Home / System / The Assassin’s Pledge / Chapter 2: Back in the guild
Chapter 2: Back in the guild
last update2025-03-09 21:06:23

The journey back to the surface was a blur of exhaustion and tension. The group moved in silence, their bodies aching and their minds weighed down by the horrors they had faced. The amulet in Sung-min’s pouch pulsed faintly, a constant reminder of the strange power they had encountered. As they emerged from the dungeon, the sunlight felt almost foreign, its warmth a stark contrast to the oppressive darkness they had left behind.

The hunter’s guild was a bustling hub of activity, filled with hunters of all ranks exchanging stories, trading loot, and preparing for their next missions. The building itself was a massive structure of stone and wood, with banners bearing the guild’s emblem, a crossed sword and staff hanging from the walls. The air was thick with the smell of sweat, ale, and the faint metallic tang of blood.

As Sung-min and his friends entered, they were met with a mix of curious glances and outright sneers. E-rank hunters were a common sight, but their disheveled appearance and the faint aura of danger surrounding them drew attention.

“Look at them,” a burly A-rank hunter sneered, his arms crossed over his chest. “E-rankers thinking they’re hot stuff. Probably got their tails handed to them in some low-level dungeon.”

“Ignore them,” Sung-min muttered, his voice low. “We’ve got more important things to worry about.”

They made their way to the mission counter, where a stern-looking woman with sharp features and a no-nonsense demeanor awaited them. Her nameplate read **“Guild Officer Hana.”**

“Mission report,” she said briskly, her eyes scanning the group with a practiced efficiency. “What did you find?”

Sung-min stepped forward, placing the amulet on the counter. “We cleared the dungeon,” he said, his voice steady despite his exhaustion. “But it wasn’t a normal low-rank mission. We encountered a goblin knight and a troll. This is all we managed to retrieve.”

Officer Hana’s eyes narrowed as she picked up the amulet, turning it over in her hands. “A goblin knight and a troll in a low-rank dungeon?” she repeated, her tone skeptical. “That’s highly unusual. Are you sure you’re not exaggerating?”

“We’re not,” Li Wei interjected, his voice tinged with frustration. “We barely made it out alive. Something’s not right about that dungeon.”

Officer Hana studied the amulet for a moment longer before setting it down. “I’ll have our researchers take a look at this,” she said. “In the meantime, you’ve completed your mission. Your payment will be processed shortly.”

With their mission report filed, the group made their way to the guild’s tavern, a dimly lit room filled with the sounds of laughter, clinking glasses, and the occasional brawl. They found a table in the corner, away from prying eyes, and collapsed into their seats.

“We need to talk,” Sung-min said, his voice low. “That dungeon… it wasn’t normal. And this amulet…” He pulled it from his pouch, placing it on the table. The faint pulse of light seemed to grow stronger in the dim tavern.

“It’s dangerous,” Dae-hyun said, his voice grim. “We should turn it over to the guild and forget about it.”

“And what if it’s worth something?” Jung Uk countered, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. “We risked our lives for this. We deserve to know what it is.”

Li Wei leaned forward, his glasses reflecting the amulet’s glow. “It’s not just about the money,” he said. “That dungeon… it felt alive. Like it was testing us. And this amulet… it’s connected to something bigger.”

Sung-min nodded, his expression serious. “We need to be careful. If word gets out about what we found, we could be in danger. For now, we keep this to ourselves.”

As the group debated their next move, a familiar voice cut through the noise of the tavern. “Well, well, if it isn’t the E-rank wonders.”

They turned to see a tall, muscular hunter with a cocky grin and a scar running down his cheek. His name was Kang, a C-rank hunter known for his arrogance and his disdain for lower-ranked hunters.

“What do you want, Kang?” Sung-min asked, his voice calm but firm.

Kang smirked, leaning against their table. “Heard you guys had a rough time in that dungeon,” he said, his tone mocking. “Guess even a bunch of goblins are too much for E-rankers like you.”

“We handled it,” Dae-hyun growled, his hand tightening around his mace.

“Sure you did,” Kang said with a laugh. “But let’s be real. You’re out of your depth. Stick to picking herbs or something. Leave the real hunting to the pros.”

Before anyone could respond, Kang straightened up, his smirk fading as his eyes fell on the amulet. “What’s that?” he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.

“None of your business,” Sung-min said, quickly covering the amulet with his hand.

