Feng Ye rejoined the line. A few minutes later, he's back at the front. Across from him was the same receptionist from earlier. Her expression was blank.
The woman barely looked up. Her fingers drummed an idle rhythm on the desk.
"You again?" She muttered quietly with a hint of amusement in her tone.
Feng Ye didn't respond right away. Instead, he reached into his cloak and slid four grey beast cores across the wooden surface. He remained silent.
The receptionist's fingers stopped drumming. She glanced at the cores and then at Feng Ye.
She scanned Feng Ye's face, posture, and expression.
Her fingers hesitated. Another bribe?
"That's twice now." She tapped her quill against the desk. "You're either very eager or very foolish."
Feng Ye didn't respond immediately. He simply met her gaze. After a short pause.
Feng Ye's response was calm. "Just practical. Information is worth the investment."
A long pause. A brief moment of silence.
She gave a small laugh and then locked eyes with Feng Ye. "Cute. But tell me, Ye Feng, do you know what happens to people who ask the wrong questions?"
Feng Ye didn't flinch or blink. "They get the right answers."
Then, the receptionist smirked. A small, knowing curve slowly formed on her lips. In one swift motion, the cores vanished beneath the counter.
"Not here."
She placed a blank form over her parchment. This movement was obvious to Feng Ye. She was feigning casual paperwork. Her voice was neutral and professional. She spoke softly and Feng Ye could only hear it faintly. A meet up location.
"Supply storage hall. Five minutes. If you aren't followed."
Feng Ye gave a slight nod, as if acknowledging something trivial, then turned away.
The first step was achieved.
But this wasn't just a simple bribe. This was a test.
--
Feng Ye moved through the guild hall, pausing near the job board. He took his time to not appear rushed, scanning through postings while subtly watching his surroundings.
Five minutes later, he walked towards the back. A dimly lit hallway led toward the supply storage area.
This hallway was very quiet. No one could be seen around this area. A door creaked open.
The receptionist slipped inside, shutting the door behind her.
Feng Ye noticed a large change in her demeanor. This time she was different. The cold professionalism she displayed earlier was gone. It was replaced with calculated interest.
She leaned against a wooden crate and crossed her arms. "You've got my attention. What do you want?"
Without losing time, Feng Ye got straight to the point. "Information. Specifically, about the rumors around otherworlders appearing in the capital."
The receptionist maintained a calm expression. No emotions or expressions of surprise were shown. Instead, she grinned and let out a chuckle.
"That's a dangerous topic. Jumping straight to the deep waters, huh? You're either very ambitious… or very stupid."
Feng Ye remained silent without reply. He locked eyes with her.
During this moment of silence, the receptionist crossed her arms as if considering. She then spoke in a low voice.
"The guild isn't as unified as people think. The higher-ups, the branch leaders, the regional heads… everyone has their own interests. Most branches, like this one, are just pieces on a game board. But the capital? That's where the real power struggle happens."
She smirked.
"And you're right. Something's brewing. The king's health is failing, and both heirs are scrambling for power. The noble factions are recruiting aggressively, and guess what? They're hiring mercenaries and adventurers to do their dirty work."
Feng Ye's expression remained neutral. "And the otherworlders?"
She exhaled. "That's the part no one wants to talk about openly. The guild has records of people appearing with unnatural abilities, strange knowledge, and no background. Normally, they'd be treated as anomalies, but now?"
"Some of them aren't just surviving. They're thriving. They're getting involved in the political game, aligning with nobles, warlords, and factions."
"And the guild?"
She scoffed. "The guild is watching. They don't care about morality. It only cares about influence and profit. If these otherworlders prove to be assets, the guild will back them. If they're threats, they'll be eliminated."
A dangerous game. Feng Ye exhaled slightly. This wasn't just about clearing a trial anymore. The world itself was shifting.
Feng Ye studies the woman in front of him. She gave him a lot of valuable information. More what his bribe was worth. This meant that she wanted something.
Smiling, he prompted. "You gave me a lot for a handful of beast cores. What do you want?"
"You're sharp. Good. It's refreshing to speak to a smart person. Then you already figured that I'm not just some desk worker."
She turned slightly glancing at the closed door behind her.
"This branch is dead. A backwater place. I need to move up, but I need leverage. If I can prove I have value, I can get reassigned to a better position or maybe even closer to headquarters."
She met his eyes. "I don't need money. I need influence."
Feng Ye understood immediately. She wanted to use him.
He considered his options. Having a direct informant inside the guild was invaluable. If he could secure her as an inside source, he'd have first-hand access to information, job postings, and hidden dealings. The higher her position, the better return on investment this was.
A moment of silence stretched between them.
Then, she smiled slightly. "So, Ye Feng, if you want to do business with me, let's make sure you're actually useful first."
Feng Ye didn't answer immediately. Instead, he leaned slightly against a crate, watching her carefully. "Testing me already?" he mused.
The receptionist smirked. "Of course. Trust isn't free."
She pulled out a small, folded sealed letter from her sleeve and handed it to him.
"Take this to a man named Red. He runs the ledger archives on the second floor. Ask him for 'Record 186441 and bring it back to me."
Feng Ye narrowed his eyes slightly. "What's in the record?"
She gave a lazy shrug. "Nothing you need to worry about. Just a document the branch head would rather stay buried."
Feng Ye's fingers brushed the letter. A test. A small job but a dangerous one.
If caught, he'd have to explain why a newly registered adventurer was snooping in guild archives.
She was testing him.
Fine.
He exhaled, slipping the letter into his cloak. "And if I do this?"
She smirked. "Then we help each other."
Feng Ye studied her. She was ambitious, careful, and clearly no ordinary desk worker. Her words hinted at a larger picture.
The guild's corruption didn't just run through small branches. It stretched all the way to the top.
This was bigger than just a bribe. This was the start of a long-term gamble.
A moment later, Feng Ye extended his hand.
"Then let's make it official."
The receptionist studied him for a long moment before reaching out and shaking his hand.
"Looks like we have a deal, Ye Feng."
Before they parted, she added one final warning.
"Some friendly advice, don't stand out too fast. The guild isn't kind to people who climb too quickly without backing."
Feng Ye chuckled. "Noted."
He turned, ready to leave, but then paused.
"One last thing…"
The receptionist stopped her footsteps and raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"What's your name?"
For the first time, she seemed slightly surprised.
"Flora."
Feng Ye nodded. "I'll see you soon, Flora."
He stepped out of the storage hall and walked back into the main guild floor.
This morning, he had entered as just another nameless adventurer.
Now, he had a task. A test.
And if he succeeded, he'd have his first informant. A first step to building an underground information network.