100 CHPT 100: Damn Headlines!

By the time Claude and Frosty reached the SkyLight guildhall, the sun was completely out of the sky leaving only the stars and the moon to watch over the vast city.

Claude stepped into the building knowing full well that he'd be pierced by the gazes of dozens of Night Runners. Apparently he wasn't as ready as he thought. Almost all noise died down to a hushed whisper as the large doors shut behind him. Even the people in line to the right of him turned to look at him for a moment.

"Why can't I just have a normal entrance?" He thought angrily as he stood in awkward silence. He could almost feel everyone sizing him up in the room. It made him wonder what could've made them even more wary of him. Before he could even finish thinking the question, he had an idea as to why their interest was peaked.

"The Newspaper...."

"[I think you're correct in your assumptions, Claude. Word must've gotten out about where their bodies were found....which wasn't too far off from the Tangent you completed.]" Arne replied.

"Great. That's just great." Claude said as he headed over to the line.

While he waited in line, a couple of Night Runners in front of him shifted in place uncomfortably while letting off faint scents of fear. The others seemed interested— but unfazed, he assumed if he looked at their rank tags they'd be high silvers and maybe even golds. But the last was unlikely.

After the person in front of him was done dealing with the front counter lady, he was left facing Ilka. She put on her usual warm smile once she recognized him.

"Goodnight, Allblack." She said in a cheery tone.

"What?" Claude replied.

"Oh— sorry, it's a bit of a long running joke between the Night Runners. It's how we greet each other. Even though most of them just woke up, we say Goodnight since it's.....you know..." she trailed off after realizing she was rambling.

"Right."

"Anyway, how can I help you?" She asked.

"I was wondering if—" he was interrupted by a Night Runner behind him speaking loud enough to hit his sensitive ears.

"He killed all those travelers? That's what you all think? You expect me to believe a bronze ranked Night Runner took on all those people and didn't just win, but also dismembered them? Don't fuck with me guys." A male voice said from behind him.

"I was thinking the same thing, Shepherd. How could he do that to all of them, but let his team die?" A deep scratchy voice asked.

Claude's head snapped sideways after the man spoke. They all went quiet in reaction to his sudden movement and the possibility of being heard.

Claude hid his hands in his cloak as his long black claws forced their way through his gloves and his teeth sharpened and pushed up against the inside of his lips.

"[Ignore it. They're words are useless.]" Arne said.

Claude tried his best to calm himself and retain his sanity. As he looked sidelong at the group, Ilka spoke into the silence.

"Please forgive, Shepherd. He just returned from a week long Tangent and recently got demoted from the SkyLight Guilds A Team to the SkyLight Night Runners B Team, so he's being an.....ass." Ilka said.

"How unfortunate." Claude growled as he turned to face her.

"Woah...." she said while the blood drained from her face.

"What's the matter?" Claude said.

"Y-Your eyes....she stuttered out.

"Shit!" Claude immediately closed his eyes and shook his head, trying to calm himself.

"What was that?" Ilka asked with a twinkle of interest in her eyes.

"It's a uhhh.....it happens when I use one of my Assassin skills." Claude lied weakly.

"Ooh! Which one? Is it an Acquired Skill? I heard those can get pretty strong depending on what you get." Ilka asked, her face was so bright with curiosity and enthusiasm that it was almost blinding.

"I'd be happy to explain it to you, but I'm in a rush right now." Claude said.

"Bummer. Anyway, what can I help you with then?" She asked with a slightly disappointed look on her face.

"I was just wondering if I could go it alone again in an Infested Area."

"Oh, sure you can." She replied.

"Ok, thanks." Claude said as he turned to head over to the Quest Board.

On his way there he found himself looking at who he assumed was Shepherd. The man wore his hair in a ponytail with two long braids hanging at the sides of his head. His brown hair made his tan skin look lighter than it was. Based on the longbow he held to the ground next to him, he was an archer of some sort. The last thing Claude noticed before looking at the rest of the people sitting near him was a bright gold rank tag, hanging from his chest like a small trophy.

The person sitting next to him on his right was a stick thin man in light leather armor. His black hair was greased back against his head and reflected the lights in the room. Claude was surprised to realize the man was a Beast Tamer. The large crow on his left shoulder looked at him indifferently.

The last person he noticed before reaching the Quest Board was a female in lose fitting robes that complimented her pale skin nicely. Her chocolate brown eyes and raven hair had an air of familiarity to them.

After looking at the group as they spoke and drank for a few seconds, he reached the Quest Board. He noticed new Tangent papers were placed all over the board of varying levels and locations.

"Already further covering the Infested Areas." Claude said.

"[More for you.]" Arne added.

Claude agreed as he began lifting the papers to find the Infest Area Quests.

As he assumed, there was the same amount as the day before— actually there may have been more.

"I need something that gives me more EXP than low level Goblins. But can also be finished relatively quickly. So...Dire Rats are out....Kobolds, no...Lizard Folk...no....." he said as he looked over the Infested Areas for the ideal mission.

After searching for a few more minutes, he found the ideal Quest. He quickly snatched the paper off the wall and headed out into the night with Frosty at his side.

"[Ahhhh, with Bane of the Undead, Skeleton Soldiers should be a walk in the park for you.]" Arne said.

"Don't jinx it."