Chapter 110

Quolkeh vaguely understood the men knew each other and tapped her partner’s shoulder as the two continued to stare each other down. “Relax, Exis. This guy is one of us, right? There’s no point in fighting each other.” “I see. So someone here is capable of reason.” “Yeah. The name’s Quolkeh. If you need anything, just ask.” Opus gave Quolkeh’s outstretched hand a firm shake and introduced himself with a nasty grin. “I’m Opuskettenshultheimer Crosstettbomber. Opus is fine. I’m a Skill Master like Cayna. The Thirteenth.” “Huh? A Skill Master…?” “Watch yourself around him,” Exis warned. “He’s Leadale’s Kongming and just as notorious as Cayna.” “WHAAAA—?!” As soon as Exis mentioned Opus’s infamous alias, the shocked Quolkeh withdrew her handshake and scurried away. “Don’t interrupt, Exis. I finally met someone who wasn’t aware of my double life.” “How many people have you stabbed in the back with that fake smile?” “Who knows? I’ve lost count. After all, no matter how many I slaughter, my heart feels nothing for the masses.” “Eeeek?!” Kuu cackled as Quolkeh backed away even farther with terror in her eyes. “Keh-keh-keh. I see I’m not very popular.” “Don’t…fight…” Ever the peacekeeper, Luka tugged the collar of Opus’s coat. He chuckled at her timid attempt to mediate and kindly patted her head from her seat atop his shoulders. “You heard our friend. We shouldn’t act so unseemly in front of a child, correct? This isn’t the game world. Even I don’t intend to behave recklessly.” “Huh? That’s a lot comin’ from you, Mr. Whatever the Hell I Please,” Exis spat. Quolkeh also couldn’t believe what she was hearing from one of the game world’s Most Wanted and curiously thought that he was somehow different from what she’d expected. The duo’s reactions went unnoticed as Opus surveyed the deserted guild lobby. “Is this guild always so empty?” “Huh? Oh yeah, about that…” “It’s pretty straightforward. There’s an upcoming tourney in Felskeilo. Any adventurer confident enough to take on the challenge has already headed over. The rest either take in-town requests only or just aren’t interested.” According to Quolkeh, “town-only” adventurers gathered in the morning. Local requests were directly paid by the client, so aside from the odd workaholic, no one approached the Adventurers Guild once they finished for the day. This explained why no one else was around. For Exis and Quolkeh, it was a good chance to take on urgent requests. “A tourney… Hmph, I see. Aren’t you both going to join in?” “Whoa, whoa, whoa, what’re you sayin’? We’re at a way higher level than today’s adventurers. It’d be like shooting fish in a barrel. You’d better not enter, either. Tell Cayna the same thing. She’s level 1,100; no one stands a chance against her.” Cayna had actually grown stronger since she and Exis last met, but Opus felt no need to share this. “Understood. Thanks for the tip.” The reception desk called Opus’s name and gave him his registration card. “Wow…,” Luka said with visible delight as he twirled the card in his hand. Caught up in the moment, Opus captivated her and the guild employees by using his new registration like a magician’s deck of cards. “Hey, hey, hey! What do you think you’re doin’?!” “Hmph. We have plenty of time on our hands. No harm in taking a short break.” “What’s that got to do with puttin’ on a magic show?!” Exis always had a snappy comeback up his sleeve. This was no surprise coming from the man once called the Cream Cheese guild’s “voice of reason.” The dragoid was reminded of his suffering back in the old days. After bringing a brief moment of joy to the deserted guild, Opus turned on his heel as if to say Well, my job here is done. He gave a casual good-bye and went to leave. Still riding on his shoulders, Luka turned around and waved bye-bye to the pair. Kuu waved her arms wildly. Quolkeh smiled and returned the gesture, but Exis suddenly realized something and took several steps before calling out to Opus from behind. “Hey, where’s Cayna?” “She came with us, but she’s running a small errand right now. She has a habit of getting into all sorts of trouble if you take your eyes off her.” Cayna had found herself in plenty of pickles back when Exis was Tartarus. He paused for a moment of silence in her honor, then nodded sympathetically. “I