The next morning, Raymond was already awake long before the first rays of sunlight crept over the horizon. His undead nature made sleep unnecessary, and he spent the early hours sharpening his gear, checking his inventory, and preparing mentally for the day's quest. Though he didn't need rest, he found the rhythm of morning activities comforting, almost like an old habit he couldn't shake.
By the time the streets of the capital began to stir, Raymond was ready. His massive form, clad in heavy armor, stood out against the morning mist. His mace and shield, both adorned with runic engravings, were ready for whatever challenge lay ahead. Though most people simply gave him a wide berth, a few daring adventurers spared a glance or two, trying to figure out what kind of warrior wore such terrifying yet glorious armor.
Arriving at the guild, Raymond found the hall relatively quiet. A few adventurers were either preparing for their own quests or lounging around, chatting. Among them was Sonya, looking over the quest board with a frown. Her red hair was unmistakable, and her speed and precision in combat were well-known to those who had seen her fight.
Raymond approached, and Sonya turned, flashing him a grin.
"Morning, big guy. You ready to go hunting?" she asked, giving him a teasing look.
Raymond nodded, his deep voice calm. "I'm always ready."
Sonya didn't miss a beat. "Right, I'm sure you are." She paused, her eyes scanning the quests on the board. "There's a wyvern causing trouble in the nearby woods. It's a little dangerous, but I think we can handle it."
Raymond's eyes flicked over to the board, reading the details of the quest. A wyvern. Definitely a formidable creature, but one Raymond could handle with ease.
"I'll take it," Raymond said, his voice steady and confident.
Sonya raised an eyebrow, a small smirk curling on her lips. "You don't think it might be too much for you, big guy?"
Raymond's lips twitched slightly, but he didn't smile. "I've faced worse," he said simply. "But I'm sure you'll be helpful."
Sonya let out a small laugh at his response and shrugged. "Guess we'll see." She handed over her paperwork to the guild clerk and signed up for the quest, while Raymond followed suit, providing his details and preparing to head out.
Once everything was sorted, they left the guild, the warm morning air a stark contrast to the cool, metallic weight of Raymond's armor. They walked side by side, with Sonya chatting casually as they made their way toward the woods.
"You know, I've been thinking," Sonya said, glancing over at Raymond. "You're pretty strong, but you're also kind of… intimidating."
Raymond didn't respond, his gaze fixed ahead.
"I was going to go solo for this quest, but I've got to admit—having someone like you along would definitely make things easier. What do you think about teaming up on a few quests?" Sonya offered. "I'm fast, and I've got a good sense for where to strike, so you wouldn't have to worry about being overwhelmed. You'd make a good tank."
Raymond turned his head slightly to look at her. The offer was unexpected, but it wasn't a bad idea.
"Tank?" Raymond repeated, his voice low, as if testing the word. He wasn't used to being described in such terms, but Sonya's assessment seemed accurate. His armor and fighting style made him a natural protector, and he had the ability to absorb damage for his teammates.
Sonya nodded. "Yeah. You take the hits, and I'll deal the damage. I can handle the speed and precision needed to make those attacks count. With you covering my back, we could take on more challenging quests together."
Raymond thought about it for a moment. It wasn't a bad offer, and it would make dealing with tougher opponents a lot easier.
"Perhaps," Raymond said, his voice giving little away. "But I work alone."
Sonya gave him a sideways glance, her smirk widening. "You say that now, but I think you'll find teaming up has its perks. I don't mind letting you do the heavy lifting while I focus on what I do best."
Raymond said nothing in reply, but he didn't dismiss her offer entirely. It was something to consider.
The pair continued walking in silence, the quiet rustling of the trees the only sound as they neared the edge of the woods. Soon, the distant screech of the wyvern echoed through the trees, a telltale sign of the creature's presence.
As they reached the clearing where the wyvern had been spotted, Raymond gripped his massive shield with one hand, his mace held firmly in the other. He was prepared to take on the creature head-on, but he knew the real challenge would come from coordinating with Sonya.
Sonya glanced at him one last time before nodding toward the clearing. "Ready?"
Raymond didn't respond verbally. He simply gave a small nod and stepped forward, his armor clanking with each step as he entered the clearing.
Suddenly, the wyvern appeared in a flash of movement, its large wings blocking out the sun as it dove toward them, jaws snapping. The creature was massive, its scales gleaming in the light as it swiped its claws toward Raymond.
Without hesitation, Raymond raised his shield and absorbed the wyvern's attack. The sheer force of the blow knocked him back a few steps, but his armor held firm, and he didn't budge. The wyvern screeched in frustration, and Raymond used that opportunity to strike, swinging his mace with terrifying force at the creature's exposed side.
Sonya, with her spear in hand, darted forward with blinding speed. She aimed for the wyvern's wings, using precise thrusts to weaken its ability to fly. The wyvern screeched in pain but still fought back fiercely.
Raymond didn't falter. He took the brunt of the wyvern's attacks, drawing its attention away from Sonya as she darted in and out, landing hits whenever the wyvern was distracted.
