Published at 13th of August 2026 6:57 am

Chapter 1925: Three Monsters

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Genevieve rested her hands on the counter and offered the clerk a courteous smile.

"If I may ask a hypothetical question," she began.

The clerk looked up. "Sure, go ahead."

"Suppose my companion and I decide not to remain in the City Hall. Suppose we chose to leave. What would happen to the artifacts that we surrendered?"

The clerk folded her hands together and gave a practiced answer.

"In that situation, the council would review your request."

"So they would be returned?" Genevieve tried to be as polite as possible despite the fury burning within her chest.

"The council would make a decision based on the circumstances," said the clerk.

"Is there a policy that guarantees their return?" Genevieve’s smile became strained.

"The council evaluates each case individually."

"I see..."

As Michael watched the clerk speak to Genevieve, his heart twisted in rage.

Goodness arcane, she was right!

What the hell have we gotten ourselves into? He thought.

"Has anyone ever had all of their artifacts returned?" Genevieve asked.

"I’m not at liberty to discuss previous cases," the clerk said flatly.

"So it’s possible the artifacts wouldn’t be returned?" Genevieve’s smile gradually faded away.

The clerk, however, maintained her professional smile.

"The council always acts in the best interest of City Hall and its residents."

Genevieve looked deeply at the young woman. Then she offered a polite nod and said, "Thank you. That answers all my questions."

"You’re welcome, miss." The clerk smiled. "If you choose to remain with us, I’m sure the council will do everything within its authority to make your stay as comfortable as possible."

"...I’m sure."

"So?" The clerk quirked an eyebrow. "What have you two decided?"

Genevieve didn’t answer immediately. She turned to Michael with a wry smile.

They didn’t have any choice now.

If they chose to leave the City Hall, they’d be leaving without any means to protect themselves. Genevieve wouldn’t even be able to cast most of her spells because her material components had been confiscated as well.

Michael gritted his teeth, indignation burning in his eyes. He gave her a reluctant nod.

Genevieve turned back to the clerk and said with a faint smile, "Why, of course, we will live here. Where else can we go?"

"Excellent!"

The clerk retrieved two unassuming slips from the drawer and handed them to Genevieve.

"They contain general information about Adventurers’ City, as well as the types of monsters infested in the different districts," she continued.

"Additionally, there is a list of job vacancies that you can apply for. Study them properly and choose jobs according to your skill sets. Once done, return the slips to me as soon as possible. I will then put your names down on the roster."

Genevieve took the slips and thanked her. Then she and Michael silently left.

***

The courtyard behind the City Hall was expansive.

It was used as a training ground for the Magi and Paladins.

Well, there was hardly anything the Magi could train in given the severe lack of material components in this place. So the training yard was mostly used by Paladins who sought to hone their prowess.

Genevieve and Michael arrived at the steps leading to the courtyard. They chose a corner to sit so as not to obstruct anyone coming or going.

"We are so fucked," Michael muttered as he sat down.

Genevieve remained silent, clutching the slip in her hands tightly.

"Why did I not think of this before?" Michael continued complaining.

"No, this is completely unfair! Okay, I can understand them confiscating our artifacts because of the need for the collective to put them to good use. But now letting us leave with our property? That is fucking ridiculous!"

After venting his emotions for several more minutes, he finally turned to Genevieve. He was about to speak, but when he saw her red-rimmed eyes, he swallowed his words.

That’s right, he thought bitterly.

Her artifacts were a gift from her late grandfather.

And now she may never get them back...

Michael gulped. Here he was complaining about his sword and a defensive artifact, when Genevieve had lost almost everything she deemed precious to her. So he tried his best to cheer her up.

"Hey, Genevieve," he began. "We’ll figure something out, okay?"

His words were directed as much to him as they were to Genevieve.

"Adam’s still out there somewhere," he continued. "We’ll find a way to rendezvous with him and plan something. I’m sure he’ll have a plan!"

Genevieve’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. She took a deep breath and wiped them. Putting on a faint smile, she turned to Michael and nodded.

"No matter." She handed a slip to him, then said. "Let’s see what jobs they have available here. There’s no such thing as a free lunch, as they say. Especially in this place."

Michael saw how hard she was trying to keep control of her emotions. He sighed. "Yeah..."

They injected mana into the slips, and a torrent of information flowed into their minds at a steady pace.

It contained information regarding the rules and regulations inside the City Hall, the types of jobs available currently, the Adventurers City and the monsters inhabiting it, as well as a summary of the dangers of the wilds in the vicinity of the city."

As Michalel studied the monsters inside the city, his eyes slowly widened.

"If this is accurate... then there are thousands of monsters in the city!" he blurted out. "And most of them at the Mana Core and Cavalier ranks!"

Genevieve’s face gradually paled. "There are three monsters that are at the Mana Seed Rank!"

Upon reading that information, she truly worried about Adam.

Michael even began to think that choosing to live inside the City Hall had indeed been the correct choice, considering the sheer number of things out there in the city that could kill him.

"First is an invisible monster who can turn others into marionettes," he began in a shaky voice. "Scouts report that it forces its victims to act out weddings. Just what kind of twisted monster does something like that?!"

He shook his head in disbelief, then continued.

"The second is a monster that resides in the castle. It is said to guard the empty throne room. It’s considered the least threatening of the three since it has never been reported to leave the throne room."

Michael then shifted his focus to the last of the three most powerful monsters in the city. His eyes widened, and he drew in a sharp breath.

"This one... is the worst of them all!"

Genevieve nodded, her eyes trembling in fear.

She murmured softly, "The Antlered High Priest."

Michael swallowed hard.

"A white werewolf wearing an antler crown... it tortures its victims in the most inhumane ways. It performs blood sacrifices, believing enough offerings will bring back the sun."

A heavy, oppressive silence settled between the two.

Michael read out loud the warning attached to this monster:

"Never enter the Sun Temple. Those who do are offered upon its altar to a dawn that will never come."

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