Thieves Guild One

Generally, thieves wouldn't target someone dressed like Rhode.

Thieves usually go after people who are obviously careless or portly merchants. A spellcaster's attire like Rhode's often deters thieves from even attempting a robbery.

Yet, there was a thief who tried to steal from Rhode. This wasn't just a simple theft; it was a probing test from one of the city's factions. Depending on Rhode's reaction to this test, there would be different consequences.

Rhode stood still, making no move, watching the thief's body lean towards him as if waiting for the thief's hand to reach into his pocket.

Seeing his target make no move, the thief rejoiced inwardly. He hadn't wanted to take on this mission to test the target. In previous testing missions, a single misstep could offend the target. But this target didn't seem like much. Despite being dressed as a spellcaster, he was unprepared for this. The moment the thief bumped into him, he could snatch whatever valuables the man had.

Thinking that any items obtained from the test would be his, the thief quickened his movements. This person in front of him was likely an inexperienced spellcaster. If he succeeded, the magical items on him could fetch a high price.

Suddenly, an instinct honed by years of thievery made the thief sense something. He tried to pull his hand back, but it was too late.

To his horror, the thief saw a clawed hand shoot out from the side, moving far faster than his own attempt to retract.

The clawed hand accurately grasped the thief's hand. As the thief prepared to resist, a sharp pain shot through him, and half of his palm fell to the ground.

For a moment, pain overwhelmed the thief's consciousness. His face contorted in fear, realizing he had picked a fight with a tough opponent during this test.

Blood dripped onto the ground. The thief tried to flee backward, but as soon as he moved, he realized the spellcaster in front of him hadn't made a move.

From the moment the thief leaned towards Rhode, Rhode had done nothing but watch. The disabling of the thief's hand was merely a swift claw strike from the vampire beside him.

An intense premonition of death told the thief that if he tried to escape, the spellcaster before him would unleash a spell and kill him.

Suppressing his fear and pain, the thief immediately knelt on the ground. He dared not look up at the black-robed spellcaster, quickly listing a series of reasons and begging for mercy.

Rhode didn't make things difficult for him and directly asked, "Where is the Thieves Guild in this city?"

The thief quietly told Rhode the direction. Rhode then asked, "Where is the Free Professional Merchants Guild?"

After receiving the answers from the thief, Rhode paid him no further attention. Rhode walked past the kneeling thief, simultaneously controlling the vampire through a Mental Mark, suppressing its bloodlust, and heading in the direction the thief had indicated for the Thieves Guild.

The thief kneeling on the ground was filled with regret. Even if he could stop the bleeding, he had lost the hand he was most skilled with, effectively ending his career as a thief.

As Rhode moved forward, he clearly felt the change in the surrounding gazes.

As soon as he entered the city, Rhode had sensed eyes watching him, trying to ascertain his origin, purpose... and strength.

Perhaps due to the negative stigma associated with being a Necromancer, Rhode didn't believe every newcomer to the city was subjected to such tests.

During the thief's attempted theft, the vampire had disabled the thief's hand in a single strike. This brutal efficiency and formidable strength undoubtedly intimidated the lurking observers. Furthermore, Rhode himself hadn't made a move during the entire process, displaying unfathomable power that marked Rhode and his companion as dangerous to those who had been watching.

Rhode didn't ask the thief which faction had arranged the test. Whether it was the various powers within the city or the Thieves Guild itself, it didn't matter to Rhode. He clearly had no intention of wasting energy on such matters, as he had more important objectives.

Leading the vampire, Rhode arrived at the entrance of a building following the direction indicated by the thief.

Rhode looked inside the building. The interior was dimly lit, with only a few oil lamps providing illumination, yet it was still brighter than the Crypt Rhode had been in previously.

Despite the many people inside, the atmosphere was silent, with even conversations held in hushed tones. Under the lamplight, shadows flickered, lending the building a peculiar sense of ceremony.

Seeing the scene inside, Rhode knew the thief hadn't lied to save his life. This was the place he needed to go: the Thieves Guild.

As soon as Rhode entered, an attendant dressed in black robes stepped forward to inquire about his business.

Similar to obtaining information, unlike noisy places like taverns, the Thieves Guild treated information as a commodity. Both selling and acquiring information had dedicated areas for such transactions.

Rhode informed the attendant of his intention to inquire about some news. The attendant quietly told Rhode to follow him and led them further inside.

Under the attendant's guidance, Rhode and the vampire passed through the Thieves Guild's main hall and arrived at the door of a room.

The attendant knocked twice on the door before opening it, and Rhode and the vampire entered.

Rhode looked into the room. It was a soundproofed private chamber used for inquiries. A long table was placed inside. The light source in the chamber came from candelabras placed at both ends of the table, illuminating the items on it.

Under the candlelight, Rhode saw that a quill was placed at each end of the table, with a piece of parchment in the center.

An old man sat at the far end of the table, also dressed in a hooded robe. A black mask concealed his face, leaving only his eye sockets visible, framed by deep wrinkles. His wrinkled hands rested on the tabletop, gesturing towards Rhode to indicate he was unarmed, and he watched Rhode quietly.

Rhode understood that based on his knowledge of the Thieves Guild from his past life, this was the highest level of private chamber inquiry available in this town's Thieves Guild.

Rhode guessed that the news of his confrontation with the thief must have reached the Thieves Guild, hence the highest level of reception he was receiving now.

Perhaps that initial test had been arranged by the Thieves Guild.

Without dwelling on these thoughts, Rhode sat down on a chair in front of the table, while the vampire stood beside him.

The old man opposite raised one of his hands from the table, signaling Rhode to write his questions on the paper.