With the gold earned from our recent missions, Híroÿ and I finally had something we hadn't in a long time—a place to call home. The house, modest and tucked away on the outskirts of town, wasn't much, but it was ours. A quiet, simple space for the two of us and our companions.
We lounged in the living room, the soft hum of the town filtering through open windows. For two blissful hours, the world slowed down. No enemies, no missions. Just peace. That is, until a knock shattered it.
Opening the door, we were greeted by four familiar faces—Yura, Shina, and the two guards Ruenji had assigned to us. Their presence meant it was time to visit the guild and register as official adventurers.
The walk through the city during the day felt different from the festival-lit night before. Sunlight illuminated a breathtaking display of diversity—beastfolk of every kind: dogs, cats, lizards. Ogres walked beside orcs, elves bartered with humans. It was like walking through the pages of a fantasy manga.
As we passed the central fountain, my thoughts drifted back to the festival. Maybe some races only came out at night. It made this place feel alive in a unique, rotating rhythm—one world by day, another by night.
At the guild, we approached the front desk. A guild clerk greeted us and explained the adventurer ranking system: white, black, green, red, gold, and purple. Thanks to the nobleman's endorsement, we skipped the bottom rung and were issued black cards—second-tier status. Not bad for our first official day.
I browsed the job board, grateful again that the goddess had given us the gift of this world's language. Without it, these missions would be impossible to decipher.
One listing caught my eye: a golem spotted in the southern woods.
"This one should be quick. Back before dinner," I said to Híroÿ, gesturing toward the flyer. "Better than babysitting caravans."
He nodded. We both had always loved animals, but when it came to work, we were wired for excitement.
After confirming the job and collecting directions, we took to the skies.
Below us, the world unfolded like a painting—winding rivers, lush forests, and sunlight sparkling on water. We landed near a clearing just past a river bend, where the energy felt...off. The ground was restless.
"I feel something to the north," I said, as the earth trembled beneath our feet.
A massive hand tore through the foliage, uprooting trees with ease. Then, one by one, three enormous golems emerged—towering stone titans with glowing cores.
I quickly reread the job note. "Well, that's more than one," I muttered. "Guess we'll be asking for a bonus."
"No weapons this time," I said, locking eyes with Híroÿ. "Just fists and magic."
I channeled energy into my limbs, the familiar surge sharpening my focus. With a short burst, I leapt toward the closest golem, shattering the ground beneath me. My fist met its chest in a single, thunderous strike—stone cracked, and the glowing core ripped free.
Tossing the core skyward, I shot toward another. Híroÿ met the third mid-air, delivering a powerful kick that sent it spiraling upward. I followed, spinning through the air, and brought my heel down in an axe kick. The golem crashed into the earth and crumbled to dust.
With three cores in hand, we soared back to town.
At the guild, the air buzzed with noise until a mocking voice rose from the left.
"Hey, kid! This place'll chew you up—only real men come out alive."
I turned to see a mountain of a man. At least eight feet tall, bald, and built like a siege engine. Armor clung to muscles that looked like they belonged in a gym commercial.
Amused, I stepped up to the counter and turned in our mission report, placing the cores down. Just as we turned to leave, a hand clamped down on my shoulder.
I moved on instinct—grabbing his wrist, flipping him over my back, and planting a boot on his arm with a crack that echoed across the hall.
"Just because I'm young doesn't mean I'm weak," I said, coldly. "Consider that arm a fee for wasting my time."
We left without another word. Outside, the sun still hung high, and the day wasn't done yet. I pulled out a small coin pouch—copper, silver, gold. More than enough for the evening.
"Let's clean up and explore the town tonight," I said.
Híroÿ nodded, and we headed home. But as we approached the house, a group of well-dressed individuals stood waiting. Their refined appearance and guarded posture spoke volumes.
Envoys. Royal ones.
"We come with a message from the crown," one said, handing over a sealed note.
"A king? This world has one of those too?" I muttered.
Inside, we sat in the living room while Híroÿ opened the note and read. I watched him, our dynamic as balanced as ever—he was the strategist; I was the brute force.
Híroÿ always drew attention. Short black hair, mismatched green and red eyes, and that scar over his left eye that girls seemed to find… charming. I, on the other hand, had always been the loner—my only real connections were to my sister and him.
I caught myself drifting again—thinking about relationships, about maybe finding someone in this world. But I shook it off. Love was dangerous. My cousin's betrayal and suicide had burned that truth into me. I'd sworn to never fall into that trap.
"Tomorrow," Híroÿ said, "we're to escort the royal heirs—first and second princesses and princes—to a neighboring kingdom."
I raised a brow. "Why us? Surely there are stronger adventurers in this place?"
He shrugged. "The pay is solid."
I cracked my knuckles. "Fine. Let's get it over with and get paid."
I headed upstairs toward the shower. As hot water washed away the dust of battle, I thought about armor—something enchanted. Something that could help us survive whatever this world had in store.
And from the looks of it, tomorrow would be anything but ordinary.