Batara then woke up looking at a ceiling he didn’t recognize. He sat on the bed and looked around. His head still hurt a little so he groaned while pressing his head “Ugh…” when a woman in the adventurer guild uniform approached Batara and said “Are you alright?” Batara looked at the woman and nodded in response. He then asked the woman “Where am I?” the woman replied “You’re in Quarzith Adventurer’s Guild inn. A passing merchant cart brought you and your friend here.” Batara looked at the woman’s face and felt like he met her before. The woman noticed it and said “Ah apologies. My name is Elona. I’m the guild’s staff who sent you to investigate the swamp with the officials.” Batara remembered her after being told and just nodded in response. Elona continued “I know that you just woke up. But what happened? Where’s the other?” Batara paused for a while as he was not sure how to tell her what happened. So he just picked Theodore’s adventurer license and handed it to Elona.

Elona checked it and her face suddenly turned extremely pale. Elona asked “This is… Theodore’s… Is he?” Batara gently nodded, confirming that Theodore was dead. Even though no words were said, Elona asked another question “How about the rest of the group?” Batara looked down, shook his head and said “They also didnt make it.” Elona was very shocked that she needed to pause for a brief moment to catch her breath. Elona then gathered up her strength and said “I understand. I will give this to the guild master to be examined.” Elona continued “How’s your condition? Both of you have been healed by a priest and you have been sleeping for 1 day. Your friend might take a bit longer since his wounds were quite severe.” Batara looked at Klaus beside him covered in bandages and bruises. He felt very guilty and responsible for causing all of this to happen. Batara replied to Elona “I’m fine now.” Elona replied “Good. Sorry to ask you this when you just woke up but can you accompany me to report what happened to the guild master?” Batara got up for his bed and nodded in response. Elona said “Okay please follow me.” Batara followed Elona down to the guild master’s room. The guild master is a woman in her 40s with blonde long hair, blue eyes, and a very disciplined look. She wears a uniform that is very distinguishable from other guild’s staff.

Elona then bowed and said “Guild staff Elona coming in to report.” Seeing Elona, Batara awkwardly bowed out of nervousness. The guild master replied “At ease. Give your report.” Elona handed over Theodore’s adventurer license to the guild master and told her about the party that went to investigate the swamp was wiped out. After hearing Elona’s report, the guild master cast a neutral type magic while holding Theodore’s adventurer license “Extraction!” a magic circle appeared in front of her eyes and at the same time on the adventurer license she held. After a short while, the magic circle vanished and the guild master said to Elona with a straight face “That is very shocking news and the most unfortunate one.” She really was surprised but she is the type that never shows any expression due to her nature. The guild master then turned towards Batara and asked “What’s your name young man? I saw a glimpse of you in Theodore’s last minutes of memory.” Batara thought that the magic the guild master casted earlier was the memory extraction magic Theodore has explained previously. Batara felt nervous of the guild master's strong aura so he replied while avoiding her eyes “My name is Batara Arcital.” The guild master “I am Lisandra Crestfall. The guild master of Quarzith Adventurer Guild. Can you tell me what happened on the quest?” The way Lisandra talk is very respectful but straight to the point even though Batara was only a low ranked adventurer.

Eventhough Batara was very nervous, he knew that this is very important to help with the investigation since he felt guilty for being useless at the swamp. So he tried his best to explain to Lisandra with all his stuttering and stopping to catch his breath. Batara managed to tell about the thick fog, corpses, undead reptiles, killed party members, the giant Tarantula, and how he and Klaus escaped. Elona looked extremely confused and didnt get any of Batara’s explanation. However, Lisandra understood Batara’s explanation since she was a seasoned adventurer herself. Lisandra said to Batara “Hmm, how strange. I know that you are completely honest with me but for some reason you keep avoiding looking me in the eyes.” Based on Lisandra’s experience, people who avoid looking someone in the eyes when talking are usually lying, but she decided to give Batara the benefit of the doubt and let it go as an unusual behavior. Batara averted his gaze downward in response. Lisandra continued “However there is one thing that is incorrect in your story. The Giant Tarantula is a rare monster named Queen Arachnid that is definitely beyond A rank monster. Its rank is still undefined due to its mysterious appearance.” Lisandra continued “But anyway, my deepest condolences to the fallen adventurers and your companions. The guild shall take responsibility for failing to correctly assess the danger level of Murloc Swamp. Thus, we will compensate for your efforts as well as your loss.” Batara replied “No, I dont need it.” However Lisandra insisted “On behalf of the guild, I insist. Your participation in the quest has prove to be-“

