Bones approached Percy, the individual overseeing the documentation, and informed him of his completion of the subjugation contract. He was not alone in this decision; many others around his level had also concluded their part in the task. With the Lesser Rock Elementals eradicated, their utility in the quarry had diminished. Percy, anticipating this, prepared for the influx of silver rankers.

Using an exclusive device from the adventurer's guild, Percy scanned Bones' badge, meticulously documenting his contributions by quantifying the number of Elementals he had slain. Once the process was complete, he handed Bones a formal document, detailing every aspect of his involvement and stamped with the Adventurer's Guild crest. Bones expressed gratitude to Percy, wishing him the best of luck with the remaining Elementals, before exiting the tent and promptly leaving the quarry.

Heading north, retracing his path, Bones continued his journey eastward toward the town of Draycott. He acknowledged that the gains he achieved were largely owed to Tivaara's insights. While he aimed to reach a similar level of understanding on his own eventually, the significance of the concepts she provided couldn't be overstated. Without them, his contributions and gains would have been significantly diminished.

To alleviate the monotony of his journey across the land, Bones sought refuge in books he had purchased months ago but never found the time to read. Lost in the pages, he occasionally stumbled, absorbed in the content until he stepped out from the cool shade of the forest and resumed his travels on the road. Murdok and Skully silently trailed behind him, steadfast companions on his solitary journey.

As hours passed, the end of his current journey loomed on the horizon. Standing before a crossroad sign that pointed towards the town of Draycott, ten kilometers to the northeast, Bones couldn't help but exclaim in delight. Finally, he was on the brink of reaching the first milestone on his path towards the ultimate destination - the Kingdom of Everlasting Dusk.

Draycott, a quaint yet bustling town exuded an air of lively enchantment. Governed by the influential Goldenforge guild, its cobbled streets echoed with the steady hum of activity. The town, although small in size, stood as a testament to the vibrancy of the adventurer’s life.

Every corner of Draycott harbored a shop, each offering a diverse array of goods catering to the needs of the seasoned adventurer. From essential equipment to enchanting trinkets, the shops adorned the streets like treasures waiting to be discovered. The tantalizing aroma of food and beverages wafted through the air, emanating from bustling taverns and quaint eateries that lined the main thoroughfares.

The town's security was meticulous, a reflection of the careful measures in place to safeguard against potential threats. Draycott's vigilant defenses were a direct response to the presence of a small dungeon, a mysterious and dangerous place that drew adventurers from far and wide. The dungeon's allure was both a challenge and a reason for every adventurer to converge on Draycott, creating a diverse and vibrant tapestry of individuals seeking glory and fortune. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the enchanting glow of magical lights illuminated the town, casting a warm and inviting ambiance.

In the embrace of the enchanting evening ambience, Bones found himself in the comfort of his room, gazing out over one of Draycott's lively squares. Having arrived in town before the evening, he had settled into the inn for the night. The closed shops around him were evidence of the missed opportunity for acquiring much-needed equipment upgrades for his golems. Yet, Bones remained resolute, recognizing patience as a virtue he was actively cultivating.

With the dawn of a new day, he ventured out, exploring the bustling town. The multitude of shops, each boasting an array of goods, left him somewhat overwhelmed by the diversity and quality on display. One particular establishment caught his eye, where exquisite craftsmanship adorned the items showcased. However, it was the sheen reflecting off the black blade of a weapon that truly captivated him. Intrigued, he stepped into the shop, driven by a natural curiosity about materials and craftsmanship.

Examining the weapons up close, Bones became increasingly certain that the bow and greatsword he possessed were indeed crafted from the same extraordinary material. The black metal, a mysterious blend of steel alloy and Obsidian, a rare black ore, bestowed upon the blades not only their distinctive color but also a heightened durability. The clerk, though unable to delve into the intricacies of the crafting process, explained that this fusion of materials was carefully designed to meet the demands of second-tier adventurers, enhancing the weapons' resilience and efficacy. The revelation added a layer of appreciation for the craftsmanship that went into the creation of this formidable weaponry.

Bones made substantial investments in new equipment during this visit to Draycott. For Skully, he selected a distinctive weapon known as a Partisan, a type of polearm adorned with protrusions on the sides of the spearhead. Crafted with meticulous care, this weapon was designed not only for offensive capabilities but also for strategic maneuvers. The protrusions were strategically placed to catch and trap an opponent's weapon, offering the wielder an opportunity to disarm them. The weapon's craftsmanship was top-notch, featuring a shaft and spearhead made from the limited quantity of the coveted black metal. Careful consideration was given to balancing weight, ensuring the weapon remained formidable without becoming overly burdensome.

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When it came to finding a replacement for Skully’s chest piece, Bones opted for a leather garb designed to facilitate fluid movements while providing effective mitigation against both slashing and blunt weapons. The balance between flexibility and protection was carefully struck, enhancing his combat capabilities.

However, shopping for Murdok proved to be a more challenging endeavor than Bones anticipated. The orc's formidable frame, despite being skeletal, was larger and wider than the typical proportions envisioned by the town's artisans. Rather than choosing a full plate armor set, Bones opted for lamellar armor. This type of body armor consisted of small rectangular plates of steel laced into horizontal rows, offering a higher range of movements while still ensuring solid defense. The obsidian greatsword, aptly named by Bones, had served well in the past and would undoubtedly continue to do so for Murdok in the battles that lay ahead.

