Even before the world basked in the morning light, Salas had already walked out of her room and came down from the second floor. She went to the kitchen and grabbed a boiled Cinder Chicken egg, then she cheek-kissed her old man who was sitting at the dining table.

"Morning, Pa" She greeted.

"Morning, Princess. Are you about to go out already?" He asked.

"Yea, made a promise with Jake and Nila to show them the rope for hunting, remember?" She replied then drunk a cup of water.

"Oh? Is it today? Well, be careful then, I imagine it will be thrice as dangerous when loitering the forest while guiding two novices." He warned.

She shook her head, "Nah, pa. They have been to forest for a year now. Ben have been teaching them all sorts of hunter's trade."

He frowned, "Then what's the deal with today?"

Salas grinned, "I'll just show them the guild and tell them how things work. Then I will accompany them completing their first quest and that's it."

He hummed and stared at her for awhile, sensing his daughter was up to no good. "Just don't brag to your friends you get two new underlings then. You don't want people holding you accountable if Jake and Nila make novice mistakes."

She pirate-saluted him, "Aye aye captain."

She cheek-kissed him one last time then walked around the table to hug her mother who had been silently listening while cooking.

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"I love you, Ma" She released her and kissed her on the cheek. Then she stormed out of her house from the backdoor and sprinted through the city, her boots made a distinct sound against the cobblestone.

"Ei ! Wait a second you beautiful maiden!" A woman she just passed called her out.

"Oh hai Mrs. Leif! Good morning!" She said while jogging in place.

Mrs. Leif spread out her arms wide and smiled, "Salas! Going hunting, already? The sun just barely rise."

"Yup, Mrs. Leif. Got a work to do." She said, still jogging in place.

"Oh my, good girl. If only my son have a fraction of your diligence. He is still sleeping even now. It will be another hour or two before he wakes up, and will be another hour more before I can push him around to work." Mrs. Leif rested her head on one hand and supported the said hand with the other. "That said, it has been what? Six years? Since you joined the guild?"

Salas shook her head, "Five years, Mrs. Leif. It will be only my sixth year when next summer come."

Mrs. Leif hummed, her head still leaning on her hand, "Is that so? I still can't believe your mother let you become a hunter. Is she still giving you cold shoulder?"

Salas made a troubled smile, she stopped jogging at once. "She still doesn't want to talk to me. Though, she secretly and silently care for me. Often when I get home late at night, I find her still washing dishes and there is always leftover dinner at the table. Pa said Ma always waiting for me, and only pretend to wash dishes when she hears me opening the door."

"Oh my..." Mrs. Leif put her hand on Salas's shoulder, "Well, hang in there then. I know one day you two can become close again."

Salas smiled, "Yup! I always talk to her even though she never answer, Pa said it's only a matter of time before I can melt her frozen heart!"

Mrs. Leif nodded, "Good! Come on then, do your work! Remember to always put your own safety as first priority!" she said and gave her a smack on her back.

"Goodbye Mrs. Leif!" Salas waved then sprinted again, this time she put 100% of her focus and energy, determined that she won't let herself being stopped again by another housewife.

She ran through buildings and alleys until she finally arrived at an old mansion. In front of the gate, stood a boy and a girl which seemed already bored to wait.

"Jake! Nila!" Salas waved at the two of them. She stopped in front of them and caught her breath.

"You late." Jake said and folded his hands.

"Sorry, I was intercepted by gossip-loving housewife." Salas reasoned.

"Understandable." Nila sagely nodded.

"Well come on then, let's go. You said yourself new guy like us would have to arrive before sun even rise. Well, sun has risen." Jake urged Salas to lead the way.

"Okay okay, geez. Chill. I already bribed Fia to save an easy quest for the two of you." Salas said while walking towards the guild.

"First lesson from the sagacious Salas: Guild staff can be bribed, noted." Nila, once again, sagely nodded while following the other two.

She turned around and looked at them, "Hey! That's not I mean!" She spent the journey to the guild arguing with them while walking backwards.