Noah's POV
The streets of Frostvale buzzed with energy as Noah and the girls made their way toward the tall building adorned with a bronze insignia of a sword and mountain—the Adventurer's Guild.
The moment they pushed open the heavy doors, all heads turned.
Conversations died.
Tankards stopped mid-air.
Dozens of eyes, both human and beastkin, locked onto the unfamiliar group. Or rather, onto the tall white-haired boy flanked by three strikingly beautiful women. Scarlett's seductive aura, Lyra's cold elegance, and Layla's wild allure didn't help with the attention either.
Whispers spread like wildfire.
"Who the hell is that guy?"
"Is he a prince or something?"
"Tch… lucky bastard."
"Bet he's just hiding behind those girls…"
Jealous glares from men and curious, intrigued looks from women followed them like a shadow.
Noah walked calmly, but the tension didn't go unnoticed. And then—
Three wolfkin adventurers, muscular and clad in worn armor, sneered from their table near the corner.
"Damn, look at the redhead's ass—mmh, I'd ruin her for days."
"Nah, that black-haired one looks like she'd bite back. That's more fun."
"The icy one's probably into choking… imagine her on her knees."
They chuckled, unaware they had just walked into death's embrace.
Noah stopped.
The air froze.
[Ding!..]
[Protector's Aura] has been activated..
(You have entered Guarded Wrath state. All allies in proximity are now protected.)
[Dragon's Fear] has been triggered!
Bloodline reaction detected.
(Opponents with lower willpower or rank will fall into fear, paralysis, or unconsciousness.)
A golden aura erupted around him, shimmering faintly like a divine veil—Protector's Aura. A heartbeat later, a dark pressure surged, overwhelming and ancient—Dragon's Fear.
Silence.
Every person inside the guild felt their knees weaken. Breathing became difficult. Sweat drenched shirts. Tankards fell to the floor with loud thuds.
And the three wolfkin?
Collapsed.
Gasping. Shaking. Pale. Eyes wide and lifeless.
They clawed at their throats, desperate for breath that wouldn't come.
The room didn't dare speak.
"Noah," Scarlett's voice finally broke the silence, soft but firm. "It's enough."
Lyra stepped beside her, placing a cold hand on his shoulder. "We're fine… they're not worth your wrath."
Layla, ever playful, leaned in with a teasing smile. "You were so hot back there. I could get used to this side of you… but hey, we didn't come here to start a massacre."
Noah blinked. He glanced around—the whole guild had backed away, some pressed against walls, others trembling.
He exhaled, retracting his aura. The moment it vanished, it felt as though everyone could breathe again.
And then, heavy boots echoed.
A man in a long black coat, bearing the guild insignia on his chest, entered. He was tall, silver-haired with one mechanical arm, and eyes like daggers.
"Quite the impression, young man," the Guild Master said, his voice gravelly but calm.
Noah turned toward him. "It's not like I wanted to," he said coldly. "Some people just needed to learn their place."
The Guild Master's eyes drifted to the collapsed wolfkin. Disgust flashed in them.
"Trying to covet someone else's women in such filth-ridden ways... is the mark of the lowest scum," he said sharply. Then he barked to his subordinates, "Throw them out. Their licenses are suspended for six months."
He stepped forward and offered his hand to Noah.
"I'm Gerald Ashvale, Master of Frostvale's Guild Branch."
"Noah. Just Noah," he replied, shaking the man's hand. "And these are my companions—Scarlett, Lyra, and Layla."
Gerald's brow lifted slightly, but he said nothing about Noah's status.
"Follow me. I'll make sure you're properly registered."
He personally escorted them through the awed and parted crowd to the counter, where a fluffy-tailed catgirl with a bell around her neck greeted them cheerfully.
"Nya~ welcome to Frostvale Guild! I'm Nyami~ Let's get you registered!"
She handed them forms and guided them to a nearby mana resonance crystal for their rank test.
One by one, they placed their hands on it.
A-Rank.
A-Rank.
A-Rank.
A-Rank.
Gasps followed. Adventurers stared in disbelief.
"They're all A-rank?!"
"They're… so young."
"What the hell are they made of?!"
Nyami clapped her hands. "Nya~! All done! These are your personalized D-Rank Guild Cards. Feel free to take missions anytime!"
Guild Master Gerald nodded. "That's enough for today. Rest, explore the city. I'll be watching your progress… closely."
With that, he turned and walked away, the pressure he carried just a whisper of Noah's own.
Noah looked at the others. "Let's find an inn."
They left the guild hall—leaving behind whispers, envy, admiration… and a warning etched deep into the minds of every onlooker:
Don't mess with the white-haired boy....
