Dilek entered the guild hall shirtless. A few passerby stared, some with wide eyes, others chuckling quietly among themselves. The place smelled faintly of ale and smoke, with chatter echoing around. Adventurers lounged around long tables, Some polishing weapons, gambling, or bragging about recent quests.
One man near the quest boards noticed dilek and stepped forward. "Oh hey, Dilek! Why are you shirtless?"
He put his hand forward for a handshake. "By the way, name's Corin."
Dilek looked up, recognizing the man as he shook Corin's hand. He'd seen him during the last raid — the same guy who had thanked him for healing everyone.
"Just did a quest," Dilek said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Was kinda difficult."
"What sort of quest?" Corin asked with a curious grin.
Dilek smirked. "One that removes your shirt." He patted the man's shoulder and walked past him.
Corin chuckled and turned toward the one-star quest board. A single sheet pinned there caught his eye:
——
Help the Single Orc Lady
Description isn't provided by the guild, but it's Big Brittany and she paid a lot — and you know what she wants. You need to be 18+ to accept it.
Why are you even thinking about it...
——
The man blinked, then slowly looked back at Dilek's retreating figure. "What a brave soul…" he muttered.
Dilek reached the counter and spotted Percy. "Oh, heyyy Percy, my guy! How are you?" Dilek smiled.
Percy looked at him, unimpressed. "Dilek… why are you bullying the newbies? Teruru is new here, and you scared her."
"Oh, Teruru… oh right, the girl." Dilek nodded. "She gave me a quest, yes yes. She said stuff like, "No one has been able to finish it, so if you finish it, you get two Gisho.' So I said, "Alright, hit me up!" Dilek spoke dramatically as Percy stared at him in disbelief.
"Look, whatever the case, you're breaking rules. People work hard to rank up in quests to do higher-level ones — and you didn't," Percy said, crossing his arms.
"Woah, woah, Percy, my friend," Dilek said as he leaned forward with both hands on the counter. "I'm a capable guy."
"It's not about being capab— eugh, what's that stench?" Percy pinched his nose and stepped back.
"Oh, well, I did the Swamp Hag quest and, well, I dealt in the swamp… you can guess the rest."
"Still, you should have taken a bath before coming here." Percy covered his mouth with a handkerchief, he pulled out of his pocket. "Show me the proof."
Dilek smiled and placed a paper on the counter. Percy picked it up and began to read.
——
Last Will and Testament of the Rosevelt Family
I, Jonathan Rosevelt, patriarch of the Rosevelt Estate, being of sound mind and body, do hereby declare this to be my Last Will and Testament.
It is my solemn will that all properties, holdings, and assets bearing the Rosevelt name shall remain within the family. In the event of my passing, all rights of ownership shall pass to the heirs of the Rosevelt bloodline, to be held, maintained, and preserved.
This includes — but is not limited to — the Rosevelt Manor, the surrounding woodlands, fields, and lands adjoining the southern marshes. The estate shall not be divided, sold, or transferred to any party outside of the Rosevelt lineage without unanimous consent of the surviving heirs.
The heirs are entrusted with the ownership of this land, to protect it, to inhabit it, and to keep the Rosevelt legacy whole for generations to come.
Signed by
Jonathan Rosevelt
——
Percy looked at the paper, noticing the official seal of the Rosevelt family and a small, faded handwritten note added much later:
Including the swamps, so basically all of it is private property now, as Tommy Rosevelt lives there.
"Looks real," Percy said. "Though I'm surprised… is it really the Tommy Rosevelt?"
"Yeah, why?" Dilek asked.
Percy looked at him. "Well, the Rosevelt family passed away. Tommy Rosevelt was said to have died too, but they never found his body in the manor. The ownership of the Rosevelt estate's been tied up in legal battles over whether the side families should inherit it or not."
He sighed and kept reading the paper. Dilek asked, "His house burned?"
Percy looked up. "Oh yeah. There was a huge fire at their house during Tommy Rosevelt's birthday event. Ruled as an accident. It was pretty big news. How come you didn't know?"
Dilek shrugged. "Whatever. So, like, is this enough proof? I mean, legally speaking, you can't kick the owner out of his own property by calling it a quest, right? Pretty much any adventurer who goes there is trespassing on his private property."
Percy sighed. "Yeah… yeah, I know," he said. "I'll take this paper and have it sent to the Royal Courthouse. The case has been on hold for a long while."
"And ethically speaking, I did finish the quest, right?" Dilek grinned and held his hand forward.
Percy rolled his eyes. "Yeah, sure. I'll go get it — just let me put this paper away."
