CHAPTER 5: Reunited

He laughed, a deep and bitter sound that filled the quiet space between them. "You think I stole that blade?" His eyes flicked toward the katana lying on the floor before shifting back to her, the flames dancing along the edge of his own sword, still pointed unwaveringly at her chest. "And from your brother, no less. Ha!"

"Hiro Hoshino," she said, her voice wavering but determined. "That is my brother, and that sword belongs to him." Yumiko’s legs still trembled from the fight as she stood, her eyes locking onto him with a defiant glare. "I am Yumiko Hoshino, his sister. I’m here to find my missing brother."

The man’s expression faltered. His gaze, once piercing, seemed to drift past her as though staring into something distant. "What... I..." His hands, once steady, began to tremble. The firm grip he held on his flaming sword loosened. "That’s not possible..." His voice quivered, and his breath hitched, the once menacing warrior now unsteady.

"The gods have brought me here," Yumiko continued, her voice hardening despite the tension in her body. "To find you. To stop you. You have the answers about my missing brother, and you will tell me—now!" She demanded, even though she was in no position to do so.

But the man’s eyes were no longer focused on her. His breaths came in ragged, uneven gasps, as though he were struggling to draw air. His legs wavered beneath him, as if the earth itself was shifting, threatening to pull him under. "You are… his sister?" he muttered, the words barely audible, fragile, as if speaking them aloud might shatter something deep within him.

His grip faltered, and the sword slipped from his trembling hand, crashing to the ground with a hollow, lifeless thud. The flames that had once burned so fiercely along its blade flickered out, leaving only cold metal behind.

The crowd of adventurers stood in stunned confusion, murmuring amongst themselves. "What’s happening to him?" someone asked, their voice low and filled with unease.

The man took a hesitant step forward, his breath coming in ragged, labored gasps. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words seemed trapped, just beyond his reach. His face grew ashen, drained of color, and his chest heaved with shallow, frantic breaths, as though each attempt to draw air was a battle he was losing. His body trembled, his posture faltering as he slumped over, his breathing becoming more erratic by the second. He looked like a man suffocating in the open air, his lungs failing him.

Almost instantly, his legs buckled beneath him. His eyes rolled back, and with a faint, helpless groan, he collapsed onto the floor. A collective gasp rippled through the room, but no one moved. The silence was palpable, thick with confusion and fear, as the onlookers stood frozen, uncertain of what was happening before them.

From the front desk, the receptionist, her face pale and stricken with panic, bolted toward the fallen man. "Are you okay?" she called, her voice trembling, as she knelt beside him, her eyes wide with concern. She watched in horror as his chest continued to rise and fall in irregular spasms, his breath rattling in his throat. There was no response, no sign that he had even heard her.

Her heart pounded in her chest as the gravity of the situation sank in. "Oh my gods!" she cried, her voice rising in panic. "Does anyone know first aid?" Her gaze swept over the crowd, desperate, pleading. "Is there at least a healer class present?"

The adventurers exchanged uneasy glances, stepping back as though the distance might somehow protect them from the crisis unfolding before their eyes.

The receptionist turned sharply to her colleagues, her voice frantic. "We need help! Now! Someone call for a doctor or a healer!"

"I’m a healer!" came a voice from the crowd. A figure pushed through the throng, rushing forward.

All eyes were on the young girl as she knelt beside the fallen man, her hands already beginning to weave the familiar patterns of healing magic. She spoke softly, enchanting the ancient words, her voice steady, even as the room held its collective breath, watching, waiting for a miracle.

Yumiko stared at the man in shock. What just happened? Her mind raced, scrambling for answers. Was this divine intervention? Was he being punished for what he might have done to her brother? Her breath hitched, and a sudden thought pierced through her confusion—her brother! Where is his sword?

