Hollow Eyes

After leaving the Guild, Gellis and Sinon headed straight to the Teeny Raven Inn.

He gathered everyone inside his room, for the reason Gellis' place was the biggest among the rest and can accommodate the number of his group.

"So what is it, leader?" Hilde, who was standing on the corner while crossing her arm beneath her chest, said.

"When we checked the commission board early this morning, I and Sinon saw a special quest." Glancing at her, Gellis said. "it's a Black Licorice."

The one who voiced it out was no other than Sinon, who was watching the scene unfolded.

Hearing his voice, the rest of the ground stared at him in confusion; however, Theeste, who was an educated person in their group, exclaimed her astonishment.

"It's a rare plant that enhances the success rate for crafting mid-grade potions!" Hearing her words, the rest of them wore the same shocked expression as she has.

"Then why didn't you take it, leader?" This time the vice leader of their group, Toa, asked in puzzlement.

Staring at him, Gellis started his explanation. "It's about the travel length of two towns far from here, going to the first town isn't a problem..." Pausing for a bit, Gellis continued." The real problem is about the second town."

Darting his gaze to each of every one of them, he asked."Haven't you guys heard about the Larcbost town?" Putting his hands on his chin, Gellis said in wonder.

"... Don't tell me it's 'that' town?" The one who said it was Poko.

Glancing at him, Gellis nodded. "Mm, correct."

Hearing his voice, the others looked at the two in bewilderment. Eventually, Hilde voiced her confusion. "Just say what's that town, idiot leader." Trying to control her patience, she said while fiercely glaring to their party leader.

However, before he could respond, Toa interjected. "It's a famous town, not because that town is well developed, rather due to its environment... That town has another name, also known as the municipality of anarchic."

Staring at his group, Toa continued. "So, this is the reason you gathered us all, instead of picking up the request." He said looking at Gellis, who wore a complicated expression.

"... Yes, even though I could boast our party as top-notch in this town, but inside that lawless jungle, I have no confidence." Taking a deep-breath, Gellis continued. "It is true that we may save up a lot of money if we managed to finish the task."

Staring at them, he added. "Still, the safety of our party is a top priority. The reason I gathered all of you here was to discuss whether we should accept the quest."

Upon hearing his voice, the group of six individuals went in silence. As he noticed their reaction, Gellis continued his explanation.

"Luckily, we are not short on money for a time of being, and we can sustain our current activity for at least a month or two... But after that, we must think of another way to manage ourselves."

After saying that, the group looked at each other before they nodded in agreement.

"I think we should accept it, Gellis," Toa said. "We are Adventurers; we won't shrink back just because of slight danger. I mean, every day we lived in uncertainty for our life and death situation, adding a few bit more won't change a thing."

He knew how severe their daily expenses were. Also, It's not only for lounging. They also have to maintain their equipment in good-well condition incessantly. Their subjugation rewards weren't always enough to sustain their activity sometimes. They do some labor work too. Just to get by for the upcoming months.

Staring at them, seeing no one rejected Toa's declaration, Gellis eventually nodded while giving a slight sigh.

"Okay then, prepare our necessities for this journey, and we'll leave to find the plant the next morning. I'll go back to the Guild and check if there's an escort request for the first town so that our journey there won't be wasted."

With that said, Gellis stands up, dismissing his group. Then headed alone to the Guild.

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In the place where coarse stone structures stood. Around the adjacent area, a strong smell of unhygienic sewer overwhelmed the breathing of the surrounding.

To such a place, a man was there, sauntering around whilst staring at the terrain with his curious eyes, while his whole being was covered with a long grey coat that blended naturally in the shadows of the buildings.

While he was walking, the man saw the least decent structure that may fall into ruins at any moment.

"According to the letter, it should be here." Saying that, the man halted his movement as he took a piece of dried animal skin and burned it in front of the structure.

After the parchment turned to dust, oddly enough it turned into glittering silver ashes as it flew away to the building.

