--------///----Reina's POV----\\\--------

After the entrance closed, we kept making our way behind Endis until we reached our destination. At the end, there was a wall that opened up when Endis put his hand on it and put some darkness through it. Then the scene of a giant tower started to come into sight. There was a main road, some branched roads that connected to each other that led to the tower, and some buildings infront of it. The buildings before the tower seemed to have lines infront of them where a maain gate was constantly being opened.

(Endis) " After we get through the checkpoint make sure you both stick close to me. " 

(Mina) " Got it. "

(Reina) " Yes sir. "

We walked down the road and got in line to be allowed in. The line didn't seem that bad but the constant warnings coming from my instincs was a little intimidating. I did my best to keep it off of my face but standing in line for 20 minutes wears on you. Though we managed to get in before anyone could notice the stress and anxiety that was ready to show itself on my face. The first floor of the tower was black marble all along the floors and walls, fine stone long tables similar to what the guild had, and a few side rooms that didn't have anything that specified their purpose.

Despite what Endis said, so far everything has been easy. The entry was easy since the sentries recognized Endis, which saved us the time that the other people had to go through.Though as soon as we got in, and i got to look around a bit, Mina got a bit curious and asked something that was on my mind.

(Mina) " We got in easily, want to fill us in why? "

Endis just shrugged his shoulders and started to walk ahead.

(Endis) " Kids of an S rank assassin are monitered. If they become assassins the guild gives them perks. That and since i've got a pretty good rank in the guild, my perks are way better then the average assassin. Hells, even some of the assassins in my grade don't have the same perks that i do.

(Mina) " Hmm. That's interesting. I'll have to find a loophole to squeeze some information out of you later. "

(Endis) " You can try, maybe you'll find one maybe you won't. "

(Mina) " Guess we'll just have to see. "

Endis just shook his head and then just slowed down to look at me.

(Endis) " You ok Rei? You've been a lil quiet for a while. "

(Reina) " It's kind of intimidating. Though there aren't a lot of people on this floor, everyone just gives me a bad vibe. It's hard for me to not just start panicking. "

(Endis) " You'll be fine. As long as you stay next to me no ones going to be bold enough to try anything. "

(Reina) " Are you sure? "

(Endis) " Yea. No one here is bold enough to risk me calling mom for a favor. Unless we were on a higher floor then you've got nothing to worry about. "

(Reina) " Huh? What do the floors have to do with it? "

(Endis) " First floors for D - C- assassins. Third and fourth floors are for C - B- Assassins. Fifth and sixth floors are for B - A- and then the eigth is for A - S-. After that the ninth is for the really dangerous things that only S ranks can take on. "

(Reina) " Didn't you just skip some floors? "

(Endis) " Yea. The second floor is like a living area. There's a cafateria, dorms, training rooms and excersising courses. It's pretty much a guild in one floor. Then the seventh floor is like another one of those but with better gear, food, resting areas and stuff like that. Its for the guys that are in those higher ranks to use. Then the rest of them are living areas, forges, tailorers, alchemists and the other professions that are useful. I could pop up there but there would be some people that wouldn't care about having mom track em down. So for now we'll just be heading up to the second floor so i can get in touch with my handler to get him to pass us the info we need. "

(Mina) " A handler huh? "

(Endis) " Later cous. "

(Mina) " Mhm. "

We followed Endis to the end of the first floor where we started to walk up some wide steps that led us up to the second floor. There were open double doors that showed us a lobby with different doors, one direcly to the left and right of the lobby desk, another set of double doors to the left of the lobby and another to the right. There were some seats taken up by some assassins waiting for something. The doors on the far end by the lobby desk had the most noise so they probably led to the cafateria. I didn't know what the side doors led too but it was fine since we could just ask Endis.

(Endis) " I'll explain after we get the info from my handler and get out. "

Endis walked up to the lobby desk and said a few words to the person at the desk, which included his name, rank and assassin moniker. After that, Endis came back and led us over to some seats that hadn't been taken and started to wait. After a minute or two, Endis was called over and given a key. After that he waved for us to come over, after we did we started making our way to the left doors. Opening it was just normal so the purpose of the key still eluded me, but after we got in i could see doors on both sides of a hallway that needed a key to open them. We walked for a bit before Endis turned to a door and put the key in.

The room on the other side had enough space for the three of us to fit, but there was only a single chair and a table with an amulet imbedded into the steel table. As soon as the door closed, the amulet turned on and the projection of a man in a cloak and panther mask appeared.

(Handler) " Not alone this time? Whatever. I'm short on time so get to the point. "

His voice seemed cold and hard like steel. Though he did sound a bit annoyed.

