The second floor of the Adventurer's Guild - Redwood Branch was a much quieter place. The quietness formed a stark contrast compared to the chaotic main hall below.
This level was reserved for administrative functions. This included where records were stored, reports were written, and official Guiild matters handled.
Feng Ye walked up the stairs at a steady pace. He kept his steps light and quiet. He wasn't supposed to be here.
He recalled Flora's instructions. "Take this to a man named Red. He runs the ledger archives on the second floor. Ask him for 'Record 186441 and bring it back to me."
It sounded simple. However, only a fool would truly believe that. Nothing was this simple.
Feng Ye arrived at the top of the stairs and was now on the second floor. He spotted a young woman walking towards him. She wore the same uniform as Flora. Another guild receptionist. Her hair was tied in a ponytail. She seemed to be adjusting her sleeves as if she had just completed her break and was en route to her shift.
She glanced up at Feng Ye who was walking in her direction. Her expression briefly changed into one of suspicion and doubt.
Their gazes locked. She then frowned. "You aren't supposed to be up here."
Feng Ye didn't stop. He continued walking towards her. He continued to gaze at her with a calm expression. Despite his calm expression, within, his mind was going into overdrive with his options. He needed to avoid making a scene.
What's an easy way to handle this…a bribe.
Without a word, he pulled out a few grey beast cores. He held them out in his palms and offered them to the receptionist.
"I'm just handling a quick errand. Nothing worth reporting." Feng Ye replied quietly.
She hesitated for a brief moment before glancing at the beast cores. As if calculating if it was worth it, she scanned the cores.
The verdict? It was worth it. Her hand reached out and accepted the cores.
"I didn't see you." She continued walking and vanished down the stairs.
Feng Ye sighed quietly. "Bribery worked wonders here."
He continued to walk down the hallway. On each side were numerous closed office doors. At the end of the hall, he found a room with a heavy wooden door. The door was quite different from the ones he passed by. This one was much older as though renovations never touched it. The door was aged but still kept in great condition.
On the door, a metal plate hung there with clear text. "LEDGER ARCHIVE ROOM". He has arrived.
Feng Ye knocked once. A rough voice responded. "If you are here for paperwork, go away. Come in if important."
Pushing the door open, Feng Ye stepped into the room. Closing the door behind him, Feng Ye noticed how cramped the room was. Numerous shelves were stacked to their maximum capacity with books.
There was a single desk in the room. A balding old man with spectacles and a disgruntled expression sat there quietly. His clothes were red in color.
This must have been Red. Feng Ye concluded immediately. It was unmistakable.
Red didn't react to Feng Ye entering. He continued to focus on the notes in front of him. With practiced movements, he continued to rapidly fill out the paperwork in front of him. Stacks of ledgers were scattered all over his desk. Somewhat chaotic but still organized right where he wants them.
"I have something for you and need Record 186441." Feng Ye gently placed the sealed envelope containing the letter that Flora gave him on the desk.
Red paused briefly glancing at the letter. He gently picked up the letter and slowly flipped it over. Just by glancing at the seal on the back, he already could infer its intent. Without even looking at its content, he knew the meaning of the letter.
Regardless, Red opened it. It was blank.
Red slowly placed the letter back into the envelope and down on his desk. He glanced at Feng Ye through his thick lenses. His gaze was sharp despite his age.
"Is that so?" He muttered softly.
He leaned back in his chair and stared into space as though he were lost in thought.
"You new?"
Feng Ye grinned. "Something like that."
"Flora sent you?"
"Would it be a problem if she did?"
The old man grunted. "She's a nosy one. Always poking where she shouldn't. But she's got guts."
There was a brief pause before Red sighed, reaching into a locked cabinet behind him.
"If I give you this record, you're going to pretend you never saw it. That's the rule."
"I'm good at pretending," Feng Ye replied.
Good. If you weren't, you'd already be dead."
Red pulled out a thick folder, its edges were slightly burned. A large, red ink stamp covered the front of it.
CONFIDENTIAL - INTERNAL USE ONLY
He slid it across the desk.
Feng Ye picked it up and scanned the cover. Before taking a brief glance, he asked the old man.
"Got some extra parchment or something?" The large confidential ink was way too obvious.
"Grab some by the shelf on your right."
"Thanks." He grabbed some and wrapped it around the folder. Peering into the folder, he saw a list of names. The first few names were Lucas, Anne, Heath,...
One name was familiar. Anne.
Feng Ye didn't recognize any of the other names. Recall that Feng Ye never actually was introduced to the adventurer's names. He only recalled the mage Anne from the adventurer group due to the teammates around her calling out her name.
What was the name list? Targets? Some of the names were crossed out.
Are these names… adventurers? An execution list?
Feng Ye's mind went into overdrive. He explored different possibilities. It seems like the corruption ran much deeper than he had expected.
The Guild Branch Leader may be involved in systematically removing certain people. But why?
He needed to pass this on to Flora and discuss it.
But before he could move, Red spoke again.
"Tell Flora she owes me."
Feng Ye glanced at him. "For what?"
The old man gave a dry laugh.
"For making this disappear from the records before someone else notices."
Feng Ye nodded. "I'll pass the message."
Then, he turned and left.
Feng Ye moved carefully through the hallway...
As he descended the staircase back to the first floor, his mind was already running through the next moves.
The Guild Branch Leader is hiding something bigger than just a list and this just became far more than a simple favor. Anne's name was on the list. Was that the same Anne as the adventurer he met?
Feng Ye slipped into the crowd of adventurers on the main floor.
He needed to move.