To Byron’s credit, he swung back instantly.

His punch sailed past the tip of my nose, bearing enough force to shatter my face had it connected.

I pivoted and slammed my foot into his jaw. He barely even moved. Recoil traveled down my leg, no different from kicking an armored tank.

I’d known from the outset that I couldn’t hurt Byron. Not with my paltry Strength, and definitely not as a level 15 Assassin.

That didn’t stop me.

Byron’s companions yelled from behind me, finally recovering from their shock.

I narrowly evaded another punch from Byron and dug my fingers into my Inventory. The hilt of The Blackreach Dagger sprang into my grasp.

And then, Mathideus was there.

He interspersed himself between us with a shield in each hand, bringing the fight to a halt. “Stop!”

A clawed hand closed around my throat.

The hand's owner—Beelith—pressed herself against my back and hissed into my ear. “Last words, elf.”

“How’s this for last words?” a new voice said.

A purple tentacle erupted behind Beelith and punted her into a counter.

Nicola stood in the doorway, hair glued to her forehead from the strain of exertion. She retained the same soot-ridden clothes from yesterday, but her magic staff glowed in her hand.

The caster brothers moved to intercept her, but the last attack left me free to continue. I raced for the unsuspecting Mage in the Red Wyrm party, ready to slam into his back.

Large vines restrained me.

“Everyone, stop,” a grave voice said.

Onlookers turned around the hall.

A livid Ezin appeared on the stairs that led up to the first floor with a magic staff raised in his grasp. He cut a fearful image with his muscular torso and loose, flowing robes. Vines extended from the bottom of his feet to the combatants, courtesy of a sigil that now faded from sight.

Byron stopped pounding on Mathideus’ shield and glared at the bindings. “Ezin, you do not get to interfere. Not now.”

“Byron—” Ezin started.

But, Byron didn’t wait for a reply. He freed himself with a short axe pulled out of his inventory and dashed around a bound Mathideus. Straight for me.

A wooden chair crashed into his side.

Byron weathered the blow and swept the chair onto the ground. He glared at the crowd in search of the attacker.

A familiar voice boomed. “Hey there, asshole.”

Paz!

The muscular redhead shoved past the crowd and reached the forefront. Byron’s expression cracked for the first time since I’d known him, eyes threatening to pop from his head. The rest of his party also gaped, including Beelith who lay pinned beneath a mass of vines.

“You!” Mathideus sputtered. “How are you alive?”

“Because I want to be,” Paz said—a picture of perfect confidence, despite being the weakest in the gathering. He cracked his knuckles and pointed a finger at his adversary. “Long time, no see, Byrot. 'Didn't expect to cross paths with me again, ei? Just stand there and look pretty. I’ll rearrange your face.”

“I called for a cessation,” Ezin said, thumping his staff on the ground, “and I will get it, or every single one of you rots in jail.”

The floorboards creaked. More vines surged from the ground.

“What happened here?” Ezin bellowed. “Mathideus?”

Mathideus flinched. He glanced at me, then Byron, and uttered a sigh. “Damien started this. He attacked that party unprovoked.”

“And, I demand recompense,” Byron said. “We have rules.”

“The rules you break?” I said with deranged laughter.

The vines had caught me mid-leap, a few inches off the ground. An uncomfortable position, to be sure, though it didn't stop me from swinging languidly in the air.

Ezin turned dark eyes on me. “What is the meaning of this, Damien? I pegged you for the reasonable sort.”

And, I liked to think I was. But, fuck it. I’d soon consume my final spirit orb. If I was going to die, I might as well do it by spitting in Byron’s face.

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Nicola butted in before I could let my madness speak. “Ezin, sir. Damien simply fought to defend me. My house was razed yesterday, after our altercation with Byron. ”

“And, you somehow assumed,” Byron said, “that I am the culprit?”

“Oh, you are, alright,” I muttered. “If not, I’ll eat my nuts.”

“Charming. I suppose you have proof of your allegation?”

That stopped me in my tracks. I’d initially planned to demand an investigation from Ezin. However, Byron knew more about this world than I did, and something about his smirk told me he was confident that he would never be found culpable.

“Alright, you got me,” I said, raising my hands. “I started a fight with you because you are a known breaker of guild rules.”

Byron frowned. “What are you—?”

“Just two days ago, Byron and his party participated in a duel to the death,” I told Ezin, “without your permission.”

Paz laughed. “That is true. I was the one they dueled against.”

Ezin glared at me, but I could have sworn that the corners of his lips twitched behind his shaggy beard. “One crime doesn’t invalidate another.”

“Agreed,” I said. “But, it rids Byron of any moral standing and paints him in an unfavorable light. I can tolerate a dress-down. Just not from him.”

Byron snarled. “I don't care what you tolerate—”

“If I may,” Mathideus said, nodding at Ezin. “I served as a witness in the duel Damien mentioned. Red Wyrm tried to kill that ranker—”

“A matter you forgot to inform me about,” Ezin said dryly.

