In the Guildmaster’s Room,
Mirinda sat at her desk, surrounded by towering stacks of paperwork. A lone pen rested atop one of the forms, unmoving.
Her eyes were distant, locked on the window, lost in thought. In her hand, she held an old photograph.
She slowly placed the photo on the desk and stared at it.
The image showed ten people, smiling in the fra, familiar faces, William, Beltimore, Ida, Alice, and others. Her finger gently slid across the photo until it landed on the person in the center, a man with fiery blue hair, a wide grin, and a thumbs-up pose. William and Beltimore stood beside him in the shot.
It was Russ, the first Guildmaster.
Her eyes welled with tears as she looked at his face. The man who held a special place in her heart. The man who was gone forever, leaving behind the weight of this guild on her shoulders.
Her thoughts drifted back through ti, battles against colossal monsters, getting lost in ancient mazes, narrow escapes from undead horrors. The corners of her lips curved into a faint, nostalgic smile.
But then ca the mory of that night. Ten years ago.
Her chest tightened. The mont she lost him.
Just as she was sinking into the past, a knock echoed on the door.
Mirinda quickly wiped her tears and straightened her posture. Without missing a beat, she grabbed her pen and resud signing papers.
"Co in," she called.
The door creaked open, and Ida stepped inside with yet another stack of docunts.
"More for you to sign," Ida said, placing them carefully on the table.
Mirinda let out a weary sigh and dropped her head dramatically onto the desk.
"When will the paperwork end?" she groaned, defeated.
---
We were currently walking back to the city.
Ever since we stepped out of the cave, Beltimore and Alice hadn’t said a word. They walked in front of us, their expressions unreadable. The air around them was gloomy.
"Why are they so quiet? Is it because of that mysterious masked guy?" Bob whispered beside .
I didn’t reply. I didn’t know either. But deep down, I was still angry. Angry that Beltimore blocked my shot at the enemy.
And when I asked him earlier, he just mumbled an apology, no explanation, nothing more.
The silence continued as we got closer to the city. The sun was already dipping below the horizon, its orange hue fading fast. Night slowly crept in, swallowing the last light of day.
I clenched my fist.
I couldn’t hold it in anymore.
Without warning, I sprinted forward, passing Bob. I heard him try to grab my arm, but I slipped out of his reach.
I ca to a stop right in front of them, blocking their path.
"You two!" I snapped, my voice sharp. "Can you please tell us what actually happened? Why did you block my shot? And who the hell was that masked man?!"
Beltimore stared at , adjusting his glasses without a flicker of emotion.
"I apologize. I admit I was wrong," he said flatly and then walked right past .
That made snap.
I grabbed his left arm tightly. "If you won’t talk, I’ll report everything to the guildmaster. I’ll tell her you helped an enemy."
Beltimore looked in the eyes, his gaze sharp. I t it head-on with the sa intensity.
If this was the only way to get answers, then so be it.
He finally sighed. "Let’s talk while walking. It’s already late."
He turned and resud his pace. I walked beside him.
"Do we really need to tell them?" Alice whispered from behind.
"They deserve to know. They were involved too much today," Beltimore replied.
Then he glanced at and finally spoke.
"The masked man... the way he spoke, his voice, it’s just like our previous guildmaster, Russ."
Ah. That explained their mood. But sothing didn’t add up.
"Wait... didn’t you say he was one of those who died ten years ago?" I asked, frowning.
"You’re right," Beltimore said, his voice heavy. "And that’s exactly why I’m shaken. He... he shouldn’t be alive."
"You’re sure it was him?" Bob suddenly chid in, walking beside with his mouth full. He was eating sothing from a small container, completely unfazed by the gravity of the conversation.
"I an," he continued through a mouthful of food, "did you actually see him dead?"
"I did," Beltimore snapped. "I saw his body. I buried him myself."
"Then it’s settled." Bob shrugged, chewing noisily. "That masked guy isn’t your friend. Probably just soone who looks like him or has a skill that sses with your head."
A bit of food stuck to his cheek as he spoke so casually.
"Besides, you two should learn to keep your emotions in check when facing an enemy. That’s a basic rule. And as veteran adventurers, I expected better from you."
To think soone like him could say sothing that actually made sense, what a rare miracle.
But he was absolutely right.
Beltimore and Alice exchanged glances. Alice let out a soft smile, while Beltimore sighed again.
"You’re right," he admitted. "Maybe we got too lost in old mories. It clouded our judgnt. We apologize." He gave a small bow.
’What he said is true... there’s no way Russ is back. If it really were him, he’d co back to us, not sneak around doing this kind of things,’ Beltimore thought silently.
"Apology accepted," Bob grinned. "You should be happy now that Alan and I passed the trial. Right, Alan?"
"Yes, that’s right," I said, nodding.
"Sotis you say surprisingly sensible things, fat boy," Alice teased, smiling. "But I guess that’s what makes both of you unique. And I like that."
and Bob flushed a little at her comnt.
The mood finally brightened. We kept chatting until we arrived back at the guild headquarters. The front hall was dim, with only a few mbers lingering most had turned in for the night.
"Well, looks like our little party ends here," Beltimore said. "Congratulations to both of you on passing the trial. We’ll put in a good word with the guildmaster."
"Please do," I replied.
"Don’t worry, sweetheart," Alice added with a wink. "I’ll personally make sure she accepts you. And if not... you two can always co join at the border—"
"Ahem. I think it’s ti we report to the guildmaster," Beltimore cut her off quickly, adjusting his glasses.
"Hope we et again soon," he added before turning toward the stairs.
Alice looked mildly annoyed that Beltimore had cut her off, but she followed him anyway. Before disappearing up the stairs, she turned back and gave us a playful wave.
We waved back.
Luckily, none of her fanboys were around the guild tonight. If they were, we probably wouldn’t have made it to our rooms before sunrise.
"Let’s go back. I’m tired," Bob groaned, already turning toward the exit.
I humd in agreent.
Today had been another long, exhausting day. A good rest was all we needed now.
That’s when a familiar voice called out behind us...
"Wait, you two!"
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