Inside the room, the atmosphere grew charged with anticipation as Mrit began to spin his yarn. The dimly lit chamber served as the backdrop for his tale, casting shadows that danced on the walls. Mrit leaned forward, his voice a soft but filled with sadness and horror.

"I was trapped inside a house when the explosion rocked the world outside. The details of the chaos remained hidden from me until the sun's golden rays finally pierced through the rooftop."

The guild master leaned in, his eyes locked on Mrit's, practically hanging on his every word. Within his shadow, the trio of undead just shake their head in the guild master’s obliviousness.

Mrit continued, his voice steady but full of the weight of his experience, "Suddenly, like a tempest, bodies of some members of the boulders descended from the rooftop. Their bodies, battered and broken, lay flat across the floor. Then, a thunderous explosion shook the air, obliterating the house's front door, and there, revealed in the fiery light, stood the source of devastation."

The guild master, now gripped by the narrative, was on the edge of his seat, eyes widened with intrigue. His impatience was palpable as he implored, "Who could unleash such power?"

Sensing the guild master's mounting eagerness, Mrit allowed himself a sly grin, albeit hidden. His tale was drawing the guild master and the entire room deeper into his storytelling web.

Mrit's voice grew more animated as he described the unknown creature, "When I first laid eyes upon him, my disbelief was overwhelming. He stood no taller than my forearm, yet his power dwarfed even the mightiest of giants. His eyes, beguiling and starry like a cute animal, disguised the terror that lurked within."

As he spoke, the room seemed to tremble with the image of this mysterious being. Guild Master hung on Mrit's words, transported to the scene he painted with his vivid descriptions.

"He resembled a squirrel, but more akin to a rabbit in form. His tail, seemingly cute and small, possessed the might to uproot entire forests and reduce countless homes to ruins. With just a swing of his tail, he destroyed the house I was in and made me flew many meters. Many members of the boulders dared to confront him, casting spells, raining arrows, and wielding various weapons. Yet, his body remained immovable, an impenetrable fortress."

After hearing this much, the guild master's skepticism finally surfaced, "Are you sure you're not embellishing this account? It sounds like a legend of sort."

Mrit's expression brimmed with disappointment when he heard him. His response conveyed the incredibility of his tale, "For one who surpasses the limits of human understanding, it may indeed sound like a fairy tale. But I, an ordinary human, can merely offer this explanation of his extraordinary abilities."

Mrit's words hung in the air, and the room remained in silence for a moment, absorbing the fantastical story. The guild master, fully drawn into Mrit's narrative, withdrew his doubts with an apologetic nod, "Forgive me. It was unwise of me to doubt you. Please, continue."

Mrit's storytelling prowess held everyone in rapt attention. With each word, the guild master and the three undead in the room were drawn deeper into the fantastical narrative.

Mrit took a deep breath and continued, taking nearly half an hour to vividly depict his friend Totopa and the extraordinary spectacle. Throughout, the room remained still, captivated by Mrit's tale as if they were living it themselves.

"So, that is my story. Whether you believe it or not is not in my hands, but now, I have lost everything – my family and my home."

The room was filled with a somber atmosphere, and the guild master's eyes seemed to mirror Mrit's sorrow. It was as though they had shared a deeply personal journey.

"I'll leave you alone. Get some rest, and I'll send someone with food," the guild master said before exiting the room. Mrit and the guild master remained alone, their connection unbroken even in the guild master's absence.

Shortly afterward, a receptionist arrived with a tray of food, which they left on the bed where Mrit sat.

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"Thank you," Mrit said, expressing his gratitude. The receptionist simply smiled and left the room. Mrit remained seated, deep in contemplation, as if he were pondering the consequences of his own fabricated story.

Rick, who remained in the shadows, finally asked, "Sir, what happened?" Mrit didn't reply but instead stood up, outstretched his arm, and surprised both Gan and Rick with a sudden exclamation.

"Silence!"

Mrit's voice reverberated through the room, and mana rippled like an invisible wave, filling the space. The sudden display of power left Gan and Rick in awe, their faces reflecting the astonishment of everyone in the room.

"How is this possible?" Rick asked, his voice trembling with excitement, and Gan, still struggling to process the spectacle, could hardly form words.

"You are..." Gan began, and Rick finished, "An archmage?"

Both of them, one a former magician and the other an aspiring mage, felt like they were in the presence of greatness. While they trembled with excitement, Mrit remained indifferent and began to eat the provided food. The room had transitioned from an audience captivated by Mrit's story to a gathering in awe of his newfound abilities.

"Quiet down!" Mrit commanded, and the two complied, silenced by his words. It was as if his magical prowess had cast a spell over the room, holding everyone in a state of hushed reverence.

Mrit finished his meal, changed into clean clothes from his storage ring, and tried to deactivate his magical ability. But Gan and Rick stepped in front of him.

"Stop right there! How dare you ignore us?" Gan exclaimed.

"Sir, this is a big deal. You being an arch mage..." Rick added.

More excited than Mrit, they couldn't hide their feelings. Mrit grew annoyed. "Enough! I understand that this is a big deal to you, but to me, the title of arch mage means nothing."

As he spoke, the two enthusiasts recalled Mrit's past and their smiles vanished. The rom, once filled with awe and admiration, now held an air of realization.

"Maybe one day you'll meet the old me and compare me to your arch mage." Mrit added. He was ready to move on, but his words had left an indelible mark on Gan and Rick.

With that, he deactivated his ability, and Gan and Rick entered his shadow. Another undead observer shook his head before following them, leaving the room in an eerie silence that contrasted with the earlier excitement.

Mrit then left the room, his presence having left an indelible impression on those who had witnessed his powers and heard his story.

***

Stepping outside, Mrit was met with curious and judgmental gazes from the people in the room. They turned to look at him, some with indifference, others with scrutiny. But before things could escalate, the guild master stood beside him.

"As you all know, a few days ago, there was an explosion in the forest, and he is the sole survivor. So, let go of your hostility and let him recover," the guild master explained, his words resonating with authority and wisdom.

Hostility began to wane as he informed everyone of Mrit's story, but not everyone was completely at ease. Some still harbored suspicions, and Mrit was aware of it. To make his time in this place more peaceful, he stepped forward and bowed.

"I know you have your doubts, which is understandable. I don't want to cause any trouble, so please allow me to recuperate here for a few days. I will not cause you any trouble, just let me repay the guild master and you all for providing me shelter in my dire time."

The room fell silent, heavier than before. All those who had been giving him skeptical looks turned away, retracting their suspicions. Mrit's actions had a way of calming the room, as if his sincerity had cast a soothing spell on those present.

Mrit, still bowing, grinned secretly as he felt the hostility towards him subside. He had managed to gain the room's tentative trust with his words and demeanor.

The guild master, unaware of Mrit's hidden intentions, tried to lighten the mood. "Come on, don't stay silent. He's welcome here. These are my guild members, and we like to joke around. I'm Soma."

He extended his hand to Mrit, waiting for him to shake it. Mrit, looking at Soma's hand, felt an unfamiliar sensation. It was as if Soma's charismatic and enigmatic aura had a hold on him.

‘This guy... I can't read him.’ Mrit's internal monologue betrayed his caution.

From the moment he had encountered Soma in the church until now, Mrit couldn't discern Soma's true motives behind his actions. ‘Either he's genuinely innocent, or he's hiding something beneath this facade. I need to stay cautious.’

Despite his caution, Mrit shook Soma's hand. "I'm... Saur. Nice to meet you and I will be in your care."

***