A minute later, Percy returned and stamped COMPLETE on the Swamp Hag quest form. He handed Dilek his Gisho, then paused. "Hey, come to think of it, it's a 'Swamp Hag,' not a Swamp Wizard quest."
"What do you mean?" Dilek asked, before realizing. "Oh! Well, he deals with curses, so he's basically a witch."
Percy stared blankly. "Never mind that. I won't even question it. Get lost."
Dilek smiled as he walked away, Percy yelling from behind, "ALSO, WEAR A SHIRT NEXT TIME!"
Dilek stepped out of the guild. The sun was low, casting orange streaks across the cobblestone street. The air carried the faint smell of roasted meat from a nearby stall, A few people stood chatting outside the guild, while others hurried in and out — but everyone he passed had one thing in common they covered their noses near dilek.
Alright, I'll go back, get a bath in the shower... or should I go to the bathhouse? Dilek thought as he walked down the road. No… I stink too much. I wonder if the others are using the shower. Or maybe Hela's forcing them to take one. He chuckled softly.
The streets grew quieter as he moved away from the guild's lively glow. The houses here were smaller, their windows dimly lit. A cat darted across the road, and the wind brushed through the trees lining the narrow path.
Hm… maybe I should go this weekend to check on the poor folks, he thought. Might heal them. I wonder if they think I'm a divine messenger yet.
The air was still. The street ahead looked empty.
"Awfully isolated, gotta say," Dilek muttered. "Wow, this is like one of those horror movies where the main character gets kidnap—"
HIT—
Dilek was knocked out cold before he could finish his sentence, struck hard at the back of his neck.
—
A faint voice whispered somewhere close, almost humming through the steam.
"Oh, this is nice, isn't it? I might just come to life if it goes at this pace—"
Dilek's eyes opened. He blinked up at the ceiling.
"White... marble…" he muttered weakly. His neck ached. "Did I have a dream?"
He groaned and sat up — then froze.
He looked down.
He was completely naked.
"WHAT THE—?!"
Dilek jumped up, startled, slipping slightly on the wet marble. His eyes darted around. The room was enormous — warm air thick with the scent of rose petals and steam. The faint sound of running water echoed all around him.
He blinked again, his vision sharpening. The place looked like something out of a palace. Smooth marble tiles stretched across the floor, the glimmering floor under golden light from crystal chandeliers. Golden fountains lined the edges, their streams cascading into pools so clear they looked like glass. Each fountain was shaped in little angels, all made of gold, holding small bowls that poured out warm, perfumed water.
"Okay…" Dilek thought, slowly turning in a circle. "Where the hell am I?"
Just then, a door on the far end opened.
Dilek spun around instinctively, covering himself as a man entered, wearing a soft white bathrobe. The man's footsteps echoed lightly on the marble floor. He removed his spectacles and handed them to a female maid waiting by the door, who bowed silently before stepping out.
The man untied his robe and set it aside on a rack — his build was lean but strong, with faint scars across his chest and shoulders. His hair was mostly brown but streaked with silver, and his face was clean-shaven.
He turned to Dilek with a small smile. "Oh, it seems you've woken up."
"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?! WHY DO YOU THINK IT'S NORMAL FOR ME TO BE HERE?! DID YOU KIDNAP ME?!" Dilek shouted, covering his chest and stepping back toward a corner like a startled cat.
The man laughed quietly, his voice was calm despite Dilek's reaction. "I apologize for the sudden kidnapping. I'm sure you were surprised."
He gestured lightly. "I'm Castorik."
"Why don't you take a bath with me?" he added, walking toward the main pool.
"WHAT—WHAT THE HELL?! ARE YOU REALLY A PERVERT?! YOU'RE INTO YOUNG BOYS, AREN'T YOU?! YOU—YOU PEDOPHILE!" Dilek shouted from the corner, clutching a towel that was on the sink near him.
Castorik ignored him, switching on one of the side showers. The water poured down warm and steady as he rinsed himself off, then walked into the wide pool sunken into the floor. The water rippled softly as he settled into it, leaning back against the smooth marble edge.
"Don't be so dramatic," he said. "I'm just someone who does business. All I want is to talk to you."
Dilek squinted at him suspiciously, still holding the towel close. "Talk?"
"Yes," Castorik said simply.
Dilek hesitated, but even he had to take a shower since he stank. The swamp's odor still clung to his hair and skin. Grimacing, he gave up and hurried to the nearest shower.
Warm water poured over him, washing away mud. After a quick rinse, he spotted a smaller bath across the room — a separate pool, decorated with silver tiles and surrounded by flower petals. Keeping a safe distance, Dilek sat in it, sinking into the water until it reached his shoulders.
