Rain as The Witness

The Next Morning

Rain hammered against the rooftops, a steady rhythm echoing the tension lingering in the air. The sky was heavy with thick, gray clouds, casting an eerie gloom over the city.

Frings Mansion

"My Lord!" A servant burst into Lord Frings' study, his footsteps hurried and voice laced with urgency.

Frings, seated behind a polished mahogany desk, barely glanced up.

"What is it?" His tone was bored, but his eyes sharpened with interest.

"The spy, Milord… he reported that Rethrus mentioned going to a dungeon. He overheard him speaking to his landlord about it."

Frings leaned back, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Huh… maybe the boy is really enjoying himself here," he murmured, fingers drumming lightly on the table.

"Shall I keep the spy watching?" the servant asked.

Frings shook his head. "No… his job is done. Tell him the payment will be transferred to his account."

"Yes, Milord."

A moment later, the door swung open again, and a dwarf clad in soaked armor strode in. His face was grim, water dripping from his beard.

"Caesar hasn't returned yet, Milord," the dwarf reported, his voice low and steady.

Frings' brow furrowed. "What?"

"His family says he hasn't been home since yesterday. And now… he's completely vanished."

A heavy silence filled the room.

"Call Dante," Frings ordered, his tone deadly calm. "Have him lead a full search immediately."

"Yes, Milord," the dwarf bowed and exited swiftly.

Frings' mind raced. "Damn it… who would dare move against me? Another family? Are they trying to start a war? Or… was it Rethrus?"

His jaw clenched. "No… I'm overthinking it."

Gerard's Room

The scent of damp wood filled the small, dimly lit room where Gerard sat, fidgeting with his fingers. Across from him, Rethrus leaned against the wall, arms crossed, eyes studying him with cold indifference.

"So… you're free now," Rethrus murmured, his tone casual but his gaze sharp.

"Y-Yeah…" Gerard stammered, a hint of fear still lingering in his voice.

"Why not work for me instead?" Rethrus suggested, his expression unreadable.

Gerard's eyes widened slightly. "Uh… c-can I say no?"

Rethrus arched a brow. "What do you think?" His tone was calm, but the weight behind his words made Gerard's blood run cold.

"Ah… f-fine…" Gerard mumbled, his shoulders sagging.

Rethrus smirked, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "How much?"

"Well… I usually go for 20 gold…"

"Eh… that's steep." Rethrus' eyes narrowed slightly.

"F-Fine… 15 gold," Gerard stammered.

A pause.

"Deal."

Gerard let out a shaky breath, but his mind screamed one thing.

"Damn… this kid…"

Black Dragon Guild

"Oh, it's raining," Cassius muttered, looking out the window, the steady drizzle tapping against the glass.

"Where are Kaeli and Eri?" Cassius asked, his tone mildly curious.

"They're not here, Master," his assistant replied, standing respectfully a few steps behind.

"Huh… maybe those two are doing something fun on this rainy day," Cassius said, a sly smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Kaeli's House

"Ahh… where am I?" The dwarf groaned, his head pounding as he blinked into the dimly lit room.

"Oh, you're awake," Eri greeted him casually, her tone devoid of concern. She was sitting comfortably on a wooden chair, legs crossed, watching him with mild amusement.

"Where am I? Do you know who I am?" The dwarf's voice was filled with indignation as he tried to sit up.

"I am Caesar Costamado, cousin of Lord Frings, and I am a knight."

"Oh… that might be the reason why you're a knight," Eri replied nonchalantly, her tone laced with sarcasm as she twirled a dagger between her fingers.

"Now tell me… why did you attack Rethrus?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Caesar said, his eyes narrowing in defiance.

"Well…" Eri's expression darkened, her smile fading. "We're paid to make you talk, so I guess we'll stay here"

As Kaeli prepares some potions.

As the day progressed, the plan had been laid out by Rethrus with Gerard.

Meanwhile, soldiers had expanded their search for Caesar.

Blue Emberfox Guild

The guild was bustling, filled with adventurers drinking beer and coffee, taking refuge from the dreary weather. The air was thick with the scent of damp clothes and ale, mingling with the occasional burst of laughter and the clinking of mugs.

As the door swung open, a gust of cold wind accompanied a soaked figure into the hall. A man, dripping wet, stepped inside carrying a staff and a bag.

The murmuring died down for a moment as eyes turned toward him. Recognition dawned on several faces.

Some stared with awe, others with envy, and a few of the girls blushed at the sight of him.

"Uhm… hi," Rethrus said, his tone polite but straightforward. "Is there any available dungeon that can pay me 100 gold?" He directed his question to the man behind the counter.

"Ah, of course," the counter attendant replied, glancing up. "But you have to be a member of the guild here to participate in a dungeon hunt."

"Okay… how much?"

"200 silver… and you'll need to fill out some forms. Then, you'll have to wait a few days to be accepted," the counter attendant explained, his tone matter-of-fact.

'Damnit, I can't wait that long,' Rethrus thought, frustration creeping in.

"Is there any other way I can hunt a dungeon now?" His voice was low but urgent.

"Hey," a voice called from across the hall.

A boy, about the same age as Rethrus, stood up. His eyes narrowed, his tone laced with irritation.

"Just because you're famous doesn't mean you can get your way every time."

Rethrus turned his head, his expression devoid of emotion. He glanced back at the counter, a silent plea in his eyes.

"Sir…" The counter attendant hesitated, his voice lowering. "There are many things to consider. Are you strong enough to join a dungeon hunt?

I mean… I know you're strong, but there's more to it. Safety, the guild's share… even forming a party."

"Oh, look what we have here," a familiar voice echoed through the hall.

Rethrus turned toward the source and immediately recognized the figure.

"Oh, Sir Gunter," Rethrus said, his tone respectful but with a hint of surprise.

Gunter had just arrived with his party, their gear still damp from the rain. The older adventurer's presence commanded attention as he casually strode toward the counter.

"What are you doing here, Rethrus?" Gunter asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Uhm… Sir, I was hoping to hunt a dungeon since I'm planning to leave this city by the end of the week," Rethrus explained.

The counter attendant spoke up, hesitant. "But Sir Gunter, our policy states he needs to be a member of the guild."

"Yeah, yeah, I know." Gunter waved a hand dismissively. A sly grin formed on his face as he turned back to Rethrus.

"How about this? I'll take the mission under my name… but you'll be the one who fights it."

Rethrus's eyes lit up. "That would be so great, Sir," he said, bowing his head slightly.

"But…" Gunter's tone shifted, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "You'd have to give me 50% of your hunt since 25% goes to the guild and my cut is 25%. That leaves you with 50%. Sound fair?"

"Sounds fair to me," Rethrus replied, his expression calm but his mind already calculating.

'That means I have to fight two dungeons,' he thought, mentally preparing himself for what was ahead.