"Don't force yourself, Argenta, your leg is injured," Mika advised me as I approached him, intending to help with the gold.

"Oh, alright..." I backed off.

"I don't think the wagon can contain all the gold here," Louise remarked, looking around.

"It's fine, with the teleportation circle we can go back and forth easily. One should've materialized near the entrance as well. We can take it easy now that the dungeon is cleared," Mika replied.

Meanwhile, the demon was behind my back, continuously watching me.

"Does it appear every time I learn a new spell?" I wondered.

I had no proof, but that could be it.

"So it's time for more tests..."

I sighed. I had to keep track of time. Last time at the tavern, I couldn't find it when I woke up. So it would've disappeared this time too, probably...

"No rest for the wicked, huh..." I lowly murmured to myself.

"Are you alright? You seem in a bad shape..." Selena approached me, along with Jerald. She looked worried.

"Yes, don't worry," I replied.

"Your bandage is already dirty with blood... We have to change it," Selena pointed out.

"Hm, you're right. I'll change it now..."

"Let me help you."

Selena took me by the hand, carefully helping me sit on the ground, on the side of the room. She then assisted me in removing the dirty bandage.

"Are you sure it's superficial?" she asked, averting her gaze. She didn't seem like she could handle blood.

"Yes, look at the color. It's dark, so it didn't reach the artery, I'll be fine. It doesn't hurt much, either," I explained her.

"Wow, you seem an expert! Are you a medic or something?"

No, but I suppose my mother also didn't really teach me what a parent would usually teach their kid...

...

"Mom! What are you doing?!" I shouted at her, panicking as my throat tightened with anguish, not knowing what to do.

"Relax, Argenta... just pay close attention," she calmly replied.

"To what?! You bleeding out?!"

She brought her finder to her lips. "Don't worry, this won't kill me. Just observe the blood."

Blood was flowing down her arm, she had cut herself with a knife. The drop divided in two at some point, taking separate paths on her elbow.

"Argenta, reading blood is essential for hunters. The way it flows, how it falls, its color... All these pieces of information are valuable, and could even save your life if you know how to apply them. I want you to learn it," she soothingly explained.

That was the first time I ever saw my mother hurting herself to teach me something. I didn't like that lesson. I used all my focus to learn as fast as I could every notion she wanted to make me apprehend.

...

"This would have never happened had I the opportunity to help you out," Jerald kept scolding me.

"Are you still on that? Did I hurt your pride or something?" I asked him, starting to feel annoyed.

"Huh, what happened?" Selena looked confused, stopping applying the bandage and shifting her gaze between me and Jerald.

"Tch, nothing... we just don't get along," Jerald replied.

"We don't have to. As long as you stick to your job protecting the others, we will be fine, shield boy," I remarked.

"And she has a sharp tongue," he added to it's previous comment, his tone now tinged with some grumpiness.

"Hey, hey... don't fight, you two..." Selena looked upset about it.

"Let me just give you a word of advice, Argenta," Jerald said. "I don't know how it worked for you before, but our guild is a place where people work together. Keep that attitude of yours, and you'll find yourself alone. Take example from your friend Joey and have some humility."

"Sweetheart! You two, calm down..." Selena was flustered, crushed in between our discussion.

"Joey has nothing to do with this," I told him.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"You're wrong. He told me he followed you without even knowing the destination, and look what he's got himself into. You take advantage of people's kindness, and then you let them pay the price! Had that monster or the boss killed you, I would be the one in trouble for your own selfishness. Have some respect for the others!" he said, raising his voice against me.

"Jerald!" Selena yelled, rising to her feet to confront him, while I slowly finished bandaging my leg from where Selena left off.

"Sorry... I exaggerated," he apologized, meeting Selena's eyes.

"Enough, you two..." Selena scolded, her voice agitated as her body tensed. "I don't know what your problem is, but stop it! Many things happened in this dungeon, and now that we cleared it, you two are fighting among yourselves?! The fact alone that Argenta is alive if reason to celebrate, and I'm sure Joey is also worried about her. Let's just go back to our base and share a meal together! I can't wait to spat to Crimson that I got a new spell! And I'm sure Joey wants to hear about what happened inside the dungeon!" Selena clapped her hands rapidly, turning enthusiastic just thinking about the return to the headquarters.

"Yes, you're right," Jerald agreed, crossing his arms. "We cleared a dungeon without Crimson... it went well. I can't wait to return to the headquarters and have a real meal. This last period was pretty chaotic..."

"Let's go, Argenta. I'm sure you're the one who wants to get out of this dungeon the most," Selena said with a smile, extending her hand to help me up.

"Hmm..." I grasped Selena's hand, pulling myself to my feet.

After the wagon was loaded with gold, we stepped into the teleportation circle, which brought us near the entrance; the gems would've been eventually extracted by specialists with the right and appropriate tools. As we exited the dungeon, we were welcomed back by Laura and the other Armonia member who stood on guard. It was already evening.

