Heartlocke City is known as the den of guilds, people gather here to find a group in pursuit of a common goal or to complete quests in exchange for whatever they desire.
Then at the Northern Guild Hall, many people and groups gather to look for great talent and offer high-paying quests. Though, Carlisle was left in the dust at a corner in the Guild Hall after he got rejected by all the hiring guilds in that place.
"...damn it." Carlisle let out an exasperated sigh, he searched in his pockets for what he had left, and all he found was a few jewelry and three golden coins. "Hmm, it won't hurt to get a few drinks tonight." He uttered it as a way to console himself.
Then off he went to the cheapest tavern, back when Carlisle had lots of riches with him, he can't bear to drink any kind of cheap booze until he realized he can't afford them anymore. Though now he only feels the need to drink to get himself to sleep.
"Back again so soon, hmm?" The bartender asked, already familiar with him for his frequent visits.
"Shut up Barrel, just give me the usual." Carlisle arrogantly threw a couple of gold coins on table, "I don't need anyone to lecture me tonight."
"Then what happened with your guild application today?" Barrel asked as he searched on his shelf for the bottle he always served to him.
Carlisle remained quiet for a few minutes, his eyes looking down. "...nothing new."
"Eh, still no luck." Barrel popped the bottle open and pushed it sliding all the way to Carlisle's side. He took a few gulps down as he let out his feelings, "What's there to expect anyway!?---They can't afford me!"
"Uh-huh..." Barrel sighed as he listens to him while serving other customers, "...he's at it again." He uttered to himself as Carlisle began to rant about his day.
"...t-those bastards! They don't know who they're dealing with!---Not like I need them to hire me anyway, no one's worthy enough to handle me! After all, I'm Carlisle Ah---" before Carlisle can proudly tell his name aloud, he paused when he realized that in doing so might cause him trouble.
"You were saying?" Barrel was already invested in his drunk speech, curious to learn of his true name.
"Err..." Carlisle then proceeds to empty out his bottle, "Tch, I'm done here." He walks off, barely making a straight line.
"Alright, same time tomorrow! Take care." Barrel waved goodbye as he rudely shut the door on him. The customers who watched Carlisle turned to Barrel with an annoyed look on their faces, "Why'd you let that kid talk to you like that?"
"He oughta learn some respect!"
"Hmm, cut him some slack. That kid's been having a hard time..." Barrel told them with a smile as he wipes the mess Carlisle left on the table, "Eh!? Isn't that a surprise, coming from someone easily irritable."
"Well, he's a good paying customer!" Barrel was able to tolerate all of Carlisle's drunk and arrogant speeches from all the riches he earned from that kid, he doesn't mind at all unless he gets nothing out of it. "Unlike the rest of you... when are you guys gonna pay up your tabs?"
Finding themselves at a corner, Barrel's customers emptied out their pockets to pay what they can. Meanwhile, in the dark of the night, Carlisle walked aimlessly. Without any money left, he can't afford to sleep at an inn. And so he thought of sneaking into the nearest barn to sleep on some hayloft.
"Ugh." He stops at an alleyway when he felt his stomach churning from all the booze he drank, "Blerghh!" And down the ground it all goes, the booze worth the last of his money wasted. After letting it all out, Carlisle felt a little relieved, though everything in his vision was spinning.
"Ahh... damn it." It was giving him a headache, so he sat down for a minute to clear his head. "I should've bought a proper meal." He told himself, his stomach feeling empty as well. It was a terrible night for Carlisle, he felt like he was given all the bad luck in this world for how low he has fallen.
"Hngg, I wanna go home." He cried to himself as he leaned back to the wall with his eyes closed. He could have slept in that position, however he heard something fell near him.
Carlisle looked around and saw beside him, a decapitated head of a man. Its face painted with horror with jfsmouth and eyes were wide open, his face reflected on those lifeless eyes.
"AHH!" He jumped away from his position, freaked out by this sudden turn of events. He was going to run away until he heard a girl scream, "AHH, HELP! PLEASE HELP ME!!"
"Ahh... what do I do? What do I do?" He paced back and forth for a few seconds before he saw his reflection at a glass window across the empty street, the sword hanging on his belt reminded him of what he's always meant to do. "Ah, fuck it!" He draws out his sword as he charges into the alley.
