The trees were getting thinner and farther between, they were finally getting to their destination. Aqua seemed to be worn out from the forest.

"After all that I can't believe we got out of there without a scratch…"

"I have to say, you did surprisingly well. You've really improved in your casting speed and awareness."

"Before this, I had never even fought a monster that could use magic…"

"Well there's a first for everything. How's the adventurer's life for you then?"

"About what I expected, honestly though, quite fun."

Aqua showed him a small smile, the atmosphere made them feel like they were ready for anything.

"I think… we're here…"

As the paths they were on grew wider and wider, the silhouette of the city walls showed itself. The gate in which to get in had a large line of people waiting to get in with wagons of goods weaved in-between.

"Hey! Are you two adventures?"

A broad male red haired dragonkin adventurer covered in high class gear from the gate shouted at them. From the outside they certainly seemed like it.

"You need to come to the guild now! Haven't you heard?!"

"Sorry to disappoint, but we're not adventures..."

"Wait, are you… No, it can't be. In that case I apologise. But with your equipment…"

"We just crossed Sinfell earlier, that's why we’re wearing this."

"You two crossed the entire forest by yourselves and you're not adventures?"

Ray and Aqua both looked at each other.

"Now I know that sounds fishy but-"

"-I've struck gold…"

"Huh?"

"What do you mean-"

"-How about you two join the guild!"

"We can't just-"

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"-Now now, desperate times call for desperate needs. Just temporarily. We need as many people as we can get right now. Soon an army of skeletons will be attacking the city…"

"What?"

"Come to the guild if you're willing to help save the city. Please."

The dragonewt ran off back into the city, in desperation to search for new people.

"He never even mentioned his name."

"Ray can we… help them?"

"What can I do to save an entire city if I couldn't even…"

"Ray… you…"

She was concerned at the despair in front of her.

"I'm fucking weak Aqua, I'm weak…"

"You're not weak, they were just too strong. Those regrets are what make you who you are. You can't change the past, but you can prevent the same thing from happening, are you with me?"

He clutched the handle of the golden axe on his back.

"If I can stop one more… I… I'm with you."

He let go. And raised his hand into a fist.

"Even if I can't use you, I can fight."

The interior of the city was full of all sorts of magical contraptions, lamps with light crystals were the first to catch the eye. The guild was a huge roughed up building with notices on the front asking all adventurers to come inside. A crowd was formed with an old man at the center.

"Are you all here now? Please, adventurers, listen. A lich king was found in a dungeon nearby and it slaughtered the group of B rank adventurers trying to clear that dungeon."

"A lich king?"

"They're the top class of skeletons that can use dark magic, right?

"Isn't one on its own as strong as a rank A adventurer?"

"For some time it’s been preparing an attack. It raised an army of thousands of skeletons. As of right now it's too late to evacuate. Please adventurers… Save this town…”

The atmosphere was as dreary as it could get. No one could even speak.

"Come on adventurers!"

The door behind them opened, it was the dragonkin from before.

"Are we just going to let our city fall?"

The silence was now slightly hopeful mutters.

"Just as motivation I'll do this just once. Anyone who kills enough skeletons has a chance to get a rank up! I’ll be watching for hard workers out there!”

“Yeah!”

“Woooo!”

“Let's go!”

Cheers came from the crowd one after another all around. The now motivated adventurers all collectively rushed out the door.

Outside the city walls they were now all gathered along with many of the city guards. All of them stood there in silence along with Ray and Aqua.

“How did I ever agree to do this…”

“Don’t worry, this will be fine, I'm sure. We can’t just let them be destroyed.”

“Especially because your sister is here. I think I’ve got a plan to help find her too. The guy from the gate… was he…?”

“I think he must have been a high ranking adventurer… but with the authority to do that…”

“Are you guys talking about me?”

The man in question just put his hand on both of their shoulders.

“Didn’t I mention this was my guild?”