Completing his shopping spree by noon and carrying a considerably lighter wallet, Bones made his way to the Adventurer’s Guild. The familiar structure greeted him, its interior mirroring the layouts of the guilds he had encountered before. Joining the queue, Bones patiently awaited his turn at the reception desk. When his time came, he informed the attendant that he was there to complete the wanted contracts and a subjugation quest. He then handed over a letter addressed to the head administrator, James Nesbit. Bones watched as the man inspected the letter, confirmed its legitimacy, and excused himself to inform the head admin. When he came back, he asked for Bones to follow him to the back.

Following the administrator to James Nesbit's office, Bones knocked and was invited in. James told him to take a seat and expressed a connection to a long-lost colleague, Horace, from their days before holding administrative positions. Requesting a moment to read the letter, James pondered its contents. Bones waited in silence, observing occasional glances from James as he absorbed the information. When he finished, he burned the letter, transforming its contents into ashes. He addressed Bones with a measured acknowledgment of the confidentiality of the message.

"The letter was for my eyes only. You did well to come here," James remarked, affirming the trust placed in Bones to deliver the message directly.

“What did the letter say?” Bones inquired, admitting his ignorance of its contents.

James succinctly summarized the letter, explaining that he was requested to assist Bones in gaining access to the dungeon and any other assistance he might require. However, when Bones broached the topic of accessing the Guild's private library, James swiftly declined, citing constraints in his official capacity as the head admin. Despite Bones's raised eyebrow, James offered no further explanation. He informed Bones about the filled entry slots for the month and said that members of the Goldenforge guild have priority over everyone else and suggested the possibility of finding a party.

“Your undead nature won’t be a problem, so you don’t have to worry about that part. In fact, I might know a party you could join right away. They are scheduled for a dungeon run in two days, but maybe you could convince one of their members to lend you his spot in the party. I already have in mind who you could talk to. Do you want to try and negotiate?” James asked, and Bones expressed his willingness to give it a try.

"Excellent! I'll arrange a meeting between you two. Is there anything else I can do for you?" James inquired.

Bones considered the offer but couldn't think of anything else at the moment. James then asked for a way to contact him to provide details about the meeting, and Bones provided his place of stay. He escorted Bones until the exit of the building and when Bones was about to leave, James reached for his arm and grabbed it, then said the entrance to the library is under rune protection, very hard to lockpick, but the same couldn’t be said about the small window with access to the roof. He let go off Bones’ arm and before leaving said again he would inform him of the time and place of the meeting, leaving Bones speechless.

Later that day, Bones received the message with an address, informing him that the meeting would take place at noon in a small coffee shop the next day. As he envisioned entering the dungeon after a prolonged wait, he ran through various negotiation scenarios, preparing himself for the crucial encounter. Despite his enthusiasm, a nagging worry lingered about the possibility of the negotiation failing, leaving him stranded until the next month's dungeon entry slots opened.

As night fell, Bones shifted his focus from tomorrow's uncertainties to the immediate task at hand – gaining access to the guild's private library through the small window. Under the cover of darkness, he stealthily exited his room, ascending to the inn's roof. From this vantage point, he surveyed the well-lit streets below, regularly patrolled by guards. Recognizing the relative lack of security on the rooftops, Bones moved with agility, from rooftop to rooftop, and avoiding detection.

Upon reaching the Adventurer's Guild building, Bones encountered an unexpected obstacle. Unlike the interconnected rooftops he had navigated before, the guild building stood isolated, making it challenging for him to access the window with his usual rooftop traversal. He delved into his inventory, uncovering a potential solution within his adventurer's necessities kit. Retrieving a length of rope, he summoned Skully's golem core into his other hand. Ingeniously, Bones secured one end of the rope to a nearby chimney and the other end to Skully's core. Taking a running start, he hurled the core toward the Adventurer's Guild.

In a graceful arc, Skully emerged from the core just before it reached the roof tiles, landing silently. Despite the quiet approach, Bones faced a new obstacle – finding something sturdy to anchor the rope on Skully’s end, but couldn’t find anything. Undeterred, he improvised, and had Skully secure the rope around his waist and apply tension. The makeshift solution created a taut line, allowing Bones to traverse the gap without alerting unwanted attention. With caution, Bones tested the rope's sturdiness before executing his daring plan. Hanging upside down, he meticulously traversed the rope, silently making his way across the gap between the rooftops. His progress was deliberate, each movement calculated to avoid detection by the patrols below. Despite the tension and occasional pauses, Bones successfully reached the other side.

Thanking Skully for his assistance, Bones dismissed the golem and continued his stealthy ascent, climbing the roof tiles until he reached the targeted window. Peering through, he beheld the sight of rows of bookshelves, confirming he had found the entrance to the guild's private library. Examining the window's lock, Bones noted its regular mechanism, realizing it was a relatively easy pick. The small size of the window seemed to be its own security measure, discouraging unauthorized access despite its less guarded location.