We left the building, and the sun hit my eyes, making me squint before I blocked it out with my hand and turned away. "Let's go get our money from the job at the guild. I have the goblin ears on me. We'll give the rest their cut later today, but we need money."
Maya and Rowan nodded in agreement, and we made our way through the streets towards the adventurers guild. The streets were filled with activity and bustling with noise, but it was all drowned out and muffled. We did not speak. We just walked in silence. There was nothing to say... not right now.
We reached the guild and walked in. It wasn't very full yet, as it was still early. We made our way to the front desk, where a male clerk stood wearing nice brown pants, a white button-up, and a brown vest. He was older, with short graying hair and a thick mustache.
We handed him the job notice we had taken and the goblin ears as proof. In return, he gave us a small pouch of silver coins. I opened the pouch to see the sum of money inside and gasped, turning to Maya and Rowan, who were already looking in disbelief.
"I've never seen that much money before," Maya spoke, star-struck.
"M-me neither," Rowan added.
I swiftly closed the cloth pouch. "Remember, we still have to give Smith and his group their share. But for now, what do you say we go get a room and get cleaned up?"
Rowan grinned. "Best idea you've had all day, Kai."
I chuckled before turning to head out. "Let's go."
We walked around town for a bit, looking for an inn before finally stumbling across a three-story tall wood and stone building with an inn sign dangling above the door. We walked into the first floor, which looked like a restaurant with tables filled with people scattered around eating and talking.
We approached the counter where a young lady stood in an apron, her long brown hair pulled up in a ponytail. "Excuse me, we'd like a room for the night... and one with a bath, please."
She gave me a weird look. "Listen, kid, it costs money to—"
She was interrupted by the sound of my coin purse dropping on the counter loudly. "I have money. How much?"
Startled, she quickly composed herself. "3 silvers for a room with a tub."
I opened the coin purse, grabbed out 3 silvers, and laid them on the counter. "Your third floor, room 3," she said, scooping the coins into her hands.
We made our way up to the room. Inside sat two mattresses with nightstands on each side and a bathroom with a tub. Without missing a beat, Rowan dropped what little gear he was carrying and jumped on the bed.
"Ahhh, a bed. It feels so nice... I'm exhausted."
I started to laugh but quickly shut myself down. I almost felt like I shouldn't be allowed to laugh right now, not after what just happened to Smith's group.
My thoughts were interrupted by Maya speaking. "I'm taking first bath."
She rushed over already halfway into the bathroom when I turned to look at her and shut the door behind her.
I turned back towards the bed and sat next to Rowan, who was still lying down, feet hanging off the bed, looking at the ceiling. We sat in silence before Rowan broke it with a more serious tone.
"We can't stay here for too long. We can't stay anywhere for too long until we get to the capitol. Those people from Ms. Vera's place could still be looking for us."
I sighed at his true words. "You think they can find us?"
"I think they can do a lot," he replied. "Like trick us into captivity for multiple months and pretend to train us... fattening us up before slaughter."
I didn't respond right away. Instead, I thought about his words. Finally, something that had been on my mind since we left the orphanage burst out.
"H-how are you so calm? You don't act like a twelve-year-old at all, from the way you talk to your constant veil of composure... I-I don't get it."
I turned to look him in the eyes, awaiting his response. He leaned his head upwards to lock eyes with me.
"I could ask the same about you, Kai... especially for someone who apparently doesn't remember anything before the age of eight."
I was stunned at his words and didn't know what to say. I couldn't tell him that I had actually reincarnated into this body. What could I say?
Suddenly, he started laughing, catching me off guard. "Let's just chalk it up to both of us being early bloomers and leave it at that, Kai."
I simply nodded, and before the conversation could develop further, Maya came out of the bathroom, stretching her arms high in the air.
"Ahhh, now that felt amazing. I just wish I didn't have to put back on these dirty clothes. We'll have to get some new clothes here soon, guys." She looked down at her tattered, dirty white shirt tucked into loose black pants.
"I'll put that on the list of one of the many, many things we need," I said, letting out a short giggle before cutting it short.
"Alright, I'm next," I said, standing up and making my way to the bathroom.
I walked inside, took off my clothes, and hopped in. The warm water coated me and immediately put me at ease—a feeling I hadn't experienced in days.
I sat there, thinking about Ms. Vera, what she said to me. What is the vessel? Why do these Order people want me? Why did they want to kill Maya? Why were they training us?
These thoughts looped back into themselves. I had no way of even starting to find the answers. Right now, my only priority was doing what I could to get us to the capitol alive.
My mind then drifted to the events of the day. Adventuring really is dangerous, but sadly, I don't think we have many options. We're going to have to be careful.
I can't stop thinking about how strong that goblin chieftain was, and it was only C class. Suddenly apon my words my mind drifted back to when we killed that B class wolf. How ww did we manage to beat that thing? It didn't feel nearly as strong as the goblin chief which doesn't make any sense at all.
My thoughts couldn't put it together and as I started to develop a headache I decided to wart off the thoughts and questions for now.
Finally, I felt it was time to get out of the tub and give Rowan a chance to bathe. I slowly got out, dried off, and put my clothes back on, standing in front of the mirror.
I glanced up at myself. My hair had gotten longer, almost touching my shoulders now. Ms. Clementine used to hate when my hair was long and always made sure to keep it short. Ms. Vera wasn't so strict about things like that, so I think I let it get a little out of hand.
I left the bathroom, and Rowan jumped off the bed in excitement. "Finally! I thought you died in there. I want to bathe too, you know."
"Yes, yes, I know. Sorry," I said sarcastically as I passed him on my way to the bed, where Maya now sat.