As Ren and Skorn shared a few laughs, talking about the endless hordes of sewer critters, Skorn's face suddenly lit up with an idea,
"You know, if we team up, we'll rake in way more cash. Imagine the rewards from the bigger quests. All we need is a few more members, and we'll be rolling in it."
Ren raised an eyebrow, smirking. "What's this? Skorn, the aspiring multi-millionaire?"
Skorn laughed, not denying it. "Hey, a guy's gotta have dreams. Besides, we'd make a solid team. I bring the muscle, you bring the… well, let's just say 'creative problem-solving.'"
Ren snickered. "Creative problem-solving, huh? That's a nice way of saying I make things up as I go. But sure, why not? Could be fun."
Skorn looked around the bustling inn thoughtfully. "Now we just need a couple more suckers—I mean, teammates. With the right mix, we could tackle some high-paying quests."
Ren glanced over his shoulder as if sizing up the entire inn.
"Well, there's the usual cast of characters: the suspiciously quiet guy in the corner, the overly enthusiastic wannabe hero-
Just then, Olivia, who'd been quietly passing by, perked up at the conversation,
"Oh, I can join! I might not be much of a fighter, but I can support you from the sidelines."
Ren blinked in surprise, nearly spilling his drink.
"Wait... you want to join us? No offense, Olivia, but I pictured you more as... you know, the 'send-us-off-with-a-warm-meal' type, not the 'dodge-fireballs' type."
Olivia nodded seriously, completely missing the sarcasm. "Of course! I wouldn't be dodging anything. I'll be at a safe distance, sending my healing spells your way and making sure you're in peak condition!"
Skorn smirked, nudging Ren. "See? Perfect. Nothing like having a healer in the back lines… who thinks staying far away is part of the job."
Ren snorted, shaking his head. "Great, Skorn. Just great. Now we have ourselves a healer who'd rather camp in the next village than actually risk getting hit."
Olivia frowned slightly, clearly missing the humor. "No, I'll be nearby, don't worry! I just won't be... directly in the, uh... 'fireball zone,' as you put it."
Ren and Skorn shared a look before Ren shrugged. "Alright, Olivia. Welcome aboard. Just remember—when we're in a fight, cheering isn't considered healing."
Olivia smiled warmly. "Got it! I'll remember that."
Skorn chuckled, raising his mug. "Well, this should be fun. Here's to the team—ready to take on the world with... lots of enthusiasm."
Ren took a deep breath, trying to stifle a laugh as he raised his own mug in agreement.
"To our new team," he said with exaggerated enthusiasm, "where we dodge fireballs and offer moral support from the back of the battlefield. The dream team, really."
Olivia beamed, clearly pleased with the reception, while Skorn gave Ren a sly grin.
"I think you're just jealous, Ren. Not everyone has the luxury of being the center of attention. Some of us get to make sure you don't turn into a crispy critter."
Ren leaned back in his chair, taking a sip from his mug. "Sure, Skorn. Keep telling yourself that. Meanwhile, I'll just go ahead and handle the actual fighting while you both stay cozy and out of harm's way."
Olivia, still oblivious to Ren's sarcasm, nodded seriously.
"That's the plan, right? I'll make sure to heal you right away when you get too close to something dangerous."
Skorn burst out laughing, nearly choking on his drink.
"Oh, Ren. Looks like you're going to be the first one rushing into danger, huh?"
Ren rolled his eyes but couldn't help but chuckle at the thought. "Someone's got to keep things interesting. Besides, I think I've got this 'dodge fireballs' thing down."
As they finished their drinks, Ren started brainstorming ideas for their first team quest.
"Alright, we've got the healer and the overzealous fighter," he said, glancing at Skorn.
"Now we just need some muscle. Maybe we can recruit a couple of actual warriors who know how to swing swords without making it a full-body workout."
Skorn raised an eyebrow. "Oh, don't worry. I can handle some muscle. I'm built like a rock, after all."
Ren raised his glass. "Sure, Skorn. If by 'rock,' you mean 'fluffy pillow.'" He gave him a playful nudge before standing up.
"Alright, let's go check out some quests. We've got ourselves a team now. Let's see what kind of trouble we can get into."
Olivia stood as well, ready to follow along.
"I'm excited! We'll make a great team, I'm sure of it!"
Ren, once again battling his urge to laugh, led the way out of the inn. "Yeah, sure. Just remember to stay out of the fireball zone, alright?"
Skorn, already at the door, called back. "And don't forget to heal me when I'm about to turn into a crispy Skorn!"
Ren gave him a mock salute. "You got it, buddy. This is going to be a blast."
__________
Ren, Skorn, and Olivia walked through the crowded streets of the city, the sounds of merchants yelling, children playing, and clinking armor filling the air. They were on a mission, a quest of their own making—to find one more team member.
Ren shoved his hands into his pockets, glancing over at Skorn, who was scanning the crowd like a hawk. "So, what's the game plan, oh wise leader?" Ren asked with an exaggerated bow. "We just keep asking random strangers to join our team until someone's desperate enough to say yes?"
