Crowne finally arrived back in the city of Stromhall. Ronan had also fully recovered. The two of them came together to the Adventurers' Guild. Meanwhile, Jörmungandr had returned to the realm inside the Dimensional Prison Ring.
Without much thought, the two went straight to the Adventurers' Guild to report the mission they had just completed in Garlun Village.
As they entered the guild hall, the atmosphere was as lively as ever. Laughter, shouting, and the clattering of mugs echoed throughout the room. Adventurers who were relaxing immediately turned their heads when they saw Crowne and Ronan step inside.
"The rank-F adventurer finally returns. I thought he'd die while doing the mission," one of them mocked.
"Isn't dying during a rank F mission extremely humiliating? Even a child's task takes days for him."
"What a weakling!"
Crowne walked toward the receptionist's desk, completely ignoring those people. He handed over the mission paper they had completed.
Without many questions, the receptionist accepted the paper. She checked it briefly, then nodded. "Alright. Rank F mission. As agreed, here is the reward."
Her hand slid a small pouch toward Crowne. "Ten gold coins."
Crowne frowned. "Wasn't the reward only…"
"This is the guild master's order. He said there's been a change in the mission rank. Just accept it," the receptionist cut him off before he could finish his question.
Given ten gold coins, of course Crowne would not refuse. The gleam of gold reflected on the wooden table, making several other adventurers' eyes widen. The previously noisy atmosphere suddenly turned silent.
Some of them glanced at the table. To be precise, at the pile of gold coins in Crowne's possession.
"Ten gold coins?!" one adventurer shouted in shock. His chair even fell backward. "He only completed a rank F mission, why did he get that much reward? This doesn't make sense!"
"That's right! This isn't fair! Even we, at higher rank, don't always get that much. We risk our lives—" another one tried to protest as well.
But the receptionist glared sharply. Her eyes were cold and intimidating. "Silence, or do you want me to report you to the guild master? This is the guild master's order. If you want to complain, take it up with him! Not with me."
The atmosphere immediately fell quiet. The adventurers who had stood up hurriedly sat back down, lowering their heads. No one dared to resist that gaze. No one would dare cross the guild master.
Things returned to calm.
"Is the guild master really that strong?" Crowne thought.
He exhaled softly, then stored the pouch of gold into his new Inventory Ring. Without saying much, he gave Ronan a nod.
They were about to leave, but suddenly they were called back.
"Crowne," the receptionist called again. "The guild master wants to meet you and Ronan. Please head upstairs to the second floor."
Crowne glanced briefly at Ronan.
They both looked at the receptionist's face. "What does he want from us?"
The receptionist shrugged. "Don't ask me. Just meet him upstairs."
Ronan and Crowne exchanged confused looks, but followed the instructions and went up to the second floor.
**
The meeting was brief. The guild master of the Stromhall branch was Dorian. He only asked about what had happened in Garlun Village. He was gathering additional information.
In truth, he wanted to hear from Ronan's perspective because, when he had been in Garlun Village, Ronan was unconscious.
Ronan answered with what he knew, nothing exaggerated. The guild master nodded in satisfaction, then closed the conversation.
"Alright. You may leave. But remember, this report will be sent to the central guild. Don't hide anything important."
Ronan simply nodded, then left together with Crowne. However, before they actually stepped out, Dorian suddenly tossed a paper toward Crowne.
"That's the transfer letter for the creature called Wendigo that you entrusted to me," he said flatly.
"You didn't mistreat it, did you?"
A powerful aura surged from Crowne's body. But Dorian, upon seeing it, remained calm. That aura was nothing intimidating to him.
"Of course not. You can read the copy of the letter I sent to the central guild! I'm not that cruel," Crowne replied.
He felt relieved. He opened the door to leave, but Dorian spoke again. Crowne paused for a moment.
"It seems the central guild will take interest in you two. In the next few days, they might come."
Crowne didn't care much about that. He resumed walking. He and Ronan stepped outside, and the door shut not long after.
Now the room was left with only Dorian.
"He's not strong. How could he defeat a dozen Wendigos? What is he hiding?" Dorian muttered.
Leaning forward, he stared at the door for quite a while, a small smile forming. He was interested in Crowne and Ronan.
"I will uncover what you two are hiding."
**
That evening, the two decided to return to the same inn they had rented before. The price was affordable and comfortable. Not luxurious, but good enough for rest.
They ordered warm food—meat stew, toasted bread, and a little drink to warm their bodies. Ronan ate heartily, as if he hadn't touched proper food in days.
His body was still in the process of recovery, so he needed as much energy as possible.
Meanwhile, Crowne only ate what he needed. His mind was still full of many things—Zamond, the bandits, and the figure Jörmungandr had mentioned earlier.
"Master, is something troubling you?" Ronan asked with concern.
Crowne shook his head. "Nothing."
Ronan watched his face for a while, then shrugged and returned to his focus—eating.
Crowne began eating again. But just as he was about to take a bite, someone suddenly passed by his side.
At that exact moment, a piece of paper fell onto their table. Clearly, it wasn't an accident. Crowne stared at it for a long time.
Then he picked it up and read the writing on it.
'Meet me at the eastern side of Stromhall. There is something important I need to tell you.'
As he read it, Crowne's gaze was filled with hatred. He clenched his fist tightly.
"What does he want now?" Crowne muttered.