Rivel tries his best to pull on the chains holding him down to the table in the dimly lit room, only jerking the table each time he pulls.
"I didn't even get the chance to speak before they all jumped, piled me, and tied me up. I mean yeesh, at least let a guy speak first before you decide to take his head."
[Flash back to moments just before]
Rivel stepped inside with a smirk on his face ready to challenge the world.
As eyes shifted towards him, adventurers all stood up from their seats immediately in a stance prepared for battle.
"It's a cultist!"
"Someone grab the guild master!"
"Don't let him escape!"
"Wha-"
Rivel barely even got the chance to react before he was rushed at and tackled to the ground.
"Got him!"
"Hurry and tie him up!"
"HEY WHAT THE HELL! GET OFF ME!" Rivel shouted in anger and confusion.
[End of flashback]
He groans before slamming his head onto the table in defeat.
Ah this is it. This is the end. I didn't even get to go on my first quest.
Eventually after a while of waiting the door to the room finally opened slowly, as the sound of heavy footsteps started to get closer.
Rivel lifted his head to get a look at who entered, and his eyes winded in nervousness, as the door slammed shut.
The man who stood on the opposite side of the table wasn't just big as a bear but so were his hands. His hands were so large that he could possibly crush his head in one smooth motion. His skin was a light brown, with faded scars. His eyes were calm, but didn't hide the killing intention that was stored within the glare that stabbed into him. His hair was black that remained unruly and all over that didn't so much help him appear different from a bear.
Well at least I don't have to think about writing a will.
The man slammed his hands onto the table leaning towards Rivel, not once stopping from glaring into Rivel eyes.
"You're such a bold guy. To walk straight into a lion's den with a smirk on your face. You must be either an idiot, or someone completely insane." The man said in a deep grunting voice.
Rivel narrowed his eyes in nervousness raising his shoulders, but still not dropping the calm in his tone. "Would you believe me if I said I'm neither."
"So you got jokes, do you?" He asked, walking around the table towards Rivel rolling up his sleeves.
Rivel leaned away as best as he could, as he came closer. "Nope! I do not have jokes." He said, with a voice crack.
The man hovered right next to Rivel glaring down at him as if he was a mere bug that needed to be squashed. "You sure? Because you still look like you can spare one. Why else would you still be wearing that stupid smirk on your face."
Rivel's eyes twitched for a bit, because he was indeed in fact smirking. Not because he felt confident, but because he was scared.
Crap. Worst time for bad habits to kick in.
…
I wonder if he would believe me if I told him it was only because I'm nervous.
Rivel glanced at the man's face for just a second, and the only expression he had was someone pondering about whether they should kill someone or not.
Yea not even for a second.
The man then suddenly grabbed Rivel by his collar and dragged him up out of the chair. "Where's the rest of your group?"
Rivel tried to speak, but his smirk that was stuck on his face due to his rising fear made it impossible.
"Won't speak will you," He said in a menacing tone, while drawing back his fist. "I can fix that."
Rivel tried to move his hands, but they were still chained down and any possible words refused to come out his mouth.
Wait! Wait! Wait!
The man without any hesitation swung his fist straight at his face, not holding back any once of strength.
Just before his fist connected–
"WAIT!" Rivel shouted, finally stopping his smirk from restricting him from speaking.
The man fist stopped right before it connected to his nose.
Rivel winced as he tried to calm himself down from what seemed to be his last moments.
That was totally swung with the intent to kill!
The man backed his fist away from his face and brought back to a starting position to swing once again. "Well… ready to speak now."
"Look, I don't know what you think I did or who I am! But all I have to say to prove my innocence is that I'm completely innocent! I only just got to this town! Ask the locals if they've ever seen me here before today!" Rivel shouted as he pleaded his case.
The man continued to glare deeply into his eyes, examining him for any sign of a lie.
He let out a sigh before dropping Rivel back into the chair.
Rivel grunted as fell back into the chair, but let out a slight sigh of relief.
"Don't get so relaxed now. I'm not letting you go. I'm going to test if what you're saying is true, and if it isn't… well I'll leave that to imagination."
He turned toward the door. "Erna bring the crystal ball!"
Not even a second later a woman with long pointy ears, and sun kissed yellow hair, entered the room holding a crystal ball that looked similar to what fortune-tellers would bring out, just before scamming you.
She sets the crystal ball onto the table gently. "Guild master, I believe we discussed your habits of yelling. Yes?" The woman asked, in a voice that felt cold enough to freeze over the world.
