"Are you sure you want to skip the celebration?" Satoru asked, a worried look crossed his face.
"Alice and I both discussed this, we really don't want to stick around here any longer and just want to go home." I responded.
Alice nodded her head in agreement. Satoru sighed and shrugged his shoulders as if he had been expecting this. He suddenly began rummaging through his bag and pulled out two large pouches that were filled to the brim with something.
"With how much you've done up here, I can't exactly blame you for wanting to go back home and rest. Here, each bag holds ten thousand velp. It's the least I could do for you." Satoru said, putting the large pouches in me and Alice's hands.
"Are you sure you want to give us such a big amount of money?" Alice asked, staring down at the huge pouch.
"I'm positive. Oh, that's right! The old man wanted to see you before you go. I know you both really want to go home but he said it's important. He should be at the east entrance, where you two entered from." Satoru said, pointing over to the old man's location.
As we walked over to the old man's location, a sudden thought popped in my head. Where were Ichiro and Akio? I thought they'd at least see us off. Alice seemed to notice me thinking by the way she was looking at me.
"What are you thinking about this time?" Alice asked.
"I was just wondering where Ichiro and Akio were, that's all." I responded.
"I see."
We continued to walk towards the old man's location until finally, we had arrived. Besides the old man stood Akari, who looked like she had something big to say.
"John. Alice. I can't begin to thank you enough for all you've done here." The old man lowered his head as a way to thank us.
"Well I guess you could tell us your name as a thank you." I said, crossing my arms.
The old man raised his head and looked me in the eyes for a moment before laughing. He wiped away the tears of laughter before straightening himself.
"Sora. Sora was the name given to me."
I let out a soft smile when I heard his name. He no longer was just that old man now. The man suddenly stepped aside and let Akari in from of him.
"I've been discussing this with my master ever since we rescued Naoki five days ago." Akari said, avoiding eye contact.
Alice and I exchanged looks for a moment before returning our attention to Akari. Whatever she was going to say, it was going to be important.
"I'd like to be in your guild and join in on all the adventures you have!" Akari shouted.
Not giving it much thought, "sure! Always nice to have a new member on the team."
Akari, Alice, and Sora gave me surprised faces because of how fast I accepted the request. Almost like they thought I'd reject the idea.
"What?" I asked, looking at all of them.
Alice laughed before shaking her head, "I guess that's that then."
Sora patted Akari on the back to push her towards Alice and I. I smiled at her for a moment before looking outside of the large gateway.
"Well let's not wait around then. Let's go home!" I said, dashing towards the exit at full speed with Alice right behind me.
Akari looked at the old man who gave her one last nod before pushing her off towards Alice and I.