Gregor confidently made his way through the lively Gryphon District, fully aware of the tumult he had unintentionally sparked.
Brutus and the others followed closely, their footsteps resonating on the cobblestones in a rhythmic echo.
Above them, the sun hung like a disk of liquid gold, its rays spilling over rooftops and bathing everything in a warm light. Once a quiet and almost sleepy area, Gryphon District now buzzed with newfound vitality.
Stalls opened earlier than usual, with vendors cheerfully calling out as if they could sense the potential for profit in the air. People hurried through the streets, making the alleyways feel narrower than before.
Brutus slowed down, his rugged face reflecting surprise as he took in the bustling scene. "Wow," he said, his deep voice cutting through the din.
"There are a lot of people here today. Is it always like this in the mornings?"
He scanned the area, as if seeing an entirely different district than he rembered.
Calista crossed her arms and observed the busy shops and crowded streets with her sharp amber eyes.
"Not quite," she responded thoughtfully. "Gryphon District used to be one of the quietest parts of the city, barely any foot traffic, and half the shops would close early. But now?"
She gestured around them at the lively atmosphere. "Look at how vibrant it is."
Caelis chuckled lightly as he adjusted the strap of his spear while walking alongside them.
"It makes sense," he said casually. "Rumors about the Adventurer Guild are everywhere, every tavern, every corner, every vendor’s stall. It’s all anyone can talk about now. People are curious to see it for themselves, and those with their own issues? They’re all flocking here. Curiosity and desperation often go hand in hand."
Ahead of them, Gregor couldn’t help but smile at Caelis’s candidness; it filled him with a warm satisfaction.
Just three days ago, half of Greyvale City hadn’t even known this place existed, yet today its streets pulsed with exciting anticipation.
He could tell his companions were picking up on this new atmosphere, each of them slowed slightly whenever they passed clusters of people talking about missions or spotted soone holding one of his flyers.
They picked up their pace again until they reached a wider road where buildings parted to reveal the Adventurer Guild ahead.
Brutus stumbled a bit; Calista ca to a complete stop, while Caelis and Leona exchanged astonished glances.
Gregor himself paused for just a mont,the Guild looked completely different from what it had just days ago.
A loose group of people milled around outside: so rchants in fine robes with elegantly curled mustaches mingled with farrs just arriving from the fields.
At least two dozen people flowed through the entrance in a steady stream.
What struck Gregor the most was the shared look on their faces as they exited: a subtle smile that mixed relief with satisfaction, as if entering the building had eased a longstanding burden.
Unsurprisingly, as soon as soone stepped outside, a small crowd of four or five would converge around them, peppering them with questions like.
"Is it true?"
"Are they really accepting missions?" "What’s the service like?"
"Did you run into an Adventurer in there?"
Gregor watched, captivated, as the returning visitors answered with excitent and a newfound sense of pride.
He stared at the scene, letting out a breathy laugh. "Wow," he whispered to himself. "The Guildmaster is really doing well."
A blend of joy and disbelief crossed his face. He had expected so growth,after all, Pax’s rumors had been spreading rapidly but this was beyond his imagination.
"Let’s go," Gregor called back, waving casually as he walked toward the entrance. "Stay close."
Brutus, Calista, Leona, Caelis, and about twenty other warriors ford a loose group behind him and followed him inside.
The mont they crossed the threshold of the large wooden doors, they were hit with a wall of sound that felt almost overwhelming. Instantly, they froze, mouths agape and eyes wide in astonishnt at the scene before them.
The Guild Hall was half full, which ant nearly fifty to sixty people packed the space, given the number of tables and chairs.
Every seat was occupied, chairs were full, and groups of finely dressed rchants gathered in hushed yet animated discussions.
Artisans, blacksmith apprentices, and even ordinary townsfolk mingled, filling the hall with lively chatter and bustling energy.
It was a vibrant blend of colors, silks, robes, sturdy leather coats, shiny boots,creating a lively tapestry of eager faces and animated expressions.
For a Guild that had been nearly empty just days ago, stepping inside felt like entering the heart of sothing much more significant than themselves.
Leona let out a soft gasp; her blue eyes sparkled with surprise. "This place is packed..." she whispered, barely audible above the noise. "I didn’t think it would gain popularity so quickly."
Brutus scratched his head in disbelief. "This many people... just for missions? Wow."
Calista leaned in closer, her voice dropping to keep things quiet, though excitent bubbled beneath the surface. "Rumors can really work wonders! And this is just the start..."
Even their group of seasoned warriors, ard and clad in worn armor, seed montarily taken aback by the bustling scene around them.
Their re presence drew everyone’s attention. Nearby residents paused their conversations; so stared openly while others whispered and exchanged furtive glances at the newcors.
Gregor’s ears perked up as he overheard snippets of chatter from the crowd:
"Are those... the Adventurers?"
"Looks that way! They seem powerful... thank the gods. Perhaps they can finally escort my caravan without fleeing like last ti."
"That guy in silver armor...he looks really skilled."
"Those weapons... just look at that guy’s swords. Are those Silver Grade?"
"Do you think they’ll take on my missing-child mission...?"
Hearing these comnts stirred a warm feeling in Gregor’s chest. He hadn’t expected this kind of reaction, the awe, the hopeful excitent in their tones, the bright glimrs of hope in their eyes.
In Greyvale City, warriors had never been viewed as protectors; they were usually seen as liabilities or re tools for dungeon explorations.
Yet now, for the first ti, they were perceived as sothing greater,sothing vital, soone to trust. A genuine smile spread across Gregor’s face.
The Adventurer Guild was gradually changing the way people thought, piece by piece, rumor by rumor.
He shifted his gaze from the lively hall to the front desk, where he was especially eager to see one particular reaction.
Behind the worn wooden counter sat Sage, slouched in his usual lazy manner with his chin resting on his hand.
The Guildmaster looked like a man who had co to terms with chaos; his expression was a strange mix of fatigue, triumph, annoyance, and acceptance.
Gregor nearly burst out laughing. Sage’s indifferent face was in stark contrast to his eyes, filled with quiet overwhelm from the sudden influx of people and it was almost more than Gregor could bear. He felt his lips twitch as he struggled not to laugh.
At that mont, Sage looked like a man weighed down by the very success he had achieved, but too proud to admit it.
Seeing that priceless expression on Sage’s face made Gregor fight even harder to maintain his composure...
...but laughter was clawing at his throat, ready to escape at any mont.
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