Aiden's piercing gaze bore into Conan, the weight of suspicion pressing down on the Vice Commander like an anvil. The atmosphere was thick with tension as Aiden's voice cut through the silence, sharp and unyielding.
"Conan, for the last time, where is Muinin? Speak truthfully, and perhaps I'll consider leniency."
Conan shifted uncomfortably, his face pale and glistening with sweat. His usual composure was nowhere to be found, replaced by nervous stammering. Words failed him as his mind raced for an excuse, any plausible explanation to escape Aiden's unrelenting scrutiny.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed, drawing everyone's attention. The group turned to see none other than Muinin himself emerging from the shadows, his youthful face alight with a cheerful grin.
"Here I am, Lord Aiden! Did someone call for me?"
Conan's eyes widened in shock, disbelief evident on his face. He took an involuntary step back, his breath caught in his throat.
"Muinin? You're…fine?" Aiden's sharp gaze faltered briefly, a flicker of surprise breaking through his composed features before he quickly regained his authoritative demeanor.
Muinin nodded enthusiastically, his smile never wavering.
"Of course! Vice Commander Conan called me for training. Said he'd make me stronger. Ain't that right, Vice Commander?"
Muinin turned toward Conan, his innocent tone belied by the sharp glint in his eyes. Conan, cornered and desperate, could only nod, his lips barely moving as he murmured an agreement.
"Y-yes. That's right."
Though Aiden found the entire exchange bizarre, he chose not to push the matter further.
"Very well, Muinin. Let's return," he said, masking his brief confusion with a composed demeanor.
He motioned for the group to follow, and as they departed, Conan stood rooted to the spot, his mind a whirlwind of confusion and fear. Just before they exited the garden, Muinin turned back toward Conan and flashed a menacing smirk, one that sent a chill down the Vice Commander's spine.
As the group disappeared into the fortress, Conan's breathing quickened. The image of Muinin's smirk replayed in his mind, a haunting reminder of something he couldn't understand. Driven by desperation, Conan rushed toward the forest, his steps frantic.
The forest was eerily silent when he arrived. His eyes scanned the area, searching for the supposed monster nest where he had sent Muinin to meet his end. What he saw instead left him utterly speechless. The entire area was obliterated—craters marred the ground, trees were uprooted, and the earth was scorched black. It was as though a cataclysmic force had torn through the place; But no corpses of the monsters were to be seen as if they disappeared in thin air.
Conan fell to his knees, his hands trembling as he touched the charred earth.
Conan (whispering): "This… this isn't possible."
A faint rustling from the trees caught his attention, but when he looked up, all he saw was a fleeting shadow disappearing into the canopy. He shivered, his heart pounding in his chest.
Back in the fortress, Aiden walked alongside Muinin. The young soldier was his usual cheerful self, humming a tune and smiling as though nothing unusual had occurred. Aiden observed him closely, searching for any signs of distress or coercion.
"Muinin, did Conan harass you in any way?"
Muinin shook his head, his smile as bright as the sun.
"Not at all, my lord. The Vice Commander was nothing but encouraging. He really wants me to become stronger."
Aiden'(thinking): "I can't believe Conan actually gave Muinin some decent advice. Never thought he had it in him to be so... thoughtful." (laughs dryly, shaking his head) "Maybe. Or maybe I've seen too much of this play before. Back in my college days, the seniors were just like that. They'd act like they were helping you out—showing you the ropes. But behind the scenes, it was all just... harassment. A game to them."
Though Muinin's cheerful demeanour seemed genuine, Aiden couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. However, he decided to let the matter rest for now.
"Very well. Get some rest. You've earned it."
Muinin saluted and bounded off, leaving Aiden deep in thought. He made his way to the command room.
"Marius, bring me the reports on the adventurers. I'll review them shortly."
"At once, my lord.", Marius replied.
Aiden settled into his chair, his mind still turning over the day's events. Marius entered silently, placing the requested documents on the desk and stepping back respectfully. Aiden began reviewing the reports on his own, his sharp eyes scanning each page with meticulous attention.
"These adventurers, they're mostly from White Fang and the Hibald Guilds." He looked up from the report "You've lived in the capital, Marius. Are you familiar with them?"
Marius replied with a firm voice,"To an extent. Both are low-tier guilds with questionable reputations. The Hibald Guild, in particular, is notorious for its underhanded tactics. They've been accused of killing fellow adventurers in dungeons, though it's always ruled out as monster attacks. White Fang is less dangerous but still corrupt. They're known to extort civilians and merchants, charging extra fees under the guise of protection."
Aiden leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled as he considered Marius's words.
"Interesting. And they've chosen to work in this fortress, despite the pay being less than their average earnings. They're not exactly known for their altruism. Why would they come here?"
Marius shook his head.
"I can't say for certain, my lord. But it's unlikely they're here out of goodwill."
Aiden nodded slowly.
"Keep a close eye on them, Marius. Report anything unusual."
Marius: "Understood, my lord."
As Marius left the room, Aiden leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on the ceiling.
Aiden (thinking): Unwanted problems. Why do I keep attracting them? The Base Keeper class wasn't supposed to be played with quests and storylines like this.
He closed his eyes, the weight of his responsibilities settling over him like a heavy cloak.
He tries to remember his feeling of freedom that he experienced before while playing with his VR. But the memory seems very distant.
Not only has his life changed, but also his world. He tries to regain his will to continue his journey as a hero in this fortress.
Outside, the fortress hummed with activity, the promise of new challenges lurking just beyond the horizon.