(Endis) " Aww, no hey Endis? No how's it been? I thought we were closer then this Darkus. "

His handler just slowly breathed in and out which undoubtly added to his annoyance of dealing with Endis.

(Darkus) " You've got a minute. "

(Mina) " We need information on any corrupted government officials in the Cindal government. However we're specifocally looking for any high ranking officials with enough authority to hide goods recently taken from a smuggling ring that specialized in exotic goods such as dragon eggs and corpses. "

(Endis) " Wai- "

(Darkus) " Specific and straight to the point. I like you. Speak for him more often. i'll need 30 minutes at the most to gather and send that over. After that i'll attach the requests to pay for them. Out. "

The projection cut out and then Endis just sighed.

(Endis) " I thought i was supposed to say everything. "

(Mina) " *Snort* You'd take too long. It's easier if i just handle these sides of things. "

(Endis) " Haaah. Whatever. "

(Reina) " Umm, sidenote. What'd he mean by requests? "

(Endis) " That's a way to pay for information in this line of work. You can choose to pay with monney, items or by dealing with requests. Since i'd rather not pay for stuff or hand anything over, i picked requests. The type and difficulty of reequests determines what rank the quests are going to be. As long as it's nothing that i can't handle or anything that i'll turn down, then any type of request is on the table. "

(Mina) " Huh. That's interesting. Anyway... Darkus? Was it? How longs he been your handler? "

(Endis) " Since i signed up. And that's not his real name. Handlers don't give out their names or show their faces just in case something happens and an assassin tries to go after their life. Though if there's ever an emergancy then they might do that. "

(Reina) " I guess that makes sense. Anyway, what do we do now? Do we just stay in here and wait for him to call back? "

(Endis) " Pretty much. Though we could head to the caf and get something to eat if you want. "

(Reina) " ... Mina? "

(Mina) " I guess. What do they have? "

(Endis) " Here... I think the best thing they should have in this floors caf is steak. Well, best thing in my opinion. They've got some other stuff like ice cream, some candy, normal food and some other shit like that. "

(Mina) " Why does the assassins headquarters have candy? "

(Endis) " It's not THE headquarters, just for this side of the continent. The main headquarters is closer to the northen side. And people have sweeth teeth what's the problem with having candy for em? "

(Mina) " Huh. Speaking for yourself there? "

(Endis) " Maybe... So what? "

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

(Mina) " Nothing. Well let's just head in and see if there's anything we'd want. "

(Reina) " Wait, but do we actually have to pay? "

(Endis) " I don't. All i gotta do is say what i want and i'll get it. They don't make assassins pay for the food since the tower gets their funding from completed requests and other sources. Only some of the actually expensive stuff on the seventh floor needs to be paid for. "

(Reina) " But wouldn't that just lead to people over ordering? "

(Endis) " Yea, though if the towers people catch you doing that then they start issuing you harder requests to make you compensate them for it. They might start off easy but then they'll just spike in difficulty. "

(Reina) " Talking from experience? "

(Endis) " Nope. Though i know an idiot that had that happen to em. That's when he he knew he probably shouldn't be an idiot in the tower. "

(Mina) " Anyway, let's just get something that we can eat quickly and then head back here. "

(Endis) " Sounds like a plan. Remember, stay close to me. People might be stupid though they might not. "

We left the room but Endis locked it again before we went back to the lobby. The lobby attendent was about to say something to Endis but he cut him off.

(Endis) " We'll be grabbing something to eat then heading back. "

(Attendent) " Very well. "

We kept going and had Endis open the side doors to the cafateria. There seemed to be three different places to get food at since at the furthest end, there was a section for meats. on the right there were fruits and vegitables while on the left side there were the other things like candy. There were tables going from the middle areas to close to the sections where people got their food. Though they didn't get too close so the lines weren't interrupted by them. From where we were, i didn't see where people would get drinks but they were probably at the sections where they got food. There seemed to be trash cans, compost bins, napkin dispensers all over the place so getting rid of the trash seemed easy.

(Endis) " Alright, where do you guys want to go first? "

(Mina) " Some fruit would be nice. I've pretty much had a majority of meat ever since we got to Cindal. What about you Reina? "

(Reina) " Hmm... Candy would be nice but i'm definetly not going to say no to some vegitables. "

(Endis) " Haaah. Why are you two so boring? There's meat... Candy,,, But you both want the greens? Ughh. "

(Mina) " You can just go get some meat after we get our food. Besides we're not getting anything big, just something to hold us over while we wait. "

(Endis) " I know... You're still boring though. "

(Mina) " What was that? "

(Endis) " Nothing! "

(Reina) " Nope, I heard that! "

(Endis) " I'll get you cotton candy! "

(Reina) " I heard nothing. "

(Mina) " Tch. Lucky. "

(Endis) " Anyway let's go get something to eat. "

We ended up getting in line for some fruits and vegitables and ended up getting a few to eat. Mina decided to grab some normal peaches and apples while i opted for some oranges and ember apples. Spicy food was always nice.  Endis didn't get anything but just brought us straight to the meat section after we got our food and got a steak for himself. After that he found a table close to the entrance for us to sit at while he got me my cotton candy. Jelly was getting a bit active with all the food around us so i gave her some of my orange slices and a bit of earth to fill her up.

