"Oh, you're back," Glenn said when Kojo and Sharone walked into the shop.
"I heard you killed a truly terrifying beast."
"Please, a chicken isn't that terrifying," Kojo said.
Glenn noticed the bandages on Kojo's face. "What happened to your face?" he asked.
"Let's just say a few friends of mine went a little too far with a prank," Kojo responded, remembering how he was ambushed in a tree by bees on their way when he tried to pick some fruit for Sharone.
"Anyway, we brought you some souvenirs," he said, handing over a bag of the beast's razor-sharp feathers.
"Thank you. This will be fine material," Glenn said, studying one of the feathers. "They're incredibly light and have some magic resistance."
"Well, we're glad you like them," Sharone said.
"Yeah, Glenn, are you finished with the other equipment?"
"Yes," Glenn responded, bringing out the goods. "These are made with leather from the beasts you brought. They possess superior durability to your normal gear and reduce any physical damage by 45%. The jackets are made from Spirit Leopard fur, which reduces magic attacks and nullifies detection. And as a bonus, I made this sword from the horn of a Gnarl, with an added bleed effect, making wounds caused by its blade very difficult to heal, along with increasing any damage dealt by 3%."
Kojo whistled. "That's one badass artifact," he said, picking up the sword and drawing it.
SKAN.
Sysia scanned the blade and relayed the information in his head.
"I would have made more, but those were the only useful materials I could get for you. The rest were too low for raiders such as yourselves."
"No, this is enough, thank you," Sharone thanked him.
"Can I have a look at that blade?" she asked Kojo.
"Sure." He sheathed it and handed it to her. However, it slipped, and they both made to grab it. Their hands touched as they each tried to pick it up, and they looked at each other.
"My, my, you two make a wonderful couple," Glenn said, watching them with his arms crossed.
"What!" they said together.
"It's not like that," Sharone yelled, blushing.
"Yeah, we're just friends," Kojo agreed.
They eyed each other again and looked away. Glenn looked from one to another and began to laugh.
"Ah, to be young and in love."
Sharone's face reddened even more.
"We're leaving," Kojo said quickly, grabbing Sharone's hand and leading her out of the shop. Glenn watched them go. He shrugged and continued with his work.
(Real smooth. Just friends, huh?)
"Shut up," Kojo mumbled.
They bumped into two cloaked ladies.
"Sorry," Kojo said.
"Watch where you're going," one of them said, walking away. Her companion ran after her. Kojo stood watching them.
GALE.
A strong wind blew off their cloaks. Kojo noticed that they were two women who seemed to be in their age. One of them was a demihuman with silver hair and a fox tail. The other was an elf with green hair. He then noticed their weapons, finding it strange that the demihuman had a bow while the elf carried a scepter. His eyes then moved between their chests. Suddenly, Sharone was standing in front of him with an annoyed look on her face. He stepped back, startled.
"Hey Sharone, I was just, you know, my, the weather this time of year is really something, don't you think?" he said nervously. The look on her face showed she wasn't buying his act.
"Hey you!" the demihuman yelled, walking toward them. "What's your problem? Are you a thief? You think I didn't notice it was you who used magic on us?"
"I don't know what you're talking about. It's probably the weather," Kojo said.
"And who do you think you're going to fool with such a lame-assed story?" she yelled.
"Koniko, take it easy, I'm sure this is all a misunderstanding," the elf said, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have used magic on you. Please forgive me," Kojo bowed.
Koniko blushed, then turned, folding her arms. "Yeah, okay, whatever," she said.
"See? Not everything can be solved with aggression," the elf said, turning to Kojo. "Hello, my name is Lin, and this is my friend Koniko. Nice to meet you." She smiled. Kojo opened his mouth, mesmerized by her. Sharone elbowed him.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Sharone, and this is my partner Kojo," Sharone said, eyeing Kojo.
"So you're the duo who defeated that beast at Yert village a few days ago," Koniko said.
"Yeah, how'd you know?" Kojo asked.
"We passed by the village and heard how two newbies saved them from a beast that was destroying their land, and that they were incredibly strong," Koniko responded, eyeing him.
"Are both of you raiders too?" Sharone asked.
"Yes, we are. We just got here this morning. We were looking for this town's bureau," Lin responded. "It must have been really hard fighting a beast, being new to raiding and all," she said, turning to Kojo.
"It was nothing really."
"We'd love to hear more."
"Lin, we don't have time. We have to look for the bureau," Koniko cut in.
"We're on our way there too. Maybe we could go together."
Koniko was about to protest, but Lin cut her off.
"That sounds great."
The girls took the lead, leaving Kojo standing on the street.
"...."
(Harem charging....)
"What are you talking about?"
"You coming, Kojo?" Sharone called from the distance.
"Yeah," he responded, running after them.
The girls chatted all the way to the bureau. Kojo walked a few feet behind them.
(Say something.)
"I'm not exactly a ladies' man."
(I know. I went through the texts on your phone, and whoa. You want me to read them to you?)
"Wait, you still have those?"
(Yeah, all the information that was on your phone. Now let's begin. October 29th, 20—)
"Don't you dare, Sysia, or so help me I will—"
"Kojo," Sharone called, looking back at him.
"Yeah?"
"You alright?" she asked.
"Yeah, just fighting my inner demon, that's all," he responded.
(Who are you calling a demon?)
He slapped himself, then, noticing the girls staring at him, raised his hands, giving them a thumbs up.
"He's acting weird," Lin commented.
"You want me to put him out of his misery?" Koniko asked Sharone.
"No, it's fine."
They walked into the bureau.
"We're here," Sharone said.
"There's the reception. You can go check over there. Kojo and I will be at the billboard in case of anything."
Lin nodded and smiled. "Thanks."
Sharone smiled back and went to check the billboard for bounties with Kojo.
"They seem like nice people," Koniko said.
"All is not as it seems. They're strong, stronger than they make themselves out to be," Lin said as she and Koniko watched Kojo and Sharone. Sharone noticed and waved at them. Lin waved back, then they turned and walked towards the receptionist.
"We need to be wary of them."
"Yeah," Koniko agreed. "They can't be normal if they caused that much destruction in hunting their first beast," Koniko continued, remembering the destroyed field they saw when they passed by Yert village.
"We need the money, so it's best to keep them at arm's length. If the need arises, we'll have no choice but to eliminate them," Lin said.
Kojo raised his head and looked over at them.