Her eyes flickered anxiously over the crowd, scanning the room, trying to remember exactly where she had left it. Then, she spotted it—her brother’s katana, lying undisturbed in the middle of the floor. Without hesitation, she hurried toward it, her heart pounding in her chest. Kneeling beside the sword, she picked it up, cradling it tenderly in her arms. It was the last fragile link to her brother.

"Nii-san... please be alright..." she whispered, her voice barely audible as her fingers tightened around the hilt. "Please don’t tell me something happened to you..." She hugged the sword close, biting her lip, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill.

"Try another spell!" someone from the crowd shouted, breaking her trance.

Yumiko glanced over, her gaze landing on the healer, who was visibly struggling. The girl’s face was flushed, beads of sweat forming on her brow as she muttered incantations, her hands glowing with magic that pulsed against the man’s unconscious body. "I-I’m doing my best!" the healer stammered, panic creeping into her voice as she continued pouring every ounce of her strength into the stranger. But nothing seemed to work.

Yumiko rose to her feet, her legs still shaky from the confrontation, her grip tightening on her brother’s sword. She watched as the man’s face twitched in agony, his body jerking slightly as if tormented by some unseen force. His torment only solidified her belief. Surely, this is the work of the gods. She thought to herself. They’ve brought me here to find your sword, nii-san.

Though she just recovered her brother’s sword, she was eager to leave immediately and find the next set of clues. There was no more time to waste. With her brother’s sword finally in hand, Yumiko turned toward the exit, her mind already racing with thoughts of what to do next. As she walked away, her thoughts spiraled deeper, consumed by the possibilities of what might have happened to her brother.

"Help him." The voice echoed in Yumiko's mind, soft but urgent, a whisper carried from her dreams. She froze, heart racing, and turned, her eyes searching the room for the source. The crowd around her seemed to blur, their movements slowing as if time itself had bent to the will of that voice.

"Please..." The voice came again, tinged with sadness, its plea wrapping around her like a shroud. "Don’t let him suffer anymore."

Yumiko blinked, and in an instant, the world snapped back into its normal rhythm. The crowd bustled and murmured, oblivious to the strange voice that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere. She glanced over her shoulder at the man writhing in torment, his face twisted in agony, trapped in some horrific nightmare. Her grip tightened around her brother’s sword.

She was confused, not knowing what to do. Mere moments ago she believed that her destiny had brought her here to fight the man with the menacing aura and reclaim her brother’s sword, but now the voice in her dreams was telling to help the man.

Voices rose near the guild entrance, pulling her attention. People moved aside, their whispers buzzing with excitement and apprehension.

"Holy shit, it’s her—that’s Josefina Mirano!" "She doesn’t look too happy."

From her vantage, Yumiko could see the crowd parting like a wave, making room for the approaching figure. Still clutching her brother’s sword, she instinctively followed their lead, stepping back as the woman approached.

Josefina Mirano commanded respect the moment she entered the room. A middle-aged woman with tanned brown skin and piercing brown eyes, features common in the Southern continent. She exuded a presence that made even the most seasoned adventurers pause. Her platinum guild tag, emblazoned with the number ‘15,’ gleamed in the dim light, marking her as one of the the highest-ranking members in the guild. Her every step was deliberate, purposeful, her two guards trailing silently behind her.

She was only meters away now, and the air seemed to grow heavier with her presence.

"What is the problem here?" Josefina’s voice was sharp, direct, as she approached the receptionist and the exhausted healer still bent over the suffering man.

The receptionist shook her head with a worrisome look, “I don’t know, he just collapsed all of a sudden! His heartbeat and breathing are not normal at all!”

The healer, pale and trembling, collapsed onto her knees, sweat trickling down her face. "I’ve tried every spell I know... but nothing is working... I’m spent..." Her voice wavered, filled with the weight of her failure.

Josefina’s gaze settled on the blonde man lying on the floor, his body still twitching, breaths shallow and uneven. His face was pale, his eyes tightly shut as if fighting an invisible enemy. “So, this is the one I’ve heard reports about? The one causing trouble here in the hall?” Her voice cut through the murmurs of the crowd, steady and authoritative.

