It was a blazing afternoon and only the dark alleyways had preserved their coolness. The sun, shining upon the land would soon set in a few hours. The city packed with people eager to watch the upcoming grand tournament renowned for showcasing the most skilled fighters throughout the region. In a certain section of the city, the bustling crowd was hindering a hurrying young merchant.

After sparing it some thought, the merchant decided to take the infamous alleyways. He gathered speed and cut through the city, zig-zagging until he bumped into a woman in a hooded black mantle.

“I’m so sorry!” shouted the merchant.

The woman was shocked still, only staring at him. She was a cool beauty either in her late teens or early twenties, had short silver hair with a braid on her right side, and a head shorter than the merchant.

Not long after, shouts of brawny-like men could be heard approaching at a fast pace.

The merchant intuitively picked up that the woman was running away from them, as she looked back and tried to run again but decided against it instantly for some reason.

The voices were now a lot closer. Perhaps realizing that they would catch up to her at this rate, she tossed away her mantle behind some stacked boxes and threw the merchant in an embrace with the wall behind her back. Just as the angry shouts and shaking armor were about to turn in the corner, the young merchant felt a soft sensation on his lips. He was surprised, confused, and happy at the same time. The woman, however, was sending messages with her eyes as if saying to hide her properly. Thus, he held her tight in his arms.

It turned out to be that the city guards were the ones chasing after her. The men passed them by like a typhoon and the alleyways returned to its former quiet and chilling state.

"Did they not even know what she looks like?" the merchant thought.

Both of them parted lips and with the tension reduced, the merchant finally feeling the sensation of her warm body pressed against his. This made the man jump back in reflex and apologized once again. “I’m very sorry!” Although, even he was confused about why he apologized again for something that he was forced to do.

Looking at her the second time, but with the cloak removed, made him reaffirm her beauty. Was it just because of the recent events that he couldn’t help but feel this tightening sensation in his chest?

The woman checked if the place was clear, approached the merchant, and asked, “Do you live alone? I’d like to take some rest at your place...if you don’t mind.”

Being suddenly asked by a stranger who was being chased by guards to rest at one's house would push someone to reject them by instinct. However, her sexy figure and pretty face were already half an enough reason for any man.

“...Sure, I guess,” the man showed his approval. As for the other half of the reason, she didn't need to know. Not minding the truth as to why she was being chased, the merchant guided her to his home. Following a fairly short walk, they reached a two-story building made of stone, its horizontal windows only wide enough for a head to fit.

The merchant turned the key to the door and naturally found no one inside. Instead, what appeared before them was a shop for archers, complete from arrows to shoulder armor.

Closing the door to prevent onlookers, the merchant went up the living quarters on the second floor, leaving the woman to inspect his merchandise.

When he came down, he already had changed to a fresh set of clothes which something like a store clerk would wear.

He beckoned her to the back where the dining room was. After she settled in, he brought her tea and pastry.

The woman, after sipping her tea, finally introduced herself. “Crona. My name is Crona.”

“...I’m Gary. Do you have something you want from me? We just met each other but why my house?”

She did not reply. Only taking small bites of the soft creampuffs he reserved for special occasions. Was this a premonition that this was a special occasion?

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Realizing that she was probably a woman of little words--even her request earlier was straightforward--he fetched himself a cup of tea and settled in at the dining table, just opposite her.

"Don't you have anything else to say?" Gary took a piece of the luscious cream puffs that were supposed to be his.

It did not seem like she's purposely ignoring him thus he waited.

He was surprised by the next words he heard.

*****

"Get her! Don't let her escape!" shouted a city guard.

Crona clicked her tongue. As an assassin, it was an embarrassment that she was caught in the act.

Even so, her job here was done. The target might be a very powerful and despicable noble but he was no match for anyone if he's asleep. Although, it was surprising that the guy still managed to knock off a vase to alert his henchmen outside the door. She should not have underestimated his protection, a.k.a. fat, as he was by far the most obese villain she had ever seen. The stab didn't go deep enough on the first strike. She used the full length of the blade, though! If it was a normal-sized person, her dagger would have pierced through the other side of his throat. Definitely.

Perhaps it was time to buy a longer dagger. A special-order short sword perhaps?

As she could easily jump down from a window on the third floor of the hotel where the noble stayed, she didn't have to worry about being cornered. However, she didn't expect the city guards to chase her the moment she landed. Where did they come from? Had there been a leak about the job? It was suspicious that they waited for her to finish the pig first, though.

She could not help but flash a smirk. "Heh, so that's how you would like to play, huh," she thought.

It was common in their field of work to have the hitman get hit as well. Some clients who wanted to protect their identity commit this foolish mistake. Whether or not they succeed, her organization would not let it pass.

Evidence and testimonies against the client was easy to obtain through various means. Blackmail, bribery, and torture were just a few.

But for now, she needed to focus on throwing her pursuers off. It would be a piece of cake if she used her forte, the lightning step, but it's too flashy. Apart from that, she's not weak enough to even need it against these insects.

Despite virtually every corner having guards waiting in ambush, she easily weaved passed them until she bumped into a man.

She couldn't even sense him coming. "A pro?!"

But the person in front of her made her freeze on the spot. It was not as though he cast a spell.

It was someone she knew, someone important to her. Although this was their first meeting in real life.

She could not believe it. The man she had been searching for...he's in front of her.

When she heard the guards coming, she did the first thing on her mind.

It was to be expected that the man would be surprised as they locked lips but she... missed him so much. His warm embrace could just melt her from where she's standing.

He even let her inside his home without a second thought. She giggled in her mind. At least, him doing so was confirmation that it's the same man with the same skill she knew.

The cream puff was heavenly. It must have been an expensive item. The man she met by accident, Gary, was alternating between nibbling and chomping on the pastry with a very delighted expression. She could watch him all day.

In the end, he left her with only a piece on the serving plate. She didn't mind. She pushed the plate towards him, earning her a slight smile and thanks.

But it might be rude not to answer his question, seeing that he readily welcomed her into his home.

It was funny this was how they would meet again. After all, that Gary whom she met was from a dream.

"I guess I'm truly lucky that you still haven't spent your skill today. Otherwise, you could have striked me down on that very spot." Her small smile giving more meaning to her words.

Gary didn't speak, only staring at her. He was probably confused. He did not know her but she knew about his [Friend or Foe] skill. A unique skill that could differentiate an ally or enemy, usable only once a day--the only major reason why he would allow a highly suspicious person follow him into his safe abode.

"Who are you really? What are you after?" Gary was already reaching under the table. Must be a hidden sword attached under. But since he already established Crona as an "ally" with his skill, he most likely couldn't decide whether he needed to stay calm or not.

Crona stood up, slowly approaching Gary with a careful expression. She felt relieved that Gary didn't run away nor striked first, although he was now also standing. She slowly wrapped her arms around his back and pressed her face against his chest.

"I thought I would never see you again," she whispered.

When Gary returned her hug and held her close, albeit a little carefully, it made her very happy. His mind must be riddled with so many questions.

Thus, she told him the stories until it was deep in the night... the legendary adventures of Octacore.