In there, he finds a terrified girl that's curled up at a corner while an unknown creature was feeding off on the headless body laying on the ground, "What the fuck!?" Carlisle was startled by its appearance.
The creature turned to him and hissed, "KREEEEE!" It immediately jumped towards him, extending its long and sharp legs.
"AHHH!" Carlisle panicked, he raised his sword clashing against the creature. The impact had him staggered, making him fall to the ground as the creature attempts to spring forward again. "KREEEE!"
"SHIT!" With eyes shut close, Carlisle just recklessly swung his sword in the air. He knew at that time that things will be over soon, because that creature will kill him for sure. Though after a few seconds, he no longer hear the shrieking creature. "Huh?"
It just so happened that his sword managed to stab through the creature's stomach, with its long legs just a few centimeters away from reaching him. "Gah!" Seeing it upclose, he threw his sword away and it bursted into black dust.
"W-What was that thing!?" Carlisle can't believe what just happened.
"W-Who's there!?... is the bad guy gone?" Asked the girl, still shivering in fear. Carlisle was still catching his breath as he approached the girl, reaching for her hand to get her up. "It's okay now, the monster is gone."
The girl cried and went into his arms, "It was so scary!! I thought I was going to die..."
Carlisle thought the same, it was sheer luck that he's still alive right now. He pushed the girl away when he realized that she's been hugging him for too long, "Err, you're too close."
"Ah, I'm sorry." This got her flustered, wiping tears off her face. Carlisle noticed that this girl couldn't open her eyes and asked, "Wait, are you blind?"
"I-I am." When she finally calmed down, she tried her best to show her gratitude towards him, "Thank you! Thank you so much, how can I ever repay---"
"Money."
"Huh?"
"Do you have money?" Even though he barely survived that attack, it was only fair she pays him for saving her. Although this moment made him seem desperate, he was already scraping by what little he has left, so he can't really think of anything else but money.
The blind girl tried searching herself for anything of value, and there was nothing but---"This necklace... do you think it has value you can trade for?"
Carlisle let out a disappointed sigh, the necklace was a cheap silver painted plastic with an uninteresting pendant. "Damn it, nevermind..." he was going to walk away.
"No, please wait!---" The blind girl tried following the sound of his footsteps and tripped over the headless body, "Ah!"
"The heck!? You should watch where you're---oh, right." After Carlisle fully realized this girl is blind, he helped her get on her feet again. Seeing the headless body on the floor gave him the creeps, and whats more unsettling was the guild symbol tattooed on the arm of this corpse.
He shrugged the thought off as the girl begged, "Mister, please don't leave me behind!"
"I already saved you, what more do you want from me!?"
"I-I can't see at all... I don't know why I was being chased, I don't know where I am, I can't remember anything!---" The blind girl started crying, "So please, don't leave me alone."
Her pitiful speech somehow stroke a bit of sympathy from Carlisle, this made him realize that someone else in the world always has it worst than anyone can imagine. "...ugh, fine." He rolled his eyes and grabbed her by the arm to drag her with him.
They went to the stables, resting over the hayloft. Though Carlisle gets to lay down comfortably, his head is still hurting from the alcohol and the terrible incident kept replaying in his mind.
"Thank you..." the girl said quietly.
"...don't mention it." And to make things matters worse, Carlisle took a blind girl under her wing when he's already struggling to survive himself.
The next day, Carlisle's eyes stings from the lack of sleep. He can't stop thinking of all the things he encountered earlier...
What was that creature and where did it come from?
Why was a man that belonged to a dangerous guild chasing after a blind girl?
Just who is this girl and how did she lose her memories?
Meanwhile, the blind girl woke up after sleeping soundly. "Good morning." She greeted, followed by a yawn.
"...hey." Carlisle stared at her suspiciously, "Say, I never got your name."
"...I can't remember anything, so... I'm not sure how I should introduce myself."
"Then what do you want me to call you?"
"Hmmm..." she thinks for a moment before her face lits up, "I'd like to be called Penelope, I think that name sounds pretty."
"Yeah, no." Carlisle refuse to call her with such a long name, "Let's just go with... Ren. Yeah, much better."