The receptionist nodded, worry etched on her face as she followed Josefina’s every move. “Yes, that’s him,” she confirmed softly.

Josefina stepped closer to the man, her expression unreadable. “And the other one? The one from the far east?” Her voice carried across the room like a command, causing the crowd to shift uneasily.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

Slowly, the people around Yumiko began to part, creating a path that left her exposed. Her heart raced as the room grew eerily silent, all eyes locking onto her. Before she could gather her thoughts, someone behind her gave her a forceful shove. She stumbled forward, barely managing to stay on her feet, her brother’s sword clutched tightly to her chest.

The weight of the stares bore down on her, her breath catching in her throat. She could feel her pulse pounding in her ears, her grip on the sword growing tighter with each passing second.

Josefina’s eyes narrowed as they settled on Yumiko. “You, girl,” she said, her tone sharp, “it would be wise not to run or resist. I think you know very well what I am capable of.” Her words hung in the air like a challenge, daring Yumiko to defy her.

Yumiko swallowed hard, her mouth dry, and nodded. She knew exactly who Josefina Mirano was. Everyone in the guild did. Defiance wasn’t an option—not here, not now.

“Good.” Josefina’s voice softened slightly, though her authority remained. “Wait there while I handle this one.” Without waiting for a response, she knelt beside the blonde man, her focus shifting entirely back to him.

The receptionist, still hovering nearby, bit her lip anxiously. “What are you going to do?” she asked, her hazel eyes flicking between Josefina and the man on the floor. Her concern was evident, her voice barely concealing the tremor of worry.

Josefina didn’t answer right away. Instead, she extended her hand over the man’s body, a faint, ethereal light beginning to glow from her palm. The room fell into an uneasy silence as the crowd watched with bated breath. After what felt like an eternity, Josefina withdrew her hand, the light fading. Her expression was grim as she turned to face the receptionist.

“He’s suffering from extreme exhaustion—both physical and mental. A severe lack of sleep, combined with deep trauma.” Her voice was calm but carried an underlying weight of concern. “Unfortunately, no amount of healing magic will fix this.”

A ripple of uncertainty passed through the crowd, and Yumiko’s eyes widened. Trauma? Her thoughts swirled as she wondered what could have caused it.

“Does anyone have herbs to aid with nightmares?” Josefina asked, her voice steady but urgent. “Broodwood leaves are what I need.”

Murmurs swept through the crowd as confused glances were exchanged, uncertainty settling in the room. A young man, barely more than a boy, stepped forward hesitantly, holding a handful of deep red leaves in his trembling hand. “I have some broodwood leaves,” he offered, his voice wavering as he approached Josefina.

Josefina's stern gaze softened only slightly as she reached out, taking the leaves from him with a nod of acknowledgment. Without wasting a moment, she crushed them in her palm, the bitter aroma filling the air. The room fell silent, every eye fixated on her movements.

Yumiko stood still, her eyes glued to the scene unfolding before her. Josefina carefully tilted the blonde man’s head back, her movements precise and controlled. She gently parted his lips, placing the crushed leaves onto his tongue with care. “This isn’t ideal,” she muttered, her voice low. “A proper potion would be better, but it will have to suffice for now.”

The tension in the room was easily visible as the crowd waited, holding their breath. Slowly, the man’s erratic breathing began to calm, the harsh gasps for air easing into a steady rhythm.

The receptionist, who had been wringing her hands nervously, let out a relieved sigh. “It looks like it’s working,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Will he be alright?”

Josefina straightened up, dusting her hands off and casting one last glance at the man on the floor. “He just needs rest now. A deep sleep will help him recover,” she said, her tone decisive. Her eyes then shifted back to Yumiko, sharp and unyielding. “Which brings me back to you,” she added, her words laced with irritation.

