Looking at the slightly trembling figure of the man as if he had seen a ghost, Caleb could understand how shocked and frightened the person was.
'I would be scared shitless too,' He mused and looked back at the quest window in his HUD.
'It seems they didn't kill the old Caleb for no reason. Someone wanted him dead.'
[Quest: Avenge Caleb]
[Description: Baron Zeke ordered the death of Caleb for taking on a mission that went against his interest and in favour of his rival. Unable to do anything against his rival, he did the only thing he could do, kill the person who took the job.]
[Reward: Avenging Caleb]
[Penalty: Permanently lose one [Adaptive Mutation] done]
[Time limit: 2 weeks]
'Hmm… the penalty can be messy for me.'
He didn't like what he saw. Suppose he lost the ability of his enhanced senses or even lost the strength he gained without the possibility of getting it back. That would mean losing something that made him unique.
'This could become a pattern if I fail to complete any quest.'
He returned his gaze to the man at the entrance and took a step forward. However, the man shrieked in fright and quickly ran off somewhere.
The man would occasionally look back to see if Caleb was on his trail and heaved a sigh when he noticed Caleb making no attempt to follow.
'I must inform the others and do something about this before things get worse.'
Caleb remained in place, and if the man thought he escaped his notice, then he was dead wrong as the moment he left the guild, Caleb locked his domain sense on him, tracking his route.
"Hey, Caleb. What was that about?"
Caleb turned around when Vincent asked the question on everyone's mind. His gaze moved around the guild taking in the features of everyone.
'I should disable the people appraisal. It's getting annoying and I might even call someone's name when I'm not supposed to know it.'
"I'm not sure, but I'll take care of it." He shrugged and then turned around to the counter.
The adventurers understood that he didn't want to say anything else so they kept their questions to themselves and returned to their business.
Naturally, some kept talking about the incident to see if they could infer what that was.
"Hello there…"
Caleb smiled sweetly at one of the lasses behind the counter. The woman quickly regained her composure and assumed her professional smile.
There was still work to be done.
"Yes, sir Caleb. How may I be of assistance?" She asked in her best impression of professionalism, both hands held together below her stomach.
Caleb wasn't sure if he could take a mission without showing proof of identity like a guild member card or something, so he played it smart.
"I kinda lost my token. Can I get a new one? I want to take a mission as soon as possible."
"Oh, okay. Then you'll have to pay 10 copper coins for a replacement. Only then can you continue taking missions."
She replied like someone who had dealt with many such instances.
'Fuck. Money is what I don't have at the moment. If only there is a way to get some as quickly as possible.'
But then his eyes lit up when he realized how he could get some.
"Ah, sorry for my blunder, but I forget to carry any money on me. I'll quickly go and get it." Caleb replied and the lady nodded.
There was no problem with the arrangement and Caleb quickly left the guild. However, the entire time he was speaking with the lady, many had their ears glued to their conversation and followed him with their gaze once he turned around and left.
Of course, Caleb saw all this but didn't mind.
"Now then…"
Outside the guild, Caleb looked towards a particular direction 'seeing' the man continue his hurried walk to his party.
'They should have some money on them and also have leads for my first quest.' He flashed a mischievous grin and ran after the man.
...….
*BAM!*
John, the man who just encountered Caleb in the guild slammed a door to a worn-down building that had seen better days to the side and rushed inside.
Being situated where it was with barely anyone living in the area, it provided a good spot for people with shady characters to hang around.
"Guys, we have a problem!"
He exclaimed and ran upstairs to the others who were inside one of the rooms playing cards and drinking.
After the mission they had taken, they decided to take a shot break and just enjoy themselves. But some people won't let them enjoy their peace and quiet.
"Urgh… What now, Johnny? Weren't you going to the guild? How come you're back already?" One of the men who appeared to be the leader of the bunch spoke without looking at John standing at the entrance and panting like crazy.
Around a table was a group of six, seven if you counted John who just arrived. The others continued their game not paying attention to John.
Being the lowest in their own ranks, he was treated without much respect and mostly did miscellaneous things.
"I just saw Caleb! He's alive!"
John exclaimed, not caring about being chided for screaming at them up close. What he had to say needed to be shouted as it was unheard of.
The leader and the others froze and sharply turned to John with furrowed brows.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
The leader didn't appreciate the prank John wanted to play on them. There was no way anyone would come back from the dead unless they were awakened as the undead.
"I'm not joking! I saw him at the guild completely fine and going around his business as if nothing happened!
"He didn't even react much when he saw me. But I swear, Caleb is alive!"
The men could feel the urgency and fear in his voice. But the news was a difficult pill to swallow.
They exchanged fearful glances with one another, but still found it hard to believe. The leader with his bulky build stood up and walked towards John, yet the man remained in his spot.
He needed to make them believe him, and the only way to achieve that was to stare directly into the boss's eyes.
"If I go there right now and I find out that you're lying, I'll personally skin you." He threatened in a deep voice and John gulped in fear but still nodded.
"Alright, fellas. Le—"
Before he could finish his words, they heard the cold and deep voice of the person they had just learnt was still alive.
It sent shivers down their spine as they gulped with wide eyes.
"Don't bother. I'm right here."
Caleb walked out of the shadows as if he had been there since the beginning.