The afternoon sun spilled through the high windows of the guildhall, casting golden patches across the wooden floor. Arin sat with Ren at one of the crowded tables, a tray of food between them — mostly bread, stew, and the faint smell of ale from nearby adventurers.
"So…" Arin said between bites, "how do we actually take a quest? Do we just pick one off the board?"
Ren chuckled. "You could, but most of the good ones require at least an E-rank. We're F-ranks — basically errand boys until we prove ourselves."
Arin frowned. "Then how do we rank up?"
"You need a sponsor. Someone at least E-rank or higher to form a party with you. Once you complete a few runs together, the guild bumps you up."
Arin leaned back, thinking. "You know anyone who'd help us?"
Ren scratched the back of his head. "Hmm… maybe one person."
"Oh?"
"She's a D-rank," Ren said, lowering his voice as if talking about a ghost. "Goes by the name Lyssia. You'll spot her by the purple cloak and empty bottles."
Arin blinked. "A D-rank? Isn't that too high for us?"
Ren shrugged. "Yeah, way more than we need. But she's the only one I know who doesn't run with a team. She saved my skin once — some older adventurers tried to rob me of my quest reward. She showed up, broke a chair over the leader's head, and scared the rest off."
Arin raised an eyebrow. "Sounds… intense."
"She is. And she doesn't like people." Ren leaned forward. "She drinks. A lot. So if she's in a bad mood, maybe don't talk too much."
Arin smirked. "And if she's in a good mood?"
Ren grinned. "Then she'll probably still threaten to punch you, but maybe she'll mean it less."
---
They found Lyssia exactly where Ren said she'd be — at the far corner of the guild tavern, slouched over a table with a mug in hand, half her face hidden by her cloak's hood. A few empty bottles sat beside her like trophies.
Ren nudged Arin. "That's her. You do the talking."
"Me? Why me?"
"Because she already knows I talk too much."
Arin sighed, straightened his tunic, and approached. "Um, excuse me—"
Without looking up, Lyssia muttered, "If you're selling something, I'm not buying. If you're recruiting, I'm not joining. If you're challenging me, you're not ready."
Ren whispered, "See? Friendly."
Arin didn't back down. "Actually, I'm just looking for someone to sponsor us. We're new — F-rank. We want to take a beginner quest."
Lyssia finally looked up, revealing sharp amber eyes — calm, but heavy with experience. She studied him for a long moment before setting down her drink.
"Two rookies," she said flatly. "And you want me to babysit you?"
"We'll do all the work," Arin said quickly. "We just need your name on the form."
Lyssia leaned back, a faint smirk forming. "You've got guts, kid. Most run off after one look at me."
Arin grinned slightly. "Guess I'm not most."
For the first time, her expression softened — barely. "Fine. One quest. If you slow me down, I walk. Understood?"
Arin nodded eagerly. "Understood."
Ren whispered, "You actually convinced her. I don't know if I should be proud or terrified."
Lyssia rose from her seat, her cloak falling just enough to reveal a sword at her hip and an iton insignia glinting beneath. "Meet me by the east gate at dawn," she said. "And bring supplies. You're about to learn what real adventuring feels like."
As she left, Arin turned to Ren with wide eyes. "She said yes."
Ren chuckled, finishing the last of Lyssia's leftover ale. "Yeah, but you just volunteered us for a hangover with legs."
---
Lyssia stared at the two boys for a long moment. Then, without a word, she tipped back her bottle and downed what was left of her drink.
The glass hit the table with a sharp clack.
"Let's go register," she said, standing.
Ren blinked. "Wait—seriously?"
She glanced over her shoulder. "Before I change my mind."
Arin and Ren hurried after her as she strode toward the registration counter, cloak trailing behind her like a shadow. The receptionist looked up as they approached, clearly surprised to see her with anyone.
"Lyssia? Forming a party?"
"Unfortunately," Lyssia muttered. "Register us before I regret it."
The clerk smiled faintly, pulling out a parchment. "Party name?"
Arin and Ren exchanged a look.
"Oh! I've got it!" Arin said, snapping his fingers. "How about… The Flaming Eagles!"
Ren groaned. "No. Absolutely not."
Lyssia pinched the bridge of her nose. "Are you serious?"
"Okay, okay," Arin said quickly. "What about… The Brave Blades!"
Ren facepalmed. "You're just adding adjectives to weapons now."
Lyssia looked between them, unimpressed. "You're both hopeless."
Arin frowned, thinking hard. "Then you pick something!"
Ren hesitated, then shrugged. "Hmm… Silver Dawn?"
Lyssia paused. Her gaze flickered — maybe approval, maybe just tolerance. "Acceptable," she said finally.
The clerk wrote it down with a grin. "Alright. Party 'Silver Dawn,' registered under Lyssia, D-rank. Members: Ren and Arin, F-rank."
She stamped the paper, sealing it with the guild's crest, and handed Arin a smaller copy.
The clerk flipped through their registration forms, then nodded. "Everything seems in order. That'll be five silver for the party registration."
Lyssa arched an eyebrow and looked at the boys.
Ren immediately turned to Arin.
Arin sighed — as they had agreed before — and pulled out the small pouch he had prepared. He placed five silver coins on the counter, each one clinking softly against the wood.
The clerk smiled, sweeping them away and stamping the parchment. "All done. Welcome to the guild, adventurers."
As they stepped aside, Lyssa crossed her arms, glancing at Arin with a smirk. "I hope you don't regret using your life savings just to form a party."
Arin forced a grin. "Too late for regrets now."
Ren chuckled, slapping him lightly on the back. "Hey, at least we're officially broke together."
Lyssa rolled her eyes, turning toward the exit. "Let's just hope you two can swing swords better than you handle money."
Arin exchanged a glance with Ren — both half-laughing, half-dreading what they'd just gotten themselves into.