Yumiko felt a cold sweat break out on the back of her neck as Josefina’s gaze locked onto her. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she clutched her brother’s sword even tighter.

Josefina took a slow step forward, her annoyance clear. “Tell me,” she said, her voice sharp, “are you not aware that fighting is strictly forbidden within guild property? Or are you a fool?”

Yumiko stared at the floor, the weight of shame pressing down on her shoulders. “Yes… I’m aware,” she muttered quietly, her voice barely audible.

“Then why?” Josefina’s voice cut through the air like a blade. “Why did you choose to fight here, knowing full well the rules you were breaking?” Her tone was strict, demanding an answer.

Yumiko inhaled deeply, trying to calm her nerves. The weight of the stares from everyone in the room pressed down on her, making it difficult to even think clearly. She felt like she was suffocating under the pressure.

Josefina, noticing Yumiko’s hesitation, turned to the room full of adventurers, her expression hardening. “What are you all staring at?” she barked, her voice booming. “Go about your business!” Her command was met with immediate action.

The crowd dispersed quickly, the clatter of feet and voices filling the room once again as they scattered to their own affairs.

"I thought she was done for in that fight!" one voice whispered.

"Though she lost, she held her own quite well especially considering who she was up against," another replied, their tone a mix of awe and disbelief.

Josefina sighed, shaking her head at the gossip swirling around them. Her focus shifted back to Yumiko, who stood nearby, still clutching her brother’s sword tightly. Yumiko gave her a quiet nod of thanks for dismissing the crowd, but Josefina wasn’t interested in pleasantries.

“I see your tag shows you’re a level six,” Josefina said, her voice firm. “Someone at your skill level should know better than to cause such a scene. Now, explain yourself.”

Yumiko’s chest tightened. She took a deep breath, gathering the courage to speak. “My brother has been missing for years,” she began, her voice soft but steady. “After he disappeared, I left my home country to come here, hoping to find him. I’ve been searching with a small group all across this country, but… no matter how hard we looked, there were no signs of him.” Her eyes dropped to the floor, a shadow of pain crossing her face.

Josefina’s stern expression faltered for a moment, her eyes widening slightly at the girl’s words. It was clear that something about Yumiko’s story resonated with her.

Yumiko continued, her voice filled with both determination and sorrow. “After searching this country for so long, I was losing hope. I didn’t think I’d ever find anything. But then… by divine fate, I ended up here. And that’s when I saw him.” She glanced toward the unconscious man on the floor. “He was holding my brother’s sword.”

Josefina’s gaze softened, though her tone remained sharp. “So, that’s when you decided to take it,” she said, her words more a statement than a question. She studied Yumiko’s face, watching the girl nod slowly in confirmation. “You took something that doesn’t belong to you.”

Yumiko’s grip tightened around the hilt of the sword, her knuckles whitening. “It does belong to me,” she replied, her hands holding the blade tightly. “It belongs to my family. To my brother. I had no choice.” Her voice trembled. She wasn’t pleading; she was making a statement of fact, one she couldn’t compromise on.

Josefina’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she said nothing, letting the weight of Yumiko’s words hang in the air. The tension between them grew as the reality of the situation sank in. Yumiko had broken guild rules—no fighting, no stealing—but there was more to her story than recklessness or impulsive behavior. There was grief, desperation, and something else Josefina couldn’t quite put her finger on.

Josefina remained calm, her gaze sharp as she studied the girl before her. "So instead of questioning why he had it, you simply took it from him and engaged in battle? Tell me, girl, what part of that seems responsible or smart?" Her tone was piercing, seeking clarity, but also laced with disappointment.

Yumiko’s heart raced. She fumbled mentally, searching for the right words to justify her actions. "I’ve been searching for him—my brother—for so long. And now I finally found a clue, all on my own! I got excited when I saw it, and... and that man, his aura, his whole demeanor was dark and rancid." Her voice wavered but held its edge. "When I saw him with my brother’s blade, my instincts told me to get it out of his possession." She stopped, her breath catching as she realized she was practically pleading for understanding.

