"Phantom Rebirth: The Last White Raven’s Path to the Ultimate Assassin"

Chapter 258: A Visit to the Guildmaster

Entering the Guild

The day had drawn to a close, casting a dim twilight over the streets. The once-bustling town now appeared quieter, with only a few stragglers walking through the cobbled paths as the shadows stretched long behind them. Seraphis, dressed in her usual dark attire, walked with a deliberate pace, her mind focused and sharp. The Assassin's Guild was her next destination, and she knew that her visit today would be far from routine.

The building stood before her—a tall, imposing structure that had become a symbol of both power and secrecy. The guild's headquarters towered against the evening sky, its stone exterior marked by age and the weight of history. As she neared the entrance, the faint scent of burning wood mixed with the cool evening air.

She reached for the heavy door handle, the cool metal familiar beneath her fingertips. Pushing the door open with a soft creak, she was greeted with a quiet yet palpable tension. The usual buzz of conversation that filled the guild hall was absent. It was replaced by a thick silence that seemed to hang in the air, as though the room itself was holding its breath. The moment she stepped inside, every head turned toward her, and the whispers began.

Whispers in the Air

The soft murmur of voices started immediately. It wasn’t loud enough to be heard clearly, but it was evident that the members of the guild were talking about her. Some exchanged looks, while others quickly averted their gaze as she passed. There was a certain unease in the air, one that Seraphis recognized instantly. It was the kind of tension that followed someone who had made a mark—good or bad—on the guild.

"Is that Seraphis? The one they say survived the Forest Boar incident?"

"I heard she took on a whole squad of bandits single-handedly..."

"And word is she’s... stronger now. Like she’s more than just an assassin. I don’t know what to think of it."

"She’s coming here, right now, after all that talk about her being a threat..."

Seraphis raised an eyebrow at the hushed comments. So they’ve heard about my recent missions, she thought. Seems my name has started to carry more weight than I intended. But she didn’t let it affect her. This wasn’t the first time she’d been the subject of guild gossip. There was always someone in the guild eager to spread rumors, and today was no different.

She continued walking through the hall, her footsteps echoing through the otherwise quiet space. The guild members seemed to part ways, some stepping back as she moved toward the stairs that would take her to the second floor. Seraphis didn’t let their attention faze her—she had far bigger things on her mind than the idle gossip of her peers. The second floor was where the guildmaster’s office was located, and it was there that she had to go.

Walking Toward the Second Floor

The stairs were made of old wood, creaking slightly under her weight as she ascended. It was a familiar sound, one that she’d grown used to over the years. With each step, the murmur of voices below grew fainter, until it was nothing more than an indistinct hum. She could feel the weight of those whispers following her as she climbed higher, but she remained undeterred.

At the top of the stairs, Seraphis paused for a brief moment, glancing around the second-floor hall. The air was cooler here, with a few lanterns casting soft light on the stone walls. There was a sense of solemnity in the atmosphere—this was the realm of the guild’s leadership, the inner sanctum. No one entered the second floor without purpose, and Seraphis had a clear one in mind.

She moved toward the door at the end of the hallway, a simple but sturdy wooden door that led to the guildmaster’s office. A slight frown tugged at the corners of her mouth as she considered her next move. The guildmaster was a shrewd individual—someone who didn’t easily show his emotions. Seraphis knew that getting anything out of him wouldn’t be easy. She’d have to tread carefully.

A Knock at the Guildmaster’s Door

Seraphis reached out and knocked twice on the door, sharp and deliberate. The sound was loud enough to command attention but not overly harsh. She waited, the quiet reverberating in the hall around her. She didn’t have to wait long. From within the office, the faint sound of shifting papers followed by a calm, authoritative voice called out.

“Enter.”

Without hesitation, Seraphis pushed the door open, stepping inside. The room was dimly lit, the faint glow of lanterns casting long shadows across the furniture. A large, heavy oak desk stood at the far end of the room, behind which sat the guildmaster. His eyes were sharp and calculating, his gaze lifting from the stack of paperwork before him as he regarded her with interest.

