Chapter 51. The Invader's Shadow

Adventure Guild – Alessa City

The ground trembled violently, rattling furniture and sending people into disarray.

"What's happening?!"

"Did you feel that?! The earth is shaking!"

"What is responsible for this?!"

Inside the bustling Adventure Guild, panic erupted. Tables shook, tankards of ale spilled over, and papers flew across the hall. The oppressive, overwhelming pressure that accompanied the quake had left everyone frozen in fear. But as quickly as it began, the shaking subsided, and the suffocating aura dissipated.

All eyes turned toward the arena doors, where five figures finally emerged.

Naruto carried the unconscious receptionist gently in his arms, her body limp but unharmed. Beside him, Donadrond—the massive, battle-hardened Oni and Guild Examiner—walked alongside the group, his usual intimidating presence replaced with a rare solemnity.

"Move aside," Donadrond ordered the crowd, his tone unusually polite as he guided Naruto toward the nearest resting area. "Let them pass!"

The guild hall fell into a hushed murmur as everyone watched the newcomers. Their previous skepticism and taunts had been silenced by the raw display of power they had felt.

After settling the receptionist in a quiet area, Donadrond finally turned to face Satria and Naruto. His massive arms crossed over his chest, and his tone was carefully respectful—something unheard of from the gruff examiner.

"Excuse me," Donadrond began, his voice rumbling like distant thunder, "but I need to ask... What exactly are you two? For a moment back there, I saw something... a shadow. A massive beast of overwhelming power. It was... unlike anything I've ever seen."

Satria raised an eyebrow, looking somewhat amused. "A big guy like you speaking so politely? That's... unexpected." He waved his hand casually. "Relax, Donald Trump. Just go back to acting like yourself."

"My name is Donadrond, sir." The Oni corrected his name, then chuckled despite himself. "Hah. You're not wrong. This does feel strange." But his curiosity remained. "Even so, I must know—who are you, and where do you come from?"

Satria shook his head with a small grin. "That's classified information for now, bro. You'll know when the time's right."

"Fair enough," Donadrond replied, surprisingly accepting. His eyes still carried a mix of awe and caution. "Still, Satria-sama—Naruto-sama—we're honored to have you both as members of the Alessa Adventure Guild."

As they walked further into the guild hall, the intelligent sword couldn't contain his curiosity. "They're both insanely strong. Fran, can you explain how you even know people like them? Where did you find these monsters in human form?"

Fran, walking proudly between Satria and Naruto, glanced up at the blade strapped to her back. "Sure. It all started when I was in the carriage, feeling hopeless. That's when something called 'Dimensional Chat' appeared in front of me."

"Dimensional Chat?" the sword echoed, puzzled.

"From what Satria explained," Fran continued matter-of-factly, "it's like a group chat that lets people from different universes talk to each other."

The sword was quiet for a moment, processing what he had just heard. "Different universes...?" His voice held a mix of disbelief and awe. "So… that's how these two ended up here?"

Fran nodded with a small smile. "Yep. They came to help me."

The sword let out a sigh, feeling a strange sense of relief. "With them around, nothing can harm you, Fran. I might just start liking this strange group of yours."

Fran giggled softly as Satria and Naruto exchanged amused glances, enjoying the newfound peace—for now.

•

Guild Master's Office

After leaving the receptionist to recover, Satria, Naruto, Fran, and Donadrond made their way to the Guild Master's office. Donadrond knocked firmly on the heavy wooden door.

"Come in," a calm, composed voice answered from inside.

The group entered the room to find a regal-looking elf seated behind a large, ornate desk. His golden hair gleamed under the sunlight streaming through the tall windows, and his sharp green eyes studied the newcomers carefully.

Donadrond stood awkwardly by Satria and Naruto, still feeling an inexplicable chill run down his spine. For someone as strong and experienced as him, the fact that he was the one feeling intimidated said enough about the two men before him.

The Guild Master, however, remained composed—though his fingers unconsciously tapped against the desk as he gauged the group.

"I'll get straight to the point," the elf began, his voice smooth but firm. "Who are you two? And what exactly are you?"

There was a subtle weight to his question, one that betrayed how seriously he took their earlier display of power.

Satria stepped forward casually, his posture relaxed as he introduced himself with a faint smile. "My name is Satria. As you can see, I'm just a human—a talented one, sure, but nothing more."

Naruto followed suit with a grin. "I'm Patronus. Same as him—just your average strong guy."

The Guild Master exhaled slowly, already realizing he wasn't going to get a straight answer. While they played it off humbly, the pressure they had emitted earlier had been anything but human. Still, having adventurers of this caliber in the guild could prove advantageous.

Turning his gaze to Fran, the Guild Master's eyes softened, though curiosity burned behind them.

"Fran-san," he addressed her gently, "you demonstrated mid-level sword mastery and fire magic at level 10—without so much as a cooldown. Where did you learn such techniques?"

The sword strapped to Fran's back immediately spoke up telepathically. 'Don't tell him, Fran. We can't let anyone know our secret.'

Fran nodded obediently, then covered her mouth in an adorable gesture. "It's a secret," she replied sweetly.

