Refusing to take Morfran's hand that was hanging above his head, Monk slammed his fist on the floor. He was frustrated, after all those years of work, and still he couldn't touch Morfran even when it came to just swordsmanship. It also seemed like the rumours were true, Morfran was never good at using the sword, he had gotten his Elder seat in Avrion through other means. They were also rumours of him being incredibly weak.

  So why, why did Monk lose? What changed Morfran? The curiosity was starting to fill Monk's mind, but still he couldn't accept his hand, and instead lifted himself off the ground, and started to walk away, holding his chest to the counter of the bar.

  With that Morfran decided to leave it for now, and from there a few days had passed. In the next few days, Monk continued to come to the inn, as he passed the trials he was able to sleep there and was given a set amount of coins each day. This was more than enough for him to buy food and even save up little by little if he wanted to do more.

  He continued to watch as people came day after day to the special Inn. And he continued to hang around the sword User, which he later found out was Zane, and the spear user who was called Pery. Morfran also stayed in the Inn watching each fight that day, and would constantly look over at Monk once in a while……

  Truthfully, Monk hadn't made up his mind about what he would do. It didn't seem like Morfran cared if he joined the Dark guild or not, but Monk himself was starting to worry.

  If he was to join would his views slowly start to change into how Morfran and the others felt. Or could he use this to find out about the Dark guild and the person behind this all? A way for them to win the war.

  After the tryouts were complete for the day, Monk and Zane would then do tasks given by the Dark guild. This included delivering food to those that were hungry in the town. The participants who failed and those that just look like they needed it. What surprised Monk about this was when doing these selfless deeds not once was the Dark guilds name mentioned.

  Several guilds did these types of things from time to time, but they would always make sure everyone knew where this was coming from. It was a way to build reputation and allowed people to think good of a guild. Even the Redwing army was told to do this by Sylvia. As their reputation was bad and needed to be quickly improved.

  As they dropped off a box of goods at another house Monk had to ask the others.

  "How do people find out about this trial place? It's not like it's advertised. If it was, I'm sure Alure would try to get rid of it." Monk said. "How do you keep the ones that don't get selected a secret?"

  "We do nothing." Zane replied. "I don't know when it started, but I guess people just knew what Morfran was doing. I heard this was most likely how the Dark guild had started in the first place. At first there were many like you, they would just come here, unknowingly to find out later a man was paying good coin for those that joined his guild."

  "Back then there wasn't a name for it, and they respected the leader and continued to work for him. This spread further and further. However, they started to get a bad name for themselves. There were some in the guild that were known as ex-criminals, some even as far as murdered, and in turn this caused the bad reputation. Still, nothing has changed. People find their way here learning from others, it's as if someone can sense their own kind."

  "And even those that don't succeed in joining are grateful for the help. At this time i'm sure they know it's crazy to mention the Dark guild. Everyone knows our reputation. If someone saved your life, or gave you food when you were starving, would you put them in that sort of trouble? Things just continued the way it is and we haven't had any bad thing happen to us since."

  The more time Monk spent with Zane and Pery, the more he felt like they were normal people. 'Is it all a trick, maybe some type of brainwashing. They do all these nice acts to those that need it, help. Make people think that everything they are doing is good. Then when Morfran gives them a job to do, he can spin the story how he likes. Telling them once again this is for a good cause.'

  'After they've done so many good deeds, and helped so many people's lives they think, it has to be for a good cause right? They have only one good so far.' Right now, this was the most plausible explanation Monk could come up with because it just all wasn't making any sense to him.

  "Have you two ever killed?" Monk asked.

  "Morfran has never asked us to, he always allows us to do as we wish. But he has looked after us for so long, that we wish to one day return the favour. If he asks us to kill, for the sake of the Guilds doings, then I believe I would do so." Zane replied and Pery next to him agreed.

  ??Looks like my line of thinking was spot on.' But looking at the two innocent people in front of him. Monk didn't want them to turn into cold-blooded murders who had been brainwashed. Perhaps he too could have been in their position and easily been influenced just like them. Monk wanted to help them and the many more……

  The next day Monk had gone back to the Inn early in the morning and approached Morfran at the counter.

  "I want to join the Dark guild." Monk said.

  For a brief second, he looked at Monk up and down.

  "If you want to join, all knights from Avrion must do something." He replied. "Go back and tell them, you're leaving for good."

  *****

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