"Hey Luke! Eryn! What are you two doing in there? Why is It taking so long?"

"Huh? Vina?"

"Yeah it's me, what are you two doing in there?"

"Come in! And close the door!"

Vina opened the door to a peculiar scene, Luke sitting in the bed with an expression that said 'did i just do that?' with Eryn right next to him with an expression that screams 'oh God oh fuck'

"Umm... What happen?"

"Vina This is urgent!"

"What is it? Did something happen to him? Why is he so quiet?"

"That draconian you fought!"

"The scammer? What does this have to do with her?"

"Did you hear her say anything about being an archmage?"

"Yeah i do, why?"

"Come here! I'll explain"

Eryn got up and started whispering to vina about the situation

"What!"

"Yes! You two are on great danger!"

"It- it- it should be fine, she's in jail"

"Do you think that Will stop her? We have to get out of this town and report back to the guild!"

"But-"

A knock in the door startled all of Them including Luke who snapped out of whatever he's thinking about, they opened the door to see the owner of the inn.

"Do you need anything?"

"Oh nothing, i'm just here to give you three a report from the guards"

"What is it?"

"It said to keep an eye out for any red-scaled draconian with a scar on it's face, apparently this draconian just escaped prison"

"Excuse us"

They slammed the door on the owner and back to arguing

"See? We have to get out of here! We have no chance to fight her!"

"Well Luke and i managed to beat her on the tavern..."

"She must be holding back! Is she was serious she would just turn you to dust with a pillar of fire!"

"Oh..."

"She can probably raze this town to the ground if she really wants to!"

"Then what do we do?"

"Get out of the town and report!"

"I don't think that would work... If she is Targeting Luke then she would be watching out for who get In and out of town"

"Oh God you're not wrong"

"May i make a suggestion?"

"What is it Luke" x 2

"The draconian guard"

"The drako guy?"

"Yeah, i say we ask for protection from him, he's the only true draconian guard in the town right?"

"Maybe,But he can't protect us all the time"

"Then we'll protect ourselves"

"How?"

"I'll ask kottar to train me again"

"Luke are you stupid? You training with kottar would be the golden chance for her to kill you"

"Excuse me who is kottar?"

"Luke's trainer, he's an orc like him, they usually train outside the town wall"

"That just sounds like a bad idea"

"It is"

"Hmm what about the rune shop?"

"Huh?"

"Maybe there's a rune that can help me fight her when the time comes? Eryn do you know anything about runes?"

"Not a lot, i don't really study Them"

"Why don't we just send Eryn to report this? Or better to the guards so they can send a messenger?"

"Oh i didn't think of that"

"*Sigh* idiot, Eryn can you go back to inner Cities and report the officials there about this?"

"I can, but that would take a long time, it already takes weeks to arrive here with a convoy, i don't think another one is being scheduled for now and walking there would take months"

"Why does things always happened at the worst time possible?"

"Hey, look let's just ask for protection and go to the rune shop for now, up our chances a little bit you know? And maybe tell the guards like you said"

"He's right, that's the most logical thing to do right now, telling the guards would make Them more wary and maybe they can send a messenger quicker"

"Huh... Okay..."

"Calm down Vina"

"How can i calm down? We just made someone powerful our enemy!"

"Exactly calm down! Thinking about it would only make you panic even more"

"Oh God... Fine, let's just go to sleep and do what we need to do next morning"

They all looked at each other and nodded, Luke and vina got out of the room and into their own, they both sat in silence before Luke broke it.

"Hey uhh..."

"What?"

"That was good"

"What's good?"

"When i mentioned kottar and Eryn ask who he was you immediately said he was an orc like me, it was smooth"

"Well now you know you can always trust me on keeping your secret"

"I've been thinking"

"About what?"

"How crazy this is, as if getting transported to another world isn't crazy enough, my first enemy is someone who can kill me with a snap of a finger, literally"

"Heh... You're a bad luck charm"

"Maybe i am, but hey atleast i got us rich"

"But we can't use it mindlessly"

"Yeah i know, that's what you said everytime i talk about the two gold coin under the pillow"

"and i'm going to say it again"

"Yeah you would"

----~----

"What does the store look like again?"

"Ornate, golden rimmed doors and all that"

"There it is"

They walked up to the rune store and it was just as Luke had remembered, unneccesarily extravagant, they entered the store and it was just like the outside, full of fancy looking trinkets and random stuff.

