Vesper walked out of the door. Life wasn’t a foot race. He walked to the adventurer’s guild, making sure to clip on his small bronze badge. The line was shorter but still longer than anyone would want to stand still.

He got some strange looks from the line, but no one said a word to Vesper.

Siora sat behind the desk as Vesper was called forward to the guild desk.

“Oh, it’s you? Are you looking to take out a job? Again, sorry about the…” She coughed. “Incident.”

“No worries. I didn’t come here to find a job. I was wondering if I could talk to Grog.”

“Ah, you want to make amends. That’s nice of you.”

“Yeah, something like that.”

“Pardon? I didn’t quite catch what you said.”

“Yeah, making amends is what I want to do.”

“It didn’t seem like that’s what you meant.”

“Look, you’ve hassled me enough. Just tell me where I can find Grog,” Vesper snapped. She’d just about used up all of Vesper’s patience.

“Ok. Ok. No problem. He’s staying on the second floor, part of a deal we made. Everyone minds their business since they know he’ll come down and rip off their arms.”

“He’s a gold rank adventurer?” Vesper asked.

“Yes, why?”

“Just curious.”

Siora frowned. “Follow me,” she said.

Siora took Vesper down a different hall than one before. Unlike the easy to follow hallway that led the courtyard, the hallway to the stairs was like walking through a maze. The path was a left turn followed by a right turn, followed by another left turn, followed by Vesper getting sort of dizzy and losing his sense of direction.

“Ah, here we are.” Siora smiled and knocked on the door.

“Grog sad. Come back later.”

“Oh, Grog, it’s not just me. Vesper, the man you fought yesterday, is here to forgive you.”

“Really!? Ok, let him in. Let him in.”

Siora swung the door open. Grog sat on a tiny stool, hunched over a tiny desk. It was like a grown man, sitting on a toddler’s stool, except Grog’s desk wasn’t made for a toddler. That’s just how large of a man he was.

Siora pushed Vesper in and shut the door behind her.

“Grog, I didn’t come here to forgive you.”

Grog visibly shrank, and tears began forming in his eyes. He was about to cry.”

“I am sorry. I got angry, and I forgot to do the breathing exercises, and I hurt you, and….” Grog was starting to hyperventilate.

“Grog, I came for a different reason.”

“I understand if you punish, Grog. Grog did bad.”

“No, Grog, I didn’t come here to punish you. I came here to recruit you. People need you, Grog, and I don’t mean the adventurers that come in and out of this inn.”

“What do you mean? The people at the guild are nice. They gave me room, gave me lessons, and let me run around in the courtyard.”

“They’re nice, Grog. But Giant Wyvern’s haunt the skies, eating up villagers. I’m forming a team to go save those villagers.”

“How do you save villagers that are already eaten?”

“We’re not saving those ones. We’re saving the ones that will be eaten in the future.”

Grog paused, processing the information.

“And you will forgive me?”

“Yes, I’ll forgive you if you come to kill a wyvern with me.”

“Ok.”

“Ok, great! Let’s go start a party!” Vesper figured he should lock down a party for the task before Grog changed his mind, or before that [Paladin] came back and snatched the job.”

“Ok.”

“You’re a man of few words, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

Vesper nodded. It was like talking to a brick wall.

“Vesper opened the door. Siora stood outside.”

“Ah, you’re done. Is Grog feeling better?’

“Grog will be joining us. We’re signing up for an adventure!”

“Wait, Grog can’t sign up for an adventure. He works for us, keeping the other adventurers in line. Right, Grog?”

“I do. I can do both.”

“No, you can’t. There’s only one of you, Grog. You can’t be in two places at once. Also, Grog needs permission to go on quests.”

“I thought you said that he was a gold rank adventurer?”

“He is, but Grog doesn’t have the mentality required to lead a team or make decisions.”

“Says who? You?” Vesper pointed at her.

Siora yanked Vesper to the side.

“Look, don’t make my life more difficult than it already is. He can’t go with you.” Siora hissed.

“Can’t, or would it just inconvenience you?”

“Can’t. Any other business, or will you leave?”

Vesper scowled.

“I guess I’m leaving.” Vesper followed Siora to the door of the guild. Vesper wouldn’t give up, but he didn’t know enough to argue.

Vesper found himself standing close to Quill, wrestling whether it was worth it to ask him a favor. He knew it was worth it, but the slightly uncomfortable feeling of talking to someone who probably didn’t want to talk to him, let alone be thrust into his business, caused Vesper to hesitate.

