Returning to the guild, Lixuman approached the door to Tedra's office, only to be met with the sound of a heated argument from within.
"What promises did he make to you?""Guildmaster Tedra, I do not understand what you mean. Our team merely wishes to terminate the contract with your guild, as stipulated.""…Have you thought it through? To those nobles, you are nothing more than expendable tools.""What nobles?""Guildmaster Tedra, could you speak in terms even someone like me can comprehend?""You…"
Creak.
The door swung open, cutting off Tedra's voice.Before her stood an eight-member adventurer squad, each of notable rank, their equipment immaculate.For a brief moment, silence blanketed the room. Tedra sank back into her chair, her agitation slightly quelled.
"Seems, Guildmaster, you have guests," she said."Our team will withdraw. We hope you understand the situation," replied the adventurers.
The squad brushed past Lixuman at the doorway.
"They are…" Lixuman ventured."An adventurer squad contracted long-term with the guild, the main force for gathering materials. But now they wish to terminate the contract," Tedra explained, her tone tinged with frustration."I raised them, invested resources, step by step, to build them into this squad," she added, voice tight with emotion.
"Terminating a contract should invoke penalties, yes?" Lixuman asked."…Technically, yes. But the guild has previously accepted a massive material order, absurdly overpriced. Fulfilling it would double the guild's scale. Yet these materials only exist below the twentieth dungeon floor. We cannot afford to lose this squad; without them, completing the order is impossible, and the compensation alone would bankrupt us."
Tedra gritted her teeth."Undoubtedly, this is the handiwork of the one behind them. This order is bait, and the events outside earlier today… also orchestrated by him." She shivered.
Then…Thump thump thump."Enter.""Master, no adventurer squad outside is willing to accept your task.""Raise the price.""Master, it is already at the maximum. Push further, and the guild risks outright collapse," the cat-eared maid explained.
Tedra sank into her chair, feeling an invisible hand twisting her fate as though she were a mere plaything.To Lixuman, this was merely a simple game, and she perhaps the ultimate prize.
Creak.
The door opened again.Tedra looked up, unsurprised.The newcomer's lavish attire failed to conceal a prominent belly; Lixuman wagered the tailor endured great toil crafting the garment.If he guessed correctly, this must be the noble she had mentioned.
"Is this amusing?" she asked."Tedra, what are you saying? Upon hearing of your guild's predicament, I came immediately. I can help you navigate this crisis," the noble said."…""And then?""You simply need to become my lover."
"Pah.""Or, should the guild collapse and you fall into slavery, I can buy you back. That, too, would preserve your dignity."
The noble's desire was laid bare, unabashed—a truly shameless man.
"This may bankrupt me, but it will never reduce me to a slave," Tedra replied coolly."Heh… trust me, I have no fewer than a hundred ways to make you my slave. I admire you, which is why I allow you to retain dignity. Otherwise, you would already be mine."
"So you were behind today's chaos!" Tedra seethed, restraining herself."Think carefully. Becoming my lover is a dishonor? You are but a commoner. Should you bear the seed of noble blood, you could bring honor to your lineage."
Tedra had given up speaking. The mere thought of sharing air with this brute made her nauseous.Lixuman remained silent.Intervening? That sort of heroic display was beneath him. He had only just met Tedra; she was indebted to him, not the other way around.To him, Tedra was a convenient tool, replaceable if necessary, though less efficient than she currently was.He respected her, but not enough to risk himself over her. Provoking a noble was not worthwhile, no matter how repulsive he was.
"By the way, who are you? I haven't seen you before," the noble demanded, eyeing Lixuman.
Damn. He had minimized his presence, yet the man's attention still landed on him.In truth, the noble was unsettled by Lixuman's aura, instinctively recognizing it as akin to a true adventurer—or perhaps a monster.Excluding monsters, the identity was clear.
Lixuman considered carefully how to respond, his distaste for conversation with this creature evident.
"I know! You're the adventurer that wench brought!" the noble bellowed, pointing at him.
"…Excellent. Very good.""You've caught my attention, boy. I will show you the cost of angering me!"
What a nauseating, otherworldly tyrant—utterly repellent.
"Name?""Skeleton.""What a vile moniker. Tedra, you truly found a remarkable adventurer. See you at the slave market; may the traders teach you proper skills in bed."
He turned, his oily face leering."Also, Skeleton… you will die in the dungeon."
The noble departed.
"Sorry for dragging you into this," Tedra murmured."When do we need to deliver the goods in the dungeon?" Lixuman asked.At this point, he had no choice but to assist, while subtly increasing goodwill.
"Will you help? It's dangerous.""I thought we were allies," she said, lips betraying honesty.High favor meant a more useful tool.
"Half a month from now, you'll be alone. Do not overreach. If necessary, retreat; I have other contingencies."
Exiting the guildmaster's office, they passed the eight-member adventurer squad again.Seeing Lixuman, the squad leader perked up.
"Isn't that… a skeleton? A one-skeleton squad?""I am indeed a skeleton," Lixuman affirmed.The more candidly he declared it, the less they would doubt his identity. Concealment would otherwise attract attention; claiming the oddity shielded him.
"Then I'll be a zombie," the leader quipped, mimicking a zombie moan twice."Very well, Skeleton. Hope to meet you in the dungeon. Remember my name: Hyekodo of the Hyena Squad. We'll dismantle you, skeleton."
Seeing no reaction from Lixuman, Hyekodo lost interest in teasing.
"Hope it doesn't break your teeth.""Hahaha, that depends on the strength of your bones, skeleton. Our squad will hunt you in the dungeon—after all, you sided with the guildmaster. It makes us appear ruthless.""So, you'll die painfully," he whispered menacingly.
Lixuman said nothing, merely watching Hyekodo depart.The noble sought to use others to attack, it seemed…
Then, his cloak was tugged.Turning, he saw the cat-eared maid pulling at it.Annoying, yet from this angle, the maid was irresistibly cute.
"Thank you for standing with Master.""Hmph," Lixuman murmured, shifting his gaze from her ears.Skeletons feel no guilt—they only cultivate favor.