Cozy Warrior-Chapter 8: Strings and Shadows

"I have a quest for you guys."

The voice was smooth—too smooth.

"I... I'm sorry, sir," Hürs said, cautious but firm. "We don't mean to be rude—but who are you?"

The man smiled—refined, composed, dangerous.

"Oh, forgive me," he said, placing a hand on his chest with mock humility. "I assumed by now... everyone knew who I am."

He let out a short, polite chuckle. The kind that didn't warm a room—just made it colder.

"I am... Alexandrus."

The room tensed.

Their hearts sank like stones in their chests.

The Leader of the Adventurer Association.

The man behind the towers of Kalimar. The one with more reach than any king alive.

"S-Sir," Hürs stammered, trying to salvage their position, "we didn't mean—"

Alexandrus raised a hand. "It's alright. You're not prisoners. You're my guests."

He strolled casually to the tall window, gazing down over Kalimar like it was a chessboard—and every piece belonged to him.

"I've been searching for a group like yours. One that's... unknown. Quiet. Not tangled up in Guild politics. The top guilds turn their noses up at small jobs. But I don't want crowds. I want efficiency."

He turned, locking eyes with Saishi.

"That's why I chose you."

Saishi swallowed.

"Saishi, correct?" Alexandrus asked.

"Y-Yes, Sir Alexandrus, Sir!" Saishi replied quickly, posture straightening out of pure instinct.

Alexandrus approached slowly, observing him like a rare item in a vault.

"You've got an... unusual stat. Seventy-four Strength, am I right?"

"Yes, Sir!" Saishi replied again like a soldier on command.

Alexandrus smiled, calm and quiet.

"That will come in handy."

The air in the room tightened. Jibo shifted his weight. Hürs cleared his throat.

"How exactly can we help you, sir?" he asked carefully.

"You want to become a guild, don't you?" Alexandrus said. "You need money. Reputation. I can offer both."

Hürs blinked. "How did you—?"

"This is my city, Hürs. My towers. My records. My streets. I know everything that happens here."

The message landed hard.The implication even harder.

He knew what happened at Guild Base 6.

He knew about Paron.

Hürs stood taller. "Are you blackmailing us?"

Alexandrus chuckled softly. "Not at all. This is a favor for a favor. And maybe a lifeline. Guild 6's master... isn't exactly known for forgiveness. Disappearing for a while might be in your best interest."

"Disappear to where?" Jibo asked, crossing his arms.

Alexandrus turned to him with a faint grin.

"Ah, Jibo... we've met before, haven't we? Or do you want to keep that little detail to yourself?"

The group all looked toward Jibo, surprised.

Jibo didn't move. Didn't flinch.

He just spoke evenly. "Let's focus on the quest."

His voice shut the conversation down hard. Nobody asked again.

"You'll go to the Lava Lands—Larsa," Alexandrus continued. "Specifically to a city called Lukor. You'll be collecting minerals and obsidian wood for me."

"But we don't have the coin for something like that," Hürs said. "Travel, food, supplies—"

"All covered," Alexandrus interrupted smoothly. "A ship docks at 9 AM tomorrow. Be on it."

Hürs's eyes narrowed slightly. "And why Saishi specifically?"

"Because your friend here," Alexandrus said, adjusting his glasses, "is strong enough to extract what I need. The guilds are too... entangled. Too messy. Saishi is pure muscle and discipline. Efficient."

He looked at Saishi again. "How do you mine your materials?"

"With... my axe," Saishi replied, reaching behind and pulling it from his back.

The moment Alexandrus laid eyes on the weapon, his composure cracked.

His eyes went wide. His breath hitched.

"Where did you get that axe?!"

"It was my father's," Saishi said quickly. "A family heirloom. I've had it since I joined the group."

Alexandrus stepped back, cleared his throat, and composed himself.

"My apologies," he said, placing a fist to his lips. "I... mistook it for something else."

Nobody believed him. But nobody questioned it.

"You'll dock in Lukor, where an Association contact will meet you with a map to the cave," Alexandrus continued. "Inside, you'll find everything I need."

"And the reward?" Hürs asked.

"Twofold," Alexandrus replied. "One now. One upon return."

He clapped his hands twice.

A maid entered, carrying a black leather bag. She opened it and revealed three scrolls.

"These are for you, Saishi. You'll need them for the job."

---------------📜 Skill Scrolls Received: Mining I, II, III (Warrior Class)----------------------------

🔹 Mining I➤ Requires: 20 Strength➤ Effect: Basic mineral extraction. Moderate success chance.

🔹 Mining II➤ Requires: 40 Strength➤ Effect: Extracts hardened ores and rare metals. Bonus rare drop chance.

🔹 Mining III➤ Requires: 60 Strength➤ Effect: Breaks through elite deposits with increased purity retention.

These skills enhance mining results based on strength. Normally acquired from blacksmith guilds or high-tier vendors.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Saishi accepted the scrolls, Alexandrus handed him another item: a worn leather satchel.

"This bag is enchanted. It allows you to carry up to 400 kilograms of material."

"Four hundred?!" Hürs gasped. "That bag alone is worth thousands!"

"It is," Alexandrus said. "But it's necessary."

"And the second part of the reward?" Hürs asked.

Alexandrus smiled. "I'll pay for your Guild registration. Fully covered. Upon delivery of the materials."

The team's eyes widened. Whispering started.

"This is huge..."

"We'd finally be legit..."

"Why is this so easy?"

Then—

CLAP.

"Silence," Alexandrus said—calm, but sharp.

"Do you accept the quest... or not?"

Hürs looked at his crew, then back at Alexandrus.

"...We accept."

"Wonderful," Alexandrus said. "Follow the instructions on this parchment. One of my aides will escort you out."

He nodded.

Three maids entered. One placed a sealed scroll into Hürs' hand.

As they were guided out, Alexandrus smiled politely.

"We'll speak again... in one week."

-----------------------------------Scene Cut – Kalimar Tavern, Late Night-------------------------

The group sat in the back of a smoky tavern, drinks in hand, silence hanging between them.

"...Wow," Saishi muttered.

"Yeah," Hürs said. "Wow."

Mo tapped the table with his thick finger. "Brothers... my gut says that guy is pure trouble."

Jibo leaned back in his chair. "No argument there."

Burk raised an eyebrow. "But what about what he said to you, Jibo? That you've 'met before'? What's that about?"

Jibo stared into his mug.

"Forget it," he said coldly. "It doesn't matter."

His tone made it clear:Don't ask again.

As the group broke for the night, they each retreated to their rented rooms upstairs.

Saishi lay on his bed, finally starting to drift off.

Then—

A shadow moved across his window.

His eyes flew open.

He shot upright—but there was nothing. Just the night. Just silence.

"...Pfhuh... I must really be drunk," he mumbled, dropping his head back to the pillow.

But outside... in the twisting alleys of Kalimar...

They were already being watched.

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