She pouted but went along with his suggestion anyway, "I see, Ren it is then." To be given a name made her feel like receiving a present.
"Alright, Ren... can't remember anything, huh."
"Yes, nothing at all."
"Not even where you live?"
"...if I try to recall---" Ren held her head as her face winced, "---it hurts so bad."
Carlisle sighed after getting a responsibility he didn't asked for, "Damn it, let's go and find where your home is." He said, it was the only option he has to get rid of her as soon as possible.
As the two roamed the City holding hands, they kept asking people here and there about Ren's family or relatives. Nobody recognized Ren which got Carlisle frustrated, "If no one's claiming to know you, then you must be an outsider of this city... or you got kicked out of your family."
Ren frowned with her head hanging, "I don't think I was kicked out."
"Who knows? Just because you're related by blood doesn't mean they'd keep you around when you're... defective." He chuckled, likely referring to her blindness.
"...let's just keep looking." Ren insisted, though both their stomachs grumbled. "Tsk, we've already wasted half a day. I want to eat first."
"A-Alright then."
Carlisle dragged her all the way to a pawnshop so that he can convert the last of his valuables into money, receiving a total of 6 gold coins and 9 silver coins. "What the hell, is this all its worth!?" He gritted his teeth at the shop owner.
"Obviously. If this item was sold to you at a higher price then believe me, you were scammed."
"No way that would happen, you're just ripping me off!" As far as he knows, this jewelry is worth hundreds of gold coins. Ren got concerned with his temper and tried calling him out, "Please, keep calm! If you don't want to sell it for his price, then its best if we just find another shop."
Ren's suggestion annoyed the shop owner, but she was right. "Fine! Take your jewelry and pawn it elsewhere. See if you can sell it for a higher price!" He dared.
"Well, maybe I will!" And before Carlisle can take the item off the table, the shop owner attempted to do one last offer, "Hold on!... 8 gold coins and 10 silver coins, take it or leave it." He even laid down the gold coins before Carlisle.
"..." Not seeing so much money for a long time, Carlisle was quick to submit. "Deal." This sent a grin to the shop owner's face with this exchange.
Right after receiving his money, Carlisle's thoughts were already headed for a tavern to eat some fine delicacy or chug a couple of drinks. But those temptations quickly vanished when Ren spoke, "So what are we having for lunch?"
"...ugh."
He ended up buying two loafs of bread that costs 2 silver coins. "Thank you for the meal!" Ren happily bites on her meal, they were both sitting at the side of the road while watching the busy crowd in the marketplace.
"I think you won't be getting home anytime soon." Carlisle said, "Aren't you bothered by this at all?"
"I don't mind." Ren said with a smile, "When I'm with you, I feel safe."
"Good for you, I guess." He rolls his eyes as he takes a bite on his bread.
After that meal, they continued searching for the rest of the day. Then the next day. And the day after that. And days passed like the wind, leading the two of them like leaves to who knows where.
"This is pointless!" Carlisle snapped, they were down to their last gold coin. He paced back and forth in the stable they had always sneaked into.
"Please calm down, maybe tomorrow---"
"---will be the same!" He cuts off Ren. "Just face it, your family won't bother looking for you. They don't care."
Ren flinched at his words, her lips quivered but she breathes in deep. "You can't be sure of that... maybe, maybe they're having a hard time finding me as well."
"Haa, the ever so optimistic blind doll you are." Carlisle kicked the hay and opened the stable's door, "Where are you going?"
"I'm just gonna go for a drink."
"Again? But Carlisle!---" and he walked out on her.
Carlisle went on his way to his usual tavern, and Barrel gave him a warm welcome. "Carlisle! You've been gone for a few nights, where were you?"
"Shut up..."
"Ah that temper, I missed hearing from you." Barrel chuckled, "Will you have the usual?"
Carlisle threw last of his money on the table, "Just give me whatever this can buy."
"Ohh..." Barrel glanced at his payment with an unimpressed expression, "Looks like someone's going to open up a tab soon." He whispered to himself as he make Carlisle a drink. "Here, enjoy."
Carlisle immediately snatched the mug of the table and chugged it all down, Barrel was taken aback and noticed his frustration. "Is everything alright?"
