If You Don't Do Stupid Things You Won't End Up In Tragedy

The whole group watched as the Duck Piercing Gentleman fell back to the ground and wound up in an unsightly mess. The entire act was very humorous but those present felt more pity for the old man than anything else. Xan ran over to the dazed elder and helped him off the ground.

"Sir, you shouldn't randomly attack things. This is the Superior Crafting Guild! I doubt sword attacks will do much damage to the architecture. Now, you have made a big mess of yourself. Don't forget you are the Duck Piercing Gentleman and represent not only yourself but the formidable Duck Piercing Sky Sect!" Xan said with gravity.

The Duck Piercing Gentleman was still too dazed to respond to Xan. "Great leaders, I think it is better to proceed according to the path laid out. Who knows what could happen if one of you actually managed to destroy something here," Xan said. "You are right, young man, please guide us," the beast tamer said.

While everyone was watching the Duck Piercing Gentleman make a fool of himself, Xan contacted the ghost he met earlier. He quietly pulled his Superior Crafting Guild Emblem from inventory and placed it next to his chest behind his thick top. "You are bringing the vultures to me, little apprentice," the Ghost happily said.

"What should I call elder," Xan asked. "You can call me Ancestor," it responded. Xan was a little put-out, why not just call it old ghost. "Ancestor, I am leading the group to you but I was thinking instead of harming them. Why don't we have them make a contribution to the Guild?" he suggested. "A contribution, what do you mean?" the ancestor asked. "The students of these people are cleaning up the battlefield, I'm sure each of these old people has really great treasures on them already. Why don't we bleed them of those treasures for the sect," Xan suggested. The ancestor thought it over and eventually grinned with an evil gleam in its protoplasmic eye.

"I am going to twist these people around until they can't tell their left hand from their right hand. I just need you to play along. How much are you able to control things in the treasure rooms?" He asked. "No need to worry little disciple, in the guild I am in complete control. I can change everything in the rooms, create labyrinths, you name it!" the ancestor said with confidence. Xan laughed with confidence, "then let's prepare something special in the first room..." Xan continued to talk with the ancestor ghost and gave it instructions. This entire conversation happened over the course of the Duck Piercing Gentleman slamming his head into the ceiling and Xan helping him back up.

The beast tamer was getting impatient with all of the nonsense and finally urged Xan to hurry up and lead them to the treasure. Walking confidently to the wall, he pointed out the ladder he used earlier in the day. Everyone looked up to where the ladder leads and simply leaped to the top. Everyone's movements were so graceful. The beast tamer grabbed Xan and his wolf, one under each arm, and leaped up following everyone else. Once on the ledge, Xan headed for the overhang and opened the door.

"There is a false roof that will only open once I close and secure the door. With the limited space, I'll need everyone to climb up the ladder. As soon as we're all in, I'll close the door," Xan said. Everyone moved in and up, the men went up toward the top of the ladder while the women remained at the bottom for the sake of modesty. Xan was able to get a closer look at these beauties and could clearly see the layers of makeup caked on their faces. They were much older than they pretended to be. They even had a faint old lady smell. He pretended not to notice and swiftly closed the door.

The false ceiling slid open and everyone entered a dark room. Once Xan made it to the top, he noticed the layout changed significantly. Everything was according to his instructions. In the room near the back wall facing them, were three amazing weapons; a knife, a sword, and a bow with arrows. The beast tamer's eyes sparkled when he saw the bow and arrows. The warriors were all interested in the sword while the assassin was interested in the knife.

"Were these here when you came last time?" the beast tamer asked. "Yes, sir, but I couldn't figure out a way to take them. I think you have to be fated with them," he said. The beast tamer nodded his head. This kid was too weak to have such magnificent weapons. Even if he were able to acquire one of them he wouldn't be able to keep them.

"Great Duck Piercing Gentleman, I think you out of everyone in the room is the most fated with this sword," Xan said. The other warriors weren't happy with Xan's words, why didn't he think they were fated? The Duck Piercing Gentleman looked at Xan with annoyance. "Why do you think I'm fated with this weapon?" he asked. He was done arguing over his name with this kid. He had to admit, for some reason he really felt drawn to this sword.

"Elder, haven't you noticed the handle of the sword. If you aren't fated with this weapon then who is?" Xan asked mystically. Everyone looked at the hilt of the sword and noticed that for some reason the pommel was shaped like a duck head. The duck looked extremely proud and aloof as if it were the master of the heavens. Everyone was shocked! No wonder, this kid was probably right. This weapon seemed fated for the Duck Piercing Gentleman.

Unfortunately, the Duck Piercing Gentleman didn't know if he should be excited, insulted, happy, or what. He just had a sour taste in his mouth, but it was an amazing sword and if he must take on the mantle of a proud duck to get it then so be it.

With great resolve, the Duck Piercing Gentleman rushed forward to the sword just as Xan began speaking. "There are some rules here we should read before we proceed. It was too late, the Duck Piercing Gentleman had already reached the sword and made a grab for it. A lightning bolt descended from the ceiling and shocked him until he was smoking and almost burnt black. The force of the shock propelled him back toward everyone else. He landed in a nasty heap on the ground a strong burning smell coming from his body. He was miserably injured.

Xan seemed to lose his patience. "Now see here, you are way too impatient constantly charging forward without thinking. There's an old saying 'If You Don't Do Stupid Things You Won't End Up In Tragedy.' Think about that before you make a move," he said breaking all pretense of honor and respect. No one disagreed with his words, not even the Duck Piercing Gentleman.