Published at 20th of October 2026 8:56 am

Chapter 2122: Luca’s Temper

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Adam would be lying if he claimed he wasn’t intrigued.

Although he no longer had to worry about his finances for the foreseeable future—thanks to the very generous Jacob de Vile—it didn’t mean he was averse to hoarding more riches.

Besides, it would be nice if he could engage in battles to improve his fighting prowess.

For almost a decade, he had been getting his ass handed to him on a platter by his teacher. Tired of training and losing, he yearned for the thrill of battle once again. He was lusting for a win.

"What kind of missions?" he asked curiously. "Is there something similar to an Adventurers’ Guild here?"

"No, my friend." Esmond laughed. "We do have a guild here, but it is a thieves’ guild."

His expression turned serious, and he added in a low voice, as though the walls might be eavesdropping.

"You have heard of the Night Guild, yes?"

Luca’s eyes flashed with a hint of interest. His curiosity was piqued.

Adam, on the other hand, had a knowing look on his face. He’d been a resident of Davos for almost a decade now. Of course, he knew about the Night Guild.

It was a vast criminal organization. Its activities included anything dark and illegal one could imagine. From smuggling and kidnapping to assassination and slave trafficking. Its influence extended across Davos as well as the other member states of the Free City Alliance.

As for who was the leader of the Night Guild? No one knew.

Perhaps the Lords of Davos did.

The Night Guild operated from Dark Port. It was safe to assume that this shadow city was the domain of this criminal organization.

Adam nodded to Esmond’s question. "Missions are given out by them? And what does that make you? The intermediary?"

Esmond let out a bitter chuckle. "Intermediary? I suppose so. You cannot establish a foothold in Dark Port without lying in bed with the Night Guild."

He looked at Adam and said solemnly. "Everything in this city is controlled by them. Everything."

"Taking missions from you would be no different than working for those foul criminals then," Luca spoke at last, his face a mask of disgust.

"The world is not black and white, young Paladin." Esmond didn’t take offense at his words.

"Besides, the mere existence of Night Guild operating beneath Davos should already give you a hint that the Lords on the surface don’t mind these people’s continued existence.

"The Guild has operated in the shadows of the city for years, and the Lords have done nothing to remove them. That alone should tell you that there is more to this arrangement than simple lawlessness, should it not?"

Luca’s expression darkened. He was once again reminded of the time when he had argued with his father about the conditions of humans in the mining worlds. His father had spoken to him in the same tone as Esmond did now. Except, he found the wretched vampire patronizing.

He rose to his feet and replied disdainfully, "Working for thieves who enslave humans. You are a dishonorable cur. If it weren’t for our mutual friend here, I would have gutted you alive."

A soft burst of chuckles. A sound like that of a skylark echoed in the room.

The men turned to the door and saw a beautiful woman with snow-white hair and deep crimson eyes standing there. Except for Adam, the others did not know when she arrived there.

"My dear Luca," she said coquettishly like a rose blooming under the moonlight. "That temper of yours hasn’t abated even after all these years."

Her eyes narrowed and the rose bared her venomous thorns. "But do beware of threatening my husband again. I will not stand it."

Luca sneered. "Slag you and your husband."

With that, he walked out of the hall.

Adam sat in his chair still, rubbing his forehead in exasperation. In hindsight, he really shouldn’t have brought Luca here. He knew how his friend felt about other races.

"Sorry about that," Adam said with an apologetic smile.

"Ah, it’s nothing." Esmond waved his hand dismissively and laughed louder than he intended to. But the look in his eyes told Adam that the old man was hurt by Luca’s words.

Adam rose to his feet and greeted Sandra with a polite bow. "Nice to see you again, Sandra."

Sandra surprised him by pulling him into an embrace. "Never thought I’d see you in the shadows. What brings you here?"

Adam repeated what he had said to Esmond a while ago.

"Ah." Sandra nodded, her eyes flashing in understanding.

"Anyway, what kind of missions were you talking about?" Adam asked.

"The ones that get your hands bloody," Sandra said with a predatory smirk.

"In the dungeons?" Adam asked warily.

"Dungeons. Davos. West Coast. Take your pick," Sandra said with a smile. "Night Guild’s tentacles reach far and wide."

"The missions we accept do not endanger innocent lives," Esmond quickly said.

It would appear Luca’s words from earlier might have hit the mark.

Adam remained silent for a moment before replying, "I’ll have to think this through."

"Take your time," Sandra said with a sweet smile. "There’s lots of money to be made. And the war isn’t going anywhere."

"War?" Adam frowned. "What war?"

Sandra chuckled. "The secret war between the Night Guild and the Iron Covenant, of course."

Adam noticed the vampire couple exchanging a subtle look. Some knowledge silently shared between them. He wasn’t sure, but it looked like Esmond was hinting to her wife not to disclose more than necessary.

In that moment, Adam knew that was all the information he was going to get before he gave them a more concrete answer.

The three talked for an hour longer before Adam finally decided to leave. The couple guided him to the store downstairs.

Esmond placed a reassuring hand on the raven-haired youth’s shoulder and said, "The missions are very lucrative, Adam."

Adam smiled in response. The sly old merchant was trying to entice him. Still, he would not give a definitive answer now.

"I’ll think about it," he said politely.

Esmond sighed. "Very well. Go do your research. You already know what to look for. Remember. Iron Covenant."

"Next time you visit us, you don’t have to go through the Rabbit Hole," Sandra said meaningfully.

Adam was startled. "You are aware of other secret entrances?"

"Of course." Sandra chuckled. She then shared the location of a tunnel in an old warehouse in Dock Borough that led to the Feet of Dark Port.

The Rabbit Hole wasn’t the only way. If it were, then the smugglers would have long lost their livelihood.

Adam bid farewell to them and returned to the tavern his party was resting.

Several hours later, Stroud sold the booty at the bazaar through a dwarven merchant with whom he usually conducted business. When all was said and done, they departed for the surface.

Two months after descending into the depths of this world, the band of adventurers returned to the Rabbit Hole amidst a chorus of cheers and applause.

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