposed to."

  Before Sibonen could ask what she meant,

  Izi pced a firm but gentle hand on his shoulder and steered him back toward camp.

  The pressure was so strong that Sibonen stumbled forward without meaning to.

  How can someone that slim be so strong?

  As they returned, the camp grew unusually quiet.

  "Don’t mind me," Izi said, waving a hand.

  "Go back to what you were doing."

  The guards, clearly nervous around her, awkwardly resumed their chatter.

  "Poor Lady Izi," Atari murmured nearby.

  "It’s like when the boss shows up at an afterparty."

  Baku ughed loudly.

  "She’s still scary, though."

  Sibonen joined their conversation.

  "So, is there anything I should know about Lady Izi?"

  Baku grinned.

  "Just be cautious. If Lady Izi says something feels wrong, you better believe it.

  I’ll go talk to Jensen about it."

  Thus, the first night of the expedition ended peacefully.

  The next morning, everything seemed normal.

  They continued moving at a steady pace, rexed but vigint.

  But by mid-morning, a horn suddenly sounded from the front.

  "Monsters incoming! Defensive positions!"

  Sibonen’s heart pounded.

  For the first time, he id eyes on a creature he had only read about in textbooks.

  A massive reptilian beast—rger and more vicious than anything he had ever seen—blocked their path.