The gold from our recent missions didn't make us rich.
Not even close.
But for the first time since arriving in this world, Híroÿ and I had something we hadn't possessed in a very long time.
A home.
It sat near the quieter edge of the city, tucked between narrow stone pathways and overlooking a small river lined with glowing blue lantern flowers. The house itself was modest: two floors, dark wooden walls, a small training yard in the back, and just enough room for the six of us if Kyoko and Sangui stayed in their smaller forms.
Which they absolutely abused.
Kyoko was sprawled across the couch like royalty, tiny wings twitching lazily while Sangui chased one of his own tails in violent circles across the floor.
"You're destroying the furniture already," I muttered.
Kyoko yawned.
"Then buy stronger furniture."
"…You're lucky you're adorable."
"For a dragon, yes."
I snorted quietly and leaned back into the couch.
Across from me, Híroÿ sat near the open window, sunlight catching faintly against the gold aura that naturally lingered around him now. Syrah rested beside him peacefully while Shura perched elegantly atop the windowsill.
For once…
There were no monsters.
No blood.
No running.
Just silence.
It lasted exactly two hours.
Then someone knocked on the door.
I groaned dramatically.
"Pretend we died."
"They can hear you," Híroÿ replied without looking up.
"Then they should respect my wishes."
Another knock came.
Louder.
Sighing, I stood and opened the door.
Yura, Shina, and the two guards assigned to us stood outside waiting.
Yura crossed her arms immediately.
"You took forever."
"I considered faking my death first."
"That explains the silence."
Shina shook her head tiredly.
"The guild registration closes in two hours. We came to drag you there before you accidentally become criminals somehow."
"…That feels targeted."
"It was."
Fair enough.
---
The city looked completely different during the daytime.
At night, it had felt magical.
Now it felt alive.
Beastfolk moved through the crowded streets beside humans and elves, merchants shouted over each other from colorful market stalls, and children darted recklessly between passing wagons. Dog demi-humans argued over fish prices beside towering orcs carrying lumber, while a pair of lizardfolk casually drank tea outside a bakery.
The world shifted constantly depending on where you looked.
Like it refused to stay still.
I slowed slightly near the central fountain.
"…This place really is strange," I murmured.
Híroÿ glanced toward me.
"In a bad way?"
I watched a tiny cat demi-human aggressively threaten a grown merchant over candy prices.
"…No. I think I like it."
Yura smiled faintly at that.
---
The guild hall was massive.
Wooden beams stretched across the ceiling while adventurers filled nearly every corner of the building. Weapons clanged constantly, laughter echoed through the hall, and somewhere nearby someone was definitely losing a drinking contest violently.
I immediately respected this establishment.
The clerk behind the counter adjusted her glasses nervously as we approached.
"Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild. Registration?"
Híroÿ nodded politely while I leaned against the counter half-awake.
She explained the ranking system quickly.
White.
Black.
Green.
Red.
Gold.
Purple.
Because of Ruenji's endorsement, we skipped beginner rank entirely and received black-ranked adventurer cards immediately.
I turned mine over slowly.
"…Kinda disappointing."
Shina stared at me.
"You got promoted before even registering."
"Yeah but purple sounds cooler."
"You've been here five minutes."
"AND I'M AMBITIOUS."
The clerk looked terrified.
Híroÿ apologized for me automatically.
Again.
---
The request board covered nearly an entire wall.
Monster exterminations.
Escort jobs.
Herb gathering.
Bandit suppression.
One request immediately caught my attention.
Southern Forest Golem Sighting.
Reward: High Silver.
I grabbed the paper.
"This one."
Híroÿ glanced over my shoulder.
"A golem?"
"Quick job. Fast money. Minimal thinking required."
"That last part explains why you picked it."
I ignored him professionally.
---
The flight south took less than twenty minutes.
Below us, rivers carved through endless forests while distant mountains shimmered beneath the afternoon sun. Honestly, if this world wasn't trying to kill us constantly, it was actually pretty beautiful.
We landed near a clearing beside a riverbank.
Immediately, something felt wrong.
The ground vibrated faintly beneath my feet.
"…North," I said quietly.
A massive stone hand burst through the trees.
Then another.
Then a third.
Three enormous golems emerged from the forest, each towering nearly thirty feet tall with glowing blue cores embedded deep within their chests.
