MTLNOVEL Chapter 7: Into The Unknown
Chapter 6: Into the Unknown
After two grueling days in the training grounds, Renji had had enough.
The constant drills, the relentless sparring, the endless critiques—it was all starting to feel like a cage. He wasn't some knight-in-training. He wasn't here to polish his swordsmanship or play soldier for a kingdom that saw him as nothing more than a tool.
He needed real experience.
And that meant leaving the palace.
The streets of Veydris were as lively as ever, filled with merchants hawking their wares, adventurers boasting about their latest exploits, and the scent of fresh bread drifting from a nearby bakery.
Renji followed the flow of the crowd, taking in everything. His new tunic and cloak blended well enough, making him look like any other adventurer instead of a foreigner thrown into this world.
"The Guild should be… here."
The building was impossible to miss—a large, two-story hall, its wooden sign carved with the emblem of crossed swords and a shield. People streamed in and out, some carrying sacks of monster parts, others drinking straight from their tankards before noon.
This is more like it.
Inside, the atmosphere was even rowdier. The scent of sweat, ale, and leather filled the air. Groups of adventurers—men and women of all kinds—sat around wooden tables, laughing, arguing, and exchanging stories of battle.
Renji made his way to the counter, where a bored-looking receptionist—a sharp-eyed woman with short auburn hair—was flipping through a book.
She barely glanced up. "First time here?"
Renji nodded. "Yeah. I want to register."
She sighed, grabbing a quill. "Name?"
"Renji Kurozawa."
Her hand hesitated for a fraction of a second before she continued writing. "Huh. Foreign name. You a Summoned One?"
Renji frowned. So even the Guild knows about the kingdom's summons?
He kept his answer vague. "Something like that."
She didn't press. "Alright, standard procedure—new adventurers start as Rank F. You take jobs, earn guild points, and rank up. Rules are simple—complete your quests, don't cause trouble, and don't pick fights with fellow guild members unless it's an official duel."
She finished writing, stamping the page with a wax seal before sliding a small bronze plate across the counter.
"Here. That's your Guild tag. Don't lose it."
Renji picked up the plate, inspecting it. The surface had his name engraved beneath the Guild's insignia.
"That's it?" he asked.
The receptionist smirked. "What, expecting a fancy initiation?"
"Maybe a welcome drink at least."
She chuckled. "Get your first quest done, and maybe someone will buy you one."
Renji turned toward the quest board, eyes scanning the different requests. Most of them were typical low-rank jobs—gathering herbs, hunting small monsters, escorting caravans.
But one caught his attention.
[Quest: Exterminate the Cursed Wraith]
- Location: Ruins outside Veydris
- Difficulty: E-Rank
- Reward: 15 Silver Coins
- Notes: Reports of strange occurrences near the ruins. Travelers claim to have seen ghostly figures at night. Investigate and eliminate the threat.
Renji's pulse quickened.
A wraith? That sounds like a real challenge.
It wasn't the highest-paying quest, but something about it felt right. It was different. It was unknown.
And maybe, just maybe… it was an opportunity.
By the time Renji reached the outskirts of Veydris, the sun was already beginning to set, casting a deep orange glow over the crumbling ruins ahead.
The place was eerily quiet. Broken pillars and shattered statues lined the path, overgrown with vines and moss. The air was thick with something unnatural, a subtle chill that crawled over his skin despite the warm evening breeze.
Renji tightened his grip on his sword.
"This place is definitely haunted."
His breath misted slightly as he exhaled. The reports weren't exaggerating. There was something here.
He stepped forward cautiously, moving through the ruins. The silence was oppressive, and every crunch of gravel beneath his boots felt louder than it should.
Then—
A whisper.
Renji spun around, heart pounding.
Nothing.
Just shadows stretching across the ruins.
He took another step.
Another whisper. This time, closer.
Then, all at once, the temperature plummeted.
A deep, guttural voice echoed through the ruins.
"…Intruder…"
Renji's breath caught.
A figure emerged from the darkness.
It was tall, shrouded in tattered black robes, its skeletal face hidden beneath a shadowed hood. Its hands were long and clawed, dripping with an eerie blue mist.
A Cursed Wraith.
The thing floated toward him, its very presence suffocating. The whispers grew louder, overlapping, turning into a distorted chorus of voices.
Renji's grip tightened on his sword. "Alright, time to see what I can really do."
The Wraith lunged.
The first strike was a blur. Renji barely dodged as the Wraith's clawed hand swiped through the air, leaving behind a trail of black mist.
The moment he moved, his Predator's Instinct kicked in—his body reacting faster than his thoughts.
He ducked low, twisting behind the Wraith and slashing with his sword—
It passed straight through.
Renji's eyes widened. What the—?!
The Wraith turned sharply, its skeletal hand grabbing his wrist before he could react. A sudden coldness shot through his veins, burning like ice.
"…Your soul is weak…"
Renji let out a gasp of pain, his vision blurring as his strength drained away.
It's stealing my life force!
He had to end this. Now.
Gritting his teeth, he fought through the cold and reached for his dagger. With a sharp motion, he jammed it straight into the Wraith's chest.
A piercing shriek filled the air. The Wraith staggered, releasing him as it reeled back.
Renji didn't hesitate. He gripped his sword, this time channeling everything he had into the next strike.
"Fall."
The blade slashed through the Wraith—
And this time, it connected.
The ghostly form split apart, dissolving into wisps of blue mist.
Renji collapsed to one knee, panting hard. His breath was visible in the air, his fingers numb from the Wraith's touch.
Then—
[Skill Acquired: Phantom Step]
Effect: Enhances the user's movement, allowing them to momentarily blur their physical form, moving faster and evading attacks more easily. When activated, Phantom Step makes the user's movements appear ghostly, as if they are phasing through attacks.
A new surge of energy pulsed through him. His body felt lighter, almost weightless, as if he could move faster, more fluidly than before.
Renji's eyes widened.
He flexed his fingers, and as if responding to his will, his form flickered slightly, his outline distorting like a shadow breaking apart.
This… this is different from Predator's Instinct.
Predator's Instinct gave him battle awareness—it helped him read his opponents and move faster in response.
Phantom Step was something else entirely.
It was mobility itself—a way to step between strikes, move unpredictably, and evade at an unnatural speed.
A slow grin spread across his face.
Now, I can finally stop fighting fair.