------
After finishing their guild registration and collecting their cards, the group stepped into the city streets once again. Evening had draped its golden hue over the buildings, the streets bathed in soft amber glow as lanterns lit up one by one. The crowd thinned, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of baked bread and blooming flowers.
Eventually, they arrived at a charming, three-story inn made of pale stone and crimson-tiled roofs. A wooden sign hung above the door, etched with flowing calligraphy: "The Blooming Hearth."
Inside, the warm scent of herbs and polished wood greeted them. The receptionist, a woman in her late twenties with curly brown hair and sharp green eyes, welcomed them with a smile.
"How many rooms would you like?" she asked, pen ready.
"Four," Noah said calmly.
But he didn't get far.
"Nope." Layla stepped beside him, her arm sliding around his. "One room. One big bed. For all four of us."
Even Lyra nodded, her voice calm. "It's more strategic. What if someone attacks in the middle of the night?"
Scarlett smiled softly. "Besides, I feel safer with all of us together."
The receptionist raised an eyebrow, her smile turning playful. "Oh my. Adventurers these days are pretty bold, huh?"
Layla smirked. "You have no idea."
"Well then…" The woman flipped a key from behind the desk and set it gently down. "Top floor. The largest suite. Big bed. Strong frame. Doesn't creak… or break. So go all out."
She gave them a wink, then leaned closer and added, "Just try not to make too much noise at night."
All three girls blushed.
Layla, however, looked smug. "No promises."
Noah chuckled, embarrassed but amused. He paid for the room—a full week—and gave instructions to have dinner delivered to the room. With the key in hand, the four made their way up.
—
The suite was luxurious.
A massive bed dominated the center, easily enough for six people. The mattress was plush, the sheets embroidered with golden threads, and fluffy pillows stacked at the head. To the side, there was a large circular bathtub with steaming hot water flowing automatically from enchanted pipes. A separate changing room sat near the wardrobe, and a small private restroom was tucked in the corner.
Layla was the first to leap onto the bed.
"Ohhh, this is heaven!" she yelled, rolling across the bed like a kitten.
Lyra moved around the room, inspecting corners and enchantments quietly like the tactician she was. Scarlett, meanwhile, began arranging her belongings on a nearby dresser with practiced care.
Noah sat beside Layla, letting out a deep sigh. It was peaceful.
Then—the silence shifted.
All three girls looked at him… remembering.
That moment in the guild.
How he'd stood between them and vulgarity without hesitation.
The memory of his crimson eyes flashing with fury. The air trembling with pressure. The possessiveness in his stance—the silent promise that no one could touch what was his.
Layla leaned in and pressed her lips against his cheek.
"That's my man," she whispered, her voice a sultry mix of pride and affection.
Scarlett moved to his side, her fingers brushing his arm. "Thank you… for standing up for us."
"You were amazing," Lyra said, her tone soft. "Like a knight protecting his queens."
Noah smiled faintly. "They crossed the line. I won't let that happen again."
Just then—
Knock. Knock.
Scarlett got up and opened the door. A small, shy fox girl stood outside, holding a tray stacked with warm dishes.
"D-Dinner delivery!" she squeaked.
Scarlett took the plates, thanked her kindly, and closed the door.
Moments later, they all gathered around the low table in the room, plates in hand.
Layla, grinning with mischief, took a piece of food, leaned in, and fed it straight into Noah's mouth.
"Say ah~," she teased.
He rolled his eyes but obeyed.
As the laughter and soft chatter filled the room, the day's heaviness melted away—replaced by warmth, closeness, and a shared sense of belonging.
-----------
After dinner, the plates were stacked neatly by the door, and the warmth from the meal lingered in their bellies.
Layla stretched with a yawn, flopping back onto the bed dramatically. "Alright, I'm officially done for today. Noah's killing aura, flirting fox girls, and a massive bed? My heart's been through enough."
Scarlett giggled, slipping out of her boots and sitting beside her. "You make it sound like a romantic warzone."
Lyra dimmed the lights using a small enchanted orb near the bed, casting the room in a soft, bluish glow. "It kind of was," she muttered, settling down at Noah's other side.
Noah lay on his back, arms folded behind his head as the three girls curled around him, each settling into her place without a word—like they'd done it a hundred times before.
Silence wrapped the room like a warm blanket, broken only by soft breathing and the occasional rustle of sheets.
Layla turned toward him, her voice a whisper. "Hey… Thanks again."
"For what?" he asked.
"For being ours."
Scarlett leaned her head on his shoulder. "Good night, Noah."
Lyra closed her eyes, just murmuring one word before sleep took her. "Rest."
The moonlight filtered in through the curtains, casting gentle patterns on the walls. The chaos of the day faded, and all that remained was the peace between them.
And in that quiet moment, Noah finally let himself relax.
Tomorrow was unknown.
But tonight… he wasn't alone.
-to be continued....