I reread the mission note slowly.
Then sighed.
"Well. That's definitely not one golem."
Híroÿ smirked slightly.
"Refund request?"
"Nah." I rolled my shoulders. "No weapons this time."
His eyes lit up immediately.
"Just martial arts?"
"Just martial arts."
The two of us moved simultaneously.
Magic surged through my limbs violently as I launched forward hard enough to shatter the earth beneath me. The first golem barely raised its arm before my fist slammed directly into its chest.
CRACK.
The glowing core ripped free instantly.
The entire construct collapsed.
Behind me, Híroÿ vaulted skyward and spun through the air beautifully before driving a devastating kick directly into another golem's head. The impact launched the massive creature backward through several trees.
I caught the falling core one-handed.
Then leaped toward the third.
The golem swung downward.
I twisted sideways midair and drove an axe kick straight through its shoulder line. The impact split the construct apart instantly.
Stone exploded everywhere.
Silence followed.
Then Híroÿ casually tossed me another glowing core.
"…We're definitely charging extra."
"Agreed."
---
Back at the guild, the atmosphere shifted the moment we walked in carrying three golem cores.
Conversations slowed.
Several adventurers stared openly.
One massive bald man near the left wall laughed loudly.
"Those kids handled the southern golems?"
He stood.
And kept standing.
And standing.
The man was gigantic.
At least eight feet tall, covered in thick armor stretched across muscles that looked carved from stone itself.
He walked toward us grinning.
"This guild eats weaklings alive, brat."
I barely looked at him.
"Cool."
A hand suddenly clamped onto my shoulder.
Instinct took over immediately.
I grabbed his wrist.
Shifted my weight.
And flipped the massive man completely over my shoulder hard enough to shake the floor beneath us.
Before he could react, my boot slammed down onto his arm.
CRACK.
The guild went dead silent.
I crouched slightly beside him.
"Just because I'm younger than you," I said quietly, "doesn't mean I'm weaker."
His face twisted in pain.
I released him and stood calmly.
"Consider the broken arm payment for touching me."
Then walked away.
The guild clerk looked seconds away from fainting.
Híroÿ sighed deeply behind me.
"You could try being normal one time."
"I tried once. Hated it."
---
The sun still hung high when we returned home.
I flipped a small gold coin through my fingers thoughtfully.
"We should explore the city tonight."
Híroÿ nodded.
"After cleaning up."
"Unfortunately responsible."
As we approached the house though, several figures already waited outside.
Well-dressed.
Armed.
Royal.
"…That's never a good sign," I muttered immediately.
One stepped forward and bowed politely.
"We carry a message from the crown."
He handed Híroÿ a sealed letter.
I blinked.
"…This world has kings too?"
"Most worlds probably do," Híroÿ replied.
"That feels excessive."
Inside the house, we settled into the living room while Híroÿ opened the letter.
I watched him quietly while leaning against the couch.
Híroÿ had always looked reliable.
Short black hair.
Mismatched eyes.
That stupid scar over his eye girls somehow found attractive.
Meanwhile I apparently radiated "future war criminal with emotional damage."
Balanced friendship.
"…Tomorrow," Híroÿ finally said, lowering the letter, "we're being hired to escort the royal heirs to a neighboring kingdom."
I frowned.
"Why us?"
"Good pay."
"…Accepted."
He laughed quietly.
I leaned my head back against the couch afterward, staring toward the ceiling.
Relationships.
Trust.
Family.
Those thoughts kept surfacing lately.
And every single time, memories followed.
My cousin.
Her betrayal.
The blood.
The promise I made afterward.
Love only existed to hurt people.
So why did this world keep placing people around me anyway?
"…You okay?" Híroÿ asked suddenly.
I blinked.
Then smirked lazily.
"Just wondering if the princesses are attractive."
"Liar."
"…A little."
He shook his head with a smile while I headed upstairs toward the shower.
Hot water washed over me slowly, carrying away dust, blood, and exhaustion from the day.
But beneath the warmth…
Something still lingered.
The dream.
The masked man.
The way my magic had changed recently.
The way Edith and Zenith sometimes felt alive in my hands now.
Like they were waiting for something.
Or someone.
I closed my eyes briefly.
Tomorrow felt important.
And honestly?
That usually meant disaster was coming.