The night was very deep. Not a single star visible in the sky. The moon had disappeared somewhere behind the clouds.
Darkness everywhere.
Inside the guild, two swords had been about to meet — but Daichi had stopped them. Every adventurer was looking up at him.
"Both of you seem to have forgotten that you're adventurers. And you—" Daichi pointed directly at the young man, "the very girl you were fighting over is exactly why I've called you all here."
The young man lowered his head.
Every adventurer in the room respected Daichi deeply. Because of him, so many of them had work. Their households ran. That's why they listened to him — all of them, without question.
Everyone paid close attention.
"Listen. There is a girl you need to find. Her name is Silia. Find her — and if she tries to run, stop her by any means necessary. Show no mercy. Because she has stolen our guest's most important possession — a teleportation card." Daichi said it fast and hard.
"She stole a teleportation card?" one adventurer said.
"Turns out an innocent face can hide the darkest intentions," another said.
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
"Did you hear that, Maruls? She stole Jhed and Shine's teleportation card," Asfer said.
"We need to find her as fast as possible," Uni said.
She pictured Jhed's face — the disappointment on it.
"And you were out here asking for her address," Maruls said, looking at the young man.
He said nothing.
"But killing her — is that really right?" one adventurer asked, looking up at Daichi.
Several others nodded in agreement.
"Right — killing a girl doesn't sit well."
"Then listen carefully," Daichi said. "For the past eighteen years, no one from outside has come to this town. Our town used to run on tourism. That's why all of you had to become adventurers — because the income dried up. Now, after all these years, someone has finally come. The city these two adventurers came from is the largest city in the northern region. If we return their card safely, people from their city will come here too. Our town will grow again, and all of you will get your livelihoods back." Daichi said.
Mariana — the largest city in the northern part of the Northern Region. And according to Daichi, this town's growth depended entirely on tourism. After the war, nobody came anymore. So they had plenty of food — but no money.
"The Guild Master's right. If we return that card, our town will flourish again," Maruls said.
"We agree. And besides — the fact that they carry a card like that shows they're people of significant standing. And one of them is an S-Class adventurer." Another party raised their hand, ready for the quest.
One by one, every party signed on.
"Then start now. Whoever finds her first and brings the card back — their team gets two silver coins."
The room erupted with energy. Every adventurer moved out for the mission.
As I said — this town had plenty of food but almost no money. Two silver coins here was no different from treasure. Adventurers fanned out across every corner of the town.
Jhed had ninety gold coins left — he'd given ten to Andrev. He lay in his room, thoughts spiraling. His mind kept circling back to the same thing: why didn't you read that paper. He was torturing himself over something already done.
But the adventurers were searching now. With this many people looking, Silia would be found. The town wasn't that large to begin with.