Black Rose

Continuing up the stairs into the large building with an influx of people streaming in and out of the Guild, I felt my curiosity bubble as I'd heard many things about Adventure Guilds on Earth. There were quite a few animes that held various guilds and mercenary groups. Crowe had been quite the avid watcher. Father too.

Convinced I would be welcomed by a slew of chatter belonging to grown men large as bears drinking and eating as they told tales of their travel, I prepared myself a little excited to see what lay within.

I entered through the doors, meeting a deafening silence.

My eyes widened as disappointment struck me hard. What the hell? Where are the loud voice, the snarky comments at loose woman, the sips of beer frothing at the rim of their tankard? There was only a deadly silence that seemed eerie, like the dead.

My gaze surveyed the Guild, appearing somewhat as I'd envisioned: cobblestone floors, along with a rich scent of wood that seemed newly made, I could still smell the amber, but that could be due to the various tankers of ale I saw in many of the Empyrean hands.

'He's here,' a soft lean voice whispered out, drawing my attention, but from where I couldn't tell. "Is it his first time out? Since you know."

"Yeah... It is. Damn."

"Shut it." Another muttered, somewhat foolishly, as I was sure everyone could hear. My eyes danced along with the various men and women, landing on the hooded figure I'd seen just a few seconds ago, standing behind a buff man, waiting to speak to the receptionist.

Intrigued slipped into my mind as I approached.

"Hey, do you know why it's so quiet?" I asked as he was the only one I'd spoken to aside from Tessa and Relvor.

He turned to me, and I could feel his looming gaze peering past my hood, landing on my mask. "Your words cut deep, darling."

I frowned; who was he calling, darling?

"Excuse me?"

"You are excused." He said sharply, proceeding to tap the warrior's shoulder in front of him, catching his attention. The hooded figure spoke," If you would stand aside."

"Your!? Ah, forgive me, by all means," the tall warrior covered in vicious-looking scars along his cheek said, bowing his head, a hint of gloom present as he stepped out of line.

Huh? Was he the one everyone was talking about? Stupid Iza, why can't you ever read the room?!

"Come along, Darling. It would seem you are still green to this city or maybe this world." He added, sending a chill to match the beat of my pounding heart.

My head dipped, and he chuckled to my annoyance. But I still took a step forward towards the rather beautiful elf with long green hair that matched her azure blue eyes. She crossed her arms over her ample breast and pressed her fingers to her lips, covering the cute mole.

"You've returned; how was the hunt?" She asked, finding a lovely smile, "and it seems you've found a new companion."

"Nope, I just met her a few seconds ago. Help her get situated. It seems she is either a seeker or new to the city." He said in a deadpan tone, " It is around that time. It seems like Blackpool is about to get a few recruits."

"But of course." The receptionist said, shifting her attention to me, " Your name?"

A little taken aback by the turn of events, I felt unnerved, but I didn't have much choice. I needed a way to get money, which didn't make me a criminal.

"Izalith Snow,"

A few sharp gasps filled the air. I turned, looking at the wide-eyed stares.

"Huh?! Any relationship with the man who fell into one of the greatest noble houses in Arcadia? I believe his name was Crowe with the surname of Snow."

That bloody liar!! He isn't a Snow! At least not technically.

"Sorry, I've never heard the name before," I lied, masking my emotions that were running wild. At least I know Crowe is alive... At least for now.

The hooded figure leaned in and whispered, " Your a terrible liar, darling," He said in a foreign accent that stirred my heart.

Snorting, I took a step back, puffing my cheeks. The stranger chuckled and glanced at the receptionist, " Let her code name be Black Rose."

"Hey, that—"

"A marvelous name!" Said the receptionist quickly, whose name tag I only now notice, read Kali. Twirling her finger through her rich green hair, she purred in amusement. "Quite the name; I wonder what you've done to receive such a name."

"She cut me deep with her crude words. Going so far as to ask me about my dead wife."

The air froze, and I kinda stood frozen in place, shaken by his words. Everything clicked as I covered my mouth: the silence in the Guild, the hushing murmurs of heartbreak, his earlier words. They all rang in my mind.

I only asked to find out why it was so quiet! This is why I keep to myself! No one ever thinks it'll happen to them! Then boom! You fucked up!

"I'm sorry," I muttered through the gaps of my fingers," I didn't know," I soon whispered, understanding how my inquiry of why it was so quiet could be misconstrued into believing I was talking about his wife.

"Well, that much was clear," Kali said, shaking her head, "But no problem, I'll get her situated. But let me call a Master to help get you situated; I'm sure you would like some privacy. In regards to your hunt."

"Good, I know the way," he said, sending me one final glance through his hood. "See you soon, my heartless Black Rose." He then teasingly said, heading up the stairs to the next floor.

Cheeks burning, my head slipped downwards: That was embarrassing. How was I supposed to know his wife had died? And why is everyone even talking about this?

"Lift your head; it's not so bad," Kali said as a slew of laughter and noise resounded from behind me.

"Not so bad?! " A blonde-headed woman chimed in with laughter. "Don't lie to her. What woman wants to be called a Black Rose?"

"I disagree," A rugged bald-headed man added, cracking up in laughter., " I kinda like it. It makes you seem like a badass. Maybe a bad B."

"And what the hell would you know!"

"Shut your twat!"

"Shut your ass!"

The bald-headed man rose, towering like a giant, slapped his fist almost twice the size of my head over his chest, and growled, "You wasn't saying that last night!"

"Cuz I was asking you to get it up!"

"..."

"Ignore them, ' Kali muttered, "Those two are, oddly enough, husband and wife. They argue, then rent a hotel a few blocks down and screw. I hear they had to replace the bed due to the—"

"Too much!" I cried, coving my ears. By the hell, they were worse than my parent.

"My god, you're cute! A virgin, I see. Oh, my lovely Black Rose, just, you, wait. If you are as beautiful as your voice says, then darling, I can imagine the hundreds of men and women that will be at your beckoning call."

"Don't call me that," I pleaded, hanging my head low once again.

[Ding]

[Title Accpired]

[Black Rose] [Lv 1]

[Effects: People think your poison, maybe even a bitch.]

Kill me!

Kali giggled into her palm, " No, can do. The man you accidentally annoyed is a nobleman of a powerful house who has donated tens of thousands of Crowns to our Guild. Whatever he wants, he gets."