"Guess it's not just a rune shop"

"Probably magic items"

"What can i do for a cute couple Like you two?"

The sudden voice that came from nowhere startled both of Them, they turned around to see a short, purple scaled and feminime looking normal draconian male with what must be the most lustful smile Luke had ever seen.

'Femboy dragon guy!'Luke added that to the list of weird things that he has seen so far, that and the excessive amount of jewelry he has on him.

"Oh hello, sorry for coming unannounced, we would like to commision some runes for this man here"

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"Mm-hmm what can i do for you darling~"

"Wuh?"

"Luke! What kind of rune do you want to get?"

"Oh uhh... What do you have?"

"I can make any rune you want honey, as long as it exist"

Ignoring the blatant gay energy this man is radiating Luke smiled, he has been thinking about what kind of rune to get all night and he has come up with something he thinks is decent, but first the price.

"How much does it cost?"

"Depends on how complex and powerful it is, if you want to get a simple rune that just helps you cast spells easier is cheap, getting one that can actually cast and amplify it would require a Fortune"

"Alright, hmm.. one more thing, if you put a rune of fire on a wooden stick what would happen?"

"Your question ls are rather stupid honey, but i'll answer Them, it would make the stick effectively a fire based magic staff"

'i knew it' luke's theory, which he had created last night, turned out to be correct, now his plan can go smoothly

"Alright, i'll order a lightning rune"

"And what would you put it on?"

"This Axe"

"Anything else sweetheart?"

"Hmm does rune of speed exist?"

"They sure does~ although you might want to call it swiftness, most people order Them to make their carriage faster, disgusting work really, to carve those runes on the wheel, do you have anything to make faster?"

"Yikes, i don't think this would be less disgusting, can you put it on these boots?"

"Trust me, that's not the craziest place i've put a rune of swiftness on"

"What's the craziest?"

"Some... Peculiar people want it tatooed into their hips for... Business, if you know what i mean~"

Luke does not know what that means, nor does he want to know, but it made him think for a bit.

"You can make the rune a tatoo?"

"Yes, it's much faster than carving it on things, but it's definitely painful, a sacrifice Some people willing to make for better mating experience is great sometimes"

"What"

"Nothing, your order Will be ready in a few hours, you can wait outside the store and do what you want, or maybe you want to accompany me while i work on it handsome? I'm Fine with that~"

"NO thank you, i'll wait outside, wait Vina do you want anything?"

"What? Me? No need"

"Oh come on don't wanna buy just one rune for your bow or something?"

"He's right sweetheart, perhaps you want something for your bow?" said the faboulous draconian as he put his hand on luke's shoulder, which made him violently jump, the draconian just licked his lips arousingly at the sight.

"Uhm..."

"Here let me take your bow, i'll give it a rune of wind, it can help you shoot better"

"Okay fine"

"Excellent! hey handsome~ i'm still on that offer~"

"NO!"

----~----

"I don't see him anywhere"

"He's probably on the Northern wall Luke, let's just go there"

"No, i swear he's here, everytime i go out to train with kottar he's always here"

"Are you sure?"

"Of course i'm sure, he's 4 meters tall, aha! There he is"

"Alright, do you want to ask alone or should i go back to check on the runes"

"You go back, i'll talk to him alone"

"Alright, don't make him angry, we have enough draconian enemy"

"Don't worry, he's not fucking gay"

"I think he's still mad at you for that one"

"Good! Jesus Christ... All the dragon i know so far want something to do with my crotch for no reason!"

"Meh... Whatever, good luck"

Vina departed and Luke was left alone, the truth is he was pretty scared, all these true draconians can Rip him in half if he offends Them and getting ripped in half is not a part of his agenda.

He steeled himself and walked up to him, the draconian guard who is sitting on the way too small chair next to the gate noticed him approaching.

"Greetings citizen, what can i do for you?"

"Hey" he tried to act cool

"Can i ask for something?"

"What is it you are requesting?"

"Huff... Protection"

"Mmm?"

"Look, remember that draconian lady you arrested yesterday for a fight in the tavern?"

"Yes?"

"She was attacking me, and now that she broke free, i feel Like i would need some protection"

"The guards in this town already gave adequate protection, no need to worry about her, we Will catch her"

"But-"

"I can report you for hindering my work"

"....."

"So?"

"Alright fine, thank you"

"Your welcome"

----~----

Drako left his post with an allowance from his captain, and is now searching the alleyways she really likes to hide in.

"Sylvia!"

