“I’m glad you’re okay. I am sorry for… what happened.”

Wonder said, “Kat, it wasn’t your fault. I’m the social dum-dum who forgot his limits. I got a decent nap, and a little downtime with the kiddos. I’ll be fine.”

He looked at the giant Adventurers’ Guild. “…scrap, that looks like it is a mini-amusement-park all on its own.”

Kat chuckled, looking at the mall-sized wooden building. He said, “I guess so.”

The small group walked into the building. Wonder once more thought of a three-story mall with the sight they were met with. The Adventurers’ Guild had three stories, and it looked like the first half of the building was visible. The bottom floor was a nursery/playground, the second floor seemed to be a restaurant, and the top floor was a shopping mall. However, like the one in Yas Village, the walls on the first floor had these bank-teller stands.

Wonder said, “OK, seriously, this is a mall.”

Kat chuckled. “Sure.”

Izuku perked to see the playground. “Daddy! Go play?”

Wonder said, “Sure, kiddo, have fun. And be safe.”

Izuku nodded and ran over. An elf smiled and let him in.

Wonder looked at Sakura, who just stayed by his side and held his hand. Wonder asked, “Want to go play with Izuku, sweetie?”

Sakura looked at him, then at where Izuku had stopped by the pet pens (of course). She then noticed a gang of Lightwraith children and rapidly shook her head.

Well, if that Tribe wasn’t already dead, I’d be shooting some balls.

Wonder said, “How about you come help Daddy sell his furs, and then we both go play with Izuku?”

Sakura nodded at this.

Wonder took Sakura over, and started dumping all his furs at the poor counter-woman’s desk. But luckily, she was a pro, because she only glanced at the furs and started processing.

“Well well well. So I’m not the only one.”

Wonder looked. Standing behind him and Sakura was a Lightwraith woman. Her bare arms revealed no leather, however.

Sakura yelped and hid behind Wonder. Wonder stroked her head. He asked, “Who are you?”

The woman tilted her head, and it revealed what looked to be a guitar on her back. She said, “You must be new. I’m Rosescent, the local Bard.”

Wonder said, “Only got in today. Name’s Wonder. Beast Tamer.” He waved at the furs. “And general hunter.”

Rosescent nodded, and looked at Sakura. “…you took in a Lightwraith child.”

Wonder said, “Yeah, she needed a daddy. So I’m her Daddy. Somethin’ wrong with that?”

Rosescent shook her head. “The opposite, in fact. It is welcoming. So many halves like us are abandoned by our Tribes.”

Sakura peeked out, probably connecting some dots on her own. Wonder stroked her head. He said, “I am sorry.”

Rosescent shrugged. “It is what it is. I am just glad that your daughter found someone.”

She turned and walked off. The cashier woman said, “How odd. Rosescent usually keeps to herself.”

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Wonder said, “As an old saying back home goes, birds of a feather flock together.”

Suddenly he felt an impulse, and his Appraisal activated.

Roseflower

ATK: Weak

DEF: Strong

AGI: MAX

Mana: 100,000

REP: [ERROR]

STLTH: MAX

Class: [BLOCKED]

Wonder froze.

It didn’t matter that the Class was blocked. He remembered very clearly what STLTH was linked to.

The Rogue Class.

Wonder then kicked himself in the mental ass. She might not even be a bad guy. She was probably just another Adventurer, and Rogue was just how she got a paycheck. There had been plenty of those in Yas.

Wonder then got the bad feeling again. The one he got when he saw the Forest Spirit last night. He looked in the reflection and saw the suited figure up on the second floor. They must have realized they were being watched, because they vanished.

You know what? Having a Rogue on my side may be a good idea.

Once Wonder finished getting his money, he carried Sakura to the playground. He looked around for Rosescent. He saw her talking with a buff, scarred man.

Izuku said, “Daddy okay?”

Wonder said, “Daddy has too many ideas bouncing in his brain. We’re all going to talk to Rosescent a minute.”

The small crew headed for the duo. Scar saw them and indicated them with a nod of his head. Rosescent looked, raising an eyebrow.

Wonder walked up and whispered, “Hey… I don’t know why, but my scanning abilities went off. What’s your rates?”

****************

Scar rubbed his chin. “…I see. So you want someone to check out this Forest Spirit?”

Wonder said, “Not only him. Call it a gut feeling, but I suspect that whatever is going on with him is also going on at the Castle.”

He looked over the room. Well, more like studio apartment. Apparently the back of the Guild was an apartment/hotel complex. This area was reserved for the group of Rogues that operated in the Capital. Luckily they were willing to let Izuku and Sakura play in the center of the room while their leaders talked business.

Wonder leaned back. “All I know for sure is that Forest Spirit appeared twice. And both times, he was letting an aura of death and destruction loose. The first time may have been curiousity about a Sapling, but the second?”

Scar nodded. “I get it. Has it been released your… other plan?”

Wonder said, “I was out for 3 hours. I don’t think so, but I also cannot promise anything.”

Scar nodded. “That’s fair. What’s the payment?”

Wonder shrugged. “I dunno the normal rates for a Rogue, let alone a pack. And honestly, if something bad is about to happen, we may be able to convince royalty to pay you guys a sum too.”

Scar rubbed his chin. “Hmmm… I mean, there is fairness to that angle. But you understand…”

Wonder said, “You’re what my land calls mercs. AKA, no money, no deal.”

He pulled out what he got for the animal materials he collected on the trip, and put the bag down. “Here is what I can offer now. As a father, I cannot go overboard.”

Scar nodded. “I understand completely.” He smiled at Rosescent. Obviously he had raised the Rogue.

Wonder said, “Also, when I get a Ranch, I can offer jobs for any who want it.”

There were a lot of chuckles. Wonder said, “Hey, legit offer! I’m just on a long Quest here.”

Scar said, “Hmm… let me ask this. Do you have a Bard on your party?”

Wonder looked at Rosescent. “Not yet. Sakura’s enhancement abilities are pretty strong for being so young, so she’s been sufficing.”

Scar said, “Fair. Here’s why I ask. Technically, Rosescent has not chosen her Class yet.”

Wonder blinked and looked at Rosescent. She bowed her head. She said, “I grew up as one of the Rogues, but my talents lie in music.”

Scar nodded. “You can hire her as a Bard, and freely sneak her into the Castle.”

Wonder smirked. “Clever.”

He frowned. “Are you good with that, Rosescent?”

Rosescent nodded. “Yes.”

Wonder said, “All right, that can be easily done.”

He leaned in. “But one question. Have you heard of this Forest Spirit at all?”

Scar frowned. “Only in whispers and rumors. Supposedly one of the head Forest Spirits wears a suit like you describe. Now for all I know, all high-ranked Forest Spirits do.”

Wonder nodded. “Fair.”

He rubbed his chin. “Here’s hoping a Paladin friend of mine knows something then.”

Scar looked through the bag. “Hmm… this is enough to buy one Rogue for the night. Considering the scope, I’ll come with you. I can turn into a pultin bird, so we can pretend I’m one of your Tamed Beasts.”

Wonder smirked. “Then you can fly around the castle. Brilliant.”

He got up and stretched. “Time to head back. Kat will be searching for us soon. And maybe, we can end a conspiracy or two tonight.”