The moon hung high in the night sky as Kazu and Nozue made their way back to the Guild. The forest paths they had traversed earlier were now bathed in silvery moonlight, and the night air was cool and crisp. They walked with a sense of accomplishment, their footsteps light and their spirits high, the world map and pouch of silvers safely secured.
The Guild building loomed ahead, its sturdy structure illuminated by warm lanterns. As they approached, the familiar hustle and bustle of the Guild's interior became audible. The sound of lively conversations and the clinking of glasses filled the air, creating a lively backdrop for their return.
Kazu and Nozue entered the Guild, greeted by the warm glow of the lanterns and the cheerful chatter of adventurers relaxing after their own quests. They made their way to the reception desk, where Missy was busy organizing a stack of papers.
Missy looked up as they approached, her eyes lighting up with recognition. "Kazu, Nozue! You're back! How did the quest go?" Her voice had a slight tremor, betraying her nervousness.
Kazu and Nozue exchanged pleased smiles. "We've completed the quest," Kazu said, setting down the world map and pouch of silvers on the counter. "Chief Balthar was very pleased with our work."
Missy's gaze shifted to the world map, her interest piqued. "Is that a world map?" she asked, trying to sound casual but unable to completely hide her curiosity.
Kazu nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, it is. Chief Balthar gave it to us as a reward. It's a detailed map of many regions, including our hometown Druzka and other countries like Harandur and Soradia."
Nozue added, "We also received 2,000 silvers as part of the reward. The map will be incredibly useful for our travels."
Missy looked impressed. "That's quite a reward. It seems like you both did an exceptional job. I'll make sure to note this in the Guild's records."
As Missy continued to jot down the details in her ledger, she noticed an envelope among the papers on her desk. "Oh, Kazu, I almost forgot. You received a notice regarding an update to your skills."
She handed the envelope to Kazu, her fingers brushing his hand for a moment. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she quickly looked away, trying to maintain her composure.
Kazu took the envelope with a subtle smile and opened it with curiosity. The parchment inside revealed his updated skills:
---
[NOTIFICATION]
**[Strength skill reached level 23]**
**[Exploration skill reached level 93]**
**[Assassin skill reached level 92]**
---
[STATUS]
**Level:** 80
**Name:** Kazu Gonomiya
**Age:** 13
**Job class:** God
**[Passive Skills]**
- Divine Knowledge
- Infinite Mana
- Maximized Self Healing
- Sword Play
**[Active Skills]**
- Blink
- Explosive Blink
- Bloodlust
- Blood Steal
- Rage: Locked
- Quick Wield
- Whirlwind
**[Magic Spells]**
- Fire Pierce
- Fire Spirit Flare
- [???]
**[Unique Skills]**
- Exploration Level: 93
- Assassin Level: 92
- Cooking Level: 8
- Mining: 1
- Smithing: 1
- Strength: 23
---
Kazu's eyes widened as he read through the notice. His attention was fully captured by the updates, and a satisfied smile grew on his face as he processed the information. His gaze lingered on the improvements to his skills and levels, the excitement clear in his demeanor.
Missy watched Kazu's reaction with a mix of admiration and shyness, her fingers lightly tapping on the desk. "It seems you've received some significant updates. I'm glad to see you're pleased," she said, her voice softening slightly.
Nozue glanced at Kazu and noticed his focused expression but remained unaware of the specifics. "Everything alright?" he asked, noticing Kazu's intense concentration.
Kazu looked up from the notice, his face reflecting his satisfaction. He carefully folded the parchment and tucked it away. "Everything's great," he said with a smile, his excitement evident.
Missy gave a small, almost imperceptible smile in return. "If you need any further assistance or new quests, just let me know."
Kazu and Nozue thanked Missy for her support. "We'll definitely keep that in mind," Kazu said, his excitement about his new skills clear.
With a final exchange of thanks and goodbyes, Kazu and Nozue left the Guild building. The night air was cool and refreshing, and the promise of new adventures ahead filled them with anticipation.
As they walked into the night, Kazu's renewed sense of excitement about his updated skills and the world map made the journey ahead even more thrilling. Meanwhile, Missy watched them go, her feelings for Kazu hidden behind a warm, if slightly wistful, smile.
