Black String of Fate

In the quiet town of Lehoria, the adventurer's guild seemed extremely busy compared to usual. The small hall that only accommodated up to 50 people at max was housing more than a hundred right now. Most of the people present there weren't even adventurers, they were just there to see a certain rising star.

Susan, the newly promoted top receptionist of the adventurer's guild, prepared bags upon bags and a lot of empty storage rings. Today, she had gotten the letter of Xavier's arrival, and due to such short notice, she had to work extra hard to prepare for the event.

Yes, Xavier's arrival to the adventurer's guild had become an event. Recently, due to his exploits and feats, he had rightfully earned the title of a C-rank adventurer, and the most amazing and popular thing about that fact was that he was still a Novice who just awakened two years ago. Not to mention him being the youngest C-ranker by a long shot, all this made him like a local celebrity.

'Sigh, he's running late…'

Susan stood at her usual reception and waited for Xavier. The reason she got promoted was because Xavier got used to bothering only her about all his quests and paperwork. Susan also always entertained his requests, so now she was almost like his personal manager.

Soon, the man of the hour came. He busted through the doors and confidently walked to the counter, and put down a small pouch. The pouch jiggled when it landed, and inside, one could see it was filled with storage rings.

"Quest, the Hunt for the Red-White Venom Fang Wolves, is complete." He declared loud enough so that everyone could hear, and immediately after, the whole adventurer's guild erupted in such a cheer that it was audible throughout the town.

"WOOOHOOO! THAT DAMN BASTARD REALLY KILLED THOSE WOLVES IN LESS THAN 3 DAYS! GIMME MY MONEY, LONG NOSE!"

"FUUUCK! WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU IN HURRY ALL THE TIME?!"

Xavier wryly smiled as he saw the massive exchange of money done by the gamblers in the hall. He even saw one guy putting up a huge sign on the board that exactly said how much time it took for him to complete the quest.

"...Is this now a legitimate sport?"

"You just realized? This has surpassed the traditional card gamblings in popularity, and many casino houses are at risk of shutting down because of you. You marked the creation of the most popular game in town."

"Well, some people have too much free time, let them do what they want. I actually have a request from you."

"Well, what is it?"

"Can you contact Grandmaster Arkham for me? I wanted to have a chat with him."

Susan stopped counting the rings and their contents and immediately looked up in shock. She could not believe her ears that Xavier really requested for such an absurd thing.

"You want me to call a damn Grandmaster? How can I even do that? And why?"

"Just send a letter to him saying that Xavier, the one whom you observed creating his foundation that day, has a request. I'm pretty sure he won't refuse.
Continue your adventure with m|v-l'e m,p| y- r

As to why… Let's just say that I need some help."

Susan noted everything in her mind and nodded seriously. It was the first time she had heard from Xavier's mouth that he needed help, so she couldn't help but wonder what exactly was the situation. But… It was not her place to be nosey, so she just did what Xavier said.

"I'll send it by evening, do you want to add any more details?"

"Yeah, also say that… You know what, I'll just write it myself, your job would be to send it."

Susan was even more curious after hearing that, but she didn't say anything and just nodded and accepted. She had seen what happened to those who got too involved in Xavier's affairs.

The death of Lafia's party had become a taboo topic in the town. When Xavier returned from the mission alone, everyone expected him to quit adventuring after that experience, but not only did he seem unaffected by that tragedy, he also began his meteoric rise from that day.

But… Everyone knew better than to bring that topic up. It was always painful to lose comrades, so the adventurers often never talked about such things. One time, a drunk man tried to provoke Xavier over losing his bet, and despite his friends stopping him, he blurted out disrespectful things about Lafia and her party members.

And adventurers being generally potty-mouthed and extremely foul, some extreme insults were emitted…

That day was when Xavier earned his first criminal charge of murder. The local trial let him go with just a hefty fine, and that result was a consequence of his value, his connections, and the morally right reason he committed the crime.

So now, everyone knew better than provoking Xavier. While they admired him from afar, nobody dared to get close to him. He was also fine with that since dealing with popularity was a problem he did not want to have.

Susan calculated the rest of the loot that Xavier provided and gave him the money he earned. Xavier neither asked nor counted that money, he just kept it in his storage ring and left. He no longer cared about the money, it was a superficial number to him now.

'In my last life, I became financially independent only when I became a Master. Now, I can easily retire and live a lavish life for the rest of my days if I suddenly decide to quit, all at the tender age of eleven.

Phew, let's begin drafting that letter. I'd have to owe that man a favor, but what can I even do now…'

Thus, Xavier returned to his rented house and began writing that letter.

*********

Arkham,

I, Xavier, am writing to you for a favor. I need the essence of a mythical elemental beast. Come meet me soon in the town of Lehoria, the place where we met last time…

**********

'...This should be enough.'