While we were waiting for Endis, me and Mina just talked for a bit and looked around. We sort of stood out since we seemed to be the only party in this cafateria since everyone else seemed to be assassins which made me think if bringing a party here was supposed to be a problem but no one had brought it up so i was confused. Though i could always just ask when Endis came back. Which after a minute or two, he did. And with my cotton candy in hand.

(Endis) " Here ya go. Though you better share. "

(Reina) " Hmm? I cooould share what you said. "

(Endis) " Nevermind. "

(Mina) " Then do i get some atleast? "

(Reina) " Fineee. "

(Endis) " Wha? Isn't this treatment way too biased? "

(Mina) " Oh hush. You can get your own later and whenever you want. "

(Endis) " Tch. Should've gotten some while i was there... You know what, i'm just going to go get some now, screw it. "

Endis got up and went back over to the candy line for some cotten candy off his own. Though he left me and Mina laughing at how childish that was. Eventually he came back and ate with us which gave me the time to ask him about the whole party thing. He didn't seem too suprised about the question so he answered it easily.

(Endis) " Oh that? Ehhh, it's not forbidden or anything like that, it's just that most assassins don't really become adventurers. Everyone's different but mostly assassins just like to move on their own and do all of their missions solo. Though if any do, then they can bring the party here as long as they're trustworthy. If any parties share information about this place then they get eliminated. "

(Mina) " Well as long as we don't tell anyone then it's all good. Not like we had any intention to do that in the first place. " 

(Reina) " Yup. "

(Endis) " Whatever. Anyway if you're all done, we can head back and wait for Darkus to call back. Though it might take a bit for that to happen. "

(Mina) " That's fine with me, Reina? You ok with waiting? "

(Reina) " Yea, i don't mind. "

(Endis) " Then off to wait we go. "

With that said, we got up and went back to the room. We ended up waiting for a bit and eventually, he called back.

(Darkus) " The information i've found will be sent to you after i hang up. Next time you ask for anything bring the one next to you. It'll save me the headache. "

After that he hung up.

(Endis) " Tch. Could've atleast said hi... Asshole. "

(Reina) " Wait, how is he going to send us the information? "

Not even a second after i said that, the amulet started to glow and a small stack of sealed documents appeared. There were six relatively thin folders and three folders as thick as my arm. There were even two thinner files that were marked for Endis.

(Reina) " Nevermind. "

(Endis) " Less then i was expecting. Oh well. Let's take these and head out. After that we can leave Cindal and let whatever happens happen. "

(Mina) " That's fine with me. "

(Reina) " And me. Hopef- "

(Endis) " Shhh! Don't jinx us! "

(Reina) " ... Whatever. "

Mina grabbed the documents and placed the thinner ones, except the ones for Endis, under her breastplate whiller the thicker ones and the ones meant for him were given to Endis to carry under his cloak. After we were done, we got out and Endis gave the attendent the key as we went on our way. Though before we left the first floor, we got a little surpise.

(Annoyingly loud voice) " ENDIS! HEYYYY! HOW'S IT BEEN MAN?! "

(Endis) " Oh gods why is he here... Fuck me. FUCK OFF YOU INSIGNIFICANT PISSANT, GO CRAWL BACK INTO YOUR MOTHERS ASS AND SUCK ON HER SHIT LIKE THE PARASITIC SHITSTAIN YOU ARE! Ignore him and go. "

The response was so fast and surprising that me and Mina just stood there stunned not able to turn around to see who shouted out. If he didn't start pulling us by our hands after he said the last part then i would've probably still been there stunned. Endis dragged us out the doors and eventually we started walking on our own.

(Mina) " So... You want to explain or anything? "

(Endis) " Haaaah. That guy... He's basicallybeen trying to get on my good side ever since i registered as the son of an S rank assassin. It doesn't matter what i say to him he just keeps on coming. I gave in once and tried to talk to him but he was just insufferable. If there wasn't a clause of not killing other assassins without being provoked then i would've offed him the moment i got the chance. "

(Reina) " How'd he find out in the first place? "

(Endis) " People talk. Though he probably just saw it somewhere. Or he just noticed the treatment i was getting and put two and two together. "

(Mina) " Welp, as long as you don't meet him again then it's all good. "

(Endis) " I didn't think i'd meet him here and now. Look how that turned out. "

(Mina) " Point taken. "

Eventually we made it back to our entrance and went through to find ourself back in the corridor that led to the parlor. After some more walking we made it back to the entrance where Endis notified the Aracne to open up. Then when we got out, we made our way out of the parlor and back out into the street. There didn't seem to be many people out but the people that were didn't seem to be worrying about anything, so that was good. We kept on walking and eventually made it back to the guild.

