Chapter 27: TENSIONS OF THE RIFT
The rhythmic clatter of hooves echoed through the dense forest trail as a group of scouts emerged into the outskirts of Melanos Village. The air was thick with the stench of damp earth and faint traces of smoke from poorly tended hearths.
Melanos was not a place one would willingly visit—a cesspool of shady dealings, unspoken alliances, and enough rumors of illicit activities to make even the most hardened adventurers think twice about staying too long.
"Why did the abyssal rift have to emerge in this dump?" one scout muttered, his voice dripping with disdain. "Nothing good ever comes out of this place. It’s like the gods themselves turned their backs on it."
"Enough!" barked Ash, the leader of the group. His tone cut through the complaints like a blade through soft flesh, silencing the grumbles. "You’ve got a job to do, so do it. Or do I need to remind you why you’re here?"
Ash’s glare was sharp enough to cow even the most obstinate of his companions. Dressed in reinforced leather and bearing the unmistakable insignia of the Aegis of the Fates guild, he commanded respect—or at least compliance. With a sharp gesture, he urged the group forward into the heart of the village.
As they approached the Adventurer’s Guild branch, a modest two-story structure that looked as though it had seen better days, an eerie stillness greeted them. The hall was almost entirely devoid of life. Only a single receptionist occupied a booth near the entrance, her expression flickering between surprise and relief as her gaze landed on the embroidered crest adorning Ash’s cloak.
"We’ve been expecting you," she said, her voice a mix of urgency and weariness.
Ash’s eyes narrowed. "Where is everyone? This place looks abandoned."
The receptionist sighed, stepping out from behind her booth. "We don’t get many adventurers in these parts. Melanos isn’t exactly... reputable. Most pass through without staying long. Please, follow me—the branch master is waiting."