(Twin Fang Planet – Outer Docks, 10:15 AM)
The shuttle hissed as its doors slid open, revealing the soft-sand landing bay of Twin Fang Planet’s central arrival terminal.
*Step*
Leo stepped out without a word, adjusting the straps of the slim duffel over his shoulder as he took in the cityscape ahead.
The city was built like a shrine, with the Black Serpents Guild Headquarters looming at the center like the central jewel on a crown.
A circular structure carved from volcanic stone, laced with silver veining and serpent motifs etched along its outer spires.
Looking from afar, it did not seem like just another building.
But rather it looked like a power statement. A testament to the Black Serpent guild’s greatness.
Encircling the central headquarters like loyal vassals were the rest of Twin Fang City buildings: the lodging complexes, taverns, armories, meditation halls, forges, and tactical classrooms—all designed to support the guild and its sprawling army.
The inner rings were reserved for guild members and high-level guests. The outer zones housed auxiliary professions: blacksmiths, potion makers, arena bookies, and civilian-run cafes that sold overpriced noodles to impressionable rookie warriors.
Leo walked with unhurried ease, his eyes scanning everything but lingering nowhere.
He wasn’t here to explore.
He was here to embed.
His destination was a smaller building that stood modestly to the side of the main fortress, a five-story tower made of polished metal and glass, with a long line of hopefuls stretched around its base.
The New Recruitments Office.
A place where warriors from across the universe stood in line with dreams in their eyes and desperation in their blood.
Of course, nearly all of them would be rejected.
9999 out of 10,000. That was the statistic.
The Serpents didn’t just take in the strong, they took in the elite and useful.
And that definition rarely included common hopefuls.
Leo joined the queue without a word, standing behind a hulking bear-like alien adjusting his armor straps. His presence drew a few glances, with some recognising him and cheerfully approaching for an autograph, however, Leo shot them down with a cold glare, and even roughed a couple of them up that dared come too close.
At exactly 10:45 AM, a small overhead panel blinked blue.
"Leo Skyshard—please proceed to Room 2B." A feminine voice said, as he walked in.
The interviewer looked up from his holographic files and froze.
His eyes widened. His mouth parted slightly. He blinked—once, twice—before blurting out:
"You? You? You’re Leo Skyshard? From Rodova?! Their most promising young warrior?! What are you doing here?"
Leo offered a faint smile, not out of politeness, but calculation.
"I am here to serve," he said calmly, placing his provisional degree and battle portfolio on the desk.
"The guild stands at a crossroads. I know about the guilds’ situation and how everyone is desperately trying to locate the guildmaster’s son, Darnell Nuna, and I wish to be a part of those efforts.
I was there when Darnell was kidnapped and it’s only because of him that I’m alive today.
I owe him a debt of honor, and it’s for that reason and that reason alone that I have decided to end my student life early and join the Serpents instead, so that I may contribute my bit to making this guild whole again."
The interviewer stared at him, practically trembling.
"That… that’s very noble of you. Unbelievable, even. A rising star from the Rodova Academy wanting to wear our emblem?" He gave a nervous laugh. "I—uh—I don’t even need to ask you questions. This is a yes. Absolutely. Approved."
He slapped a red ’APPROVED’ stamp onto Leo’s physical form with a bit too much enthusiasm.
"Normally," the man continued, shuffling papers awkwardly, "a candidate is required to pass psychological evaluations and physical exams before final approval. But in your case... I doubt there’s any need. Still, my superiors shall make the final call. Please wait outside— if needed, they’ll summon you for additional tests."
Leo nodded and stepped out of the room with the same expression he’d worn walking in, as he remained neutral, poised and unreadable.
---
(Twin Fang City – Recruitment Lobby, 11:15 AM)
He waited.
Five minutes.
Ten.
Fifteen.
No alarm.
No challenge.
No call.
At 11:32 AM, a guild staffer approached him with a sealed packet.
"Leo Skyshard?"
He gave a silent nod.
"Congratulations. These are your guild robes, identity badge, accommodation voucher, and orientation schedule."
She handed him the package and smiled, perhaps the first genuine smile he’d received since landing.
"Your immediate superior is Mr. Raiden. He’s requested to meet you for lunch today at 2 PM. He’ll walk you through your duties, guild policies, and expectations. Until then, you’re free to explore Twin Fang City."
Leo took the packet and gave a quiet nod.
The assassin robe that was a standard issue within the guild was heavier than it looked.
While the badge seemed to be cast from unreactive platinum, so that even after years of use, its shine and luster remained intact.
Internally, Leo felt glad that he was not summoned for any psychological evaluation or physical tests, as although he wasn’t afraid of failing any physical test, it was a good feeling to know that his reputation preceded him, and that he wasn’t being made to perform the same actions as commoners.
’Well…. It seems like fame does have some uses’ Leo thought to himself, as he walked back out into the city.
As with his meeting with Mr.Raiden scheduled at 2 pm, he had nothing but time for the next couple hours, with nothing important to do.
’I’ll contact Faye once my meeting with Mr.Raiden is over.
Now that I’m officially a member of the Black Serpents Guild, she should return my missing memories back to me—’ Leo thought, as he couldn’t help but chuckle at how Faye went to such extreme lengths to shield him from a psychological evaluation test, however, in the end, it turned out he never needed such help in the first place.