It wasn't such a good time walking into the adventurer's guild, Neil already noticing the stares that came from many as they moved closer to the desk. Klein dragged behind the two as they finally reached the attendant who looked disinterested entirely.
"So. what'll it be boys?"
"We're looking for a new request, preferably one involving small groups of monsters." The attendant glanced to the side of Neil, noting the Demi-human beside him as she gave the two a questionable look.
Neil cringed, maybe it was a bad idea? Moving away from the counter to the board, she beckoned the three as they followed, leaving another to work in her place.
Klein stopped them for a moment, much to his curiosity.
"Keep her with you and choose one together, I need to go grab something..." Grab something? Neil wasn't too sure what to make of his brother's request, but he nodded in compliance. Watching Klein exit the building, Amari felt uneasy as they approached the board.
There were so many quests to take on, she didn't even know where to start.
Maybe an escort mission? No... Oh! How about this one? Neil picked a piece of paper off from the board, smiling to himself as he read the description. Handing it to Amari, she felt her heart stop when she read the description.
HELP NEEDED!
AID: GOBLIN ATTACK!
LOCATION: GREY FOREST, ALOYSIUS.
That's not too far from here, but... Neil cringed as he recollected their previous engagement. They barely got out of that one unscathed, with Klein possibly taking the worst of beatings. He still remembered the horror on his face, looking down on his defeated brother in a bloody mess.
He was glad that other lady with them was such an expert archer, maybe he should ask her to join them...
Goblins...? Her fearful expression was clear to their faces, with Neil frowning as he knew she was scared. The attendant glared at Neil with concern, but Neil ignored her as he turned to Amari. Patting her shoulder, Amari looked up to find Neil's giving a warm smile to comfort her. He slowly took the paper from her whilst putting it back up.
"Maybe not this one, seems a bit much don't you think...?" He said, glancing to the attendant who nodded heavily.
"You got that right." The attentdant said, turning to Amari with a serious expression "I heard other adventurers spotted your brother bleeding like a river." She gestured to one of the hallways near the back of the current room, as Amari looked behind her and seeing Klein standing alone.
He was waiting outside one of many doors down the hall with a piece of paper, reading over it in silence. It wasn't until the door opened and a young boy came out and gestured him in, which Klein made his way inside as he followed.
"Your right about that, I counted over 20 goblins..."
"BIG DEAL! I COULD KILL THIRTY WITHOUT BREAKING A SWEAT!" Klein and the attendant turned to one of the voices at one of the tables on the right of the room. Sitting between one of the many tables, one burly-haired man sat with his party. The cocky guy smirked as he took out his sword, emphasising something as he ran his finger across the edge.
"This thing here, it's made from only the strongest material in the land..." He was about to continue his pointless dialogue when Neil and the attendant were already turning away. "Wha- Hey! Cmon Lizrya-" The young man's party member grabbed his shoulder, as he looked to his bald partner who shook his head to not even try.
She definitely agreed with him about the goblin mission, especially after getting word of the brothers conditions after they returned. before looking back at the board for another quest. This only made Amari feel dejected, as she quickly reached to grab the same paper as before.
"Amari?"
"I want to try this one if it's ok with you..." Neil grimaced as she seemed unsure, but one look back to the attendant made him sure.
"Alright..."Turning to 'Lizrya', she wasn't too bothered anymore as she stamped the paper. She waved the two off, with both of them walking to one of the nearby tables. Both were feeling appalled by their upcoming mission, with Amari afraid and Neil with only bad memories of their first encounter. It was at that moment that Klein walked back in, sweating tiredly as he joined the two.
"So? How'd it go?"
"Amari got us a new quest, check it out."
Neil showed his brother as Amari observed the surrounding people, having moved to a nearby table and chairs, sitting comfortably. Looking around, she noticed that there were few Demi-humans around, with few being alone, while others were with a different party. From what she read, Aloysius was ruled by a king who valued both races, taking in their kind from the other kingdoms who thought things black & white.
Now here she was, in-between them both whilst been taken care of by humans. Amari wouldn't think on it any longer, as she watched familiar faces walk by from one of the nearby rooms.
It's the ones from before... Neil perked up from his conversation, acknowledging the three adventurers as they angrily walked past. Not wanting to spare a glance, Klein faced the others head to the map whilst frowning to himself. Amari wanted to question him why which he immediately replied.
