Leveling From Hell

The morning sky was still veiled by a thin mist when the massive procession of one hundred and fifty steel-wheeled carriages slowly crawled down the eastern hill. Iron rims groaned against the stone road, echoing alongside the thunderous steps of warhorses, muscular beasts clad in iron-plated saddles.

Their nostrils flared white vapor into the chill dawn, manes whipping like dark banners. Atop the hill stood a towering watchtower, manned by heroes in full battle gear, their armor gleaming faintly beneath the weak sun. The banner of the Association fluttered proudly at its peak, emblazoned with the holy symbol of light, declaring unmistakably who ruled these lands.

The guards atop the tower observed the long convoy with narrowed eyes, until one of them shouted with a booming voice:

"Open the Eastern gate! The candidates from the Valiant Alliance have arrived!"

At once, giant gears rumbled into motion. A colossal gate, fifty meters tall and carved from white stone inscribed with runes, began to part, revealing the path toward the city known as the heart of the world. The earth itself seemed to tremble with the weight of its movement, dust scattering like golden mist.

And as the carriages rolled past the threshold, the sight beyond greeted them with splendor unmatched by any city upon the continent of Illumina.

Inside Hero's Haven, the world seemed transformed. The main avenue stretching from the gate thrummed with overwhelming life. Shops lined both sides of the street, selling weapons, potions, jewelry, even world maps. The aroma of freshly baked bread mingled with the tang of molten steel drifting from blacksmith forges, while hawkers cried their wares with relentless zeal.

People from every corner of Illumina, and even beyond the continent, crowded the thoroughfare. Their skin tones and races varied, their clothing spoke of diverse factions: the flowing robes of mages, the gleaming plate of knights, fur-lined cloaks of northern clans, and the desert silks of sandborn races. Even wandering beastkin with twitching ears and scaled nomads from distant Umbra mingled freely, adding to the cacophony of colors.

The moment the convoy entered, the commotion swelled. Cheers, gasps, whispers, and sudden cries burst from every direction.

"Look! That's the delegation from the Valiant Alliance!"

"Really? I heard there are more than five hundred of them!"

"They say they were attacked by bandits on the road!"

"Not just bandits—rumor says an ancient beast appeared as well!"

"By the Light… they survived?!"

The crowd surged to the edges of the avenue, standing atop crates, clinging to rooftops, desperate for a glimpse. Children waved tiny flags, merchants leaned from balconies, and pilgrims clutched prayer beads as the uproar vibrated through the air like a living tide.

In carriage number seventy-five, a small white rabbit waved her tiny forepaws excitedly at the crowd. Puff.

"Boss! This place is enormous!" she squeaked, pink eyes gleaming. "Even bigger than the Valiant capital!"

Arzael glanced at her, expression flat, though his gaze swept over the scenery with calculating sharpness.

"Of course. This is the center of the world."

Puff nodded furiously, then poked her head out the window. Her pink-bright eyes widened as they landed on the city's towering heart.

"Boss, look! The Citadel of Light! It's so tall!" She turned back, voice bursting with awe. "Seraphina! What is that building?"

Seraphina, seated in quiet composure with her long white hair cascading over her shoulders, answered softly, "The headquarters of the Hero Association."

"Oooh~ so that's where all the heroes gather," Puff breathed, her eyes sparkling.

But Arzael remained silent, his crimson gaze fixed upon the crystal spire radiating holy light, as if measuring it. Puff, unable to restrain her tongue, jabbed again.

"What are you thinking, boss? Don't tell me… you're plotting how to destroy Hero's Haven?" she teased, half-joking, half-curious.

Arzael exhaled faintly, turning toward her. A thin smile curved his lips.

"I'm thinking of how best to cook an annoying rabbit."

"E-eh?!" Puff instantly shrank, diving into Seraphina's flowing hair. "Don't joke about that, boss!"

Seraphina, silent as ever, allowed the rabbit's snowy fur to blend with her own pale locks. Her gaze remained cool, yet the small gesture oddly warmed the air around them.

Across from them, Princess Chitara, sitting with regal grace beside her personal guard Lena, concealed a faint smile. Even Lena, ever stoic, allowed the barest curve of her lips, as though Puff's antics had cracked the frost of their long journey.

At last, they arrived at the temporary lodgings prepared for candidates.

The carriages rolled for another five minutes before halting at a vast marble-clad complex. This was the designated housing for the five hundred aspirants.

