The interior of the Mirkvale Adventurers Guild was cozier and more comfortable than the exterior, but not by much. Even from the inside, it was clear that this place was built to withstand a protracted siege.
The guildmaster led our group through the building and up to the third floor. We stopped before a small wooden door.
"Here we are," the guildmaster said. "My office is a little cramped, so only two of you can co in. The rest will have to wait outside."
I nodded, before I gestured to Anna.
"You co with ," I said in an imperious tone, before looking at the others. "The rest of you, behave while we're gone."
The rest of my companions nodded. With that, Anna and I followed the guildmaster inside his office.
When he said it was cramped, he hadn't been kidding. His office was already small enough. However, cabinets and shelves lined the walls. The latter were filled with all kinds of items. Monster body parts, broken weapons, strange looking artifacts, etc. I assud these were trophies, or perhaps rely items of interest for the guildmaster.
Either way, this left just enough room for a wooden desk and a single chair for guests. After we closed the door behind us, the guildmaster squeezed his bulk behind the wooden desk. I gestured for Anna to take the chair. She raised an eyebrow at , an amused expression on her face.
"I might as well act like a gentleman every once in a while," I said.
Anna chuckled, before sitting down. I stood behind her.
The guildmaster looked between us, his eyes narrowed.
"Before we begin, let introduce myself," he said. "My na is Gale Underhill, the local guildmaster and representative of the Martial Arts Alliance here in the Mirkvale region."
Gale Underhill? What a contradictory na. Regardless, it wasn't my place to judge.
"Greetings, Guildmaster Gale," I said, giving him a slight nod of the head. "As I said, I am Lord Gabriel Sturm." I gestured to Anna. "This is my fiancée, Lady Annabelle Thorne."
Guildmaster Gale nodded.
"I suspected as much," he said. "It is an honor to et the daughter of the head of the Martial Arts Alliance."
Anna gave him a slight nod, but otherwise didn't respond.
"So," Guildmaster Gale said. "What may I do for you two?"
While he spoke in a polite and respectful tone, it was clear that he still wasn't happy with us. Hopefully, explaining our purpose here would change his mind.
"I apologize for the commotion earlier," I said. "The role I'm playing required it."
Guildmaster Gale gave a thoughtful look.
"So it was all an act," he said. "For what purpose?"
I pulled out a badge with the image of a gold sun on it. My companions and I all received these badges long before we left Templeton. According to Grand Priest Darius, these would let others know that we had the Church of the Sun's backing. However, we were only to use them when on official business.
"We are here because we believe that a group of demon worshipers is hiding out in Mirkvale Forest," I explained. "In simple terms, our mission is to hunt them down and destroy their base."
Guildmaster Gale blinked at in surprise.
"Okay," he said. "I hadn't expected that. Not to be disrespectful, but how reliable is your information? I assu you don't know much about Mirkvale Forest, but the place is a hellhole. It is filled with all kinds of monsters. Anyone who set up a base there would have to face attacks on a daily basis." He gestured to the building around us. "There is a reason why this place is a fortress."
I nodded.
"Our information cos from a very reliable source," I said. "And I believe the reason why the demon worshipers set up a base here is because of the abundance of monsters. Have you heard of what happened in the Icefall region?"
Guildmaster Gale frowned and nodded.
"So kind of demon incursion, I believe," he said. "That's all I know. We don't get much news from that far north."
I nodded.
"Yes," I said. "My companions and I were there when it happened. While the demons and their worshipers participated in the attack, most of their forces consisted of fiends created from monsters. We believe they might be doing the sa here."
Guildmaster Gale's eyes widened by a small fraction.
"That's terrifying to contemplate," he said. "Assuming it's true, of course."
"That's part of the reason why we're here," I said. "To figure out the truth. Regardless, we know the demon worshipers are here. That isn't in question." I gestured to the guildmaster. "We would like the Adventurers Guild's help in this matter. Of course, we are willing to pay."
Guildmaster Gale grimaced.
"You would like to hire adventurers to search Mirkvale Forest for a group of demon worshipers?" he asked.
His tone made it clear what he thought about that idea.
"I know the chances of finding anything are low, but we must try," I said.
"Not just low. It's near impossible. Mirkvale Forest is vast. You could spend months, years even, searching and not find what you're looking for. And that's not even taking into account the dangers involved."
I nodded.
"I know. We took that into consideration before coming here." I gestured to myself. "Thus, my little act. Tell , Guildmaster Gale. If you were a group of demon worshipers hiding out in Mirkvale Forest, it would make sense to keep an eye on Mirktown. What would you do if one day, a pompous ass from House Sturm showed up? One who played at being an adventurer?"
Guildmaster Gale frowned with a thoughtful expression on his face.
"You're using yourself as bait," he said.
I nodded.
"My family has hunted down countless demon worshipers over the centuries." I grinned. "I'm rely giving them the chance to return the favor."
"That's not a bad idea," he said. "However, what if they don't take the bait?"
"That's why we're trying to cover all of our bases. We need to find this base. Otherwise, sothing dire will happen. It never ends well when demon worshipers are involved."