Skorn looked back at Ren, grinning. "Pretty much, yeah. You'd be surprised how many people are just waiting for a team to come along and save them. Who wouldn't want to join us?"
Ren raised an eyebrow. "You mean a team led by you? The one where no one knows if we're hunting monsters or looking for a place to nap?"
Skorn shrugged, unbothered. "Hey, that's my charm. People love a good adventure, and I'm here to deliver."
Olivia, walking alongside them, nodded enthusiastically. "That's right! And I'll be here to provide moral support! Plus, I can make sure everyone stays healthy and happy!"
Ren blinked. "Yeah, Olivia, you're great for making sure we don't drop dead from exhaustion... at least, that's the plan."
Olivia smiled, clearly missing the sarcasm. "I'll be ready!"
Skorn stopped in front of a random man trying to get through a narrow alley. "Hey! You there! You look like you could use some excitement in your life! Join our team! We're... uh... the best!"
The man looked Skorn up and down, taking a step back. "Best at what? Getting into trouble?"
Skorn flashed a grin. "Exactly! Now you're getting it! So, what do you say?"
The man blinked, muttered, "I'm good, thanks," and quickly scurried off.
"See? That's the first person today who knows what's good for them," Ren said with a grin.
"I bet he just didn't see the genius behind my pitch," Skorn huffed. "Maybe I need a more... refined approach."
Ren shook his head. "Refined? You? I'm picturing more like 'loud, clumsy, and likely to trip over his own feet.'"
Olivia piped up, clearly trying to keep the mood light. "We can't give up! Maybe the next person will be the one!"
As they continued walking, Ren stopped in front of a street performer playing a lute on the corner. "This guy seems promising. Maybe he's just waiting for a team to join."
Skorn looked skeptically at the performer, who was currently serenading a very uninterested pigeon. "Yeah, because nothing says 'adventurer' like playing a lute for a pigeon."
Ren ignored him and approached the performer. "Hey! You want to be part of a great team? We're looking for one more!"
The musician stopped playing mid-chord and stared at Ren like he had two heads. "What?"
Ren repeated the offer, adding, "You know, adventuring, saving the world, fighting monsters… the usual."
The performer scratched his chin. "I dunno... I'd love to help, but I'm kind of busy... with my music. You know, artistry and such."
Ren, now fully invested in the failure of his quest, looked over at Skorn. "Well, that was productive. I'm sure the pigeon's going to send him a thank-you card."
Skorn sighed dramatically. "Alright, alright. We just need someone... intense. Someone with drive."
As they moved on, they tried a few more attempts, all of which were equally fruitless. Ren was starting to think he'd rather go back to fighting sewer rats than dealing with this.
"I'm telling you, Skorn," Ren said as they walked past a group of adventurers arguing over loot, "we're never going to find anyone who doesn't either laugh at us or walk away faster than you can say 'fireball.'"
"I know, Ren. I know. But we just need that one person. And I have a feeling they're going to show up at the right time."
Just as Ren was about to comment on how he could think of a thousand better ways to spend his day, they turned a corner—and there, standing in front of the guild doors, was a figure that made Ren's mouth go dry.
It was a humanoid griffin.
The creature was tall, muscular, and wearing a long, flowing robe that somehow screamed both 'scholar' and 'battle-hardened warrior.' Its golden feathers shimmered in the sunlight, and its sharp eyes locked onto them as it tilted its head curiously.
Ren froze for a second. "Well, that's one way to stand out," he muttered. "We don't need another oddball, do we?"
Skorn, however, was practically vibrating with excitement. "Is this... is this the guy? This is the one, right? I knew it. I just knew it!"
Ren raised an eyebrow. "Do we really want someone who looks like they could rip us in half with a look?"
But Skorn was already making a beeline for the griffin figure. "Hey there! You look like you've got the right... aura. You interested in joining our team?"
The griffin raised a brow, sizing them up. "A team, huh? You three look like you could use a bit of... structure." His voice was deep, almost regal.
Ren smirked, turning to Skorn. "Did he just insult us without actually insulting us? I think we found our guy."
The griffin—who introduced himself as Talos Skyflair—explained that he was a teacher at the nearby academy but was looking for a little action outside of the classroom.
"So, what do you say?" Skorn asked, almost bouncing on his heels.
Talos looked at each of them thoughtfully. "I can offer... more than just brute strength," he said, his eyes glinting. "I specialize in nature and wind magic. I'm not just muscle, you know."
Ren snorted, half-amused. "Great. So now we have someone who can blow us away literally."
Talos grinned. "It's part of the charm."
Ren looked over at Skorn, then Olivia. "Well, we've got ourselves a griffin. This team's looking more like a circus every minute."
Olivia clapped her hands together excitedly. "It's perfect! Now we're ready to take on any quest that comes our way!"
Ren groaned but couldn't help but chuckle. "I'm starting to think this is going to be an adventure in itself, just trying to keep everyone in one piece."
Talos stretched his wings. "Don't worry. I've got your back."
With that, the team—officially complete with a griffin, a lizard, and a healer—walked into the guild hall to sign up for their next big adventure.
And Ren... well, he had no idea what they were getting into, but he was certain it was going to be one wild ride.