Incredible. Absolutely incredible.
That very night, the news arrived through Lily, no less. Commander Thalos had delivered on his word. Tave had officially been granted a place in the squad. Lily shared the update just as she herself received the final list of those selected for the expedition.
Tave felt a surprising wave of gratitude swell in his chest. Commander Thalos had done it. He'd actually made it happen. He granted Tave's special request.
But... why?
What did the man stand to gain by helping him?
Surely, it was just part of his duty as a Knight Commander. He shook the suspicion off. Enough with the paranoia, Tave.
As long as he kept his eyes open, tracked every subtle shift, watched every detail. He wouldn't drop his guard. Not even for a second.
Preparations moved quickly. And by early morning, Tave and Lily stepped out together once more, joined by Fang, heading for their final eting with the squad. The Rift Expedition was now in motion.
In truth, it was an ergency deploynt. The previous group of adventurers tasked with the Rift had failed catastrophically. They were completely wiped out. The Rift was nearing expiration. If not conquered soon, it would collapse outward and unleash far worse consequences. Ti was running out.
"It was a smart move to sign up with , you know," Lily said, walking a step ahead of him, voice casual but pointed.
"Yes, Lil... this is my first Rift Expedition. Of course I'd want to go with soone I trust the most," he replied smoothly. "And I couldn't think of anyone better than my own little sister."
Lily sighed at his response. Maybe to her, it was just another one of Tave's unserious remarks. Had the original Tave always been so stiff that even a bit of warmth threw her off balance?
He smiled faintly.
But the truth ran deeper than the joke. Going with Lily also gave him the chance to look out for her. Not because he was stronger. Lily had proven herself plenty capable, but maybe this was just that unshakable instinct older brothers had. Protective. Watchful. Quietly present.
Yes, she was his little sister. And maybe not in every way that mattered. But in this world, they shared blood. And that was enough.
"You're assigned as a scout, aren't you?" Lily's tone was firm. "That ans you're not supposed to engage unless you're sure you can handle it. Don't risk yourself."
"Alright, my sister," Tave replied lightly.
Predictably, that only made her scowl deepen. She huffed and picked up her pace, clearly annoyed.
Tave let her go on ahead, his expression unreadable.
There would be ten people in this expedition. Ten knights were selected, and while Tave had yet to see the full team list, he knew enough to understand the general structure. Rift squads were rarely thrown together without care. Each role was crucial, and each had a place in the overall strategy.
Typically, the ten were divided into five core functions:
Two defenders, the backbone of the team. These were the knights with heavy armor, fortified physiques, and the ntal grit to stand their ground. Their job was to draw the monsters' attention, absorb the brunt of the attacks, and maintain the front line. High risk, high endurance. Without them, a squad's survivability dropped drastically.
Two close-range fighters, secondary frontliners, built for offense rather than endurance. They could hold their own in tight situations and were often the first to strike after the defenders. Quick, brutal, and relentless, they specialized in thinning out smaller mobs or dealing high damage bursts up close.
Two support specialists, healers, buffers, or debuffers. While their role wasn't to fight directly, their importance couldn't be overstated. They kept the squad alive, sharpened their strengths, and dampened the enemy's. Lily belonged here, and rightfully so. Her water-based affinity made her healing abilities exceptionally potent.
Two ranged attackers, archers, gunners, or elental mages. These were the team's damage dealers from afar. Precise and powerful, they handled large-scale threats from a distance. Their positioning was everything. They couldn't afford to be overwheld, as most of them lacked the durability for direct confrontation.
And finally, two versatile mbers, often called "flex" or "adaptive" units. These were wildcards, assigned roles that didn't quite fit in the traditional lines. Scouting, mapping terrain, detecting threats or hidden traps, identifying elental pockets within the Rift, analyzing enemy formations... even serving as ergency backup or frontline reinforcent when needed.
Tave fell into this last group.
As a scout, his job wasn't just about running ahead or avoiding fights. It was about awareness, sensing shifts in elental energy, reading the battlefield, moving in silence when needed and striking with precision when possible.
Scouts were often equipped with affinity elents suited for concealnt, movent, or detection. Dark and Shadow affinities were especially prized here. So scouts were beast tars with agile companions, others specialists with illusion or wind control.
In short, scouts weren't just runners. They were the eyes, the early warning system, and sotis the silent dagger in the dark.
And that was exactly where Tave belonged.
**
Lily pushed open the door, and together they stepped inside. A few others had already arrived, three n and one woman. None of their faces were familiar to Tave.
They exchanged greetings as the two entered, and it was clear from their tone and ease that they all already knew Lily. Smiles, and casual chatter followed. The air between them felt comfortable, at least for now.
Tave offered a polite nod and a simple greeting to the group, but didn't push further. There would be a proper round of introductions once the entire squad arrived. Better to wait for that mont than waste effort repeating himself.
He and Lily made their way to the back row of chairs, taking seats quietly. Despite the friendly talk up front, the room felt tense. Really tense. Understandable, perhaps. In less than a day, they'd all be stepping into a Rift together, risking their lives, relying on each other to survive. Even so, it felt strange. The silence beneath the surface was too sharp.
They need so kind of ice breaker. But that's not gonna co from him.
Suddenly, the door opened again.
All eyes turned.
Two more people walked in, and the mont Tave saw the one in front, a flicker of surprise crossed his face.
No way...
A young man with long blonde hair strode confidently into the room. He was soone Tave recognized imdiately. He was the sa guy who had tried to talk down to him after the sparring match with Lily.
The blond scanned the room slowly, his gaze eventually locking onto Lily, and then shifting to Tave.
For a mont, there was tension in the air.
Lily looked away, deliberately avoiding the young man's stare.
What's he going to say now?
But, surprisingly, the man said nothing. He didn't smirk. Didn't make a scene. He just turned, walked forward, and took a seat near the front row.
Huh? Not bad. I expected sothing disgusting to co out of his mouth.
For now, at least, silence was preferable.
Tave needed this Rift.
More than anyone in the room, maybe. And for better or worse, they were now one team, bound to each other by the demands of survival. Like it or not, they would have to cooperate if they wanted to make it through.
There was no room for ego. No room for retreat.
If he stepped back now, he might lose this chance entirely. And who knew how long it would take before another opportunity like this appeared again?
But one thing still bothered him.
Letting Lily step into a Rift alongside that guy, the smug blonde sitting up front made Tave feel even more unsettled. There was sothing off about him, sothing slick and twisted beneath the practiced charm. He didn't trust it.
Life's never about what you want.You take what's in front of you and try not to choke on it.
Only two more people had yet to arrive.
Lord Orion and Lady Oriana, the twin stars of this squad. Their presence would shift the weight in the room the mont they stepped in.
And then, right on cue, the door creaked open again.
All heads turned in unison, attention snapping toward the entrance. The air tensed, shoulders straightened, eyes sharpened.
Which one would arrive first?
The squad braced for royalty in armor.
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