"Looks like my work here is done," Boros muttered, rolling his neck as he stepped over Davis's lifeless body.
He stopped.
Slowly, he turned back, eyes settling on the corpse. A crooked grin tugged at his lips.
"...I just had a lovely idea."
...
The inn door creaked open as Boros stepped inside, exhaling heavily.
"I'm back."
"S-Shiro-!" Kinuko gasped. Her voice cracked as she rushed toward him. "You're covered in blood... this-this is why I begged you not to go!" Tears welled up, spilling freely.
He approached her without urgency, leaned down, and whispered softly,
"It's not my blood."
Then he straightened.
"I'm taking a shower. You should get some sleep."
As he turned away, he paused, glancing back over his shoulder.
"You were waiting for me, weren't you? That's why you haven't slept."
Before she could respond, he pulled her gently against his chest.
"Don't worry," he murmured. "I'm here now."
...
"Ugh... where am I...?"
Akeno groaned as she slowly sat up, her head pounding.
"Yo. Look who finally decided to wake up," Boros said, seated at the edge of the bed, not bothering to turn around.
Soft sniffling came from the corner of the room.
Akeno looked up to see Kinuko watching her, eyes red and glossy.
"Kinuko...?" Akeno blinked. "Why are you crying?"
"Idiot," Kinuko whispered before rushing forward and wrapping her arms around her. "I was scared. I thought you weren't gonna wake up."
Akeno stiffened suddenly and grabbed her arm.
"My arm-!"
"Relax," Boros said calmly. "Sage Healing. You're fine."
Silence filled the room.
After a moment, Akeno slid off the bed and gently wrapped her arms around Boros from behind.
"I'm sorry I didn't listen," she said quietly. "And... thank you. I really thought I was going to die."
He reached up and rested a hand on her head, patting it lightly.
"If you're ever in trouble," he said, "just call me. I'll come save you."
Her cheeks flushed.
"...Thank you."
Then she hesitated.
"Back home, we were taught that there's a healing art capable of reattaching limbs," she said slowly. "That's why I grabbed my arm when I ran. I didn't know you could use Sage Healing, Shiro."
Kinuko's expression sharpened slightly.
'That's right...'
'I was panicking last night-I didn't even think about it.
But the ancient texts did say other clans could use similar techniques...'
'Still... I don't want to call it a coincidence.'
"Well," Boros said evenly, "I learned it a while ago."
'Other clans, then,' Kinuko concluded.
"Sage Healing can do far more than reattach limbs," Boros continued. "It all depends on how deeply you're connected to Nexus-and how well you understand it."
"Nexus is the energy flowing through everything," he said.
"Without it, this planet wouldn't even exist. It's in the trees, the air, every living and non-living thing."
He paused, then added with a faint smile, "That's the simple explanation."
He glanced toward Akeno.
"You following?"
Silence.
"...Akeno?" he asked again, one eye twitching open.
Kinuko thumbed toward the door. "She bailed the moment you went full professor."
Boros stared blankly for a second.
"That girl..."
Kinuko sighed. "I'll go bring her ba-"
Before she could move, Boros caught her wrist and pulled her into a sudden embrace.
"I'll protect you too," he said quietly.
Kinuko froze-then her body trembled as tears spilled over.
"I'm sorry about last night," he murmured, holding her tighter.
"You were worried... and I brushed it off. I didn't think about how you felt."
"It's okay," she said through tears. "You apologized. That's enough for me."
She hugged him back, clinging to his warmth.
"I'll protect both you and Akeno," Boros whispered.
"Come on," Boros said, resting his hands lightly on Kinuko's shoulders.
"Let's head downstairs. Akeno's waiting."
"Alright, Shiro," Kinuko replied, cheeks warming as she clasped his hands with a small smile.
...
"There you are, Akeno," Boros called out. "Not cool to disappear mid-conversation, you know."
