The Shadow Nexus Online

Chapter 15: The Guild's Suspicion and Rio's Gambit

The grand hall of the Adventurer's Guild was filled with an oppressive silence. Stained glass windows filtered the dim afternoon light, casting colorful patterns across the polished marble floor. The air felt heavy, as though the very walls could sense the tension lingering in the room.

Rio stood tall, his expression calm, yet every nerve in his body was on high alert. Beside him, Retina maintained her usual composed demeanor, but her subtle glances toward the Guild Master betrayed her unease. Iris, in her human form, stood a step behind, her head slightly bowed to conceal the glint of uncertainty in her eyes.

The Guild Master sat at the far end of the hall, behind an ornately carved wooden desk. His imposing presence dominated the space. With sharp silver hair and eyes that seemed to pierce through lies, he was a man who had seen countless adventurers come and go—and could read deception like an open book.

His gaze lingered on the trio, scrutinizing them with unnerving intensity.

"State your names and origins," he commanded, his deep voice echoing off the marble walls. "You shattered the mana crystal and slew an Abyssal Drake… that's no ordinary feat."

Rio met the Guild Master's gaze without flinching. His heartbeat quickened, but he masked his anxiety behind a confident facade.

"We're just adventurers looking for work," Rio replied smoothly.

The Guild Master's eyes narrowed, his skepticism thick in the air.

"I don't buy that," he said coldly. "No ordinary adventurer possesses that kind of power. Speak the truth."

Silence followed, stretching uncomfortably as Rio weighed his options. Telling the truth was out of the question. The chaos it would bring was unimaginable. But a convincing lie… that might buy them time.

Rio's mind raced.

If I tell him we're just adventurers, he won't stop digging. But if I craft a believable identity…

His gaze flickered toward Retina and Iris. A calculated risk, but it was their best shot.

Rio's lips curled into a confident smile as he stepped forward.

"Fine," he said, his tone laced with quiet authority. "I'll tell you who we really are."

Retina's eyes widened slightly, but she quickly composed herself. Iris, standing behind them, straightened, her expression neutral but her wolf instincts alert.

"We are siblings," Rio began, his voice steady. "Descendants of the Draco's family… a noble bloodline."

The hall fell deathly silent.

The name echoed in the Guild Master's mind, triggering memories buried beneath years of discipline. His expression shifted—shock, disbelief, and… fear.

"Draco's…?" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "Did you say… Draco's?"

Rio nodded, his face an unreadable mask.

"Iris," Rio continued smoothly, gesturing to her, "was our companion in her true form. She gained the ability to transform into a human after consuming the Dragon Heart."

Iris lowered her gaze, her expression carefully composed. The Guild Master's sharp eyes scrutinized her, but the subtle pulse of draconic energy surrounding her was enough to lend credibility to the story.

A heavy silence stretched across the hall as the Guild Master processed the revelation. His mind raced with fragments of forgotten lore—tales of destruction, chaos, and a bloodline once feared across the continents.

The Draco's… The family name of the Demon Lord. Legends say they vanished after the Great Calamity… But if these three…

His jaw tightened as memories of a shadowy figure engulfing the world in darkness resurfaced.

"If you truly come from that bloodline," the Guild Master's voice was quieter now, but the threat in his tone was unmistakable, "then why are you here?"

"We've been away from our homeland for… personal reasons," Rio replied carefully. "But we're not here to cause trouble."

Retina stepped forward, her voice softer but firm.

"Our goals are different now," she added, her gaze steady and unwavering.

The Guild Master's expression darkened, torn between doubt and the weight of the name they had invoked. His instincts screamed at him to be cautious. Yet… Rio's composure, Retina's sincerity, and Iris's subdued power all painted a different story.

Are they truly connected to the Demon Lord… or is there more to this?

A long silence followed. The tension was suffocating.

Finally, the Guild Master exhaled slowly.

"Very well," he said, his voice laced with caution. "I'll allow you to stay… for now."

Rio gave a respectful nod.

"Thank you."

But as the Guild Master leaned forward, his gaze hardened.

"But know this…" His voice dropped to a low, dangerous whisper. "If you show even the slightest sign of following the Demon Lord's path…"

His eyes locked onto Rio's.

"I will not hesitate to end you."

Rio's expression remained calm, but a chill ran down his spine.

"Understood," he murmured softly.

As the Guild Master's piercing gaze lingered a moment longer, Rio could feel the weight of the dangerous gamble they had just taken.

We've bought ourselves time… but at what cost?

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