"Judging by their expression, a confrontation with them now would be bad..."
"HEY!"
Or they'd just notice us anyway... Isn't this just convenient for us... Klein sarcastically cracked to himself, his frown more visible as he heard the same adventurers from last night approach him from behind. He could feel the hot air from the middle-aged man's breath brush down on his neck, like a lion slowly inching towards its next victim.
But this man was no lion, he was more like an ape trying to look intimidating.
"H-Hey Gerad we need not do this..."
"Oh- hello again..." Neil tried to sound nice as the man wouldn't stop glaring at Klein, who still refused to turn around. The man behind who held the whip wasn't so cocky now, as he was trying to defuse the tension already built between them both. The third man wouldn't move an inch, staring at Amari whose vexed expression didn't cease.
"Please go away..."
"LOOK AT ME WHEN I'M TALKING TO YOU-" The man named Gerad put his hand on Klein's shoulder, gripping it tightly as the older brother's face scrunched up. First, this man assaults his brother, then he starts a fight and scolds Amari, and he expects me to buckle down and listen to him?
He's had enough of this old man's sick rabble.
Turning around slowly, it came as a shock to everyone when Klein pulled out the same knife as before. Faster than Neil could see, he was already facing its blade on the man's throat, not even budging as the third adventurer had a spell pointed towards his face.
"Who are you to give me orders? Is it because of your rank?" Klein moved his face closer to Thom, his pupils shrinking as he showed no signs in backing down. "Don't you even thinking about giving me some weak shit like that." Klein's quiet tone showed hate, the venom laced in it making Amari feel uncomfortable.
Neil was reaching for his sword when the whip user brought his hand out, telling him otherwise.
"Please don't." His voice sounded almost earnest to Neil, as he watched the young man try to console the member of his party. But it was to no avail, as the man was already screaming the roof off the building.
"I've lost my rank because of you! Someone told the guild about my actions..." Pushing his forehead against Klein's, the man tried the route of intimidation to scare him into apologizing. But it wouldn't work, only making Klein even angrier at his lack of personal space.
"-and I think you slavers were the ones that did it." That last comment about the two being slavers didn't fall on deaf ears, as other adventurers heard what he had said. Glancing around, the man smiled as many spoken about their confrontation, rumours already beginning to spread.
This would be the beginning.
"That's your own goddamn fault, you picked a fight in public and you lost." Klein nudged to Neil who stepped back with his arms crossed, his glare digging into the other spellcaster as he spoke.
"Yet you are perturbed by his claim, already feeling uneasy at the crowds around the hall." The third man whose magic faded from his hands faded away, putting his arms down as Klein sharpened his attention to the mage. A closer look showed that he must've been doing it for a while, having a huge bag next to his feet, as Klein could faintly see a large array of books.
"You see here's the thing if you fellas don't apologise, things will get real ugly." The man reached to his bag, pulling out a knife of his own before slowly bringing it up to Klein. He immediately responded by pushing the blade's edge into the man's neck, as he inched back to avoid getting cut.
"Oh? It didn't turn out so well last time..." Klein whispered, causing the man to grin as he took a step back. Cracking his neck, he grunted while reaching for a sword which alerted the room.
Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.
"What if the guild finds out about your little threat, wont you get booted for misconduct?" Neil said, remembering rules placed onto the walls of the building.
"Hah- As if, no ones gonna take the boss down a notch."
The boss...? Klein took a mental note in his head to background check this guy later. Though from Klein's point of view he wasn't anything special, thinking about the hundreds of ways things would go wrong.
"We've been needing a new party member for a while, preferably a female..." The man's smirk grew as his eyes turned to Amari. Her face lit up in anger as she was about to pull out her dagger.
Klein had already head-butted Thom as he went tumbling onto the floor. The other two adventurers didn't make a move, watching as their party leader painfully got back up. Judging by their reactions, they were disturbed at what he had said just as much as he was.
"Y-YOU BASTARD!" The man was done with words, already scrambling to take his sword out of his holster when a nearby lady stopped between the two groups.
She fashioned a white undershirt, with a dark blue vest and a skirt going down to her knees. She wore dark tights to hide her legs, with black slip-on shoes to go with her ponytail. Pushing her hair back, the human attendant glared at both Klein's group and Thom's as she growled in disgust at their actions.
