Amon, The lowest tier disciple in the Insanity Sect

When we get upstairs, I see the bandits all tied up and knocked out, like they've been through a very bad day. But before I can pat Astel on the back for doing something useful, he freezes.

"No... it can't be. How could he escape?"

I blink, confused, as he suddenly sits down dramatically, looking like someone just stole his lunch.

Before I can ask what's happening, a random bug buzzes out of nowhere and flies straight into Astel's face—or, uh, body. He shudders for a moment, then lets out a frustrated sigh.

"Tsk. He escaped."

"Who escaped? And why is there a bug involved?" I ask, completely lost.

Astel just waves it off like it's not important. "Don't worry about it. We still have the bandits. Let's take them back to the sect and let the elders figure out who hired them."

"Oh, and the scroll?" I ask, remembering the whole point of this disaster.

Astel smirks, tossing it at me like he's the hero of the day. "Here. Try not to lose it again."

I open it eagerly, expecting at least something useful. Nope. It's completely blank.

I stare at the empty scroll in disbelief. "This... this is a joke, right? Where's the writing? The mystical power? The 'save the world' instructions?"

Astel looks over his shoulder, grinning. "Maybe it's just a really fancy bookmark."

I groan, holding the scroll like it's a personal insult. "What am I supposed to do with this?"

"Don't ask me. You're the one who lost it in the first place."

And with that, Astel marches off.