“Sit down everyone, I have something to talk to you” Kyle said, his voice and eyes just screamed cold and serious. Everyone followed quickly, checking the outside for any sign of being watched and locking the door right after.

“Like I said before, these people had not been honest to us, and today I found out part of the reason why. They were trying to hide the fact that this guide is running out of money to the general public.” Kyle said.

“What?, how?, they have been treating us well and living a very high end life in comparison to the others in this city.” Maria said. Shocks can be seen on the other faces.

“Why, I don’t know, that was what I found out from my conversation with Richard. But it is clear now that we should not stay here any longer, I don’t want us to become a burden to them.” Kyle said. The others agreed, although the Blackbrun family did not treat them as well as they would hope for,after saving their daughter's life and all, they did what they could and no real harm was done so now was the best time to say goodbye, before any party got hurt.

Last night the Blackburn residence came, while the other was in deep sleep, Kyle and Liam were still awoken, “What did you find out about the city from Rose’s tour today?” Kyle asked.

“We did nothing special for the day, mostly we just hung out, sightseeing and visiting the weapon shop for some boots,” Liam replied.

“However, I did notice something that may explain what is happening to the financial state of this guide.” Liam continued.

“I got a feeling that we should not get involved in their personal issue by the way you just said,” Kyle said.

“There was only one weapon shop in this city, a city full of small businesses and big guides and only one shop.” Liam spoke.

“A monopoly market in this time and place, imposible.” Kyle responded.

“I thought so too, they were owned by a different guide called Lion, in addition, Rose seemed to be very unpleasant each time she had to mention about the weapon shop or as I suspected, that guide.” Liam said.

“So one guide holds the power of selling weapons to an entire city, that is a big proportion of power economically and militarily they hold.” Kyle replied “And in a world where cities and countries that could only be reached by foot while monsters and evils are just waiting to catch you, weapons and security are something that are essential for anyone.”

“So you’re saying that the Lion guide may have used their military power to kind of force their demands on the people of this city”.

“Don’t you remember how the others could come to this city?They could only come in if they have some kind of paper ID, I don’t think that was actually it. Looking back now, only a few of them were carrying weapons and like Rose only one needed to show their ID and the rest followed.” Kyle said.

“So they don’t just monopolize in weaponry but escorting service for the people as well.” Liam replied.

“That is what I think, they used their power to prohibit other guides or businesses from making weapons trade. They may go as far as ‘taking care’ of those who don’t comply, making them the only guide you could rely on for safety, either coming or going to Casablanca. That is a very big market share, this city is safe and full of life, money would not be an issue for the people who wish for safety, if I were the leader of Lion guide, there would be no line I wouldn’t cross to keep my power.”

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“But if you say it like that, why did they let us in with Rose’s family guide paper, if the Lion guide was the only one who had that kind of power.” Liam asked.

“Simple, every other guide or business might have to pay an annual fee to the Lion guide for them, allowing them safe travelling and the power to come in and out of the city”. Kyle said

“Safe traveling ?” Liam asked.

“Yes, safe traveling, for those who don’t comply, well, I wouldn’t be surprised if some ‘accidents’... might happen to them on the roads, I mean goblins might not be the only monsters they should look out for '' Kyle responded.

“They dare threaten the lives of everyone in this city. How come the government in this city did not do anything about them ?” Liam continued.

“Same reason as the Lion guide, power and money. The Lion guide might also pay the city government to let them keep their monopolized market power, in exchange, an annual fee and a promise of support from the strongest guide in the city, it would be a perfect plan, they could have even legitimize it by for all we know.” Kyle said

“So a corrupted government, and dangerous guide, what the fuck are we stepping into” Liam said.

“Nothing, we are stepping into nothing, just keep our head down and there will be no trouble, there is no reason to step in.” Kyle said “ Besides this is just a theory of mine, nothing concrete and no physical evidence, for all we know it might be something entirely different.”

“Do you actually believe that, Kyle?” Liam said.

Kyle remained silent for a moment before ending the conversation “Like I said It’s just a theory, I can’t see the future and I can’t be right all the time”.

The morning of good bye came, the party said their final words to the Blackburn family, Allan was heartbroken to say goodbye to Rose, but in the end he said his goodbye.

With some gold they received as a final parting gift from Rose, they headed to an Inn in the city and rented it as a resting place in the city for a few days to earn some money here and to sketch out a plan moving onward. But they soon found out that earning money by doing missions in this city was no easy task.

“There was no mission billboard in this city, unlike in Débutant town, where people with troubles come directly to guide for help, especially Lion guide for dangerous missions or so it seems” Luna said. That was gonna be an issue for them, those now with the Blackburn guide’s paper ID, they could come in and out of the city to defeat monsters and earn money that way, it was too risky for low lvl characters like them.

“Oh and Allan, stop spending time going out with Rose, we are going to leave soon, you should say goodbye to her soon, before you get too attached.” Luna said.

“Don’t worry about that, it’s over, she told me yesterday that we should stop seeing each other from now on,” Allan said, his voice and face filled with sadness.

“Oh right, calm down Romeo, you knew that was gonna happen eventually” Liam said. “Well if we could not find a mission by the usual way, we could just ask around, maybe the game could throw us some bones or at least we could gather more information about where or what we should do next”.

Following Liam's idea, all of them had asked everyone that looked like they might need something done or could have known some intelligence with no success. But finally the game did throw them a bone, while heading back home, Luna noticed an elder woman, skinny looking with gray hair and purple eyes, following them from behind. She turned back and confronted the woman, asking her why she followed them.

“I heard that you were someone who would do anything for money, am I wrong?” the elder woman said.

“You got that right” Kyle replied before anyone could speak up.

“We then, how about a request ? How good are you at sneaking in and stealing something” the woman said.

“I've never failed,” Kyle said.

At that moment, Luna saw some letters appearing in front of her eyes, “AWA = 1 ,Secret mission unlocked”.