I returned to my work, my mind racing with thoughts about Vice's unexpected intervention. As I filled the vials, I couldn't help but glance over at her occasionally. She was leaning against the cart, arms crossed, watching everything with a keen eye. The market square was starting to fill with the morning crowd, and I knew I needed to keep up the pace.

Sky returned, frantic, with Alice in tow.

"What happened? We heard gunshots! Are you okay, Key?"

I smiled. "No worries, I had a bodyguard." I gestured to Vice, who was leaning against the stall, blushing a bit again.

"Bodyguard, my ass. I just want to make sure I get my money."

After that exchange, I explained what happened, and we returned to our work. Alice and Sky happily resumed their lessons, and I went back to my vials. I was almost done anyway, so after a few more minutes, I decided to take a quick water break. Vice approached me; it looked like she had done some thinking.

"Kid, you seemed interested yesterday about my adventuring days."

I nodded. "I am curious as to why you quit adventuring, but I didn't really want to breach a sore subject."

Vice looked me in the eyes. "I was hoping you didn't pry. I don't like talking about it. I'm sure you guessed, but I never wanted to stop. I just couldn't anymore. The memories were too painful."

I asked, "Are you ready to talk about it? I mean, I know we just met, but if it's something you want to talk about, I am a great listener."

Vice gave a half-smile. "Thanks. I don't know why I'm telling you this, given I couldn't bring myself to tell anyone before. I think if I had to guess, it's because you remind me of an old friend. I used to adventure with a merchant just like you. We had a small party—just him, me, and two others. We had lots of adventures and history together in those blissful few years we spent as a party. A lot happened in that short time; we grew as people, shared laughs, and well, we became a family. I was only 16 or 17 when we formed our party. Back then, we were just brats—nothing official, just kids playing adults."

She had a nostalgic grin on her face as she recounted her story. "His name was Armin. He had a sister that traveled with us named Isabella, and she had a boyfriend, Senzu. I was our ranger and navigator, Armin was our merchant, Isabella could heal, and Senzu was a big man who used heavy weapons. I thought it'd last forever, our little group. I had plans for me and Armin—we were actually going to open a shop together."

I asked a difficult question. "Did you love him?"

Vice shrank down like a little girl at that question. She said sadly, "More than anything, yes."

I frowned. "What happened?" I let my curiosity get the better of me. I figured I already knew the answer, though.

Vice looked away from me a bit. "They died." A flat answer. I could tell it hurt her to say that.

I offered, "Look, if you don't want to talk about it anymore, I get it."

Vice whispered, "No, I have been avoiding it for 7 years now. I think it's finally time to talk about it. Listen, kid, adventuring is no picnic. Not just anyone can do it. You need a merchant, you need a stable income, you need to be strong in battle, you need supplies. Point is, you should give up on it. Just settle into town here and live your life peacefully."

I frowned. "I would love to just settle down here. This village accepts me with open arms. Both me and Alice would be safe here. However, for me, I just can't."

Vice raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

I sighed. "I am not a human; I am a half-elf. That is a simple fact. Even if the town accepts me, passing by travelers might not. Plus, I am a scammer. Above all, that is my main source of income. I might swap to a different target after this, but I will still be a scammer. I am no craftsman; the stuff I make isn't that good. I am no herbalist either; my medicine here is merely a fluke. The only real skill I have is being able to talk or listen. Right now, that is what I have to bring to the table. With that in mind, think back to the bandits today. Every time I scam, every day I stay here, I put myself in danger. Really, adventuring from town to town is my only option."

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Vice added, "You can hire bodyguards, kid. Come on, that is no excuse."

I sighed. "You really know how to dig deep. Alright, you got me—there is more to it. The real reason is just that I like it. I like moving from town to town. Seeing new people, seeing new places—it gives me purpose. Plus, given my particular talent, I feel like I won't grow at what I do if I don't meet new and different people. I realize scamming isn't considered honorable by any means, but I just think that maybe even someone like me can make good things come from it. I mean, it won't make me a hero in most cases, but this town has shown me that even if it was by accident, even I can do some good."

