(Noki Port)
5:00 PM
Kiyoshi and Sakura waved a grateful thanks to the merchant who'd arranged their ship—it would sail tomorrow morning, tickets courtesy of the old witch. With hours to spare, they wandered the bustling port, a chaotic swirl of goods from across the country crowding the docks.
They strolled through the city, taking it all in.
Kiyoshi's eyes lit up, a pang of homesickness tugging at him. "Sakura, look—a restaurant with all kinds of seafood! I miss Mom's cooking so much. That smell… it's drifting all the way out here."
Where they stayed at the bar, seafood was a rare treat—usually just bland, roasted fish, nothing like this.
Sakura nodded, her stomach growling. "All we get is fish to roast. This place has octopus, crabs, everything—let's go."
On their way, a thief darted past, snatching Kiyoshi's coin pouch. They bolted after him, the chase kicking up dust. The thief was quick, weaving with uncanny flexibility—leaping onto rooftops, slipping through narrow alleys—but Sakura's speed outmatched him. Just as her fingers brushed his collar, a girl leapt from nowhere, tackling him. She pummeled him with swift fists, snatched the pouch, and tossed it back to Kiyoshi. He activated his Eye of Wisdom:
Name: Saleen
Rank: E [Level 3]
Type: Thief
Skills: Night Vision (D Rank), Run (E Rank)
Saleen smirked. "You've gotta watch yourself around here."
Sakura huffed, pride stinging. "I was this close to nabbing him. We didn't need help."
Kiyoshi tilted his head. "You're a thief type, right?"
Saleen grinned. "Yeah, how'd you guess? Me and my sisters—all thief types—run a restaurant by the beach. Best sea dishes in Yavior. I was just here grabbing supplies."
Kiyoshi's stomach rumbled, hope sparking. "Then let's eat there—I'm starving."
Sakura echoed, "Me too."
After Some Time
"How long's it take to get there?" Kiyoshi asked, impatient.
Saleen waved ahead. "Sorry for the wait—we're here."
The wooden shop glowed with charm, its two floors adorned with carvings. The second floor, where the sisters lived, boasted a balcony with a stunning sunset view. The beach stretched empty—folks only came 'til 3:00 PM.
They walked the shore, sand cool underfoot, when five to seven rough-looking men appeared, the earlier thief among them. Kiyoshi's Eye of Wisdom flared:
3 Thieves (E Rank) 1 Assassin (C Rank, Level 2), sword in hand 2 Tankers (E Rank), burly with shields
The thief pointed at Saleen, shouting, "This is her!" to the C-rank assassin—his boss.
Boss Hano sneered. "Hey, kid, how dare you touch my subordinate?"
Saleen bristled. "Who the hell are you?"
"I'm Hano, Warisus Gang," he growled. "You'll see what happens when you mess with us."
Saleen drew her dagger, turning to Kiyoshi and Sakura. "Stay back—I'll handle this."
Their blades clashed, steel ringing in the salty air. Saleen darted with her Run skill, a blur of motion, but Hano's power dwarfed her. His sword swung lazily, toying with her, each block jarring her small frame. She stumbled, breath ragged, barely standing.
Kiyoshi whispered to Sakura, urgency tightening his throat. "He's C-rank—she can't win. He's not even trying, just playing with her. She's taking hits."
"We should jump in," he pressed.
Sakura's eyes narrowed, calm but tense. "I'll wait—see how it plays out. I'll step in if she's in real danger."
Saleen crumpled, then hauled herself up, defiance blazing. Hano laughed. "You're an insect to me, thief. This is an assassin's power." He swung at her neck, a killing arc—Kiyoshi lunged to block, heart pounding, but Sakura grabbed his arm. "Stop—they're here."
Two sisters charged in:
Name: Daleen
Rank: E [Level 4]
Type: Thief
Skills: Night Vision (E Rank), Invisibility (C Rank)
Name: Galeen
Rank: E [Level 4]
Type: Thief
Skills: Night Vision (E Rank), Flexibility (D Rank)
"How dare you hurt our sister!" they roared. Hano's underlings joined the fray, shields up, blades flashing. The sisters fought fiercely—Daleen flickering in and out of sight, Galeen bending like a reed—but Hano's strength overwhelmed them. His sword cracked against Daleen's dagger, sending her sprawling; a brutal kick dropped Galeen. They struggled to rise, gasping.
Hano barked, "Take the girls to headquarters—I'll enjoy them tonight." He glared at Kiyoshi and Sakura. "Run, or you're next."
Sakura's voice was ice. "I don't think so."
Hano sneered. "Oh?"
Saleen, weak, pleaded, "Sakura, run—don't worry about us!"
Kiyoshi grinned, steady despite his racing pulse. "Saleen, he's the one who should run."
Hano charged Sakura, sword aimed for her chest. She vanished in a blink—Lightning Speed humming—reappearing behind him, dagger pressed to his throat. "This is an assassin's power," she hissed. His underlings rushed Kiyoshi, shields raised. He triggered Luck, adrenaline surging; his sword sliced through one shield like paper, the clang echoing, then smashed another foe into the sand with a satisfying thud. Easier than C-rank monsters, he thought, smirking.
Hano, dazed, rasped, "Who are you? What's your rank?"
Sakura's eyes flicked aside. "Come out, hider."
A knife whizzed from the shadows, striking Hano. It crumbled to ash—poison—and he collapsed, dead. A letter fluttered down: "This is what happens when you spoil the Warisus Gang's name."
They reported it to the guild. Kiyoshi healed the Leen sisters with a touch—no kiss needed for light wounds, sparing Sakura's ire. She'd let him kiss her hand for heavy damage in hunts, but glared daggers if he tried it on others. Hano's surviving goons fled; Kiyoshi shrugged off the Warisus threat.
Sakura murmured, "I felt him—a B-rank or higher assassin. He's gone now, after the knife."
Kiyoshi waved it off, stomach growling. "Let's forget it and eat."
They stayed at the Leen sisters' place, welcomed with a feast. The shop sparkled with magic crystals—like Earth's bulbs—casting a warm glow over the table.
Saleen smiled, weary but grateful. "Kiyoshi, what ranks are you and Sakura? Thank you for saving us."
He grinned, warmth filling him. "No big deal—we should thank you for the food and room. I'm D, Sakura's B. She's an assassin; I'm all-type."
Galeen's jaw dropped. "No way! All-type's unheard of—crazy power! Sakura, your rank's insane too. Kiyoshi, keep that secret—rare types get dragged into the army if word gets out."
After 2 Hours
Sakura slept beside Kiyoshi, now routine—he took one end, she the other. Deep in sleep, he didn't stir.
Sakura sat awake, gazing at the full moon, its light unusually bright, like it'd found its match. Her mind drifted:
Ten years ago, before Mom's hospital days, I was 8.
"Mom, sleep with me every night 'til I die—I'm scared alone," I'd begged.
Habiya laughed. "Oh, you'll have a cool, handsome husband someday."
"Then I promise I'll only share my bed with you and him," I'd sworn.
A quiet ache settled in her chest. I broke that promise.
Morning
Kiyoshi sipped tea, the sunrise painting the beach gold. Beautiful—with a cup in hand and Sakura nearby, he thought, a soft contentment warming him. The shore grew busy, the shop humming with life. They thanked the Leen sisters, promising to return someday, and set off.