The summons came three days after Rey’s successful integration into Salimoor society.

"Guild Master Theron requests your presence in Conference Room Seven," the messenger stated formally. "Mission briefing for assigned team. Report immediately."

Rey acknowledged with appropriate deference while his mind analyzed implications. Three days was exactly the timeframe he’d predicted for preliminary investigation results and mission assignment designed to test his reliability.

Perfect.

He made his way to Guild headquarters, noting increased security presence and mystical wards that suggested elevated threat assessment. His enhanced perception detected surveillance techniques monitoring his approach—nothing hostile, just thorough observation.

’They’re watching me carefully,’ Rey assessed with cold satisfaction. ’Good. Thorough suspicion followed by eventual trust provides better long-term cover than immediate acceptance would.’

Conference Room Seven contained six people when Rey entered—Kaela and Jaren, three Searchers he recognized from previous Guild observations, and Guild Master Theron himself.

"Eru, thank you for your prompt response," Theron greeted professionally. "Please be seated."

Rey took the indicated chair while cataloguing the other team members. Two men and one woman, all displaying Gold-rank identification and mystical pressures suggesting Mid-Sequence Spirit Art capability—experienced professionals rather than exceptional talents.

Deliberate composition designed to test Rey while maintaining team survivability.

"You’ve all been selected for an investigation mission to the Dungeon of Malice," Theron began without preamble. "Recent expedition resulted in catastrophic casualties under circumstances that remain unexplained. Our responsibility includes determining what caused the anomalous entity’s behavior and recovering the possessions of deceased Searchers."

He activated a mystical projection showing the dungeon’s mapped sections.

"Primary objectives: investigate the areas where encounters occurred, document any environmental or entity behavioral changes, and recover equipment and remains when possible. Secondary objective: advance deeper if conditions permit, mapping any previously unexplored sections."

One of the other Searchers—a muscular man named Gareth—spoke up. "The report mentioned coordinated entity attacks and capabilities exceeding normal classifications. What’s our tactical approach if we encounter similar threats?"

"Cautious progression with immediate retreat protocols if danger exceeds team capabilities," Theron replied. "Which is why you’ll be accompanied by a Church representative for additional security and objective observation."

Rey’s expression remained neutral while his mind sharpened focus.

A Paladin.

Holy warriors from the Church of the Five Ancient Gods, trained specifically to combat corruption and serve as military elite. Their ranking system paralleled Nether’s Guard classifications—weakest Paladins comparable to Category A Guards, strongest approaching Category S before ascending to Angel status.

Just as Category S Guards in Nether could eventually become Devils through achievement and divine favor, Paladins who demonstrated exceptional capability and devotion could ascend to become Angels in Aether.

The parallel structures suggested deliberate design rather than coincidental development.

’They’re assigning a Paladin specifically to monitor me,’ Rey analyzed. ’Someone with capabilities to detect Chaos corruption, authority to execute suspicious individuals, and direct connection to Church hierarchy that supersedes Guild administration.’

Perfect test of his concealment techniques.

"When does the Paladin arrive?" Kaela asked.

"Momentarily," Theron replied. "Paladin Seris is traveling from the regional Cathedral. She has extensive experience with corruption investigation and combat capability exceeding even Gold-rank classification."

The door opened, and Rey’s enhanced perception immediately detected the new arrival’s mystical signature—powerful, refined, operating with precision that suggested decades of combat training and divine blessing.

Paladin Seris entered in full ceremonial armor—polished steel with holy engravings that radiated faint divine light, constructed as a Tier 7 Artifact with protective enchantments operating at levels that would challenge most Category A opponents. At her hip hung a sword whose mystical pressure suggested Tier 8 classification—capable of cutting through corruption and normal defenses with equal efficiency.

Her face remained concealed behind the armor’s visor, voice modulated through mystical enhancement that prevented identification of age or personal characteristics.

"Guild Master Theron," Seris acknowledged with formal courtesy. "I’ve reviewed the mission parameters. The Church authorizes full investigation with instructions to document corruption sources and eliminate threats exceeding normal dungeon parameters."

"Thank you for your assistance, Paladin Seris," Theron replied respectfully. "These are the assigned team members—"

He introduced each Searcher systematically. When he reached Rey, there was a subtle emphasis in his tone.

"And this is Eru, a recently accepted Gold-rank member. He rescued survivors from the previous expedition and demonstrated exceptional Spirit Art capabilities during examination."

Seris’s visor turned toward Rey, and he felt the weight of her analytical perception—mystical techniques designed to detect corruption, deception, and hostile intent.

The Prince of Darkness remained perfectly still within Rey’s soul, its fusion so complete that even advanced detection couldn’t distinguish it from Rey’s natural mystical signature.

After a long moment, Seris nodded slightly.

"Your Spirit Art shows divine favor despite Nephilim heritage. Unusual but not unprecedented."

Rey inclined his head respectfully. "The Gods bless those who serve their purposes regardless of bloodline. I’m honored to assist the Church’s investigation."

Perfect response—humble, religiously appropriate, suggesting acceptance of divine hierarchy without revealing anything compromising.

Theron continued the briefing. "You depart tomorrow morning. The estimated duration is three to five days, depending on findings. Paladin Seris has final authority on tactical decisions and threat assessment. Any questions?"

The team exchanged glances but remained silent.

"Dismissed. Report to Equipment Hall for supply distribution, then prepare for departure." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

*********

The next morning, the seven-person team assembled at Salimoor’s eastern gate—six Searchers and one Paladin, equipped with standard exploration gear and mission-specific detection artifacts.

Rey observed the team dynamics carefully as they began the journey toward the Dungeon of Malice.

Kaela and Jaren stayed close to him, their earlier gratitude translating into protective concern. The other three Searchers—Gareth, a woman named Lyssa, and a younger man called Finn—maintained professional distance, their expressions suggesting they’d been briefed about Rey’s suspicious circumstances.

And Paladin Seris walked slightly apart from everyone, her armor gleaming in morning sunlight, her attention focused on environmental monitoring rather than social interaction.

Rey attempted conversation after an hour of travel.

"Paladin Seris, have you investigated corruption anomalies in other dungeons? I’m curious about comparative patterns."

Silence.

The Paladin didn’t acknowledge his question, her visor remaining fixed forward as though Rey hadn’t spoken.

He tried again several minutes later with a different approach.

"The Church’s expertise with corruption detection would be valuable for understanding what we might encounter. Any tactical guidance would be appreciated."

Again, no response.

Rey recognized the deliberate social isolation—Seris wasn’t refusing communication, she was enforcing professional distance that prevented rapport from developing. Standard procedure when monitoring potentially suspicious individuals.

’She’s here to observe and eliminate if necessary,’ Rey concluded. ’Not to befriend or integrate. Her silence establishes that I’m under investigation regardless of Guild membership status.’

Perfect positioning for someone who wanted to appear cooperative while maintaining operational control.

The journey took two days of steady travel. Rey used the time to build rapport with the other team members through carefully calibrated interactions—helpful without being intrusive, competent without appearing threatening, friendly while respecting professional boundaries.

By the time they reached the Dungeon of Malice entrance, he’d successfully established himself as a reliable team asset in everyone’s perception except Seris’s.

Though it wasn’t too much of a problem.

Her suspicion was exactly what he’d planned for.

’In the end, if any unexpected situations occur, I can just escape and start my plan from scratch using other methods. I’m patient enough for that...’