CHAPTER 54: STAR FATE GUILD

Tina and Myrin slowly strode inside—Soren followed after them.

“This area used to be a part of the dungeon we were in earlier, you see.” Myrin spoke joyfully.

“The dungeon?” He couldn’t help but be confused. “But why would they build a library above it…”

“The keyword here is ‘used to’, Soren.” Tina replied. “Dungeons, as you may know, tend to shift around—their layouts never stay the same. The Mystery behind that is still being studied, but that’s not important to know right now.

“All you need to know is that this area is a discarded dungeon fragment. Sections of a dungeon that are no longer connected to it.”

His eyes couldn’t help but widen. He decided to use [Eyes of the Fairy] on the nearby cobblestone wall.

Dungeon Cobblestone Bricks (Masonry)

Walls made of a special kind of cobblestone generated by a dungeon. It no longer flows with power.

So it turned to regular stone? It kinda disappointed him, but it also made him realize that the things he was trying to [Record] inside the dungeon earlier that day were not that special either. The real contributor to what makes a dungeon, a dungeon, seems to be that strange energy that permeates the air. He wondered how the Labyrinth Shroud even worked.

They walked along the elongated corridor that basked in the violet light of strange crystals hanging from the ceiling. The air was thick, oppressive, but not in the same way as the dungeon he’d been in that was under Celestine Citadel. The Labyrinth’s Shroud was not present in the slightest, which was definitely something he appreciated—he did not like his sanity being chipped away at. And then, he heard it—a deep, rhythmic clang echoing through the narrow passage. Each blow was followed by a brief, ringing silence, as if the space itself was recoiling from the impact. He could feel the ground shake under the oppressive booms, and it only got more and more pronounced the more they walked.

“What is that?” He decided to ask. The sound was almost enough to mask his voice.

“That’s most-likely Noctharn,” Tina answered. “You’ll get used to it.”

He wanted to ask more but decided to just wait and see.

And see he did.

The mouth of the corridor opened into a large, circular hall. But what was more important was who was in this hall.

At the center, a colossal thirty-feet tall being sat before an obsidian-black anvil that matched his size. He wore a dark black robe that covered his face and body—an air of shadows and uncertainty clung around him. He ignored the newly arrived guests and continued to hammer away on the anvil.

Speaking of his hammer, it too was colossal in size. Its head was made from a void-filled metal that seemed to hunger for the darkness—completely pitch-black, not even an ounce of light could be seen reflecting off its surface. Every time the giant brought down his mighty tool, an ear rupturing boom would eclipse the entire hall.

“Meet Noctharn,” Myrin said while covering his ears. “Despite his stature and looks, he’s very friendly.”

“Let’s go,” Tina said impatiently. “That oaf won’t hear us until he finishes hammering away.” She didn’t wait for a response and immediately sprinted toward the next corridor which was to the right of the grand hall. As he and Myrin moved to follow her, Soren glanced around. There were massive shelves filled to the brim with weapons and tools, and to the right of the anvil was a large chimney which was probably being used to heat up metals.

Soren scurried after them, entering through the second corridor. The booming echoes were slowly becoming more and more distant. “I didn’t think you guys had an Aretores in the guild.”

Myrin nodded, “Noctharn is very talented—we’re glad to have him. If it weren’t for the fact that he’s here secretly, he’d probably be ranked in the top ten most prestigious blacksmiths in the entire kingdom.”

It sounded very impressive, but Soren found it comical. How the hell did they manage to hide someone this massive…

“We aren’t hiding him,” Myrin read his thoughts again. “He’s hiding himself. Noctharn is technically a fugitive from the Eclipse Moor.”

I seriously need to find a better way to hide my thoughts… He glanced at Myrin who probably read this thought as well—he was smirking.

“We’re here,” Tina cut through their conversation. Soren looked up and saw a door similar to the Dungeon Door he’d seen before. This one however, didn’t radiate in energy—it was nothing but a simple door now, not supported by the dungeon’s vital energy.

Tina was about to knock when it flew open on its own. A man with an annoyed expression wearing a monocle on his right eye and a greenish-white turban over his head paired with a similar colored robe stomped out of the room, shoving Tina to the side.

“Damn witch.” He cursed on his way out.

“Someone in the guild?” Soren asked.

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“Nay,” Myrin retorted. “That’s Lazaren from the Silver Vial Distillery. It's another shadow guild.”

They all then heard a sigh coming from the room. Shorter than even Tyrel, a small girl emerged. She was wearing a dark purple robe paired with a cone hat of the same color. Her jet-black hair cascaded past her sharp ears down to her shoulders. Soren glanced into her amber-colored eyes and frowned.

“Is she Tyrel’s sister?”

Tina couldn’t hold it in and burst into laughter. “N-no…”

He watched as the little girl’s face turned bright red. Oh no, he thought.

“I am not related to that dwarf!” She declared.