"No!" He hits the mug down to the table, his face red and scrunched, "Everything is just---argh! I don't know what to do anymore... it just feels like there's no place for me in this city." He even ruffled his own hair.
Barrel pitied hearing his true feelings, Carlisle has never spoke to him this way before. He approached him with an offer of bread and soup. "Here, have this."
"I didn't order that... got no more money left." Carlisle muttered.
"It's on the house, think of it as a token for being such a good paying customer." Barrel chuckled, "You look like you could use something to eat so you can think better with that stupid head of yours."
"I'm not stupid." Carlisle glared at him.
"Spending your money on booze rather than a proper meal is stupid, don't you think? Don't bother arguing."
Carlisle didn't want to admit he was right, but the food's aroma tempted him to take the spoon and sip. "...doesn't even taste that good."
"Hey! That's family recipe." Barrel sighed at his attitude, he would have smacked him on the head if he had the same temper as him. Though he chose to understand this poor brat, "You know, there were new faces that dropped by the other day."
Carlisle shot glances at him with a stuffed mouth as he eat and listen to Barrel.
"They say they were lacking in numbers to register themselves as a guild, so I was thinking... maybe you could use the opportunity."
The news almost choked him, but he managed to swallow down his food. "Tell me where they are." He demanded with a firm determined voice.
"They told me we can find them at---" before Barrel can even tell the location, a couple of men barged into the tavern. Everyone made way for these punks that headed straight to Barrel.
"There's my guy!" One of 'em acted like a close friend to Barrel, "Barrel, seems like this place is doing well."
"Malcolm, Bucks... what are you guys doing here?" Barrel gestured at Carlisle to move away, and so he did. Carlisle can feel the hostility from their presence.
"Not interested for small talk, huh... fine." They jumped and sat on the counter table, leaning close to Barrel while pulling out sharp blades out their pockets. Carlisle happens to get a glimpse of the tattoo underneath his shirt, revealing a guild symbol tattoo he saw before.
"Wedge is dead." Malcolm pressed his blade against Barrel's skin. "The man's stupid but Wedge ain't easy to take care of... how did it happen?"
"You ask like I'm the one who did it---" Barrel pushes his knife away and glared back at him, "---there's no use suspecting me. I never wanted anything to do with Wedge... y'all ought to know that."
"I never said it was you!" He roared, freaking out the other customers that were watching. "...just, listen. We'd appreciate it if you know anything about the incident. We just need the clues to... you know, find the asshole who did that to our friend."
Hearing them talk made Carlisle remember the time he saved Ren, that there was a decapitated man on the ground with the same tattoo. He never would have thought Barrel would be connected to such people, much less to the most infamous guild in this City, The Night Fangs.
"I told you already, I got nothing to tell you!" Barrel pressed, a few more push might just make him snap and start a fight with them.
"Why you!---" Malcolm almost raised his fist until Bucks held him back, "Easy there, we're not here to cause a riot." He turns to Barrel with a calm grin, "I think Wedge had it coming anyway, what's important here is that you tell us if you've heard rumors of a blind girl going around town..."
Carlisle's eyes widened at the mention of a familiar description, Bucks glanced at him though he looks back to Barrel to continue his interrogation. "So, will you spill the beans or, you'd want your throat with a slit?" He reached out his hand that glowed an ominous scarlet and held Barrel by the throat.
Barrel didn't resist as he confess the truth, "I don't know any of that."
Taken aback by his sincere words, Buck chuckled, "I see, so you are telling the truth." He lets go of him and patted Malcolm on the back, "See buddy? Sometimes you hafta put in a little trust in Barrel's words."
"Err, don't fucking treat me like a moron!" Malcolm pushes off the fragile plates and bowls on top of the table, letting it shatter on the ground before he glares at Barrel, "I swear, if we ever catch you lying. I'll end you on the spot." That was the last of his words 'til he walked out of the tavern, slamming the door shut on 'em all.
Buck gave Barrel an apologetic look, "Hey, no hard feelings."
"Just get the fuck off here."
Then as the two left, Carlisle walked up to Barrel with lots of questions in mind. Though he can't bring himself to ask anything, Barrel just gave him an apologetic look. "Sorry if that frightened you, kid."
"It's fine..." Carlisle suddenly thought of Ren, knowing that she's in danger with those guys looking out for her. "Maybe I should go now."
