novelraw Chapter 318: Crimson Arc Headquarters.
Chapter 318: Crimson Arc Headquarters.
Walking on the broad street, Thoren saw both humans and Mantis Beastmen moving side by side in strange harmony.
Compared to the time when he arrived at the Jackal Town, where everyone had walked with tension and fear as if they were stepping on fragile glass, the atmosphere inside the Mantis Town felt vastly different.
The streets were lively and noisy.
Humans shouted from storefronts while Mantis Beastmen displayed goods beneath large woven canopies.
The sharp smell of roasted meat mixed with the scent of hot sand and metal.
Some merchants raised strange beast carcasses high into the air while others advertised weapons stained with fresh blood.
Even mantis beastmen children could be seen rushing between the crowds.
For a moment, the town felt less like a place buried inside the endless Bleeding Desert and more like a living settlement struggling to survive another brutal day.
Thoren observed everything silently.
For the cruel actions of the Jackal Beastmen, where humans had been treated like livestock and slaves, none of that could be openly seen here.
Of course, he was not naive enough to believe there were no conflicts between the humans and the Mantis Beastmen.
Hatred could never disappear completely.
As long as both races benefited from the town, they would continue maintaining the illusion of peace.
That alone was enough.
While Thoren silently studied the town, Orric decided to play the role of host.
The large berserker cleared his throat proudly before beginning his explanation.
"Although we humans and the Mantis Beastmen coexist peacefully, there are still clear differences between us."
He pointed toward the western district.
"The western part belongs mainly to powerful human awakeners. Very few Mantis Beastmen are allowed there."
Then he shifted his finger toward the eastern district.
"And the eastern district belongs to the Mantis Beastmen. Most humans avoid entering that area unless they are invited."
"The central district acts as neutral ground. Humans and Mantis Beastmen conduct business together there without causing trouble."
"More importantly, the central district serves as the heart of commerce. You can buy almost anything there if you have enough silver."
"I see." Thoren replied calmly.
His expression remained indifferent.
"Then where is your headquarters? I want to meet your guild master."
Orric stiffened slightly.
The other Crimson Arc Guild members also exchanged uneasy glances. None of them had forgotten what happened when they first encountered Thoren.
The silver haired young man standing beside them looked harmless most of the time, but they had personally witnessed how terrifying he truly was.
Orric forced out an awkward laugh.
"I can try arranging a meeting, but I cannot guarantee the guild master will agree to see you."
"That is enough." Thoren nodded lightly.
"Besides, I doubt your guild master would ignore someone after hearing my name."
Hmm?
The entire group stared at him in surprise. The confidence in his voice felt absolute.
Not arrogance.
Certainty.
Just as Orric prepared to respond, hurried footsteps echoed from ahead. Several figures quickly approached them through the crowd.
A group of five stopped directly before them.
"Orric, you finally returned. That was faster than expected."
The speaker was a young woman with sharp eyes and shoulder length dark hair tied behind her head.
A massive battle axe rested casually on her shoulder as if it weighed nothing.
"Kiera?" Orric blinked in confusion.
"What are you doing here?"
"Do you seriously need to ask?" Kiera snorted.
"The guild master increased everyone’s training again. We also need to submit more beast materials if we want permission to explore the newly discovered ruins."
She rolled her eyes dramatically.
Still, the enormous axe resting on her shoulder completely ruined the image of an exhausted victim.
Thoren calmly observed her. Her aura felt heavy and explosive.
Unlike Orric, whose strength resembled a rampaging beast, Kiera’s aura carried sharper aggression. Her muscles were leaner but tightly packed with explosive power.
Suddenly, her gaze shifted toward Thoren.
"Who is this?"
"Ah." Orric scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"This is Thoren. We met him outside the Crimson Dunes. He wants to meet the guild master."
"Whatever."
Kiera instantly lost interest.
Then her eyes landed on the chained thief and her expression froze immediately.
"T-This bastard!"
Her eyes widened visibly.
"How did you manage to capture him?"
She walked closer and kicked the kneeling thief directly in the ribs.
The thief groaned painfully and rolled across the ground. "You useless rat. Do you know how many guild members you humiliated?"
The thief lowered his head completely. He no longer possessed the arrogant confidence from before.
Kiera turned back toward Orric with visible suspicion.
"You actually caught him?"
Her gaze slowly swept across Orric’s group. "With your tiny brains and slow bodies?"
Several guild members instantly coughed awkwardly. Orric’s face darkened immediately.
"H-Hey! What exactly do you mean by that?"
Kiera stared at him expressionlessly. "What I mean is obvious."
She pointed directly at his chest. "You are all muscle headed idiots."
The surrounding guild members struggled desperately to suppress their laughter.
One of them nearly choked.
Orric’s entire face flushed red.
"Y You..."
"What?" Kiera raised a brow confidently.
"Do you want another spar?"
She casually patted the massive axe resting on her shoulder. "This time I promise not to use too much strength."
The moment those words fell, everyone around them visibly shivered.
Several guild members instinctively stepped backward. Even Orric’s expression twitched violently. Thoren noticed the subtle fear hidden in the group’s eyes.
Clearly, this woman had beaten Orric badly more than once.
Orric coughed loudly and quickly looked away.
"Forget it."
"I am a gentleman. I refuse to fight women."
He immediately turned around and walked away quickly.
In truth, he looked closer to fleeing.
"Hah."
Kiera stared at his retreating figure and clicked her tongue.
"What a coward."
Still, the faint smile playing on her lips betrayed her amusement.
The surrounding guild members finally burst into restrained laughter.
Thoren walked beside Orric silently. Although Orric tried maintaining dignity, the embarrassment on his face remained obvious.
The group soon left the bustling central district and headed deeper into the western district.
As they progressed farther inward, the atmosphere gradually changed. The number of pedestrians decreased noticeably. Those remaining on the streets possessed sharp and dangerous auras.
Many carried enormous weapons across their backs. Some were covered entirely in scars.
Others stared at Thoren briefly before looking away. The deeper they traveled, the quieter the streets became.
Eventually, they arrived before an enormous five story building standing proudly at the center of the district.
The structure towered above the surrounding buildings like a fortress.
"This is our headquarters." Orric finally announced proudly.
Large crimson banners fluttered violently from the upper floors. The symbol of the Crimson Arc Guild had been carved directly into the front walls.
Two heavily armed guards stood beside the entrance.
Both men radiated oppressive pressure.
Still, when they noticed Orric and the others returning, neither attempted to stop them. Their gazes merely paused briefly on Thoren before allowing the group to enter.
The moment Thoren stepped inside, loud explosive sounds echoed throughout the training grounds.
Dozens of awakeners were training intensely.
Weapons collided violently.
Sweat drenched the stone floors.
Several berserkers smashed giant iron weights repeatedly while swordsmen exchanged rapid strikes nearby. The atmosphere felt savage and disciplined simultaneously.
Yet Thoren’s expression never changed.
His deep blue eyes merely swept calmly across the surroundings. None of the intimidating warriors caught his interest.
His focus remained ahead.
Orric swallowed nervously before leading him deeper into the guild headquarters.
Unknown to everyone present, several pairs of sharp eyes were already secretly observing Thoren from the shadows above the training grounds.