Keyzier and Donovan entered the forest on the outskirts of the city to carry out the mission of killing 6 goblins. The mission was actually simple for adventurers of their class, but for Keyzier, this was a moment to prove his new teamwork.
They moved quickly through the trees. Donovan's sword danced with deadly precision, while Keyzier's elemental magic supported from behind with perfect accuracy. Six goblins fell in no time.
However, just as they had collected the last goblin ear cutting and were about to head back, the ground shook violently.
From behind the dense bushes, a giant figure three meters tall emerged. The creature resembled a primate, but its body was not covered in ordinary fur. Every strand of its fur glistened metallically, reflecting the remaining light of the dusk sun.
They were blocked by a Metal Monk.
"Metal Monk..!!?" exclaimed Keyzier, his eyes widening as he recognized the monster's unique characteristics.
"What is a Metal Monk, Key?" asked Donovan warily, his sword drawn forward.
"It's a Rank B great ape monster that has evolved from eating too many metal crystals in the mountains," explained Keyzier quickly, his brain spinning through the monster encyclopedia. "And that monster is now a Rank A monster! Its skin is as hard as steel!"
The monster roared, the sound like striking iron, deafening their ears.
"Let's fight, Key!" shouted Donovan, no fear in his eyes.
The two of them immediately moved to attack the Metal Monk. Donovan charged forward with his sword, while Keyzier jumped to the opposite side, his hands shrouded in a magical aura.
"Haaaaa!!"
The battle was fierce. The monster's punches were capable of cracking the ground, but Donovan and Keyzier moved as if they shared a single mind.
Keyzier and Donovan understood each other's movements perfectly. It was as if they had been fighting together for years. When Donovan slashed the monster's legs to disturb its balance, Keyzier fired fire magic right into the monster's face to disrupt its vision.
"Now, Novan!" shouted Keyzier.
Donovan jumped high, his sword flowing with mana, striking right at the weak point in the monster's neck where the metal plating was slightly open.
CRACK!
Finally, they managed to defeat the Metal Monk. The giant body collapsed with a loud thud.
Their breath was ragged. Donovan wiped the sweat from his forehead, then turned to Keyzier with a look of admiration. Earlier, there was a moment where Keyzier left his back completely open to lure the monster's attack, fully confident Donovan would deflect it.
"I can't believe you trusted me like that when fighting this monster earlier!" said Keyzier, being the first to express his awe at Donovan's reflexes.
"Of course, Key. I was sure you understood me. So, I trusted my back to you!" replied Donovan sincerely.
Keyzier smiled broadly. "That's true. Without realizing it, I attacked right when you were about to, or right after you attacked."
"Hahaha, fighting with a childhood friend is fun!" exclaimed Novan, laughing freely in the middle of the forest.
They returned to the guild, dragging the Metal Monk's carcass. Along the city streets, they became the center of attention.
Residents stepped aside, whispering in awe at the two young men dragging the Metal Monk monster.
Inside the guild, they also became the center of attention. Silence fell as the door opened and the metal carcass was placed on the floor. They handed the Metal Monk over to Anna.
Anna was shocked by their arrival. Their appearance was a bit messy, faces smudged with dust—yet they were carrying a Metal Monk. She took a few minutes to process what she was seeing.
After weighing and assessing, Anna handed over a very heavy bag of money. The Guild paid 120,548 Zol for the Metal Monk and the goblin hunting mission.
"How could you guys encounter a Metal Monk? That is a rare and very dangerous monster."
Keyzier told Anna everything with fiery enthusiasm, explaining the details of their tactics and how they managed to defeat the monster with combination attacks.
Anna's eyes sparkled with admiration. "Amazing. Aside from being childhood friends, you two already understand each other perfectly! Coordination like that usually takes years for a normal party."
"Of course!" answered Keyzier proudly.
Anna smiled at Keyzier. "You really trust him, don't you?"
Hearing that praise, Keyzier's brain short-circuited with enthusiasm again. He wrapped his arm tightly around Donovan's shoulder, stared at the entire guild room, and then shouted at maximum volume.
"OF COURSE. BESIDES HIM BEING MY CHILDHOOD FRIEND, WE ARE ALSO PEOPLE WHO ADMIRE AND LIKE EACH OTHER..!! HOW ABOUT THAT, AMAZING ISN'T IT?"
