Walking into the adventurers' guild felt like stepping into another world. The place buzzed with energy-groups of adventurers sharing raucous stories over mugs of ale, busy officals shuflfing papers behind polished wooden counters, and a giant quest board plastered with opportunities for glory (and gold).
The air was thick with the smell of leather, sweat and roasted meat from the tavern next door.
Lulu practically skipped through the heavy wooden doors, her fiery eyes alight with excitement.
"This is it!" she declared, arms spread wide. "The heart of adventure! The epicentre of heroism! The very place where legends are made!"
Mimi trailed nervously behind her, clutching the hem of her jacket and peeking around at the throng of seasoned adventurers. "I-I don't know Lulu," she murmured quietly. "What if they don't accept us?"
"Of course they'll accept us!" Lulu answered confidently, tossing her red hair over her shoulder. "We're strong, capable, and ready to take on any challenge-who wouldn't want us on thier team?"
I followed them, noting the curious whispers that trailed our entrance. "Is that really a demonling?" I overheard someone ask, another add, "And those monster girls-what are they doing here? "
But we kept walking walking until reached the counter.
There, behind a polished oak desk, stood a young girl with a disarming smile and lively eyes that seemed to dance with two distinct moods.
Her hair was braided neatly, and a spark of mischeif played on her lips- a hint that she was not simply one perosn, but two in one. For a moment, she chirped in a high, cheerful voice. "W-weclome to the Adventurers' Guild! I'm Aria-how can I help you today?" Then, as quickly as hwe bubbly side appeared, her tone softened into a measured, alomost solemn cadence: "Please note, guild policies must be folowed strictly."
Lulu wasted no waste. "We'd like to register!" she announced, her eyes sparkling. "Demon Inc- ready for action!"
Arias' face wavered between bright excitement and furrowed seriousness. "Y-you want to register as...members?" she stuttured; then her expression grew somber. "I must inform you that our guidelines....our policies...traditionally reserve guild membership for humans...or those closely allied with humans."
"Policies?" Lulu snapped, crossing her arms. "That's just a fancy way of saying, 'No monsters allowed'"
Aria's cheerful demeanour faltered as her gaze dropped. "It's not meant as discrimination-the guild has always operated on long-standing traditions. It's high unusual to accept monster folk."
Mimi's tail curled anxiously as she whispered, "So...does that mean we're not qualified?"
The young receptionist winced. "I...I don't doubt your attentions," she explained, then in a burst of mixed cheer and caution added, "But the guild system isn't easily changed, and there's no precedent for registering....members like you."
I stepped forward, my tone even but firm. "We've faced enough adventuters before-and we sent them packing. That proves we're more than capable."
Aria's flickered between her two sides. For an instant, the sunny voice piped up. "Oh, wow! You have achievements?" only for the somber untone to reply, "Yet I must adhere to the guidelines imposed by tradition."
"Rules? More like outdated systems!" Lulu retorted, slamming her hand on the counter. "If you've turned down perfectly capable adventurers just because you're too scared to rewrite your history, then that's on your side."
After a long pause. Aria offered a small, rueful smile. "I'm sorry...but I am bound by what the guild expects. If you truly wish to join, perhaps you could forge you own path instead of waitng for permission."
I exchanged a determined glance with Lulu and Mimi. "The strongest adeventurers don't wait around for old rules to change. We'll make our own mark-guild or no guild."
For a brief moment, Aria's hopeful eyes shone. "That's the spirit-real adventurers create their own destiny," she said sofly.
Lulu grinned and flung her arms around us. "Alright then, who needs a stuffy old guild? Demon Inc. is on the move?!"
Mimi nodded shyly. "I--I think we can do it...if we're together."
As we stepped away from the counter, Aria called softly after us, "Good luck out there!" Her voice wavered with both her bubbly cheer and cautious gravity- a final reminder of the contradictions in this world.
***************************
Back at my cozy, predicably chaotic cottage, the adrenaline of our recent encounter still pulsed through the air.
