Chapter 35: Follow Them
William sat at a table inside what seemed to be a bar, a mug of beer sitting on the table, his finger around the base, and yet making no movement to try and drink.
The noise in the background was high; many adventurers yelled and drank away. But at the same time, a few walked in and walked to the second counter where two beautiful ladies stood in green and white uniforms like air hostesses on planes. They submitted their completed missions and more.
This was the Raven Town Adventurer Guild, which also doubled as a place where adventurers could come and relax.
Sitting opposite William was Violet. She had no drink waiting on her because she wanted to be clear-headed in case William decided to drink himself to a stupor.
"This is bullshit," William said. He looked at her and then spoke again. "I have seen first-hand what a dungeon break looks like, monsters running wild in waves and coming for the humans closest to them.
The more I think about it, the angrier I get."
He gritted his teeth, picked up his mug, and took a very long and deep chug. Then he slammed it back down and heaved a sigh.
"Then what would you have happen?" Violet asked.
"Iโd rather not have it happen," he said.
"And now that it is not an option, what do we do? In this entire town, we are the only two people that know about the break."
William paused for a moment and then looked at her.
"If we told anyone, they would ask how we knew about it. Rather than be their saviors, we will be captured and pressed for information," he explained, a look of worry forming on his face. "I fear that this information does not have a good way to be used." He heaved a sigh of anger. "But the guild master, Robert, he should understand to an extent. When I got here, he was the one who aided me the most," William said and then took another drink.
"Are you sure we can trust him not to want to hurt us after this?" Violet asked.
"Yeah," William responded, trying to sound certain. He took another sip and then placed the cup down like he was done with it, even though it was half full.
They both stayed in silence for a good while until William finally got up.
"Letโs find him. The earlier, the better."
Violet followed him, and they headed to the stairs that led to the top floor. Not everyone could just go there, but the two of them had their reputation, so no one stopped them.
When they got there, the office of the guild master was at the very end. They got to the door and knocked twice.
"Who is there? Come in." His voice was calm yet deep.
William pushed the door open and walked in. The first thing that hit him was the soft flowery scent that filled the room. The office was a standard office, a table and chairs, a bookshelf to the right wall, and a rack for awards and special collections on the left. Ok the corner of his table on the tray was a small crystal ball.
The man sitting in the chair seemed to be middle-aged, sporting black glossy hair and a well-carved beard. He had on a white shirt and black pants held up by suspenders. He leaned into a file and read the details.
"Itโs been a while, William," he said the moment William walked in and then looked up from the file.
William locked the door, and then he and Violet proceeded to sit down. Violet glanced around the room for half a second, her eyes hung on the small crystal ball for a second longer.
"I take it that something urgent came up for the both of you to come here?" he asked.
"Yes, there is something urgent," William said. He interlocked his fingers and leaned forward, taking a deep breath before he started.
Robert looked at him and wondered what could be so bad that it had William taking deep breaths.
"There is going to be a dungeon break a few hours from now. The low C-ranked dungeon on the outside of town in the forest," William said everything in one breath.
Robert froze, the file in his hands flopping onto the table. "What did you say?" he asked.
"There will be a dungeon break in a few hours. I know this is a crazy thing to come and say, but I trust that you know I am not lying to you."
Robert placed both elbows on the table and pressed his hands against his chin. "How did you come across this information?"
"That... that I cannot tell you." William looked down as he said that part.
Robert frowned. "William, you and I have had a good past. I have helped you become the man that you are now and also bury your past from the place you came from.
I thought that I would have shown my trustworthiness at this point," Robert said.
William opened his mouth, then he closed it, then he opened it again. "Sigh, I made a promise to someone to never tell. All I could tell was the information about the dungeon break."
Robertโs frown deepened. He leaned back into his chair. "Normally, I would simply refuse, after all, you are hiding the truth from me. But on the occasion that this is true, it is very important that we act.
Iโll have to speak with the baron and have him prepare for a potential dungeon break. As for you, even though you cannot tell me who sent you, I would like it if you are capable of meeting this said person again and getting as many details as you can from him.
If you manage to do that, all is forgiven and all is good."
William heard that, and his eyes lit up. "I can do that," he said and sprang to his feet.
"Good then, go," Robert said and then looked at Violet. "It is always a pleasure to see you, Miss Violet," he added with a smile.
"Is the guild master flirting with me?" Violet responded with a sly smile.
"Hahaha, no, no. Your youthful energy would be far too much for this old body."
After they were done, they left, and immediately after they left, the smile on Robertโs face faded. He snapped his fingers, and a figure appeared in the room. A woman dressed in black from head to toe with a mask around her face.
"Follow them."