"Not in this building you won't! If you two want to settle your differences, you'll do it outside." The older man got up, scoffing at the guild attendant before looking back to Klein. His stink eye was so obvious that it made everything around him smell like shit, as Neil got up from his seat.
"Miss, this man was harassing us and-" Neil tried to explain, when instead he got a hand put right up at his face.
"If you got a problem, deal with it outside."
"Gladly, hey kid." The man pointed towards Klein, who just tilted his head in response. He knew that this adventurer would be a bother, so he'd best get to know who he was. He gestured to the door with a deceitful smile, disturbing Neil as he walked to the entrance.
"How about this... If you beat me, then my party and I won't bother you anymore?"
Hard to believe... Klein thought, watching as his other two friends stand beside him.
"But if I win, you pay me back with something." He seemed confident in saying that it only pressured Klein even more. Neil looked to his perplexed brother. This was their chance to get rid of them once and for all. But does the risk of being in debt really push Klein that far?
"Klein..." Neil was about to try and talk him out of it, to which he was met with another hand in his face. Thom had already exited the building, as Klein followed not too far behind.
"You heard what he said," He pointed back to the door, his angered demeanour gone as he stood in-place "-and now he's walked away again." Klein clenched his fist, glaring at his brother who stood there in silence. Amari decided to step in, speaking up as she stood in front of Neil.
"Mister Klein, I-" Klein sadly hadn't noticed her move in front of his brother, as he had already turned around walking out the door. Amari's heart sank as she felt she was being ignored, while Neil just stood there in utter silence at his brother's lack of awareness.
"KLEIN!"
................................................
"All right people, stand back! This fight will be until one of the two concedes or knockout!" One of the nearby townspeople began organising people, all the while Klein began walking to the middle of the street. Walking with Neil and Amari in-tow, they both couldn't help but fear the worst for their sibling.
Neil was the first to object.
"You don't have to be the one to do this, I can step in if-" Neil tried to convince his brother otherwise, already pointing out the advantages of him going instead. More stamina, more athletic, and most of all not blinded by his rage.
"Can you take a punch?" His question was direct and straught to the point, as Neil quietly stood there perplexed.
Klein nodded, not even giving his younger brother a chance to answer as he took up his shield. Shaking his right arm, he began adjusting himself whilst holding the shield. In his opinion, he would've preferred the shield to be a little smaller, not being big enough to pass his knees.
This would have to do.
"Remind me to punch you in the face one of these days..." Neil cringed at his older brothers comment, taking note of what they were doing only a few hours ago in the morning. It wasn't the first time Neil went to blows with his older brother, and it definitely wouldn't be his last.
Pretty sure I have a few bruises saying yes.
Looking across the street, the old man stood to get his own equipment prepared. It was unnerving how he didn't even seem that bothered, as he kept looking back to Klein. It caused some heartache to the brothers, as Neil and Amari weren't confident in Klein.
"Have some faith guys, and if it doesn't work out, you could always run..."
"You're not helping Klein," Neil said, his older brother ignoring the clear irritation in his voice as he took a few steps forward. Turning around, they noticed a smirk shine on Klein's face.
Klein tapped his copper plate tied to his shoulder as he continued, "My comment was enough to silence him, and I belive he's worried this loss will cause a chain reaction to people watching." Neil was still confused as to what he meant, with Klein sighing as he pat his brothers shoulder.
"Just trust in me, okay?"
"Oi! You people ready?!" The man keeping everyone away from the streets shouted to Klein, already at the center of both him and the middle-aged adventurer. Klein gave a thumbs up while the other man nodded, signaling the beginning of the fight. The man raised his arms, as the two fighters expectantly wait for a signal to start.
Throwing them down, everyone watched as the experienced adventurer charged at Klein.
Well, this sure is dramatic... Klein thought in the back of his mind, thinking of the a duel between samurais when it was anythingPicking up speed, Klein kept a walking pace as the man went even faster. As they finally reached each other, the old man threw a very obvious horizontal swing aimed at his head.
Klein slid under it, letting his armored knees brush against the cold stone road as they passed by each other.
This guy is big, which means he's a powerhouse... Klein looked at the man as he turned back around with his sword in-hand, ready to go for another swing. He took note of how big the sword was, nearly half the man's height as he was already leaping at Klein against.
