MY HIDDEN TALENT IS FORBIDDEN BY THE HEAVENS-Chapter 109: THE GIRL AT THE GATE

Chapter 109 — THE GIRL AT THE GATE

The wind shifted slightly as the massive doors of the circular tower opened.

But before Colby could step fully inside, a voice cut through the air behind him.

Light.

Playful.

But edged.

"You guys are late."

Colby froze mid-step.

Long Hao turned.

The green-haired girl had moved from her position near the gate and now stood a few paces away, spear resting casually against her shoulder.

"Do you know," she continued, placing her free hand on her hip, "how much the Vice Guildmaster was scolding me because of you?"

Colby slowly turned around, forcing a grin.

"Ah, not my fault."

He jabbed a thumb backward.

"You see, that little guy over there? He was completely flat."

He emphasized it by flattening his palm dramatically.

"Face-first in the sand. Like this."

The archer snorted.

The spear user coughed to hide a laugh.

The green-haired girl’s eyes shifted toward Long Hao.

They were steady.

Brown.

Observant.

Not accusatory.

Just evaluating.

The archer raised both hands casually.

"It’s true," he said. "We found him half-dead out there."

"Not dead," the spear user corrected. "Just unconscious."

The archer shrugged. "Close enough."

Colby nodded emphatically. "Rescue mission. Totally justified delay."

The green-haired girl let out a soft exhale through her nose.

"And you brought him here for what reason?"

Her tone wasn’t hostile.

Just practical.

Colby scratched the back of his head.

"He says he lost his memory."

Long Hao did not interrupt.

Colby continued, "Doesn’t remember how he ended up in the desert. Claims he went hunting. Which is insane."

The archer added, "We figured he’d die if we left him."

The spear user nodded. "Better inside the walls than outside."

Colby shrugged. "He can stay until his memory comes back. If it does. If not, we’ll toss him to logistics."

The green-haired girl studied Long Hao again.

Up close, she looked even more composed.

Her spear rested lightly in her grip, its shaft perfectly balanced, the faint silver lines along it glowing softly as it synced with her presence. This was no ordinary weapon. It responded to intent as much as force.

Her lush green hair flowed freely down her back, vivid and full, like a living grassland stirred by wind. It framed her face in soft contrast to the sharp focus in her eyes. Brown, deep, and unflinching.

Her expression was calm.

Not naive.

Not aggressive.

Controlled.

She stepped forward.

Not fast.

Not slow.

Measured.

Stopping just an arm’s length away from Long Hao.

Up close, he could see the faint calluses along her fingers where they gripped the spear.

"You don’t look injured," she said.

Her voice was steady.

Long Hao held her gaze.

"I’m not."

"Then why were you unconscious?"

"I don’t know."

She tilted her head slightly.

The movement was subtle.

As if she were weighing something invisible.

After a few seconds, she extended her hand.

"My name is Zehell."

Her grip was firm when he shook it.

Not crushing.

But assured.

"Long Hao," he replied calmly.

The archer stretched lazily and added, "Since we’re doing introductions—Marek."

He tapped the bow at his back.

The spear user nodded once.

"Darius."

Colby rolled his eyes. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"And I already introduced myself."

Zehell withdrew her hand.

"Vice Guildmaster won’t be pleased," she murmured.

Colby waved dismissively.

"He’s never pleased."

Zehell’s lips curved faintly.

"True."

She turned toward the tower entrance.

"Come inside."

They stepped through the massive doors together.

The interior was vast.

Circular like the exterior, but layered with open walkways and spiraling staircases that wrapped upward along the inner walls. Suspended platforms hovered between levels, connected by reinforced bridges.

The floor beneath them was polished stone, etched with faint silver formation lines that pulsed softly.

The air inside was cool.

Controlled.

Efficient.

Hunters moved through the space with purpose. Some carrying weapons. Others hauling crates. A few standing near holographic boards displaying shifting data maps of the surrounding desert regions.

Long Hao took it in silently.

Zehell walked slightly ahead.

She gestured to a side section near the entrance.

"Waiting area."

The space was semi-circular, furnished with reinforced benches and a long wooden table lined with water pitchers and metal cups.

"Sit," she said to Long Hao.

He did.

Colby turned toward an inner corridor.

"We’ll report in."

Zehell nodded.

Marek and Darius followed Colby.

Long Hao remained seated.

The noise of the guild headquarters hummed around him.

Not chaotic.

Organized.

Purposeful.

He folded his hands loosely and lowered his gaze.

Now.

He reached inward again.

Silence.

Then—

A flicker.

His vision blurred for a fraction of a second.

A faint translucent panel appeared in front of him.

Minimal.

Unstable.

[LOADING...]

10%

Long Hao did not react outwardly.

He kept his breathing steady.

The percentage shifted slowly.

20%.

30%.

The panel flickered between clarity and distortion.

The Eclipse System.

It was returning.

But not fully.

The text stuttered.

[CONNECTION RE-ESTABLISHING...]

40%.

He leaned back slightly, as if merely resting.

50%.

A faint pulse stirred deep in his chest.

Not strong.

But present.

60%.

Footsteps approached.

The panel flickered out instantly.

Zehell returned, followed by Colby and the others.

Colby stretched his arms overhead.

"Alright," he said. "You still alive over there?"

Long Hao looked up calmly.

"For now."

Zehell watched him for a moment.

Then she asked simply, "Hungry?"

Long Hao blinked.

"Maybe."

Colby laughed.

"That’s a yes."

Marek grinned.

"Mess hall’s still open."

Darius nodded. "Food first. Reports later."

Zehell adjusted her grip on the spear.

"You coming?" she asked Long Hao.

He stood.

"Yes."

They moved through the interior corridors.

The architecture shifted from open central space to structured hallways lined with notice boards and weapon racks.

Hunters passed them, some nodding casually at Colby.

The smell of cooked meat drifted faintly through the air.

Long Hao walked slightly behind Zehell now.

He studied her movements.

She walked lightly.

Balanced.

Like someone who trained daily.

Not showy.

But precise.

Colby leaned toward him slightly.

"You’re lucky," he muttered. "If Zehell didn’t vouch for you, you’d still be outside."

Long Hao glanced at him.

"She did?"

Colby shrugged.

"She didn’t object."

Zehell glanced back briefly.

"I heard that."

Colby laughed.

They turned a corner and entered a wide hall filled with long tables and benches.

The mess hall.

Hunters were scattered throughout, eating heartily, laughing, discussing patrols.

The environment was loud but comfortable.

Colby grabbed a tray and shoved it into Long Hao’s hands.

"Eat."

Marek slid beside him with two bowls of stew.

Darius dropped a loaf of bread onto the table.

Zehell sat across from Long Hao.

Her spear leaned against the bench beside her.

Long Hao sat down slowly.

The loading panel flickered briefly at the edge of his vision again.

65%.

He ignored it.

For now.

Colby raised his cup.

"To not dying in the desert."

Marek clinked his cup against it.

Darius nodded.

Zehell watched Long Hao quietly.

He met her gaze once more.

Still calm.

Still measuring.

Outside the tower, the desert wind howled faintly beyond the walls.

Inside, warmth.

Food.

Voices.

And a system slowly coming back online.

He lifted the spoon.

And began to eat.

[Chapter ENDS]