(Attendance… plz…)
….
"Huh?!"
The young man blinked, his one visible eye widening as he stared at the tall blonde woman in front of him. She was leaning too close to him... uncomfortably close.
The smell of cold metal and something floral yet sharp filled his nose. Her grin was wide, like she had found something interesting but hadn't decided whether to play with it or break it yet. And her eyes were slitted like a cat that had caught a mouse.
The young man stammered, his face turning red under his messy bangs. He clutched the strap of his bag tighter for some kind of support.
"I... I didn't mean..." he stuttered. "I... I just... the door. It was an… an accident."
But it seemed the leather strap was ineffective in giving him courage.
The young woman giggled, enjoying the moment. The sound was raspy and low, vibrating in her throat. She tapped the flat of her stiletto dagger against her own palm, and then playfully tapped the handle against the young man's cheek.
"So... cute," she purred. "So innocent."
She straightened up, twirling the dagger effortlessly between her fingers. "Well, watch where you are going, little pretty boy. The world is full of sharp things, you know."
She winked at him, a gesture that felt less friendly and more like a warning disguised as flirtation. Then she spun on her heel, skipping away from him and humming a strange, disjointed tune as she disappeared into the night.
The young man stood there for a moment, looking at the retreating back of the strange lady. He let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He shook his head, physically shaking the encounter out of his mind. There was only one woman for him, and only one... he wouldn't even think about another.
Returning to his senses, he pushed the door of the Guild building and entered. He had more important things to do than be terrified or attracted by strange women.
The Guild hall, even though it was evening, was still bustling with members even though only few. He was here for adventurers, but not just any, he was here for those that had just returned.
He was looking for a specific man. Just as he was wondering how he would find him in the crowd, his worries proved to be of no use to begin with.
No one would miss that guy even in a crowd.
'There,' he thought. He spotted him instantly.
It was kind of hard not to spot him even if he didn't want to. A giant man clad in black shiny armor with gold plating on the edges and two massive swords on his back.
'He was the one, huh,' he thought.
But Momon wasn't alone for him to just approach. There were others, six other adventurers, though one didn't even look like one, and no one would even know if not for the Silver Rank plate around his neck.
The young man recognized Reinhard instantly. It would have been somewhat abnormal if he hadn't. He had heard the rumors. And even if he hadn't, all kinds of customers that came into his and his grandmother's store would have made them know of the rumors.
The young man smiled as a thought struck him.
'Actually, this is perfect. I need to hire that man named Momon. But if I suddenly just hire an unknown party with just Copper Plates for an escort mission, it will look suspicious. But if I hire that rumored party instead and just invite them as an extra support... haha, kind of a perfect plan if I say so myself. Am I lucky or what today?!'
He adjusted his bag, took a deep breath, and walked towards the group.
….
The group was just finishing their goodbyes when an unknown young boy approached them from behind.
"Excuse me."
The young boy said his voice suddenly became somewhat softer, but clear enough to have their attention immediately.
Reinhard, Felt, Momon, and Nabe turned back to look at the young boy who called out, while Peter and his team were already facing that direction. Peter and his team instantly recognized the boy.
"Nfirea Bareare?" Peter said, recognizing him immediately. He didn't know why the famous apothecary was here, so he was just surprised.
Momon, seeing this reaction, just thought maybe it was one of their acquaintances.
Nfirea nodded politely to Peter and the others, then turned his gaze to the Reinhard and Felt group.
"I apologize for interrupting," Nfirea said. "I couldn't help but see you all here, especially you two."
He nodded to Reinhard and Felt. He then continued, "I'm looking to hire adventurers for an urgent job."
Felt raised an eyebrow as she looked the boy up and down, messy hair, eyes hidden. "A job?! We just came from finishing one. We are kinda done for the day."
Nfirea, thinking she misunderstood when he said "urgent," corrected himself quickly. "No, no, not now. It's for tomorrow."
He clarified himself quickly. "I need an escort party to Carne Village and the surrounding forest to harvest rare herbs. Given the recent rumors of yours, I was looking for you especially. The party I hired had recently moved from E-Rantel, so I was in need of another party."
Momon's internal non-existent ears perked up. 'Carne Village,' he thought.
Nfirea said again, "As you know, there is always danger of monsters inside the forest, so one can never be too careful. So I would like to hire you two too. With a good pay, of course."
Felt's expression softened at the mention of money. "Well, okay, as long as you pay up good. See, Reinhard, told you. Good rumors bring us business."
Felt grinned as Reinhard nodded. "As expected of you, Lady Felt. I didn't doubt you to begin with." He praised her more to lift her spirits.
Nfirea, happy they accepted, then turned his head to the Momon and Nabe party. He continued, "And I would also like to extend the offer to your party too, Sir Momon."
Momon was somewhat surprised as he looked down at the boy saying he was hiring them too.
'Why us?!' Momon thought. 'I don't think I have made any rumors yet. We dispersed before Peter and others could say something about us in the Guild. I really understand Reinhard and Felt being hired. But why us exactly?'
Momon shook his head slightly. "I appreciate the offer," his deep voice rumbled. He continued, "But we have other plans for tomorrow. We intend to focus... on ranking up."
….
A/N: ahhh… nothing to say other than don't forget to comment and send power stones.
And 1 more chapter coming.
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