[II] Adventurers' Guild

Entering the wide city, Hiro was immediately greeted by the tall buildings and the long, splitting cobblestone road where all the people of different varieties can be seen walking around. Since Citrine is a city that acknowledges the other races, humans are not the only ones who are abundant in numbers - demi-humans and other humanoids like the elves and dwarves also exist and live in such a place. Looking at the main road, there can also be seen some vehicles that are transporting goods and other necessities, both from inside and out of the city. As always, Citrine was rich and has widespread trading and transporting system.

The reason why Citrine was the city Hiro went to was evident. It is a place where an ordinary and not talented person like him could live easily.

Breathing the familiar air, he went on his way. He already knows the roads and paths he would take to get to his destination, which is the guild - the place where he stays and the place of his job. However, now, that place is where he will hunt down his friend.

~~~

It didn't take even an hour before Hiro was able to arrive at the center of the city, where the guild was established. There, in front of him stood the tall adventurers guild where the adventurers are entering and exiting at a fast rate.

Suddenly becoming nervous, Hiro prepares himself to enter. He had decided to come here at a whim to apprehend and report Ced, but now, he is afraid to suddenly meet with him. A fight will definitely break out when they meet, and he's not sure if he should take it far. He will not deny that he wants to beat him up, but then again, he was still a friend and unlike him, he is not really the kind of person who would hurt others. Yes, he might sometimes become perverted and lead himself to become forceful to women, but as far as he knows, he hasn't hurt anyone yet.

Right, he was not like Ced.

Ced: he deserves to get punished, so he will hurt him badly. Between the two of them, he knows that he would win; he was confident.

So, with determination and confidence, he strolls inside the guild.

Being illuminated by the lights that enter from the windows at the side of the walls of the guild, Hiro has once again shown himself to his fellow adventurers. He was expecting they would react surprised that he's back, but oddly enough, none of them has turned their eyes at him, as if nothing had happened for the last day that he did not come back. It surprises him since Ced was supposed to come here and report what had happened... Or fake it and say that he died from an accident, yet... No one was acting to correspond to that thought.

So, like the other adventurers, he decided to ignore all others but himself, and went straight for the counter. And then there, only there that he was able to get the response he was looking for.

[ Hiro-san! ] the person that was minding the counter yelps in surprise.

[ Hiro-san... ] as Hiro strolls in front of her, she once again called his name, only now, her tone was slow and quiet. The shock was written on her face and it seems that she was looking for words to say.

[ It's nice to see you again, Dianne... Umm... About what happened - ] Hiro continues to explain, wanting to make it as short as possible, but before he could even start, he was interrupted by Dianne with a hand.

[ We shouldn't talk about it in this place... Come with me. ]

~~~

Dianne took Hiro to a private room. The room was small and it lacks decoration but considering what it is used for, none of those matters. The room is simply called a 'meeting room'. It is one of many and it's used for the adventurers and the guild's staff to have private meetings. And just what it was used for, Hiro and Dianne had their conversation.

[ So that's what happened, huh? ] Dianne murmurs as he listened to Hiro's story. Of course, there were parts of Hiro's story that were cut and removed, but everything that had happened between him and his friend was still left the same.

[ I had my suspicions when he came here yesterday... ]

[ So... What did he tell you? ] curious, Hiro asks.

[ Hmm... If I remember it correctly, you accidentally fell into a deep pit. He said that it was too deep and too dark. He said that he tried to call for you but you didn't answer so he assumed that... Anyway, he told us that he went back after to get some help. And... Because of that story, we also already assumed that you were dead. Some adventurers were assigned to recover your body tomorrow, but since you're already here, they will be dismissed. ]

[ That bastard... ] Hiro couldn't help but groan as he listens.

That Ced, he really did make it seem that he was already dead. It's obvious that Ced has assumed himself that it was the case, Hiro knows that he won't leave that cave at all if he knew that he was still alive. Hearing the story, he just couldn't help but think the same person they were talking about was the friend he was with since he was put into this world. Back then, this tragedy that just happened wouldn't even cross his mind.

With a difficult expression on his face, Hiro continues the conversation.

[ Dianne-san... Do you know where he is now? ] still trying to hide his emotions, he asked. He was expecting he will get a positive answer, but...

[ He left early this morning... He and the guild master discussed the reward he would get for the task and his share with it, but after he gets it, he immediately leaves the city. I... I think he didn't tell anyone where he will be going. ]

[ Tsk... ] Hiro was only able to click his tongue to the bad news.

[ Don't worry, I will report what we have talked about here to the guild master... He might be able to ban Ced from all the adventurers' guilds in the country. ] Dianna replies with the intention of lighting up Hiro's mood, which she was able to do even if it was little.

[ Thank you very much, Dianne-san... ] Hiro slightly bows his head as he gives his thanks. However, this action was not only to show his gratitude, it was also a signal to the end of their conversation. So, with one last stare, Hiro stood up and prepares to leave. And just as he was about to reach the exit...

[ Hiro, you are still an adventurer. I know that this happening might affect you, but I hope that you will still stay and do your job. ] Dianne said with a serious expression. To it, Hiro replies unexpectedly positive...