Once again sitting on the second-floor office of the Adventurer's Guild building was the hunched form of the unshaven guild master. Curtains covered the windows. The door locked shut. A single candle illuminated the black room, casting a dim orange hue onto the surroundings, leaving much of the area hidden in darkness.
The man sat alone on the chair, facing away from the window. His hands were obscured from sight, held beneath the table. A delicate, golden, plain locket lay within his scarred, coarse palms.
The lid was pried open slightly, allowing the faintest traces of light to expose the image to the eye. The locket contained a small oil painting of a young woman, dressed in leather armour with a massive broadsword across her shoulders and a goofy grin on her face, eyes blazing with vibrant energy.
Pitter-patter. Droplets of water landed on the locket, breaking apart upon colliding with the golden rim. The golden locket blurred in a side-to-side motion as if attempting to dodge the incoming projectiles.
A muffled choking sound rang across the room, intermingling with rapid panting and snorts, overwhelming the small thump of footsteps closing in on the door.
Two leather boots cut off the light seeping through the gap between the bottom of the door and the floor. The doorknob turned but remained shut. The wood bulged inwards slightly as the person on the other side pushed before easing back to its normal shape. A small click and the hiss of steel on leather. One of the boots lifts off the floor. A thunderous bang shook the walls as the rectangular piece of wood was blown off its hinges, flying across the room and slamming into a bookcase, sending it crashing to the floor.
"UNHAND THE GUILD MASTER!"
Silence descended upon the dimly illuminated room. A silhouette of a human figure with a thin rectangle protruding from the shoulder was cast across the floor boards, ending at the old man's feet. The shadow's shoulders moved up and down rapidly.
The guildmaster's face was half hidden in shadow. The orange glow from the lanterns outside painted his pupils orange. The young man reeled from the sight, staggering backwards in shock. There was a near-silent click as the man closed the locket, the yellow cylinder disappearing within the palm of his hand. An inaudible whisper escaped his mouth, "Get out." The two words were filled with the promise of death and destruction.
The messenger trembled. A loud gulp echoed across the room as the man swallowed his fear. Beads of perspiration dripped down the sides of his face. Sheathing his sword and taking a deep breath, the adventurer announced his message, "The King wishes to see you at the earliest convenience!" With his task completed, the man sprinted out of the room. In his mad dash towards safety, the adventurer slipped across the stone pavement, sending him crashing into the stone wall adjacent to the floor. A silent cry of pain exited the man's lips. Ignoring the wounds, the adventurer staggered upright and limped quickly out of sight, grimacing with every step.
The old man chugged another bottle of alcohol and slowly stood from his seat, placing his hands on the wooden desk to steady himself. Glancing briefly at the doorway, Nicholas brought his clenched fist up to his chest pocket and slipped the locket inside. Gazing at the wrecked door and toppled bookshelf with a cursory, the Guildmaster walked out.
Strolling through the crowded, bustling streets, the man received many glances and hushed whispers. His ears perked up as a nearby teenager murmured a common comment to his friend, "I can't believe that man was the great dragon slayer..." His companion raised an eyebrow and scrutinised the guild master's clothing critically, "You must be joking... That homeless-looking dude is the proclaimed "Hero," supposedly having the legendary title of Saint?" He snorted and smacked his friend on the back of the head, "I ain't stupid. You are messing with me again." The teen laughed and pushed back, resulting in a friendly wrestling match as the two pounced at each other, sending them both tumbling to the ground.
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Nicholas shook his head, "That is an old one he hasn't heard in a while." It seemed the populous was as judgemental as ever. As a precaution, the retired adventurer opened his character sheet.
Name: Nicholas Corleone Race: Human Class (Level 100 [Max]): Barbarian Stats:
Constitution: 100
Dexterity: 97
Strength: 102
Charisma: 20 (Based off current presentation) (Max [63])
Intelligence: 70
Wisdom: 85
... ... Titles Saint [Concealed by [Amulet of Delusion] [All effects of [Saint] are nullified by [Ring of Silence]
Nodding in satisfaction, the man closed the blue screen.
Tired of the rumours circulating behind his back, the guild master reached into his pocket and pulled out a bottle of grey liquid. Ripping off the stopper, the man dumped the slimy substance down the hatch before replacing the empty container in his pocket.
[You are now under the effects of [Master] [Invisibility Potion]! +100% concealment against organisms with an intelligence stat equal to or lower than yours. [70] Effect duration: 2 hours]
With all the eyes and judgement off his back, Nicholas strolled towards the towering castle in the distance, pinching the occasional delectable snack from an unsuspecting vendor. The thief would slide a couple of silver coins into the man's pocket as payment before going on his merry way.
After an hour of meandering and sightseeing, the guild master stumbled to the castle gates, his bloated belly jiggling with each step. The two heavily armoured knights were oblivious to his presence. Leaning against the lowered portcullis, the guild master pulled another glass container out of his pocket, chugging the bottle dry.
[You are under the effects of [Journeymen] [Body Cleansing Potion] [Customised]! All sweat, excreted bodily fluids and other abnormal functions have been removed.]
A set of fancy, nobleman clothing followed the bottle out of his inconspicuous coat pocket, lined with gold patterns and glistening gems, the perfect flex of wealth and power. With a wave of his hand, the rags disappeared from his body, replaced by the beautiful, intricate suit.
The knapsack-like material was now neatly folded in his hand, the golden locket on the very top. Nicholas grabbed the locket and stuffed it into the upper chest pocket while dumping the clothes into his bag.
[You are now under the effects of [Equipment Set] [Master] [Choissier's Nobles' Classic Suit] +50% Charisma +5% other stats]
A smirking mask fell over his solemn face as he dusted the invisible dust off his shoulders, resuming the perfect image of a swaggering, pompous noble.
Strolling back down the street, he took turned right at a street intersection and stopped next to an average-sized house with a stable. Neighing horses could be heard from within.
The guild master wrapped his knuckle on the stable's gates. It swung silently open. The clacking of hooves and the creak of a carriage entered his ears just as the smell of horse manure and sweaty body odours bombarded his nostrils. His eyes watered.
[The effects of [Masters] [Invisibility Potion] have worn off. -100% concealment.]
"Right on time," Nicholas grinned.
A silver, sleek-looking carriage stopped next to him. The door opened, "Hello Mr Corleone! The castle I presume?"
"Yes, the usual George." The driver cracked the reigns, urging the horses onward. Without missing a beat, the guild master hopped inside, closing the door swiftly behind him.
Within a few minutes, the pair arrived at the gates. The guards barred their way, asking for identifications. A golden sigil flashed in the air. Nodding hurriedly, the two guards waved frantically at the nearby guard house for the portcullis to be raised before rushing aside, saluting them as they rolled past.
The metal gate slammed shut with a mighty thud behind them.
Plodding past the gardens and statues, Nicholas arrived at the steps of the keep. The double doors opened immediately.
"Hurry, Sir Corleone, there is no time to waste. The king is waiting for you!"