A QUIET WEEK
A full week had passed since Isaac had turned the Iron Hounds’ fortress into a monster-infested nightmare.
Since then, everything had returned to normal.
Or rather, Isaac’s version of normal.
Business was running smoothly.
His deliveries? Back on track.
His reputation? Only growing.
His gold? Piling up nicely.
Today, he found himself on a rooftop once again, watching the busy streets of Eldermere below.
A merchant caravan rumbled through the cobblestone roads, adventurers bartered at market stalls, and somewhere in the distance, a group of guild recruiters barked about their next big conquest.
Isaac didn’t care about any of it.
He was here for one reason.
A delivery.
Simple. Easy. No complications.
Or so he thought.
Until a voice cut through the air.
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THE MAN WHO WATCHED HIM
“Well, well… if it isn’t the ghost of the roads.”
Isaac’s head tilted slightly.
The voice was smooth, casual, familiar.
He turned just enough to glance over his shoulder.
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And there, leaning lazily against a chimney, stood a thin, sharp-eyed man.
Dressed in dark, well-tailored clothes, the man had a smirk that spoke of hidden knowledge and endless amusement.
Isaac’s gaze lingered on him for only a second.
Then, without a word, he turned back around and kept walking.
The man blinked. Then laughed softly.
“Oh? Just like that? No questions? No threats? No witty remarks?”
Isaac stepped off the rooftop, landing in a quiet alley below.
The man followed effortlessly, moving as if he had expected this reaction.
“Come now, Courier.” he continued, hopping down behind him. “Aren’t you at least a little curious?”
Isaac sighed.
Then, in a calm, unbothered tone...
“If you want my attention..” he said, “..hire me.”
The man stopped.
Then, he grinned.
“Done.”
Isaac paused mid-step.
He turned his head slightly. “…What?”
“I’m hiring you.” the man repeated. “Right here. Right now.”
Isaac slowly turned to face him.
For the first time, he actually looked at him.
Really looked at him.
Thin frame. Sharp, intelligent eyes. A presence that was impossible to ignore, yet somehow invisible when it wanted to be.
Isaac had met plenty of dangerous people.
This man was different.
There was no malice. No threat.
Just interest.
And something about that was far more dangerous.
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THE REQUEST
Isaac crossed his arms.
“Alright.” he said. “What’s the job?”
The man’s smile widened.
“Oh, nothing as simple as a package.”
He stepped closer, voice lowering slightly.
“I need information.”
Isaac’s fingers tapped lightly against his arm.
“I don’t deal in gossip.” he said flatly.
The man chuckled. “Good. Because I don’t deal in small talk.”
He reached into his coat, pulling out a folded piece of parchment.
On it...
A name.
A name Isaac recognized immediately.
His masked face remained unreadable. “Huh.”
The man studied him. “So you do know them.”
Isaac rolled his shoulders.
“I know of them.”
The man nodded. “Good. That makes things easier.”
He slipped the parchment back into his coat.
“I want you to find them." he said simply. “And deliver me everything you learn.”
Isaac tilted his head. “And what do I get in return?”
The man’s grin returned.
“Gold of course.”
A pause.
Then, Isaac exhaled, mock-thoughtful.
“…You’re lucky I like gold.”