Bro, I'm not an Undead!

As the old man entered the room, Erkus wore a look of relief before turning to Skullius, Silrat and Tulnas.

"Let's leave the matter of Festos here. We'll discuss the other prospects later on," he said.

The three nodded and stood as they walked to the door.

Tulnas patted the old man's shoulder with a cherry grin while Silrat nodded at the man who humbly gave a short bow to both of them.

When Skullius was passing by him however, he couldn't help but narrow his eyes as he felt something... uncannily familiar.

The same was true for the Discount Human who couldn't help but peruse the face of the old man.

He knew the old man as the rambling bro who kept talking about regret and gardening but as he looked at the man now...

'Why do I feel weird about him suddenly? Have I met this guy somewhere else?' he asked himself.

Ultimately, the two passed each other without a word, Skullius and the group exiting the building.

Erkus gestured towards an empty seat, showing the old man where to sit.

The elderly man sat down in a subtly humble manner.

"You've finally decided to show up," Erkus said.

"I apologise. I deeply regret that—"

"No, no. Don't start with that again. Just give me a full report."

"Right..." the old man said as he went on to narrate everything that had happened.

***

"It's a pretty unfair deal now that I think about it. I was pretty happy when you mentioned it at first but now... the amount of work and convincing that I will need to cement my position is ridiculous," Tulnas said as he looked at how broken everything was.

"Well, at least you get to reform the Association if you play your cards right. Though I doubt my replacement will let you walk all over him," Silrat said.

"If he's a ladies man I can always charm him with my wide collection. If not we'll just have to see who is manlier than the other."

"If I were you I'd focus more on using the mercenaries' support to trump his hold over them. You have plenty of time to work that out."

"I know that," Tulnas said before he turned to Skullius who was uncharacteristically quiet since they exited the Association building. "You sure know to lie. How did you know that Damilla wouldn't try to divine you?"

Skullius shook himself of his thoughts to respond.

"Well... it was a gamble I guess..." the Discount Human said, much to Tulnas' amusement.

In truth, Skullius had decided to see if Silrat hadn't been so spooked by UNCoddled's effects that he would turn against him.

Seeing as the man had still shown up to defend him, he knew he had the support.

Furthermore, a Tie of Exchange couldn't be so easily broken once engaged.

"My accolades won't be stripped because of this incident right? I still want my share of spoils for solving an 'international crisis' as Damilla always puts it."

"Of course you will get them. As soon as another case is solved with the information you provided your rewards will be on their way," Silrat answered before he turned to the Discount Human. "You're free for now. How do you want to spend the rest of the night? There are lots of good rooms in the Association."

"No. I'll be fine. I'll wander around and return later," Skullius said as he turned to leave.

The three men split up for the night with Silrat going back into the Association building while Tulnas headed for his Guild Residence.

Skullius sighed.

He wouldn't have to be dragged here or there anymore.

His thoughts had been occupied by the many gains he had gotten from the Galemonger.

After receiving the marvellous boons from trying to replicate an aspect of the staff, he had snuck into the city with the Limitless Body Null Demon Hound.

He had the creature bulk up in size and jumped into its mouth so that he too wouldn't be seen as he entered the city and snuck into the Guild's Association.

With everything going well, the Discount Human walked with a skip in his step and a smile on his face until he remembered something.

"That's right," he said before he unblocked a certain someone.

"TOMATO FLINGER! YOU DARE IGNORE ME LIKE THAT?! YOU DARE KEEP ME IN THAT DREADED BUBBLE LIKE A COMMON IDIOT?! I WILL MAKE YOU PAY! I WILL..."

"Yeah, yeah. I heard you the first time..." Skullius said with exasperation.

Now, it was time to iron out the details of his next little expedition that had Sila taking the lead.

He strolled with the raving old geezer in his head while heading towards a certain Inn he hoped had survived the destruction, though it was highly unlikely.

***

Two days later...

The city had made some progress when it came to cleaning up and rebuilding some of the most important structures but in terms of social welfare and individual states of mind, the atmosphere was still heavy.

This didn't stop events from continuing to happen however, as the news that Tulnas and Silrat wanted to hear the most arrived.

Two other branches of the Guilds Association had managed to find Evenfall Cultists with the information Tulnas had provided!

This effectively cemented both Tulnas and Silrat's credibility and achievements in the Association's eyes and soon, the wave would spread!

Their rewards were guaranteed and Silrat felt that he now had more reason and confidence when venture to Genhuis City.

Furthermore, two expected arrivals finally reached the city.

In front of the Guilds' Association, Silrat, Tulnas, Jac and Skullius could be seen as they waited for the two approaching carriages.

One was further in front while the other trailed a bit behind.

Soon, the first carriage reached their positions and from the locomotive which looked quite sturdy with a red pigment over the wood used to make it as well as a familiar insignia, four individuals came out.

Three of them donned incredibly expensive looking armours while their bodies bellowed with suffocating power, the other, who was a man dressed in a sharp suit, not emitting such extreme presence but a stern and strict energy instead.

He looked around the city then at the Association building with a disappointed grunt before walking over to the four who waited to welcome him.

Silrat took the first step, extending his hand which the other man reluctantly shook.

"Greetings. My name is Silrat, former Head of this Association Branch. I didn't expect you so soon."

The other man whose brown eyes showed nothing but condescension as he towered over Silrat hummed first before giving what could be considered a reply.

"Ednuk," he said. "Indeed. Though my letter should have spelled to you my reason for coming earlier than expected. Am I correct?" he said.

"Of course. It is indeed good to look in on people when they least expect it," Silrat replied with a fake smile while vomiting profanities at this man in his mind.

"Allow me to introduce your Vice Head," Silrat said as he respectfully gestured towards Tulnas who wore a chilling smile and shook the new Guild Association Head's hand.

"I look forward to working with you," the Tamer said as the look in his eye was akin to that of a snake.

"Hmmm. I wonder if your presence can be justified in the long run," the new Head spat.

"Oh it will," Tulnas spat back.

Skullius and Jac watched this subdued confrontation in amusement.

From the second carriage which only just now stopped and parked at the side, its design being more luxurious in nature with two guards having been riding alongside it for the entire journey, a feminine figure emerged from within.

Her red hair which was tied into a Finnish braid as well as her scarlet eyes sparked a light into the eyes of anyone who saw them, her beautiful face capturing everyone's attention, especially the new Head of the Association Branch who looked particularly smitten by her appearance.

On seeing this, Tulnas' face turned into that of a devil as he had confirmed that this man was doomed.

On the other hand, Skullius gaped as he looked he viewed this woman. Not because he had been smitten by her looks or expensive farthingale, but because...

"Stylla?!"

The lady who was indeed Stylla smiled as she saw Skullius, her approach as she was encircled by guards being graceful above anything else.

Silrat walked over and gave a nod of acknowledgement which Stylla reciprocated.

"I came over as soon as I heard the news. I'm glad you are more or less alive from the looks of it," Stylla said.

"Indeed," Silrat responded.

Stylla then turned to Jac who was beside the still shocked Skullius.

"You're looking good too, Uncle Jac," she said in a cheery voice.

"Heh... Takes more than the city's literal destruction to kill me, my dear," Jac said as he slapped Skullius' back. "Isn't that right, Festos?"

The Discount Human promptly tore himself from the shock as he posed a question to Silrat.

"She's...she's the benefactor you were waiting for?!"

Silrat laughed heartily before giving a formal introduction.

"Indeed. Festos, meet the Stylla of the prestigious Bryne Family. Our benefactor."