Jax walked in, his entrance commanding the room's attention. His presence was unexpected, and it left Hugo and Bennet visibly surprised. Leo, ever the welcoming and friendly one, immediately approached Jax, extending his hand for a handshake.
"Hey there, I'm Leo. Nice to meet you!" Leo greeted him with a warm smile.
But Jax completely ignored Leo's gesture, his gaze shifting around the room as if sizing up the other guild members. His demeanor was brash and arrogant, sending an air of tension through the hall.
Hugo, never one to hold back his feelings, couldn't help but voice his skepticism. "What's he doing here?"
Bennet, always the more diplomatic of the two, decided to get some answers. He approached the guild master, who was watching the unfolding situation with a mixture of concern and anticipation.
"Guild master," Bennet began, "may I ask why Jax is joining our guild?"
The guild master nodded, his expression serious. "It's true; Jax will be joining us. You see, it was a special arrangement. We've agreed to take care of him and help him grow as a warrior."
Jax, still exuding an air of defiance, chimed in, "Yeah, if you guys don't want me here, I can find another place. No skin off my back."
Hugo's irritation flared at Jax's insolence, but Bennet intervened, choosing his words carefully. "Actually, Jax, we're glad to have you join us. It's always good to have someone reliable to work with."
Jax's eyebrows shot up in surprise, taken aback by Bennet's unexpected warmth and acceptance. He hadn't anticipated such a response and was at a loss for words.
As the tension in the room began to ease, the guild master added, "Jax may be a bit rough around the edges, but he's a good warrior. With your help, he can become a valuable asset to our country."
Jax, still unsure of how to respond to the unexpected warmth from his new comrades, turned away, his back to the group. However, a discerning eye might have noticed the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Despite his tough exterior, it seemed that their words had affected him more than he cared to admit.
The guild master stepped forward once more, addressing the group with a reassuring tone. "Jax will receive special lessons and training for the next week. Once he's up to speed, he'll be able to join certain missions with you all. This is a great opportunity for him to grow and for all of you to strengthen our guild."
Hugo, though still wary of Jax, nodded in agreement. "Alright, as long as he pulls his weight."
Bennet, ever the optimist, chimed in, "We'll make sure to help him adjust and catch up quickly. Unity is our strength, after all."
Leo, who had been quiet during the exchange, finally spoke up. "Welcome to the team, Jax. We're all here to support each other, so let's work together and become the best warriors we can be."
Jax turned back to face the group, his gruff demeanor softening ever so slightly. "Yeah, yeah."
As the discussion wrapped up, the guild master had one more piece of news to deliver. "Before you all head off, there's a request that has come in. A local farm just outside the city's gates has been plagued by a group of goblins stealing their crops and livestock. It should be a relatively straightforward task, but it's essential that it's taken care of promptly."
Bennet, still somewhat surprised by the turn of events, was given another unexpected responsibility. "Bennet," the guild master said with a grin, "I have decided to assign you as the team leader for this mission. You've earned it, especially after your recent victory in the tournament."
Hugo and Leo exchanged gleeful glances, seemingly thrilled by the decision. Bennet, on the other hand, felt a mix of emotions but accepted the role with a nod of gratitude. "Thank you, guild master. I'll do my best to lead the team effectively."
Curious about how this promotion had come about, Bennet couldn't help but ask, "May I ask how this happened?"
The guild master's smile broadened as he leaned forward slightly. "Well, Bennet, it comes with the perks of being the champion. The city's government recognizes your skills and your contribution to the country. They've allowed me to promote you as a team leader for this mission. Consider it a token of appreciation."
Bennet accepted the role of team leader, ready to face the challenges of the mission head-on. Together with Leo and Hugo, they made their way to the North Gate of the city, where they were to meet the two additional members who would join them on their quest. Jax had been left behind at the guild where he would be taking his lessons for a week.
As they waited, two figures approached from a distance. They were none other than Zaira and Lucio from the Shadow Viper guild as expected.
Zaira, with her radiant smile, was the first to greet Bennet. "Well, well, look who's the team leader today! Bennet, you've really moved up in the world."
Bennet chuckled at her playful tone. "It's a surprise for me too, Zaira. And meet Leo, our new companion." He gestured toward Leo, who greeted Zaira with a polite nod and a smile.
Zaira was quick to extend her hand. "Nice to meet you, Leo. Don't mind Lucio; he's just a bit reserved sometimes." She winked at Leo, trying to ease the tension.
