Lucian crashed into a sand dune, causing a geyser of sand to rise up.
I flew over once the sand fell and peered over the crater that had been created when Lucian had landed.
He was just laying in the center, staring up at the sky with an apathetic expression.
I descended until I stood beside him.
I was a bit worried at this point. His mana was still present, but he was barely giving any indication of being alive.
He was practically bleeding all over, and his breathing was shallow.
"Hey, you still alive?" I asked.
Lucian's eyes slid over toward my general direction. His mouth started moving shortly after.
"You...win," Lucian wheezed.
I won, that's good. "Uh, yeah thanks. You should probably heal now."
Lucian went back to staring at the sky. "Can't."
Can't? Reminds me of when I fought Merlow. Guess I'll have to heal him.
"Alright, give me a sec," I said as I stuck my hand out in front of him.
I began using healing magic on Lucian, the process happened slowly, but not as slowly as my recovery process.
Lucian's former flamboyance had returned as he jumped back onto his feet.
He started stretching again, then breathing in a strange way.
Lucian spoke up. "Phew! You really are something kid. I mean, I didn't stand a chance!"
Lucian started laughing with pride. "I certainly chose well."
"..."
"I gotta know something, how'd you get so much stronger so fast? It usually takes months, even years for adventurers to climb one rank." Lucian insisted.
"I trained extremely hard with hardly any breaks."
"So that's how it is. Well, take it easy with the training. Pushing too hard could do some serious damage. Guess we should head back."
(A little while later)
"Alright, it's been finalized, you're now a certified A-rank. Here's your updated guild card." Rachel said with a smile.
I took my guild card from her and thanked her.
Rachel made a suggestion. "Feel free to check out any new quest. I think you'll find the A-rank quest far more rewarding."
"I'll take you up on that offer."
I placed the guild card in my pocket and headed up to the next floor, walking over to the quest board.
"Milo, look." Erythro said as a marker appeared in my field of vision around a perticular quest.
I examined it which a curiosity at first, but that curiosity quickly turned into disdain.
(Bounty: Dead or Alive)
"Dark Avenger: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Reward: A request from Victoria Luna Moon herself."
On the bounty sheet was a crude drawing of a shadowy figure with a malicious smile plastered across it's face.
"I guess word travels fast. Victoria must've put this out. She does technically own the guild afterall."
"We should keep tabs on Merlow's movements. Taking this quest would be a good idea."
"Agreed." I snatched the quest of the board and gripped it in my right hand.
"Woah, what's with the serious look?"
I know that voice. I eased my tension and turned toward the direction of the voice.
My eyes settled upon the familar set of twins I had teamed up with earlier. The hot and cold twins...
"Milo, buddy, pal, you can't go around mean muggin' people. Especially inanimate objects," Ella teased, bumping me on the shoulder.
I shrugged my shoulders. "Sorry, I just had a lot on my mind. What's up you two?"
"Not much, just scouting out new quests. Oh! Did you hear the news? A huge bounty's been placed on some weird monster." Ethan said.
"Yeah, everyone's going crazy over it. Apparently, it's available to all ranks, so no one's holding back." Ella added.
I was dumbfounded. On the surface it sounds like a good idea, but Merlow's strong. There's no way there won't be casualties. "You're kidding..."
"Not at all, Ethan and I were actually considering taking quest." Ella admitted.
I was about to say something to them, but a table of patrons called them over.
"Looks like we've gotta go, c'ya around Milo." Ethan said as they walked away.
"Yeah..."
Things are getting dangerous.
I walked downstairs and handed my quest to Rachel.
She didn't comment on the quest itself, but she wished me luck.
I spun around to leave the guild, walking outside of the large open doors when I was met by a familiar face.
"Milo?"
"Sarah?"
It's been a while since I've seen her.
She unexpectedly embraced me, so I sort of just stood there akwardly with my arms to my sides. It was nice, receiving a hug I mean.
"It's been so long since I've seen you! My dad's been doing better than ever before thanks to you."
"Really? That's great. I'm happy for you-"
"Sorry old man, I really didn't want to sully your art." The words Merlow once spoke echoed throughout my mind.
"Something wrong?" Sarah asked.
"What? No, I'm fine." I stated.
Now that I think about it, the similarities between Sarah's father and Merlow are way too prevalent. Their experts in martial arts and umbra magic.
Sarah's dad...there's something more to him than meets the eye, should I ask her about it?
At this point people were starting to stare.
Sarah must have noticed because she abruptly released her grip after about 25 seconds.
"You should visit our stand sometime soon, my treat."
"I'll look foward to it then."
"Great, it's a date."
"So what were you up to anyway?"
"Oh, I was just looking for a new quest. Dad's well enough to run the stand, so I thought maybe I should focus on raising my rank in the mean time."
"Nice, be sure to stay safe though."
"Thanks, I will."
I wonder if she's gotten any stronger, things are getting dangerous here afterall.
Appraisal.
Name: Sarah
Race: Beastman (Cat)
Rank: D
(Status)
Lv.6-Exp(4,532/6000)
HP: 2700/2700
MP: 750/750
Strength: 18
Agility: 20
Endurance: 16
Intelligence: 15
Sense: 20
Mana: 20
Spirit: 24
Attribute Points: 12
Passive Skills:
Chef (Lv.6)-Understanding and appliction of culinary arts.
Hunter (Lv.3)-The activity of hunting wild animals or game, especially for food or sport.
Nurse (Lv.5)-Give medical and other attention to a sick person
Merchant (Lv.8)- Ability to handle financial affairs and manage products.
Charm (Lv.4)-The power or quality of giving delight or arousing admiration.
Lover (Lv.???)-???
Martial Arts (Lv.2)-Understanding of physical and combat prowess.
Activation Skills:
Killer Instinct (Lv.Max)-Trust your instincts to secure the kill. Unique State Skill.
Meditation (Lv.4)-Focus youself with a calm mind and guided breathing.
Umbra Magic (Lv.1)-Darkness can be manipulated by the user via mana.
Healing Magic (Lv.1)-Restores health and mends the wounds of targets via mana.
She only seems slightly stronger, most of these skills aren't combat oriented either.
Lover? What even is that? Is this another joke by Erythro?
"Hehe, yeh boi," Erythro muttered.
Umbra magic and martial arts... There's too many coincidences for this to by chance. I need to speak with Paul.