Jonathan sat on a wooden chair at a wooden table, enjoying his skewers and a beer he had bought from another stall. He bit into a skewer and savored the meaty flavor that filled his mouth. "Delicious!" He exclaimed, feeling satisfied.
As he ate his skewers, he glanced around the night market and spotted two familiar faces. It was Markie and Margie, his old friends from the outpost. They were walking together, holding hands and smiling.
"Hey, isn't that Jonathan?" Margie said, pointing at him. They walked towards him, waving and calling his name.
"Fancy meeting you guys here," Jonathan said, surprised and happy to see them. He gestured for them to join him at his table.
"How are you? It's been a while since we last saw you," Markie said as they sat down. He looked at Jonathan's skewers and beer, and his eyes widened. "Wow, you're living the good life, huh?"
"I'm okay, I've become an official mercenary now," Jonathan said, shrugging. He took a sip of his beer and smiled. "It's not bad, I get to travel, meet new people, and do interesting jobs."
"That's nice, congratulations," Margie said, sounding impressed. She leaned closer to Jonathan and lowered her voice. "You know, I have some good news too. I recently got a position in the government and became a government official."
"Really? That's amazing, Margie. What do you do?" Jonathan asked, curious.
"Well, I work as an assistant to the minister of trade and commerce. I help him with negotiating deals, managing resources, and overseeing the market. It's a lot of work, but it's also very rewarding. I get to make a difference in Lunaria's economy and society."
"That's awesome, Margie. I'm proud of you," Jonathan said, sincerely. He looked at Markie and raised his eyebrows. "And what about you, Markie? What have you been up to?"
"I've also been busy. I joined the military, and now I'm in training. I'm learning how to fight, use weapons, and follow orders. It's tough, but it's also exciting. I get to protect Lunaria and serve the people."
"That's great, Markie. I'm happy for you," Jonathan said, nodding. He looked at his friends and felt a mix of emotions. He was glad to see them doing well, but he also felt a bit of distance. They had chosen different paths, and their lives had changed. He wondered if they still had anything in common.
Jonathan and his friends sat at a wooden table in the night market, chatting and catching up. The air was filled with the delicious aroma of various street foods, from grilled skewers to fried dumplings. The lanterns overhead flickered, creating a cozy glow on their faces as they exchanged stories and laughs.
Markie smiled at Jonathan's comment about the good life. "Living it up, huh? You're lucky. Training is hard, but I'm getting the hang of it."
Jonathan shrugged, "Well, different strokes for different folks, right? I like being a mercenary. It suits me."
Margie nodded, "Jonathan, I'm glad you're doing well as a mercenary. You always had a talent for surviving in this world."
"Thanks, Margie. And congrats on your government job. It sounds like a big deal."
Margie blushed, "Thanks, Jonathan. It is a big deal. But I'm getting the hang of it"
As they talked, the night market buzzed with activity. Vendors shouted to attract customers, offering a variety of goods, from jewelry to medicine. The smells of food, spices, and smoke mingled in the air, creating a rich and diverse atmosphere.
Jonathan took another bite of his skewer, enjoying the taste, and then looked at his friends. They had chosen different paths, and their lives had changed. But they still had a bond, and a history. They had been through a lot together, and they still cared for each other. As the night market thrived with life, the trio explored the nuances of their changing friendships in the midst of Lunaria's post-apocalyptic world.
Jonathan opened his eyes, groaning as a sharp pain pierced his head. He had spent the night with Markie and Margie, his old friends from the past, laughing and talking over beer and skewers. He had enjoyed their company, but he had also drank too much, and now he was paying the price.
The inn room was dark and stuffy, and the air smelled of stale food and alcohol. A ray of sunlight slipped through the curtains, stabbing his eyes like a needle. He heard the faint sounds of the city coming to life, the murmur of voices and the clatter of metal.
Jonathan sat up slowly, rubbing his temples. He saw the mess on the table, the empty mugs and plates that reminded him of the night's festivities. He got up, feeling the wooden floor creak under his feet. He winced at the throbbing in his head, and wished he had some water.
