Alonso and Cheng sat on a red, crescent-shaped sofa in the center of an opulent room—Cheng's office. The office was as large as a small basketball court, with towering bookshelves filled with ancient tomes lining the walls. These books varied from historical records to encyclopedias on magic, magical beasts, and medicinal herbs. It was evident that Cheng was a collector of knowledge, each book more valuable and weathered than the last.

At the far end of the room was Cheng's desk, cluttered with papers, scrolls, and various documents—a testament to the work that kept the guildmaster busy. A coffee table sat between them, adorned with fresh fruits and delicate sweets, signs of Cheng's refined tastes. This was no ordinary office; it radiated wealth, power, and a love for luxury.

Cheng, sitting comfortably across from Alonso, reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigarette. With a snap of his fingers, a wisp of flame appeared, lighting the cigarette as he took a deep drag. He then extended the cigarette pack toward Alonso with a casual gesture.

Alonso waved it off politely, his voice calm, "No, thank you."

Cheng gestured to the cake on the table, his grin widening. "Fancy a slice, my friend? It's lemon cake, rich and just the right amount of zest. And when the tea arrives, oh, it's a match made in heaven."

Alonso shook his head. "I'll pass."

Cheng shrugged, slicing into the cake. "Suit yourself."

With a flourish, he picked up a small silver bell from the table and rang it, the sound ringing out like a playful chime. Moments later, a woman entered the room, her presence soft yet professional. She bowed slightly as she approached. Without missing a beat, Cheng cheerfully ordered, "Two cups of Earl Grey, please!" The woman nodded and quickly vanished to fulfill the request.

Alonso surveyed the room, noting the subtle opulence that adorned it. The extravagant spread of sweets and the fragrant tea seemed worlds apart from the life of commoners in this realm. In a society steeped in magic and lacking the comforts of an industrial revolution, such luxuries were often reserved for the elite. It struck him that Cheng might be more than just a guildmaster; perhaps he held noble status.

When the woman returned with the tea, she placed the delicate cups on the table. Alonso picked up his cup, feeling the warmth radiate through the porcelain, and took a sip. The rich aroma of Earl Grey enveloped him, grounding him in the moment. Cheng leaned back, taking a leisurely drag from his cigarette, and asked with a grin, "How's the tea? A touch of heaven, wouldn't you say?"

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Alonso replied thoughtfully, "Ah, yes, this is indeed tea. A delightful brew, I must say. I've had the pleasure of experiencing its warmth on a few occasions."

In truth, Alonso knew far more about Earl Grey than he let on. He could have penned a treatise on its nuances, its delicate balance of flavors, and the rituals surrounding its preparation. However, revealing such knowledge might invite scrutiny, especially from Cheng, who seemed intent on dissecting Alonso's background. In this world, tea was a luxury predominantly enjoyed by the noble class. Allowing a hint of familiarity could lead Cheng to conclude that Alonso had mingled with high society or, worse, that he was concealing his true identity.

Cheng, however, leaned forward, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Ah, you're from the Burning Marshlands, aren't you? That's where your kind resides, right? You've got the build of a young oni, but you seem… different. Superior. What's your secret? Did you eat a magical vegetable or something?"

Alonso's mind raced, though his expression remained impassive. He had no knowledge of these Burning Marshlands or what it meant to be a "superior oni." He'd never encountered others of his kind, leaving him in the dark about where he truly stood. Cheng's probing questions made it abundantly clear—this was a treacherous game.

Alonso raised an eyebrow and replied with a calm demeanor, "Do you truly believe that I've resorted to taking human lives for my evolution? What if I were to tell you that I have not? Would you find that credible?

Cheng's face darkened momentarily, the tension in the room growing palpable. Alonso felt the weight of Cheng's power pressing down on him. Sweat formed on his brow. One wrong word could spell disaster.

But just as the tension reached its peak, Cheng burst out laughing, the sound echoing through the office and spilling into the halls beyond. "Sorry about that! I didn't mean to make you squirm. I just love teasing serious folks like you. You look like you could use a good laugh! The truth is, I already trust you."

Cheng leaned back in his chair, exhaling a cloud of smoke, his demeanor shifting back to playful. "You see, I already knew you were coming. You were in my dreams."

Alonso stiffened, the guildmaster's casual tone setting him on edge. He thought to himself, Is this fool hitting on me?

Cheng caught Alonso's reaction and laughed even harder. "No, no, I'm not messing with you! I meant it! I really did dream about you. The goddess Euphemia granted me a blessing—foresight. I tend to dream about the future, you see. And trust me, it's more exciting than any soap opera!"

Alonso's curiosity piqued. He took another sip of tea and asked, "So, what did you dream about?"

Cheng leaned forward, the cigarette dangling loosely from his lips. "There's a dungeon that no one's been able to conquer. In my dream, the goddess Euphemia ( also known as Libra) visited me and told me an oni would come—an oni I should guide to that dungeon. Can you believe it? It's like I'm in a fantasy novel!"

Alonso fell silent, his mind racing. He recalled reading about dungeons in the guild's library—mysterious places that rose from the ground, filled with treasures and dangers beyond imagination. No one knew why they existed, though many believed them to be trials set by the gods. Those who conquered them often found riches vast enough to rival a kingdom's treasury.

"Dungeons," Alonso muttered to himself, his thoughts swirling. The guildmaster had set his sights on him for a reason. Whether or not he trusted Cheng fully didn't matter—the road ahead had already begun to unfold.

Cheng grinned, noticing Alonso deep in thought. "So, what do you say? Ready to see what fate has in store for you? I promise it'll be more fun than watching paint dry!"