Escort Mission & Rewards

"You would think George is a mere E-rank commoner trying to make a living, but you are far from the truth. Let me tell you the short story of when I tried to fight him."

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Four months ago...

"George Foster!" Guildmaster Simon yelled in anger and fast walked up to George, who had just left the guild.

"Yes guildmaster?" George Foster turned around and glanced at him in confusion.

"How dare you make my son quit being an adventurer! He had just arrived from the capital! I immediately demand you tell me how you made my son quit!" Guildmaster Simon at this point was radiating his aura, a perk from being C-rank and having [Guildmaster] class.

"I didn't do anything sir. He just looked at me and decided to quit." George answered with an honest expression.

At the same time, a crowd gathered in the area, clearly interested in the commotion.

"Isn't that Guildmaster Simon?"

"What's he doing out here?"

"Look at how angry he is! Someone must've offended him!"

"Isn't that the person who recently made his son quit being an adventurer?"

"Wait, really?! That just happened?"

"Yeah, it happened yesterday and the news is still spreading."

Guildmaster Simon's face warped in even more anger upon hearing George's response. He was 99% certain the person in front of him was the E-ranker who had somehow made his son quit.

"I said give me the answer!"

Guildmaster Simon extended his arm back to release a punch full of power. He had not been this angry in a long time. A mere E-ranker somehow made his own son quit, somehow who was very talented and could have been an A-ranker in the future.

The Guild Association even had good expectations for him.

Yet, all of that has suddenly gone down the drain.

George Foster, who seemed unaffected, casually and calmly stared at Guildmaster Simon. The calmness in his eyes was like a deep endless lake of calmness.

Guildmaster Simon, as he was about to release his attack, paused his attack as he was pulled into George's eyes. They were like a sweet temptation that was hard to look away from.

Simon did not know if it was a hallucination, but the town around him had somehow disappeared. It was replaced with demonic red skies, a demonic forest, and a calm blood lake.

The original calm lake suddenly turned into a demonic sea of bubbling blood. Each bubble that popped was filled with the screams of pain and agony, and the voices of hatred, insanity, suicidal thoughts, weakness, exhaustion, etc.

Suddenly, the demonic skies were filled with thousands of descending silver runic chains which penetrated into the blood waters and caused a lot of splashes.

Of the thousands of chains present, a few hundred were corrupted by black spots that dimmed the radiance of these chains. Most of the others still shined brightly with magical radiance.

Most of them seemed to have a purpose because the bubbles became silent and most of them disappeared. The lake seemed to be calming down.

Suddenly, a loud roar from beneath mixed with cackles released a lot of bubbles to the surface as the lake became turbulent again. Something beneath is trying to break free.

The chains trembled and made rattling sounds as they glowed brighter in response. An entirely black chain in the middle of the lake snapped from the trembling and corruption. The commotion seemingly calmed down and disappeared after.

"Hello~?"

A faint voice echoed from beyond and rapidly grew louder.

"Hello~?"

Guildmaster Simon abruptly returned to reality and collapsed to the ground. His face was pale and sweaty while tremendous fear filled his eyes.

"Hello? Are you okay? What's wrong?" George waved his hand back and forth in front of the guildmaster's eyes, trying to snap him out of it.

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"After that, I tried everything I could to apologize and make amends, but ever since then, he always politely declines my offers. I know he doesn't care about the incident, but I'd still like to reconcile."

Guildmaster Simon wiped away his sweat after recalling that terrifying memory.

The party members looked at each other in confusion, except for Hester who was looking at the floor and thinking of the story.

Even Abe's usual calm expression showed bewilderment. In Emma's mind, George became even more mysterious and suspicious. Bernice also had a similar thought.

The guildmaster had no reason to lie about his story, so it was likely the truth.

"Well anyway, just heed my words I said earlier. If you'll excuse me. [Transmission Spell]." Guildmaster Simon did a simple chant and a floating spell appeared next to him.

"Yes, Guildmaster Simon?" A young female voice exited the spell and filled the room.

"I was hoping if you could located George Foster for me."

"Certainly. Please wait a moment..."

There was a minute of silence minus the faint sounds of talking and movement beyond the spell.

"Guildmaster Simon?"

"I'm here."

"George Foster is actually in the guild at the moment. He just picked up his eight E-ranked missions and is about to leave."

"Escort him to my office before he leaves please."

"I will do so immediately. Is there anything else you need?"

"Nope, that will be all."

Simon disconnected the call and the spell dissipated. He glanced at the party and smiled.

"Now let's wait."

Less than a minute later, the polished wooden doors opened and two people walked in a little.

The two people were George Foster, packed up and ready to leave, and the female secretary.

The young female secretary is a very pretty woman in her mid-twenties, who is wearing a formal secretary outfit. Her beautiful brown hair gently moved with her movement. Hester gulped at her prettiness while Abe remained indifferent.

"Thank you for bringing him here, Secretary Zhou."

"You are welcome Guildmaster Simon. If you'll excuse me then." Secretary Zhou gracefully bowed slightly and turned to leave.

"Actually, I want you stay here until the meeting is over. I have something to talk to you about."

"If you wish." Secretary Zhou glanced at them before walked to Simon's side and standing slightly behind.

"Why was I summoned?" George asked with slight impatience. He looked at the party indifferently before staring at Simon, "You know better than most that I have almost no free time in the morning."

The temperature in the room began drop as the coldness surrounding George filled the room. The party began to shiver as if winter had arrived.

"I know-I know. I summoned you here to to offer you a special mission."

The party members looked at each other in surprise while Hester glared at George.

The two were talking to each other as if they were acquaintances and not a guildmaster and a low-ranked adventurer. Secretary Zhou seemed used to it and did not mind.

If any other person talked to a guildmaster like that, they would risk offending that person and possibly be punished. The guildmaster is in control of their guild branch after all. They have the authority to revoke licenses and/or ban them from taking quests if necessary.

"What is the special mission? Please hurry up." As George said that, he tapped his foot impatiently. He really wanted to leave.

"Here is the special mission. I want you to escort this party to Frozen Lake 52."

Frozen Lake 52 is the name of a large military base located beside a frozen lake. Due to the high elevation and cold temperatures, the lake stays frozen most of the year.

After the war, the area was restored with restoration magic and a military base was built atop the rift. Nobody knows what goes on inside because everything is kept highly classified. Nobody can get close without being detected and getting arrested by high-ranking mages.

Guildmaster Simon glanced at the party and asked, "Is it alright if I tell him the details?"

"It's fine." Emma nodded without care. It is not like the quest is top secret since a wave of adventurers is on the way.

Guildmaster Simon proceeded to explain the details of the quest the party was undertaking, the B-rank dungeon, and why they need a guide.

"So what do you think?"

"I refuse." George answered with no hesitation and turned to leave.

"Exactly!" Hester butted in and sneered at George, "Guildmaster Simon, we need a more powerful adventurer. How does he even know how to get the Frozen Lake 52 if he only does E-rank missions around the area? He may just run out of energy before we get into the mountains."

"Shut it Hester!" Emma glared at him, instantly shutting him up, "Are you questioning Guildmaster Simon's choice?"

"T-That. Uh... I-I didn't mean that..." Hester stuttered in fear and glanced at Guildmaster Simon, who was staring at George about to leave. Abe looked at Hester with a frown that said, 'shut up'.

"Hold it George. I haven't even talked about the awards. If you really want to leave, I may just promote you to D-rank."

George paused in his tracks and turned around. He coldly looked at Simon who had a faint smile.