Before Lisandra can finish her sentence Batara snapped and shouted angrily “PARTICIPATION!? DID YOU FUCKING HEAR WHAT I JUST TOLD YOU? I RAN AWAY WITH ALMOST NO WOUND WHILE THE OTHERS FIGHT FOR THEIR LIVES! AND TO TOP THAT, I EVEN LET OTHERS DIE TO BUY TIME FOR ME TO ESCAPE! WHAT COULD BE POSSIBLY COMPENSATED FOR THAT!!?” Batara’s built up rage, guilt, frustration, and other negative emotions were taking over him. Lisandra finally showed an expression of surprise but managed to control her composure. She shouted back to him sternly while tapping him both on his shoulder “CALM DOWN!” Batara immediately got back to his senses. Something about Lisandra made her able to snap Batara back to his senses. Elona just stood in silence before Lisandra gestured her to leave the room. Lisandra then said to Batara “Listen. What you did is befitting of a good adventurer. Not only you held on to your adventurer’s vow to value your life, you also managed to prevent more casualties by reporting to us.” Batara fell silent but still shaking due to his emotion. Lisandra dropped her hands from Batara’s shoulder and continued “What can you even possibly do if you decided to fight? A group of high rank adventurers dont even have the chance to attack, let alone you who barely passed the adventurer evaluation!” Batara was shocked hearing Lisandra knew about that fact and spit it raight to his face. Lisandra continued “Yes I knew about your evaluation. In fact, I know about everything that's happening in the guild.”

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Batara thought what Lisandra said was right but he still didnt think what he did was worth to be compensated. Lisandra continued “What I’m trying to say is, there is no point in throwing your life away for something that will obviously kill you. You have been gifted with time, use it and get stronger so that you can protect what you love in the future.” Lisandra’s words were spoken from experience. Batara thought that Lisandra must have sacrificed a lot of things to be able to say that.

After a moment of silence, Batara calmed down and stopped shaking. Lisandra then said to Batara “I see that you have calmed down.” Batara nodded in response. Lisandra then asked him “Speaking of which I am curious, how have you managed to escape with only small wounds? And when you lashed out earlier, why did I sense a strange aura coming out of you for a brief moment?” Batara wasnt sure if he could tell her about his mysterious magic that suddenly popped up in his head when escaping the Giant Tarantula. As for the strange aura she sensed, he didnt know it either but after letting out his emotions earlier, he felt like his headache suddenly cleared. As such, Batara decided to keep the information and said to her “I-I dont know either.” Lisandra replied “Hmm I see. Cant help it then if you dont know.” Lisandra then stared Batara deeply and continued “or perhaps if you are hiding something.” Batara felt nervous and didnt respond. Lisandra said “Dont worry, I will let it go for now. I believe we will meet again soon. I apologize for keeping you this long, please get back to rest, you must still be tired.” Before Batara walked out Lisandra said “Oh and one more thing. About the compensation, I will just give you and your friend all of the investigation fee since you two are the ones left.” Batara replied “I dont need-“ Lisandra interrupted him and said “If you still refuse it. You will not be allowed to take any more quests from the guild. Understand?” Lisandra used her authority against Batara. Batara gave up, nodded, and walked out.