A moment later, a deep voice echoed throughout the surrounding. "Who sent you?" The voice said.

When the man heard the voice, his eyes that were hiding beneath the long coat flickered in surprise; however, he quickly recovered after a few breaths of time. "Rex sent me here, he said that you could help me accomplish my objective."

Hearing the man, the voice said. "Come in." Gradually, the structure that was supposedly on the brink of collapsing, turned into a stone passage.

Seeing the change of the stone structure, the man's facial expression turned solemnly. He wasn't a fool, seeing this much, it only signifies the person he was dealing with was way above his league.

Stepping forward, the man walked inside the stone passage. "Excuse me." Upon entering inside, the scenery drastically changed. The man felt dizzy for a moment before returning to his usual calm.

"... What is this?" The man couldn't help to voice his astonishment when he entered the place.

Inside, the place was filled with charts and symbols that he was unfamiliar with. Moving his eyesight at 8 o'clock on his left. There he saw an old granny holding a book while sitting on the crude wooden chair.

Noticing his glance, the old woman said. "Welcome, welcome. Has Rex sent you here to deliver me my goods?"

When the man heard the old woman's word, he furrowed his eyebrows in trouble. "... He said that it might take a while before he can send you a new batch of goods."

Hearing him, suddenly the old woman stopped reading her book as she slammed it on the nearby desk. "Then what? Why did you come here?" She said in the tone that did not hide her dissatisfaction.

"He-... Rex wanted to convey you a message." Saying that, the man took out another piece of parchment before handing it to the old person.

However, when he was about to step forward and handed the letter. The parchment flew directly to the old woman. "Mm, mm... Okay, I'll help you guys with that. However, tell Rex that I wanted one of the beast-kin as a payment." As she caught and read the letter, the old woman said.

Hearing the hoarse voice of the old woman, he frowned in trouble. "Bu—" Before he could finish his words, the man felt that there was a sharp object fiercely pointed on his neck.

Staring at the person in front of her, the old woman said in dominance. "You do not question my words, you only acknowledge it. Else—death is awaiting from you." After saying those words, the atmosphere from the surrounding place turned cold with her overwhelming killing intent flooded the entire area, scaring the man out of his wits.

"... Ye—yes, ma'am!" The man quivered in fright after experiencing the old woman's fierce killing intent.

"Mm, good!" The old woman clasped her hands and retracing her cold aura. "I prefer a good listener like you, what's your name?"

Only after she retracted her aura, the man could breathe with ease. "I'm called Daren."

"Mm, good name. Okay, Daren from now on, every time I need something from Rex. You're the one who should deliver the messages." Seeing his hesitating look. The old woman added. "Or do you want to be like them?" Pointing out her index finger, the woman said.

Following her line of sight, Daren saw a humanlike figure that was lifelessly hanging 3ft above the ground. He couldn't discern whether it was a man or a woman. However, after seeing the horrible figure. The last defense of his rationality crumbled like a frail glass.

"Mm," Daren nodded with his body shook in fear.

Seeing his amusing look, the old lady chuckled in delight as she said. "You may go now... Oh, I almost forgot, take this with you. It would help you to accomplish your goal much easier." Pausing for a bit, the old woman darted her terrifying glance, as she said.

"... But If you guys ever cannot deliver my goods. You know what would happen, right?" Darting her wicked hollow eyes, the old woman declared.

"... We-we'll successfully deliver your goods! Thank you!" Bowing his head slightly, Daren hurriedly left the place with his shaking legs.

After he left the area, only then did he let out a long sigh of relief. "Haaah~ Who could've thought that Rex knew a monster like that—" But before he could finish those words, Daren felt an intangible force behind him, sealing his mouth shut.

Turning his head behind his back, Daren saw two huge hollow eyes that look exactly the same as the old woman, a few moments later. Eventually, the terrifying eyes dissipated into the air. Only after it disappeared, Daren's body fell on one knee in horror.