Soren tried his best, but he couldn’t help his lips curving up into a smile. “I… I see…”

“Are you making fun of me?” She said, her eyes filling with anger.

“Now, now Cassia,” Myrin interrupted. “It was nothing but an innocent question. He meant nothing by it, right Soren?” He looked at him for assurance.

Soren decided to play along, “Yes, I apologize.”

“Hmph,” Cassia turned around and entered back inside the room. It was only then that he noticed her tail. It was long and sleek, overlapping in scales. Cassia flicked it around, matching her mood.

A Drakar? He thought.

Soren took a glimpse of the room inside—it was a massive lounge, fitted with countless wooden shelves and tables. At the center was a coffee table surrounded by leather sofas, and in the far back, he could see what looked to be a mini-bar. Despite the cozy atmosphere, no one was around to enjoy it aside from the lady behind the counter tending to the mini-bar. She waved at them joyfully.

“How was your trip guys? Was the mission a success?”

Myrin smiled, “Glad to see you again Joyce. And yes, it turned out well. Is Candice and Nicholas here?”

She shook her head, “Nope. Those two love-birds are out roaming the city. I asked them to bring some fresh bread from aunt Luna’s stand.”

Soren took in the views as he followed behind Cassia who threw herself on the sofa. “I seriously need a drink after that one…”

“You’re still a kid,” Myrin chuckled. “Get taller than Tyrel and we’ll consider it.”

Cassia crossed her arms and turned away, not wanting to hear the lecture.

“What happened to that guy from Silver Vial Distillery?” Tina asked her while placing down the crates next to the entrance.

“Ah, that…”

Soren decided to sit on the sofa with Myrin and the others as well to listen to the story.

“That bastard,” she cursed. “He wants our Mistress to help them decipher a new recipe they found. I was trying to negotiate with him, but he kept trying to sidestep the conversation. He’s clearly looking down on us so I kicked him out.”

Tina frowned. “I am guessing the terms were bad?”

“Very bad. In exchange for our mistress’ help, they would give us a 40% discount on all potions we purchase from them. Arrogant bastard.”

Myrin nodded, “Indeed, that is a very bad deal.”

“By the way,” Cassia then turned toward Soren, startling him. “Who the hell is this guy?”

“Oh him?” Myrin grinned. “Meet our newest member! Soren Andersen!”

She squinted her eyes, sizing him up. “He looks pretty weak.”

You’re one to talk, he wanted to say, but decided to stay silent.

Myrin chuckled. “You’re not wrong. But his abilities lie elsewhere. He’s a Vagrant Phantasm just like me, after all.”

Her eyes widened, “Whaaaaat?!”

Soren couldn’t help but grin like a child. Yeah, I am awesome like that.

“But doesn’t that mean he’s going to die soon?” She poured cold water on him immediately.

This twerp…

Tina nodded, “His situation is pretty bad, yes. But that’s why we brought him with us. We hoped that maybe our mistress had a solution to his dilemma.”

“I see, I see…” He saw Cassia lean back against the sofa, deep in thought. The room fell to silence for a bit before she leaned back forward and smiled at Soren.

“I didn’t introduce myself to you, I am Cassia, disciple of Mistress Sienna, the last Witch of Star Fate.

“Nice to meet you.”

Soren was stunned for words—he didn’t expect the sudden shift in attitude.

“Nice to meet you as well. I am Soren Andersen. A traveler and scribe.” He went by his vocation and title on his status sheet.

She nodded before turning to face Tina, “Speaking of that dwarf, where is he? Didn’t he leave with you guys?”

Tina shook her head, “He split from us on a separate mission. Once the others arrive, we’ll discuss what happened in Yadria.”

“Alright,” Cassia nodded.

The girl named Joyce walked toward the table carrying plates of chocolate cake and what looked to be orange juice. Soren took note of her appearance—she was a young woman that looked to be in her mid-twenties with her most prominent feature being her pair of feline ears sticking above her luscious blonde hair. Behind her sharply pointed pupils was an emerald green with hints of gold that expanded with the dimming light. She held a warm smile as she placed the food and drinks on the table.

As for her clothing, he didn’t notice any kind of weapon that could hint at whether she was a fighter or not. She bore a white blouse layered underneath a black leathered apron that extended down into a skirt—typical clothing for a bartender.

Myrin smiled, “Thank’s a lot Joyce. I missed your desserts.”

“Same,” Tina added, shoving a spoonful down her mouth without care.

Joyce smiled at the both and sat next to Cassia, who was also taking smaller bites out of her plate. She then looked at Soren. “I’ve heard we had a new addition to the guild, nice to meet you. My name is Joyce Graywood.”

“Graywood?” Soren lifted his brow. “You’re Tina’s sister?”

Joyce giggled, “Yes, but we aren’t blood related.”

“I see…” His first assumption was that they might have been half-sisters.

“Joyce and I belonged to the same orphanage. The Graywood Orphanage.” Tina said. “We both graduated as certified Silver Moon nuns from there.”