LRAB Chapter 66 Where do you think you are going?
Chapter 66 Where do you think you are going?
It took a little more than two hours but eventually, Ethan and Lia reached the guild's main hall. The city had calmed down a bit by now but the guild hall was still busy.
Ethan pushed the heavy doors open, the interior of the hall buzzing with activity. Adventurers of all ranks filled the space—rookies clutching crumpled maps, seasoned veterans chatting in groups, and guild staff darting about, juggling tasks with practiced efficiency.
From the snippets of conversation, Ethan could pick up, it was clear that much of the guild's focus was on organizing search parties to root out any remaining insectoids in the surrounding area. The topic came up repeatedly in tense murmurs.
"...if even one of those creatures lays eggs..."
"They'll swarm again before we know it. We can't risk that."
"The guild's prioritizing experienced teams, but we still need more hands..."
Ethan raised an eyebrow at the urgency but felt a twinge of amusement. "Good to know," he muttered under his breath, wondering if the ones he summoned could possibly breed. Then, turning slightly toward Lia, he added, "Alright, your turn to do the talking."
Lia glanced at him, her hazel eyes widening slightly. "Me, Master?"
"You're the local," Ethan replied smoothly, gesturing toward the front desk where a harried clerk was juggling multiple inquiries. "You'll know what questions won't sound suspicious. Go ahead—I'll keep an eye on things from here."
"There's a report of unusual activity in the western ridge, just beyond a few villages," she muttered. "Some adventurers mentioned heightened aggression among the creatures there. Might be a nest forming, but no one's confirmed it yet. It's a risky venture. Could also be a time waste."
Ethan's smirk deepened. "Perfect. That's exactly what I'm looking for."
The clerk's eyebrows shot up. "Perfect? You do realize this isn't a training exercise, right? Beast nests aren't playgrounds."
"Noted. Thanks for the tip." Ethan nodded with sincerity. He never planned to underestimate a beast nest but at the same time, he was also excited as hell to take the next step.
The clerk muttered something under her breath but didn't argue further. She scribbled a rough set of coordinates on a scrap of parchment and handed it to Lia, her expression still skeptical.
"Don't say I didn't warn you," she added, her tone carrying a mix of annoyance and begrudging respect. "If you get yourself killed, it's on you."
"Duly noted," Ethan replied smoothly, already turning to leave. Lia followed quickly, clutching the parchment like it was a treasure map.
"Lia, this is good. Let's go here and check things out." Just as the two of them were about to walk out, a tall burly man blocked their path, his imposing frame casting a shadow over Ethan and Lia.
His armor was scratched and dented, the scars of countless battles evident on both the steel and the man beneath it. A massive axe rested across his back, its edge glinting ominously even in the dim light of the guild hall.
"Where do you think you are going? Are you registered with the Fairfield Mines company yet?"