30.12.312 (CR)
Osric woke up with body aches, though they were more manageable than in previous days.
'It's uncomfortable but I can move around better than yesterday. My body must've gotten somewhat accustomed to the intense training.'
He had decided yesterday that today would be a rest day and the day after he would start working as an adventurer again.
After sleeping a couple of hours more than usual that night, Osric took his time to walk down the stairs from the rooms to the dining hall.
But Osric could feel that something was off.
'Why can't I hear anything from the kitchen?'
'Although they don't usually have customers this early, the innkeepers still work inside the kitchen.'
When he stepped closer to the kitchen because he wanted to have breakfast for the first time in years, Osric could hear muffled sounds of crying.
Osric decided to step away as to not disturb them.
When he turned around to leave, the door to the kitchen opened and the middle aged couple walked out.
They both had incredibly worried and sad expressions and the wife was crying while her husband had his arm around her to comfort her.
The husband spoke up when he saw Osric.
"Are you Osric? Natasa told us about you. You're an adventurer right?" He said in an almost desperate tone.
That question came as a surprise to Osric. He turned around and answered.
"Yes I am. Why do you ask?"
The wife wasn't capable of speaking so the husband who owned the inn decided to explain.
"Our daughter Natasa has gone missing. I think she was kidnapped!"
"I am sure it was those strange men we never saw before. When Natasa took out the trash after we closed up, I believe they were waiting outside and took her…"
The wife then spoke up loudly.
"Who would take our baby?! Why are there such evil people in the world?!"
They then both clung to Osric and asked desperately.
"Please save her young man! You are an adventurer right? Natasa spoke very highly of you so please help us.."
Osric was flustered but remained quiet.
'Fuck. Why is that my problem?'
'I will just gently turn them down. I don't want any drama.'
"I'm sorry but I'm not someone with incredible power or skill. Adventurers also don't do stuff like saving people."
"Although it probably won't help, this should be reported to the Ashbrook guards. I really can't do anything for you."
Life disappeared from their eyes.
The wife started yelling as Osric walked away.
"How can you say such things?!"
"Natasa has always been kind to you! Why can't you be a decent human being and show compassion?!"
"Stop it honey. He is right. What is he going to do? He is just a kid himself." The husband said as he hugged his wife to calm her down.
They both knew that it was practically impossible to find someone in Ashbrook once they disappeared.
Ashbrook—especially Lowbrook—was that kind of dark place.
Osric started getting filled with thoughts as he walked out of the inn.
'Do I have to find a new inn now?'
'Why do I feel like shit? This shouldn't bother me. It is a common occurrence in this disgusting place and I'm not close to them.'
Images of Natasa's warm smile appeared in his mind.
'Now that I think about it. I was too caught up in my own thoughts to notice yesterday. The strange guys yesterday weren't drinking alcohol, which was unusual.'
Osric slowed down and started feeling annoyed.
"Haa"
'This is so annoying but I don't want to feel guilt later on.'
'It's not like she is important to me, but she was a uniquely kind person in this shitty place. Well I can't and don't want to do much for her and endanger my life.'
'But I guess I can report this to Franklin and ask if there is anything he can do..'
__
As Osric entered the guild building, he—as predicted—didn't see Franklin at the front desk.
He walked toward the desk and greeted the guild employee.
"Hey. Is Franklin in his office?"
"Hello Osric. Yes he is currently working inside. You can go knock if you want."
Osric nodded and proceeded to do so.
Knock. Knock.
"Come in."
Osric entered and told Franklin about what happened earlier.
"Is there anything you can do?"
Franklin stared at Osric silently.
'I knew he wasn't heartless but this is still surprising.'
"It's good you came to me. I know you don't care much for righteousness but our faction cares for the common people of Ashbrook."
"I have people who do exactly this kind of work. I will tell them to investigate this incident."
Osric was surprised to hear that. He knew that Franklin didn't like corruption and planned to rebel against House Greydell, but he didn't know that his faction actually cared so much.
He then got curious and asked something.
"Thank you. So how many people exactly are there in your faction?"
Surprised by the curiosity, Franklin answered.
"Although I am sort of like the commander of this faction, I don't like to call it mine. We are one."
"I can't tell you specifics as you only just joined us, but we have a lot of people who support our cause."
"But the people who I actually trust with important work in the faction are only a couple dozen. That includes the mercenary band you already know about and the strongest and only one of two D-Rank parties in the guild."
Osric had only seen a couple members of the strongest D-Rank party inside the guild in passing. He didn't know much about them except for what everyone else knew. Mostly about the missions they completed.
"Okay got it."
"Also Osric, if you are looking for a new inn to stay at, I can recommend one here in the common area that will give you a discount. Are you interested?"
'I guess it would be awkward to go back to the inn of Natasa's parents.'
"Alright. How much does staying in a room cost per night?"
"Their cheapest room usually costs 14 copper but they will let you stay for 7 if I ask them. The innkeeper is a friend of mine."
Franklin and Osric kept talking for a while before he left.
Before leaving the guild, Osric walked up to the mission board to choose his next mission for tomorrow.
'If I'm going to survive in this city… I need to be strong enough to choose who lives and who dies.'
It was finally time to put his training to the test.