---
Kazu and Nozue made their way through the dimly lit streets of Druzka. The evening had turned into night, and the city was bathed in a soft, silvery glow from the moon. The successful completion of their quest had filled them with a sense of accomplishment, but now their focus was on returning home to the orphanage.
As they approached the large, welcoming building that served as both their home and the orphanage, the sounds of children's laughter and chatter still carried through the night air. Despite the late hour, the atmosphere remained lively and warm, a testament to the vibrant life within.
Rosalia was inside, tending to the orphanage. She looked up from her tasks as Kazu and Nozue entered, her face brightening with a warm smile.
"Kazu, Nozue! You're back so late!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with relief and joy. "How was your quest?"
Kazu, his fatigue momentarily forgotten in the comfort of home, responded with a smile. "We completed the quest successfully. We managed to bring back a lot of food for the workers. Chief Balthar was very pleased with our help."
Rosalia's eyes sparkled with pride. "That's wonderful to hear. I'm so proud of both of you."
Nozue added, "We also received a world map from Chief Balthar. It shows Druzka, Harandur, and Soradia. Kazu was amazed to see it."
Rosalia's interest was piqued. "A world map? I'd love to see it."
Kazu carefully pulled out the map and unfolded it, laying it on a nearby table. Rosalia joined them, her gaze tracing the detailed lines and names on the map with fascination.
"It's incredible," Rosalia said, her finger moving over the map. "You can see how our world connects with others. It's a reminder of the vastness and diversity of the world."
Kazu glanced at Rosalia, feeling a sense of wonder. "It makes me eager to learn more about these other places."
Rosalia placed a comforting hand on Kazu's shoulder. "There's always more to discover, whether through quests or learning. I'm very proud of the both of you."
As they spoke, the children of the orphanage gathered around, their faces lit with curiosity and excitement. They had stayed up to hear about Kazu and Nozue's adventures, and their enthusiasm was palpable.
Kazu and Nozue shared stories of their quest, their voices animated as they described the challenges and triumphs of their journey. The children listened intently, their eyes wide with wonder at the tales.
The mood was lively, but a sudden, loud crash from the kitchen interrupted the cheerful atmosphere. Rosalia's face turned pale. "Stay here, I'll check on that."
The children huddled close as Rosalia hurried off. Kazu and Nozue exchanged worried glances and followed her to the kitchen.
There, they found the source of the commotion—a large, ferocious bear had somehow found its way into the kitchen, knocking over pots and pans. It roared, its eyes glinting with a wild ferocity.
"Nozue, take the children to safety!" Kazu ordered, stepping forward. His eyes gleamed with determination.
Nozue quickly ushered the children out of the kitchen. Kazu faced the bear, his fists clenched and his stance firm.
The bear charged at Kazu, but with a swift Blink, Kazu appeared behind it, launching a Fire Pierce directly at its back. The bear roared in pain, turning to face him with a bloodthirsty glare.
Kazu's movements were quick and precise. He unleashed a series of attacks with his sword, the Fire Spirit Flare creating a blaze around him that lit up the kitchen. The bear, enraged and wounded, thrashed violently, knocking over more kitchen items.
Rosalia returned, her face a mask of concern. "Kazu, be careful!"
Kazu's focus didn't waver. He unleashed a powerful Whirlwind, sending the bear crashing into the wall. The creature let out a final roar before collapsing, defeated.
Breathing heavily, Kazu sheathed his sword and wiped sweat from his brow. "It's over," he said, turning to Rosalia and the children who peeked in from behind her.
Rosalia rushed to Kazu, her eyes wide with relief. "You saved us again. Thank you, Kazu."
Kazu nodded, though he was visibly exhausted. "Just doing what needs to be done."
As the children emerged from their hiding spots, they cheered for Kazu, their fear replaced by admiration.
The atmosphere of the orphanage was soon filled with a different kind of warmth, as they worked together to clean up the mess and prepare a new meal.
The night was long, but it ended with laughter and stories shared around the table. Rosalia embraced Kazu and Nozue warmly, gratitude and pride shining in her eyes. "Thank you for everything you've done. It means so much to me and to all of us here."
With heartfelt farewells and promises to visit soon, Kazu and Nozue settled into their home for the night. Surrounded by the love and warmth of the orphanage, they felt a deep sense of contentment. The world outside might be full of adventures, but home was where their hearts truly belonged.