stakes - gambling with gods.

As we settled in the adjacent room, the atmosphere grew heavy with anticipation. Time seemed to stretch, elongating the moments as we anxiously awaited Lieutenant's return. The air was thick with a mix of apprehension and curiosity, each of us lost in our own thoughts and speculations.

Finally, Lieutenant entered the room, his presence commanding attention. He walked briskly to the table, retrieving a cigar and igniting it with a miniature fire blast. The room filled with the scent of tobacco as he took a long drag, his face shrouded in a cloud of smoke. The ritual of inhaling and exhaling seemed to stretch on, heightening the tension before he finally spoke, his voice laced with anger.

"What a world we are living in," he began, his words laden with frustration. "I was gone for a few years, and now they have someone like her as an officer. Do they think we are fools to spend so much time grinding and striving to reach our positions?"

His words hung in the air, echoing our own sentiments about the current state of affairs. One of the senior officers, mirroring Lieutenant's tone, questioned, "Was the offer truly that bad? Or did she simply overestimate herself?"

Lieutenant's anger flared as he responded, his voice dripping with disdain. "Bad? She might as well have tried to take my entire platoon. She truly believed I would accept such an offer. If not for the empire's rules, she would have met her end right there in that room."

The room fell into an uneasy silence, each of us absorbing the weight of Lieutenant's words. The second officer, his voice calm and measured, sought further clarification. "What was the offer, Roger? Let us understand what has infuriated you so."

Roger, still seething with anger, shared the details of the proposition. "Her offer was for us to abandon our current mission and join her platoon in attacking a horde of Abyssclaw. And all of this with a pitiful 10% compensation. Does she truly believe Abyssclaw to be such easy prey? And to think her own forces are merely at Tier-2. She must have lost her mind to even consider pitching such an offer to me. It has put me in a foul mood just before embarking on such a lengthy mission."

As Roger mentioned the name Abyssclaw, my mind involuntarily travelled back to the knowledge I had gained from the extensive beast encyclopaedia readings that Devon had assigned us. The mere mention of Abyssclaw sent a shiver down my spine, reminding me of the ferocious nature and lethal capabilities of those creatures.

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Abyssclaw:- Common ranked beasts, liked to live in dark areas, weakness – light type attacks, strength – numbers.

Abyssclaw is a formidable and fearsome creature that lurks within the depths of dark, treacherous caverns. It is a monstrous predator that strikes terror into the hearts of those who encounter it. Towering at an imposing height of over ten feet, Abyssclaw possesses a hulking, muscular frame covered in thick, scaly black armor. Its body is reminiscent of a hybrid between a reptile and a nightmarish creature.

The creature's defining feature is its razor-sharp claws that are as black as the abyss itself. These claws are elongated and possess serrated edges, making them formidable weapons capable of rending through flesh and bone with ease. Each limb of Abyssclaw ends with these deadly appendages, ready to tear apart any unfortunate victim that falls into its path.

Its eyes burn with an intense, glowing red light, giving it an otherworldly and menacing appearance. Abyssclaw's mouth is filled with rows of jagged teeth, perfect for tearing into its prey. Its deep, guttural roars reverberate through the darkness.

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The danger posed by the Abyssclaw, despite their common rank, lay not in their individual strength but in their sheer numbers and the treacherous environment they inhabited. A horde of Abyssclaw could easily consist of over 100,000 of these formidable beasts.

What made them particularly menacing was their chosen habitat, a place so cloaked in darkness that even light struggled to escape its grasp. The darkness was so dense and pervasive that it would take the combined efforts of at least one Tier-3 light mages to disperse even a fraction of it.

This knowledge weighed heavily on our minds as we contemplated the audacious proposition made by the other officer. The idea of facing such overwhelming odds in a pitch-black environment was enough to send shivers down our spines. It reinforced the importance of careful planning, strategy, and the necessity of powerful allies by our side.

The lieutenant's rejection of the offer was not only fuelled by his own pride and experience but also by the practicality of the situation. In that moment, it became abundantly clear why Lieutenant was so infuriated by the audacity of the offer. Our current mission, with its own set of challenges and objectives, demanded our full attention and resources. To divert our focus towards a perilous battle against a massive horde of Abyssclaw, without adequate compensation or preparation, would be a grave mistake.