Satria, captivated by her innocent display, couldn't stop himself from blurting out, "She's so cute! Fran, you're killing me with that look!"

Naruto groaned, slapping a hand to his face. "Damn it, Satria, control yourself."

Fatalis chimed in telepathically, smug as always. 'You're finally showing your true colors, you furry bastard!'

'Shut up, you useless NEET dragon!' Satria shot back.

'Lolitria!'

'Neet Dragon!'

The Guild Master sighed, realizing Fran wouldn't budge. "I see. A secret, then." But his curiosity wasn't so easily quelled. 'Fine. Let's try an appraisal.'

He murmured a spell under his breath, his green eyes glowing faintly as he cast Appraisal on Fran.

'Blocked?' He blinked in surprise, the attempt nullified entirely. "She even blocked Appraisal...?"

The sword let out an internal sigh of relief. 'Whew. Good thing I used evolution points to learn that skill. No one's peeking at Fran's stats on my watch.'

Fran tilted her head slightly. "Did I fail because of that?" she asked innocently.

The Guild Master shook his head with a faint smile. "No, not at all. There are just... some peculiarities I can't quite explain. However, the spirits here don't sense anything malicious in you. In fact, they seem pleased—especially with your guardians."

"Spirits?" Fran blinked, looking confused.

"The spirits are sensitive to evil intent," he explained. "I know you're hiding something, but whatever it is, it doesn't seem dangerous. So, for now, you're in the clear."

Fran nodded slowly, a small smile forming.

The Guild Master straightened up and gestured toward the door. "Now then, since our receptionist isn't in the best condition, I'll handle your registration personally. Follow me."

He stood from his desk and moved gracefully toward the exit, his long coat flowing behind him. Satria, Naruto, and Fran followed, exchanging quiet glances.

"Finally, we're official adventurers," Naruto murmured, his grin returning.

Satria smirked. "Let's just hope this guild is ready for the Amazing me." 

•

The Crystal Room

The group entered a spacious, dimly lit chamber where a series of large light-blue crystals sat mounted on pedestals. Their faint glow illuminated the room in a serene, ethereal light.

The Guild Master stood near one of the crystals, motioning toward it. "These are Mana Crystals. Place your hand on one, and it will attune to your mana wave. From there, you'll receive a list of compatible jobs based on your strength, skills, and potential."

"Who wants to go first?" the Guild Master asked, raising an eyebrow.

Fran stepped forward without hesitation. She stared at the crystal with determination before placing her small hand on its cool surface.

The crystal flared brightly, its glow intensifying with swirling patterns of magic. The Guild Master watched with astonished eyes as the crystal projected a series of job titles.

"Hoo… You're compatible with Warrior, Blademaster, Swordmage, Quickblade, Summoner, and many others," the Guild Master announced, his voice filled with awe. "To have this level of potential at your age… You're a prodigy, young lady. I've never seen such versatility."

Fran's eyes sparkled. 'Swordmage sounds great,' she thought.

'Good choice,' the sword spoke telepathically, its voice filled with approval. 'Swordmage will boost your mana and sharpen your sword techniques.'

"I choose Swordmage," Fran said firmly, her small voice carrying conviction.

The Guild Master smiled and nodded, crafting her identification card with a few magical gestures. "It's decided. Congratulations, Fran."

He handed her the card.

{Name: Fran | Class: Swordmage}

Fran took the card, her expression beaming with pride. "I'm officially an adventurer!" she exclaimed, holding it up for the others to see.

"Wait, wait! Don't move!" Satria grinned, pulling out his phone.

Naruto quickly followed suit. "Fran-chan, hold that pose!"

Both began snapping pictures of her proudly holding her card.

The Guild Master blinked, visibly confused. 'What are those strange devices? They look like small tablets but emit light…'

"Congratulations, Fran-chan!" Naruto said warmly.

Fran, however, walked up to Satria, her expression softening. She tugged at his sleeve and looked up at him with hopeful puppy eyes. "I'm an adventurer now, so…"

Satria smiled softly, placing a hand on her head and ruffling her hair gently. "You did a great job, Fran. I'm proud of you."

Fran purred under his touch, her tail swishing happily behind her.

The Guild Master cleared his throat, trying to pull the group back to focus. "Ahem… Can we continue?"

Satria stepped forward next, placing his hand on the crystal. The room was immediately bathed in a blinding golden light. The Guild Master shielded his eyes as the crystal listed an overwhelming number of advanced and legendary job classes.

"Dragon Knight, Omni Knight, Silencer, Outworld Destroyer, Invoker, Grand Magus, Dark Knight, Nature Prophet, Starfall Archer, Legion Commander… This is unbelievable," the Guild Master stammered.

Satria stared at the job titles, his brow twitching. 'Why do these jobs sound like hero roles from that game?'

"That's amazing, Satria!" Fran applauded, clapping her hands.

Even the sword spoke up with rare praise. 'His potential isn't just strong… It's monstrous.'

Satria smirked. "Well then, I choose…"

The Guild Master handed him his card with admiration still clear in his eyes.

