In the well-lit tavern of a small town, a group of copper-ranked adventurers huddled around a wooden table, their ale mugs leaving rings of condensation on the worn surface. The youngest of the group, a sprightly rogue named Koga, eagerly leaned in to hear the tales and rumors that often circulated in such places.

"Did you hear that?" Koga whispered to his companions, nodding towards the bar counter. There, a cloaked figure slumped over a drink, his voice low but carrying a tinge of distress.

"I tell you, it's true," the cloaked figure murmured to the barkeep, a note of sorrow in his voice. "Lost it in a dungeon just south of here. An ancient relic, imbued with powerful magic. And now it's just sitting there, in some near-forgotten crypt."

Koga’s eyes sparkled with curiosity and excitement. "Guys, listen! There's a magic relic in a dungeon nearby!" he hissed to his team.

The team, a motley crew of a warrior, a mage, and a healer, perked up at the mention of a relic. "Are you sure? Did you hear where exactly?" asked Mara, the mage, her interest evident.

Koga nodded, gesturing subtly towards the cloaked figure. "That guy over there. He's talking about it. Says it's in a crypt to the south."

The team exchanged glances, a silent agreement forming among them. "This could be our chance," said the warrior, a grizzled man named Torvald. "A magic relic could fetch a good price, or better yet, boost our abilities."

Their healer, a gentle soul named Lila, frowned slightly. "But we know nothing about this crypt. It could be dangerous."

"It's just south of here. How dangerous could it be?" Koga countered, his mind already racing with visions of treasure and glory.

Unbeknownst to them, the cloaked figure, Argenti, listened to their conversation with a sly, hidden smile. His mission to lure adventurers to The Forsaken Crypt was working better than he had hoped.

As the adventurers debated their next move, Argenti quietly paid for his drink and slipped out of the tavern. His work here was done. It was only a matter of time before the adventurers took the bait.

Back at their table, the decision was made. "We leave at dawn," Torvald declared. "If this relic is as powerful as he says, we can't let this opportunity slip by."

Koga grinned, excitement coursing through him. The thought of venturing into a dungeon, of battling unknown dangers, and of claiming a magical relic was exactly the kind of adventure he had always dreamed of.

After leaving the tavern, Argenti, cloaked in secrecy, made his way to the local Adventurers' Guild. His steps were measured, his presence unassuming - just another traveler seeking information, or so it seemed. The Guild was bustling with activity, a hub for those seeking fortune and fame.

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Upon entering, Argenti approached the reception desk, sliding a few gold pieces across the counter. "I need access to your library, particularly any records of nearby dungeons," he murmured quietly.

The receptionist, a young woman with keen eyes, glanced at the gold and then at Argenti's cloaked figure. Her expression remained neutral, but she nodded, leading him to a reading room at the back of the guild.

The room was lined with shelves of dusty tomes and rolled-up maps. Argenti quickly settled in, his eyes scanning through the documents, gathering as much information as he could about the local dungeons. He noted their locations, the reported difficulty levels, and any significant occurrences associated with them. His mission was clear: to understand the competition.

After a couple of hours, Argenti's research was complete. He had a mental map of the region's dungeons, a valuable asset for Eddie's plans. Before leaving, he approached the receptionist again, this time with a carefully crafted quest scroll in hand.

"I'd like to post a quest," he said, handing her the scroll. "It's... from a concerned villager. There's been talk of a new skeleton dungeon that's appeared south of here. It seems quite weak, but the villagers are worried. An easy task for a beginner adventurer, I would think."

The receptionist read over the quest, her brow slightly furrowed. "A skeleton dungeon, you say? And you think it's a low threat?"

"Yes, quite low," Argenti assured her. "Perhaps suitable for a D or F rank. The reward is substantial for such an easy task, but the villagers are eager to have it dealt with."

The receptionist nodded, seeming convinced. "Very well. I'll ensure it's categorized appropriately and placed on the board. With this reward, it should attract some attention, especially from those just starting out."

With a nod of thanks, Argenti left the Guild, a subtle smirk hidden beneath his hood. The trap was set, and soon, The Forsaken Crypt would have its visitors.

As Argenti neared the tavern where he had initially spread the tale of the relic, he noticed a small group gathered outside, their voices low but urgent.

Hiding in the shadows, Argenti strained to listen. He caught snippets of conversation about the mysterious figure in the cloak and rumors of a demon spotted in the vicinity. His heart sank. The town was rife with superstition, and any unusual occurrence could quickly fan the flames of fear and paranoia.

Argenti realized the danger of his situation. If his true nature as a demon was discovered, it could lead to panic and potentially violent reactions from the townsfolk. Moreover, it could draw unwanted attention to The Forsaken Crypt and Eddie's plans.

He knew he had to act quickly to dispel these rumors and maintain his cover. Slipping away from the tavern, Argenti made his way to a quieter part of town. In a secluded alley, he shed his cloak, transforming his appearance to that of a humble traveler. He mussed up his hair, dirtied his clothes, and adopted a weary demeanor.

Returning to the crowd outside the tavern, Argenti mingled with the onlookers, feigning curiosity. "What's all this about?" he asked in a hoarse voice, pretending to be just another traveler.

"A demon, they say," a woman whispered, eyeing him suspiciously. "A cloaked figure, spreading tales of a haunted crypt. Apparently, a holy knight happened to be in town and detected his presence."

Argenti feigned shock. "A demon? Here? Surely, you jest. I heard it was just some traveling bard, spinning tales for coin."

His words seemed to take effect, as some in the crowd murmured in agreement. The tension eased slightly, though the air of suspicion remained.

Satisfied that he had done enough to sow doubt and confusion, Argenti retreated from the crowd and decided he must leave town swiftly. If he had a confrontation with a holy knight there would only be one outcome, one that made Argenti shiver.