We gathered around our scuffed wooden table with a aged map spread out before us, plotting our next move.
From the doorwway, Anton and Mara-watched our spirited meeting with a mix of amusement and concern.
"I suppose now it's time to figure out how to make our mark- and our money- in our own unconventional way," I began, tapping a spot on the map with my claw. "Since the guild shut us out, we're going to turn the tables. Instead of helping naive adventurers, why not trick them out of their coin and pride?"
Lulu leaned in, her eyes gleaming with mischievious excitement. "I've been thinking-there's a dungeon rumoured to lie just beyond the ruins to the north. It's corridors are full of traps and hideen treasure. What if we lure those fools in by spreading a rumour that it holds an ancient relic? They'll handsomely for our 'expert advise' on escaping the traps, only to end up stepping right into our carefully set snares."
Mimi, usually so timd, spoke up in a surprisingly steady tone. "We could even compilea 'definitive guide' to the dungeon-maps full of deliberately misleading paths, secret shortcuts that don't exsist...it would be a perfect ruse. They'd be so eager for insider information, they'd wouldn't notice the pitfalls untill it's too late."
I grinned, excitement mixing with praticality. "Exactly. We'll exploit our knowledge of the terrian to set up ambushes. When those bubbling adventurers confidently march into our trap, we swoop in to 'rescue' then-at least for a fee. Then when they're too embarassed (and coin-poor) to continue, we'll be left with both thier gold and the treasures that actually lie in the dungeon."
Lulu clapped her hands eagerly. Imagine it: adventurers lining up for a guide they'll later regret following-a guide written and orchestrated by Demon Inc.! We could charge them for a extra 'rescue package' if things go wrong."
Anton cleared his throat from the doorway, his voice playful. "So, you plan on profiting from the mistakes of other adventurers, eh? I must say, that's a novel idea, Balthazar."
Mara stepped forward with measured caution. " I understand you ambition, but remember: trickery can be a slippery slope. Don't let greed blind you- or comromise who you are."
I nodded firmly. "Our plan is simple: we exploit the adventurers' overconfidence. We'll bait then with promises of untold riches and safety, only to lead into our maze of deception. With our misdirection and clever traps- and perhaps a little bit of a staged rescue- we can keep a steady of coin following in."
Lulu interjected. "And if word of Demon Inc.'s 'miraculous' dungeon experiences spreads, our reputation will sky rocket. They'll soon learn that monsters can be as cunning as they are fearsome-and that you should never take a n shortcut through an old ruin without proper 'guidance'."
Mimi's eyes shone with growing confidence. "I can document every detail-the layout of the traps, the exact misdirections on our maps. Our so-called 'expert guide' will be irresistable to any adventurer who thinks they have what it takes to conquer the dungeon."
I pressed my hand on the map, determination blazing in my eyes. "Tonight, we refine every aspect of our scheme. Tomorrow, we put our plan into action. Demon Inc. will show the world that monsters don't just survive-they outwit the foolish, and we do it with style...and profit."
Lulu bounced in her seat, grinning broadly as she declared. "Alright team! Let's turn these wild ideas into a money-making, legendary adventure. We're goinjg to trick those arrogant adventurers like never before!"
Mara offered a soft yet earnest smile from the doorway. "Just remember to always look out for each other- and not to lose yourselves in the trickery."
Anton chuckled, "And if you end up getting more than your fair share of trouble, we'll be here to patch you up...or at least, to remind you where you went wrong."
As our strategy meeting drew to a close, a fierce, rebellious determination filled the room. With our newfound plan to lure and trick hapless adventurers into our dungeon deceptions and our very own maze of misdirection, Demon Inc. was ready to rewrite the rules.
"Tomorrow," I declared, "we make our own rules—and our own fortune."
Lulu and Mimi exchanged determined looks, and beneath the watchful and affectionate eyes of my parents, our new chapter began—one where monsters not only defied tradition but also turned the misadventures of unsuspecting heroes into our next great opportunity.