Waterfront City: a bustling, coastal metropolis where opportunity and treasures await! Go diving and discover rare fish and treasure, visit the many stores dotted around the various districts, or have a stop by the Waterfront dojo, where you can have a chance to meet Master Kenshin, a practitioner of martial arts hailing from the Hoshoko region!

Connor lightly read the small pamphlet given to him by the guards as he waited for his turn to enter. Besides him was Mariya, who had her hands full arguing with said guard...

"I'm telling you: can't we get a discount? We're only one copper short!"

"And I'm telling you that rules are rules! No discounts; the last time we gave one, we almost got our arses bit by the commander!" Mariya and the guard exchanged jabs, both unwilling to give an inch.

Connor just sighed; can't they argue quieter?

Finally deciding to step in, Connor broke the deadlock with a proposal of his own:

"Hey man, we don't want any trouble. How about this: I have here a potion of health..." He paused, walked a bit closer and whispered: "If you cover our costs, it's yours,"

When he heard Connor's piece, the guard's disgruntled face rapidly eased, only to go back to being more cautious.

"You sure this ain't a scam?" He narrowed his eyes as he scrutinised Connor's face.

"Yup! I'll prove it to you!" Saying this, he took out a dagger and pricked his finger, making it bleed. And under the guard's shocked gaze, it began to heal after he dabbed the injury with the bottle.

Turning to the guard, Connor grinned, "How about it, this proof enough for you?"

The guard eagerly nodded, "You've got a deal, friend! Happy doing business with you!"

He immediately made way for them, tipping his cap off to him.

"You too, bud!" And just like that, they were smoothly let into the city...

Walking through the streets, Connor began to take in the new environment: Looking left and right, he could see market stalls and carts as far as the eye can see, the sound of customers haggling with merchants while the light saltiness in the air made his nose want to shake in pleasure!

"Tch! I can't believe you gave away our last healing potion like that!" Unfortunately, Mariya was still moping about the incident at the gate, too annoyed to enjoy the exotic atmosphere to its fullest.

"No worries, I can always get some more with the thing, but not now. Knowing fate, she'd probably get me framed for stealing if I did," He quelled her irritation while studying the strange weapons displayed on a stall nearby.

Seeing his nonchalance, Mariya couldn't help but be less annoyed. And after a few deep breaths, she began to loosen up as well.

As they were walking through the shopping districts, though, they were stopped by a beggar.

"Please kind masters; spare a coin for bread?" She held up a tattered hat in front of her as she begged.

Mariya frowned, but just as she was going to take out her purse, Connor put a hand on her's, stopping the action.

"Why?"

"No use wasting money," He shook his head, "Someone else more well off than us will donate, and if not, we'll do something about it then,"

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"But that's what everyone else says," She countered, pointing at the hesitant faces of those that passed the beggars, "Everyone tells themselves that, but more often than not, there won't be any 'richer' person to help her,"

"Didn't you hear me? Look, we'll help her if we see her again,"

"She could've moved! What'll you do then, huh?"

"I don't care," He could see her eyes widen in shock; it gives him a feeling of cold satisfaction, "If she doesn't help us in our goals, she's useless as a human being,"

-Slap!-

"...Nothing is useless, especially not a human," His cheek stings from the pain, but he doesn't react, just staring at her coldly. She stares back, her eyes filled with barely subdued indignance.

"For an assassin, you're pretty emotional,"

"I was a daughter of the slums before that,"

They stare at each other, a battle of wills ensuing in-between. Connor loses.

"Fine. Have it your way, go and help her, but that's one coin less to enter a city with," He smirks, "And next time, there won't be any potions to the rescue,"

He didn't say anymore and left for the temple...

----------------------------------------

Connor and Mariya stood before a large, oriental-styled building; its curved roofs and the match of red and white between its walls give it an unnatural look, couple that, with the statues surrounding it and the place looks haunted, even...

"You sure this... Master Kenshin is here?"

"Mn, the last time I visited him, he told me this place was going to be his retirement home," She pauses and turns to smile at him, "Although, for a gangster, I don't think there is ever a retirement,"

He smiles back but is otherwise silent...

Entering the dojo proper, the duo were amazed to see a large open hall; decorated with wooden swords, staffs and an assortment of other weapons. However, they were even more amazed to see the garden up ahead.

"Nihon teien. Beautiful, isn't it?"

"!!!" Both Connor and Mariya were shocked to find a young man standing right next to them.

"Pardon?" Connor studied the man up and down: he wore a loose-fitting samue(monk's clothing in ancient japan, but can be used as home clothes due to its comfortability).

'Traditional Hoshoko clothes... these guys are dedicated,'

The man smiles, "The garden, they are called nihon teien in our language,"

"I see..." Connor tried his best to smile as politely as possible, "...Um, forgive me but is Master Kenshin here?"

"Ah! Apologies, I didn't know he was expecting someone! Please head there; he is two rooms ahead,"

When they arrive, Mariya instantly opens the door and steps in, Connor closely in tow.

The room was dimly lit, partly due to the doors being closed and due to the candles. Apart from this, it was fairly ordinary: table, chair, tea and incense in one corner. Oh, and there's also the old man sitting in the middle of the room...

They came to a stop a bit away from him, but he definitely knew they were there.

"So, you visit me once again, Mariya,"

"Master Kenshin," Mariya bowed respectfully.

"Uncle," He corrects, "Your father was a close friend of mine; a shame what happened to him,"

"Uncle Kenshin..." He nods satisfactorily, then turned to look at Connor, "And who do you bring with you? A boyfriend, perhaps?"

He stares, Connor stares back, expressionless. This seemed to go on forever until Mariya butts in.

"Friend, his name is Connor. We're only travelling together until we reach the Murukhali desert,"

Kenshin merely chuckled, "Whatever you say... But enough of the pleasantries, what are you here for?"

"I need some of your connections to get us a ship," She replied.

"I see..." Kenshin nodded, "I can do that for you, but I need some help myself; are you willing to listen?"

Mariya glanced at Connor, silently asking: 'Do we do it?'

To which he lightly nodded. Seeing this, Mariya turned around and said:

"If that's your only condition, we can get it done; can you tell us the specifics?"

"All of it's in this envelope; read it when no one is around. Now then, please leave; I have to meditate," After handing them the envelope, Kenshin promptly sent them off...

Walking out of the dojo, Connor and Mariya began to discuss their next move:

"So, where to next?"

"Let's rest at the inn for a bit and see what's inside that envelope, then we can get dinner,"

"Good idea, and considering our budget, I think staying at the Traunts n' Trixxi's will be good enough,"

With their next course of action decided, the pair began heading to their next destination. Unbeknownst to them, a shady figure suddenly appeared right where they stood before following their every move...