Kang’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t press the issue. “Whatever,” he said, turning to leave. “Just don’t get in over your heads. You might not be so lucky next time.”

As Kang walked away, the group exchanged uneasy glances. “He’s going to be a problem,” Jung Uk said, his voice low.

“We’ll deal with him if we have to,” Sung-min replied. “For now, we focus on figuring out what this amulet is and why that dungeon was so different.”

Li Wei nodded, his expression serious. “We need to be smart about this. If we’re going to keep digging, we need to get stronger. Fast.”

“Agreed,” Dae-hyun said. “But how?”

Sung-min looked at his friends, his resolve hardening. “We train,” he said. “We push ourselves harder than ever before. And we find out what’s really going on.”

As the group left the tavern, the amulet in Sung-min’s pouch pulsed faintly, its light growing stronger. Unbeknownst to them, deep within the guild’s archives, a researcher examined the amulet under a flickering light. His eyes widened as he recognized the symbols carved into its surface.

“This… this shouldn’t be possible,” he muttered, his voice trembling. “These markings… they’re ancient. And dangerous.”

He quickly scribbled a note, his hands shaking. “We need to report this to the guild master. Immediately.”

Related Chapters

  • The Assassin’s Pledge    Chapter 3: The Amulet

    The next morning, Sung-min woke to the sound of distant chatter and the clatter of weapons being sharpened. The guild’s dormitory was alive with activity as hunters prepared for their daily missions. He sat up, his body still aching from the previous day’s battle, and glanced at the amulet resting on the small table beside his bed. Its faint pulse had grown stronger overnight, casting a soft, eerie glow across the room.“You’re up,” Li Wei said, entering the room with a tray of food. “I figured you’d need this after yesterday.”Sung-min nodded, taking the tray with a grateful smile. “Thanks. Is there any news from the guild?”Li Wei shook his head. “Not yet. But I overheard some of the researchers talking. They’re definitely interested in the amulet. Whatever it is, it’s got them spooked.”Before Sung-min could respond, Dae-hyun and Jung Uk entered the room, their expressions grim. “We’ve got a problem,” Dae-hyun said, closing the door behind him. “Kang’s been asking around about us.

  • The Assassin’s Pledge    Chapter 4: The Awakening

    The guild’s mission board was crowded with hunters of all ranks, their voices blending into a cacophony of excitement and tension. Sung-min and his friends stood at the edge of the crowd, their eyes fixed on the newly posted mission. It was a D-rank dungeon, located in the dense forests outside the city. The description was brief: “Investigate and clear the dungeon. High mana fluctuations detected. Proceed with caution.”“This could be our chance,” Sung-min said, his voice low. “If we clear this dungeon, we might finally get some answers about the amulets.”“Or it could be another trap,” Li Wei muttered, adjusting his glasses. “We’ve been lucky so far, but our luck won’t last forever.”“We don’t have a choice,” Dae-hyun said, his tone firm. “We need to get stronger, and this is the only way.”Jung Uk nodded, his eyes gleaming with determination. “Let’s do it. But we stick together, no matter what.”The journey to the dungeon took them through dense, shadowy forests where the trees see

  • The Assassin’s Pledge    Chapter 5: Family ties

    The guild’s infirmary was quiet, save for the faint hum of healing magic and the occasional groan of a wounded hunter. Sung-min lay on one of the cots, his body still aching from the battle in the A-rank dungeon. His friends were scattered across the room, each recovering in their own way. Li Wei was scribbling notes in a journal, his glasses perched precariously on his nose. Dae-hyun was quietly sharpening his mace, his expression thoughtful. Jung Uk, ever restless, was pacing the room, his daggers twirling in his hands. The door creaked open, and a nurse stepped in, her expression kind but weary. “You’ve all been cleared for visitors,” she said. “Your families are waiting outside.” Sung-min’s heart skipped a beat. *Families.* It had been weeks since he’d last seen his siblings. He sat up slowly, wincing at the stiffness in his muscles. “Send them in,” he said, his voice soft. The first to enter were Sung-min’s siblings: Min-ji, his younger sister, and Ji-hoon, his younger brothe