mean, she’s even got a great-grandkid now, so yeah… By the way, Opus: Feel free to hit me up if you ever need a hand. I still owe you one from our guild days.” “How honest of you, considering you’re a different person now.” “Shut up. I wouldn’t feel right leavin’ things this way.” “In that case, I suppose I’ll be calling on you soon enough. Prepare yourself.” They joked and parted ways on friendly enough terms, but Exis later felt a tinge of regret. “Damn, he’s got somethin’ terrifying up his sleeve…” “You’re the one who blindly offered,” Quolkeh replied wearily. Trembling with an ominous premonition, Exis had no choice but to wait and see. Meanwhile, Cayna arrived at the castle as requested and stated her business to the gatekeeper. “I’m the adventurer Cayna. Your knights invited me here.” “Just a moment, please; I’ll confirm your arrival.” “Thank you very much.” She had assumed she’d be brusquely sent away but was surprised by the civil response. Back in the game, I would’ve gotten some obnoxious reply like Get away from the castle, you peasant. “Perhaps it is because Lady Caerina is an instructor here?” As a former guild headquarters, the castle gate had a watchtower built on top. In addition to the guard in front of her, Cayna could feel eyes unpleasantly observing her from above. I’m being waaaatched. “That is the role of gatekeepers. It is best to accept it.” Yeah, but still… While Cayna chatted with Kee, she used Search to take a peek at the stats of the soldiers around the gate. Most hovered around level 10. If a low-level quest boss attacked at that very moment, the soldiers would get their butts kicked. I sure hope no more event bosses run wild… “I must agree.” Leadale’s game system was undoubtedly behind those incidents as well. When Cayna remembered Luka’s village, she was racked with guilt. “That was not your fault, Cayna.” Maybe, but whenever I think about it… The actual cause was a distortion in the Abandoned Capital’s barrier, but she was not aware of this yet. After about thirty minutes of waiting (by Kee’s calculations), a familiar face finally appeared. “I apologize for selfishly asking you to come all this way, Grandmother.” Caerina bowed to Cayna in full view of the gatekeepers. Of course, those in the watchtower also shot the high elf inquisitive looks that seemed to ask Who is she? Still, Caerina was a knight instructor. Such an elevated position ensured every castle employee knew her. If this visitor was worthy of Caerina’s deference, no one could protest regardless of their suspicions. If this was her granddaughter’s scheme all along, it painted a frightening picture of the future. Unable to bear Caerina’s repetitive nodding any longer, Cayna tried to stop her by getting straight down to business. “Okay, okay. Enough apologizing, Caerina. I’ll look really suspicious if someone of your stature grovels like that. Or maybe you just called me here to apologize, and I can go home now?” “Ahhh, I-I’m sorry. It seems I’ve embarrassed myself.” Caerina gave one last bow before ordering the guards to open the service entrance beside the main gate and inviting Cayna inside. “Please, right this way. There is something I wish to ask of you in private.” “A request?” Clueless as to what it might be, Cayna tilted her head and followed her granddaughter. Caerina led her into the castle and proceeded to cut straight through it. Along the way, the ladies-in-waiting and soldiers bowed to Caerina but always appeared mystified as soon as they noticed Cayna behind her. Feeling very much like a fish out of water, Cayna shivered. “Are you unwell, Grandmother?” “No, no, it’s just obvious I’m on the Away Team.” “‘Away Team’?” “Oh, nothing, just thinking out loud. Don’t mind me.” Caerina had apparently been watching Cayna closely despite facing forward the entire time. Her impeccable hospitality was truly impressive. Just as Cayna wondered where her granddaughter was taking her, they continued straight through the castle and past a door until they were once again outside. “Here?” “Yes, that’s right. The training grounds are over that way.” “Training grounds? I hope you’re not going to ask for a demonstration.” “Oh no. I’d like to ask for your help with something else, Grandmother. I am quite interested in your ancient arts, however.”