"Hold on! With those two bastards out there, I don't think I can let you go just yet." Barrel said, "If I must tell you, they belong to one of the most dangerous guilds in the city, the Night Fangs. And those two has ridiculous abilities that's actually considered illegal."
"...what are they capable of?"
"Bucks, the guy that grabbed me by the neck, he has the power to detect lies. If ever caught you lying, he can make you explode. Then Malcolm, that hotheaded bastard can control your shadow to paralyze and beat you up however he want."
Hearing this worried Carlisle, if he keeps Ren by his side for too long, there's a high chance that he has to deal with them as well. "Tsk, damn it..." He can't decide whether he should keep helping Ren or just leave her be.
"Is something wrong, Carlisle?" Barrel asked, he noticed him looking troubled.
"N-No... I just don't want to see those jerks." Carlisle took up his offer and spent the night at Barrel's place, though he can't bring himself to sleep when he kept worrying about Ren who's all alone at the stables.
"...she'll be fine... she'll be fine." He assured himself and eventuallt fell asleep.
Carlisle woke up early the next day and rushed his way to the stables to check up on Ren, and as he opened the doors, he found her sleeping on the hayloft. Her face had dried trails of tears. He felt a pang of guilt seeing her this way, he gently gave her a nudge by the arm to wake her up.
"...Carlisle?" She called out to him.
"Hey, I got you breakfast." Carlisle pulled out a loaf of bread he sneaked out of Barrel's pantry. Ren held Carlisle's hand that was offering the bread, "Thanks..."
"Ren, I---"
"But I think it's time I go by my own now." She pushes back his hand.
Carlisle froze for a moment, "What?"
"I said, I think I should go on my own now... I've already bothered you for long enough." Ren stood up by herself and tried stepping forward, though she trips and Carlisle catches her. "...you can barely even take a few steps by yourself without falling."
"I'm sorry..." Ren sniffled, "I'm sorry, I just don't want to burden you anymore." Tears began to run down her face.
"...don't think that." He puts the bread on her hand and roughly wiped her face with his sleeves. "There, good as new."
"...why do you help a stranger like me?" She rests her head against his chest as she holds back the tears.
Carlisle just lets her be as he calmy answered, "It's nothing... we'll eventually part ways soon, we just have to find your home. Got that?"
Ren nodded and after she calmed down, Carlisle decided they head out somewhere. He covers up Ren from head to toe so they can avoid getting spotted by the member of the Night Fangs searching for her.
While they go down the road, Carlisle drags Ren behind him as he tries to navigate his way to the place Barrel told him. "Eugh, your coat stinks... where are we going anyway?" Ren asked.
"I'm not sure where I'm going either, so save the questions for later." Carlisle said as they go through several alleys, just to reach an old abandoned house. The roof was filled with holes, windows broken down and boarded, and the door seems like its going to fall any moment.
"Tsk, that damn bastard tricked me!" He clenched his fist, then kicks dust into the air. A few flying to Ren's face, she steps back with her eyebrows furrowed, "What? Tell me, what happened?" She asked while dusting off her face.
"Barrel, that bastard lied to my face. He wasted my time going to this place!"
"Woah, you have to calm down Carlisle." Ren tried reaching out for him, trying to pat him on the back. "Maybe you just got the wrong address?"
"...tsk, I'm not sure."
"See? Don't get mad for nothing, we should go and ask for directions. Come on!" When she finally got to hold Carlisle by the arm, she tried pulling him to get him to start walking.
"Argh, just stop for a minute, will 'ya?!" He dragged Ren along and decided to check inside the empty house. When he tried pushing the door, it fell to the ground---"Woah!" He raised his hands instantly when someone pointed a knife to his throat.
"What happened!?" Ren got startled by the sounds.
"State your name." The guy demanded, standing tall over Carlisle. Sunlight seeping through the roof revealed his features, showing off his scarred face and muscular build. His appearance alone already screams danger, Carlisle's hands began shaking and feel cold.
Feeling the hostile presence, Ren froze and stood close behind Carlisle. "...I'm Carlisle. Behind me is my friend, Ren." Carlisle answered, knowing he won't win against a man like this,
"And what brings you here?" He pressed the blade closer to Carlisle's throat. He flinched as it cuts him and stepped back, "I heard you were looking for guild members."
