The sun hung low on the horizon, casting long, languid shadows across the cobbled streets of the guild district. The team walked with a newfound confidence, their recent triumph still fresh in their minds. Their footsteps echoed against the worn stones, a rhythmic beat of determination and purpose.
The guild hall loomed ahead, a sturdy structure that had borne witness to countless quests and adventures. Its wooden doors, polished by the hands of countless visitors, swung open to reveal a bustling interior. Adventurers of all ilk bustled about, their voices forming a harmonious chorus of conversation and camaraderie.
Approaching the receptionist's desk, Pioni's voice rang out, a declaration of their recent success. The receptionist, a woman with an air of efficiency, looked up from her paperwork, her eyes alighting on the expectant faces before her.
"We've defeated the dungeon boss and completed our quest. We're here to claim our reward," Pioni stated, his voice steady and resolute.
The receptionist's gaze shifted between each member of the team, a hint of approval gleaming in her eyes. She nodded in acknowledgment, reaching for a ledger to record their accomplishment. With a few swift strokes of her quill, she noted their success.
As she turned to retrieve their well-earned reward, a figure draped in brown robes and masked in mystery approached the counter. His presence was enigmatic, a silent specter that seemed to materialize from the very shadows that played at the edges of the guild hall.
The second receptionist, a perceptive woman with a discerning eye, met the cloaked figure's gaze. Without a word, she handed him three quests, each emblazoned with the ominous mark of A+. The team's collective astonishment was palpable, their eyes locked on this newcomer who dared to tread in the realm of the extraordinary.
Pioni, unable to quell his curiosity, spoke up. "What do they call you?" he asked, but his inquiry was met with a steadfast silence.
With purposeful deliberation, the robed man selected the third quest, an undertaking that spoke of a dragon's lair. Without a word, he departed, leaving the team to exchange bewildered glances in his wake.
Turning their attention back to the receptionist, they sought answers about the mysterious newcomer. She leaned in, her voice hushed in conspiracy.
"We call him 'Oni.' No one knows his true name. He arrived about three months ago, taking on quests that no one else would dare. A true enigma, that one."
The team absorbed this information, their intrigue piqued by the cryptic newcomer. Before they could delve further, the first receptionist returned, their reward in hand.
Fifty gleaming gold coins, a testament to their prowess, accompanied by a bonus of ten. They accepted the bounty, gratitude shining in their eyes.
Eager to continue their journey, they requested a new quest, this time targeting a C+ difficulty. The receptionist obliged, presenting them with three options, each carrying its own promise of challenge and reward.
After careful consideration, they settled on the second quest, one that beckoned from a Whispering Dungeon. With their sights set on the next challenge, they left the guild hall, minds already turning toward the adventures that awaited them.
As they departed, their thoughts lingered on the enigmatic figure known as Oni and the quests he undertook. There was an air of mystery surrounding him, an aura of danger that both intrigued and unsettled them.
Little did they know, their paths would cross with Oni's again, and the shadows of their shared destiny would deepen, casting long tendrils over their journey.
To be continued...