Kirk had seen adventurers do just that, having worked for the guild a long time. Though, Zig noticed that the vice president’s words were deflective, as if covering up a past shame.
“So, it’s possible that some adventurers may have falsified their personal information.”
“That’s how it is. Look at this.”
Kirk slid a document across the desk.
Looking at it, the file contained the names of various adventurers. They were separated by parties and had additional information such as their class, weapons, and the types and strength of the magic they could use.
The list contained about thirty names in all.
“This is our list of suspects.”
“Are you sure I can see this?”
Kirk scoffed while Zig was taken aback that he was sharing confidential guild information with him. That alone was enough to tell Zig what the man wanted.
“You trying to get me to run internal affairs for you?”
“Thought you said you’d do anything as long as you got paid.”
“I did, but…”
Mercenaries basically did anything for money. Anything.
Although you no longer needed to take extra jobs once you were attached to a big enough mercenary group, freelancers and mercenaries who had too much time on their hands were more than welcome to do so. Anything from bodyguarding, training new recruits, to unloading cargo from carriages or ships were on the table.
However, that didn’t mean they would take on every job.
“This isn’t your usual line of work… Am I reading you right?”
The edge of Kirk’s lips curled into a grin, having read Zig’s mind.
“It’s not,” Zig replied.
“I don’t have so much free time on my hands that I would play a practical joke on you just to see how you would react.”
Zig felt a rush of relief at what Kirk said. He already had a feeling that was the case.
The man hated inefficiency and always did what was best for the guild. He wouldn’t go out of his way to hire a mercenary unless he had a very good reason to.
Kirk got up and made sure the door was locked before activating the cylindrical magic item on the wall. The magic item was familiar to Zig; it was used to soundproof a room and was the exact copy of the one Kirk used when they talked about the Claritists last time.
The old one had been destroyed in Siasha’s fit of rage, and Kirk’s usage of it sent Zig very clear signals.
“This whole incident reeks,” Kirk said with a heavy voice, his crow’s feet making deep lines at the corners of his eyes.
“We’ve had similar incidents in the past, so the dangers revolving around the blade bee nest is common knowledge. That’s why we thoroughly drill that fact into adventurers who are heading out into the zone.”
Siasha had received the same instruction. Warnings concerning the blade bees were so thorough that even an outsider like Zig was aware of them.
“Yet this happened today… I don’t think it’s because we’ve been lacking in our instructions.”
“Maybe it was someone who just got promoted. People who just don’t listen are common enough.”
“We can’t rule it out. But there is very little evidence that that is the case.”
Zig saw the logic in Kirk’s words.
Even an idiot knew what would happen if you kicked a blade bees’ nest. Someone would have spotted said idiot messing around if he really did exist. The fact that there were so many adventurers present with no name to the culprit made it far too unlikely.
“The list is made of names that couldn’t be ruled out after eyewitness testimonies,” Kirk continued, pointing to the document. “As long as the culprit isn’t dead, he should be on that list.”
“You seem to think that he’s not.”
“That is what I would like you to investigate. If he is dead, all the better. If not…” Kirk trailed off.
“You’ll make him pay?”
“Don’t be silly,” Kirk smirked, his gaze becoming sharp. “There are limits to what money can do.” His eyes weren’t smiling one bit, however. “If this whole thing was done intentionally, what happened today wouldn’t be the end of it. There will be a next time.”
“You’re probably right.”
If there was someone behind this incident, then they wanted to hurt the guild as much as possible.
This morning’s attack of the blade bees would be considered a failure by their standards. The scope of damage was small and far too many people survived. There was a high likelihood that the perpetrator would want to cause more mayhem.
If there is a culprit.
Zig wasn’t fully convinced. Although he understood the lack of closure in writing this whole thing off as an accident, he didn’t understand why anyone would try to pick a fight with the guild. Kirk probably knew some people that had a good reason, but he kept Zig in the dark about it.
“Contract period is twenty days with a reward of five hundred thousand. This is your minimum payment even if you don’t find anything. If you find additional evidence, that’s an additional five hundred thousand. Find the perpetrator and I’ll pay you one million and five hundred thousand.”
Zig whistled, impressed at the unexpected payout. “Whew… That’s generous of you.”
“That’s how important this investigation is.”
“But I’m still on the clock as a bodyguard.”
“I don’t think that thing even needs a bodyguard… But, fine. It won’t be a problem. You won’t appear out of place looking into adventurers while you’re on your current contract. An outsider might raise eyebrows if he starts sniffing around, but I think most adventurers are used to seeing you by now.”
Kirk didn’t mind Zig going about his usual job.
“You also know your way around the underworld. Ask around, it’s not uncommon for some adventurers to have connections to the mafia. I hope you can see why I chose not to assign one of our members to this investigation. Too dangerous. With you, though, I have nothing to worry about.”
Zig’s reasons to refuse were getting knocked down one after another. It wasn’t a bad gig. With a little effort he could get a cool five hundred thousand orth even if he didn’t find anything.
“I can’t guarantee that I’ll find him.”
“That’s fine. I know you won’t shortchange me on effort.”
Kirk had rated Zig quite highly after the rescue operation. His trust was worth more than whatever he could pay.
“You never know…but I’ll take the job.”
“Good. Take the list with you. Be careful with it, though, because it doesn’t actually exist on paper.”
Zig took the payment slip and suspect list from Kirk before deciding to head out. He stood up and put his hand on the door handle.
“Oh, I almost forgot.” Kirk then stopped him as if he just remembered something. “It’s not a random list. The adventurers on that list are all known for behaving poorly and getting terrible ratings. It’s arranged from worst to least bad. It’s no proof of their guilt, but refer to it as you will.”
Zig took a peek at the list and noticed notes scribbled in the margins. They were the guild’s evaluation of the adventurers.
“You’re pretty thorough… Hrm.”
Zig raised his eyebrows when he scanned the bottom of the list where the most well-behaved suspects were.
“A demi-human?”
“Public sentiment aside, he is a rare individual with great character and abilities. You should talk to him.”
Zig didn’t discriminate against demi-humans, and his first contact with Urbas caused him to view the race in a positive light. The demi-human would make a great starting point.
“I’ll do that.”
“I await good tidings.”
Having accepted his new assignment, Zig left the room.
“Now, where do I start?”
Zig thought about his next move as he walked away from Kirk’s office. Although he was inexperienced in this line of work, he wasn’t completely clueless.