Lucio, on the other hand, remained aloof. He nodded in Leo's direction but didn't say anything. His guarded demeanor spoke volumes about his apprehension.
Bennet decided to address the elephant in the room. "Lucio, I understand you might have reservations about our new member, but Leo is here to work with us. He's proven himself to be reliable and skilled."
Lucio glanced at Bennet, his expression softening ever so slightly. "I'll reserve judgment for now," he muttered, his voice laced with caution.
As the team ventured further from the city and into the rural outskirts, the landscape transitioned from bustling streets to open fields and quaint farmhouses. The mission was to investigate a farm that had been suffering from goblin raids, and it didn't take long for them to reach their destination.
The farm was situated in a picturesque valley surrounded by rolling hills. Lush fields of crops stretched as far as the eye could see, but signs of recent turmoil were evident. Broken fences, trampled crops, and scattered tools were strewn across the farmstead.
Bennet led the team to the main farmhouse, where they were greeted by a middle-aged farmer named Samuel. He had a weary look in his eyes but managed a grateful smile as they approached.
"Thank the heavens you've come," Samuel said, his voice tinged with relief. "We've been at our wit's end with these goblins. They come at night, stealing our harvest and terrorizing our livestock."
Bennet nodded in understanding. "Can you tell us more about these goblins? How many are there, and do you have any idea where they might be hiding?"
Samuel scratched his head, pondering the questions. "Well, there's a group of about a dozen of 'em, I reckon. They've been using the caves up in the hills as their hideout. It's not far from here."
Zaira chimed in, "Caves, huh? Sounds like a good place for goblins to hide. We'll take care of them, Samuel."
Leo, who had been observing quietly, spoke up, "Are there any special characteristics about these goblins we should know? Any leaders among them?"
Samuel scratched his beard thoughtfully. "Well, there's one that stands out, a bit bigger than the others, with a mean-looking club. He seems to be the one calling the shots."
Lucio, who had been quietly assessing the situation, looked at Bennet. "I say we head to those caves, take out their leader, and scatter the rest. It should put an end to their raids."
Bennet agreed with Lucio's plan. "That sounds like a solid strategy. Let's head to the caves right away and put an end to this."
Samuel offered his gratitude once more before directing them to the path leading to the goblin caves. As the team ventured into the hills, the atmosphere grew tense. They knew that they were about to face a group of cunning and ruthless creatures, and teamwork would be crucial to their success.
As they approached the cave entrance, the team could hear faint, guttural voices echoing from within.
Bennet couldn't shake the nagging thought that awaited them in the cave might be more formidable than they had imagined. He recalled stories of giant goblins and even the rare and monstrous titan goblins. These creatures were known for their sheer size and strength, capable of overpowering entire groups of adventurers.
As they ventured deeper into the cave's dark, twisting passages, the air grew thick with tension. The faint flicker of Leo's black flames illuminated their path, casting eerie shadows on the cave walls. Every echoing drip of water, every faint rustle of unseen creatures set their nerves on edge.
Lucio, walking at Bennet's side, noticed the hesitation in his leader's eyes. He leaned closer and whispered, "Are you alright, Bennet? You seem concerned."
Bennet called for a halt and gathered his companions to discuss their next steps. "Hold on, everyone," Bennet began. "I can't help but think that we should report this situation to the guild. It feels like there might be something more dangerous lurking ahead."
Zaira, with her sharp intuition, chimed in, "Bennet, you're right about being cautious, but think about it. The path is too narrow for giant goblins, and from what we know of goblins, if there are stronger ones, they wouldn't attack the farm at night. If they had the numbers and stronger members, they would have killed everyone on the farm and not sneak like that."
She made a point but Bennet decided to take extra steps to ensure that they had a higher chance of surviving the worst-case scenarios.
"We should strategize our position and be prepared for anything. Hugo, as our most formidable defense, you'll lead the way. Leo will be second in line, your illuminating skills will help us maintain visibility." commanded Bennet.
Hugo nodded in agreement, taking his position at the front. "Understood, Bennet. I'll watch our backs."
Leo's flames cast a warm, reassuring light as he stood beside Hugo. "I'll keep the path well-lit, don't worry."
Zaira, ever vigilant, gripped her weapon, ready for any threat that might emerge. "I've got your back, Bennet."
With their roles clarified, the team resumed their journey into the cave's mysterious depths. The narrow passage seemed endless, and the tension hung heavy in the air, a remembrance of their bad experience in the past.