It has been two weeks since Team FRIK began exploring the Oblivion Spire. Thus far, neither of the four members has received any brutal injuries or even any difficulty considered dangerous. None of them ever said it, but they understood that their skillset was far above the fifth floor.
Only a matter of time before the Adventurer's Guild takes notice and gives them the go-ahead to ascend passed the fifth floor.
On a rainy day, around noon, the Guild was still busy with work and conversations. Clara Yoh, one of the many clerks working at the guild sat at an empty table by herself. She was enjoying her lunch break. A small plate held a sweet dessert, honey drizzled break pudding, it's golden surface glistening under the light bulb. Clara made sure to savor every bite, knowing this was once in a blue moon pastry for her.
Clara was one to watch her weight and to never pass a certain number of kilograms.
Today was a special day, the fourth-year anniversary as a Guild's Clerk, and an Adventurer went out of their way to buy this dessert for her. It would have been rude not to accept it.
Yet, as delicious as it was, Clara could feel a bit of loneliness as she savored the sweet taste. A thought crossed her mind mid-bite, "It would taste even better if someone were here to share it with me."
From her spot, Clara could see the quest board crowded with pinned papers announcing jobs of varying difficulties.
A few men stood before it, anxiously discussing strategies or staking their claims. Clara decided to idly scan the board as she ate, focusing on the harder exploration quests.
"No one has yet to explore further than Floor 115."
It has been close to a year since the last update of the Tower. She thought that at least, the same adventurers who explored floor 115 and lived to tell the tale would have gone further by now.
The fact that they have not proved how incredibly difficult the higher floors were.
After finishing her pastry, Clara began to sip her cup of tea. That was when a group of older men, dressed in casual wear, approached her. They were adventurers Clara got along with, ever since the day she worked here.
"Hey, Clara."
"What're you up to?" one of them asked.
Clara looked up, her warm smile lighting up not just her face but the feelings of the men gazing.
"Hi, No Exploration today?"
Most of the men could not withstand Clara's gaze, so they turned their heads, leaving it to their leader to converse with her. Clara's emerald-colored eyes had a way of piercing through a man's very soul. It was hard to keep a steady face around her without getting flustered.
"W-we've got other business to attend to," the leader stammered, scratching the back of his neck.
"Some custom items should be ready today, so we're going to collect them."
Clara's smile widened. "I see. Good luck with your endeavors."
Her kind demeanor left the group grinning as they walked away, whispering amongst themselves about how much they appreciated her company.
Among the clerks at Loria's Guild Hall, Clara stood out not just for her youthful appearance but for her sweet and oblivious nature.
While other clerks might flirt or tease consciously, Clara's innocence was her most endearing trait. She often missed the dirty jokes thrown her way and had no real grasp of romance, making her interactions unintentionally charming.
With her plate and cup now empty, Clara rose from her seat and returned to the counter. There, she noticed an unmarked letter resting neatly on the surface.
"What's this about?" she whispered as she opened it without a moment's pause.
As she read the letter, her face fell, revealing a look of concern.
"A Chimera Warning?" the letter read in bold ink.
Clara sighed heavily, recognizing the handwriting immediately.
"This is Mr. Ottar's handwriting. Then it must be true," she sighed.
"So the Chimeras are acting up again....same time like last year."
The letter was a warning to the guild. A warning to alert adventurers of Chimera Activities within the Tower.
These monstrous creatures were dangerous and very versatile, with a capture rate lower than ten percent. Chimera were twisted forms of different species combined. Classified as level three threats but has the potential to evolve to Level five, depending on their diet and lifespan.
Chimeras were famous for devouring other monsters, absorbing their abilities and traits. This often led to gross and disgusting mutated forms.
Under normal circumstances, it was rare to encounter one. However, recent years have proved that Chimera numbers spike up by the end of the year, like now.
Clara pinned a warning notice to the quest board and also sent out a few messenger pigeons outdoors to spread the word to Adventurers currently outside of the Guild.
The warning caught the attention of adventurers inside the guild. The men and women all crowded Clara's counter, bombarding her with questions concerning the warning.
"It's now noon! How can this warning just be given now?" one complained.
"There are already adventurers out in the Tower!" another shouted.
"Why now?"
"Which floor do we expect them to be on?"
"Any rewards for capturing one?"
The questions just kept on coming, leaving Clara no chance to properly answer any.
"Please settle down, I...I don't know..." Clara struggled to speak under the pressure.
"YOU DON'T KNOW!" one yelled in annoyance.
"You are the one who pinned the warning Missy," the complaints felt never-ending.
Clara was overwhelmed, she had to duck beneath the counter out of fright.
Thankfully, an older co-worker stepped in, attempting to calm the crowd as Clara peeked out from her hiding spot.
After being free from the bombardment, she thought back to one of the adventurer's questions. The one regarding the people who would have already entered the Tower for the day and not yet returned. Her mind drifted to a few rookie teams.
"Hmm, many of them have already returned. It should be okay." Clara sighed.
Chimeras were dangerous, but Standard Ranks and above were experienced enough to deal with them to a safe extent. The same can't be said for Rookie Adventurers, especially if they have not even explored for a month yet.
She took a seat, continuing to browse through her memories of this morning.
"Hold on.." her eyes widen, "That team with the weird abbreviation... FRIK"
"They haven't returned, have they?"
No, they have not.
Team FRIK, the party of four young adults led by Renjiro Tokita. The thought of them encountering a chimera made Clara's chest tighten with unease.
"I have a bad feeling," Clara said, her gut screaming at her to act. The odds of that team encountering a Chimera were decent enough to warrant her worry.
"I need to do something," she muttered.
She began to look around, hoping to find a capable individual to help ease her worries. A few seconds passed, and her eyes landed on a man seated near the back.
"Perfect!" she said, approaching the man with haste.
The man she found was a seasoned adventurer with short red hair, wearing a white shirt, with a red bowtie and blue leather pants.. He was casually munching on a rice ball, oblivious to the chaos around him.
"Xavier!" Clara called out, startling the man so much that he nearly choked on his rice.
"Cl-Clara?"
Xavier Foster was a man with nearly a decade of experience. Clara had no doubts in his abilities to handle Chimeras, which was why she hurried to his side.
"I need your help."
"There are rookies in the Tower right now, and I just received a warning about Chimera activity. I'm worried, they could be in grave danger while you're here stuffing your face."
Xavier's face grew serious. "Chimeras? Those things are like rats. If you see one, there's probably ten of them out there close by."
"Yes, I'm asking you to ensure their safety, just in case."
"Wasn't planning on exploring today, but I guess I can make an exception for you. Just know you owe me one."
"Thank you, Xavier, I'll owe you one favor. Just please keep them safe."
Xavier teased, "I'll be asking for that favor tonight, so be prepared."
"Anything is on the table, as long as you bring them back alive."
Xavier frowned upon hearing that reply. It was not what he wanted to hear.
"What's with that reaction, Clara? Listen here, do make sure that any man in the future who makes bed jokes with you has a word with me first, understand?"
Clara, confused as to why Xavier suddenly got serious, replied, "Okay, though I don't get it."
Xavier finished his rice ball in one swift bite, brushing off the crumbs as he stood. "Fine. Describe them for me."
Clara detailed Team FRIK's members, emphasizing Fugo's bright orange hair and Renjiro's blue flower-patterned kimono.
Xavier nodded, "Got it. A group of young adults, huh? They'll probably be over their heads if a Chimera does show up. I'll head there now."
"Thank you," Clara said again, watching as Xavier left the guild.
He was in casual clothes, with no signs of weapons, but even then...Xavier exuded a sternconfidence when leaving the guild.