She was dressed up as the typical Adventure guild receptionist in the colors of green and white, complete with a green hat on top of her head.
The Guild Master face softens as he rubs the back of his neck. "Sorry."
Rivel eyes shift away from the two and onto the crystal ball that sits on the table just before him. "If you don't mind me asking. What is that?"
Erna's eyes finally landed on Rivel, and bore the same glare as the guild master. "It's a magical device that can detect whether someone is being honest or lying."
Just my luck today huh. Of course they have a magical lie detector. Why wouldn't they?
The Guild Master crossed his arms, still not taking them off Rivel for a second. "If I were you pal. I would answer honestly. Unless you're truly insane and you want to prove it to me."
RIvel sat straight up with a straight face. "Was never planning to lie in the first place."
Erna stepped closer towards Rivel arms crossed as well. "Alright. First question. Are there any others?"
Rivel raised an eyebrow in confusion. "No?"
The crystal ball glowed green.
"So you're alone. That makes my job easier. Less paper work."
"I'mmm sooo happy for you." He said sarcastically.
Her eyes grew sharper in annoyance as she continued to glare at him.
He zipped his lips tightly shut.
"Are you or are you not part of the demonic cult that worships the demon kings or queens of the east, west, north, and south?"
He nearly jumps out his seat but the Guild master who kept glaring at him kept in check of moving erratically.
"Is this what this is all about?! You guys think I'm part of some demonic cult! Where the hell did you guys even get that notion?!"
Both the Guild Master and Erna glance towards the fake demon horns that rested upon his head.
"Have you seen yourself?" Erna asked.
Rivel falls silent.
"...You know what, you make a fair point. No, I'm not part of any cult of any kind."
The crystal ball glows green.
Both their eyes widened in bewilderment.
"Ha! That means I'm innocent!"
The guild master's face shifted into confusion as he looked towards Erna. "Is this thing broken?"
"A-ah no it isn't. It's fairly new… Maybe try answering with a lie. Are you the guild master?"
"I'm not the guild master."
The crystal ball glowed red.
Rivel smirked. "Ha! This proves my innocence! Now please release me!"
The guild master shifted towards him, confused as his eyebrows burrowed in suspicion. "You're not free just yet. Why the hell are you wearing those fake demon horns if you aren't part of the cult then!?"
Rivel sighed. "Look, I'm not wearing this because I want to. I'm cursed. I would normally take this off without any hesitation, but as you can see."
The crystal ball glowed green.
The guild master froze in place. Not knowing what to do at this moment.
Erna just rubbed her temples. "Do you have any idea… what the curse may be that forces you to wear such a thing?"
"Demonic curse."
The crystal ball glowed green.
"Of course it is."
The guild master sighed. "Free him already."
Erna nodded and unchained Rivel after unlocking it.
Rivel moved his wrist around trying to regain proper feeling in them.
"Finally! Thought my hand was gonna fall off!"
The guild master jabbed a finger towards Rivel. "Look here kid, you can't just go around walking like that. You're practically screaming that you want people to think you're some kind of cult fanatic."
Rivel, still moving his hand around, just scowled at the guild master's statement. "What the hell do you expect me to do then? Were you not listening when I told you that these things were cursed. I can't or, more likely, shouldn't take them off. Under no circumstances."
The crystal ball glowed green.
The guild master just grumbles in frustration. "Well kid… you need to do something."
Erna steps up to Rivel. "I think I have an idea. May I touch them?"
"Sure?"
Erna reaches out towards the horns and a green magic symbol appears directly on the headband.
"Hidden Woods."
The symbol starts to glow, and in result the singular horn and the chopped half of the other horn starts to warp in the appearance of dark wood.
"That should make you seem less suspicious. The cults' fake horns are usually in red so this should differentiate you, but I can't do much for the shape. And if you ever get the chance you should try to get them purified, by someone who possesses holy magic. But until then steer clear of any dispel magic. It'll wear off."
Rivel couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
Of course Velmira gave me a headband that also happened to be the same color as a cults'.
"Ahem," The guild master cleared his throat to catch the attention of Rivel. "I would like to apologize for my earlier behavior. I hope you underst–"
"Look, you don't have to apologize. You were just trying to protect people from what you thought was a demon cult fanatic."
The guild master stared at Rivel for a moment, then he smiled. "Thanks for understanding."
Rivel pointed towards the door with his thumb while shoving his other hand into jacket pocket. "Now that I'm free to go I'm guessing. Can I please get registered as an adventurer?"