Kaito gulped. Suddenly, he heard the light-hearted giggles of the girls, realizing he had been pranked. Spinning around, he was met with the sight of two girls clad only in vibrant body paint, their outfits transforming them into living canvases. The intricate ouroboros designs—serpents devouring their own tails—were painted in rich hues of red and green.
The patterns shimmered under the dim lobby lights, casting a mesmerizing visual effect. The serpent heads and tails began at the girls' backs and coiled sinuously around their bodies, the deep, rich colors catching the light with every movement, creating a dance of shadows and highlights on their skin.
Each step they took brought the serpents to life, their scales seemingly shifting and shimmering. The paint was so detailed and vivid, it was as if the serpents were truly alive, slithering across their bodies in a hypnotic display.
They were adventurers from the esteemed Ouroboros Sisters guild, known for their daring and creativity. The girls stood with an air of confidence and playfulness, embodying the spirit of their guild as they laughed, the sound light and enchanting, filling the lobby with an unexpected liveliness.
"Did you do this? The man… he's just standing here!" Kaito exclaimed, his eyes wide with surprise.
Naomi laughed, her voice echoing softly in the quiet lobby. "No, some kid from another apartment."
Kaori crossed her arms skeptically, her eyes narrowing. "Yeah, sometimes they come here to prank us."
"I never thought an adventurer like you would be scared," Naomi teased, a playful glint in her eyes.
Kaito frowned, feeling a mix of embarrassment and irritation. "Of course I'm scared of this type of thing! I'm an adventurer who hunts monsters, not ghosts!"
Kaori walked closer to the man, her footsteps barely making a sound on the polished floor. "Hold on, there's something off about this." She knelt down, squinting at the figure. "It's… it's a hologram!"
"A hologram? What are you talking about?" Kaito asked, confused.
Kaori picked it up carefully, her fingers brushing against the cool, metallic surface. "Look! It's projecting this guy!"
As Kaori lifted the device, the holographic man flickered and then disappeared, leaving only the faint hum of the projector.
Kaito burst into laughter, the tension draining from his body. "Wow, that's one way to get rid of a ghost!"
Naomi raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at her lips. "Where are you going? To the guild?"
"Not yet, I'm on my way to breakfast. What about you?" Kaito replied, still chuckling.
Kaito pushed the elevator button as they waited. The button felt cool under his finger, and the soft hum of the elevator approaching filled the quiet lobby. The morning light filtered through the windows, casting long shadows on the floor.
"We're heading to our guild," Kaori said, glancing at Naomi.
Naomi's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "If you have time, you can join us for a quest. What do you think?"
Kaito paused, contemplating for a moment. "Okay, can my friend join you too?"
Kaori smiled warmly. "The more the merrier!"
"Great! I'll call you if Haruto agrees," Kaito said.
The elevator arrived at the fifth floor with a soft ding, and they stepped inside. The interior was dimly lit, and the faint smell of cleaning supplies lingered in the air. The walls were lined with mirrors, reflecting their images back at them.
"You think Haruto will be up for it?" Naomi asked, leaning against the wall.
Kaito nodded confidently. "He never turns down anyone but let's hope he's not busy with a quest."
Kaori playfully added, "Knowing him, he probably is."
"Yes, he is one of the best rookie adventurers today," Naomi said.
Kaito fell silent, thinking about the increasing number of quests and the dwindling number of adventurers. "Yeah. We all have a lot of quests nowadays but fewer adventurers."
They continued their conversation as the elevator descended, the soft hum of the machinery accompanying their voices.
***
Kaito entered the Leatherback Sea Turtle Guild. Nestled near the coast, the guild hall was a grand structure blending modern architecture with marine elements. The massive dome, resembling a turtle shell, offered both protection and a distinctive look. Sunlight glinted off the glass panels, casting shimmering reflections that danced like waves on the floor. The air was filled with the faint scent of saltwater, a constant reminder of the nearby ocean.
