042 DPP

To Byron’s credit, he swung back near instantly.

A punch sailed past the tip of my nose, bringing with it enough force to shatter a face.

I pivoted and slammed my foot into his jaw. He barely even moved. Recoil traveled down my leg, no different from kicking an armored tank.

I’d known from the outset that I couldn’t hurt Byron. Not with my paltry Strength, and definitely not as a level 15 Assassin.

That didn’t stop me.

Byron’s companions yelled from behind us, finally recovering from shock.

I narrowly evaded another punch from Byron and dug my fingers into my Inventory. The hilt of The Blackreach Dagger sprang into my grasp.

And then, Mathideus was there.

He interspersed himself between us with twin shields, bringing the fight to a halt. “Stop!”

A clawed hand closed around my throat.

Beelith pressed herself against my back and hissed into my ear. “Last words, elf.”

“How’s this for last words?” Nicola said.

She panted in the doorway, hair glued to her forehead from the strain of exertion. She retained the same soot-ridden clothes from yesterday, but her magic staff glowed in her hand.

The caster brothers moved to intercept her, but a tentacle erupted behind Beelith and punted the latter into a counter.

I ran for the nearest mage, ready to slam into his back.

Large vines restrained me.

“Everyone, stop,” a grave voice said.

Heads turned around the hall toward the stairs leading to the first floor. A livid Ezin appeared with a magic staff and open robes billowing around him. Vines extended from beneath his feet to the combatants, courtesy of a sigil that now faded from sight.

Byron stopped pounding on Mathideus’ shield and glared at the vines that also ensnared him. “Ezin, you do not get to interfere. Not now.”

“Byron—” Ezin started.

But, Byron didn’t wait for a reply. He freed himself with a short sword and dashed around a tied Mathideus. Straight for me.

An entire bench crashed into his path.

Byron halted, unable to stifle a cry of surprise. He glared at the crowd, searching for the attacker.

A familiar voice boomed. “Hey there, asshole.”

Paz!

The muscular redhead shoved past the crowd and reached the forefront. Byron’s expression cracked for the first time since I’d known him, with eyes threatening to pop from his head. The rest of his party also gaped, including Beelith who was pinned to the floor by vines.

“You!” Mathideus sputtered. “You’re alive?”

“Right as rain,” Paz said with a grin. He cracked his knuckles and strode forward—a picture of perfect confidence, despite being the weakest in the group. “Long time, no see, Byrot. No need to say hi. Just stand there and look pretty. I’ll rearrange your face.”

“I called for a cease,” Ezin said, thumping his staff on the ground, “and I will get it, or every single one of you rots in jail.”

The floorboards creaked. More vines surged from the ground.

“What happened here?” Ezin asked. “Mathideus?”

Mathideus flinched. He glanced at me, then uttered a sigh. “Damien started this. He attacked Byron.”

“And, I demand recompense,” Byron said. “We have rules.”

“The rules you break?” I said with deranged laughter. The vines had caught me in an uncomfortable position, a few inches off the ground.

I tested my bonds and dangled lazily in the air.

Ezin turned dark eyes on me. “What is the meaning of this, Damien? I pegged you for the reasonable sort.”

And, I liked to think I was. But, fuck it. I’d just consumed my final spirit orb. If I was going to die, I might as well do it by spitting in Byron’s face.

Nicola butted in before I could let my madness speak. “Ezin, sir. My house was razed yesterday, after our altercation with Byron. Damien simply fought to defend me.”

“And, you somehow assumed,” Byron said, “that I am the culprit?”

“Oh, you are, alright,” I muttered. “If not, I’ll eat my nuts.”

“Charming. I suppose you have proof of your allegation?”

That stopped me in my tracks. I’d initially planned to demand an investigation from Ezin.

However, Byron knew more about this world than I did, and something about his smirk told me he was confident that he would never be found culpable.

“Alright, you got me,” I said, raising my hands. “I started a fight with you because you are a known breaker of guild rules.”

Byron growled. “What are you—?”

“Just two days ago, Byron and his party participated in a duel to the death,” I told Ezin, “without your permission.”

Paz laughed. “That is true. I was the one they dueled against.”

Ezin glared at me, but I could have sworn his lips curved upward behind his shaggy beard. “One crime doesn’t invalidate another.”

“Agreed,” I said. “But, it rids Byron of any moral standing and paints him in an unfavorable light. I can tolerate a dress-down. Just not from him.”

Byron frowned. “I don't care what you tolerate—”

“If I may,” Mathideus said, nodding at Ezin. “I served as a witness in the duel Damien mentioned. Red Wyrm tried to kill that ranker—”

“A matter you forgot to inform me about,” Ezin said dryly.

