Journey to Become the Zenith

Terms of a Devil’s Bargain

Isabella had finally finished ”fixing” the room.

She must have shoved the busted chairs aside, given how things looked. Piles of papers sat nearby, sorted just enough to hide the worst of it.

Inside, the mess hit them right away - papers everywhere, some curled at the edges, others bundled with frayed cords dangling. Victor stepped in behind the rest, eyes catching on what remained: a desk buried under paperwork gone wild. Not neat files. More like chaos won here, long ago.

What stood out next was the row of enchanted staves set into the distant wall.

To an untrained eye, they were decorative relics.

To Victor—

His golden eyes narrowed slightly.

Each staff carried layered enchantments. Ancient mana signatures. Some were sealed, some dormant, some very much alive.

Those weren’t ornaments.

Those were weapons.

The strongest weapons he had seen in this world so far.

Interesting.

Beside the display of staffs were carved names—hundreds of them etched into the wall. Beside most names was a single letter.

D.

Many Ds.

Ranks of the fallen.

Or perhaps retired.

Victor’s lips curved faintly.

So this guild kept records in stone.

Isabella slouched in the main chair at the center of the room, long purple hair falling over one shoulder, black eyes half-lidded with fatigue.

”You guys can just stand there,” she said lazily.

Clara stood behind her, posture straight, arms folded. Her purple eyes were sharp, and despite her composed face, most of her attention was locked onto Victor.

To her, this entire mess began with him.

And the most dangerous variable in the room was also him.

Even without her spear.

She still had other options.

If he made a wrong move—

She would act.

”So let’s get straight to the point,” Isabella sighed, rubbing her temple. ”I just want this over with. What is it you want, whoever you are?”

Her gaze fixed directly on Victor.

Victor stepped forward slightly.

”First off, you can call me Victor.”

Isabella’s eyebrow twitched.

”Okay then, Victor. What is it that you want?”

”My wish isn’t as extravagant as becoming Guild Master. That seems like it would restrict my freedom too much.”

Isabella almost choked.

Clara’s lips twitched faintly.

Lane and Videl exchanged a subtle glance.

He really said that to her face.

Victor continued smoothly, ”Before I tell you what I want, can you make sure everyone who witnessed my fight keeps quiet about it?”

”That’s already taken care of,” Clara answered this time.

Victor looked at her with mild appreciation.

”Oh? Efficient.”

Clara ignored the compliment.

”Now,” Victor continued, ”there’s something I want to understand first. What exactly happens when someone registers as an adventurer? And what’s the purpose of ranks?”

Isabella tilted her head toward Clara.

Clara sighed softly.

”After registering, a new adventurer is assigned a staff proctor to evaluate them. The test determines their initial rank. Rank reflects skill and determines what missions you’re allowed to accept.”

Her voice was calm, professional.

”Low rank means gathering and minor tasks. High rank opens access to difficult missions. However, high rank also restricts you from accepting low-level work. Individual rank and party rank are separate.”

She paused.

”Any questions?”

Victor nodded slightly.

”I see. Thank you for the explanation...”

He looked at her thoughtfully.

”What was your name again?”

Clara narrowed her eyes.

”...Clara.”

He smiled.

”Thank you, Clara.”

Lane felt something tighten in her chest.

Videl’s fingers curled slightly.

Why is he smiling like that?

Victor’s attention shifted back to Isabella.

”So about my wish. It’s simple.”

He gestured toward the trembling idiots.

”After the test, no matter the results, I want a B-rank for myself and my companion.”

He rested a hand casually near Lane’s shoulder.

”And I want you to spread a rumor that a rising star has entered this branch of the Adventurers Guild.”

Silence.

”That’s all,” he finished calmly. ”In exchange, I spare their lives.”

The five idiots nearly collapsed in relief and fear at the same time.

Isabella leaned back in her chair.

She studied him.

There was calculation behind those golden eyes.

Controlled ambition.

Not reckless hunger.

”Why B-rank?” she asked. ”With your ability, you could skip ranks entirely. You could aim for A. Even S.”

Her gaze sharpened slightly.

”The youngest S-rank adventurer. Doesn’t that tempt you?”

