The heavy doors of the guild creaked open. Daniel was the first to cross the threshold, his head held high though his clothes still bore the dust of the forest and the marks of the serpent battle.
A murmur rose at once through the crowded hall. Then, laughter erupted.
— "Hey, look at that!" someone jeered. "Here comes our bargain-bin hero!"
— "He looks like he rolled in mud rather than fought anything!" added another, sending the crowd into roaring laughter.
Daniel felt their stares pierce him like arrows. Tankards clashed, mocking voices echoed, and the whole guild seemed to revel in his humiliation.
But then, another figure stepped through the doorway.
Elise.
Her stride was light, yet her presence commanded silence. Her long silver hair cascaded under the torchlight, her crystal-green eyes gleamed like blades of emerald. Her armor, though dented from the fight, still radiated nobility.
The hall fell quiet. Only the crackle of the hearthfire remained.
— "Wait… look… that's Elise!" gasped an older adventurer, rising to his feet.
— "Elise, the graduate of the Royal Academy…"
— "Elise, Rank A… the finest adventurer of our guild!"
A wave of awe rippled through the room. Some lowered their heads in respect, others stared as if witnessing a goddess descend among them.
Daniel, however, remained unmoved. He crossed his arms, wearing an almost bored expression.
Here we go again… the cliché scene where the 'waifu' walks in, and everyone bows in reverence. I've seen this a thousand times in anime…
And yet, beneath his feigned indifference, his heart betrayed him, beating faster than he cared to admit.
The guild now stood enthralled before Elise, showering her with reverence, some with near worship. And in that shift of attention, Daniel—the same boy who had just been ridiculed—was completely forgotten.
They did not yet know that behind his awkward airs and dusty clothes, he carried within him a flame not even the highest ranks had yet glimpsed.
The guild's reception hall buzzed with whispers and stifled laughter. Daniel walked in, chin held high, but he couldn't ignore the jeers from the other members: some mocked his proud demeanor, others his reputation as a "dramatic hero."
Elise, unfazed by the mocking stares, strode straight to the receptionist, determined to validate her quest.
—"Hello… I'm here to submit my proof for the quest," she said calmly.
The receptionist, arms crossed, replied in a serious tone:
—"To validate the quest, I need tangible proof. And don't forget… you were supposed to bring the serpent's eyes."
Elise immediately turned to Daniel, raising an eyebrow.
—"But… how are we supposed to do that if we don't have the serpent?"
Daniel flashed a mischievous smile, as if the solution had always been there, right under their noses.
—"Don't worry… the solution is already taken care of."
He raised his left hand and gently placed it on the ground. Effortlessly, golden, intricate patterns appeared around him, spreading in concentric circles like ancient magic awakened. From these patterns emerged the serpent… already cut into pieces, perfectly reassembled and spectacular, undulating through the hall with terrifying realism.
For the first time, the receptionist's eyes widened, stunned by the display. Daniel, unfazed, merely offered a slight smile, letting his power speak for itself.
A heavy silence fell over the room, filled with respect and awe. Even the guild members who had mocked him couldn't look away. Daniel and Elise finally stepped forward to submit the proof, while the receptionist, still in shock, began preparing the quest's official validation.
---
The receptionist brought out a shimmering pouch, marked with the Crystalis ❖ symbol.
—"For this quest… here is your reward: 200,000 ❖," she announced in a serious tone.
Elise, calm and methodical, took the pouch and approached Daniel. She held it out to him, her eyes steady:
—"Here… this is for the work you've done."
Daniel stepped back slightly, embarrassed, a faint blush on his cheeks.
—"Uh… I… I can't take it all…" he stammered. "You contributed too… even a little…"
Around them, the guild members watched, mouths agape. Many were shocked by Elise's gesture, giving the entire reward to Daniel. Yet, even as they admired the impressive technique he had used earlier, they remained captivated by what they had just witnessed.
Elise took a deep breath and addressed everyone:
—"Alright… I didn't do anything. I just watched. Daniel is the one who defeated the serpent."
A stunned silence swept through the hall. Eyes widened, and whispers of disbelief passed between members. Daniel, still a little embarrassed but amused, offered a small smile and approached Elise.
—"Well… in that case, let's split the reward. 100,000 ❖ each."
Elise nodded calmly and seriously. Each took their share, placing half of the pouch on the receptionist's table to officially record the transaction. The entire guild, still impressed by the spectacular technique and the maturity of the two heroes, remained silent, mesmerized by this extraordinary moment.
Daniel and Elise exchanged a glance, a faint shared smile between them, knowing this moment would be etched in the annals of the guild. They had managed to combine power, prudence, and humility, all while keeping the humor and spirit that had defined them from the very start of their adventure.