While Nagaro remains trapped in the forest, in a distant city…
At the adventurers' guild near the city center, activity is intense. Adventurers of various races walk through the main hall, drink, talk about missions, and examine the new requests pinned to the notice board.
Two adventurers observe the board.
One of them picks up a leaflet.
-What do you think about this one?
His partner looks at the paper.
-Goblin extermination?
-Hmm… Seems like something we can complete without any trouble.
The two adventurers walk to the receptionist, informing her that they will accept the mission.
In the guild's bar area, a group of adventurers occupies two entire tables, celebrating a successful mission. Their mugs clink together, loud shouts of joy echo, and off-key songs fill the air.
At a table not far away, a tall woman with orange hair, dressed in leather, watches the party, the drinks, and the food on the table, her eyes appreciating the scene. But she soon returns her attention to her own table, still and disheartened.
She stands up, pounding her fist on the table in indignation.
-Let's celebrate, everyone!
-It's not every day we complete a Rank A mission successfully!
At her table, her companions remain seated.
A young arcanist, wearing a hooded robe, replies.
-I think it's better not to, Maria.
-I just want to rest. The fight against the Shadow Wolf pack is exhausting.
Maria.
-But Ricardo…
Before she can continue, the group leader interrupts her.
-He's right, Maria. We better get some rest.
-Don't forget, in a few days we're heading to the Nightmare Forest in the South.
Maria looks at each of her companions. None of them seem excited for any little celebration.
She pouts, crosses her arms, and sits back down in her chair, responding to the leader.
-Rum!
-All right, Rixas.
-But next time we finish a mission of this level, we'll celebrate no matter what, understand?
A young woman sitting next to Rixas thinks.
-(A party… that means a lot of drinks!)
Rixas smiles lightly at Maria.
-…
Noticing that the party next door is already winding down, I regain my seriousness.
I pull several papers from my storage ring and spread them across the table.
-Let's get to it, everyone. Shall we discuss the preparations?
We spend a good while drinking and going over the plans for the long journey to the southern forest. Once everything is settled, I smile in satisfaction and put all the papers back into my storage ring. I watch my team collect the maps and scrolls, along with the lists of tasks and supplies each of them has to get.
I take another sip of my drink.
-So, that's it. Plans and costs, all set.
After plenty of talking, planning, and drinking, my team says their goodbyes and leaves the guild. I stay behind, finishing the rest of the beer in my mug. I decide to stay a bit longer and call a waitress over to place another order.
She sets down a fresh mug of beer and a portion of food.
-Here you go, sir.
-Thanks.
I watch her walk off to attend another customer, but I don't linger. My eyes sweep over the guild, scanning for someone capable of joining my group.
My team is strong and complete, able to handle any Rank A mission or lower. But ever since that loss, there is a hole in the group. Maria can fill the gap masterfully, but I still need someone to truly take that place.
I take another sip and sigh.
-(Why did you have to die like that?)
I remember that moment with a heavy heart, but I am the leader. I need to think about the team's efficiency, which means finding someone to replace her.
I glance around subtly. Voices and the clinking of mugs still fill the air. No one qualified catches my eye.
I let out a long sigh.
-(There's no one here who can replace you.)
When I finish my meal, I push the empty plate to the center of the table and stand. My steps carry me out of the bar. I approach the counter, meet the attentive gaze of the receptionist, and pull some coins from my pouch. With a brief nod, I thank her and head for the door. The cool street air hits me, carrying the scent of damp earth and the constant hum of the city. Carts move back and forth along the main street, while people fill the sidewalks, each following their own path.
I look at the pouch of coins before tucking it away.
-…
-(Prices have gone up.)
I search for an inn to spend the night.
-(Which inn could my daughter be staying at?)
I walk through the city streets, eyes wandering over the open shops, thinking about what tomorrow might bring.
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Later.
The guild remains bustling with adventurers. Many take missions without pause, ensuring the notice board always has new requests. At the bar tables, celebrations continue food, plenty of drinks, and adventurers boasting about their skills and mastery of the Ancient Arts.
The receptionist is a charismatic, beautiful woman, dressed in professional attire. Her posture and appearance draw attention, especially from male adventurers.
At this time in the afternoon, the guild attracts strong adventurers of high rank. Unfortunately, many of them are arrogant, rude, and in some cases, suspected of criminal activity.
At one table, a Rank A adventurer of the wolfman species pounds his mug on the table, irritated by the rumors circulating.
-Ah! Silent!
-Silent here! Silent there!
-All anyone talks about!
-He's nothing special. I could take him out myself if I find him!
Across from him, an elf responds.
-He's everything they say. A killer wanted by every kingdom and city.
-I hear all his victims are wealthy nobles. The upper class is desperate to see him dead.
A fairy, seated between them, adds.