He walked to the window, and pulled the curtains aside. He squinted at the bright light, and saw the city in motion. Street vendors were setting up their stalls, selling all kinds of goods, from food to weapons. People were walking, running, or riding bikes, going to their destinations. The city was alive with noise and activity.
Jonathan breathed in deeply, trying to clear his head. He smelled the aroma of breakfast cooking, the earthy scent of the city, and the fresh smell of morning dew. He felt a pang of regret, but also a spark of excitement.
He thought about the previous night, and smiled. He had reconnected with Markie and Margie, and they had shared stories and memories. They had chosen different paths, but they still cared for each other. He felt a warmth in his chest, and a gratitude for their friendship.
He got ready to face the day, knowing that the night had strengthened their bonds and opened new doors. The city outside was full of opportunities, and he was eager to explore them. He took a deep breath, and stepped out of the room, ready to embrace the adventures that awaited him in Lunaria's ever-changing world.
Jonathan stepped out of the inn, feeling refreshed after cleaning up his mess. The early morning sunlight bathed the streets of Lunaria in a warm golden glow, creating a contrast with the cool breeze that brushed his skin. The aroma of breakfast foods tempted his senses, reminding him of the simple joys in life.
He walked through the busy streets, passing by food stalls that offered a variety of dishes, from bread with sauce to eggs with bacon. The food sizzled and bubbled on the pans and pots, filling the air with mouth-watering scents. People moved around, creating a lively atmosphere as they went about their day, their chatter and laughter forming a harmonious symphony.
He stopped at a bread stall, and pointed at a loaf that had sauce on it. "One of these, please," he said. The vendor put the bread in a paper bag, and Jonathan handed him a 9mm bullet. The vendor's eyes widened, and he smiled. "Here, take these too. This is too much for a trade," he said, giving Jonathan a can of beans and a bottle of water.
"Thanks," Jonathan said, and continued on his way, eating the bread. He thought about how hard it was to trade with the same value in this world, where there was no fixed currency. A bullet could be worth a lot to some, and nothing to others.
He arrived at the public bathroom, and felt the cool water splash on his face as he freshened up. The sound of water running and footsteps echoing added a rhythm to the scene, making the mundane act of washing up a part of the vibrant city's daily routine.
After the refreshing shower, he resumed his journey toward the mercenary guild. The towering structures of Lunaria loomed over him, their intricate designs telling tales of a city that had survived and thrived. The sounds of construction work and distant conversations created a dynamic background noise.
As he approached the mercenary guild, he noticed the activity of fellow mercenaries. The building itself stood as a symbol of Lunaria's resilience, with solid walls and a welcoming entrance. The guild's emblem, proudly displayed, hinted at the shared purpose that united the mercenaries.
Upon entering, Jonathan was greeted by the buzz of activity within the guild. Mercenaries talked, exchanged information, and got ready for their quests. The smell of ink and parchment filled the air as people registered for tasks, creating an atmosphere that resonated with a sense of purpose and camaraderie.
The receptionist, busy with managing the influx of mercenaries, acknowledged Jonathan with a nod. The ambient sounds, visual details, and diverse scents intertwined, creating an immersive experience within the heart of Lunaria's mercenary community.
With determination in his eyes, Jonathan approached the bulletin board, where various quests awaited eager mercenaries. The wooden floor creaked under his boots and the papers shuffled as he scanned the available quests, immersing him in the vibrant tapestry of Lunaria's daily life.
As he looked at the quests, the choices before him unfolded like a map of opportunities, each quest promising a unique adventure in the ever-changing world outside the city walls.
The receptionist then signaled Jonathan to come to the reception. "What is it?" Jonathan asked.
"It seems like you have now become an official mercenary. Congratulations," the receptionist said. "Those quests on the bulletin board are nothing but practice quests, for beginners and amateurs. The real quests are inside the hallway," he said, pointing at a door.
"I see... thanks," Jonathan said, and walked towards the door. As he entered, he saw only a few people, about a dozen. They were equipped with good equipment, and guns. Guns were rare in this world, where most people used swords or bows. To have guns meant that they were experienced and successful mercenaries.