The market street goes dim under a crawling veil of shadow-mist. Stalls blur into silhouettes as the Guild Clerk backpedals toward the Guild Hall, eyes wide with panic.
Butch stands planted in the lane, axe drawn, the Broken Crown contract clenched in one hand. The two guards hover between duty and fear, spears wavering toward him as the mist thickens at their heels.
A Guild Clerk
Do not follow me, you fools, it is on the paper... it is watching the mark!
Guard One
Clerk, wait. If you know something, say it now.
Guard Two
No, keep your spear up. If that contract is bait, we do not let him cross with it.
The clerk stumbles, points back at the contract, and blurts the truth in a shaking rush. The Broken Crown seal is not a job, it is a tether, and the Guild Hall is where the snare is anchored.
The shadow-mist gathers hard at the Guild Hall doors, as if something inside has noticed Butch holding its hook.
✓ Quest Accepted
Corner the Guild Clerk
+ New Item Acquired
Broken Crown contract
“Butch charges forward, bursting through the shadiw barrier do that he and Sable may pursue the clerk”
SUCCESS (Legendary Strength, rolled +0)
Butch drops his shoulder and charges. The shadow-mist buckles under his bulk, hissing away from his path.
He bursts through the dark veil in one violent shove, the contract still locked in his fist, and the lane opens to the Guild Hall steps.
The Guild Clerk flinches at the blast of movement, stumbling hard against the doors. Fear and unseen watchers both pin them in place.
A Guild Clerk
No, wait, not here, not with it on you!
Guard One
Clerk, move!
Guard Two
Hold him there!
Butch clears the barrier and reaches the threshold, where the broken crown seal throbs cold in his grip and the mist coils tight around the doors.
Quest Complete
Corner the Guild Clerk