Within moments, Raymond's mace struck the wyvern's skull with a powerful blow, and the beast collapsed, defeated.
Sonya wiped the sweat from her brow, looking at Raymond with a mixture of respect and amusement. "You really are a tank," she said, impressed. "Guess I was right about teaming up."
Raymond didn't respond, but he couldn't deny that her skills had made the fight easier. He was beginning to see the value of teamwork. He knelt down to collect the wyvern's head as proof of the kill, adding it to his growing collection of quest items.
Sonya smirked as she approached, wiping her spear on the grass. "You're not so bad after all, big guy. Maybe I'll take you up on that offer to team up more often."
Raymond gave a slight nod, his mind already focused on the next task ahead. The hunt had been successful, but there was always another challenge waiting just beyond the horizon.
Raymond and Sonya made their way back to the guild, their victory over the wyvern fresh in their minds. The journey back was quiet, with both warriors conserving their energy after the intense battle, or at least pretend to. Even though they had fought as a strong team, the weight of their accomplishment hung between them as they approached the guild, the massive wyvern's severed head slung over Raymond's shoulder.
Upon entering, a hush fell over the adventurers in the guild hall as Raymond's imposing figure loomed in the doorway, carrying the wyvern's head like a trophy. Its jaws still hung open, fangs gleaming, even in death radiating a fierce presence that commanded attention.
Raymond placed the wyvern's head on the floor in front of the counter, the sound reverberating through the hall. The guild clerk, a middle-aged woman with glasses and a skeptical expression, looked at it, then at Raymond and Sonya, momentarily taken aback.
"Back so soon?" she asked, clearly surprised. Her gaze moved back to the wyvern's head, eyebrows raised. "I take it the mission was a success."
Sonya smirked, crossing her arms. "You could say that. Thought it would be a bigger fight, but with this one around," she nodded toward Raymond, "it went smoother than expected."
The clerk knelt down to inspect the wyvern's head, quickly taking notes and completing the documentation. "Very impressive work, both of you. For taking down a wyvern, you've definitely earned yourselves a reputation." She handed each of them a pouch of coins, her tone carrying a newfound respect.
Sonya pocketed her pouch, then looked at Raymond thoughtfully. "Raymond, I know you're not exactly the team-player type, but… how about we make this more official?"
Raymond turned to her, his stoic gaze revealing little. "Official?"
"Yeah, as in forming a permanent party," she replied, crossing her arms. "You saw how well we worked together out there. With both of our skill sets, we'd be able to take on even tougher quests."
Raymond considered her words carefully. Though he had been a lone warrior for most of his life, it was becoming evident that his unique strengths complemented Sonya's well. As a tank, he could absorb damage and keep enemies focused on him and counter of course, while Sonya's agility and precise strikes could dismantle foes with ease. It was a logical arrangement that could serve them both in the long run. As Raymond can take damage dealer head on while sonya will eliminate the rest
He gave her a nod, the closest thing to agreement she'd seen from him so far. "A permanent party… yes, that may be worth considering. Our skills do work well together."
Sonya grinned, clearly pleased. "Glad to hear it, big guy. I think this could be the start of something great."
The clerk, overhearing their exchange, looked up and offered a suggestion. "If you two are serious about forming a party, I can help you register. That way, you'll be able to take on higher-ranking quests together."
Raymond and Sonya exchanged a glance, then nodded in agreement.
"Sign us up," Sonya said with a hint of excitement.
The clerk quickly went through the paperwork, registering their new party. She handed them an official document and explained that they could now take on quests as a team, with rewards and rankings reflecting their joint efforts.
"Well then," Sonya said as they left the guild, a spark of anticipation in her eyes. "Guess we're officially partners."
Raymond nodded again, this time with a bit more certainty. "Looks that way. Let's see what challenges await."
With their new alliance, they were ready to face whatever came next, knowing that together, no challenge would be too great.
As the clerk finished registering their party, she looked up from her paperwork. "Almost done. Just need a name for your party," she said, her pen poised over the form.
Sonya glanced at Raymond, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "A name, huh? Let's go with something that captures what we bring to the table."
Raymond's armored hand rested on the counter, his presence silent but commanding. "You're the spear, swift and deadly. I'm the shield, there to take the hits."
Sonya grinned, nodding in agreement. "Then how about… the Shielded Lance? Sounds fitting, don't you think?"
Raymond considered it for a moment, then nodded, his approval clear. "The Shielded Lance," he echoed, a subtle sense of pride in the name. "It will do."
The clerk smiled, jotting it down with a flourish. "The Shielded Lance it is. You two make quite the pair already." She stamped the final document and handed it over. "Congratulations! You're officially registered as a team. May your partnership bring you success and fame."
With their new party name established, Sonya looked to Raymond with a renewed sense of camaraderie. "Well then, partner," she said, offering him a nod, "here's to the Shielded Lance. Let's make it a name everyone remembers."
Raymond's faint nod of agreement was all she needed. Together, they left the guild hall, ready to live up to their new title and face whatever awaited them as the Shielded Lance.
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To Be Continue.....