Arkon reported the incident to the guild, but by the moment the search party arrived, the goblin fort was nowhere to be found. It was raining, the atmosphere was heavy and dark.
“We found mana signatures in the area, sir. We’ve recovered a mutilated corpse of Special-Beta Adventurer Anon.”
“Mhm, note that down. To think that a special-beta ranked sorcerer would be this reckless, we could’ve dispatched a group to take down the fort, what was he thinking going solo!?”
“According to his party members, a human was leading the goblin fort.”
“That complicates things. Well then, we’re going back.”
“Yes, sir.”
The search party left as they concluded their investigation. Arkon and Zikito stayed in an inn, they were both reminiscing of what just happened.
“We’re going back, that’s enough adventures for now…. Zikito-?”
Zikito sat still, his mind was completely awake- it was replaying the vivid memory of Anon. Anon’s screams reached Zikito. Zikito remained silent, but raging inside, his thoughts echoed from himself to himself.
“Why… why…. Why do I feel this way… he’s just an adventurer I met, move on, Zikito…”
“Sonnie, forget that damn brat, I told him it was suicide.”
“Y-yes… dad…”
Arkon was still oddly angry, his face looked disappointed, angry.
“Mhm…”
Anon was supposed to be a strong adventurer, he’s not famous, but he’s known to a certain degree. What an unfortunate end for Anon. After Zikito and Arkon left the inn, they looked for a quick hustle to protect some carriages in exchange for the trip home, and they did.
“Yo, missy, where’s the man who requested this?”
“Ah sir, he should be waiting on one of those tables, just call the name written there.”
Arkon read the paper again and looked for the name.
“YO! Hazu! Where the hell you at?”
Hazu, a boy around 16 years of age, he had a pair of circular glasses- he didn’t look anywhere near intimidating. Upon hearing his name, he stood up shocked.
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“Y-yes!?”
“We’re taking your request, brat.”
“Wha-whats your rank? And why are you bringing a child along-?” Said Hazu with visible confusion.
“Ugh. Arkon, Semi-gamma adventurer, and he’s a future mage.”
“Oh? What’s his magic rank then?”
“Basic.”
“Then your kid has potential, I’m surprised. Kid, I’m Hazu, how about you?”
“Zikito. My name’s Zikito-....”
Zikito greeted with a rather stale voice, his mind still processing what had just happened.
“We’re leaving in an hour, get ready.”
“You got it brat.”
“Follow me to our carriage, we’ll meet up there.”
“Yeah yeah, off we go.”
The three of them left the guild’s building. The town was bustling today, there was a fiestival. They walked for a while, shops could be seen there and here, there were more guards patrolling too. They didn’t notice the passing time until they arrived at the carriage.
Author’s note: The town of Cole is nearest to their house, about a ten minute walk. Dylnn is about a few hours. Doing a short escort request pays fine, assuming you know what lurks within. It’s usually just some wolves trying to get easy meals. There are safer paths, but they take longer. However, you know businessmen! Time is of essence!
“Arkon, we’re taking a shorter route, I hope it won’t be a problem.”
“Pay what you promised, that’s all brat.”
“Stop calling me brat! I’m Lucas!”
“Okay brat.”
“Grrrr! >:(“
Amidst all of these, Zikito was still burning inside. He tried to cast a rock, yet it’s always a pebble.
“I…. what the hell…. I should get over it… it wasn’t my fault…”
PAT Arkon hit Zikito’s back as if it was a small pat.
“Sonnie, quit spacing around. Let’s get something to eat…. Sonnie-?”
Zikito snapped back from his swarm of thoughts, it was a hellish headache.
“Sonnie!”
“Y-yes dad!”
“Come, we’re losing time.”
Zikito and Anon ate by a nearby restaurant to each have their fill, it was a rather odd meal. While eating, Arkon noticed Zikito’s tight face, Zikito looked uneasy.
“Sonnie, loosen up.”
“D-dad?”
“We’re alive, sonnie. Don’t think too much about it.”
“Al-alright…”
“In reality, I am far from being able to protect anyone. I must remember that I’m still a child… haha…. What am I doing…?”
“Maybe a mug of rum won’t be bad.”
Arkon slid a mug of rum towards Zikito, what the hell is he doing!?
“D-dad?”
“Drink up, I’m sure noone would stop ya.”
“But aren’t I-.”
“Just drink em sonnie, ya need these kind of stuff to wind off.”
“Why is my old man… alright damn it…”
Zikito closed his eyes and took a drink of the rum, he drank little, but it was what he could do.
“Perhaps… it’s not that bad-.”
The rum was too strong for Zikito, thus he slept. It was a short moment, but what will happen next is in the next chapter!
TO BE CONTINUED.