"Go report the completion of the dungeon to the tavern, dear. Leonard will handle the rest of the matters," Laura advised Elizabeth.

Elizabeth nodded, gesturing for everyone to gather around her. Using the same spell she used the first time to get us to this place, we flew once again on the water dragon, dropping us to the city's tavern.

Elizabeth and Mika went inside; I followed, asking if they could advance me some coins from the reward so I could change my clothes along the way. Had Joey seen me in that state, he would've dropped dead on the floor from the shock.

I got right away a portion of the reward, and so did the others. But while afterward the others headed to the Abyss Reavers headquarters, to discuss with Leonard about the dungeon, I directed myself to an inn, hoping to clean myself up; my clothes were such a mess that some people recoiled in fear as I entered. And I even had to pay for the whole night despite needing a room only for a few minutes! What a scam.

"Do you have any clean clothes as well?" I asked the receptionist.

"Of course, please follow me," she replied.

After picking out some casual clothes, I finally went to clean myself. I leaned back against the side of the bathtub, with my head resting on the rim... Ah, I felt like my skin hadn't touched warm water in ages. What blissful sensation! I almost fell asleep in the water with how comfortable it was...

My leg was still messy, so I reapplied a clean bandage over it after the bath, but at least it wasn't bleeding anymore, although it still hurt to walk on it. And now, time to go back to headquarters...

"Hmm..."

As I made my way back, I couldn't resist stopping by a pastry shop I spotted along the way.

"Sugar..."

What to do...?

"Hm... yes. Totally worth it!"

I stuffed my mouth with a delicious chocolate wonder! I could feel the sugar hitting my brain. I didn't even bother to ask what it was, I chose it anyway. I had missed sweets inside that dungeon.

I finally returned to my guild; I could smell a good perfume on the air, and I could hear people chatting on the room of the left, where the kitchen was located. Entering, I found the people I had just completed the dungeon with, and some others, enjoying a dinner together. Even Leonard was present.

Approaching Joey from behind as he sat eating with the others, I casually draped my arm over his shoulder. "Oh, fries, my favourite!" I exclaimed before stealing a few from his plate.

"Ah, Argenta!" he greeted me with a wide smile.

"Don't let her steal your food, Joey! She doesn't deserve it!" Jerald remarked.

"Huh, but-"

"Shut up, Jerald!" I shot back, cutting off Joey. "Shouldn't you at least learn how to move between monsters before commenting on what I do?"

"Huh? Oi, what are you saying... You're the one that has to learn how to move along with the group," he retorted, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Well... whatever. I'm too tired for this. I'll head to my room," I said, before going my way.

"Ah, wait, Argenta!" Joey called after me, reaching out.

"Don't go after her, Joey! Stay with us!" Jerald shouted.

He is so loud...

"Enough, Jerald! Let them talk!" Louise now chimed in, too...

"Huh?! Louise, you're taking her side, too?!"

Ignoring Jerald's overly loud voice with a faint shake of my head, I turned my attention back to Joey. "What is it?"

"I heard about what happened in the dungeon. How are you? Does your leg hurt?" he asked, looking worried.

"I'm fine, don't worry. What about you? Did something good happen in these days?"

"Leonard is still thinking about making me an official collaborator. In that case, I would assist him with paperwork and be the guild's official cook."

"Oh, that's nice..."

He happily nodded. The atmosphere appeared peaceful around us; probably the Fairies' Moonlight candles played a part in that. But in this moment, I had another question pressing on my mind.

"Joey... do you despise me?"

"Huh? No..." he blinked, confusion filling his eyes. "Not at all. How did you come up with a thought like that?"

"Well, it's because of me that you're here. Your family must be worried about you. And you even gifted me a dagger, but I already broke it."

"Was the dagger useful?" he asked, continuing to smile at me.

"Huh, yes. It saved my life, actually. Without it, things would've been problematic."

"Then I'm happy. That was the main reason I wanted to give it to you, after all," he chuckled. "And, don't worry about me being here. I like it. The people of the guild are nice, and I've sent a letter to my family already. My father is actually happy I'm in this city. You were right; in the end. It's a nice chance of pace."

"Oh... then, good. I'm relieved."

"But, are you sure you want to go back to your room? There's plenty of food, and the members are telling stories of their past. It's really interesting," he asked.

"Yes, it's fine. I grabbed a bite on my way back here. You go and have fun," I told him.

"Alright, then. Have a good night, Argenta." he said warmly, before heading back to the group. I reciprocated

As Joey returned to the others, I noticed Leonard rising from his seat, with the clear intent of speaking to me.

"Forgive me, Lady Argenta. I just wanted to ask if you could come to my office tomorrow morning; I would like to hear a report of the dungeon from you personally," he requested.

"Ah, sure." I replied.

"Then, have a good rest," he said before returning to his place.

I made my way to my room, taking my codex in my hand to check the latest spell. It had been a long day. No, a long week...

Letting out a sigh to push some weariness away, I flipped through the pages of my codex, my mind wandering over Joey's words...

"Stories of the past, huh..."

...