Chapter 5: A Curious Gathering

The Guildmaster’s office was lively, its usual hum of activity amplified by the presence of the chieftains. Emino, the Guildmaster of the United Monster Tribes, worked diligently at his desk, the scratching of his quill occasionally interrupted by the chatter around him. Orion, the Chief of the Great Ogres and leader of the United Monster Tribes, sat nearby, his towering frame making the sturdy chair creak slightly as he leaned back with a cup of coffee.

Norman, the Gnoll Chieftain, sat flipping through an old ledger of adventurer quests. He glanced at Emino with mild amusement. “Still keeping track of those outdated quests, Emino? Some of these look older than you.”

Emino didn’t look up, his quill still moving. “If you have time to comment on my records, Norman, perhaps you can use it to review the more recent reports.”

Norman smirked and sipped his coffee. “You know me. The past is always entertaining.”

Across the room, George, the Kobold Chief, was animated as he shared updates. His straw hat bobbed as he gestured. “The farmland expansion’s going smoothly. We’ve got the new irrigation channels up and running. Should see a good harvest soon.”

“That is excellent news,” Orion said, his deep voice steady. “Expansion is vital. With the tribes growing, food security must be a priority. Well done, George.”

George adjusted his hat proudly. “Wouldn’t have gone so smoothly without that girl’s help. She’s like a force of nature, you know. Fast, precise, strong-like three grown men rolled into one.”

Norman glanced up from the ledger, his ears twitching with interest. “That girl? She’s still taking odd jobs?”

Fatima entered with a tray of fresh coffee, setting cups in front of Emino and Orion. “Of course she is. Reliable as always. Everything she brings in from the forest is top-notch. High-quality materials every single time.”

George tilted his head. “She’s been helping you too?”

Norman chuckled as he set the ledger down. “She always does. That girl knows how to handle herself.”

Fatima smiled. “She’s incredible, really. And quick to learn. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she’s been doing this for years. But she keeps to herself, so it’s hard to figure her out.”

Emino paused his work, looking up thoughtfully. “That child has skill, no doubt about it. But there’s something... different about her. She doesn’t act like a novice, yet she’s not exactly open about her past. It’s intriguing.”

Orion, who had been quietly listening, furrowed his brow. “Who are you all talking about?”

George leaned forward. “That girl who helped us with the farmlands. I only met her recently, but she’s something else. Quiet, works hard, and does the job better than most adults.”

Norman added, “She’s been around the Guild for a while. Brings in high-quality pelts, monster parts, and herbs. Always trades them for essentials, never lingers longer than necessary.”

Fatima nodded. “She even sells meat to Norman’s shop. Good quality cuts too. It helps his business a lot.”

Orion leaned back, his gaze thoughtful. “I think I’ve seen her before. I was out in the woods and saw an unusual girl doing something that most wouldn’t dare. I didn’t think much of it then, but from what you’re saying, she’s no ordinary girl.”

Fatima laughed softly as she set down the last coffee cup. “More than anyone realizes, I’d bet.”

Emino looked up from his desk, his expression serious. “Speaking of responsibilities, Orion, how are things with the warrior trainees?”

Orion straightened, setting his coffee aside. “They’re improving steadily. Some of them struggle with teamwork, but the potential is there. They’ll be ready when the time comes.”

Emino nodded in approval, the room settling into a comfortable silence as everyone returned to their respective tasks. Though the conversation moved on, the lingering thought of the mysterious girl stayed with each of them.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***