Mathideus faltered. “Err, well, Byron also has a problematic relationship with other members of the guild. And, I’m pretty sure I informed you of this one. We also happened upon him provoking Nicola just yesterday. You and I.”

Byron looked like he’d swallowed a lemon. He leveled a look of such hatred at Mathideus that actual ice radiated from his feet.

“I am aware,” Ezin said. “The complaints regarding Red Wyrm are pretty extensive.” He crossed his arms and ran ruddy fingers through his beard.

“This fight,” Byron hissed, “isn’t related to any of that.”

“I believe it is,” Ezin said, “Damien’s infraction will be penalized, as it should. But, you won’t go scot-free either, seeing as this is the umpteenth incident involving your party.” He clucked his teeth. “The attack on Ms. Ainsworth’s home is also disturbing. That matter would need to be investigated before I can reach a verdict.”

“Then, investigate it. But, rules are rules. The elf must be incarcerated . . .”

“Common sense dictates I incarcerate you both.”

“I am the victim of an assault. It shouldn’t prevent me from participating in the festival. By pinning my name to the board, I am oath-bound to compete. If I am later deemed culpable, you can order my arrest upon return.”

Ezin furrowed his brows. “It is true that the crime is not big enough to prevent your inclusion . . .”

I cleared my throat. “Actually, since I am also something of a victim here, and my crime amounts to little other than a misdemeanor, I retain a right to participate in the festival.”

“Too late for that now,” Byron said.

“Well, therein lies the problem,” I said, tugging at my restraints. “I applied long before you got here.”

The smirk vanished from his face.

Ezin flashed me an amused look and strode toward the board. He perused it and picked a card from the bunch.

“Damien’s protection party?” he said to the room’s hearing.

I shrugged. “Has a nice ring to it.”

Ezin’s lips twitched. “As amusing as this situation is, I must invalidate your submission. A single person cannot form a party. And, we do not allow individuals to enter the Labyrinth on their own.”

“Then, add me,” Paz said, “I would join his party.”

“And, me,” Nicola said coldly. “That’s enough to form one, right? Minimum of three?”

Ezin glanced at Mathideus.

“Can’t fault it legally, sir,” Mathideus said, puffing blond locks out of his face. “The party name is the only detail needed for submission. Further information is communicated later to the guild.” He paused. “Of course, both parties need to sign an affidavit, pending your judgment.”

“That seems to be the case,” Ezin said, returning the card. “We will revisit this matter once the festivities are concluded. Let it be known that Red Wyrm and Damien’s . . . crew are both cleared for the dungeon run. This decision would be revoked should another altercation arise.”

He thumped his staff after that, and a sigil appeared on the ground, drawing in all of the vines. He returned to his office, leaving the guildhall rife with murmurs.

Beelith sneered at me. “You should have accepted incarceration, elf. Now, you’re going to be stuck for a week in a Labyrinth with us, where anything goes. What makes you think you would live long enough to attend your hearing?”

I looked at Nicola and Paz, at their determined expressions, and then at Byron who had adopted a bored look.

A small smile tugged at my lips. “Oh, Beelith. What makes you think you would?”

“Fucking bitch,” Paz said, making an obscene gesture. “I’ll eat your corpse.”

Beelith bristled.

I ignored her and gestured at the new members of my team. We walked away from a now disinterested audience and found an empty corner of the hall to discuss.

“Are you two sure about this?” I asked. “You may rescind before I complete the registration.”

“Dead sure,” Nicola said. She sounded normal, but a flame burned in her irises.

Paz snorted. “You showed guts today, lad. Much bigger guts than half the idiots here. I can respect that. If you are going after Byron in that Labyrinth, you bet I’m coming with you.”

I nodded. “So, you are both fine starting a party with me . . .”

Paz rolled his eyes. “You need a yes written in blood?”

I grinned and laughed, and then I teared up before I could stop myself. A wave of relief washed over me. “Guys . . .”

A blue screen slammed into my vision.

Quest: [Heroic Adventure]

Objective complete!

Allies gathered: 2/10.

Reward: 60 Spirit Orbs.

I gaped at the screen. A second one appeared, forcing the first to close.

You have unlocked a hidden Legacy Quest!

New Quest: [Heroic Action].

A hero is more than just his words. Complete great deeds to earn bonus rewards.

Reward: Variable.

[System] Error: This quest has already been assigned.

“The hell are you looking at?” Paz said, staring at my dumbstruck face.

I couldn’t form the words. My elation at the orbs aside, something about the new quests bothered me.

The fact that they had all been assigned.