"A guild application, huh?" The man smirked, "Even brought your little girlfriend to accompany you. You sure you're not lost, pretty boy?" He puts aside the knife and crossed his arms.
Even though Carlisle has the worst temper, he tried to stay calm and determined. "No, I'm here to join your guild."
"I doubt you can even take down a bear... it's best you two go on your way." The way he looked down on Carlisle got him to override his fear with anger.
"After I searched so hard for this place to apply here?!" Carlisle complained, "You can't reject me just like that!"
Ren got scared as he began to act out, "Carlisle, let's just leave!" She yelled quietly, tugging on his shirt behind.
"No! I'm not going to leave---" Carlisle puts down a foot and glared at the guy, "---at least not until you test me."
The guy doesn't want to be troubled dealing with Carlisle, however a figure from behind emerged from the dark, a cloaked person covered from head to toe, they joined in their conversation. "He's right, why don't you give the kid a chance, Mori."
"Eya!..." Mori looked backed at her with a protesting expression, but he can't do anything if it's her decision to give Carlisle a chance. "Fine."
Hearing this approval, a grin crept to Carlisle's face which annoyed Mori, "Tch. Follow me." He grunted.
Then Carlisle holds Ren by the arm to pull her along, while Eya follows all of them from behind. As they walk through an unfamiliar path, Ren is feeling nervous about all of this. "You were trying to join a guild?"
"Well, it's the only choice I have left. There's no much left to support us anymore, I have to find ways to make a living." He whispered to her.
"Why not just get a regular job?" Ren suggested, to which made Carlisle roll his eyes. "Oh just shut up."
As they arrived at a far distancd within a forest, Mori turned to face them, spreading his arms wide and open, "We're here."
Ren held onto Carlisle's left arm, "Wait... don't go." Her voice quietly begging him to stay by her side.
Carlisle brushed her off, "Quit worrying over nothing---" he told her, "---when this is over, I promise to help return you home soon." He pats her by the head as he face Mori. "So, what's the rules?"
Mori sighed and looked at Eya, she held her chin as she comes up with the conditions for this test. "There's no need for weapons, so you two must sort to your bare physical abilities."
Mori began cracking his neck and hands as Carlisle listens to Eya, "The person who remains standing wins. That's it."
"I see..." Carlisle swallowed as he glanced at Mori's physique. How can he put someone like that to the ground? "Argh, bring it on!"
"Heh, you've got some guts of steel." Mori smirked, they threw away their weapons as they face each other.
Eya pulled Ren to her side, just to make sure she's safe. Though she was surprised to find out, "Ah, are you blind?" She asked.
Ren gave her a kind gentle smile, "I am."
"Hmm, then why did that young man brought you here with him? Shouldn't you just stayed at home and wait for him?"
"Carlisle and I don't have a place to call home," She explained, "But wherever he goes, I want to be there for him."
Ren's answer drew a smile on Eya's face, "I see."
"Thank you for giving him a chance." Ren added, "But please don't be so rough on him, he didn't even have lunch yet."
"Is that so..." Eya glanced at Carlisle, he already look worn out before the fight can start. She continued to observe with Ren beside her.
Meanwhile, Carlisle was already sweating from evading Mori's fists. "Damn it!" He just ducked in time with Mori's fist hitting a few of his hair strands.
"I'd say, you've got an impressive speed. But when do you plan to fight back?" Mori laughed, not giving him a chance to make a move.
"Tsk! I swear, I'm gonna hit you real good when I get the chance!" Carlisle yelled as he jumped back when Mori almost kick him by the stomach.
"I'd like to see you try!" Mori then unleashed multiple punches that strikes at a high speed as he chase Carlisle into a corner, while he ran backwards, Carlisle tripped and landed on his back. "Fuck!!"
"I guess that settles it." Eya then deemed the challenge over, but her eyes widened with Mori looking eager to knock him out. "Wait, MORI!---"
Mori kneeled down on Carlisle stomach with his fist landing on Carlisle, "Sweet dreams, kid!"
"AHH!!" Carlisle's vision went black with Mori's fist the last thing he saw.
Part 1 End.