Chapter 1023 Meeting with the Adventurers Guild’s Leader
"The two of you gave a well-rehearsed story that is somewhat plausible, but clearly most of what you said was a fabrication. I cleared the room because I can tell that you have your reasons for lying and the Grand Masters were only going to cause a scene if they stayed. However, if you are hiding things because of your unique races or the fact that you have an abundance of rare and powerful abilities, I already know about that. Among my skills I have a Supreme Skill that lets me read statuses. Your true natures are not secrets to me, so if that is why you are holding back, there is no need to." With what he wanted to say out of the way, the leader of the adventurers guild waited for Marcus' and Mrazivy's response.
'I figured that he had already seen through us. Still, if he does know what our races really are, that makes this easier.' Marcus thought, having to hold in a sly grin.
While he had acknowledged that he was a spirit since there was pretty much no way for him to hide it at this point, he had not revealed that he was in fact a great spirit. But with the leader of the guild knowing what he truly was, it gave him a means of explanation that would allow him to divulge as little as possible.
Putting his hand on Mrazivy's shoulder, Marcus signaled to her to let him take care of things.
"You are correct that what we told you is not what actually happened, but it is going to be the truth as far as everyone else is concerned. If you can see my race, then you know who I really answer to. I imagine even you don't want to bring up trouble with the world's highest authority." Marcus said confidently.
"I see. In that case, events occurred just as you said. I will make sure that everyone acknowledges the "truth"."
A hint of tension on his face, the leader of the guild agreed to go along with Marcus' and Mrazivy's fabrications. As one of the strongest people in the world he knew quite a bit about the enigmatic Administrator who ruled the world, and he had no intention of getting on her bad side. "Now if that is all, we would like to go and properly greet the other members of the expedition squad. I am sure they are waiting in anticipation to hear what we have to say, and we wish to catchup with them as well." Mrazivy said, trying to beat a hasty retreat.
Yet, just as she moved to stand up and leave, the leader of the guild held up his hand and motioned for them to stay.
"While we may have concluded the formal matter for which you were brought here, there is something else I wish to discuss." The leader of the guild said, looking serious.
Marcus and Mrazivy became anxious hearing this, but once the guild's leader told them what the topic he wanted to speak to them about was, they both brightened up.
Everyone in the expedition squad was going to be paid a predetermined amount just for participating, while other rewards would be given out based on the completion of certain goals set by the guild. However, the guild's leader believed that Marcus' and Mrazivy's contributions to the expedition were worthy of further compensation.
"I believe in fairly rewarding people for their efforts. From what the other members of the squad said, you two were pivotal in the mission's success. And while it is unfortunate that three members of the squad perished at the hands of an unexpected enemy, both of you fought hard to make sure that everyone else could get away safely. For these reasons I feel that you deserve greater payment than what is outlined in the contract you signed." Opening up his item box, the leader of the guild began pulling out the items he had decided to reward Marcus and Mrazivy with.
Soon the table in front of the guild's leader was filled with rare and valuable treasures.
Marcus and Mrazivy could hardly believe what they were seeing. Laid out in front of them were ten amethros ingots, two unique skills orbs, six magic cores from high-level mythic grade beasts, and fourteen skill orbs that contained uncommon skills.
"Are you sure that we can take these?" Mrazivy asked, a look of apprehension on her face.
"Yes, these items belong to the two of you now. All of them come from my personal stash so there is no reason to worry about any red tape from the guild. Of course, these are unofficial rewards I am handing out to you, so don't go bragging about them. That will only create unnecessary trouble for the three of us." The leader of the adventurer's guild said with a wry smile.
Having the guild leader's permission, Marcus opened his item box and stored their extra rewards into it. Now that their business was concluded, Marcus and Mrazivy took their leave. Though right before opening the door the leader of the adventurers guild remembered something else and stopped them.
"Ah, I almost forgot. I have a letter for Boreas. He promised to invite me over for drinks sometime and catch me up on what he has been doing, but he seems to have forgotten. So instead, I decided to send an invitation to him. I'm sure as his descendant you will not have any trouble delivering this to him, correct?"
In his hand the leader of the adventurers guild was holding out a letter to Mrazivy.
Understanding that this was not a request that she could refuse, she took the letter and promised to see it delivered to Boreas.
"Okay, that is all that I needed from the two of you. Go ahead and meet back up with the other members of the expedition squad while I smooth things out with the Grand Masters." With the leader of the adventurers guild's permission, Marcus and Mrazivy hastily left the room. They were grateful for his understanding and the valuable treasures he had given them, but both of them felt that the longer they interacted with him, the more likely they were to be drawn into some sort of trouble.
"Barak, are you sure that it was wise to give them those items? The skill orbs I can understand since we don't have a need for them, but the amethros ingots and high-level magic cores are always in low supply." A female figure appearing out of the guild leader's shadow said once Marcus and Mrazivy were gone.
"I suppose that you could call it a bit of a gamble." Barak responded to his most trusted confidant. "Those two have impeccable potential and giving them a few resources to help with their growth is a small price to pay if it nets the guild a couple of powerful assets. I'm expecting great things from them in the future. Perhaps one of them will even go on to succeed me as the leader of the adventurers guild."
"Oh, that is pretty high praise coming from you. Though I thought you were hoping to rope Boreas into being your successor."
"Well, I still haven't given up on him yet, but he is a fickle man. He goes wherever his whims take him. I doubt he would last for more than a decade in the position before up and disappearing without a word. Still, he is the best of the limited options I have right now. Perhaps he can hold things down in the interim until one of the promising youngsters grows up. I do need to find my replacement soon; I don't have too much time left after all." Barak said, a solemn expression on his face.
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