It was a good thing he was, that made him slow and easy to dodge his attacks. His next move was easily choreagraphed, his right foot stomping in place before swinging with all his might in Klein's direction. He managed to get down in time, the blade brushing over the top of his shield as he held it for cover. Thom used this chance to kick Klein back as he took another step forward.
Shit! Klein cursed as he put up his shield to the right as felt the sword make impact. Thankfully the shield was strong enough to endure, as his whole body was sent flying a metre away. Crashing onto the floor, people gasped as how a crack had been made at the very front.
"Broken already?! Fight me like a man, boy!" He heard the man shout from the distance, already growing tired of Klein's needless dodging.
"Holy shit... This guys actually trying to kill me... "Klein checked his shield, groaning as he saw a huge X right in the centre. This guy must've been targeting the middle, checking in front to see Thom charging at him again. Klein felt his breathing go heavy, still affect by the blow as he thought of a new plan.
The man swung his blade diagonally, facing down to Klein as he managed to put his sword up and divert the blow. It barely missed his left shoulder, Klein rolling away to avoid another slash. This cycle would repeat every time he'd try to get in, with each blow from Thom's long-sword bashing away at Klein.
"Dammit, if this keeps up... " Klein could feel his already shallow pool of strength slip away. It wasn't a good matchup when he thought about it, maybe he really should've gotten Neil to fight instead. Klein shook his head, of course he wouldn't let his brother fight this prick. But he wouldn't be deterred just yet.
Using his free hand, he picked up a punch of dirt as he ran back, avoiding a blow to the head. With his plan already in motion, Klein rushed in with his shield to clash against the man's sword. Theoretically, if he got close enough, the old man wouldn't have enough space to swing his sword properly.
That meant that he'd have more than enough time to throw the dirt in his face, and bash him with his shi-
"INPULSE EVA!"
"UAAAUFGGGhgghhhh-!" Klein felt his world go black, feeling a huge surge of pain through his upper body near his heart. Skidding across the cold floor, Neil and Amari watched in horror as their brother was slammed across the street with little to no recovery. He wanted to run and help him, but Klein knew what was going to hapepen if they did.
Klein, as foolish as he was, wanted them to trust in him.
"Amari, please pray that Klein gets through this in one piece..." Neil watched as his brother raised his arm, pointing to Neil as he gestured 'no' with his fingers. Her ears wavered, still looking to the pathway as Amari still seemed bothered by something.
They watched as Klein dragged himself back up, his body smoking as he struggled to stand.
This hurts so much... I can't feel my everything...! Klein's quiet shrieks of pain showed everyone observing that the fight was already at its close, as footsteps already began leaving. Murmurs of disappointment echoed throughout the town as the old adventurer approached Klein.
Of course he'd use that same move.. How was I so blind..!? His body was turned away, grabbing sand with his right hand before trying to surprise the old man with an attack with his knife. Thom had reached his opponent, who responded by gripping the knife with one hand. As Klein looked in shock, he felt a fist hit his stomach.
"A frontal assault?! You really are pathetic, aren't you?" The old man began laughing to himself, grabbing Klein by the neck as he pulled the inexperienced boy closer. Klein struggled to breathe as he continued ranting about his inadequacies, with the former just trying not to pass out.
"You boys have done it now, pissing me off... Any last words before I take her from you?"
"Y-yeah-... Ha... Please forgive me..." Klein felt his sight blur, but it was just enough time to pull it off. He threw dirt onto the mans face as he laughed at the attempted assault, covering it with his other hand before clutching harder.
"Ha? Why would I forgive trash like you?" He noticed the young man muttering to himself, as the former-adventurer Gerad Thom listened in on the attempted apology. Neil and Amari watched in horror as Klein was struggling to breath, no air coming through as it had been completely cut off. Trying to grip his head tight didn't help, as Thom was unfazed by his lack of strength.
Just like that, Klein had blacked out in front of them. But to everyones shock, Thom refused to let go as he kept a grim smile on his face. One of his party members had begun approaching him to stop, calling out to the old adventurer. "Thom, thats enough-"
"Shut up, I'll teach him and the others a lesson once he's..." Gerad Thom had begun to slow down as he noticed the young man's hands were both placed onto the tip of his head. The former-adventurer was in for a surprise, as Klein's eyes shot open as he dug his nails into his skin.
