Chapter 130: A Man Above His Station

Darkstar Guild Headquarters stood in the heart of Zenith City’s northern commercial district, occupying an enormous complex that had become one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.

The main building rose more than sixty floors above the surrounding streets, its dark glass exterior reflecting the morning sunlight. Several smaller structures surrounded it, including training facilities, administrative offices, equipment workshops, and a medical center reserved primarily for Guild members.

Above the entrance, a massive emblem depicting a black star against a silver background announced the identity of the organization.

Jet examined the headquarters through the window of Adesewa’s vehicle as they approached the security checkpoint.

Darkstar Guild.

Even in his previous life, the name had carried considerable weight throughout Zenith. It was one of the city’s strongest Guilds, possessing thousands of employees, numerous powerful Awakeners, and commercial interests extending across several Regions.

Its Guildmaster was a publicly recognized 5-Star Awakener whose reputation had been established over decades.

Jet knew of the man, although he had never met him personally.

"Captain, how long have you known Darkstar’s Guildmaster?" Jet asked, turning toward Adesewa.

"Almost twenty years," Adesewa answered, checking a message on her communication device. "We worked together during several dangerous operations before he became Guildmaster. He’s someone I trust."

Jet nodded thoughtfully. "Then you believe he’ll help us investigate the attacks?"

"He’ll listen," Adesewa replied. "Whether he can provide anything useful depends on what his people discover. But I wouldn’t have brought you here if I believed approaching him would endanger the others."

Their vehicle passed through the checkpoint after a security officer verified Adesewa’s appointment.

Jet glanced at the personnel stationed around the entrance. Several wore Darkstar’s distinctive black-and-silver uniforms, while others carried equipment commonly issued to professional Raiders.

The complex was impressive, but Jet wasn’t particularly overwhelmed.

He had seen what powerful Guilds could become during the ten years of his previous life.

Some eventually possessed enough military strength to defend entire Regions without outside assistance.

Others had collapsed despite their enormous wealth.

A Guild’s reputation, Jet knew, depended on more than the size of its headquarters.

---

The main reception hall was filled with activity.

Awakeners entered and departed through separate security gates, while administrative personnel handled registration requests, equipment deliveries, and appointments. Several large displays advertised upcoming Dungeon expeditions and Guild recruitment programs.

Adesewa approached the reception counter to confirm their arrival.

Jet remained nearby, examining the public assistance section occupying one side of the hall.

Unlike the restricted administrative offices, this area was open to ordinary civilians seeking assistance with Dungeon-related incidents, missing persons, and complaints involving Guild contractors.

A raised voice attracted his attention.

"Please, I’m not asking for money. I just want someone to tell me whether he’s alive."

An elderly woman stood before one of the assistance counters, clutching a worn handbag. Her clothes were modest, and the exhaustion on her face suggested she hadn’t slept properly.

Behind the counter, a young administrator examined a document with visible impatience.

"Madam, I’ve already explained the procedure," the administrator replied. "Without the assignment reference number, I can’t access the relevant information. You’ll have to return when you have the necessary documents."

The woman tightened her grip on the handbag.

"My grandson left with a transportation escort four days ago," she explained, her voice trembling. "He told me the company worked with Darkstar. He always calls when he finishes an assignment, but I haven’t heard anything from him."

The administrator sighed.

"Then contact his employer," he answered. "We can’t investigate every missing worker who claims to have some connection with the Guild."

Jet frowned.

The administrator wasn’t necessarily wrong about the procedures, but his attitude was unnecessarily dismissive.

The woman clearly didn’t understand how the assignment system worked.

Jet was about to approach when an older man stopped beside the counter.

He appeared to be in his late fifties, with broad shoulders, a sturdy build, and dark hair streaked with silver. His clothing consisted of a simple charcoal shirt and dark trousers, without any visible Guild insignia.

"What’s the problem here?" the man asked, looking between the administrator and the elderly woman.

The administrator barely glanced up.

"An incomplete missing-person inquiry, sir," he replied. "I’ve explained that we require proper documentation."

The older man looked toward the woman.

"May I ask your grandson’s name, madam?" he inquired gently.

She provided the name immediately, followed by the transportation company’s details.

The man listened without interrupting.

When she finished, he turned toward the administrator.

