The Silver Curse – Volume 1, Chapter 6: Whispers in the Dark
A Restless Night
Yuto lay in bed at the small inn he had rented for the night, staring at the wooden ceiling. The mattress was stiff, the blankets thin, but exhaustion had him pinned down. Even so, sleep wouldn't come easily.
The whispers wouldn't stop.
The silver-haired adventurer.
The cursed one.
Did you hear how he took down a goblin brute alone?
Even after his return to the guild, the murmurs had followed him. Some were in awe. Others were wary. He had expected attention, but this… this felt different. Uneasy.
Rolling onto his side, he clenched his fists. The silver rings pulsed faintly on his fingers, almost as if they, too, were restless.
What are you hiding from me? he wondered, before his exhaustion finally won.
A New Day, A New Challenge
Morning came too soon. Yuto stretched, his muscles still sore from the previous battle. He donned his cloak and strapped his sword to his waist before heading downstairs.
The innkeeper, a plump woman with kind eyes, handed him a small loaf of bread. "Breakfast for the adventurer. On the house."
Yuto accepted it with a nod. "Thanks."
"Be careful out there," she added. "Word spreads fast. Some don't take kindly to… newcomers who rise too quickly."
He met her gaze. She wasn't warning him out of fear—she was warning him out of experience.
"I can handle myself."
She sighed but said no more.
The Guild's Offer
Back at the guild, the atmosphere was different. Eyes followed him as he entered, but not all of them were filled with curiosity. Some were filled with something sharper. Jealousy? Suspicion?
Mira was already at the bar, sipping from a mug. She raised an eyebrow as he approached. "Rookie's still alive."
"Disappointed?"
She smirked. "Nah. But you're drawing attention."
Yuto leaned against the counter. "That's not my problem."
Mira set down her mug and gave him a pointed look. "Maybe not now. But it will be."
Before he could respond, the guild receptionist called out to him. "Yuto, right? You've been summoned by the Guild Master."
Mira let out a low whistle. "That was fast."
Yuto frowned. "For what?"
The receptionist shrugged. "Guess you'll find out."
Meeting the Guild Master
The Guild Master's office was dimly lit, the scent of parchment and ink thick in the air. Behind a large wooden desk sat a man with sharp, calculating eyes. His presence alone was enough to command a room.
"Yuto, was it?" The man's voice was even, measured. "Sit."
Yuto took a seat, keeping his expression neutral.
The Guild Master studied him for a long moment before finally speaking. "Your performance on your first quest was… impressive."
"Is that why I'm here?"
A chuckle. "Partially. Word spreads fast in Valkris. Some see your strength as an asset. Others see it as a threat."
Yuto remained silent. He had expected as much.
"I'll be blunt," the Guild Master continued. "There are factions within this city that keep an eye on rising talent. I suggest you tread carefully."
"And if I don't?"
"Then you might find yourself facing more than just goblins."
A quiet tension filled the room before the Guild Master leaned back in his chair. "That being said, I have an offer for you. A quest. One that requires someone of your… particular skill set."
Yuto's interest piqued. "What kind of quest?"
The Guild Master slid a parchment across the desk. "A noble has requested assistance. Something about a missing cargo shipment. Simple on the surface, but something feels off. If you're up for it, consider this your chance to prove whether you're just another reckless rookie… or something more."
Yuto picked up the parchment, scanning the details.
A noble's request. A mysterious disappearance.
His grip on the paper tightened.
Something more, huh?
"I'll take it."
End of Chapter 6