When everyone arrived at the Adventurers' Guild, they went inside and headed straight to the main counter.Once there, Ronin turned to look at Jotaro, Kira, and Aiko.
—Wait for me here —he said in his usual serious tone—. I'll go look for an A-rank quest.
—Alright —the three of them replied in unison.
As Ronin walked away, Kira turned toward Jotaro with curiosity.
—Hey, Jotaro, what do you think your armor's gonna look like?
—Well… I guess just a normal one —he said with a shrug—. By the way, Kira, are you really fine without any?
Kira puffed out her chest proudly.—Of course! If I wore armor, it'd feel like I don't trust myself—like those cowards who wear it just because they're afraid of getting hurt. But I'm not afraid!
The moment she finished, she realized what she'd said, and her expression instantly changed.—W-wait, I didn't mean you, Jotaro! You're brave! I just—
Jotaro smiled gently and reached out, patting her head.—It's okay, don't worry. I know you didn't mean to insult me. I'm not that dumb. You just said what you were thinking.
Kira blushed and turned away.Aiko, watching them with a soft smile, remembered the moment Jotaro had saved her from the adventurers and the slime.
He's so kind… she thought, touching her head. I wonder if someday he'll pat me like that too…
Her thoughts were cut off when Kira's voice broke the silence.
—Hey, Ronin! Did you get the quest?
Ronin nodded and held up a paper.—Yes. I accepted a mission to eliminate some goblins that are getting too close to the kingdom. In short—we kill them. Think you can handle it?
Kira crossed her arms and grinned confidently.—Who do you think we are? Of course we can.
—And you, Aiko? —Ronin asked.
—I'm A-rank too —she replied calmly—. I'll be fine.
—Perfect. Then let's move out.
—Yeah! —Kira shouted, dashing ahead.
—Hey, wait for me! —Aiko yelled, hurrying after her.
—I'll wipe out those goblins with one punch! —Kira cheered.
—I said wait! —Aiko repeated as she caught up.
Outside the kingdom, the four walked among the trees, searching for any signs of goblins.Kira pushed aside some branches and peeked behind a bush.
—Nothing here. You guys find anything?
—No —Aiko said, walking closer.
—Same —added Jotaro.
Kira frowned.—Are there really goblins here? We've been searching forever and haven't seen a single one. Hey, Ronin! Find anything?
—Yes —he replied, pointing ahead—. Look.
The three of them approached and saw a large group of goblins devouring the corpse of an ogre.
—They're distracted —Ronin said—. Let's attack now. Jotaro, take the ones on the right. Aiko, the left. Kira and I will handle the rest.
—Got it —they replied.
The four charged forward.Jotaro cast fire magic, engulfing several goblins in flames.Aiko slammed her hand against the ground, using earth magic to raise rocks that crushed her enemies.Meanwhile, Kira charged straight in, knocking goblins down with her fists, while Ronin cut through them with precision and strength.
Minutes later, the battlefield fell silent.
Kira stretched, placing her hands behind her head with a grin.—That was easy. I thought they'd be stronger.
Ronin turned to her.—That's because I chose a simple mission.
—What!? But you said you were gonna pick a hard one!
—I never said that. I only mentioned it would be A-rank.
—You did say that!
—I didn't.
—Yes, you did!
—No.
Kira frowned and leaned close to his face.—Yes, you did!
—No.
—Yes, yes, yes, yes, YES!
Tired of her shouting, Ronin grabbed her by the head and lifted her effortlessly.—Ah! Put me down!
—Not until you stop lying.
—Okay, okay! You win! I'll stop!
Ronin let go, and Kira dropped to her knees with a pout.—You're so mean, Ronin.
—It's your fault for lying —he said flatly.
—I wasn't lying! Ask Jotaro if you don't believe me! He'll confirm it!
—Alright —Ronin said, turning to Jotaro—. Is that true?
—Well… no —Jotaro replied.
—Jotaro! —Kira shouted in disbelief.
—What? I'm just being honest.
Kira puffed out her cheeks in a pout.Jotaro sighed.—You're too old for that.
She turned her head away, refusing to look at him.Jotaro gave a weary smile, a sweat drop sliding down his temple, while Aiko smiled shyly beside him.
—We should bring the goblin bodies back —Jotaro said, rubbing his neck—. That way we can claim the reward.
—You're right —Aiko replied.
—Alright, let's begin —Ronin said.
Jotaro walked up to Kira.—Kira, come on. Will you help us?
She ignored him, still sulking.
—Okay, I'm sorry for not backing you up —Jotaro said patiently—. But you have to admit lying isn't right.
Kira stayed silent.
Jotaro smiled slightly and added:—If you help us, I'll buy you a huge piece of meat. How's that?
Kira's eyes sparkled.—Deal!
She grabbed six goblins at once, slung three over each shoulder, and started walking.—Alright, let's go!
Aiko smiled softly.—She gets motivated just by hearing the word meat...
—She's always been like that —Jotaro said with a grin.
Ronin picked up the last corpse and followed them.—We should catch up. If she gets too far ahead, she might get lost.
—You're right —Jotaro said.
As they walked, the sun began to set. Jotaro paused for a moment and looked up at the orange sky.
What a beautiful sunset, he thought, smiling.
—Hey, Jotaro! You coming or not? —Kira shouted from ahead.
—Yeah, I'm coming! —he called back.
Jotaro looked at the sunset one last time before following them, walking beside his companions as they headed back toward the Adventurers' Guild.