After listening to Nana and her story, I had some thoughts. More and more mysteries keep unfolding. If a creature like a basilisk can gain intelligence and the ability to speak, then many more creatures like it may also achieve the same level as it did. Something or someone must be behind these strange occurrences.

"Hey! There you are!" Gale shouts from across the Guild. Sitting next to everyone, I approach and take a seat.

"Looks like everyone is here," I say.

"Well, Yann, Ivian, and Herk had some errands to do, but they finished pretty quickly." Gale pats them all on the back.

"What kind of errands?"

"Just some loose ends. Like getting our gear checked out and polished. New items and improved most of our old ass equipment. Like seriously, what we had been using for years was barely functional. With this Platinum quest on the horizon for us, we needed to really prepare." Gale leans back with a big stretch. "Also, we all already talked about it. We would welcome you, Caleb. So, what do you say?"

"Do you even know what the job is about?"

"Julia said she is working on the official document as we speak. It should be made for us tomorrow. And since we are taking this quest just with us, we are getting some extra supplies and money for any last-minute preparation." Lukia chimes in and leans against the table.

"Wait, is there supposed to be more of us?" I ask with a worried look.

"Well, most Platinum quests are rare enough as is that mainly two to three parties are recommended to venture together and tackle the quest. However, they don't deny single parties from taking on the quest as long as there is one Platinum rank member along with reputable Gold ranks in the party. With you, our size would at least be a decent minimum requirement."

"And the extra supplies?"

"How this works is that Gold ranks or above are posted by the Guild or is requested by certain branches of Guilds to set rewards for people like us. Most hunts and big dungeon exploration heavily rely on Gold rank parties, which makes Platinum ranks also issued by a Guild or the system that makes them. It is a rarity because most of the time, there isn't enough information or reports from locals or travelers that reach the Guild. Many people have died because of the lack of proper messaging or info being spread in the system. All rewards are funded by them. Which makes them expensive to keep posting as they genuinely take a massive loss unless the quest is something they can gain from. Silver quest and below are posted by the local people with the aid of Guild staff, and what they need is to pay the Guild to have their quest looked at and posted. The amount of Silver and Bronze quests the Guilds receive is what mainly funds a lot of their activities such as Platinum rank quests."

"What's after Platinum?"

"That would be Obsidian. The highest rank a Guild can request, which we haven't had since the last Demon War. And those quests are the fate of the land emergencies. They request pretty much every party that can risk it all for the world to join. You would need a small army of adventurers to make up the amount of people have gone before."

"So, the chances of another Obsidian rank quest of any kind might never happen in our lifetime?"

"Talking like that will make it come true. And even if it did, the reward we would receive is death."

"What?" I look at Gale with a broad expression.

"As far as records have been set, out of the eight Obsidian quests that have been placed, only a small handful of adventurers have survived with more scars than they would like to admit. Those who participate are forever etched in history in the Guild records as heroes and saviors of the world kind of titles."

"I didn't know that..."

"Why wouldn't you? This is all Guild business. Nobles and Kingdoms alike barely recognize us as assets when we do a lot of the dirty work that went against the tide of Demons that stormed our lands."

"I see..."

"Cheer up. Today is not a day of feeling sorry. Right now, we are going to enjoy the rest of the day and meet back up for the details. If you are still interested by then, you can come along."

"Right, sure. Tomorrow then." I stand from my seat; everyone stares at me as I decide what I should say.

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"Making a speech right now is wasteful. Save it till later, kid." Gale scoffs at me with a smile. I laugh it off and turn away. Leaving with a small goodbye, I return home.

Spending one more night in my home, I wake up and head off to the Guild Hall once more. Upon entering it, it seems I am the first to arrive before anyone.

"Julia, are you there?" I call out.

"Hold up! Be out, shorty!" Her voice rings out from the top as she finishes with something. Racing down the stairs, she jumps over the counter and leans against it to speak. "You're here awfully early, Caleb."

"I thought they would have, too, but I guess I was mistaken."

"This about the quest?"

"That's right."

"The Guild finished sending me everything I needed. I have it printed out and ready to be given to the Phantom Blades. If you do go with them, I pray you come back safely."

"Gale seemed pretty confident."

"I'm asking you."

"Right. I promise I will return."

"Good. Have you been keeping up with your bow?"

