We started running immediately. The figures on the rooftops moved with us, keeping pace above. A second later, an arrow struck the ground right in front of us. The moment it hit, a dark, oily substance spread from the point of impact. It hissed as it expanded, crawling across the stone until it formed a solid wall that sealed off the end of the street.

I did not slow down. I tried to push through it, but I slammed into the surface like it was solid stone and fell back hard onto the ground.

I pushed myself up quickly and looked to the side. Ken was right next to me, his back pressed against the black barrier. I still had his dagger, and now he had drawn a short sword from his belt. He held it in front of him with both hands, trying to steady himself, though his posture gave away how nervous he was.

"What are we going to do, Ace..." he muttered, his voice tight. "We’re screwed."

"We fight."

Before either of us could move, a pair of hands tore through the black wall behind us. One grabbed me by the collar, the other caught Ken the same way, and we were both yanked backward with force.

We hit the ground outside the barrier.

When I looked up, the woman from the Guild counter was standing over us with four guards behind her. She dropped to a crouch immediately and placed her hands on us, casting a healing spell. After a quick check, she pulled her hands away, apparently satisfied.

"Not hurt... good. I’m sorry," she said, her tone controlled but genuine. "We did not have another option."

"Catch them alive, boys," one of the guards ordered as he moved forward. "Go."

"What is happening?" Ken asked, still trying to process everything. "How did you even—"

"There have been murders near the Guild," the woman explained. "We suspected someone was targeting new adventurers who picked up quests. They would lure them out and kill them for whatever they had."

"Hmm," I murmured. "You were a bit late, though."

The guards moved through the barrier one after another. Two of them wore robes and carried staves, likely spellcasters. Another wore heavy armor and moved like he was in charge. The last one, a woman, carried a large shield and a short sword.

Within seconds, muffled shouts and the sound of fighting came from the other side of the barrier. I stayed where I was. I had no interest in stepping back into that mess.

Ken got to his feet and brushed himself off, then offered me a hand. I took it and stood up.

"So the quest was fake?" I asked.

"No," the woman replied, shaking her head. "Mr. Menny was inside the Guild the whole time. We kept him hidden to draw the attacker out."

"Smart," I said with a small shrug. "The suspect saw me pick the quest and adjusted."

"Smart?" Ken let out a dry laugh and ran a hand through his hair. "Please do not pull something like that again."

"I understand," she said, her voice softer this time. "But we needed proof, and now we have it."

A few moments later, the black barrier dissolved, the dark substance shrinking back into nothing.

The street came back into view.

Two of the robed guards were now on the rooftop. On the opposite side, three men were kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs. Another one lay on the ground nearby, also bound.

The armored guard approached us, stopping near the body I had dropped earlier. He pointed at it with a thumb.

"Who killed this one?"

I raised my hand slightly. "I did." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"Reason?"

"It was obvious he was lying," I answered. "He lured us into an alley and went for his weapon. I moved first."

Well, he didn’t have time to draw his weapon but... that little detail wasn’t important. We were safe. That was enough.

The guard shifted his gaze to Ken.

"That true?"

Ken nodded quickly. "Yes. He was going to attack us."

The guard studied us for a moment, then looked back at the body and shrugged.

"Fine. Saves us trouble," he said, then turned his head toward the others. "Wrap it up. We move soon. They are heading for the Circle."

I glanced at Ken. "We should finish the last quest."

He stared at me like I had lost my mind. "Finish it? No chance. I am done for tonight. You should be too. Let’s just go back."

"You wouldn’t have to pay the cancellation fee," the woman added, folding her arms. "Just this time."

"It’s fine. I will handle it," I said. "I can complete it."

Ken groaned and rubbed his face. "You are unbelievable."

"You can head back," I told him calmly. "I will manage."

The woman watched me for a moment. "You are not shaken at all."

"You can say I’m used to it," I replied with a faint smile.

Ken let out a long breath and dropped his shoulders. "Fine. I am coming with you."

"You do not have to."

"I know," he said. "I am still coming. This night is already insane. Let’s see how insane it could get..."

We started heading back toward the Guild, our pace slower now that the tension had eased a little.

Footsteps followed behind us.

"Hey, kid," the woman called as she caught up. "Which god blessed you?"

I glanced over my shoulder at her, then faced forward again. "I’d rather not say."

She walked alongside us for a moment. "You would rather not say, but you are still required to wear your divine mark."

"Hmm."

She stopped walking, then crossed her arms, watching us go.

The street outside the alley was far more alive than before. A small crowd had gathered at a distance, people whispering among themselves and throwing cautious glances toward the alley we had just come out of. Some stood on tiptoe trying to see past the guards, while others kept their distance entirely, clearly not wanting to get involved.

A couple of shopkeepers lingered in their doorways, arms crossed, watching everything unfold with narrowed eyes. A group of younger men spoke in hushed voices, occasionally glancing at us like they were trying to figure out what part we had played in all of it.

We walked past them without stopping.

The further we got from the alley, the more normal things began to feel again. The sound of conversation returned, lantern light filled the street, and the tension slowly faded into the background.

We turned a corner.

The Guild building came into view, standing solid and familiar at the end of the street, its windows glowing warmly against the night.

An older man stood near the entrance.

He was slightly hunched, but not weak-looking. His shoulders were narrow, his frame lean beneath a simple, well-worn coat. His hair was gray and pulled back loosely, a few strands falling over his forehead. A short beard framed his face, trimmed but uneven, giving him a rough look.

In his arms rested a black cat, curled up and fast asleep, completely undisturbed by everything going on around it. One of his hands idly stroked its back in slow, gentle motions.

"Hey, boys," the man greeted us, his voice calm.

"Mr. Menny?" Ken asked cautiously. "The real one, I hope."

"The real one," he replied with a small chuckle. "You lot didn’t cancel the quest, did you?"

"No," Ken answered. "We’re good to go."

"Good," the man said, adjusting the cat slightly in his arms. "The cart is waiting for us near the gates."

Ken let out a breath. "We are not taking any dark alleyways, right?"

The old man laughed quietly and turned, already starting to walk.

"Not tonight."

I followed after him, glancing once at Ken.

Yeah.

He was right.

This night had been something else.

ꨄ︎ꨄ︎ꨄ︎