-I don't even want to see him. As an adventurer, it would be nice to earn that reward… but everything has a limit.
She smiles and points at the wolfman.
-Including you, Martins.
-No one as lazy and unintelligent as you could ever kill or capture him. I hear Silent even killed the King of Assassins centuries ago.
Martins grows furious, his eyes locked on the fairy, ready to lunge at her throat.
The elf tries to calm Martins with words, but the fairy continues to provoke him.
She seems to enjoy irritating Martins.
-He's no ordinary man.
-He's a wanted assassin and a Rank S threat.
She points to the wanted board. Several images show the most wanted criminals in the region. At the top are the most wanted criminals in the world. On the poster she points to, a figure wears a balaclava and a bandaged face, hiding his eyes. Below, it reads Silent, followed by a ten-billion reward.
She points at the poster.
-He's also considered a Rank S threat.
-See the reward?
-I hear rumors the kingdoms, along with the guild, might add another zero to it.
Martins becomes even angrier. His fur bristles, ready to attack the fairy.
The elf, almost smiling, whispers to her.
-I hear that too.
-And…
-I even manage to find out he possesses forbidden power.
The fairy keeps her voice low.
-Really?
-But I hear that's a lie.
The elf replies.
-I think the same, but it seems the guilds are still debating whether to announce it.
Martins watches his two colleagues, almost placing Silent on a pedestal.
He pounds his mug on the table again.
-So what if he's strong?
-If he's alive, he can be killed!
He drains his mug in one gulp.
-I'll defeat him and claim the reward!
-Ha, ha, ha, ha!
Martins raises his mug.
-Hey, waitress!
-Bring me another beer!
Speaking loudly, he draws the attention of others, some of whom glare at him threateningly. Martins ignores them.
Other adventurers, drawn by the reward, focus on the Silent poster.
Whispers spread.
-Who does he think he is?
-That idiot? I'm the one who will claim the reward.
-Whoever kills him gets it all.
A man grabs the Silent poster.
-Silent will be my target…
At another table, three Rank S adventurers simply listen to Martins and the surrounding whispers, but their weapons are already drawn.
The whispers grow into conversations. Many debate methods to kill or capture Silent, even though they've never seen him.
Martins feels the effects of alcohol.
-Doesn't matter if he's powerful or not. No one knows where he is.
The fairy responds.
-You're right.
-There's no way to know how he would humiliate you. It's not like he just walks in to teach you a lesson. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!
Martins.
-Damn you…!
The elf, standing between Martins and the fairy, intervenes.
-Enough talking about Silent!
-Let's change the subject!
But then…
The guild doors swing open.
A tall, strong humanoid enters, completely clad in black, wearing a balaclava and bandages over his face.
The hall falls silent.
No one moves.
Everyone holds their breath.
Seeing him, the receptionist flees to the second floor.
Many break out in sweat from fear, some with anger, and others with smiles. The Rank A and S adventurers rise.
The aura he emits is terrifying. So heavy that lower-ranked adventurers faint. Others, unable to withstand the pressure, flee the guild.
Only the strong remain.
The figure everyone fears.
The assassin wanted worldwide.
Silent himself.
He walks toward the waitress. She trembles in panic. Her legs give way, and she drops to her knees, tears streaming down her face as fear swells with every step he takes.
-P-please… d-don't kill me…
But Silent has no interest in killing her. He doesn't care about this woman.
He's here for something… or someone…
Everyone remains frozen, but the elf, the fairy, and the wolfman prepare for action.
Martins smiles.
-Silent! We'll kill you!
-Get ready!
Silent ignores him completely, continuing toward the bar.
The other three Rank S adventurers are also excited, smiling at the opportunity, a swordsman, an arcane, and an assassin.
The swordsman draws his blade, pointing it at Silent. His heroic voice dispels some of the fear.
-Silent!
-Today you fall!
But Silent ignores him too, walking steadily toward the bar.
Other adventurers, driven by justice and unwilling to see the sweet waitress harmed, rise ready to fight.
-Stay away from her, monster!
-Yeah!
-We won't let you slaughter her!
Even though they are scared and know Silent's reputation, they fight to stop the evil.
The guild erupts into chaos. Many adventurers glance at one another. The whispers grow louder.
-We can defeat him…
-We can claim a fortune…
-I could be recognized worldwide…
-I could rank up if I capture him…
Everyone grips their weapons. Swords, staves, wands, shields, daggers, spears, axes, anything that could be used as a weapon.
Silent, sensing hostile intent, turns slowly.
His hands reveal long, razor-sharp claws.
Some adventurers smile confidently. Others swallow hard. The rest shake nervously, a true gradient of expressions.
Even though everyone stands ready, no one dares take the first step.
Then, a brave adventurer lunges forward.
-Charge him!
And all the adventurers, warriors, arcanes, assassins, rush toward Silent with the intent to kill.
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