Hollow Ascension

Chapter 9: The Road Back

The cart rattled along the forest path, the sun beginning its descent toward the horizon. The journey back to Valens was quiet at first, with only the occasional sound of the forest breaking the stillness. Kael sat in the back of the cart, eyes scanning the surroundings as he processed the information he had gathered at the outpost.

The tension is there, he thought. The supply shortages, the resentment toward the guild's leadership, the complaints about the nobles hoarding resources—all were cracks in the guild's foundation, just waiting for the right pressure to fracture further.

Gregor steered the cart in silence, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. Kael watched him from the corner of his eye, noting the man's rigid posture. Gregor wasn't just a simple supply runner; he was an observer, a foot soldier in the guild's operations. If Gregor could be convinced to see things differently—or at least made uncertain—it could ripple through the lower ranks of the guild.

He needed to plant more seeds, subtly. He didn't have to push hard; he only needed to let doubt grow naturally. Clearing his throat, Kael decided to test the waters.

"It was... surprising to hear how low on supplies the outpost was," Kael said hesitantly, his voice laced with the right amount of uncertainty. "I thought the guild would have more to spare, given how important the outposts are."

Gregor grunted, his grip tightening on the reins. "Important or not, it's the way things are," he replied tersely. "Resources go where the guild sees fit."

Kael nodded, casting his gaze downward. "I suppose that makes sense. It's just... it's hard for the people out there. They're putting their lives on the line every day, and yet..."

Gregor sighed, cutting him off. "Listen, kid, I get it. Everyone out here knows it's not fair. But you start questioning the guild's methods, and you'll only get yourself into trouble. They keep things the way they do for a reason."

Kael looked up, his eyes wide with feigned innocence. "You think so? I mean, do you really think it's about protecting the guild, or is it more about keeping control?"

Gregor didn't respond right away, his jaw clenching as he navigated a bend in the road. For a long moment, the only sound was the creaking of the cart and the rustle of the forest. Kael could sense the conflict brewing in Gregor's mind—a small fracture in his loyalty, one that could widen with the right pressure.

"You ask too many questions," Gregor finally muttered, though his voice lacked the conviction of before. "The guild's leadership does what it thinks is best. We just follow orders and try to survive."

Kael nodded again, as if accepting the answer, but he knew he had planted a thought in Gregor's mind—a doubt that would linger and fester. He didn't need to push further right now; it was enough that Gregor had started to question things, even if subconsciously.

They continued in silence until the forest opened up into a wider road, where the trees thinned out to reveal the rolling hills leading toward Valens. Kael noticed movement ahead—another group of adventurers making their way down the road, their gear dusty and travel-worn. As they drew closer, he recognized the group from the guild: a mix of bronze and low-silver ranks, led by a stern-looking woman with short, cropped hair and a scar running across her cheek.

Gregor pulled the cart to a stop as the group approached. The woman raised a hand in greeting. "Gregor," she called, her tone brisk. "You're running supplies back to Valens?"

"That's right," Gregor replied. "And you, Marla? Finished your patrol already?"

Marla nodded, glancing over at Kael with a slight frown. "Encountered a pack of wolves near the river. Took care of it, but we need to report it to the guild. The wildlife's getting more aggressive lately."

Kael watched the exchange, keeping his expression neutral but alert. Marla was sharp, and from the way the others deferred to her, it was clear she held some authority within the group. He needed to be cautious around her, but this was also an opportunity to listen and learn.

"Who's the newbie?" Marla asked, jerking her chin toward Kael.

"Name's Kael," he answered before Gregor could. He mustered a sheepish smile. "First mission. Just helping out with the supplies."

Marla grunted, eyes narrowing as she assessed him. "You're lucky you got an easy one. The roads are getting dangerous, especially with the guild stretched so thin."

Kael nodded, affecting an air of naivety. "That's what I heard. It seems like there's a lot going on lately—bandits, wildlife, and the outposts running low on supplies."

He caught the flicker of irritation in Marla's eyes and pressed on, feigning concern. "It must be hard for everyone out here, especially with the guild trying to keep everything under control from Valens."

Marla crossed her arms, her gaze hardening. "It's not our place to question the guild's decisions. We follow orders, and we do our part to keep things safe. That's how it's always been."

Kael nodded quickly. "Of course, I didn't mean to imply otherwise. I just... it's worrying, you know? I've heard some of the other adventurers talking about the shortages and how the nobles control most of the resources. It's just... well, I don't really understand how it all works."

Marla's eyes flickered, a brief flash of annoyance before she suppressed it. "You're new, so I'll let that slide," she said sharply. "But let me give you some advice: don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong. The guild has its way of doing things, and questioning it openly will only make enemies."

Kael dipped his head, acting chastised. "You're right," he murmured. "I'm sorry, I just... it's all new to me. I didn't mean to offend."

Marla relaxed slightly, though her eyes remained cold. "Just keep your head down and focus on surviving. That's all you need to worry about."

Kael nodded, and the conversation shifted as Marla exchanged a few more words with Gregor about their respective routes and recent encounters. As the two groups parted ways, Kael allowed himself a small, inward smile. He had learned a great deal from that brief interaction.

Marla is wary of the nobles' control, he thought. And she's keen on maintaining the guild's status quo. But the irritation in her voice reveals more than she intends. She was a soldier of the guild's system, yet she, like Gregor, harbored doubts. Those doubts would grow as conditions worsened, giving him the leverage he needed.

The cart resumed its journey, the city of Valens growing larger on the horizon as they approached. Kael leaned back, his eyes fixed on the distant city walls. He had stirred the waters, planted seeds of dissent in both Gregor and Marla. Now, he would wait and watch as those seeds took root in the fertile soil of the guild's tensions.

[Contract Progress: 85% - Seeds of Doubt Planted]

The System's whisper was almost a comfort, a reminder of his progress. The disorder he needed to create was forming piece by piece, as each doubt, each conversation, and each complaint built upon the last.

"Keep going," Kael murmured under his breath. "Let them start to question. Let them grow uneasy."

Gregor glanced back at him, frowning. "What did you say?"

Kael blinked, feigning surprise. "Oh, nothing. Just... thinking about the outpost and what you said earlier. I'll keep my head down, like you advised."

Gregor grunted, turning his attention back to the road. "Smart move," he muttered. "This world doesn't tolerate fools."

Kael nodded, though inside, he was far from cowed. This world doesn't tolerate fools, he thought. But it also underestimates the clever.

As the cart crested the final hill, Valens sprawled out before them, its towers and walls gleaming in the fading light. The city was vast and complex, a place where power shifted in subtle, unpredictable ways. Kael intended to master those ways, to turn every weakness into an advantage until the guild itself bent to his will.

For now, he would return to the guildhall, deliver the supplies, and continue his quiet observation. The tension was building, and soon it would reach a point where he could push it over the edge. When that moment came, he would be ready.

[Contract Progress: 90% - Awaiting the Final Push]

The System's whisper was like a drumbeat in his mind, driving him forward. Just a little more, he thought. Just a few more moves, and the chaos will begin.

He kept his eyes on Valens as they descended toward the city's gates, the path ahead clear and shadowed with possibilities. "Yes," he murmured softly to himself. "The game is just beginning."