Josefina turned her attention to the blonde man lying still, his face peaceful despite the scene that had unfolded. "I will need to hear his side of the story before I decide on your punishment."

Yumiko’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Punishment? For reclaiming my brother’s lost sword—"

"So you claim," Josefina interrupted smoothly, her gaze steady and unwavering. "For all I know, that could be a story you’ve concocted. Then there’s also the fact that the sword you’re holding isn’t even your brother’s. Perhaps you’ve mistook it for the real one."

Yumiko’s frustration flared. How could this woman doubt her? "There’s no way I wouldn’t recognize—"

"Besides," Josefina cut her off sharply, her voice firm as she gestured toward the wreckage around them, "that doesn’t change the fact that you started a fight in this hall. You damaged guild property and put lives at risk." Her hand swept across the room, pointing to the cracked floor tiles, a kunai lodged in the ceiling, and several arrows embedded in the walls.

Yumiko’s gaze followed Josefina’s gesture, her eyes widening as she took in the destruction. She hadn’t fully realized the extent of the chaos caused by their confrontation. Her chest tightened, but she refused to back down. "I... I didn’t mean for it to go that far," she muttered, her voice low but resolute.

"For your actions," Josefina declared, her voice carrying an unyielding authority, "I am placing you and this man under temporary arrest until further notice. Once I have heard his account and gathered statements from other witnesses, I will determine your punishment." Her gaze locked onto Yumiko with a steely intensity. "Do you understand?"

Yumiko’s heart pounded as she absorbed the gravity of Josefina’s words. The reality of her situation sank in, leaving her feeling trapped and vulnerable. Though the words stung and the fear gnawed at her, she knew deep down that the woman’s authority was justified. “Yes, I understand,” Yumiko replied, her voice trembling but respectful.

"Good," Josefina said with a nod. She turned to the guards, her frustration evident. "Guards, escort her to a cell in the guild’s basement. I will join you shortly after reviewing some additional reports regarding this incident." She pinched the bridge of her nose, clearly annoyed by the added complications Yumiko and the blonde man had caused.

Two guards stepped forward, their expressions impassive as they approached Yumiko. One of them extended his hand toward her. "Please relinquish all items, property, and weapons you have on you," he said firmly. His gaze fell on the sword Yumiko held tightly. "That includes the sword."

Yumiko’s fingers tightened around the hilt of her brother’s blade. Her heart ached at the thought of parting with the precious heirloom. The receptionist, who had watched the unfolding scene with concern, quickly stood up and approached Yumiko with a sympathetic look in her eyes.

“I can take it,” the receptionist said, her voice gentle and reassuring as she offered Yumiko a warm smile. “I promise, nothing will happen to it. You have my word as a guild employee.”

Yumiko’s gaze slowly lifted from the floor to meet the receptionist’s golden eyes. The woman’s expression was earnest, her demeanor filled with sincerity. She looked to Josefina for confirmation, and the senior guild member gave a slow nod accompanied by a small, encouraging smile.

With a deep breath, Yumiko carefully placed the blade into the receptionist’s hands. The woman’s smile broadened, offering a sense of reassurance and trust.

“Wait for me, nii-san,” Yumiko whispered, her voice barely audible as she stroked the sword one last time. The guards, with a firm but gentle demeanor, motioned for her to move along.

As she began to follow them, her gaze flickered to the blonde man lying unconscious on the floor. Questions swirled in her mind. If he hadn't taken the sword from her brother, then how had it come into his possession? Could he hold the answers she desperately sought about her brother’s fate? And why had fate led her to this man? The uncertainty and the weight of her quest pressed heavily upon her as she continued to walk, her thoughts a tumultuous mix of hope and dread.