"I HAVE A favor to ask of you Kino."
"What is it, headmaster?"
"A dear friend of mine reached out to me, and asked if I could find a party for her daughter. So I picked your party."
"Why my party?"
"Even though I haven't known you for very long, I have this feeling that she'll be a great addition to your team Kino."
"Alright I'll take her. Where is she now?"
"She's over at the entrance to the school the same place you and I first met. Her name is Abby."
"Thank you headmaster. I'll go meet her now."
"Hold on before you go. I have a couple things for you. These are maps of both empires. And this is an enchanted Assassins Long Coat. This will add to your stealth abilities. It's also resistant to cut and pierce attacks unless your opponent is using an enchanted weapon. Blunt weapons are still effective, but I don't think that'll work on you. And lastly it will reduce magic damage by seventy percent. You are now the third person to have this type of coat so take great care of it.
"Wow, thank you headmaster for everything."
"You come back any time, and you're welcome."
*
When Kino arrives at the school's entrance she's a bit surprised to see a girl who looks like she should be in elementary school standing there. She couldn't be no taller than one hundred and thirty four centimeters. She has long purple hair with two small black horns sticking out of her hair along her forehead, her eyes are dark red. She's wearing a red leather bra even though she's flat chested. There's a long purple lace sleeve that starts at her neck forming a collar, it then travels down to her right shoulder and runs down her right arm stopping at her wrist. She has on a black drawstring lace skirt with red trim along the bottom, purple knee-high stockings and black boots. All of this only stands out even more against her porcelain white skin. She's holding a double headed battle-ax twice her size. The blades and the haft are made out of mythril. The centerpiece of the ax has a black skull.
"Are you Abby?"
"Yes I am."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Kino Kurosaki."
"Your the SS rank I was told about?"
"That's me. So tell me what rank and class you are?"
"I'm a C ranked Summoner. And a demon."
"Cool welcome to the team Abby."
"Just like that you're letting me join?"
"Yup."
"Why?"
"You have this cute gothic lolita thing going on."
"A what?"
"Never mind."
"You're an odd one, you know that Kino?"
"You're one to talk. I can tell you're much stronger than C ranked."
"I told you I'm C ranked."
"If you say so."
"Where are we going anyways?"
"We're going sightseeing."
"Sightseeing? Why?"
"I want to."
"So we're going to walk around aimlessly sightseeing?"
"No Abby, I have a final destination in mind, but we're gonna take our time getting there. And I'm not walking, I'm running."
"You're going to run?"
"Yup, but I should stretch first."
"Well you can run. I'm going to ride on Kazuma, my wyvern."
"Is that how you got here Abby?"
"It is."
"You wanna race?"
"You think you can outrun a wyvern?"
"Won't know unless I try."
"Alright, where to?"
"Well let's see, how about this village? According to the map it's called Sunflower Village. How's that sound?"
"That's a two day trip by foot. And you want to run there?"
"Yup. So you wanna race or not?"
"Heed my call and come forth, Kazuma!"
A bright light erupts from the skull on Abby's ax. It then begins to transform into a wyvern. With a smile on her face Abby jumps on to its back with ease.
"Are you ready now?" Asks Kino.
"Yes. So how do we start this race?"
"How about when this rock hits the ground we go." Suggests Kino, picking up a rock.
"Works for me."
Kino tosses up the rock. The second it hits the ground they take off heading for Sunflower Village.
*
Sunflower Village that same day, but just after the sunrises.
"Bishop Anansi, can you hear me?"
"Yes, go ahead."
"How is everything going in Sunflower Village?"
"It's going very well, Archbishop Judas. All the demi humans have been rounded up and caged like the worthless things they are."
"That's wonderful to hear. However I need you to return here right away some troubling news has been brought to my attention, and I would like your thoughts on the matter."
"As you wish. I'll make sure everyone here knows to proceed with the execution in my absence."
"Very good, I await your return."
*
The girl's arrive just outside the village. Not wanting to scare anyone Abby hops down and sends Kazuma off to fly around for a bit. They begin walking the rest of the way.
"Do you ever worry about Kazuma being attacked by other monsters or adventurers?"
"Not really. Kazuma is faster and stronger than anything around here. But I am linked to all my summons so if something happens I'll know."
"Is that a skill all summoners have?"
"Yes, it's called Sensory Link. So where shou— do you smell that Kino?"
"Yeah I do. It's the smell of blood. Abby, be ready to fight."