“Vesper, what are you doing? You’ve been staring at me like a weirdo for the last hour.”

“I’m not acting weird; you’re acting weird.” Vesper deflected.

Quill narrowed his eyes.

“Well, unless you have something to say, stop staring at me.”

“I wasn’t staring at you. But I do have something to ask you.”

“Go on. Spit it out.”

“I need your help over figuring out the legal ramifications of Grog.”

“Who’s Grog?”

“The adventurer who’s forced to be the Adventurers Guild’s bouncer.”

“No shot. I don’t know what you’re doing but, from the sounds of things, I’m not going to like it.”

“Oh, C’mon Quill. It’s not like I’m asking you to come with me to go kill a Wyvern; this is simple paperwork.”

“Why do I think that killing a Wyvern isn’t simply hyperbole? I want nothing to do with killing a Wyvern or helping you with that unholy book you’ve grown so attached to. I was wrong when I said it was valuable. That thing is cursed.”

“It’s cursed me. I want to get rid of it more than you know, but the only way I’m ever going to do that is to learn more about it. I can’t do that sitting here, finding exits for Fartmor. Even if this work is good and he treats his employees well.”

“Fartmor is no saint.”

“What do you have against the guy? He’s the best boss I’ve ever had. If I wasn’t dealing with fixing my soul, I’d happily work here for the rest of my days.”

“Do you know what he does with the information you collect?”

“He sells it. You told me that.”

“Do you understand the implications that come with selling it?

“Someone buys it?”

“Those exits you’re finding aren’t getting sold to architects; they’re getting sold to smugglers and thieves!”

“Well, It could be worse.”

“It has been worse, and other tasks you have will be worse! Fartmor doesn’t separate what is morally sound from what is morally dubious. He might not have swung the sword or injected the poison, but he has murdered countless innocent people through his actions.”

“For someone so worried about what happens to Fartmor, you seem to involve yourself very little.”

“I tried. Vesper, I really did. The library was my chance to strike out on my own, to show the world that the freedom of knowledge benefits everyone. But people with wealth are too worried about losing some coins to make the morally sound choice.”

“Why not meet in the middle? Sell the less harmful information and provide the rest for free?”

“But how do you decide what information is harmful and what isn’t?”

Vesper shrugged. He didn’t feel the way Quill felt. The world wasn’t black or white. The world was shades of grey. Fartmor didn’t seem too bad.

“Well, if you aren’t going to help me, I’m going to figure it out on my own. I get you don’t want to involve yourself with anything icky, nothing that’ll get you a little dirty. Sometimes to do the most good, you gotta make some sacrifices along the way.”

“Keep telling that to yourself, Vesper.”

Vesper turned away from Quill. Vesper strode through the halls of books until he found Fartmor arranging some books on a shelf.

“Ah, Vesper. You’ve been really flourishing as of late. How can I help you?” said Fartmor.

“I was wondering if you’d have any books on the Adventurer’s Guild and their rules and regulations,” Vesper asked.

“That’s an odd request, but I would be a poor librarian if I didn’t have at least one manual.”

Fartmor’s hands glowed as he cast [Retrieve]. Thunk. Thunk. Thunk. Vesper heard the Legal Guide to the Adventurer’s Guild slam into other books as it zigzagged towards Vesper. The book was fast, but Vesper managed to duck before it slammed into his head.

“I believe this is what you’re looking for. It is pretty much worthless, so I’ll let you take it for free. Call it a reward for all that improvement.”

“Thanks,” said Vesper, grabbing the book from Fartmor.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me.” Fartmor went back to sorting his books.

The day ended like any other day at Farmor’s library, which meant Vesper was kicked out of the library when noon came around. Vesper had been reflecting about the work he’d been doing, but he didn’t know why he was kicked out at noon. It wasn’t his business to pry; well, technically, it was. His class was [Finder of Secrets], but he didn’t have to be rude and spy on each and every person he dealt with.

Vesper had bigger problems, anyway. Like conning a gold-ranked adventurer to take him on an adventure. Hopefully, both Grunkor and Olbin had gotten his messages. Hopefully, he’d hear back soon.

But none of that mattered if he couldn’t find someone to create the party. Vesper now sat inside the inn he’d been staying at and peered down at the Adventurer’s Guild book. It was pretty thick, but Vesper opened the book anyway. He flipped through the pages.

How to manage a divorce among adventurers, How to play off murder and steal the loot of a dead party member, Legal ramifications of squatting in the adventurer guild lobby, and how to get away with it. These were all questions answered within the book. None of these, however, were what Vesper was looking for.

