Flora stepped out of the storage room first. She took a deep breath before a firm expression crept up on her face.
Her breathing quickened. She clenched the fabric of her sleeves to stop them from shaking. If she wanted this to work, she needed to look the part. She had to look panicked.
She forced herself to a hurried stride towards the main guild hall. She saw a group of enforcers on break just ahead. A squad leader was among them. She ran towards him.
"Anne! She's here!" Flora gasped while pointing towards the back storage rooms. "She slipped in through the rear entrance. I saw her!"
The enforcer's eyes glanced briefly at Flora. His expression sharpened.
"You saw her?" His voice was filled with suspicion.
Flora nodded while letting enough fear slip into her voice. "Yes, I didn't know what to do, but report it! She had a dagger coated with blood."
At the mention of blood, Flora pretended to gag, clutching her stomach as if she were about to be sick.
The enforcer wasted no time. There's no reason a receptionist from the guild would come to waste his time. It was most importantly - a merit opportunity! Catching Anne would mean the bounty would be his to collect!
The squad leader immediately glances at the two enforcers nearby. "You two! Go check the storage rooms. The rest of you, let's go sweep the back alleys. The back alleys would be the only place she would be able to slip to."
He then turned towards the rest of the enforcers. "We catch her and we enjoy many nights of comfort in the fun districts!"
The grouped enforcers behind him cheered and all immediately picked up the pace and rushed to the back alleys.
From the corner of her eye, Flora saw other squads nearby noticing the commotion. She prayed that the noise made here would work in her favor.
Another enforcer heard this and immediately ran to his group. This scene continued everywhere. The bounty was just too much for the greedy to handle. More enforcers rushed for a chance to be the one to claim the bounty.
The enforcers had all rushed out. A few enforcers begrudgingly stayed to deter adventurers from causing a ruckus on the main floor, however, none would track her.
Flora seized this opportunity. She slipped through the corridors. She moved fast but not too fast to draw attention. Anyone who saw her would assume that she was on official guild business due to her role as a receptionist.
The entrance to the lower levels was located behind the armory. It was a reinforced metal gate. Normally, it would be locked and guarded. However, today, only a single guard was stationed there.
Flora knew she couldn't fight head-on. Besides this stationed guard, the location was out of sight and away from the eyes of the adventurers. She would draw suspicion if the guard noticed her.
Flora's eyes became determined. She reached into her pouch and pulled out two small vials. One was a misty purple color, while the other was a translucent light green. She uncapped the translucent light green vial and drank it. A warm surge could be felt throughout her body.
This was an antidote to the misty purple colored vial she held in her other hand. Flora threw the vial at the enforcer stationed in front of the entrance to the lower levels.
"What!?" The glass shattered against his shoulder. The purple liquid splashed all over his armor. The thick purple mist covered his entire body.
The enforcer stumbled. His vision went hazy immediately. This was a sleeping potion. It was used on beasts to temporarily quell their rage or cause smaller beasts to fall asleep.
The guard fell onto the floor, fast asleep. Flora didn't hesitate. She rushed up to the guard, fished through his belt, and grabbed the gate key. He dragged the sleeping guard to a nearby empty storage room and closed the door.
The antidote that Flora had taken earlier allowed her to be immune to the sleeping potion. She unlocked the heavy door and went in.
The air became damp the further she descended. Torches that hung on the walls lit the way.
The lower levels of the guild weren't meant to be seen by outsiders. Unlike the luxurious decor and polished main floor, these halls were dark and lined with iron doors.
She moved quickly. She didn't have any time to waste. She checked each cell quickly.
A groan caught her ear. It sounded familiar. She rushed forward. Behind the bars, a familiar face stared back.
A bruised and bloodied face. He definitely suffered tons of hardship. At least he was alive.
Flora exhaled. "Red!"
Hearing the familiar voice, Red's head turned towards the voice. At first, he didn't react, however, his expression twisted. An unbelievable expression spread across his face.
"You idiot! What are you doing here!?" He exclaimed weakly but with frustration in his voice.
"Getting you out," Flora muttered. She unlocked the door, Red stumbled out.
"Are you able to walk?" she asked.
Red gritted his teeth. "I'll manage."
Flora helped him steady himself.
Suddenly, boots echoed from the steps above. Her body tensed.
"We don't have time!" With a rushed voice, Red took Flora's key and immediately unlocked all the cell doors on their floor.
"This is the only way."
The heavy iron doors creaked open one by one.
The sound of boots descending the stairs grew louder.
Flora glanced at the man who had just arrived. A familiar form.
The ruthless enforcer had arrived. He was the same one who had harassed her at the reception desk. He stood blocking the exit with one hand dragging an unconscious merchant. His cold eyes flicked between the open cells and Flora standing beside Red.
His expression darkened immediately. "You stupid b*tch," he yelled. "You swapped sides quickly. Do you think you'll get out of here?"
He threw the unconscious merchant on the ground. A large thud echoed throughout the lower level as the merchant hit the ground hard. The enforcer drew his weapon, stepping forward with a sadistic grin.
However, this time, Flora didn't flinch. She wasn't alone.
Red grinned. "Everyone, get him!" The prisoners that had just been released from their cells surged forward. There was only one enemy for everyone on the floor.
It was the one who blocked the exit to freedom.
A half-starved, desperate, and furious crowd surged forward and rushed him. They were weaponless, but they had the numbers, Two rushed him from the sides, grabbing his arms before he could swing his blade. A third slammed a fist into his stomach. A fourth tackled him to the ground.
The enforcer roared and tried to break free, but the weight of the four prevented him from getting up.
The scene became chaotic as part of the group split in half. Half rushed up the stairs to escape, the other half remained taking their frustration out on the enforcer.
Flora grabbed Red's arm. "We need to move!"
They followed the half of the crowd rushing up the stairs. Before leaving, Flora briefly glanced back. The enforcer wasn't dead, but he wouldn't be able to walk the same way again.
They reached the main level and rushed out of the entrance to the lower level. Flora brought Red to the second floor while avoiding the chaos that had begun on the main level.
--
Inside the guild branch leader's office on the third floor, an enforcer gave his report.
"Sir, a riot has started on the main floor. Prisoners from the lower level have escaped and the main floor is chaotic."
The guild branch leader grinned. "Is that so?"
He glanced at the enforcer reporting the news. "Go take the remaining enforcers and resolve the situation on the main floor."
"Yes sir."
That enforcer left and shut the door behind him.
Beside the Guild Branch Leader stood a mercenary, his cloak draped loosely over his shoulders. His cloak concealed most of his form.
If Feng Ye had been in the room, he would have recognized him instantly.
The same cloaked man.
The one who had watched him in the alleyway.
The one who had warned him after he took the auction token.
The Guild Branch Leader didn't even look at him as he spoke.
"You stay with me."
The cloaked man's expression remained unreadable.
He inclined his head slightly. "Of course."