When we walked in, we could see Hari and her team at one of the tables talking about something. They noticed us when we came in and before they waved us over, Mr.Ganton came around the second floor corner. As soon as he saw us, he looked to the documents and then directly to us as he motioned for us to come up to his office. Hari and her team saw that and let us head up without saying anything to keep us there.

We walked up to the second floor and followed Mr.Ganton into his office. After we got in, he closed the door and went to sit at his desk. The people weren't here anymore so wherever they were they were probably enjoying a cell somewhere.

(Ganton) " Tell me you have something. "

(Endis) " We have something. Haven't looked at them yet though considering where i got them from they're gonna be trustworthy. The thinner ones should be the middle ranked personnel that have connections and dirt on them while the thicker ones are for the higher ups. "

Endis placed his documents on Mr.Gantons desk and Mina did the same. Mr.Ganton grabbed a thin folder first and took a look. It must've been something good since the look on his face changed and got more serious. Then he took a look at one of the thicker documents and opened it up. Though whatever was in there must've been damning since his eye started to twitch. He set the documents down and just closed his eyes as he slowly breathed in and out.

(Ganton) " There's going to be a lot of work from here on out... Haaah... Thank you for this. However now what are you going to do? "

(Mina) " We're planning to head out and start dealing with exterimination and bounties for now. "

(Endis) " It's also so we don't get caught up in whatever shit storm we've stirred up. "

(Mina) " ... That wasn't the intention but that works too. "

(Ganton) " Hmm... Well we should be able to handle everything from here on out so it's fine. Are you all prepared to head out? "

(Mina) " Me and Reina are ready. Endis? "

(Endis) " I'm good. Already got my new daggers... But don't you two have some books to read or something? "

(Reina) " I sort of started skimming them and already know what i should practice. So i don't mind returning them now. "

(Mina) " You skimmed them hmm? Oh well. We'd might as well return them and go. "

(Endis) " Gives me time to call off the date with the librarian then... Haah. " 

(Mina) " Anyway, I don't think we'd have any peace to read during a government purge so heading out now is safer. "

(Ganton) " It won't be a "purge" but i understand what you mean. If only i could avoid this all... Oh well. Safe travels and hunt well. "

(Endis) " You too. "

(Mina) " Thank you sir. "

(Reina) " We will. Thank you. "

After that, we left and headed downstairs. Then we talked to Hari and her party for a bit before we left the guild and went to the library to return the books that we didn't need anymore. The librarian saw Endis and smiled though he just played along and talked for a bit and told her that we were leaving soon. And immediatley after he said that he ended up the first out the doors after they were officially returned.

(Mina) " Real smooth there cous. "

(Endis) " Leave me aloneee. "

(Reina) " It'll be ok. You'll find someone eventually. "

(Endis) " Haaaah... Let's just head out please. "

(Mina) " Ok. "

After that, we went back to the guild and took on two quests that were hunting beasts that we wouldn't have issues with and officially started out on our adventure. We had a few days of travel ahead of us but we snagged a recently submitted convoy escorting request so we would have something to do while we were outside. The convoy was at the main gate and waiting for the rest of the teams. The merchants that we met seemed to be human and had six carriages that seemed to be filled to the brim and two carriages for us and whatever other parties that came along.

After a few more minutes, three more parties showed up. Two parties of four, and a party of five. The first party of four seemed to be all human, while the other was mixed with two elves a human and a lion beastkin. Then the last party had three humans, a penguin birdkin and an elf. We all talked for a bit and got into our carriages as the merchants got ready to to head out. We would be defending them until we got to a farming village that one of our requests came from. Though that village was still two days away so we'd be with them for a while.

(Mina) " You ready Reina? "

(Reina) " As i'll ever be. "

(Endis) " Your still nervous aren't you. "

(Reina) " Of course i am. "

(Mina) " You'll be fine. "

(Reina) " If you say so... I wonder what we'll be up against outside. "

(Endis) " Eh, we'll just have to see when it happens. Just make sure not to say anything that'll jinx us. "

(Reina) " Whatever. I guess i'll try not too. "

(Endis) " Good. Guess we'll finally get to see what our parents were talking about. Maybe an adventure is what we needed after all."