Lumi and Haki trudged through the rain-soaked streets, their clothes clinging to their bodies as they made their way toward the Adventurers' Guild. The storm raged around them, the wind howling through the narrow alleyways, but pushed on.

As they entered the guild, the atmosphere was starkly different from the chaos outside. The dimly lit room was filled with the scent of damp wood and the hushed whispers of three weary adventurers playing cards on a faraway table. Lumi approached the front desk, where a lone employee sat, his eyes heavy with exhaustion.

"I need a room for the night," Lumi said, her voice calm but firm. “It’s for the kid.”

The man glanced up from his paperwork, his eyes widening at the sight of Lumi's blindfolded eyes and the aura of power that surrounded her. Fear flickered in his gaze, his hands trembling ever so slightly.

"I... I'm sorry, miss," he stammered. "We don't usually rent rooms at the guild. It's only for emergencies."

Lumi's heart sank, the weight of disappointment settling upon her. She knew that what the man said was just a cheap excuse. But she also knew that Haki needed a place to rest, so she tried to keep her anger quiet and said nothing else.

Haki, sensing her killing intent growing, stepped forward, his eyes wide and pleading. "Please, sir," he implored, his voice soft and innocent. "We've been through a lot. Can't you make an exception?"

The man's resolve wavered as he met Haki's puppy-like gaze. He hesitated for a moment, then let out a resigned sigh. "Fine," he relented. "But just for tonight. Don't cause any trouble." However, he didn’t look at the kid when he said the last part, but at her.

“Who are you by the way?” the man asked.

Lumi didn’t answer, instead, she grabbed her Adventurer’s Card from her pocket and put it in front of him with a light thud.

The man's eyes widened in disbelief as he took in the sight of Lumi's ID. His gaze darted between the card and Lumi, his surprise evident on his face. He had underestimated her, assuming she was just another random traveler seeking respite from the storm.

"No way," he muttered, his voice filled with awe. "You're Lumi, the S-Rank adventurer who can single-handedly slay Walkers?"

Lumi prevented her lips from curving into a small smile, but she still felt prideful. She enjoyed the moments when people realized the extent of her abilities, the awe that washed over them as they acknowledged her. Especially if she was the one they hired.

Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

"Yes, that's her," Haki confirmed, his voice tinged with satisfaction. Haki beamed with delight, his joy radiating from him as he danced in place. The man's attention turned to the young boy, his eyes widening at Haki's infectious enthusiasm.

"I'm so sorry, ma'am," the man bowed, his voice filled with genuine remorse. "If we had known earlier, we would’ve prepared better accommodations for you."

“I came in the afternoon and no receptionist wanted to hear me out.”

“I am truly sorry.”

Lumi waved off his apology with a dismissive gesture. "A comfortable bed for the boy and some rest will suffice."

The man bowed deeply, his face etched with regret. "As an apology, I won't charge you for the night. In fact, I'll give you the key to our best room."

Lumi nodded, grateful for the unexpected gesture of kindness. She understood that her reputation garnered respect and admiration, perhaps because not many knew she was a White Witch. Still, she couldn't deny the allure of a comfortable room after their arduous journey.

"Good," she said sincerely.

"We will make sure to rest well," Haki interrupted.

The man handed Lumi the key to the best room. With a final bow, he bid them goodnight, leaving Lumi and Haki to revel in their newfound shelter.

As they entered the room, Lumi couldn't help but marvel at the unexpected turn of events. The room was spacious and elegantly furnished, a far cry from what she had anticipated. A large, plush bed dominated the center, inviting them to sink into its comforting embrace.

Haki's eyes widened in wonder as he explored the room, his small fingers grazing over the ornate furniture.

"Isn't this amazing, Lumi?" Haki asked, his voice filled with genuine delight.

She nodded.

"It's like a dream, Lumi! I've never seen such a fancy room before."

Lumi chuckled, her heart swelling with affection for the young boy.

"We'll rest well tonight," Lumi said. "Tomorrow, we'll continue our journey and make sure those bandits face the consequences of their actions."

Haki nodded in agreement, his eyes shining with an unwavering resolve. Lumi watched as Haki settled onto the bed, exhaustion etched into his young features.

As the storm raged on outside, Lumi pulled up a chair and sat by the window, her blindfolded eyes turned towards the rain-soaked city. The sound of raindrops tapping against the window pane created a soothing rhythm, lulling her into a state of contemplation.

She couldn't shake off the unease that lingered in her heart. The bandits she had encountered, were most likely the ones responsible for spreading terror along the trading routes. The thought of their actions weighed heavily on her mind, fueling her determination to bring them to justice.

Lumi's thoughts were interrupted by a soft sob from the bed. She turned towards Haki, who lay curled up under the thin blanket, tears glistening on his cheeks.

"What's wrong, Haki?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

Haki sat up, his small shoulders shaking with each sob. "I... I'm scared, Lumi," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "Scared of what those bandits might do."

Lumi's heart clenched at the raw honesty in Haki's voice. She understood his fear, the weight of the unknown bearing down on his young shoulders. She moved closer, wrapping her arms around him in a comforting embrace.

"We'll keep each other safe, Haki," she whispered. "We'll find those bandits and ensure they can never hurt anyone.