The guildmaster, a man who had seen decades of power struggles, assassinations, and betrayal, had a face that betrayed little emotion. His skin was pale, and his dark hair was neatly combed. There was a certain austerity to him, a hardness that matched the nature of the guild he led. However, there was also a slight gleam in his eyes, a sign that he was always assessing, always watching.

“Seraphis,” he greeted her, his voice smooth and deep. “I wasn’t expecting you today. What brings you to my office?”

The Conversation Begins

Seraphis closed the door softly behind her, her eyes fixed on the guildmaster. She stood tall, her posture confident, but there was a coldness to her gaze—an intensity that betrayed her calm exterior.

“I’ve come to talk,” she replied, her voice steady. “There are things I need to discuss. Things that I think you should know.”

The guildmaster raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but not surprised. He had seen Seraphis rise quickly through the ranks of the guild, and he knew that her ambitions weren’t as simple as most others. Her recent accomplishments had stirred whispers, but he had yet to fully assess what she truly wanted from the guild.

“The rumors of your recent mission are all over the guild,” the guildmaster said, leaning back in his chair. “You’ve been making waves, Seraphis. Some are calling you a force to be reckoned with.”

Seraphis didn’t flinch. “I’m just doing what I’ve always done,” she said, her voice flat. “But now, things are changing. And I need to understand how the guild plans to deal with it.”

The guildmaster’s expression shifted slightly, his eyes narrowing as he regarded her more carefully. “Changing? How so?”

The Rising Tension

Seraphis took a step forward, her eyes never leaving his. “Word on the street is that some of the higher-ups in this guild think it’s time for a change in leadership. I’ve heard whispers about how you’re no longer the only one with influence. My name is being tossed around, and I’m not sure whether to take it as a compliment or a threat.”

A silence fell between them, and the guildmaster’s expression became unreadable. He steepled his fingers in front of his mouth, his gaze fixed on Seraphis. “I see,” he said after a moment. “You’re concerned.”

Seraphis shook her head slightly. “I’m not concerned. I’m... curious. I didn’t come here to ask for power, Guildmaster. I came here to understand what’s going on in your mind. Are you ready to step aside, or do you still have a vision for the future of this guild?”

The guildmaster’s lips curled into a small smile. “You have become quite the player in this game, Seraphis. It seems that you’re already thinking several steps ahead.”

She met his gaze without flinching. “I always do.”

The Guildmaster’s Response

The guildmaster leaned forward slightly, his eyes gleaming with a touch of respect. “It’s true that there are... discussions taking place. Some believe you would make a fine leader, but others are not so certain. Power struggles are inevitable in an organization like this. But whether you rise or not, that’s not my concern. I will guide you, as I have guided others, but the choice will ultimately be yours.”

Seraphis’ expression softened, but only slightly. “I don’t want to lead, Guildmaster,” she said, her tone resolute. “Not yet, anyway. What I want is to understand the future of this guild. To know where I stand in it. I don’t need to be the leader, but I do need to know what role I’ll play.”

The guildmaster regarded her silently for a long moment. Then, he nodded slowly. “Very well. I will provide you with clarity.”

Seraphis didn’t smile, but the weight on her chest lifted slightly. This conversation, it seemed, was just the beginning.

The Next Steps

“As for the guild’s future,” the guildmaster continued, “it’s in flux. There are those who believe a new direction is needed—one that takes us beyond mere contracts and assassination. There are opportunities... but also dangers. Some members may not be ready for change, and some may resist it. But you’re right. We need to decide where we go from here.”

Seraphis listened intently, her mind already processing the implications. Change was coming, and she would need to be prepared for it, whatever form it might take.

“I’ll need your help, Guildmaster,” she said quietly. “But not just for me. For everyone.”

The guildmaster smiled faintly. “Then let’s see where this road takes us.”