The noise of the hall didn’t fade so much as stop.
Conversations cut off.
Boots halted.
A quill snapped in someone’s hand.
Every head turned.
Two grown Bronze-rank adventurers limping and tied together—
with Eis standing behind them, calm as still water.
One clerk stood up immediately.
“G—gods, Eis—what happened?”
Eis bowed her head slightly.
“They ambushed me outside the city. Their intent was to capture me and sell me to slavers.”
A wave of shock rippled through the room.
Whispers erupted:
“Slavers? These idiots?!”
“They tried to capture her?”
“Bronze ranks attacking a Copper?!”
“They’re done. They’re dead.”
“Not dead enough.”
The guild enforcer — a large, scarred man — strode over.
His heavy boots made the floorboards creak.
He eyed the unconscious men, then Eis.
“You brought two,” he said gruffly.
“I remember four approached you this morning. Where are the others?”
Eis met his eyes without flinching.
“Two resisted violently. I dispatched them.”
He didn’t even blink.
“Understood.”
No judgment.
No surprise.
Just procedure.
He jerked his chin at two junior clerks.
“Take these two to the holding cells. Fast.”
The clerks hurried to obey.
The guild enforcer turned back to Eis.
“You injured?”
“No.”
“Good. Because the Guild Master is going to want your statement.”
Eis nodded.
But then she added quietly:
“They might have done this before.”
The guild enforcer's eyes hardened.
“We’ll check.”
He clapped her once on the shoulder — heavy, but respectful.
“Good work, Eis. You prevented worse.”
Eis said nothing.
Just bowed her head again.
The sun was setting when the guild hall doors opened again.
Lira walked in first, tired but smiling.
Kael yawned, stretching his arms over his head.
The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.
Ronan scanned the hall instinctively, always alert.
The three of them spotted Eis immediately.
She sat at a table by the window, quiet, hands folded neatly in her lap, a cup of cooling tea beside her.
Lira’s smile faded.
Kael stopped mid-yawn.
Ronan’s posture straightened subtly.
They exchanged looks — that silent conversation built from months of partnership.
Something happened.
They walked straight to her.
Lira reached Eis first.
“Are you alright? You look… like something is on your mind.”
Kael crouched down beside her.
“We heard two guys got dragged to the guild cells today. Was that you?”
Eis answered simply.
“Yes.”
Ronan’s voice was low, steady.
“What happened?”
Eis didn’t embellish.
Didn’t dramatize.
She explained:
- The mission
- The four men following her
- Their intent to capture and sell her
- Their attempt to ambush
- Her neutralization of two
- Her killing of the other two
- Her decision to bring the survivors to the guild
Lira’s eyes widened, then darkened with anger.
“They tried to enslave you?”
Eis nodded once.
Kael’s jaw clenched so hard Eis heard it.
“Those bastards—”
Ronan placed a hand on the table, grounding the moment.
“Eis.”
She looked up at him.
“You did what you had to do.”
Lira stepped closer and tugged Eis into a sudden embrace.
Eis stiffened, surprised.
“…Lira?”
“You’re alive,” Lira whispered fiercely.
“That’s what matters.”
Kael stood and ruffled Eis’s hair — gently, but with emotion.
“We know, It's a little different when you're specifically targeted. Next time, if someone tries something like that? Kill all four.”
Ronan gave a small nod.
“…Agree.”
Eis blinked slowly.
Lira pulled back just enough to look her in the eye.
“Eis, listen to me. You’re not alone here. Not anymore.”
Eis’s breath softened.
Kael flopped into the chair beside her.
“We leave you alone for one day and you end up clearing out criminals.”
Lira swatted him.
“Be serious.”
Kael held up his hands.
“I am! I’m impressed!”
Ronan sat on Eis’s other side.
Eis lowered her gaze. Unsure what to do with all the warmth being directed at her.
“…I am sorry for causing trouble.”
Lira shook her head immediately.
“No. They made the trouble. You ended it.”
Kael grinned.
“And you did it better than we could have.”
Eis opened her mouth to respond—
but Ronan spoke first.
“Come home with us,” he said.
Eis blinked.
“…Home?”
“Guild dorm,” Lira clarified.
“Kael prepared a stew this morning. It’s awful, but edible.”
“It’s delicious,” Kael snapped.
“It’s edible,” Lira repeated.
Ronan stood.
“You shouldn’t be alone tonight.”
Eis hesitated.
Just one heartbeat.
Then nodded quietly.
“…Okay.”
Lira smiled softly.
“Good.”
Kael threw an arm around her shoulders as they walked out.
“See? You survive a slaver ambush and you get dinner. That’s how the world works.”
Ronan shook his head, but a small smile tugged at his lips.
Eis walked with them, steps steady, warmth spreading through her chest.
It wasn’t victory she felt.
But care.
A fragile, unfamiliar feeling—
and she held onto it gently.