One by one, participants descended from the carriages. Polished armor gleamed, colorful robes swayed, and enchanted weapons caught the morning sun, scattering light in brilliant shards. Their noise mingled with the cheers of citizens still lining the streets.

Arzael disembarked alongside Seraphina and Puff, who now perched proudly on his shoulder, followed by Chitara and Lena.

"Bossss, this city's amazing! Isn't it? Isn't it? Way cooler than the Valiant capital!" Puff chattered.

But Chitara cast only a brief, melancholy glance around her. Puff faltered at once, guilt flickering in her expression.

Not far away, two other candidates muttered in hushed voices.

"Hey, Julian. Do you think… the shadow that saved us from those bandits and the ancient beast five days ago was one of the candidates?"

The young elf Julian crossed his arms. "I doubt it. But no ordinary soldier could've accomplished something like that."

Puff's long ears twitched as she shot a sly look at Arzael.

"Boss, your reputation's spreading already," she whispered.

Arzael gave no reply.

Then, an elven commander in gold-and-blue armor, the sacred emblem of Valiant emblazoned upon his chest, stepped forward and bowed deeply before Princess Chitara.

"Your Highness, our duty ends here. May your trial be victorious."

Chitara inclined her head with calm dignity, her voice firm yet gentle.

"Yes. Thank you, William. May you return to the capital safely."

A brief smile touched the commander's face. He saluted, then turned to lead his soldiers away. The thunder of hooves and carriage wheels slowly faded, leaving the five hundred candidates standing alone beneath the shadow of the Citadel of Light.

Many waved after the departing escort, shouting their farewells.

As Arzael's group walked toward the inn's entrance, whispers stirred once more.

"At last! That's Princess Chitara!"

"Her bodyguard's with her… but who are those two?"

"You mean the pale boy with white hair? Hhh… the aura around him feels wrong."

"Yeah. And the girl beside him too. Beautiful, but terrifying, like untouched snow you must never touch."

"Exactly. They don't look ordinary. Just looking at them feels unsettling."

Though spoken softly, the words carried clearly to Arzael's ears. He dismissed them, but Seraphina lowered her gaze, her long hair veiling her face. Puff, on the other hand, pouted, lips parting to retort, only to swallow her words.

At last, they stopped before the great doors of the inn. Lena glanced at Arzael.

"…Arzael. Princess Chitara and I will be staying beside your room. Here."

"Understood," Arzael replied curtly.

The doors creaked open. They entered their chambers.

Arzael and Seraphina's quarters proved far grander than expected: four spacious beds, velvet curtains, polished marble floors, and a crystal chandelier gleaming overhead. For "temporary" lodgings, it resembled a miniature palace.

"Wahhhh!" Puff leapt from Seraphina's shoulder, her pink eyes sparkling. "Isn't this way too nice for exam candidates, boss?"

Arzael sank into a wooden chair, folding his arms. "We'll be here for the next few years."

"No problem! If Hero's Haven is this fancy, I can live like royalty forever!" Puff dove onto a bed, rolling across pristine sheets.

But suddenly she froze, ears twitching. Her gaze flicked to Seraphina, then to Arzael.

"Oh right, boss. Tomorrow's the exam. Do you have a plan to make sure nobody touches Seraphina, whether by accident or on purpose? There'll be thousands of people from all over the world gathered there…"

Her tone was laced with concern. Puff knew the danger of Seraphina's curse better than anyone.

Arzael turned slowly, a faint smile forming on his lips.

"Relax. I planned for this two months ago."

"Really?! My boss is amazing!" Puff cheered, ears perking high.

Seraphina lowered her gaze, expression unreadable, yet her slow blink felt like silent approval.

That night, silence blanketed the inn. Crystal lamps bathed the room in gentle light. Seraphina drifted to sleep, arms wrapped around the slumbering Puff, the rabbit's snowy fur buried in her long hair.

Arzael did not sleep. He sat in his chair, leaning back, crimson eyes open and unblinking. From the window, the Citadel of Light shimmered beneath the moon's glow.

At last, the time has come, he thought. His heartbeat steady, yet cold. The silence of night pressed against him, heavy and absolute, as though the world itself held its breath. His fingers tapped the chair's armrest, a rhythm of quiet resolve, each beat echoing his hunger for vengeance.

'I will find you here… Aelric. Just wait.'