"I N P U L S E E V A . . . !"
Thom's heart stopped, his eyes widening in surprise as he tried to let go. But it was too late, a shock wave surged through his skull as he screamed out in pain. Klein had kept his hands on the old man's head, digging in his finger tops as a blast of lightning was spreading throughout his body. Thom's body begun to actively glow blue, blinding both Klein and the crowd as they shielded their eyes.
It alerted those who weren't watching the fight, as people looked on in surprise at the vicious electricity.
So thats why... But Klein knew that this was nowhere near mastered, as the resulting explosion blew the two away from each other. Neil covering his eyes realised just what Klein meant, thinking back to the book he was reading before. He tried so hard to remember what it was, the sparks that would dance along his fingers as he read quietly.
Both came crashing across the street, weakened in their own right and unfit to continue. The area grew silent as Neil questioned whether he should intervene and help his brother, as people staring wouldn't move. It wasn't until grunts of pain could be heard from the other end, as Klein weakly got up.
It's not over... yet...! Klein's mind was not stable. His beat down along with the lightning strike was enough to push anyone over the edge. He had managed to stand back up, while the other was had somehow survived. Whimpering in defeat as he couldn't move, Klein gave a devilish smirk.
The fight wasn't over until the man had conceeded, as willpower was one of the few things fueling him now.
The strength to get justice for what's happened to Amari, to Neil, to him. Klein didn't want to waste any more time as he made his way to the downed adventurer.
"I'm not letting you off easy, you paedophile piece of shit!" Klein's voice was already wheezing, even as he tried to yell in rage. Each step he took made his legs looking more disjointed, his posture was straightening as his face stretched in anger. Reaching pulling a weapon out of his pocket alarmed everyone in view, as Klein grit his teeth.
Neil was already rushing to intercept his brother.
But he didn't make it in time, as Gerad Thom raised his head to find it staring down at him. A familiar touch ran down his spine, as once again he was at the mercy of this brother. The brother who had been taking care of a homeless Demi-human, not a slave. A kind youth who had been pushed to the edge.
In such a short battle, the veteran was outsmarted by the rookie in such a hilarious fashion. It was almost pitiable how he screwed up, as the young man pulled out a knife. His years of adventure, the deeds, and misdeeds he's done were finally starting to catch up to him.
Gerad closed his eyes, he could only accept death for the things he said, and the actions he took.
"Don't come anywhere near my family again."
Gerad looked up to find Klein staring off into space, fixated on what was ahead of him. The out-of-touch veteran saw as his brother and Demi-human were running to his side. Worry was plastered all over their faces, one that he realised was for the unstable adventurer before him.
With a sigh, Gerad slowly got up from his kneeling position. He didn't mind as the victor took a step away to meet with his family.
"Mister Klein...?" Amari had walked up to Klein, her hands pointing towards the knife as he looked down to it. The blade was perfectly clean, it's shine easily noticeable by the reflection by Neil's perfect scrubbing. But when he looked at who was in the mirror, Klein recoiled as he saw something he didn't like.
A monster.
I'm losing my minds... God dammit... Klein quietly moved to his brother, as Neil nod in understanding of what he wanted. Putting his brother's arm around his own shoulder, Neil carried him back to the apothecary. Amari followed behind, glancing back to the beaten old-timer before continuing with the two.
"Gerad, where do you think they are going?"
"Should we follow them?"
"No.." The man watched as the trio made their way through the crowds, as many were now starting to disperse. The boy had gotten lucky, but sometimes one wrong move can determine a fight. He recalled the things he said, how cruel it must've sounded to the brothers.
It was at that moment when he realised the man had forgotten to ask for their names.
"Who're those boys, do you know their names?"
"They're brothers, I've been lead to believe the older one is named Klein..."
In only a few days, this 'Klein' learned one of the Holy Order's spells... He crossed his arms, mind wandering to how he learned such a spell.
"Oh well, it doesn't matter..." Soft footsteps approached from behind the trio, as Gerad and his two party members turned to find a hooded figure in front of them. This small girl slipped out something from her hood before showing them a scroll, showing a list of names. Pointing towards one name, the group sweatdropped at her voice. Her voice being far too quiet for them to hear.
"Do you know any 'Klein' around here?!"