The atmosphere in the adventurer's lodge felt different when Ethan and his team returned. The usual camaraderie, the shared tales of battle and victories, seemed distant and strained. There were more whispers, more sideways glances from other adventurers. It wasn't outright aggression, but there was an undercurrent of tension that Ethan couldn't ignore.
Ethan exchanged a glance with Lila as they made their way through the lodge's main hall. The noise of conversations felt muted, as if people were purposefully keeping their voices low when they passed by.
"Something's not right," Lila muttered under her breath. "You feel it too?"
"Yeah," Ethan replied, his eyes scanning the room. "They're talking about us."
He could sense the weight of the stares, the subtle shifts in conversation as they approached. It wasn't fear exactly—it was something closer to resentment, as if their presence had become a source of discomfort for the others in the guild.
Sylas noticed the same thing. She stepped closer to Ethan, her voice low. "They're not happy about our involvement with the World-Core corruption. It's spreading, and they think we're stirring things up."
"Of course they're unhappy," Mira said, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she sidled up beside them. "We've been taking down cores and making waves. They were probably hoping it would all stay quiet."
Gavin, always one to sense tension, let out a low chuckle. "You'd think they'd be a little more grateful that we're stopping the corruption. But no, adventurers and politics never mix well."
The team continued moving through the lodge, but the sense of unease only grew. The more they walked, the more obvious the stares became. Whispers turned into murmurs, and the hostility in the air became palpable. Ethan's jaw tightened as they reached the guildmaster's office, feeling the pressure building behind them.
Inside the office, the guildmaster sat behind his desk, his brow furrowed as he sifted through reports. When Ethan and his team entered, he looked up, his expression neutral but the tension in his shoulders visible.
"You've made quite the impact," he said, his tone measured. "Your success in destroying the core has spread through the guild. But not everyone is pleased."
Ethan felt the weight of his words. "We're doing what needs to be done. The corruption is spreading, and if we don't stop it, it'll consume everything."
The guildmaster's gaze was sharp as he looked at Ethan. "I understand that. But you've also disrupted a delicate balance. The World-Core's corruption is a dangerous force, and your actions are being watched closely—not just by those who support you."
Sylas stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. "Are you saying there are those in the guild who don't want the corruption stopped?"
The guildmaster hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "There are those who believe that the corruption is not our problem to solve. They think we should focus on our traditional roles—protecting the towns, handling threats that directly endanger the guild. To them, the World-Core corruption is something beyond our reach, something that should be left alone."
Mira snorted, crossing her arms. "So, they're scared of it. They think ignoring it will make it go away."
The guildmaster sighed. "It's not just fear. There are adventurers who have seen what the corruption can do—how it warps the land, how it changes people. Some believe that by attacking the cores, we're accelerating the spread of the corruption, making it worse."
Lila shook her head, her expression incredulous. "But that's not true. We've stopped the corruption at every core we've destroyed. If we don't act, it will only grow stronger."
The guildmaster's eyes darkened. "I know that. But there are forces within the guild—powerful ones—who see your actions as a threat to the balance they've tried to maintain. They think you're provoking something far greater than we can handle."
Ethan clenched his fists, his frustration rising. "So, what? We're supposed to sit back and let the corruption spread? Let it destroy everything?"
The guildmaster's voice remained calm, though there was a hint of warning in his tone. "No. But you should be aware that your actions are not without consequences. There are adventurers who view you as a destabilizing force. And some of them… might take matters into their own hands."
The weight of the guildmaster's words lingered as Ethan and his team left the office. Outside, the stares and whispers had grown more intense, and it was clear that their presence was causing a rift within the guild.
"They think we're making things worse," Lila said quietly, her voice filled with disbelief.
"They're wrong," Ethan replied, his voice hard. "We've seen what the corruption can do. If we don't stop it, no one will."
Sylas was silent for a moment, her gaze distant as she considered their next steps. "There's more going on here than just fear. Someone in the guild is pushing this narrative, turning people against us. We need to find out who."
Mira grinned, her daggers gleaming in the dim light. "I'm all for a little investigation. Let's find out who's pulling the strings."
But before they could discuss further, a group of adventurers blocked their path. They were seasoned, their weapons worn from years of battle, but there was no mistaking the hostility in their eyes.
"You think you're saving the world?" one of the adventurers spat, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "All you're doing is stirring up more trouble for the rest of us."
Ethan met his gaze, his voice calm but firm. "We're stopping the corruption before it spreads any further. If we don't act, it will destroy everything."
The adventurer's lip curled in disdain. "Maybe you should leave the guild and take your crusade somewhere else. We don't need heroes bringing more chaos into our lives."
Gavin stepped forward, his eyes narrowed. "Careful what you say, friend. We've been cleaning up messes that would have swallowed this place whole."
The tension in the room grew thick, the air practically crackling with the potential for violence. Ethan held up a hand, stopping Gavin before things escalated.
"We're not looking for trouble," Ethan said, his voice steady. "But we won't stand by and let the corruption consume everything. If you don't want to be part of that fight, that's your choice. But don't stand in our way."
The adventurer's eyes flashed with anger, but after a tense moment, he backed down, muttering under his breath as he and his companions moved aside.
As the group continued walking, the tension didn't ease. Ethan knew that this was only the beginning. The hostility in the guild was growing, and it was only a matter of time before it turned into something more dangerous.
That evening, as the team regrouped in a quiet corner of the lodge, the atmosphere was somber.
"We've got a problem," Sylas said, her voice low. "There are forces in the guild that want us out. And they won't stop with just words."
Ethan nodded. "We need to find out who's behind this. If someone's manipulating the guild against us, they could be working with the corruption—or worse."
Lila's eyes were filled with concern. "But how do we fight corruption when it's coming from inside the guild?"
"We do what we've always done," Ethan replied, his voice filled with resolve. "We fight. And we find the truth."
The tension in the guild was growing, and Ethan knew that their greatest challenge might not come from the corruption outside—but from the enemies lurking within.