Vice looked at me, a soft expression appearing on her lips. "You really are a lot like Armin. Minus the scamming, of course—Armin was too green for that. Once he decided on something, though, he always followed it through. With that in mind, let me give you the details. I think I need to get this off my chest."

Vice began her story. "Their deaths—it was my fault. The job was supposed to be easy, just a simple goblin cleanup job. Armin was supposed to stay home, but he insisted on coming. You see, this job really wasn't something we needed him for. The pay would be a lump sum of coin. Goblins don't generally have many valuables. However, he insisted on coming, said he wanted to see if he could scavenge anything. Sometimes the goblins take items from fallen adventurers and use them for themselves."

Vice looked at me, her expression darkened, and her eyes distant as she recalled the painful memories. "I should have told him he wasn't needed, even if I had to get mean. We could have always made up afterward. I could never resist his blue eyes and that messy blonde hair. When Armin wanted something, he could be so stubborn too. We had done goblin cleanup jobs like this before, so I figured it could be a good experience for him. I regret that day so much—if only I had just listened to my gut, dammit."

Vice began to tear up a bit as she turned away from me. I waited, giving her a moment to compose herself. When she turned back, there was a determined look in her eyes, as if she had decided to finally lay her burden bare.

"The goblin den was deeper than we anticipated," she continued. "We were navigating through the dark tunnels when we were ambushed. It was an organized attack—goblins, but smarter than usual, like they had a leader. We fought hard, but they had the advantage of numbers and the terrain. Senzu took the brunt of it, holding them off while we tried to retreat. Isabella was casting healing spells as fast as she could, but there were just too many of them."

She paused, her voice breaking slightly. "Armin was right beside me. He was supposed to be at the back, out of harm's way, but he stayed close, trying to protect me. He never was the kind of man that listened; he gave his life for mine. In the chaos, a goblin managed to slip through our defenses. It went straight for me, and Armin... he pushed me aside and took the blow himself. It was a fatal wound. Isabella was overwhelmed, and Senzu fell shortly after. I thought at least if I could save Armin then... then at least I could protect the man I loved."

I could see the anguish in her eyes, the weight of guilt she had carried all these years. "I managed to get Armin to safety, but it was too late for him. He died in my arms, and I... I couldn't save him. After that, I couldn't continue. I left adventuring behind and became a loan shark, hoping to drown out the memories with work. But it never worked."

I placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to offer some comfort. "Vice, you did everything you could. They wouldn't blame you. And I don't think Armin would want you to carry this guilt forever."

She shook her head, a sad smile on her lips. "Maybe you're right, kid, but it's hard for me to forgive myself. They were my family, and I let them down. I wasn't strong enough."

We stood in silence for a moment, then I offered, "Maybe you don't have to forgive yourself right away. Vice, why don't you come with me? Look, I know I am still pretty new to this, and the stuff I am doing most people would frown on, but maybe if you travel with us, you can find yourself again. Look, I will be honest—it won't always be perfect, but we could use someone with your experience."

She wiped some of her tears away. "What if I mess up again? What if I fail you?"

I placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Vice, we're all going to make mistakes. That's just part of being human—or half-elf," I added with a small smile. "But here's the thing: we're not in this alone. We'll face whatever comes together. And if we mess up, we'll pick each other up and keep going. You're not alone this time, and neither am I."

Vice looked at me, still uncertain. "But what if it's not enough?"

I met her gaze, my expression serious. "It will be enough because we won't give up on each other. You've got a lifetime of experience that we need, and you've already proven you're willing to fight for us. That's more than enough for me."

Vice finally surrendered. "You have a way with words, shit. Alright, Key. You got a deal, but I will be expecting a hand in the profits."

I smiled, sensing this woman was now revealing her true self. "Pleasure to be working with you, Vice. With you leading us, I think our business outlook is looking good."

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed two curious faces watching us—Sky and Alice had stopped their lessons to focus on us.

I exclaimed, "Say hello to the newest member of The Key to Wonderland, our gunslinger, Vice!"