John and his allies were trekking through the snowy grounds of Frostveil towards the guild with the simple purpose of registering as a proper party.
Lyra was walking beside John with her hand tightly gripping his while behind them Aiko and Airi eyed the pair with a mix of jealousy although for completely different reasons. Aiko was in fact in love with him, although would most likely never confess anytime soon while Airi just felt a sense of jealousy simply because she had never held a man’s hand before.
Airi’s four puppets were walking silently next to the group as they walked.
It wasn’t until they arrived at the guild and entered that anyone said anything.
The hall was filled with all sorts of adventurers, from battle-hardened warriors sharpening their blades to mages haggling over magical maps and archers checking over their bows while a few heavily armored tanks stood chatting over mugs of ale.
The air was filled with the smell of grilled meat, cheap alcohol, and steel.
They found an empty table and sat down. It wasn’t long until a little girl no older than the age of twelve came up to them with a polite smile on her face.
"What can I get for you?"
"I need some mugs of ale for me and my comrades here please."
The little girl smiled. "That would be eight silver."
Airi reached into thin air and tossed a pouch of ten silver coins to the little girl.
"The extra is for you."
The little girl’s face instantly lit up with joy and she gave a small hop before swiftly running into the guild at an impressive pace to fetch their ale
.
John watched the girl go before he turned to face Airi.
"So you gave her a tip... why?"
Airi’s face softened as she remembered.
"When I was still living in Japan I had a little sister. She got sick... and I never got to see her recover. I’ve been stuck in this world searching for a way back, but recently lost hope."
She glanced towards him and Aiko.
"But then you came along... along with another Hero from Japan. I thought maybe this is my chance, maybe I can return home."
Aiko gave a contemplative look.
"I think it’s possible... but the higher-ups have sealed the rift leading back to Japan. We’ll have to go through them first."
John stood up from the table.
"I’ll be back. I’m going to ask if there are any caves nearby."
He walked over to the only counter in the guild where a woman with neatly tied blonde hair and a professional smile stood waiting.
"What can I do for you today, sir?"
John got straight to the point.
"My allies and I are looking for a cave to clear, are there any nearby?"
The receptionist nodded.
"Yes. There are currently two caves in the area."
She began to explain.
"The first is the Undead Lair, which contains three types of undead: Skeleton Warriors; they are warriors equipped with rusted blades and high physical resistance.
Rotting Zombies which are slow but durable with bites that has a mild paralysis toxin.
And finally the wraiths which are incorporeal spirits that can phase through solid objects and drain stamina on contact.
The final boss is a Lich with the four skills Death Bolt which is a beam of necrotic energy, Raise Dead which raises dead in an area, and Soul Drain which absorbs the life force of nearby living beings, Bone Prison this skill you should be careful of its trap a target in a cage of reinforced bones.
The second is the Wolf Lair, which has four types of wolves.
Frost Wolves, Shadow Wolves, Dire Wolves, and the Icefang Wolves.
The final boss is known as the Frosthowl, the Pack Lord with skills such as pack-enhancing howls, freezing breath, and multi-target attacks."
John nodded in understanding.
"I see. Where can we find the Undead Lair?"
"East of here," the receptionist replied. "Follow the eastern path, but be careful as the weather in that direction is often stormy."
"Thank you, miss. What can I call you?"
She smiled. "You may call me Elsa."
John returned to the table. The moment he sat down Lyra immediately looked annoyed.
"Did you get any information... or were you just flirting with the receptionist?"
John sighed lightly.
"Come on, Lyra. I’m not like that. I can’t help it if a woman shows interest."
Aiko’s eyes widened in realization for a brief moment. Could she confess and stand a chance? Did she have any chance at all? Then she quickly shook her head in denial.
’No... he’s just an ally.’
Airi took notice of the entire exchange and had a mischievous smile.
" Lady Lyra, I think you’re misunderstanding something. John has every means to get with different women and build a harem."
John looked over at Airi and took her hand placing a light kiss on the back of it.
"Airi, from now on I shall make you my master."
Airi’s face turned bright red from ear to ear.
Lyra sat fuming in silence with jealousy burning in her eyes. She was about to say something when the little girl returned with several large mugs of ale and placed them on the table before spinning away to take another order.
John took a sip of his drink before speaking.
"There are two lairs nearby, the Undead Lair and the Wolf Lair. I’ve decided we’ll go towards the Undead Lair."
He then repeated everything Elsa had told him about the three types of undead and the Lich boss.
None of them disagreed and were ready to go.
After finishing their drinks the group left the guild and traveled east along the path towards the Undead Lair.
Some time later they were standing in front of the dark entrance of the Undead Lair, the cold winds blowing around them.
John glanced at his allies, Lyra, Aiko, Airi and the four silent puppets.
"Are you all ready to clear the Undead Lair?"
They smiled and replied in unison.
"Yes."
With that they stepped into the darkness of the Undead Lair on a quest to clear it.
Back in the Frostveil Guild, Elsa quietly entered a private room as she left the counter upon finishing her shift. A small knowing smile graced her lips as the door shut behind her.
"So...", she began with a quiet chuckle. "I finally found you, John."
A/N: Even I, the author, am shocked and want to know who this person is who knows the mc. But we’ll find out in the next Chapter. Remember to add my book to your library, gift me some gifts, send GTs and PSs so the novel can gain more readers. Thank you for reading.