"Have you checked our contractor assignment records?" he asked.

The administrator hesitated.

"Not yet, sir. Without the reference number—"

"Then start with his name and employer," the older man instructed calmly. "If the assignment was connected to Darkstar, there should be a record somewhere."

The administrator finally examined the man properly.

His expression changed.

"Guildmaster!" he exclaimed, immediately rising from his chair.

Several nearby employees turned toward them.

Jet’s eyebrows lifted.

Guildmaster?

He looked again at the casually dressed man.

The older man’s appearance was considerably less imposing than the official portraits displayed throughout Zenith, but Jet recognized him now.

Darkstar’s Guildmaster.

A genuine 5-Star Awakener.

The man appeared entirely unconcerned by the attention.

"Please sit down and check the records," the Guildmaster told the administrator. "The lady has already been waiting long enough."

The administrator hurriedly obeyed.

Within several minutes, he located an assignment involving the woman’s grandson. The young man had joined a licensed transportation escort traveling between Zenith and a neighboring Region.

However, the escort had failed to submit its scheduled arrival confirmation.

The elderly woman’s face turned pale.

"Does that mean something happened to him?" she asked.

"We don’t know yet," the Guildmaster answered, his voice reassuring without making promises. "But now we have the assignment details, we can contact the escort company and determine what happened."

He turned toward another employee.

"Contact the operations department and request an immediate status check," he instructed. "I want someone to follow this matter until we receive an answer."

The employee nodded and hurried away.

The Guildmaster then gestured toward the nearby seating area.

"Please have a seat, madam," he told the woman. "Someone will bring you water, and we’ll update you as soon as we have reliable information."

The woman bowed repeatedly.

"Thank you, sir. Thank you so much."

The Guildmaster gently raised a hand.

"There’s no need for that," he replied. "You came here asking for help. The least we can do is listen."

Jet watched the exchange silently.

He had encountered countless powerful individuals who treated ordinary people as inconveniences.

Yet this man, who commanded one of Zenith’s most influential Guilds, had personally spent several minutes helping an elderly woman whose problem most administrators would have dismissed.

It was a small gesture.

Perhaps that was precisely why Jet found it meaningful.

---

"Still getting involved in reception complaints, I see."

Adesewa’s familiar voice came from behind Jet.

The Guildmaster turned, and a broad smile spread across his face.

"Adesewa!" he greeted warmly. "It’s been too long."

He approached her and extended his hand.

Adesewa accepted it with a faint smile.

"You’re looking well," she remarked. "Although I expected to find you buried beneath paperwork."

"I escaped my office before anyone noticed," the Guildmaster replied with a chuckle. "Unfortunately, you’ve caught me."

His attention shifted toward Jet. "And who’s this young man?"

"Jet Saint-Clair," Adesewa introduced. "He’s the young Awakener I mentioned during our conversation."

The Guildmaster extended his hand.

"Pleasure to meet you, Jet," he said. "Adesewa doesn’t usually bring young people to see me unless there’s something worth discussing."

Jet shook his hand.

"The pleasure is mine, Guildmaster," he replied respectfully.

The older man’s handshake was firm but measured.

Jet felt no overwhelming pressure or deliberate display of strength.

Despite possessing the power of a 5-Star Awakener, the Guildmaster seemed perfectly comfortable treating him like an ordinary visitor.

"Come along," the man invited. "We can talk somewhere quieter."

He led them toward a private elevator reserved for senior Guild personnel.

---

The Guildmaster’s office occupied one of the headquarters’ upper floors, overlooking a considerable portion of Zenith City.

Despite its impressive location, the room was surprisingly practical. Bookshelves lined one wall, several framed photographs occupied another, and a large desk stood near the windows.

The Guildmaster invited them to sit before requesting refreshments.

Adesewa wasted little time explaining the reason for their visit.

She described the recent attacks involving unidentified Awakeners, the suspicious industrial compound, and the companies whose ownership records extended across several Regions.

However, she deliberately avoided mentioning the Palladium Tree, the fruits, or the expedition’s confidential details.

The Guildmaster listened carefully.

When she finished, his expression had become considerably more serious.

"You’re telling me someone has been coordinating attacks against Awakeners throughout Zenith?" he asked.

