It was a cold night.
They were camping in a forest not far from Llahala, a small fire crackling quietly between them.
Marcos stood up, brushing dirt from his cloak."We'll go to the nearest village tomorrow and buy supplies," he said calmly.
Liza looked up at him immediately, her brows furrowing."And how exactly are you planning to buy them?" she asked sharply. "We don't have even a single bronze or copper coin. And the things we need—equipment, food, supplies, a ship and weapons for Karoka—will cost at least One thousand and fifty gold coins."
"What?!" Kai shouted, nearly falling backward. "One thousand and fifty?! Are you serious?"He stared at Marcos in disbelief. "So prices really went insane while we were sealed, huh?"
"It's been a thousand years," Marcos replied calmly. "That's expected."
"But we still need supplies," Sara said softly.
"Should we steal them?" Eris asked hesitantly.
"No!"
Liza and Sara shouted at the same time.
Kai looked up at the sky, staring at a distant star. "Yeah… we shouldn't steal. Someone worked hard to earn or make those things."
Marcos walked over and placed a hand on Kai's shoulder. The sisters watched them quietly.
"Then we need a plan," Liza said.
"I agree," Sara nodded.
"I know," Kai said. "We need to find a job that pays a lot. Liza, what's the highest-paying work right now?"
"The Hunter Guild," Liza replied. "If you become a ZS-rank hunter, the rewards are massive."
"ZS?" Kai tilted his head.
"The ranks go ZS, YS, XS, A, B, C, and D. ZS is the highest," Liza explained. "But the quests of ZS level are extremely dangerous."
Kai smirked. "More dangerous than killing a Demon King?"
"No," Liza replied instantly.Then she turned away. He's so annoying…
"Then where's the nearest Hunter Guild?" Kai asked.
"In the village of Redscar. It'll take us two days to get there."
"That's on the way to Sylvara," Sara said quietly.
Kai turned to Liza. "Your village?"
"Yes."
"I think you should visit it," Kai said.
"I'll… think about it," Liza replied.
Silence settled over the camp.
"I'm hungry," Kai suddenly said. "What's for dinner?"
Everyone stared at him.
"What?" Kai frowned.
"Why are you like this?" Marcos sighed.
"We're having duck stew," Eris said.
"Ohhh, I can't wait," Kai grinned.
Eris went to cook, with Sara and Liza helping her.
"Can you be serious for once?" Marcos muttered.
"That's just how I am," Kai replied lazily.
After a while—
"Dinner's ready," Eris announced.
"It smells amazing," Kai said.
They ate together.
"Eris," Kai said seriously, "you're the best chef in the world."
"T-Thank you," Eris smiled.
"We should sleep," Marcos said. "Tomorrow will be a long journey."
They all agreed and rested.
Midnight
Liza woke up and noticed Kai sitting on a stone, staring at the same star as before.
"You're awake," Kai said without looking at her.
"I couldn't sleep," Liza replied.
"You're thinking about your village."
"…Yes."
"Do you not want to visit it again?"
"My father and people died there," Liza said quietly. "Do you think I want to visit it?"
Kai was silent for a moment.
"No," he said. "But you should still go."
"Why?" Liza looked at him.
"To give them a proper funeral."
Liza looked back at the sky. "If I go… I won't be able to stop myself from crying. I don't want my sister to see that."
"I know how that feels," Kai said softly.
The forest was silent.
Then—
"AHHH!" Kai suddenly stretched. "Why are we being so serious?"
Liza stared at him in disbelief.
"We'll go to your village first," Kai said. "That's final."
"Why are you so annoying?" Liza muttered, wiping her tears.He really doesn't know how to act in serious moments…
"Come on," Kai said. "Let's sleep."
The Next Morning
"I've decided," Liza said firmly. "We'll go to Sylvara first, then head to Redscar."
"Alright!" Kai grinned. "Let's move."
They started walking.
"How long until we reach Sylvara?" Eris asked.
"By evening," Liza replied.
Sara looked at her. "Are you sure you're ready?"
"Yes," Liza said, her voice steady. "We'll give our father and our people the funeral they deserve."