Anna, who had remained silent thus far, spoke up.
"Of course, if you aid us, we will rember it," she said. "The next ti I see my father, I'll be sure to speak in your favor."
Guildmaster Gale looked tempted by this. While there were definite risks involved with helping us, there were also substantial rewards.
"I see," he said. "Very well. I'll put together a team to help you, Lord Gabriel." He gave a serious look. "However, they may not find anything. As I said earlier, Mirkvale Forest is vast."
"As long as they try, that's all that matters."
I pulled a piece of paper out of my inventory ring and placed it on the wooden desk. It depicted a strange symbol, the one that Aurora saw when she scouted out the base of demonic worshipers in the Icefall region. I believed it was the symbol of the Order of the Infernal Star.
"Tell your people to keep an eye out for this symbol," I said. "We believe it's tied to this particular group of demon worshipers."
Guildmaster Gale took the symbol and studied it.
"I will, Lord Gabriel."
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I gave him a smile.
"Excellent! With that, I believe our business here is done."
Guildmaster Gale held up a hand.
"Wait a mont, Lord Gabriel," he said. "While I am willing to help you, I also have my own duties and responsibilities. You said you wanted to play at being an adventurer?"
I frowned at him.
"As part of the persona I'm putting on, yes. However, make no mistake, I am an adventurer." I pulled out my guild badge. "See?"
Guildmaster Gale looked surprised to see it.
"Bronze-ranked," he said. "Not bad. However, it's not enough. According to regulations, an adventurer needs to be at least Silver-ranked to enter Mirkvale Forest. This is for their safety. That's how dangerous the place is."
My face fell.
"You're joking," I said.
Guildmaster Gale shook his head.
"I am not. You're a Third Rank Awakened, so you et that requirent. However, in order to reach Silver, you'll need to complete at least a few more jobs."
I resisted the urge to sigh in frustration.
"Couldn't you just promote us to Silver?" I asked.
"I could. However, that would be an egregious abuse of my power. We use this system for a reason. Adventurers gain a lot of benefits from the guild. Completing jobs is how they repay the guild for these benefits. It's a reciprocal relationship."
I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. This was an unexpected setback.
"That is true, Guildmaster Gale," Anna said. "However, there are exceptions. For example, if soone were to make a sizable contribution to the guild, that would count towards their promotion."
I opened my eyes and looked at my fiancée.
"Yes," Guildmaster Gale said in a reluctant tone. "However, exceptions are called that because they don't happen all that often. It would require a very sizable contribution to go from Bronze to Silver."
I looked between the two of them, before it clicked.
"Wait, are you saying that I could buy my way to a promotion?" I asked.
Anna glanced back at and smiled.
"The Adventurers Guild is always in need of funds," she said.
Guildmaster Gale grimaced.
"That is true," he said. "However, the reason why we don't let this happen too often is because… Well, those who buy their way up often don't have the skills to match. When they take a job that matches their ranks, but not their capabilities, it never ends well."
"That's not a problem with us," I said. "We're not delicate flowers raised in a hothouse, only cultivating and training in seclusion. Each of us has been tempered by battle."
Which was true, even for Priest Jai and Priestess Natille. Both of them have gone on excursions as part of their training.
"Be that as it may," Guildmaster Gale said with a skeptical look on his face. "If I promote you and sothing happens, I'll be held responsible."
"We want sothing to happen," I said, gesturing to myself. "That's the whole reason why I'm dressed like this."
Guildmaster Gale gave an exasperated look.
"You know that's not what I ant. There are many dangers in Mirkvale Forest. Any one of them could end your life."
"What if we sign a docunt absolving you of all responsibility?" Anna asked.
Guildmaster Gale sighed.
"That would help, yes," he said. "However, one of the reasons why I'm objecting is out of concern for you and your companions. I know I've said this multiple tis already. but it bears repeating. Mirkvale Forest is dangerous."
Anna nodded.
"We are well aware," she said.
Guildmaster Gale studied her for a mont, before shaking his head.
"Fine," he said. "I tried. Don't bla when sothing happens."
"We won't," I said. "We'll take responsibility for our own actions and choices."
"I'll hold you to that."
After that, the three of us worked out the details. Guildmaster Gale would promote and my companions to Silver in exchange for a rather sizable contribution to the Mirkvale Adventurers Guild's coffers. In short, we bribed him.
In many ways, money was a superpower.
Anna and I also signed a docunt absolving Guildmaster Gale of any and all responsibility should anything happen to us within Mirkvale Forest.
Afterwards, Guildmaster Gale took our entire group to the reception desk so we could get our promotion. Once we left his office, I acted like a rich pompous ass once more. anwhile, Guildmaster Gale acted like a man pushed into doing sothing he thought was a bad idea.
Well, to be fair, it wasn't really an act.
At the reception desk, as the receptionist promoted and my companions, it beca obvious to all observers that I had bought my way to Silver. This earned several looks of contempt and disdain.
Good. It ant that my plan was working.
"Congratulations on reaching Silver, Lord Gabriel," Guildmaster Gale said in a dry tone.