"HEY YOU STOP RIGHT THERE!"
This comes from a group of six quickly approaching them. They're dressed in yellow robes.
"Oh great, it's these assholes."
"I take it you've dealt with the True Believers before Kino."
"Yup."
"I TOLD YOU TO STOP!"
"What happens if I don't stop?" Asks Kino.
"I'm not talking to you. I'm talking to that worthless fucking thing beside you. You're free to leave. Now you, lay down your weapon or else."
"Fuck off!"
"Surround it at once! Don't give it a chance to escape!"
"What are you gonna do Abby?"
"I'm gonna take my ax, split their heads open and see what's on their mind."
"Sounds good, you want my help?"
"No, I got this, they made it personal, and now I'm fucking pissed!"
"Okey dokey all yours. I'll wait over there." Kino dashes off leaving Abby surrounded by the True Believers.
"Last warning, lay down your weapon."
"How about I lay it upside your head."
Abby swings her ax faster than anyone could think possible given her size at the closest assailant. Separating the woman's head from her shoulders in one swipe. A geyser of blood erupts from her neck. Her body briefly remains upright before falling backwards.
"KILL IT!"
"Slice N Dice!"
The first to attack Abby are two spearmen who thrust their spears at her. Abby sidesteps the attacks and swings her ax, cutting them horizontally in half.
"Wide open."
The next attacker comes at her from behind with a short sword. He had moved in at the same time the spearmen did.
"Dumbass." Is the first thing Abby says as the momentum from her swing brings her ax back around, but right before it connects she shifts her ax to its flat side. The sound of bones breaking can be heard when it connects, sending the man flying into his comrade. The impact of their bodies colliding kills them both.
"Do you think I'm scared of you? They were all D ranked weaklings.
I'm B ranked. You don't stand a chance. So get on your knees and beg me to spare your worthless life. Not that it'll do you any good."
"Only B ranked how sad. Hey Kino, can you keep what I'm about to show you a secret!?" Abby shouts out.
"Sure thing!" Kino shouts back.
"Now let me show you who the worthless one really is… Release seal."
"No! You're really…"
Before he could say anymore Abby punches him in the face sending him flying backwards. He bounces across the ground like a stone being skipped across water. Once, twice, three times, and just before he comes to a stop Abby is on him in a blink of an eye, and kicks him skyward.
"Hey Kazuma, it's snack time!"
The wyvern dives down and catches his snack.
"Sooo about what I'm seeing?"
"Reseal… I'll tell you in time, just not now ok?"
"So you had Kazuma eat that guy because he knew your secret."
"That and he pissed me off. So do you have a problem with that?
"Oddly enough I don't, even after seeing all this carnage. But we should have a look around the village. Last time I had a run in with these guys. They had demi humans in a cage."
As they turn to go they spot a lone figure walking towards them. A green hood hiding the face, a long bow held in the left hand and a brown quiver on the back.
"Who are you?" Asks Abby raising up her blood covered ax.
"I've already freed the demi humans and the villagers that live here. I've also eliminated the True Believers guarding them.
"How did you know what we were talking about?"
"Forgive me my name is Corym Elyra. I'm an Elf, and a C ranked hunter."
Corym removes his hood revealing long brown hair that is tied back. He stands at a good one hundred and seventy five centimeters, with a light skin complexion. He's wearing green leather torso armor with the hood attached, a brown canvas tunic under it. The pauldrons on his shoulders, gauntlets on his hands, tassets on his upper thighs, and bracers on both arms are also made of green leather. His canvas trousers and jackboots are brown. However two things stand out the most. First are his eyes. The right eye is gray, and the left one is gold. The second is the tips of his ears have been cut off.
"I'm Kino Kurosaki, a SS rank human assassin."
"I'm Abby, a C rank summoner, and a demon."
"It's a pleasure to meet you both. And Abby I think it's only fair that I tell you I know who you really are."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"World Sight."
"You, have that skill?"
"I do."
"You guys lost me. Can you explain it to me, Corym?"
"Sure Kino. World Sight is an extremely rare skill that only myself and one other person has. This skill allows me to see everything without fail, I can see the aura someone puts out allowing me to find them no matter the distance, I can see any weakness someone might have, along with any skills they have, I can see anyone's rank. There is no magic that can hide anything from me."
"So is that why you have different eye colors?"
"It's possible that's an effect of having this skill. I've been looking into its origins trying to learn all I can. However I haven't learned very much given the rarity of this skill."