Keyzier's loud shout made everyone in the guild stare at the two of them. Burly adventurers choked on their drinks. Several waitresses dropped their trays. The atmosphere turned awkward and ambiguous instantly.
Meanwhile, Anna, who was in front of them, fell silent and gaped, her cheeks blushing red as she imagined things she shouldn't.
Donovan froze. He felt strange stares stabbing his back. He turned slowly toward Keyzier with a murderous look.
"W-What are you shouting so loudly for, key...!?" he hissed in panic.
Keyzier looked confused, genuinely not understanding why everyone was reacting strangely. "Of course, something amazing. Are you stupid? We do admire each other!"
"THE STUPID ONE IS YOU, KEYZIER, YOU MORON...!!!" Donovan shouted in frustration, his voice echoing through the guild hall.
"What's wrong with you? Clearly, it's something to be proud of, defeating that Metal Monk! Why are you ashamed to admit your feelings?" asked Keyzier innocently.
Donovan massaged his forehead, trying to divert people's attention from the "love between men" topic Keyzier had accidentally created. He had to change the subject. Now.
"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? DID ARGUS AND HIS FRIENDS KICK YOU OUT BECAUSE OF THIS STUPIDITY, KEY?" Donovan blurted out.
Keyzier's face turned serious at the name. "Of course not, you Stupid Novan!"
Anna, who was still in shock, suddenly snapped out of it upon hearing that name. "Wait. Argus? You mean Argus Hazel from the strongest S-party, Keyzier?"
"Yes. I was kicked out by them because they considered me trash! But, I don't care about that anymore. I'm already with him!" answered Keyzier firmly, pointing at Donovan. Once again, the phrase "already with him" made people whisper again.
Everyone in the guild was shocked to learn he was a former member of the strongest S-rank praty. Whispers began to sound loud.
"He's from that party?"
"Why was he thrown out?"
"He just killed a Rank A with only two people?"
"What was your position?" asked Anna curiously, her eyes investigating Keyzier's hidden potential.
"I am now a mage, and if pressed, I use my sword! All-rounder!" answered Keyzier proudly.
"I mean in the Argus Hazel's Party!"
Keyzier's smile faded slightly. His gaze sharpened. "I was a support in their party!"
"Why support?" asked Anna, confused. Clearly, Keyzier's combat ability just now was above average.
Keyzier sighed deeply; the frustration he had buried for so long finally overflowed. He immediately ranted to Anna, spilling all the injustice he had received.
"Anna, think about it. Just because I stood out during training, I was told to use only support magic! Argus didn't want anyone shining brighter than him!"
Keyzier clenched his fists. "You know, at that time I couldn't even use that magic. I am a frontline fighter! Then, for the sake of the team, I studied and practiced that magic until I mastered it! I stayed up all night learning about buffs!"
"Then what did I get from them after I tried so hard?" his voice trembled with emotion. "Yes, they kicked me out of the party and treated me like trash. Imagine, without knowing what I did wrong, I was just thrown away!"
He looked into Anna's eyes intently, seeking validation.
"Do you understand my feelings, anna?"
Anna, touched by the story of sacrifice, nodded slowly. Her eyes were teary. "Yes, I understand and feel for you! That is very unfair."
Keyzier smiled in relief because he felt understood. However, his insensitivity returned.
"Anna, so that means you also like and admire me like Novan?"
Donovan's eyes widened. What kind of question is that?!
Anna's face turned crimson, redder than before. "W-What do you mean?"
Donovan leaned in slightly, whispering loudly as if Keyzier wasn't there. "Anna, just say yes. This idiot won't be able to understand."
Anna, nervous and confused, could only stutter. "Y-Yes!"
Keyzier's patience ran out, and he grabbed his best friend's collar.
"NOVAN, WHAT DID YOU SAY JUST NOW?" shouted Keyzier, not accepting his words.
"I ONLY SAID TO HER THAT YOU ARE A MORON...!! ARE YOU FLIRTING WITH THE RECEPTIONIST OR CAUSING TROUBLE, HUH?"
Keyzier began babbling incoherently to Donovan. "€¢#$°*¥€£#$π*∆¶€¢¥°*#°¥¢£¥"
"I don't understand what you're saying. Speak in human language!" snapped Donovan while dragging Keyzier out of the guild before strange rumors spread any further.
"NOVAAAAANNNN....!!!"