I made a dismissive gesture.
"Thank you, guildmaster. That will be all."
"You arrogant-" an adventurer started to say, before a look from Guildmaster Gale silenced him.
The guildmaster looked back at .
"You have a good day, Lord Gabriel." He paused. "And good luck."
With that, Guildmaster Gale walked away. The mont he left, the hostility from the other adventurers beca so thick, you could cut through it with a knife.
My companions and I ignored them and left the Mirkvale Adventurers Guild. Once we were outside, Anna turned to .
"Shall we go find lodging, my lord?" she asked, acting like my retainer.
I resisted the urge to shiver. For so reason, Anna acting subservient to felt wrong in so many ways.
"Never do that again," I muttered under my breath.
Anna grinned at with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Besides," I continued. "I doubt there is any place worth staying at. We're better off sleeping in the personal transport."
"Perhaps on this side of things," Anna said.
It took a mont to grasp what she ant. Murim was a secret society that existed alongside mainstream Luminian society. There were exceptions, of course, such as places where that secrecy was paper thin. However, Luminian society as a whole remained unaware of Murim.
As such, many cities and towns had undercities, and undertowns, that were exclusive to Murim. This included Sunheart, the capital of the Solarian Empire.
"Really?" I asked. "Is this place even big enough to have an undercity?"
Anna nodded.
"I asked my Clan about it," she said. "A few of my kin had explored Mirkvale Forest in the past."
I glanced at the others.
"What do you guys think?" I asked.
"We will follow your lead, Lord Gabriel," Priest Jai said in a deferential tone.
Priestess Natille nodded in agreent.
I sighed. Of course. What had I expected?
Cally gave Priest Jai and Priestess Natille a sideways glance, before shaking her head.
"We might as well check it out," she said. "However, given the state of this place, I wouldn't get my hopes up."
Leroy nodded.
With everyone on board, I faced Anna again and gestured for her to lead the way. We followed her and a few minutes later, we found ourselves at the alleyway again, the one where we saw the couple having sex.
The adventurer was long gone. However, to my surprise, the woman dressed like a barmaid was still there. She leaned against a nearby wall and smoked out of a wooden pipe. Anna led us right to her. The woman raised an eyebrow at us.
"You looking for a good ti?" she asked. "I should warn you, I don't do groups. If you all want a go, you'll have to take turns."
Ah, she wasn't a barmaid after all. She was a prostitute.
Or maybe not.
I gave the woman a closer look. My intuition told that this woman was more than she appeared to be. She had a lean and muscular physique, though her clothing hid it well. The way she moved seed too fluid and smooth for a regular person.
I suspected she was a martial artist, at least Third or Fourth Star.
"We're looking to head underground," Anna said in Spirit Tongue.
The woman looked surprised, before she gave Anna a self-deprecating smile.
"What gave away?" she asked, also in Spirit Tongue.
"My kin told about you," Anna said.
The woman, who I now realized was the guardian to Mirktown's undercity, nodded in understanding.
"Follow ," she said.
The woman led us through the alleyway and arrived at an old, abandoned well.
"Just jump down and press the marked stone," she said. "You can't miss it."
With that, the woman walked away and returned to her previous post. I watched her go, before turning back towards the well.
"Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained," I said.
I jumped down the well. It wasn't deep, so I landed at the bottom without issue. Cally poked her head over the well's rim and looked down at .
"I thought you were pretending to be a spoiled House scion," she said in a sardonic tone.
I shrugged, before I looked around for the marked stone. I pressed it and heard a click. A low, rumbling sound filled the well before I heard a series of knocks. A part of the wall slid away, revealing a spiral stone staircase that led down.
"Found it," I called up. "Though it might be a little tight for Leroy. It's cramped down here."
"Just move out of the way so we can jump down too," Cally replied.
I started walking down the staircase. Glowstone embedded in the walls lit up the space. Despite that, I felt uncomfortable. I never like cramped underground spaces like this. They always made feel suffocated.
As I headed down, I heard a series of thumps as one of my companions jumped down the well. However, I couldn't stop and look back to see who it was. Otherwise, I'd cause a traffic jam.
This continued on as my companions and I headed down the stone staircase. It didn't take long for us to reach the bottom. We all managed alright, except for Leroy. He sported so new scrapes.
At the bottom of the stone staircase was a simple wooden door. When I opened it and stepped through, I raised an eyebrow at the sight before . Mirktown was a shithole. There wasn't any other way to describe it.
This town, however, was almost the complete opposite. Instead of a dirty and disorganized ss, this place was clean, cozy, and organized. The entire town was built around a central stone plaza. Giant glowstones embedded in the ceiling illuminated the entire place.
People went about their own business, dressed either as adventurers or in the style of First Murim. Of course, since I dressed like a spoiled House scion, I drew my fair share of stares.
"Nevermind," Cally said. "I stand corrected. Coming here was a very good idea."
"It certainly beats sleeping in the personal transport," I said. "Co on. Let's go find a place to stay."
With that, my companions and I searched for lodgings.
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