Morning came quietly.
For a moment, I remained still, eyes open, staring at the ceiling above me. The faint light filtering through the window told me enough… the day had already begun.
I exhaled slowly.
No hesitation.
No second thoughts.
The decision I made last night hasn't changed.
I rose from the bed and adjusted my clothes, the fabric still carrying traces of dust and travel. It was… unpleasant.
Unfitting.
After a brief pause, I stepped out of the room and made my way downstairs.
The tavern was quieter than before. A few early patrons sat scattered across the room, their voices low, their movements sluggish. No one paid me any real attention.
Good.
Outside, the air felt colder than expected.
Fresh.
I scanned the street briefly before moving, my steps steady, deliberate.
It didn't take long to find what I needed.
A small bathhouse, tucked between two worn-out buildings, with steam faintly rising from within. Not impressive… but sufficient.
I stepped inside without hesitation.
Time passed.
When I stepped out again, the difference was… noticeable.
The dirt and fatigue had been washed away, leaving behind something far less fitting for someone in my position.
My hair, still slightly damp, fell neatly past my shoulders, dark and smooth. My skin… clean, unblemished… stood in quiet contrast to the roughness of the city around me.
Unwanted attention.
I could already feel it.
As I walked, more eyes lingered now.
Not just because I was an elf.
But because I didn't look like I belonged here.
"...Is that…?"
"An elf?"
"...What's one doing here?"
Whispers followed, subtly but present.
Curiosity.
Suspicion.
Something else, perhaps.
I ignored it all.
None of it mattered.
The guild wasn't difficult to find.
Even without directions, the building stood out.
Larger than those around it, reinforced, worn but sturdy. The sound reached me before I even stepped inside… voices, laughter, the clatter of metal against wood.
Rough.
Unfiltered.
I pushed the door open.
The noise hit immediately.
Men and women scattered across the room, some seated, others standing, weapons resting nearby or strapped to their bodies. Conversations overlapped, some loud, some low, none particularly restrained.
A few glanced in my direction.
Just for a moment.
Then…
A second look.
"...An elf?"
"...Seriously?"
"...What's he doing here?"
I walked past them without reaction.
Their attention lingered, but no one approached.
At the far end of the room stood the counter.
Behind it…
A young woman.
She looked up as I approached.
And paused.
Just slightly.
Her eyes studied me… not openly rude, not overly curious, but… observant.
Taking in details.
"Welcome," she said after a brief moment, her tone composed. "First time here?"
I nodded.
"I'm looking for work."
Straightforward.
Her gaze sharpened, just a little.
"Then you have two options," she replied. "Register as a guild mercenary… or take on temporary contracts."
Temporary.
"Explain."
She didn't hesitate.
"Temporary contracts are not official members of the guild," she said. "You won't receive protection, priority contracts, or long-term recognition."
Her tone remained even.
Professional.
"But," she continued, "you'll be allowed to take up to ten extermination contracts."
I listened.
"Low-risk targets only," she added. "You'll be paid after providing proof of completion."
Efficient.
And restrictive.
As expected.
Her eyes remained on me.
"Most people choose to register properly."
Of course they would.
But most people weren't in my position.
"This will do."
A brief pause.
"...temporary contract?" she asked, as if confirming.
I nodded.
For the first time, her expression shifted slightly.
Not disapproval.
Not approval.
Just… curiosity.
"Very well."
She reached for a small document and placed it on the counter, along with a writing tool.
"Name."
A simple question.
And yet…
It carried weight.
I looked at the page for a moment.
Then answered.
"Noir"
The word left my mouth calmly.
Without hesitation.
She blinked once.
"...just Noir?"
"Yes."
Another pause.
Short.
Then she nodded and wrote it down without further comment.
"Sign here."
I did.
The moment the ink settled, the decision became final.
No turning back.
She set the document aside and reached beneath the counter, pulling out several sheets.
Contracts.
She placed them in front of me.
"Available extermination requests," she said.
My eyes scanned them briefly.
Different locations.
Different conditions.
Minor variations.
But one stood out.
The third.
Goblin activity… recent increase.
Close enough.
Manageable.
I picked it up.
"This one."
She glanced at it, then back at me.
"...Eastern forest," she said. "Reports suggest multiple sightings. Possibly a nest."
More than one.
Good.
Higher return.
"Proof?" I asked.
"Ears," she replied. "Left ears only. Standard verification."
Understood.
She slid the contract fully toward me.
"Bring them back, and you'll be paid accordingly."
Simple.
Clear.
Fair.
I took the paper.
For a brief moment, her gaze lingered again.
"...Be careful," she said, almost as an afterthought.
Not forced.
Not overly concerned.
Just… genuine.
I gave a slight nod.
Nothing more.
As I turned and walked toward the exit, the noise of the guild filled the space behind me once again.
Voices.
Laughter.
Steel against wood.
But none of it mattered.
Not anymore.
The contract in my hand felt light.
But its meaning…
Was not.