"Wow, that's impressive, but why tell us?"
"I want to join you guys, and I have a favor to ask of you Abby?"
"I already know what you're gonna ask me."
"And?"
"I will ask, but that's all I can do."
"Thank you. That's all I can ask for."
"Alright Corym Elyra, welcome to the team."
"Just like that?"
"Yup."
"Kino's odd like that."
"I see."
"So now what?" Asks Abby.
"Those demi humans I saved asked me to escort them to the Snapdragon Village." Replies Corym.
"Perfect, that's where we need to go, and you guys can meet my brother Kiyo along with the rest of the party."
"What happened to wanting to go sightseeing?" Asks Abby.
"It's fine. I can go sightseeing anytime I want."
"We should get in touch with The Templars first before we leave, and let them know what went on here. Do they have a place nearby?" Asks Corym.
"Not that I know of." Responds Abby.
"Alright Abby and Corym I want you guys to make sure we have everything we need before we depart. I'll run back and inform Headmaster Nemo about what happened here."
"Run back? Didn't you arrive on the back of a wyvern?"
"Nope, I ran here. Abby was on the wyvern."
"Seriously?!"
"Kino, just show him."
In a blink Kino is gone.
"So Corym, how did you know someone was riding on the back of a wyvern? It's not like I landed in the middle of the village or anything."
"On top of having World Sight I also have the rare skill Hawk Eye."
"Hmm… You have one e.r.s and one rare skill… Damn it I have no choice now do I?"
"I won't force you to."
"No, it's fine. I'll have a talk with my father about your eyes."
"Thank you. So about these bodies?"
"Leave 'em for the wolves and voulters."
"Hey guys I'm back."
"Kino, who is he and how are you carrying him on your back?" Asks Abby.
"This is Bob. The headmaster is currently unavailable so I asked him to come. Bob, this is Abby and Corym."
"Hello everyone. And Abby I used a magic item called Light As A Feather."
Light As A Feather.
Is a magic item that makes the user lightweight. They're no limits to its use.
"So Bob there are five bodies here and…um Corym."
"Ten more back in the village, but they're scattered around the place."
"I see. Are they wearing yellow robes as well?"
"Yes."
"Does that matter? Asks Kino."
"It does. The reason is that no matter witch empire someone comes from the robe color is supposed to indicate what class they are. But these guys have weapons that are normally used by the warrior class, summoner class, or tanker class. Yellow robes are worn by healers and that class doesn't use these types of weapons."
"…Hang on, doesn't wearing the robes also mean they're still learning their class?"
"Yes it does Kino. I'm surprised, you of all people picked up on that."
"Bite me Booby."
"That's actually pretty smart. By making you think they're still rookies they wear the robes, and to further confuse you the robes don't match their actual class." Abby points out.
"This is something new. I haven't heard of this tactic before today." Bob remarks. "I'll have to give a very detailed report to the headmaster."
"Do you want our help?"
"That won't be necessary Abby. I'm gonna contact a friend in the Templars. Given what we just uncovered they'll need to conduct their own investigation. I'll also talk with the villagers here to see if they are willing to lend me a hand."
"Hey, this guy has a pearl white earring. Can I take it and sell it?" Asks Kino.
"Let me see it." Bob asks, holding out his hand. "…Oh this is a Memory Pearl. It works by channeling a-bit of mana into it then you think of the memory you want to store, say the words "Store Memory" and that's it. It's really simple."
"What about viewing the memories?"
"It's the same process as before Kino, only say "View Memories." That will let you see everything that is stored within."
"You want help retrieving them from the other bodies?"
"Yes. Can you guys handle that, and I'll contact my friend to get things going on that end."
Two hours later Kino, Abby, and Corym say their goodbyes with Bob, and head out on their escort quest. Abby is on Kazuma out front scouting ahead. Corym is in the lead wagon, and Kino is in the rear wagon. Three wagons in all make their way to Snapdragon Village.
*
"Are you there Bishop Anansi?"
"Yes, go ahead."
"The execution of the demi humans in Sunflower Village has failed. Only twenty of them were killed the rest were saved by an elf, a demon, and a human."
"Do they suspect you or the villagers as being behind it?"
"No, I even retrieved the Memory Pearls."
"Good work Black Knight. Where are you now?"
"Heading back to my post."
"Alright, unless you have anything else that I need to know about right now I'll await your written report."
"No sir that is all."
"Goodbye then."
"Goodbye sir."