Finally, Naruto stepped up, grinning. "Guess I'm last, huh?"

He pressed his hand to the crystal. This time, an intense silver light erupted, filling the room with a near-blinding glow. When the light faded, the list of Naruto's jobs appeared—and the Guild Master's jaw nearly hit the floor.

"Dark Lord, Doom Bringer, Hope Bringer, Ashura the Destroyer, Emperor of Shadow, Lord of Nature… Who are you people?" the Guild Master breathed, overwhelmed.

Naruto rubbed the back of his head with a sheepish grin. "Not bad, right?"

The Guild Master looked at the three of them, the confusion plain on his face. "I must ask again: Who are you? Your power, your abilities—they're unlike anything I've ever seen."

Satria stepped forward, his tone serious but his face calm. "We'll tell you, but you must keep this between us."

The Guild Master nodded solemnly. "I swear upon my ancestors' honor: This conversation will never leave this room."

Naruto narrowed his eyes, his instincts confirming the elf's sincerity. "He's telling the truth, Satria."

Satria sighed dramatically, spinning a half-truth. "We're from another world. A powerful entity—a platinum-haired woman who radiates divine majesty—brought us here. She didn't tell us much, only that this world faces an impending calamity."

The Guild Master's expression hardened. "A calamity? What kind of calamity?"

Satria turned to Naruto. "Your turn, bro. Take it away."

Naruto sighed, deciding to roll with the nonsense story. "It's an army of powerful monsters—thousands, maybe tens of thousands—that will descend upon this city soon. From what I've seen, no one here is ready to face them."

The Guild Master paled, gripping the desk for support. "Monsters…? And most of our top-ranked adventurers are away on missions…" He swallowed hard.

Satria placed a reassuring hand on the elf's shoulder. "Don't worry. There's a reason the goddess of this world sent us here. We'll defend this city until our last breath and make sure no harm will come to the innocent. I'm a Hero of Kindness after all."

The Guild Master looked up at him, relief and gratitude washing over his face. "Thank you. I can't express how much your presence means to us. The guild—and this city—will owe you a great debt."

"Just make sure the reward's worthwhile," Satria said with a cheeky grin. 'I better see some serious gold for this. Speaking of rewards, that brat spider still owes me for fixing their city. I'll deal with that later…'

The sword groaned internally. 'This guy calls himself a hero?'

Fatalis chuckled in the back of Satria's mind. 'He may be a troublemaker, but I can't help but love him,'

The Guildmaster leaned forward, his sharp gaze fixed on Naruto and Satria. "So, when will this monster army arrive in the city?"

Naruto crossed his arms, his expression calm but focused. "I've sent my agent to keep an eye on their movements outside the city. They'll bring back intel soon. Once they do, we'll know their numbers, their formation, and how close they are."

The Guildmaster let out a heavy sigh and leaned back in his chair. "Good. The sooner we know, the better. If there's any news, I expect you to report it immediately. I'll need time to prepare defenses and evacuate the civilians."

Satria nodded. "Don't worry. You'll know as soon as we do. We're not about to let this city fall."

The Guildmaster looked between the two of them, their confidence reassuring but still unnerving. Who exactly are these people? he wondered. Whatever the case, their strength might be the only thing standing between the city and certain doom.

•

Far above Fran's world, a colossal ship hovered in the cold expanse of space. The massive vessel, dark and jagged, loomed like an artificial moon, its surface brimming with alien weaponry and machinery.

Inside the command chamber, an unknown figure stood before a giant observation screen displaying the unsuspecting planet below. His posture radiated arrogance, his armor gleaming under the dim red light of the control room.

"Mefilas-sama," said a subordinate, kneeling on one knee. His voice carried a mix of confusion and disdain. "Why have we come to this… backwater planet?"

The commanding figure turned, his sinister grin barely visible in the shadows. "Simple. We'll strip it of its resources. These primitive creatures are foolish and weak. I've already set my plan in motion by controlling one of their own to wreak havoc from within."

The subordinate furrowed his brow. "If they're so weak, why not just blast the planet into dust with our weapons?"

A sudden clap echoed through the chamber as the superior struck the subordinate across the face. "Idiot!" he snarled, his voice dripping with contempt. "If we destroy the planet, its resources will be lost. And we can't enslave the dead, can we?"

The subordinate clutched his face, nodding hastily. "Y-Yes, boss. Forgive me. Your strategy is… flawless."

"Of course it is," the commander sneered, turning back to the observation screen. "This planet won't know what hit them."

The subordinate hesitated before asking, "But… , if your puppet on the ground fails—if they're defeated—what will you do then?"

The commander's grin widened into something cruel and inhuman. His eyes glinted like twin embers. "If that happens," he said slowly, "then I'll unleash something upon them that their feeble minds can't even fathom."

The subordinate froze, his face pale. "You… you mean that, boss? You're serious?"

"HAHAHAHA... You guessed correctly." A chilling laugh echoed through the chamber. The commander's sadistic expression was all the answer he needed.

"They won't stand a chance, because they're already in my game."

To be continued.