Despite being in the middle of the day the alleyway he was on is still dark, and out of said darkness walked out Sylvia and the first thing she did is crossing her arms

"What is it drako?"

"I have bad news"

"What bad news?"

"They weird guy you are going for, he asked me for protection from you, i think he knows what you are"

"I'm Sorry, you Mean WHO i am"

"Doesn't matter, if he knows you're in great danger"

"Good thing i'm already going for him then"

"I'm sure he got friends, and you can't attack inside the town!"

"Why? I'm sure i can just snap him to death and no one Will notice"

"people WILL notice, know your size, That Will only alert more people, do it somewhere else, like outside the town"

"A Shame that he must be careful to not go out of town now"

"Then don't make a move until he's comfortable enough"

"Alright fine, did you accept his offer?"

"No"

"Good"

----~----

"Damn dragons, jerk all of Them, what happened to the cool one?"

"Gosh, stop complaining! We have been sitting here for 3 hours and all you do is ramble about draconians!"

"What else am i supposed to do? The first draconian i know wants to burn my crotch, the second one wants to inappropriately touch it and the third one is a jerk!"

"Bad luck charm"

"This has nothing to do with my luck!"

"Oh it definitely have something to do with that"

"Nay"

"Wonder if that Sylvia have 'crotch burner' as her crime title"

"Judging from what she keep going for when attacking someone on the opposite gender then maybe"

After a bit of waiting, the purple (gay) draconian came out of the store and gave Them their weapons back with a few looks at Luke who tried to ignore it.

"850 silver? God, i hope this Investment is worth it"

"It's worth it, let's test these out"

"Let's just ask eryn how it works first, then we can train with it"

----~----

Eryn is enjoying her hot tea, she just came back from reporting what she knows and giving the ring to guard, the reaction when she told Them about who the draconian they are chasing really is was... Huge.

Their attidude at the situation turned from 'eh just another criminal' to 'oh God we just set an absolute evil free' which is good she thought, she was studying some spells when a knock came from her door.

"Come in"

"Hey Eryn" it was Luke and he has an Axe with him for some reason

"Ah, how is it Luke do you get rune?"

"Yeah i did, lightning and swiftness, Vina got wind"

"And what are you here for?"

"Can you teach me how to use one? I know you don't know much but surely you know how to use it?"

"Why don't you ask the runemaker?"

"Oh no God no! knowing how to use a rune is not worth talking with that guy again"

"Oh well if you want to use a rune you need to channel your mana into it"

"How do i do that?"

"Since you are still new, close your eyes, empty your mind and remember what the rune looked like and where it is on your weapon"

"Alright..."

"Yes keep doing that, the rune should glow when you do, that's all i know"

"Is it glowing?"

"No, try harder"

Luke tried concentrate more but he doesn't feel anything, maybe try to calm down first and then do it? He tried that and feels nothing

"Ah there it is, a little glow, very dim though so not enough, you should train more"

"Must be a problem with my attention span again"

"Does Vina know how to use her rune?'

"No, but i'll tell her how to, i'm sure she's better at this"

"You are pretty decent for your first time, just need more time to train"

"Thank you but i don't think we have a lot of time, atleast that witch doesn't know you yet"

"No need to call her witch, but yes i'm glad she didn't know i exist"

"You know, you are the weirdest orc i've ever met, i haven't met a lot of orc in my life so don't take my words for it"

"I feel like the weirdest orc ever and technically disabled, so that's fair"

"Is that why Vina is your partner? Because she's disabled as well?"

"What?"

"The red Mark on her muzzle, that's a Mark of Shame, a Mark of Shame is there because she can't smell things, you didn't know?"

"I- i... I know... Just surprised you said that so bluntly"

"Sorry"

"Yeah no problem... No problem..."

----~----

"Vina can i come in?"

"Of course you can, we share rooms!"

Luke got in and Saw vina doing her usual, sitting on the bed resharpening her weapons, she always does that even when they didn't do anything.

"So you know how to use it yet?"

"Yeah, eryn said we must channel our mana or something to use it"

"Sounds easy enough"

"Huh... You must concentrate to do it, i tried it and it didn't work"

"Well we can just keep doing it untuk we can right?"

"...."

"Hmm? Hey, why are you just standing there? And stop giving me that look"

"...."

"Luke, are you suspecting me leaking your secret again?"