He walked towards the Tide's Call Chamber, where he saw the Quest Coordinator, Lira. The chamber was adorned with nautical decorations—shells, coral sculptures, and intricate maps of the sea. The walls were painted in shades of blue and green, creating a serene, underwater ambiance.
Lira noticed him immediately. "Kaito! How are you today?" she asked, her voice warm and welcoming.
"I'm fine, thank you," Kaito replied with a smile, feeling a sense of comfort in the familiar surroundings.
"Have you already eaten?" Lira asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Yes, I had breakfast," Kaito answered.
"Great! Do you want a quest today?" Lira inquired, leaning forward slightly, her interest piqued.
"Yes, but I want to do it with another guild member," Kaito said, his tone thoughtful.
"Oh? Which guild are you thinking of?" Lira asked, raising an eyebrow.
"The Ouroboros Sisters Guild," Kaito replied.
Lira chuckled lightly. "Oh, the body paint girls' guild!" she said, a playful smile spreading across her face.
Kaito laughed. "I never thought you'd call it that."
"Well, it's easy to remember. You know, I actually wanted to join them last year," Lira admitted, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
"What? Then why don't you go there?" Kaito asked, surprised.
Lira sighed playfully. "A little complicated. To wear only body paint as an outfit, don't you think it's too sexy? I mean, no clothes but paint only."
Kaito raised an eyebrow. "I suppose it does have its challenges. But isn't it all about self-expression?"
"True, true. I admire their confidence, really. But I don't think I have the guts to strut around in just paint," Lira admitted, her cheeks flushing slightly.
"Come on, Lira! You'd rock it! Just imagine how much fun it would be at their meetings," Kaito grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
Lira laughed, the sound echoing softly in the chamber. "Fun, maybe. But I'd be worried about the paint smudging all over everything. Imagine the mess!"
"You might just start a new trend—painted furniture!" Kaito said playfully.
Lira giggled. "Now there's an idea! I'm sure the guild would love a side venture like that."
"We could market it as 'artistic chaos,'" Kaito suggested with a smirk.
Lira covered her mouth, laughing. "You might be onto something there! But anyway, are you sure you want to do a quest with them?"
"Yeah, I think their creative energy could make for a fun adventure. Plus, I could use some of that artistic flair in my own skills," Kaito explained, his excitement growing.
"That's a good point. Collaboration can lead to unexpected results," Lira said thoughtfully.
"Exactly! And who knows, maybe I'll come back with a new appreciation for body paint," Kaito added.
"Just don't forget the paintbrushes!" Lira smirked.
"Oh right, can't have a quest without those. So, what do you have for me today, Quest Coordinator?" Kaito teased.
Lira turned to her computer. "Wait, let me check the joined quests first."
She began to type, glancing at Kaito as he patiently waited. The soft clicking of the keyboard filled the chamber. After a moment, she brightened. "There it is! Ouroboros just put their join quests up. There are three options. Which one will you choose?"
"Is there any mention of Naomi and Kaori in it?" Kaito asked curiously.
Lira looked closely at the screen, scanning the quest options. "There's one quest that has their names on it!"
"Okay, I'll choose that one," Kaito decided.
"Great choice! I'll go ahead and sign you up. Get ready for some fun—and a little chaos!" Lira smiled.
A moment later, Kaito asked, "Is Haruto around?"
"He's gone home to rest; he just completed an emergency quest last night," Lira replied.
Kaito sighed, looking a bit disappointed. "I was just thinking to do this quest with him."
"You really like to take on quests with him, huh?" Lira asked, leaning in with a smirk. "What's the backstory there? Got some juicy tales to share?" Her eyes sparkled with curiosity and a hint of mischief.
"It's a long story, but let's just say he forced me to be an adventurer," Kaito said with a laugh.
"Knowing him, he'll never let someone who can be an adventurer become a normal citizen," Lira laughed along.
"Yes, that's exactly right!" Kaito agreed, still chuckling.