Bound By Fury:The Forced Path

Sylara said, waving her hand.

"You've been the focus lately, Akira."

"I wanted to see for myself what everyone is talking about."

Her voice was casual, but her eyes were keen, looking closely at him.

"If you've read the report, then you already know what took place,"

Akira answered calmly.

"There's nothing else to say."

Sylara smirked, resting her chin on her hand.

"You're always so direct."

"But reports don't show me everything."

"For instance...how someone your age fights with the skill and calmness of an experienced fighter." 

Akira shrugged, sounding uninterested.

"Experience doesn't always come with getting older."

"You either adjust or you fail."

"That's all there is to it."

Sylara raised an eyebrow, impressed by his bluntness

"Spoken like someone who's seen far too much for their years."

"And yet, you're still standing. That's something most stars your age can't claim."

"Was that your only reason for calling me here?"

Akira asked, his voice steady.

Sylara laughed softly, a nice sound that had a slight sharpness.

"You don't like small talk, do you?"

"Okay, let's get to the point."

"Your strength—it's impressive, Akira."

"And it's growing quickly."

"Even now, I can sense it."

"Whatever you're doing, it's working."

Akira didn't reply right away, his face hard to read.

"Is there a problem with that?"

"Not at all,"

Sylara said with a smile.

"Actually, it's the opposite."

"Staying out of the spotlight while still causing a stir."

"I wonder how long you can keep doing that."

Akira's lips turned into a slight smile.

"That's my worry, not yours."

Sylara leaned forward, her gaze locking onto his.

"True."

"But remember, Shoto Akira—this world has a way of dragging even the most elusive into the light."

"Sooner or later, the right—or wrong—eyes will find you."

Akira met her gaze without flinching his eye shining a bit white.

"Then I'll deal with it when the time comes."

For a moment, the room was quiet, and they could feel the tension.

Then Sylara leaned back and broke the silence with a laugh.

"You're quite interesting, Shoto Akira"

"Cha-Jong wasn't lying when he spoke highly of you and you showed it by defeating Capitan Imzar and clearing this evolved dungeon"

"Okay, I won't hold you up any longer."

"Your reward is ready with Grido."

"He's waiting for you downstairs."

Akira nodded briefly. "Got it."

He turned to leave but stopped at the door.

"Is that everything?"

Sylara smiled a little more.

"For now, yes."

"But don't be a stranger, Akira."

"I think we'll meet again soon."

Akira left without saying anything, and the door clicked shut behind him.

Sylara looked at the door for a while, her mind racing. She leaned back in her chair, and her smile turned into a thoughtful look.

"Sooner or later, the world will know who you really are and that you are alive son of Shiro" she whispered, her voice soft in the quiet room.

"And when that day comes… I wonder, what will you do?"

Akira walked out of Sylara's office, feeling uneasy.

Her words stayed with him, hinting at hidden truths.

"Why did she behave like that does she know something?"

The impact of her comments about his strength and the chance of being discovered bothered him.

He understood that attention, especially negative attention, could be harmful.

For now, I need to become more stronger—and quickly, as his footsteps sounded on the stairs.

"Hello there, deep in thought, Akira?"

The voice brought him back to reality. He turned and saw Grido leaning against the wall with a small smile.

"Something like that,"

Akira answered, his face hard to read as always.

"Are you okay now?"

Grido asked, sounding worried.

"Yeah, I'm good."

"What about you?"

"I'm fine," Grido said.

"I didn't get hurt much."

"What about Victor and Anna ?" Akira asked

Grido sighed.

"Victor is still in the hospital, getting better."

"Anna?"

"She has taken a week off to rest and feel better."

"That dungeon it was deadly we were lucky to escape with our lives."

"Yeah. I suppose so," Akira said quietly

"Thanks to you, mostly,"

Grido said, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"Anyway, I'm guessing you're here for your reward?"

"Yeah."

"Sylara said you'd have it,"

Akira confirmed, his tone practical.

"Right."

"Follow me,"

Grido said, gesturing for Akira to follow.

The two descended deeper into the guild building, walking through twisting hallways until they reached a locked vault.Iron doors with shining symbols stood in front of them.

Grido put his hand on a crystal panel, and with a soft sound, the locks opened.

The doors opened wide, showing a room full of treasure.

Inside were neat rows of weapons, armor, magical clothes, and different magical items.

Daggers sparkled with energy, swords shone with golden light, and cloaks looked like they were moving like shadows. Shelves were filled with potions and stones for enhancing abilities, each showing power.

Akira looked around the room, his face stayed calm, but inside, he was amazed.

"Why did you bring me here?" he asked, his voice quiet.

Grido smiled. "Pick something."

"Anything you like."

"You can take it."

Akira raised an eyebrow.

"These are rare, aren't they?"

"Guild treasures like this shouldn't be given out casually."

Grido chuckled. "They're rare, yeah."

"But Sylara insisted."

"She said you deserved it."

Akira's expression shifted slightly—curiosity mixed with a trace of disbelief.

"Why did you go this far?"

Grido thought for a moment before he spoke.

"Because you saved our lives, Akira."

"Sylara can be smart and cold, but she truly cares about her guild members."

"You risked everything in that dungeon to fight the Aqua Variant WereHyenas and the Boss we were safe because of you, and she really appreciates that."

Grido remembered something for a moment.

Sylara leaned back in her chair and looked straight ahead.

"Akira is strong, but he is also independent."

To build trust, we need to show him we really care about him."

"This is more than just giving him gold."

"Let him pick something from the vault."

"He deserves it."

Grido nodded, seeing her point. "What if he decides not to stay with the guild?"

Sylara smiled a little, sounding sure of herself.

"At least he'll know we respected him."

"People like Akira… they remember that and there's more to it."

"I think it's important to keep good relationships with people like him—people who have potential.

"Treating him well is a way to invest in the future."

Now in the present, Akira looked around the vault, his keen eyes noticing everything.

"Okay," He finally said, moving closer.

"I'll check it out."

Akira moved through the vault slowly, his eyes running over the shelves.

Everything appeared to pulse faintly-their auras in contention with one another-but he remained calm, letting instinct lead him.

He paused now and again, considering various artifacts, such as a dagger which shimmered like liquid steel and a cloak that seemed to fold the light around itself.

However, none felt quite right.

Then, something caught his eye.

He moved closer, drawn to it.

Akira reached out, his hand stopping just short of touching it the item.

His voice went to a low murmur.

"I think I found it."

His face hardened as he focused.