Necky sat in the guild library, surrounded by dusty books and parchments that seemed to crackle with every page turn. Finally, a moment of peace. She stretched, savoring the tranquility.
"This is life. A little darkness, a little forbidden magic... and no idiots interrupting me."
Of course, that didn't last. The guild administrator appeared with his stern expression, like a cloud threatening a bureaucratic storm and, of course, with his heroic cape swaying even without wind.
"Necra Gravesoul."
Necky looked up with an expression of pure horror.
"Oh, no. What did I do now?"
"As the person who reported the goblin settlement, you will be the leader of the subjugation mission."
The grimoire Necky was holding fell to the floor with a thud.
"LEADER?! ME?!"
The administrator nodded with the calm of someone accustomed to dealing with people in crisis.
"It's standard procedure."
"This is an abuse of authority! I'm an archnicromancer, even if I'm amazing, I'm not meant for the front lines!"
"That's why you have a B-rank license... Technically, you're one of our best adventurers. There are only about a dozen B-ranks."
"That's a technicality! I've never led anything in my life!"
"Precisely why this is a great opportunity to gain experience."
Necky buried her face in her hands.
"No... this can't be happening. I don't lead adventurer groups! Necromancers are solitary... solitary warriors!"
Graham, leaning in a nearby corner, seized the moment to interject with her usual enthusiasm.
"WHAT AN HONOR, MY LADY! A LEGENDARY MISSION UNDER YOUR COMMAND! THE BARDS WILL SING OF THIS DAY!"
"Shut up, Graham, it's not the time!" Necky growled, shooting her a murderous glare.
"THIS IS GLORIOUS! A TEST TO PROVE YOUR IMMENSE GREATNESS!"
Necky sighed, rubbing her temples.
"You know what? If you're so excited... you lead the mission."
Graham hesitated.
"Huh?"
"Yes, that's right. You go to the front, you talk to the guild idiots, and I'll just stay in the back, watching you humiliate yourself."
Graham's demonic eye glowed with excitement.
"I ACCEPT! IT WILL BE MY FIRST EXPLOIT AS A GENERAL! I PROMISE NOT TO DISAPPOINT YOU, MY LADY!"
Necky didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Whatever. But if you mess this up, I swear I'll throw you into the lake."
As Graham continued to ramble about strategies and victories, Necky rested her head on the table, wondering how she had ended up like this. At least, she thought, this time it wouldn't be her fault if everything went wrong.