While Nagaro remains trapped in the forest, far away a city bustles with life.
At the adventurers' guild near the city center, the movement is intense. Adventurers of all races fill the main hall: drinking, laughing, checking the notice board for new missions
Two adventurers observe the board.
One of them picks up a leaflet.
-What do you think of this one?
His partner looks at the paper.
-Goblin extermination?
-Sounds easy enough. We can handle it.
The two adventurers walk up to the receptionist, informing her that they will accept this mission.
In the area of the guild where the bar is located.
A group of adventurers occupies two entire tables, celebrating the successful mission. Tankards clash against one another, loud shouts of joy and off-key songs fill the air.
At a table not too far away, a tall woman with orange hair and leather clothes watches the party, the drinks, and the food on the table, her eyes appreciating it. But soon she turns her attention back to her own table, standing there, still and discouraged.
She stands up, slamming her fist on the table, indignant.
-Let's celebrate, everyone!
-It's not every day that we successfully complete a Rank A mission!
At her table, her companions remain seated.
A young arcanist, dressed in a hooded robe, replies.
-Better not, Maria. We need rest after the Shadow Wolf pack.
Maria protests, frustrated.
-But Ricardo...
Before she can continue speaking, the group's leader interrupts her.
-He's right, Maria. It's better for us to rest.
-Don't forget, in a few days we're heading to the Southern Nightmare Forest.
Maria looks at each of her companions. None of them seem excited to have any kind of celebration.
She pouts, crosses her arms, and sits back down on her chair, replying to the leader.
-Hmph!
-Alright, Rixas.
-But the next time we complete a mission at this level, we're going to celebrate no matter what, understood?
A young woman sitting beside Rixas.
-(Party... that means lots of drinks!)
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Rixas smiles slightly at Maria.
-...
As the party next door winds down, I shake off the distraction and return to seriousness.
I take several papers out of the storage ring and spread them across the table.
I look at the group.
-Well, everyone. So, shall we discuss the preparations?
We drink and discuss the plans. Papers are spread across the table, maps are pointed at, lists checked. Hours pass in focused chatter as we prepare for the journey to the Southern Nightmare Forest.
With everything decided, I smile, satisfied with the planning, and put all the papers back into the storage ring. My team gathers the maps and scrolls, as well as the list of tasks and materials each one must buy.
I take another sip of my drink.
-So, that's it. Plans and costs are set.
After much talking, planning, and drinking, my team says goodbye and leaves the guild, except for me, who remains seated, finishing the rest of the beer in my mug. Thinking of staying a bit longer, I call a waitress to place my order.
The waitress sets a new mug of beer and a portion of food on the table.
-Here you go, sir.
Me.
-Thank you.
I watch the waitress walk over to another customer to attend them.
But my attention doesn't linger on her; my eyes catch the movement of the guild as I look for someone capable of joining my group.
My team is strong and complete, fully capable of handling any Rank A mission or below. But since that loss, there is a void in the group. Maria, masterfully, manages to cover for her absence, but still we need someone who can fill that gap.
I take another sip and sigh.
-(Why did you have to go like that? No one can take your place.)
I remember that incident with sadness, but I am the leader, and I have to think more about the efficiency of the group, so I need to find someone to replace her.
I look around very subtly. Voices and the clinking of mugs still fill the air. But I still see no one qualified.
After finishing the meal, I push the empty plate to the center of the table and stand up. My steps lead me out of the bar. I approach the counter and, meeting the attentive gaze of the waitress, I take a few coins from my pouch. With a brief nod, I thank her and head toward the exit. As I open the door, the fresh street air envelops me, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and the constant movement of the city. Carts go back and forth along the main road, while the sidewalks are full of citizens following their own paths.
I look at the pouch of coins before putting it away.
-...
-(Prices have gone up.)
I look for an inn to spend the night.
-(Which inn could my daughter have stayed at?)
And I walk through the city streets, observing the open shops.
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Later.
The flow of adventurers remains intense. Many keep taking missions nonstop, allowing the notice board to always have new requests. At the bar tables, the celebrations continue constantly. Food, plenty of drink, and several adventurers boasting about their Skills and their mastery of the Ancient Arts.
The receptionist is a charismatic, beautiful woman, dressed in formal clothes. Her body and posture draw attention, especially from male adventurers.
At this time in the afternoon, the guild is when strong, high-rank adventurers usually appear. But, unfortunately, many of these adventurers are arrogant, ill-mannered, and in some cases, suspected of crimes.
At one table, a Rank A adventurer of the beastman race, wolf species, slams his tankard on the table, irritated by the rumors spreading around.
-Ah! Silent!
-Silent here! Silent there!
-They only talk about him!
-He's not all that. I'd take him down myself if I ran into him!
At the same table, an elf sitting across from him speaks up.
-He is all that, yes. An assassin wanted by all kingdoms and cities.
-I heard that all of his victims are rich people and nobles. The upper class is desperate for his head.
A fairy, sitting between the two, adds.
-I don't even want to see him. As an adventurer, it would be nice to earn that amount… but everything has its limits.
She smiles and points a finger at the beastman.
-Including you, Martins.
-There's no way someone as careless and lacking in intelligence as you could kill or capture him. I've even heard that Silent killed the King of Assassins centuries ago.
