In the break room, there are large windows which overlook the center of Redwood Town. The sun had already crept up from the previous long night. Its rays shone through these windows casting large bright rays of sunshine into the room. The sun shone as though the chaos from last night didn't occur.
Krum and a few enforcers walked into the room. These were newly promoted enforcers. Fresh faces that weren't from the regulars. One of them walked up to table where Flora, Feng Ye, Red, and Anne sat at.
He cleared his throat slightly.
"Ahem, hello. There's been a recent update from the Adventurer's Guild. All four of you are hereby recognized for your actions and involvement during the Redwood Incident. You have merit and thus, the guild decided to reward your efforts.
The group exchanged glances. Red chuckled.
"You each will be granted ten high grade beast cores. There will be no official commendation due to the confidentiality of the incident. We do hope that you would observe this custom."
The group nodded. Red comments with another chuckle, "Ten high grade beast cores would shut my mouth any day!"
"The guild also wanted to give these.."
The enforcer placed four bronze tokens on the table. Each had the guild's emblem carved into them. When tilted, it refracted an interesting rainbow light.
"These are recognition tokens. They are given by the adventurer's guild to recognize impactful contributions. They'll grant you expedited passage into the capital and ease entry into any guild owned or guild sponsored structures or services."
Flora gasped as she knew about how difficult it was to get one of these. "These are very useful. It is a status that allows you to get help from any guild service. It comes with tons of advantages!"
The enforcer nodded with a grin.
Anne also cracked a smile. Given her background, she also knew how rare it was to get one of these.
Red picked one up and flipped it a few times in his palm with an amused look.
The enforcer looked around at everyone at the table with a smile. "That's all I have today, however, the boss still has some words. I'll be taking my leave." He hinted at Krum who stood nearby waiting for him to finish.
The enforcer walked away and Krum stepped forward and approached the group. He turned to Flora first.
"Miss Flora. While your title was receptionist, your actions during the past incident did not go unnoticed. I'm authorized to extend an invitation on behalf of the guild's capital headquarters.
Flora widened her eyes. "Invitation?"
"Yes, a transfer invitation to the guild's headquarters located in the capital." He answered calmly. "Specifically, to the logistics and support department. Your skills would be put to waste to remain as a receptionist."
Flora was stunned as she muttered. "What? I'm just…"
"Not anymore." Anne interrupted with a smile.
Red leaned back in his chair and stretched. "Everyone's moving up in the world. So quickly."
Krum turned to Red. "You interested as well?"
Red shook his head. "No, I'm good. I had my share of fun and adventure. I'm taking these cores and retiring. Opening a bookstore. Napping in one is a great pastime of mine."
Everyone laughed at Red's unexpected retirement message.
Krum turned to Flora, Feng Ye, and Anne. "You three. There's a merchant caravan departing for the capital tomorrow at noon. You can ride with them. I've arranged it."
He handed them each a folded paper stamped with the emblem of the guild. "Just give the caravan these and they would know what to do."
He walked over to the window overlooking the central plaza. He stared outside for a brief moment before turning back to the group.
"Rest up. Stay out of sight until then. The capital is a different beast…You'll need your strength." He warned with a light voice.
"Where should we stay?" Flora asked.
Krum thought for a moment. "You can use the guest rooms at this branch. They survived the chaos. They should be safer than any inn right now."
Flora agreed. "After the chaos from yesterday, all taverns and inns must be completely booked."
Anne nodded with a yawn. "I'm pretty tired. It's already morning but my energy is gone. Let's meet up tomorrow here in the morning."
Feng Ye also nodded in agreement.
"Good bye! Maybe you can come by my future bookstore one day. You three go on and change the world. I'll be waiting with tea and books when you're ready to retire." Red grinned.
Red remained sitting where he was, while the rest followed Flora to the guest rooms.
After leaving the break room, Feng Ye glanced down at the token in his hand. It felt heavier than it looked. A symbol of status, sure but also of expectation.
Feng Ye let out a sigh. The next step of the journey was the capital. He was a few steps closer to surviving in this trial.
--
Meanwhile, in the basement of a broken shopfront located in the slums of Redwood Town, two figures knelt before a third cloaked in dark robes.
The elder's voice was old but contained a strong dignity. "What's the status?"
"A failed summon.," the cloaked woman spoke softly. "The pawn was just a fool. He was too weak."
"But," the cloaked man next to her added, "the blade reacted to one."
The elder's voice contained hints of interest. "A new candidate?"
"We confirmed his name. Ye Feng." The cloaked man continued.
"Ye Feng." The elder displayed an expression that was lost in thought.
After a brief pause, he whispered. "Curious."
"And the blade did not reject him?"
The man thought for a moment as if recalling his thoughts. "No, it seemed to react to him. We believe he may be suitable."
"Ye Feng." The elder repeated softly. His voice lingered.
He then glanced at the two figures kneeling before him.
"We do not act. Not yet. Watch the vessel candidate. Let the vessel walk freely. Let him believe he chooses his path. When the blade finishes its song… he will come to us willingly. If he's truly compatible, the blade will continue to awake him."
He turned around in a relaxed manner, with his arms folded behind his back.
"We must speed up our preparations. The ancestor emperor must return. When the appropriate time comes, our offering must be worthy…"
The two cloaked figures nod with solemn expression and disappear into the darkness.
"Ye Feng. I have high expectations." The elder muttered to himself before disappearing into the darkness as well.