  • The Assassin’s Pledge    Chapter 6: Hidden secrets

    The group spent the next few days recovering from their injuries and planning their next move. The amulet’s power had given them a glimpse of what they were capable of, but it had also raised more questions than answers. What was the Shadow System, and why had it chosen them? What was the connection between the amulets and the ancient systems mentioned in the book? Most importantly, how could they use this power to protect their families? “We need to learn more about the Shadow System,” Li Wei said, flipping through the pages of the ancient tome they had retrieved from the archives. “If we’re going to control it, we need to understand it.” “And we need to find the other amulets,” Sung-min added. “If they’re as powerful as this one, they could be the key to reaching A-rank.” “But how do we find them?” Dae-hyun asked, his brow furrowed. “We don’t even know where to start.” “We start with the guild,” Jung Uk said, his eyes gleaming with determination. “If anyone knows about the amule

  • The Assassin’s Pledge    Chapter 7: A bit of fun

    After weeks of grueling training and high-stakes missions, Sung-min and his friends decided they deserved a break. The weight of their responsibilities, protecting their families, mastering their systems, and uncovering the secrets of the Shadow System had been crushing. For one night, they would set it all aside and enjoy themselves. They would venture into the capital, a sprawling city of lights, noise, and life, and for a few hours, they would forget the dangers that loomed over them. The capital was a city of contrasts. Towering skyscrapers of glass and steel stood alongside ancient stone buildings, their facades carved with intricate designs. The streets were alive with activity, filled with merchants hawking their wares, performers entertaining crowds, and hunters of all ranks moving through the throngs. The air was thick with the scent of street food—sizzling meat, sweet pastries, and spices that made their mouths water. Neon signs flickered in every color imaginable, casti

  • The Assassin’s Pledge    Chapter 1: The Goblin’s Den

    The dungeon was a labyrinth of damp, moss-covered stone walls, illuminated by the faint glow of bioluminescent fungi clinging to the cracks. The air was thick with the scent of mildew and rot, and the distant drip of water echoed through the narrow corridors. Shadows danced along the walls, cast by the flickering light of a single torch held by Sung-min, its flame struggling to stay alive in the oppressive darkness. The floor was uneven, littered with debris and the occasional bone, remnants of past adventurers who had ventured too deep. Sung-min tightened his grip on the torch, his knuckles white. "Stay close," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "This place reeks of trouble." Behind him, Li Wei adjusted his glasses, the lenses reflecting the dim light. "You don't say," he replied dryly, his staff glowing faintly with a pale blue light. "I thought dungeons were supposed to be welcoming." Dae-hyun chuckled, his deep voice reverberating through the corridor. "Quit comp

Latest Chapter

  • Chapter 7: A bit of fun

    After weeks of grueling training and high-stakes missions, Sung-min and his friends decided they deserved a break. The weight of their responsibilities, protecting their families, mastering their systems, and uncovering the secrets of the Shadow System had been crushing. For one night, they would set it all aside and enjoy themselves. They would venture into the capital, a sprawling city of lights, noise, and life, and for a few hours, they would forget the dangers that loomed over them. The capital was a city of contrasts. Towering skyscrapers of glass and steel stood alongside ancient stone buildings, their facades carved with intricate designs. The streets were alive with activity, filled with merchants hawking their wares, performers entertaining crowds, and hunters of all ranks moving through the throngs. The air was thick with the scent of street food—sizzling meat, sweet pastries, and spices that made their mouths water. Neon signs flickered in every color imaginable, casti

  • Chapter 6: Hidden secrets

    The group spent the next few days recovering from their injuries and planning their next move. The amulet’s power had given them a glimpse of what they were capable of, but it had also raised more questions than answers. What was the Shadow System, and why had it chosen them? What was the connection between the amulets and the ancient systems mentioned in the book? Most importantly, how could they use this power to protect their families? “We need to learn more about the Shadow System,” Li Wei said, flipping through the pages of the ancient tome they had retrieved from the archives. “If we’re going to control it, we need to understand it.” “And we need to find the other amulets,” Sung-min added. “If they’re as powerful as this one, they could be the key to reaching A-rank.” “But how do we find them?” Dae-hyun asked, his brow furrowed. “We don’t even know where to start.” “We start with the guild,” Jung Uk said, his eyes gleaming with determination. “If anyone knows about the amule