"Anyway, I have a task for both of you," Lieutenant began, his voice commanding our attention. "I need you to organize a ship for our transportation and sell those Driftpacers in the local market. The funds from the sale should be sufficient to cover the cost of acquiring the ship we require. And you, young boy," he pointed at me, "I want you to head to the nearby information or adventure guild. Gather every possible detail on a man named Hancock Adlam and his gang."

The senior officers saluted and promptly left the room to carry out their assigned tasks. I turned to follow in their footsteps, eager to fulfil my duty. However, just as I was about to leave, Lieutenant's voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Young boy, do not squander too much money on information," he cautioned, his tone stern. "You are allowed a maximum of 10 coins for this task. Retrieve the coins from the inn's owner, simply mention my name. I have entrusted our funds to him."

I nodded, acknowledging his instructions and understanding the importance of managing our resources wisely. It was clear that Lieutenant wanted us to be efficient and focused, ensuring that every coin spent served a purpose.

Leaving the room once again, I made my way to the inn's reception area, where I approached the owner and mentioned Lieutenant's name. After a brief exchange, I received the allocated funds, carefully tucking them away for later use. As I stepped out into the bustling streets, the weight of the upcoming tasks settled upon my shoulders.

I set off towards the information or adventure guild, my mind focused on the mission at hand. I knew mission was related to this man named Hancock Adlam and that obtaining crucial information on Hancock Adlam and his gang would be crucial to the success of our mission. I was determined to gather all the necessary details to prove my worth.

With determination in my stride, I made my way towards the adventure's guild, my first destination. It wasn't hard to locate the guild, as it stood prominently at the center of the county. The building itself, a six-story structure, exuded an air of age and history, contrasting with the more modern establishments nearby.

As I approached the entrance, I couldn't help but notice the guild's sturdy construction, built to withstand the tests of time. Its weathered exterior told tales of countless adventurers who had passed through its doors, seeking quests and fortune. The guild's emblem, a symbol of unity and adventure, adorned the entrance, serving as a reminder of the shared purpose of its members.

Pushing open the heavy wooden doors, I stepped inside, greeted by a bustling atmosphere. The interior was a reflection of the guild's outward appearance - well-worn, yet filled with a sense of camaraderie. The walls were adorned with faded maps, trophies, and posters showcasing past accomplishments and the various challenges that awaited aspiring adventurers.

A reception desk stood in the center, manned by a knowledgeable guild representative who seemed busy attending to the needs of guild members and visitors alike. The sound of voices discussing quests, exchanging tips, and recounting thrilling tales filled the air. The energy in the guild was infectious, igniting a spark of excitement within me.

Approaching the reception desk, I waited patiently for my turn, observing the lively interactions taking place around me. Adventurers of all races and backgrounds conversed animatedly, sharing stories of their recent exploits and seeking guidance for their next endeavors. The guild was a melting pot of experiences, a hub where adventurers came together to seek opportunities, forge alliances, and test their skills.

When my turn finally came, I greeted the guild representative with respect, introducing myself as a member of Lieutenant's team on a mission. I explained my purpose of gathering information on Hancock Adlam and his gang, seeking any leads or insights that could aid our cause. The guild representative, well-versed in the ways of adventurers, listened attentively, nodding in understanding.

With a warm smile, the representative provided guidance, pointing me towards the designated information section of the guild. They explained that adventurers often shared their experiences and knowledge there, and that the guild-maintained records of notable individuals and groups. They also emphasized the importance of networking and building connections within the guild, as fellow adventurers might have encountered or heard of Hancock Adlam or his gang.

Armed with this valuable information, I expressed my gratitude and made my way to the information section of the guild. As I stepped into the designated area, I was greeted by a hub of activity, with adventurers gathered around noticeboards, engaged in conversations, and poring over maps and documents. The exchange of information and the pursuit of knowledge were at the heart of this space.

Continuing on my quest for information, I followed the guidance of the guild representative and made my way to the designated desk where I was instructed to wait for a few minutes. However, what was supposed to be a short wait turned into an agonizing two-hour ordeal. The minutes ticked by slowly, leaving me restless and impatient.

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