Batara went back to the adventurer guild’s inn room to pick up his stuff. Klaus was still lying there unconscious. Batara cant even look at Klaus out of guilt. So he decided to take his stuff quickly and left. But just when Batara turned away Klaus called to him weakly “Bats…” Batara stopped and turned back to Klaus. Batara said “You woke up.” The room felt awkward as Batara was about to leave Klaus for good out of his guilt. But Batara also felt concerned so he asked Klaus “How are you feeling?” Klaus sat up and replied “Hurt all over but I can manage.” After a moment of silence, Batara who was ready to leave Klaus then said “I have to go-“ Klaus cut his words and said hesitantly “I actually have woken up for a while and uhmm… I heard your quarrel with the guild master.” Batara realized that the room is just above the guild master’s room, but he didnt realize that his voice was that loud to be heard across the rooms. Batara felt guilty of what happened to Klaus and his uselessness at the swamp so he said shakily “I-I’m sorry Klaus.” Klaus got a bit irritated and replied “What are you talking about? We share the same losses and guilt as a party! Dont burden it all by yourself.” Batara was very hesitant but he replied to Klaus “You dont get it Klaus! Before we took the swamp investigation quest, I had known and even been warned that the swamp was dangerous. But I didnt say anything just because I wasnt sure. Everything's my fault.” Klaus replied “That doesnt change anything! I’m the one who’s leading our party and gave the final decision to take on the quest. I am even more guilty than you.” Klaus continued “But everyone knows the dangers of being an adventurer. And nobody can predict the future.” Batara looked down and replied “But I was useless! And even almost got you killed.” Klaus replied “You’re wrong! I was almost killed because of my OWN incompetence. If anything, it was you who saved my life and I am forever grateful for that.”

Batara fell silent as he didnt know what else to say and still thought that he was at fault. Klaus then said “Please dont take all the burden by yourself. Also…” Klaus has seen what Batara was trying to do and said “Please keep adventuring with me as a party.” Batara felt glad that Klaus still believed in him even after all that happened. However, Batara’s guilt was far greater than Klaus’ trust. Batara then replied with uncertainty “I’ll think about it” and left. Klaus shouted “I’ll wait for you!” Batara heard it but left anyway. Thus, the Mountain Dwellers party was disbanded.

It was still afternoon when Batara left the adventurer guild, so he decided to head back to Lorelai’s Reverie inn. Along the way, he kept thinking about how to tell Isha about what happened at Murloc Swamp. Batara remembered that Isha was still very hopeful that her brother was still alive. Batara also thought that he actually didnt have to tell Isha since eventually the guild would tell her about it. However, only thinking about it made Batara feel sick to his gut so he decided to walk faster.

Batara finally arrived at the inn and as usual Isha was invested in reading her book. He worked up his courage to approach Isha. This time Isha noticed Batara and only gasped a little. She put her book down and said “Oh hi Batara. I noticed you werent here yesterday.” Batara replied nervously “I-I was on a quest.” Isha replied “Oh right sorry I didnt mean to be nosy. What can I do for you?” Batara went silent as he went through his belongings. Isha was confused and just waited for Batara to respond. While still searching Batara said to Isha “I went to investigate Murloc Swamp.” Isha’s face suddenly turned pale and her expression turned stone-cold. Isha was very scared as she replied shakily “H-how is it? Did you find my brother-“ she couldnt even finish her sentence. Batara found what he was looking for, which was a necklace with a silver pendant. He put it on the reception table in front of Isha without saying anything. Isha looked at it and said “This is my brother’s… Where is he?” as if she was denying the truth. Batara went silent as he mustered up the courage to reply. Isha asked again but this time her voice was lower and cracking “w-where is he?” Batara finally replied “Desmond Han died along with the rest of his party.” Isha’s eyes suddenly turned blank as she collapsed onto her chair. Her body stopped shaking, but tears ran down from her cheeks as she fell silent. Batara didnt know what to say or do in this kind of situation, so after watching Isha’s reaction he left her and went up to his room.