  • Chapter 5: Family ties

    The guild’s infirmary was quiet, save for the faint hum of healing magic and the occasional groan of a wounded hunter. Sung-min lay on one of the cots, his body still aching from the battle in the A-rank dungeon. His friends were scattered across the room, each recovering in their own way. Li Wei was scribbling notes in a journal, his glasses perched precariously on his nose. Dae-hyun was quietly sharpening his mace, his expression thoughtful. Jung Uk, ever restless, was pacing the room, his daggers twirling in his hands. The door creaked open, and a nurse stepped in, her expression kind but weary. “You’ve all been cleared for visitors,” she said. “Your families are waiting outside.” Sung-min’s heart skipped a beat. *Families.* It had been weeks since he’d last seen his siblings. He sat up slowly, wincing at the stiffness in his muscles. “Send them in,” he said, his voice soft. The first to enter were Sung-min’s siblings: Min-ji, his younger sister, and Ji-hoon, his younger brothe

  • Chapter 4: The Awakening

    The guild’s mission board was crowded with hunters of all ranks, their voices blending into a cacophony of excitement and tension. Sung-min and his friends stood at the edge of the crowd, their eyes fixed on the newly posted mission. It was a D-rank dungeon, located in the dense forests outside the city. The description was brief: “Investigate and clear the dungeon. High mana fluctuations detected. Proceed with caution.”“This could be our chance,” Sung-min said, his voice low. “If we clear this dungeon, we might finally get some answers about the amulets.”“Or it could be another trap,” Li Wei muttered, adjusting his glasses. “We’ve been lucky so far, but our luck won’t last forever.”“We don’t have a choice,” Dae-hyun said, his tone firm. “We need to get stronger, and this is the only way.”Jung Uk nodded, his eyes gleaming with determination. “Let’s do it. But we stick together, no matter what.”The journey to the dungeon took them through dense, shadowy forests where the trees see

  • Chapter 3: The Amulet

    The next morning, Sung-min woke to the sound of distant chatter and the clatter of weapons being sharpened. The guild’s dormitory was alive with activity as hunters prepared for their daily missions. He sat up, his body still aching from the previous day’s battle, and glanced at the amulet resting on the small table beside his bed. Its faint pulse had grown stronger overnight, casting a soft, eerie glow across the room.“You’re up,” Li Wei said, entering the room with a tray of food. “I figured you’d need this after yesterday.”Sung-min nodded, taking the tray with a grateful smile. “Thanks. Is there any news from the guild?”Li Wei shook his head. “Not yet. But I overheard some of the researchers talking. They’re definitely interested in the amulet. Whatever it is, it’s got them spooked.”Before Sung-min could respond, Dae-hyun and Jung Uk entered the room, their expressions grim. “We’ve got a problem,” Dae-hyun said, closing the door behind him. “Kang’s been asking around about us.

  • Chapter 2: Back in the guild

    The journey back to the surface was a blur of exhaustion and tension. The group moved in silence, their bodies aching and their minds weighed down by the horrors they had faced. The amulet in Sung-min’s pouch pulsed faintly, a constant reminder of the strange power they had encountered. As they emerged from the dungeon, the sunlight felt almost foreign, its warmth a stark contrast to the oppressive darkness they had left behind. The hunter’s guild was a bustling hub of activity, filled with hunters of all ranks exchanging stories, trading loot, and preparing for their next missions. The building itself was a massive structure of stone and wood, with banners bearing the guild’s emblem, a crossed sword and staff hanging from the walls. The air was thick with the smell of sweat, ale, and the faint metallic tang of blood. As Sung-min and his friends entered, they were met with a mix of curious glances and outright sneers. E-rank hunters were a common sight, but their disheveled appearan

  • Chapter 1: The Goblin’s Den

    The dungeon was a labyrinth of damp, moss-covered stone walls, illuminated by the faint glow of bioluminescent fungi clinging to the cracks. The air was thick with the scent of mildew and rot, and the distant drip of water echoed through the narrow corridors. Shadows danced along the walls, cast by the flickering light of a single torch held by Sung-min, its flame struggling to stay alive in the oppressive darkness. The floor was uneven, littered with debris and the occasional bone, remnants of past adventurers who had ventured too deep. Sung-min tightened his grip on the torch, his knuckles white. "Stay close," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "This place reeks of trouble." Behind him, Li Wei adjusted his glasses, the lenses reflecting the dim light. "You don't say," he replied dryly, his staff glowing faintly with a pale blue light. "I thought dungeons were supposed to be welcoming." Dae-hyun chuckled, his deep voice reverberating through the corridor. "Quit comp

Scan code to read on App