Challenge

Perseus finally reached the guild house. He parked the wagon in the front entrance and stepped off. Even before he even reached the house he could see some of the new guild members running around. It seems they had started to be eased into life well as Perseus could see bright smiles on their faces and even the occasional peal of laughter.

Perseus had no idea how they were able to become so comfortable so quickly. Perhaps it was because the existence of being in a guild told them everything or they were just relieved to get out of that bandit camp. Perseus had no idea but he was sure Jack had something to do with it.

Of course when the new members saw him though they instantly froze up and ceased all actions. Their gazes nervously followed him as he parked the wagon and lead the horses to the back yard to graze.

He was a bit cautious about letting them go free, but it seems that they were already tamed as a reward from the system and all that he needed to do was to press the summon button and they would immediately run back to him.

As Perseus rounded the corner of the guild house, he spotted Jack still at the well outside splashing the guild members who had just gotten back from fulfilling their quest with water. Jack took his time with each one of the muddy members just like how Perseus did it, with a gentle smile and with a kind way of talking.

Perseus didn't know how Jack knew all of these things, he didn't think he taught Jack much, just how to fight and survive.

But in reality, Perseus's actions when he helped Jack were like a godsend, he taught him how to live, to fight, and to have ambition. Jack had promised himself many times that he would always follow Perseus, no matter where he was, Perseus was his master and he would show the world what his master taught him.

Perseus didn't think he showed any kindness to Jack, in fact, he was pretty hard on him, but Jack took it as kindness and treated each of the new guild members well.

The new guild members were much more relaxed around Jack, after all, he was around their age and had similar circumstances. Jack even was acquaintances with a few of the new members.

Jack spotted Perseus and a happy grin was plastered on his face. He placed the bucket on the ground and raced to Perseus.

"Master, you're back! do you need me to do something"

Perseus shook his head

"yes, Jack go inside and get your gear. prepare to challenge a reaper"

A serious expression overtook Jack, he knew exactly what that command meant. It meant that Perseus was now going to seriously try and infiltrate the underworld and finally the silver wings would start to flourish. He quickly nodded and ran into the guild house, grabbing the short daggers that his master had bought for him and the black cloak that covered his face and body.

While Perseus waited for Jack to prepare he walked over to the well to finish what Jack had started.

The boy who Perseus had almost finished cleaning stood at the well wondering what he should do, he turned around about to ask the boy behind him what he should do. But when he turned his neck he could see the guild master, walking towards him with an emotionless expression. His blond hair swept over in a clean fashion and his blue eyes glimmered. That boy could remember vividly at the abandoned mine and bandit camp the guild master walking in and slaughtering all of the bandits who were at the level of gods to them.

His cold eyes as he sliced apart them had been burned into that boy's memories and as he watched the guild master approach him with those same eyes he trembled and his body seemed to freeze. He closed his eyes in fear and wished with all of his heart that the kind boy from before, could come back. He was kind to all of the people in front of him they talked and were able to say things to him, unlike the guild master.

The boy could feel the guild master stepping closer and closer to him until finally, he was right in front of him. He could hear the sound of a bucket being picked up and the boy half expected to be stuck with the bucket like how the bandits did.

But then he felt a cold splash of water on his head and a warm hand ruffling his head trying to get the mud out. The boy opened his eyes slightly but muddy water seeped into his eyes and he instantly closed it again. This time he just focused on what he heard.

He could hear the guild masters' voice, which sounded a bit melodious and warm, which was a contrast to his cold appearance.

"Hmm, looks like Jack had basically finished cleaning you up, here stand next to me and help fill the buckets."

The cascade of water ended and the boy was able to open his eyes to see the guild master in front of his face wiping off the last bits of mud from his hair and face. As the boy gazed straight into the guild masters' face he noticed that his cold eyes seemed to be a bit less dark and cold and his mouth which he thought to be set in a frown seemed to be resting at an emotionless line.

The boy quickly got out of the line and went behind the guild master. Perseus hooked the empty bucket to the pully and dropped it into the well. He then took the filled on that sat on the side of the well and beckoned for the next muddy boy to come.

The boy quickly put his hands on the rope and started to pull. He soon realized that it was very hard to pull up the bucket. So instead he jumped up to use his entire weight to pull down on the rope. This was much easier compared to what the bandits made them do, in fact, it was kinda fun jumping up and seeing the bucket slowly lift up a bit.

The bucket was slowly pulled up and as the boy kept on jumping up and down while tugging at the rope with all of his might he turned his head to see what the guild master was doing.

Perseus was busy trying to take out the mud and blood that had caked on the other boys' bodies. The boy pulling up the buckets watched with widened eyes as the guild master attentively took care of each one of the guild members spend a good amount of time on each and everyone picking out little specks of mud that any normal person wouldn't waste their time on.

After a few minutes, Perseus had finished cleaning the rest of the guild members and motioned to the now clean guild members who were still standing in front of him frozen.

"Help me unload some stuff from the wagon, bring them to the front entrance, and bring the rest of the guild members to the front too"

The group of boys quickly nodded and followed Perseus to the wagon. The jumped into the wagon and started to unload like they were used to it. They created a mini-chain and handed each person a package who then handed to the next.

After a few minutes then entire group of packages was piled up neatly in the large room in the guild house.

The new guild members had also appeared, all of them had finished their quests and a large pile of animal and monster corpses was piled on the left of the packages.

Perseus quickly put the corpses into his inventory which amazed the guild members. He then stood in front of the group of boys and pointed to the packages

"ill make this quick, each one of you take a package its clothes and they now belong to you, take good care of them"

An excited tremble passed through each and every one of the boys. Just the thought of having something that was their own made them happy and as soon as Perseus gave a nod, they quickly went and got their own package each one of them taking good care of them treating them as if it were precious materials.

While Perseus was watching them on some stairs he heard somebody walking down. He quickly looked to see Jack walking down the stairs, he was dressed in dark clothes, a black cloak was on his shoulders and he had a small leather shirt on him. He had two gleaming daggers on his waist and a tense expression on his face.

He looked at Perseus and said in a determined voice

"Master, I'm ready"