Castorik glanced over lazily. "I heard you were a priest."
"I am," Dilek said quickly. "Wanna join my cul— I mean, our faith?"
Castorik arched an eyebrow. "Sure, why not? But only if you can show me some proof."
"Proof? What do you mean?"
Without hesitation, Castorik stood up from the bath. Water streamed down his frame, glinting in the golden light.
Dilek immediately spun around, covering his eyes. "YOU GODDAMN PERVERT! STOP FLASHING ME FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE!"
"Dilek, the Priest of Purity," Castorik said calmly as he reached for a towel. "Leader of the Party… that lives in a tavern. Hold on—come to think of it, isn't there a name for that place?"
Dilek frowned, still looking away. "Good point. They never mentioned a name. I don't think the tavern has one."
Castorik sighed, drying his hair with a fresh towel. "Well, anyway, I know a lot about you. I also know that Iris is keeping you a secret."
"Huh?" Dilek tilted his head. "Ohhhh, you mean Jonah."
"Hmm?" Castorik looked genuinely puzzled.
"Oh yeah," Dilek continued casually, "I'm a priest, but if you're talking about the person Iris is hiding, it must be Jonah. He's the guy that healed everyone with the big light."
"Jonah… wait, what?" Castorik froze for a second. He looked at Dilek, confused. 'Did I just bring a random guy? Is he really just some random guy? No, wait—he literally confessed to being in a faith.'
Castorik's expression didn't change, but his thoughts were racing. 'Iris… the vice guildmaster. I looked into her, but she didn't seem competent. Is she really that clever?' 'Did she fool my intel into thinking this clown is the high level healer that is the reason the surprise raid was successful?'
He chuckled quietly. "You're good at lying, I'll give you that. But you did confess to being in a faith."
"Oh yeah," Dilek said proudly. "I'm in the faith of Yaguya, which Jonah leads. I'm like the archbishop or something… eh, it's not really fixed yet. I mean, it could be when we get more people."
Castorik stared, completely bewildered. 'What? Was I wrong? Did I get the wrong man?' His brow twitched slightly. 'That small girl tricked me. Unbelievable.'
He sighed, his tone was frustrated but he spoke as if he tried getting something else out of dilek. "I'll look into it. But tell me, how come you're snitching on your own guild's secret?"
"Snitching?" Dilek tilted his head. "I'm introducing you to our faith! Wait—are you some evil guy kidnapping our divine messenger?!"
Castorik chuckled. "Oh no, it's nothing like that. My apologies. I was hoping to meet Jonah. Well… since this is my fault, I suppose I can let you spend the night here as an apology."
Dilek grinned nervously. "Oh, that isn't needed, hahaha — but of course, if you say so, I wouldn't mind it, of course." He laughed awkwardly, trying to sound casual.
Castorik gave him a long look, then sighed. Water dripped down his shoulders as he wrapped a towel around his waist. He walked to a side chamber — a private changing room seperated by dark blue curtains embroidered with golden threads. A servant bowed as he entered, handing him a clean set of royal garments — a long robe of deep maroon with a gold sash.
As he dressed, Castorik thought to himself, 'This guy… he's utterly shameless'. 'I should've expected Iris to be smarter. Well, mistakes happen...but a little punishment is needed for whoever gave me that intel.'
He fastened his belt, straightened his cuffs, and stepped out of the room, walking down the polished corridor that led away from the baths. The sound of dripping water faded behind him as he disappeared through the arched doors.
Inside the bath chamber, Dilek sank deeper into the water until only his eyes showed, before he sat up again.
'Shit, shit, shit, shit!' his thoughts screamed. 'That guy — he's totally looking for me! How the hell did I lie my way out of this?!' 'Okay, hold on. It all worked out. Just gotta rest tonight and leave tomorrow. Luckily, I acted like I was rejecting his offer. He must've thought, 'No way a divine messenger is this greedy.' 'Yeah… I got lucky.'
He sighed, sinking back lower as bubbles escaped his nose. 'Iris told me to lie low… well, damn. Now what? That Jonah excuse… that was quite natural. I think the way I said it, like it was common knowledge convinced him, I think he genuinely thinks someone called Jonah exists now. Alright… I'll survive tonight and leave tomorrow morning.'
Somewhere in the halls outside, Castorik was thinking the exact same thing.
"I'll catch Jonah," he murmured to himself, adjusting his sleeves. "By tomorrow morning."
Neither of them realized a race had begun — whether Dilek would leave first, or Castorik would catch his lie.