"You were talking to me?" Akeno raised a brow, a lazy smirk tugging at her lips.
"You literally asked ME the question, dumbass!" Boros snapped, stepping forward until they were nearly forehead to forehead.
...
Moments later, the three of them settled into the reception lounge.
The playful tension faded as the conversation shifted toward planning.
"Hmph..." Boros exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck.
"That tournament was a complete bust. Total waste of time."
"Yeah," Kinuko muttered. "At this rate, we'll never find him."
"Find?" Akeno tilted her head. "Find who?"
Boros stared at her like she'd grown a second head.
"Find who? Seriously?" he said slowly. "You already forgot why we came to the Western Cardinal?"
Kinuko nudged her elbow. "Come on, Akeno. Think. Just a little."
Akeno squinted, a vein twitching on her forehead.
"Uhhh..." she muttered. "We're looking for... a long-lost cousin?"
Boros snapped.
"Cousin?! I'm done with you!" He grabbed her by the collar and shook her like a soda bottle.
"Kinuko. Please. Save us."
"We came here to find the Fire Longinus user," Kinuko said quickly, forcing an awkward smile.
"There," Boros said, still holding Akeno. "You hear that? Not a cousin. The Fire Longinus user."
Akeno blinked.
"Sooo... still a distant cousin?"
Boros released her with a sharp glare.
"Whatever rows your boat, Akeno. Whatever rows your damn boat."
He sighed. "Any new leads?"
"Nope," Kinuko and Akeno answered in unison.
Boros groaned, rubbing his neck.
"Great. So what now?"
"Well," Kinuko said slowly, "we're gonna need money-for clothes, the inn, supplies..."
"And we can't have someone constantly 'borrowing' from strangers," Boros added, shooting Akeno a pointed look.
Silence.
Then Akeno perked up.
"Okay, hear me out," she said. "What if we joined a guild?"
"A guild?" Boros raised a brow. "What's that?"
"It's basically an organization that manages adventurers, quests, bounties and other stuff like that. It's a place where adventurers sign up to take jobs like fighting monsters, finding items or protecting people." Kinuko explained.
"So," Boros said, "a job board with perks?"
"Exactly, it helps connect people who need help with those who can do the work, Guilds also give rewards, ranking and sometimes a place to stay."
"So it'll help with our cash problems and sharpen our fighting skills," Boros said, nodding. "But I still don't see how that helps us find him." He glanced at Akeno.
Akeno crossed her arms, smirking.
"Think about it. Registered adventurers can take quests all over the map. No sneaking through Cardinal borders like before. We travel legally-and get paid for it."
"She's got a point," Kinuko chimed in. "Adventurers are pretty much the only ones who can cross between the Cardinals without raising suspicion. And if we get into a high ranking guild and take on big jobs, we'll have the freedom and gold to go wherever we need. It's a win-win."
Boros nodded slowly.
"I get it," Boros said, nodding. "It's like killing two birds with one stone, we get paid, get to move freely, and if we're always travelling the chances are high that we'll find him." He paused, frowning.
"But.... I'm not thrilled about the idea of working under some random people. The thought of another person ordering me around is sickening."
Kinuko chuckled.
"I figured you'd say that. But even though we're using the term 'job' we aren't exactly taking orders from anyone, well lower ranked adventurers might be picked on by higher ranked ones but, that's what happens at any establishment."
"No one's barking orders at us, adventurers pick their own quests. And in most Guilds, the Guildmasters don't bother themselves with the lower ranked ones."
"Yeah... still rubs me the wrong way," Boros muttered, scratching the side of his head.
"Come on, Shiro," Akeno said softly, stepping closer.
"I know you might not like the idea but, this is the best shot we've got at finding him. Just think about it, okay?"
She reached up, resting her fingers against his cheek.
Boros exhaled slowly... then smirked.
"Alright. Alright," he said.
"You win."
He looked between them.
"We're joining a Guild."