"That’s what the evidence suggests," Adesewa confirmed. "Several incidents appear connected, although we haven’t identified the organization responsible." ℴ𝒗ⅇ𝑙.

The Guildmaster frowned.

"I’ve heard about some of the attacks," he admitted. "But the official reports were remarkably vague. I didn’t realize the situation was this serious."

Jet leaned forward.

"That’s one of the things bothering us," he explained. "There were witnesses and considerable destruction, yet the public information barely acknowledges that Awakeners were involved."

The Guildmaster regarded him thoughtfully. "You’re concerned someone might be interfering with the investigation?"

"It’s a possibility," Jet answered. "We don’t know whether the silence is deliberate, but we can’t ignore it."

The older man nodded.

"A sensible distinction," he remarked. "Suspicion is worth investigating, but it shouldn’t become an accusation without evidence."

Adesewa placed several documents on his desk.

"We’re hoping Darkstar might recognize some of these companies," she explained. "Particularly those connected to regional transportation and private security contracts."

The Guildmaster examined the documents.

"I can have trusted personnel review our commercial records," he offered. "If these businesses have dealt with Darkstar, we may be able to identify useful connections."

He looked toward Adesewa. "But I won’t promise access to confidential information belonging to other organizations. Even Guildmasters have limits to what they can legally obtain."

"That’s all I’m asking," Adesewa assured him.

The older man nodded before turning toward Jet.

"Adesewa tells me you survived one of these attacks," he observed. "How are your injuries?"

"Recovering," Jet replied. "I’ve been told to avoid strenuous training for a while."

"Then listen to whoever gave you that advice," the Guildmaster said with a knowing smile. "Young Awakeners have a terrible habit of treating recovery as an inconvenience."

Jet chuckled. "I’ve heard something similar several times this week."

"Then perhaps there’s a reason everyone keeps telling you," the older man replied.

Their conversation continued for some time, eventually moving beyond the investigation.

The Guildmaster asked about Jet’s training, his experience with Dungeons, and what he intended to accomplish as an Awakener.

Jet answered without exaggerating his abilities or revealing anything about his sealed Divine Runes.

The older man seemed particularly interested when Jet explained that protecting his younger sister had become his immediate priority.

"That’s a good reason to become stronger," the Guildmaster remarked. "Just remember that strength becomes dangerous when you forget what you wanted it for."

Jet considered those words carefully.

In his previous life, he had watched powerful Awakeners sacrifice countless lives for personal ambition.

He had no intention of becoming one of them.

---

By the time their meeting concluded, the afternoon sun had begun descending over Zenith.

As Adesewa gathered the documents, the Guildmaster approached Jet.

"Once you’ve recovered, you should visit our training facilities," he suggested. "We have instructors who work with young Awakeners, and I’d be interested in seeing how you’ve developed your abilities."

Jet looked surprised. "You’re inviting me to train here?"

"Why not?" the Guildmaster replied with a smile. "Any young man who earns Adesewa’s confidence is worth getting to know."

Adesewa raised an eyebrow.

"Don’t encourage him too much," she remarked. "He’s already reckless enough."

Jet gave her an offended look.

"Captain, I prefer the term determined," he protested.

The Guildmaster laughed. "Then we’ll see how determined you are once you’re healthy enough to train."

As they descended toward the reception hall, Jet noticed the elderly woman from earlier speaking with a Guild employee.

Her expression had changed considerably.

When she saw the Guildmaster, she hurried toward him.

"Sir, they found my grandson!" she exclaimed, tears gathering in her eyes. "The escort was delayed after encountering Monsters, but everyone survived. He’s on his way back!"

The Guildmaster smiled warmly.

"I’m glad to hear that, madam," he replied. "I hope you’ll both get some proper rest once he returns."

The woman thanked him repeatedly before departing.

Jet watched her leave, then glanced toward the Guildmaster.

For a man who possessed extraordinary strength and commanded thousands of people, he seemed remarkably pleased by something as simple as an ordinary worker returning home safely.

As Jet and Adesewa stepped outside Darkstar Headquarters, he found himself thinking that their visit had accomplished more than securing another source of information.

He had met someone genuinely worth respecting.

And when the Guildmaster’s invitation to return crossed his mind, Jet realized he was already looking forward to their next meeting.