“No. No. No. I can’t find anything!” Vesper cried.

Other people sitting around the inn’s tables glanced over at him, only briefly before going about their business of drinking and eating.

Vesper rubbed his eyes before opening the book once more. If there was an appendix, Vesper would’ve found what he was looking for.

The days passed. The natural light that came from the windows was slowly replaced by dim candles. While the inn was busy during the day, most residences had gone to bed, but Vesper remained. He remained, his eyes staring at the pages. He was still looking.

There, right at the bottom of the page. He’d found it. It was only two sentences. Two meager sentences, but they were the most important sentences that Vesper had ever found. It didn’t matter that the font was small, and the author had briefly breezed through it. It had what Vesper needed.

He closed the book and retired to his room.

Vesper could barely concentrate, counting exits and reading books about architecture. Soon noon came, and Vesper was released from his work after he pocketed his one silver.

He rushed to the Adventurer’s Guild. The line was already growing long. Vesper waited. Eventually, he made his way to the front desk, which Siora sat behind. She scowled as Vesper waltzed up to it.

“How can I help you?” She asked, keeping her voice neutral.

“I need to speak to Grog.”

“I’m afraid I can’t let you into the back of the adventuring guild. You’re a security risk.”

“A security risk!? I just said some words. I didn’t even throw a single fist.”

“It’s not my decision. This comes from the higher-ups.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“That doesn’t matter. It’s my word versus yours. I’m an administrator for the guild, and you’re just a nobody bronze rank adventurer.”

“Now, if you don’t have any business. I suggest you leave. Grog protects the guild; that’s his job.”

“That is ridiculous.”

Siora smiled. Vesper wanted to wipe that smug smile off her face.

Vesper left, his plan foiled for now.

Feeling despondent, Vesper aimlessly followed his routine and visited the messenger guild next. There was no line, which was nice.

“Ah, Vesper. I’ve got some good news for you! I’ve received multiple letters. Whether or not the one from the farm is from this Olbin, I’m not terribly sure. But letters are letters.”

Vesper looked at a light green envelope, followed by a dirty tan one. The light green envelope was little, compared to the large tan one. Vesper decided to open the green one first.

From Grunkor:

After Vesper left, Grunkor has been feeling lonely. Grunkor resents kicking you out even if you were a big pain and picky eater. Grunkor doesn’t get guest often, but Grunkor misses watching how stupid and dumb you are. Grunkor has thought about joining Vesper. Grunkor thought more about the gold and decided it’s easy profit if Grunkor doesn’t have to fight. Plus, the gold rank adventurer will do most of the work, Grunkor presumes. Grunkor is heading up and will arrive the moment this letter arrives. [Couriers] are too expensive for Grunkor, so Grunkor became the [courier].

Vesper wrinkled his brow. What was the point of sending a letter, if you were going to deliver it yourself. It seemed awfully pointless.

“Do you know where the [courier] that dropped this letter went?” Vesper asked.

“Ah, the little green goblin. I told him not to, but he climbed down into that city sewer over there. He mentioned something about good eating, and better lodging. It was a strange encounter.”

Vesper tore the second letter open.

Vesper,

I eventually got your letter, although I was not the first to receive it. Sorry if any of the information was private, but the letter was given to Bolbon the [woodcutter], and Bolbon gave the letter to Solbin the [gardener]. Eventually, the letter was given to me after the letter made its way to Lady Erin. I discussed the offer with her for a bit and decided I needed to make something of myself. I remember the conversation we had, and it stuck with me. I’m not as optimistic as you, but I’m tired of being depressed and wasting away. Lady Eldin said you were a smart kid and that you wouldn’t lie about having secured a gold rank adventurer for a mission of this importance. I can’t stress enough how grateful I am that you’ve got this secured because if you didn’t, that would be disastrous. We’d all be fools, and I’d have wasted my time. I sold my farm for this opportunity, and my life would be ruined if this didn’t pan out. It’ll take me two days from when you see this letter to arrive.

Well, Vesper had lied just a little about having secured Grog. He rubbed his chin, feeling only slightly guilty.

He went over to the dark, pitch-black sewer pit.

“Anyone in there!?” Vesper yelled. He heard his voice echo.

Grunkor poked his head out before climbing out. In his hand, he held a fat rat that was trying to scurry away.

“I see you’ve found lunch there.”

“Yes, very plump. Where is this gold adventurer? Grunkor would like to meet him.”

“Well, about that. I’m going to have to ask you for a favor, Grunkor. We need to create some chaos.”