"That's the problem, you didn't tell me something"

"What problem? I told you everything well... Except for what happened to my parents, but that's fully personal"

"I understand that one, what i don't understand is why you lie about the Mark of Shame on your nose"

She froze

"Uh-huh yeah why don't you just tell me? I'm not gonna judge you or anything"

"...."

She dropped her weapon, covered her face and looked away not saying anything, Luke sat next to her and keep talking

"Look, if you are really embarrased about it, then just forget it, i Mean come on what's wrong with telling me?"

"...."

"You said yourself right? Let it all out?"

"...."

"Hello is someone in there?"

"...."

"Uhh..."

She suddenly turned back and grabbed Luke's shoulder with a strong grab, it was almost painful, she has a face he couldn't quite place, although if he had to guess it was something like [this](https://images.app.goo.gl/JjbubCUJxToAKcrP8)

Then she start shaking him, crying something about 'but you'll hate me for it!' he couldn't hear anything as his eardrums are too busy trying to supress the sheer force of her shake, after a couple of hours she stopped shaking him and the room was left with a weeping Vina and a dumbstruck and dizzy Luke.

"Wha?"

"But it's the most embarrassing thing that can happen to a beastmen! Do you know how many side-glance of disgust i get every day because of this Mark?!"

"W-"

"And the consequences! I can't get a mate, people belittle me! Even other Huntresses view as little value!"

"I-"

"I couldn't get a Lot of jobs back at the village because of this damn Mark! That's why when i met you all i use is wooden tipped arrows and a rusty dagger! It's embarrassing for a Huntress to have equipment that bad!"

"...."

"And when people that are not beastmen know what the Mark means most of Them just laughed! Some tried to encourage me sure, but it doesn't matter!"

"Y-"

"And... It dirties my family name! Vina Amartha! It was supposed to be a honorable name! Now it's just... the name of a family that can't smell like beastmen are supposed to be good at! My parents are not even proud of me!"

She took one of the pillows, pressed it into her face and cried into it, Luke, who was on the floor trying to recover from the violent shake got up and sat next to her again.

"Hey..."

"What!"

"I never knew you have a last name"

"Does it matter anymore? Does it matter to you?"

"No"

"Then shut up!"

"Lucas light adyatmas"

"What?"

"My full name"

"Whatever"

"Do you want to know why my name is Lucas and the last name is light?"

"Leave me alone"

"Huff... Lucas is the name of a saint from ancient Times and light is supposed to represent 'gift of god' and adyatma means hope well... Atleast that's what my parents told me"

"Huh?"

"What i'm saying is my parents literally named me 'Lucas the saint : the gift of God and hope' because i was the only kid they ever have, and guess what i'm not that smart, i'm not gifted with a strong body, no i'm average as fuck, heck maybe even below, but they still love me"

"What are you trying to say?"

"What i'm saying is you saying 'my parents are not proud' is bullshit and do i ever weep for being you know... Weak? Look at you, your jog is faster than me running, kottar can lift me with one arm and Sylvia can crush me to death with her fingers but do i ever complain? No because i accepts what i am... And you should too!"

"You're lucky you were born without a disability!"

"Maybe, but look at me! I'm weak compared to you! My fastest is your slowest and your agility make me look like a bumbling fool that just learns how to walk"

"But-"

"Hunting isn't just about smelling your prey! It's about everything! I don't know much about it but i'll be damned if it relies just on that, what about sight? Hearing? *Instinct?*"

"...."

"I don't even get here by my own power! I relied on you, even when i was training with kottar he constantly had to pick me up after training, that day i ACTUALLY walked home on my own Made me proud"

"Luke, stop"

"Stop what?"

"Ok-ok i get it, sorry"

"No, i'm sorry, i've been relying on you so much it stress you out, like that time with the potion you-"

"STOP!"

They looked at each other without any sound for a solid minute before Vina cry-laughed

"God, you idiot"

"Hah! Exactly! I'm an idiot and a bad luck charm, look at you all proud"

"Stop it Luke, let's just go to sleep"

"Oh really... You don't want to know what a movie is?"

"Hmm?"

"Here let me show you"

Luke got up and checked under the bed for his phone and found it as he left it, he has been real observative about the battery, everytime he wasn't using it (which is almost never) the battery is always outside the phone as to not lose charge, it worked pretty well as he turned it on and sees that it still has 30% charge.

He checked his folder for movies and found his favorite pinned to the file along with other movies he managed to cram into his phone storage

'oh yeah pacific rim, a true classic'

"What are you doing?"

"Wanna see Some amazing stuff?"