Mathideus faltered. He still seemed flustered by Paz's appearance, but he gathered himself nonetheless. “Byron also has a problematic relationship with other members of the guild, sir. A complaint that I have repeatedly relayed to you. We also happened upon him provoking Nicola just yesterday, ergo her accusation isn't without merit.”

Byron looked like he had swallowed a lemon. He leveled a look of such hatred at Mathideus that actual ice radiated from his feet.

“I am aware,” Ezin said, “of all that you mention. The complaints regarding Red Wyrm are extensive and currently under investigation.” He crossed his arms and ran ruddy fingers through his beard.

“This fight,” Byron hissed, “isn’t related to any of that.”

Ezin regarded him. “I'll argue it is. Damien’s infraction deserves punishment, just to be sure. But, you won’t go scot-free either, seeing as this is the umpteenth incident involving your party.” He clucked his teeth. “The attack on Ms. Ainsworth’s home also disturbs me. Further investigation is needed before a verdict can be passed.”

“Then, do what you need to. However, rules are rules. The elf must be incarcerated . . .”

“Common sense dictates I incarcerate you both.”

“I am the victim of an assault. This incident shouldn’t be enough to prevent me from participating in the festival. By pinning my name to the board, I am oath-bound to compete. If I am later deemed culpable, you may order my arrest.”

Ezin furrowed his brows. “It is true that until proven guilty, I cannot prevent your inclusion in the festival . . .”

I cleared my throat. “Actually, since I am also something of a victim here, one could argue that my offence is no different from a misdemeanor or tort. I retain the right to participate in the festival.”

“Too late to join now,” Byron said.

“Well, therein lies the problem,” I said, tugging at my restraints. “I applied long before you got here.”

The smirk vanished from his face.

Ezin flashed me an amused look and strode to the board. He perused it and picked a slip from the bunch.

“Damien’s protection party?” he said to the room’s hearing.

I shrugged. “Has a nice ring to it.”

Ezin’s lips twitched. “As amusing as this situation is, I must invalidate your submission. A single person cannot form a party. And, we do not allow individuals to enter the Labyrinth on their lonesome.”

“You forgot me,” Paz said. “I'm a member of his party.”

“And, me,” Nicola said coldly. “That’s enough to form one, right? Minimum of three?”

Ezin glanced at Mathideus.

“Can’t fault it legally, sir,” Mathideus said. He struggled weakly against his bonds, then stopped to puff blond locks out of his face. “The party name is the only detail needed for submission. Further information is communicated later to the guild.” He frowned. “Of course, both parties need to sign an affidavit, pending your judgment.”

“That seems to be the case,” Ezin said, returning the slip. “We will revisit this matter once the festivities are concluded. Let it be known that Red Wyrm and . . . Damien’s party are both cleared to enter the dungeon. This decision will be revoked should another altercation arise.”

He thumped his staff after that, and a sigil appeared on the ground, sucking in all of the vines. He returned to his office, leaving the guildhall rife with murmurs.

Beelith sneered at me. “You should have accepted incarceration, elf. Now, you’re going to be stuck for a week with us in the Labyrinth, where anything goes. What makes you think you would live long enough to attend your hearing?”

I looked at Nicola and Paz, at their determined expressions, and then at Byron who had adopted a bored look.

A small smile tugged at my lips. “Oh, Beelith. What makes you think you would?”

“Fucking bitch,” Paz said, making an obscene gesture. “I’ll eat your corpse.”

Beelith bristled.

I ignored her and gestured at the new members of my team. We walked away from the now disinterested audience and found an empty corner of the hall to discuss.

"So," Paz said, "Damien's Protection Party, huh? You're shit at naming."

I ignored the barb. “Are you two sure about this? You may rescind before I complete the registration.”

“Dead sure,” Nicola said. She sounded calm, but her irises burned in her gaze.

“You showed guts today,” Paz said. “Much bigger guts than half the idiots here. I can respect that. If you are going after Byron in that Labyrinth, then you bet I’m coming with you.”

I nodded. “So, you are both fine joining my party . . .?”

Paz rolled his eyes. “You need a yes written in blood?”

I grinned and laughed, and then I teared up before I could stop myself. A wave of relief washed over me. “Guys . . .”

A blue screen interrupted my words.

Quest: [Heroic Adventure].

Objective complete!

Allies gathered: 2/10.

Reward: 60 spirit orbs.

I gaped at the screen. A second one appeared, forcing the first to close.

You have unlocked a hidden Legacy Quest!

New Quest: [Heroic Action].

A hero is more than just his words. Complete great deeds to earn bonus rewards.

Reward: Variable.

[System] Error: This quest has already been assigned.

“The hell are you looking at?” Paz said, staring at my dumbstruck face.

I couldn’t form the words. My elation at the orbs aside, something about this quest and the others I had gotten bothered me.

Why did they all say that they had already been assigned?