Thorn strode through the polished corridors of City Hall, the familiar scent of polished wood and the faint hum of conversation surrounding him. He had been summoned by the higher-ups, and the weight of their expectations hung heavily in the air. After the mission's complications, he knew he would face scrutiny regarding both the Guild's actions and the circumstances surrounding Ken's disappearance.

As he entered the office of the City Hall's leadership, Thorn was met with a mix of stern faces and concerned expressions. The room was adorned with maps and reports, evidence of the constant vigilance the City Hall maintained over the district. He took a seat at the long conference table, ready to hear what they had to say.

"Thorn," began Director Hargrove, a stern man with greying hair and sharp features. "We need to discuss the recent events at the Blackstone Mines and the implications for our operations."

Thorn nodded, bracing himself. "I understand, Director. The situation escalated quickly, and we were unprepared for the Black Sun's involvement."

Hargrove leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "Unprepared? You're telling me that a known criminal organization could operate so freely, and we didn't see it coming? What were you and your team doing while they kidnapped Ken and now potentially Sakura?"

"We were focused on the mission objectives, sir," Thorn replied, trying to keep his voice steady. "We believed the threat was contained to the dungeon itself. We had no reason to suspect an external group would intervene."

The tension in the room thickened as other officials exchanged glances. Thorn could feel the weight of their disapproval. Their trust in him was on shaky ground, and he needed to regain it.

"Enough," Hargrove said, cutting through the murmurs. "We need to take action. I want you to provide a full report on Ken's activities leading up to his disappearance. Retrace his steps while he was still in our ranks."

Thorn nodded, determination igniting within him. "I'll get started right away."

After the meeting, Thorn made his way to the infirmary, where some of his comrades were recovering from the mission. The sterile scent of antiseptic filled the air as he entered, and he was greeted by the sight of familiar faces, weary but alive.

"Thorn!" called out Miko, a fellow officer, her voice filled with relief. "You made it back. We were worried about you."

"Just barely," Thorn replied, offering a small smile. "How are you all holding up?"

"Better now that you're here," said another comrade, Riku, who was wrapped in bandages but grinning nonetheless. "We heard about the Guild's involvement. Quite the mess, huh?"

"Yeah, it's a chaotic situation," Thorn admitted, his heart heavy with the knowledge of Ken's fate. "But we'll sort it out. I need to find out what happened to Ken before it's too late."

After checking on his comrades and exchanging some reassuring words, Thorn headed to the archives. The room was lined with shelves filled with records and profiles of every officer who had served at City Hall. He found Ken's file, the familiar green cover standing out among the rest.

Thorn opened the folder, his heart sinking as he read through the familiar notes and reports. Ken had been a dedicated officer, known for his relentless pursuit of justice and his ability to gather intelligence on threats to the district. He had been a rising star, someone who had the potential to make a significant impact on the organization.

As Thorn flipped through the pages, he came across a note detailing Ken's investigations into the Black Sun. There were mentions of suspicious activities and connections that had been drawn but never fully confirmed. It appeared Ken had been onto something long before Thorn's team had ventured into the mines.

"Damn it, Ken," Thorn whispered to himself, frustration boiling over. "What were you trying to uncover?"

He spent hours retracing Ken's steps, piecing together the last few months of his comrade's life. The more he uncovered, the more he realized how close Ken had been to exposing something far larger than they had anticipated. It was clear that Ken's disappearance was no accident; it was part of a larger scheme orchestrated by the Black Sun.

As night fell outside, Thorn closed the file, a determined resolve settling over him. He would not let Ken's sacrifice go in vain. He would find out what had happened, and he would ensure that the Guild and City Hall worked together to dismantle the threat posed by the Black Sun.

With a final glance at Ken's profile, Thorn gathered the information he had compiled and prepared to report back to the higher-ups. There was still much to do, and he wouldn't rest until he had answers. The shadows of the past were closing in, but Thorn was ready to face them head-on.