"For the most part. I had to practice a little bit since my arm was still a bit stiff from dealing with those goblins. But I've been looking forward to keeping up with it."

"Well, make sure you take a bow and a lot of arrows."

"Do you know where we are heading?" My words trail off as Julia lets out a sigh.

"It's south of Heistorm. It's a mountainous range with a lot of creatures you've never faced before. There have been reports of a lot of the aerial population of creatures have decreased significantly. Whatever that has invaded, it has done a massive number to them. Having a high supply of arrows in those mountains would prove much more useful than any sword or weapon."

"I'll keep that in mind. Anything else?"

"The rest of the information is contained in the document. If you wish to see it, then wait here until the Phantom Blades arrive."

"I got time to kill before then." While sitting at the table, Julia hands me some water, and we talk about her journeys and days as an adventurer. A while passes while she talks about her past.

A few hours pass before Lukia arrives with Gale. Soon after, Herk and the others arrive. I follow Julia as we enter a small room where we can discuss the job in secret.

"Before we go through with this. Caleb, are you sure this is what you want?" Gale looks at me with a stern expression. My lips curl into a soft smile, and I raise my fist in front of my chest.

"I am ready!"

A soft silence echos the room; everyone stares at me with a calm composure. Looking around, I feel judgmental eyes piercing my body. I know they are testing my resolve, my conviction. Gale gives me a nod, and I raise my fist in the air.

"I am ready." With a serious tone in my voice, I let my slightly deeper voice show my growth. I am not the same kid who fought with these people. We aren't the same as we were a year ago. Now, we fully understand each other and are willing to put our lives for one another. Connected on the same path, everyone stands and places their fist into the air, and all shout a war cry.

"Good, welcome to the Phantom Blades, Caleb Aris. We expect great things from you."

"I won't disappoint." After seating ourselves down, Julia places the document in front of Gale and stands to the side. Nana soon then enters the room to sign the contract.

"If this is everyone, then you may proceed, Julia. Let them know what they need to do and send them on their way. Time is precious."

"Yes, Ma'am. As she says, this contract from the Guild is a Platinum rank. Gale has reached this level and has been given the authority to partake in this one. The location for this quest is south of Heistorm; the mountainous region of the land is a heavy environmental factor in travel. Being the only recorded route to enter the hidden city of Barou, one of the Guild's main sources of income and magic stones, it is a pivotal area that must be protected at all costs."

Barou is one of the largest hidden cities in this country, and mountains are the only thing that can obscure its location. These serve as some cornerstones for many Guilds and factions that purchase their goods and services. Many famous blacksmiths and engineers have been trained and born in this city.

"This is an urgent job that we can only do since we aren't that far from its location. You must arrive there within a month as you need to navigate through the dangerous paths those mountains possess. This quest was formed due to the concern of the head of the city, who had seen a rise in monster activity of unknown origins. It is optional but worth investigating any sources you come across before arriving in the city. Failure to do so won't void the contract, but it will be a priority later. With such a sudden rise and change of nature, your party will be tasked to escort its shipment across Heistorm to Guild Headquarters, which will be a three-month journey if no delays occur. The cargo aboard the shipment is highly valuable but must be kept a close secret. Your party and a select few crew members will accompany the shipment to its destination. If you still haven't found solid evidence of the disturbances occurring around the city, you must return to the mountains and search for it until it is complete; you won't be eligible for payment. I hope that you discover the source before that happens. Lastly, if you decide to abandon the quest, the Guild will see fit to terminate your contract and membership to the Guild, banning you from this life forever. This is a high-trust mission, and you will devote your life to the Guild. If you feel you are up to this task, please sign now."

Turning the paper to Gale, without hesitation signs. The contract shifts from person to person, and each person looks at the paper without being distracted. Each one signed their name without issue. The paper lands in front of my eyes. With a soft glance, I read the room. This is a serious job. Doubting myself would only betray everyone's trust in me. With my eyes closed, I signed my name and handed over the contract to Julia. She folds the paper and sets it inside a carrier bag.

"With this, I will have a copy made before your departure and send the official to Guild Headquarters. Thank you and may favor bless you."

Julia leaves the room to finalize the contract. Leaving our party alone for a moment. Nana grips my shoulder and whispers into my ear.

"Their trust runs deep. Your trust in them will allow them to succeed. Do not forget that. I wish you a safe journey and return..."