THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

The adventurers' guild was bustling with energy, a sea of hardened warriors and skilled mages either boasting about their recent victories, plotting their next commissions, or indulging in rare moments of relaxation. Litty navigated through the crowd, her average build supported her exhausted mother, Yue, on her back. Yue's head bobbed with fatigue, her protests muffled as Litty pressed forward, her determination cutting through the lively cacophony of the guild.

At the reception desk stood the blonde receptionist, her cheerful demeanor immediately replaced with concern as she caught sight of the duo. Her bright eyes scanned Yue's exhausted eyes and the sack full of Dunemauls slung over Litty's other shoulder.

"What happened?" the receptionist asked, stepping around the desk to assist.

Litty carefully set Yue down on a nearby bench, ignoring her mother's weak complaints about being carried. "We completed the commission," Litty explained, her voice steady despite her evident exhaustion. "But it wasn't what was described. The request said there would be two or three Dunemauls, but we faced an entire horde."

The receptionist's eyes widened as she glanced at the sack. "A

horde

of Dunemauls? That's highly unusual. They don't gather like that unless…" Her voice trailed off as she considered the implications.

"They usually come out of the water when the tides are cold and their prey migrates," Yue interjected weakly from the bench, sitting up straighter to join the conversation. "But this wasn't like that."

The receptionist frowned. "What do you mean?"

Yue beckoned her closer, lowering her voice as if the information was too dangerous to share openly. The receptionist leaned in, and Yue whispered something in her ear.

When Yue finished, the receptionist pulled back, her face pale. "Human skulls?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.

"They were organized around the beach," Yue confirmed, her tone grim. "It looked like a ritual of some kind."

The receptionist straightened up, her shock quickly giving way to urgency. "Wait here," she said, turning on her heel. "I need to inform the guildmaster immediately."

With that, she hurried off into the deeper chambers of the guild, leaving Litty and Yue alone by the desk. The chatter around them continued unabated, the other adventurers oblivious to the gravity of what had just been reported. Litty tightened her grip on the sack, her sharp eyes scanning the room, already anticipating that their discovery would bring far more trouble than they'd anticipated.

****

The receptionist returned swiftly, her steps brisk and her expression taut with concern. "Follow me," she said, gesturing for Litty and Yue to accompany her.

Litty hefted the sack of Dunemauls again, steadying her balance, while Yue, still exhausted but determined, pushed herself off the bench. The trio moved behind the reception desk and into the working area of the guild. The noise of the bustling main hall faded as they stepped into a quieter, more organized space.

The contrast was striking. Rows of desks lined the room, each stacked with paperwork, maps, and various tools of the trade. Guild clerks worked diligently, scribbling reports, stamping documents, or sorting through commissions. Some glanced curiously at Litty and Yue as they passed, but most quickly returned to their tasks.

Ahead, a wooden staircase spiraled upward, the polished steps gleaming under the faint light of enchanted lanterns. The receptionist ascended quickly, her blonde hair bouncing with each step. Litty and Yue followed, the younger woman adjusting her grip on the sack as they climbed.

The stairs led to a narrow corridor with fewer doors, their polished surfaces adorned with brass plaques bearing titles like "Logistics," "Strategy," and "Branch Guildmaster." The air here felt heavier, laden with the weight of decisions that shaped the guild's operations and, by extension, the lives of its members.

They stopped at the largest door at the end of the corridor. Its plaque read simply, "Branch Guildmaster's Office." The receptionist raised her hand and knocked firmly.

A deep, commanding voice responded almost immediately, "Enter."

The receptionist pushed the door open, revealing a spacious office lined with bookshelves and charts. A large desk dominated the room, piled with scrolls and ledgers. Behind it sat a middle-aged man with graying hair and sharp, calculating eyes. His presence exuded authority, and the weight of his gaze settled on Litty and Yue as they stepped inside.

"Guildmaster," the receptionist began, closing the door behind them, "these are the adventurers who completed the Dunemaul commission. They have something urgent to report."

The guildmaster's piercing gaze shifted to Litty, then to Yue, who straightened despite her weariness. "Speak," he commanded, his tone leaving no room for hesitation.

Litty stepped forward, her voice steady but respectful. "We went to fulfill the commission, expecting to face only a few Dunemauls as per the request. Instead, we encountered a horde—more than a dozen of them."

The guildmaster's brow furrowed, but he said nothing, allowing her to continue.

"We managed to defeat them," Litty added, motioning to the sack, "but the situation was… abnormal. Dunemauls don't typically gather in such numbers."

"Not without reason," Yue interjected, her voice softer but no less serious. "When we investigated the area, we found human skulls arranged on the beach, as if part of a ritual."

The guildmaster's expression darkened, and he leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled in thought. "Human skulls," he repeated, his voice low.

"Yes," Yue confirmed, her tone unwavering. "It's as if the Dunemauls were being summoned or controlled."

The guildmaster's gaze lingered on the two of them, his sharp eyes probing as if trying to discern the full truth. After a long silence, he nodded. "You were right to bring this directly to me. This is no ordinary commission anymore."

He turned to the receptionist. "Send word to our best reconnaissance team. I want that beach investigated thoroughly—every inch of it. And notify the council of this incident immediately."

"Yes, Guildmaster," the receptionist replied, her tone crisp as she left the room to carry out his orders.

The guildmaster returned his attention to Litty and Yue. "You've done well to report this. It could have been disastrous if ignored. Now, tell me everything you observed—no detail is too small."

Litty and Yue exchanged glances before diving into the specifics of their encounter, the weight of the guildmaster's undivided attention making them acutely aware of the importance of their discovery.