Martins becomes furious, focusing his entire gaze on the fairy, ready to jump at her throat.
The atmosphere heats up. The elf grows a little uneasy and tries to stop Martins with words, but the fairy keeps provoking him.
She seems to enjoy irritating Martins.
-He's nowhere near a normal person.
-He's a wanted assassin and also an S-rank threat.
She points her finger toward the wanted board. There are several images of the most wanted criminals in the region. At the top of the board are the most wanted criminals in the world.
On the poster the fairy points to, there is the face of a wanted man. In the image, the individual wears a balaclava, and his face is wrapped in bandages, hiding his eyes. Below it is written, "Silent", and right after the name, the reward of ten billion.
I point toward the notice board. At the top of the board, there is a poster of Silent.
-He's also considered an S-rank threat.
-Did you see the reward?
-I heard rumors that the kingdoms, together with the guild, are going to add another zero to it.
Martins grows even more furious. His fur bristles slightly, looking ready to attack the fairy.
The elf, almost smiling, looks at the fairy and says in a low voice.
-I heard that too.
-And, you know…
-I even managed to get information that he wields a forbidden power.
The fairy looks at the elf, keeping her voice low.
-Really?
-But I heard around that this is a lie.
The elf.
-I thought so too, but it seems the guilds are still debating whether or not they should announce that fact.
Martins watches his two companions talking with admiration, almost placing Silent on a pedestal.
Martins slams his tankard on the table again.
-So what if he's strong?
He looks at Silent's poster for a moment.
-If he's alive, he can be killed!
In a single gulp, he downs the entire beer.
-I'll defeat him and take the reward!
-Ha, ha, ha, ha!
Martins raises his tankard.
-Hey, waitress!
-Bring me another beer!
He says it loudly, drawing the attention of others; some look at him threateningly.
Martins ignores those stares.
-...
Other adventurers, who were drawn by the reward, pay more attention to Silent's poster.
Whispers spread.
-Who does he think he is?
-That idiot? I'll be the one to take the reward.
-Whoever kills him gets everything.
A man grabs Silent's poster.
-Silent will be my target…
At another table, three S-rank adventurers merely listen to Martins' declarations and the surrounding whispers, but the weapons in their hands are already at the ready.
Soon, the whispers turn into conversations. Many discuss methods to kill or capture Silent, even though they have never seen him.
Martins begins to feel the effects of the alcohol.
-But it doesn't matter whether he's powerful or not. No one knows where he is.
The fairy replies.
-You're right.
-There's no way to know how he would humiliate you. It's not like he would simply walk in here just to teach you a lesson. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!
Martins.
-Why, you…!
The elf steps between Martins and the fairy.
-That's enough talk about Silent!
-Let's change the subject!
But then.
The guild's door opens.
A tall, strong humanoid enters, completely clad in black, wearing a balaclava and with his face wrapped in bandages.
The entire hall falls silent.
No one moves.
Everyone holds their breath.
Upon seeing him, the receptionist runs to the second floor.
Many sweat in fear, some with anger, and others smiling. Rank A and S adventurers stand up.
The aura emanating from him is terrifying. So heavy that low-rank adventurers faint. Others, unable to endure the pressure, flee the guild.
Only the strong remain.
The figure everyone fears.
The assassin wanted by the entire world.
Silent himself.
He walks toward the waitress.
She trembles in despair. Strength leaves her legs and she drops to her knees, tears streaming down as her fear grows with Silent's approach.
-P-please… d-don't kill me…
But Silent did not come to kill her. Nor does he have any interest in this woman.
He is simply there.
Looking for something… perhaps someone…
Everyone remains frozen, but the elf, the fairy, and the beastman are ready to attack.
Martins smiles.
-Silent! We're going to kill you!
-Prepare yourself!
Silent completely ignores him and keeps walking toward the bar.
The other three S-rank adventurers are also excited and smiling at this opportunity: a swordsman, an arcane caster, and an assassin.
The swordsman draws his blade, pointing it at Silent.
His heroic voice dispels some of the fear in the room.
-Silent!
-Today, you fall!
But Silent ignores him as well, continuing to walk toward the bar.
Other adventurers, driven by a sense of justice, cannot bear to see the sweet waitress killed by the cruel assassin and stand up, ready for battle.
-Step away from her, monster!
-Yeah!
-We won't let you cause a massacre!
Even though they are afraid and know Silent's reputation, they will fight to stop the evil.
The commotion in the guild grows. Many adventurers glance at one another. The whispers begin to rise.
-We can defeat him…
-Earn a fortune…
-I can be recognized by the world…
-I can rise in rank if I capture him…
Everyone grips their weapons. Swords, staves, wands, shields, daggers, spears, axes, and anything that can be used as a weapon.
Silent, sensing the hostile intent, slowly turns around.
His hands reveal long, razor-sharp claws.
Some adventurers smile confidently. Others swallow hard. The rest tremble with nerves. A true gradient of expressions.
Even though everyone is on their feet, no one dares to take the first step.
Then, a brave adventurer charges forward without fear.
-Charge him!!!
And all the adventurers, warriors, arcanists, assassins rush toward Silent with the intent to kill.
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