I am a shadow. Once, I served my nation, but now, I am the shadow of the Adventurers’ Guild. My work involves intelligence gathering, spreading rumors, and even assassination if needed. Currently, under direct orders from the Guild Master of the Royal Capital branch of the Kingdom of Ordrette, I’m investigating the surviving servants from the massacre of a merchant family that occurred 20 years ago.

The Guild Master, whom I’ve known for nearly 50 years, is usually calm and composed, but I remember how unusually agitated he was about this task. Still, the request was clear. So, I accepted her plea and began my investigation.

After several months of searching, I managed to locate one survivor. Considering it was a case from 20 years ago, it was no small feat, and I felt I had redeemed myself.

“Impressive, as always. I knew I could count on you. You’ve saved my neck—literally.”

“...”

When I submitted my report, the Guild Master was overjoyed, almost on the verge of dancing with excitement. I had never seen her act like this before. What could have happened to his calm demeanor?

“I have a follow-up request,” he said.

The new task was to monitor the actions of a pair of individuals and assist them as necessary. The two were already pursuing the man I had found and had traveled from the Sardis Continent to the Arond Continent. I boarded a passenger ship to follow them.

While the pair stayed in the most luxurious cabin, I was in the lowest-class dormitory. They dined on lavish meals in a top-tier restaurant, while I subsisted on the cheapest options.

One day, while the two were enjoying the sea breeze on the deck, an Island Turtle appeared. The creature itself isn’t dangerous unless provoked, but atop its shell was what seemed to be a stranded person.

A lifeboat was lowered to rescue the individual, and four crew members rowed towards the Island Turtle.

“Looks like I might need to step in,” muttered Sai, one of my targets.

Although we were 20 meters apart—a distance where normal ears wouldn’t catch such murmurs—I heard him clearly. I owe my career in espionage to these ears, a natural gift of my kind rather than a learned skill.

I am a beastkin—a bat beastkin. My hearing is exceptional, though I dislike sunlight. When exposed, I always wear a cloak, pull my hood low, and don sunglasses.

At Sai’s words, the ocean surface swelled. Emerging from the depths was a Kraken.

The massive creature, with its squid-like head, wasn’t as large as the Island Turtle but was still a formidable sight. Its triangular fin alone spanned five meters, suggesting its body measured several dozen meters in total.

The Kraken appeared between the Island Turtle and the lifeboat, seemingly targeting the latter. The crew attempted a desperate retreat, but the Kraken’s tentacles closed in on them.

“Looks like those four are about to experience a ‘tentacle play’ scenario,” remarked Pal, a dark elf girl accompanying Sai.

Her expression remained dead serious, but her voice carried an air of amusement. I thought her sense of humor was appalling, but they say misfortune tastes sweet to others.

“Does watching burly men in such a scenario amuse you?”

“Not in the least. Pal prefers a ‘tentacle play’ scenario with you, master.”

“That sounds entertaining. Let’s try it later.”

“Oh, master, you tease!”

At a loss for words, I scowled. How could they joke about such things at a time like this?

“Well then, I guess it’s time,” said Sai.

“Yes. Carry me, please,” replied Pal.

I didn’t need to look to know what was happening. My ears caught the sound of Pal clinging to Sai.

“Fly,” he said.

In that instant, the sound changed. The ocean breeze shifted upward, indicating they were using magic to soar into the sky.

The pair flew toward the Kraken’s tentacles, which loomed over the lifeboat.

“This reeks of squid,” Pal said disdainfully.

The Kraken’s tentacles halted. Something clung to them, immobilizing their movement. The dark mist spreading from its limbs made the massive creature falter, its strength draining.

As the Kraken succumbed, it sank into the sea. Though its body was typically white, it turned pitch black as it descended—likely poisoned.

A poison potent enough to kill a Kraken instantly? I’d never heard of such a thing. That girl, Pal, is dangerous. A chill ran down my spine.

The ship resumed its voyage without significant delay, and the stranded individual was safely rescued.

While the two dined on the captain’s treat, I gnawed on my usual hard bread. I’d never cared about food, but watching them enjoy their luxurious meal made me envious.

Later, I trailed the pair as they returned to their cabin. Then, something alarming happened.

“Their sounds... vanished?”

No door had closed; even if it had, I could hear through walls. But now, I couldn’t hear them at all.

“Well, well. What are you doing here?”

“!”

I nearly jumped out of my skin. A voice behind me—a complete blind spot. How had they gotten so close without me noticing?

When I turned, Sai and Pal stood closely together, staring at me.

“You’ve been watching us, haven’t you? Who sent you?” Sai asked coldly.

I stammered, recalling the Guild Master’s warning.

“Never let them notice you. But if they do, reveal my name and follow their orders,” she had said.

Swallowing my pride, I knelt.

“E-Ellmenuis... He ordered me to assist you...”

“Ah, the Guild Master. If that’s the case, why didn’t you say so? If I hadn’t intervened, Pal might have killed you by now,” Sai said.

I shuddered, my forehead pressed to the floor.

To my surprise, Sai handed me a pouch.

“Use this for decent meals. Bread alone isn’t nutritious.”

I opened it, expecting copper or silver coins. Instead...

“G-Gold coins?! Twenty of them?!”

Never before had anyone paid me such an amount. I made my decision.

“I’m leaving the Guild. From now on, I’ll serve Sai-sama!”