Elydes

Chapter 288 - Rumors and Lies

The door to the Hall of Seekers swung open with an odious creaking that made Rain cringe. Everything was louder on the surface, sounds grated on his ears.

The way here had been tediously uneventful. No presence tried to spy on him, much less approach. A strange guilt poked him for visiting the Hall without his friends’ knowledge, even if it was for their sake.

I’ll tell them once I’ve confirmed what I’ve found.

It was more efficient to come alone.

The layers of clothes he was wearing made the Hall stiflingly warm. Rain untied his scarves, pulling them beneath his coat to store them away. Across the room, six human adventurers drank beers at a table, likely another group lured by the paltry bounty. Their suspicious gazes washed over him; they stopped to do a double take and stare at his face.

From the low sense of threat, they lacked notable skills despite reaching Yellow. Rain put them out of his mind and headed to the front desk. Flynn and Kai often repeated to be careful, but how could he be wary of humans weaker than his eight-year-old self?

“Hi.” The clerk—Belice—called his attention to her. “How may I help you?” She closed a notebook with a pen to keep the mark and smiled politely, adjusting her gold-rimmed glasses.

“Hi, I’m Oraine.” Resting one arm on the counter, he reciprocated the smile, quirking his lip slightly on one side. Perfect symmetry could appear cold or unapproachable, and he needed her to talk.