With lunch done, Jack and Greg feel more ready to face the commotion outside. There were quite a lot of people, based on the commotion and sound of clicking armors and murmuring. Luckily, because it all happened in Old Billy’s restaurant, they could get every little bit of time to enjoy their lunch without being interrupted by the Watch or by any other officers from likely two reputable guilds. The Adventurer and The Delver Guild.

Also the presence of Fred really helped to lower their building up tension. Especially for Lyla, because without his mischeff and Vana support, she would still succumb to what had happened.

By the time they went out, what they expected was to see a bunch of people waiting for them. Instead they are facing two–three individuals, Billy, Alric and Jaris. Jaris turns his head seeing the trio, specifically into Greg. Standing up he begins to greet them all while still pointedly watching in Greg's direction. The was not a pretty man, not to sound rude, it's just because he had scarred faces, gifts from his former profession.

Greg would love to know the history behind all those scars. So he planned all what it could take to make him warmed up to him and Jack. One day he got the timing. At that time Greg accidentally crossed him in The Stable Deluge, one of the best tavern in the outskirts. Despite the unusual name, the tavern always has a couple of good shows that constantly attract customers. And one of them was Jaris. In the tavern, Greg started by treating the man with cheap ale and hoped it was enough to develop something.

Fortunately by that time, Greg’s face was familiar to him—often seeing Greg face in the market district, probably. That made him open up a little bit, and Greg used subtle body language indicating that he was fascinated by one of the regulars left eyed scar. Like an opened dam, Jaris began bragging about his own scar until he realized and became more guarded. Oho. So, the was that kind of type, noted. Greg finally had some lead, and began planning his next approach. When he got another chance, not wasting his given opportunity, he grabbed and bite it. Knowing well that it was Jaris bait for him.

Then, only then Greg honestly said what his aim was. Jaris, laughing, stated that Greg was a strange, bold fellow and he liked that. So he starts reciting, started from the oldest to the latest scars, while not counting his overlapping scar in his chest It was a huge burn scar that fully covered his chest and both his forearms. He got it while stubbornly covering and blocking the incoming fire spell while his team retreated with the wounded in one of his catastrophic dungeoning history. Of course the way the delivers the story was by belittling his effort massively.

He admits that at first he was afraid of what people might think about him, masochist perhaps or even marauder, or worse, it's both. Jaris undertook that internal struggle after he chose to retire early in his career as an adventurer and chose to return to his village. He retired as a 5th rank Adventurer, after his last dungeoning, with quite a fortune he finally could rest and find a normal life until his last.

Fortunately, some of his Skills could lessen his scars, but not by much. So at first he starts wearing a hood and long sleeve, then after some misunderstanding while helping a drowning child, he rarely gets out of his house anymore.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Until he met his childhood friend, Elice. She started to bore onto his thick skull why he should be grateful that he’s not lost a head or being crippled—thanks to his Skills, while also pointing out that in his state, he still has another chance. But best, he could show his scars and at the same time be appreciated. She suggested he should try to enroll into the Watch recruitment in Symara. After processing her point, he thought to give it a try. Then after he joined and passed the ‘not’ too gruesome selecting course of the new member of the Watch, Elice surprised Jaris by showing herself by standing in front of the row of officers in the oath ceremony. Jaris later known her as the head administration of the Symara’s Watch. Then he recalled the wonder of every dungeon, and on and on, their story goes, flowing, quenching Greg's thirst about adventure, with or without booze.

The night was so emotional that they both feels the bond sprout between the two, among Greg and the

—-

“The Adventurer and The Delver Guilds accept Billy’s proposals to postpone the meetings with you all into this early evening, of course because advocated by the Watch. So don’t be late.” Alric said while giving a nod to Jaris' direction and putting some pressure in the end.

“Thank you Jaris. That made our path ahead a little bit easy. Lyla, you should go back home, take abreak. You look more dead than a dead fish, right now. Jack, could you please escort our gracious landlady?” That brings up a wave of chuckle. Lyla, straighten her back, explain it to them.

“Thank you for all the support and help Jaris, Billy, Alric. But as a ,” Lyla called it by her will as a Class that she never had, but still made the mana around her rippled—in Gregs eyes, said:

“My ultimatum is absolute to the two of you. By the power of The Aspects, It is I who should escort you instead. Because your well-being was always my priority.” Lyla's eyes began to glow green while she was invoking that name. Greg and Jack glanced at each other, trading half amused half terrified looks.

Well, what amazing abomination my mouth had created now. Greg’s contemplating doing another trick. Because when Lyla pissed, the outcome was…never good. It's going to be a terrible day. Jack’s right. What a day.

“What could you find from the perpetrator, ?”

“Nothing not worthy my lady,” Jaris' dangersense began tingling, likely sensing that Lyla was now pissed, of course as a veteran he chose the right move.

“The Watch finds these objects, it looks like an old coin, silver coin and a dagger–ordinary dagger but still good enough to stab someone to death.”

“What kind of coin?” Lyla looked alarmed. That makes Jaris' eyes glint, it happens not even a half beat, and only Greg sees it.

“I just have the sketch with me, for safety reasons, are you familiar with these scratches or are they just normal scratches? What do you think?” Jaris asked her, oh, so lightly to bait another reaction from her.

“...never, I have never seen anything like it.” Lyla struggled to search her memory.

Then Jaris seemed certain—perhaps using his Skills, then he pulled the sketch, turning it upside down. Greg catches Lyla's eyes widening while looking at the sketch from a different angle. Unfortunately, or fortunately, Jaris is not seeing her reactions because his focus is already on Billy.

“We will talk again. Thank you for your cooperations folk, may fortune always with us.” he began saying farewell when he stopped at the door and said something

“Oh, and Lyla, I don't know where you got that ‘by the aspect’ thing from. But please beware, invoking those names has its own…dire consequences. Please bear that in mind. Good day all.” Lyla became pale for the second time that day.

Yeah, at least she is not in the state to be pissed now.