Victor met her eyes steadily.

”I want attention,” he said evenly. ”Just not too much attention.”

Isabella felt something stir in her chest.

He thinks long-term.

She didn’t know when she started looking at him differently.

Perhaps when he shattered Clara’s spear without effort.

Perhaps when he held her gaze without flinching.

She realized she had been staring.

She quickly masked it.

”...Fine.”

Clara blinked.

”Guild Master—”

”No matter what the real results are,” Isabella continued lazily, though her eyes were alert, ”you two will receive B-rank.”

Victor tilted his head.

”Only the two of us. She,” he pointed gently to Videl, ”is a student of the Knight Academy.”

Videl bowed slightly.

”I see,” Isabella nodded. ”Then Clara will be your proctor.”

Clara’s shoulders stiffened.

Of course she will.

”Since,” Isabella added, ”you don’t want too many people knowing about our little arrangement.”

Victor smiled faintly.

”Much appreciated, Guild Master.”

His tone shifted subtly.

Softer.

Isabella felt heat rise faintly along her collarbone.

Clara noticed.

Lane noticed.

Videl absolutely noticed.

Victor’s golden gaze lingered on Isabella for a second too long.

”Though,” he added lightly, ”I have to admit... I didn’t expect the Guild Master to be so... cooperative.”

Isabella blinked.

”Are you saying I’m easy?”

Victor chuckled.

”I’m saying you’re smart.”

That hit differently.

Clara’s eye twitched.

Lane’s expression remained composed—but her nails pressed faint crescents into her palm.

Videl stepped slightly closer to Victor’s side.

Subtle.

Protective.

Victor glanced briefly at Videl.

There it is again.

That instinct.

That hero’s flame.

Then his eyes flicked back to Isabella.

And for just a second—

Something old stirred inside him.

A familiar pull.

Powerful woman.

Commanding presence.

Slothful mask over sharp mind.

In his past life—

As Anos—

He had always been drawn to strength.

Not fragility.

Not submission.

Strength.

He caught himself.

Focus.

Present.

Isabella cleared her throat.

”Anything else?”

Victor leaned back casually.

”No. That’s all.”

Clara stepped forward slightly.

”You’re enjoying this too much.”

Victor glanced at her.

”Enjoying what?”

”Manipulating situations.”

He smiled faintly.

”You’re very perceptive.”

Clara’s cheeks flushed slightly.

Annoyance.

Definitely annoyance.

Lane watched silently.

Videl’s gaze shifted between Clara and Isabella.

Two strong women.

Both reacting to him.

Her chest tightened.

Why does that bother me?

Isabella leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hand.

”Victor,” she said softly, ”if you cause trouble for my branch...”

He met her gaze.

”Then?”

”...I’ll deal with you personally.”

Victor’s lips curved.

”I look forward to it.”

Clara’s breath hitched almost imperceptibly.

Lane frowned faintly.

Videl stared at him.

He’s flirting.

He is absolutely flirting.

And he doesn’t even realize how dangerous that is.

Isabella straightened, regaining composure.

”Clara. Prepare for their evaluation.”

”Yes, Guild Master.”

Victor turned to leave.

As he did, he glanced back once.

Isabella caught that look.

Their eyes met.

For a split second—

Something unspoken passed between them.

Interest.

Challenge.

Possibility.

Victor walked out calmly.

Lane followed.

Videl followed.

Clara remained still for a moment.

Then she looked at Isabella.

”...You’re not actually thinking about him, are you?”

Isabella blinked.

”What? Of course not.”

Clara raised a brow.

”You were staring.”

Isabella crossed her arms.

”He’s strong.”

Clara narrowed her eyes.

”That’s not what I meant.”

Isabella looked away.

”...Prepare the test.”

Clara sighed.

Outside the office—

Victor exhaled lightly.

Part two of the plan was complete.

Too smooth.

He almost felt disappointed.

No resistance.

No real conflict.

No blood.

He glanced upward.

Maybe something interesting will happen soon.

Behind him—

Lane walked quietly.

Videl walked silently.

Both thinking the same thing.

He’s smiling too much around them.

And neither of them liked that feeling.

Not one bit.