Waking up in the same spot under the tree as yesterday, Talio felt every muscle protest. His body was noticeably sorer than before—probably from sleeping too long after that unbearably dull meeting. He stretched, the black trench coat, shirt, and trousers he'd chosen for shopping feeling stiff around him. A thought pricked at his mind: blending in with all-black might work in a dungeon, but it did nothing for his protection.
There was another issue: he was dead broke.
'Maybe I have some money on my card…'
He trudged down the street, passing hawkers touting their wares, children's laughter, and couples strolling arm in arm.
Talio sighed.
'I wonder… could I have been that happy if I'd been born a bit luckier?
No matter. I have other things to do, such as…'
'FUCK!'
Talio inwardly shouted as he saw the balance on the ATM. Sixty-nine pars stared back at him. The life drained from his face. It seemed he had no choice but to take a goddamn loan.
We've all been there Talio, trust me we have.
He walked into the bank, genuinely wanting to cry, and said:
"Could I take a loan for… ten thousand crowns?"
The clerk regarded him with thinly veiled disdain—though Talio couldn't see his face confirm this.
"Hello. You'd like a loan of ten thousand crowns? May we have your contact information?"
Brother is not getting this loan.
Stunned, Talio blinked. There was a slight issue… he had no contact information.
Putting on a smile like a practiced scammer, and forcing his voice to a higher pitch so he sounded amiable, he replied:
"Erm… do you perhaps have a way to lend me the money without any contact info?"
Talio was almost certain that the clerk's disdain was no longer "slight."
"Kind sir, please leave. How do you expect us to trust you'll repay if we can't reach you?"
Talio cursed silently a thousand times but kept his expression blank. He edged closer and whispered:
"Come on, between you and me—I'm sure you could sort something out, right?"
Talio was positive this tactic would work. It always did in the anime he'd watched.
"Sir, if you do not leave, I will call security."
Ye... we all saw that one coming. I don't even think he has enough credit to borrow ten thousand pars even if he had a phone.
Talio was crestfallen.
After much pleading, much denial, and several security guards, Talio found himself outside in a very, very sticky situation.
He heard a voice to his left.
"Well, what do we have here?"
The Blonde from his group looked at him, amusement in his posture—or well Talio thought there was.
Deciding to be as formal as possible ,which wasn't very formal, Talio said:
"Hello, erm… Blondie? How's your day going?"
The Blonde turned toward him and laughed.
"I heard everything that happened inside the bank. It was too entertaining—straight out of a comedy movie scene."
Talio needs to take notes from that one Monty Python scene.
Irritation flared on Talio's face as he looked away.
"Alright, rub it in more. I can't even get a loan because I don't have a phone."
'Why do I need money to clear a dungeon that's supposed to give me money? What a cycle… you need money to get money.'
Talio couldn't see it, but a smile formed on the Blonde's face as he scrutinized him.
"Why don't I cover your expenses? After all, we're teammates."
Talio eyed him suspiciously. Life was never this easy…
He sighed.
"What's the catch?"
The Blonde grinned.
"Simple. You have to accompany me somewhere for a few hours. Don't worry—it's not anywhere strange. Well, it might be, depending on your… experience. But it's nothing like that, before you start getting thoughts."
Talio weighed the offer but realized he had no better option. He nodded.
Beaming, the Blonde walked away from the bank, beckoning Talio to follow with a wave of his hand.
Talio would soon come to regret this decision or maybe he would not…
They arrived at a fancy restaurant. The Blonde opened the door and walked in, Talio followed shortly after and kept following the Blonde to a table. There were two girls standing near the table. To Talio's dismay he immediately recognized what was going on. It was a double date.
Come on Talio, you got this. This is eve—most teenager's dream.
Talio settled into the exquisite chair opposite the two girls, heart thumping in his chest. The soft hum of conversation and the faint clatter of cutlery created a cozy atmosphere—nothing like the damp tunnels of a dungeon.
The Blonde swept in behind him, pulling out a chair for one of the girls.
"Ladies," he said, voice smooth as silk, "I trust the day's treated you kindly?"
Dang he's a smooth talker.
He flashed a grin at Talio, who couldn't help but grit his teeth, even though he could not see his face he knew exactly what his facial expressions were right now.
"Quite," one girl replied, brushing a strand of dark hair behind her ear. "But we were wondering when our mysterious hero would show."
Talio felt his cheek warm. 'Don't embarrass yourself. Just play along.' He cleared his throat.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Bank loans take longer than dungeon runs, apparently."
... *Insert audible silence*
The Blonde laughed softly.
"Ah, Talio, always the comedian." He leaned forward. "But worry not—I've arranged for us to feast before tonight's clearance of the Cimex Cavern."
He winked at the girls, who giggled.
Talio glanced at the menu but couldn't read half the names. 'Fish of the seven seas? Swordfish on a pedestal?'
He blinked.
"Um…what's good here?"
With a theatrical flourish, the Blonde recited, "The roasted pheasant with honey glaze is divine, and their mushroom truffle risotto melts in your mouth. Trust me."
The Blonde is low-key carrying this double date on his back.
The girls nodded eagerly.
"We'll have one of each."
Talio swallowed.
"Then I'll… have the pheasant."
He wasn't even sure what a pheasant looked like.
As orders were placed, Talio listened to light chatter. The brunette talked about her hometown's waterfall, the blonde haired girl teased the Blonde about always ordering dessert first, and Talio found himself smiling despite his nerves.
Come on m'boy I knew you were built for this.
"Talio," the Blonde leaned close, conspiratorially, "you look exhausted. Was it the rough morning at the bank or maybe this double date is too tiring for you?"
Before Talio could answer, the waitress arrived with wine. The Blonde raised his glass.
"To new friendships—and to clearing dungeons without going broke."
They all clinked glasses. Talio forced a grin. 'If only they knew…'
The meal flowed easily—laughter punctuating each course. The Blonde was a master of small talk: he coaxed Talio into telling a funny adventuring mishaps, then turned to the girls to get their opinions on everything from favorite books to craziest market finds.
At one point, Talio attempted a joke about hiring goblins as debt collectors. The girls laughed. Talio felt a warmth in his chest.
Forget what I said about him being built for this. I am ninety-nine percent sure they were just laughing not to appear rude.
By the time dessert arrived—molten chocolate lava cake—Talio felt almost at ease. The Blonde leaned back, fingertips steepled.
"Talio, my friend, allow me to settle the bill." He slid a neat stack of crowns across the table.
Talio's eyes went wide.
"You—you don't have to—"
The Blonde shook his head.
"Consider it an advance. Tomorrow you'll buy your equipment, yes?"
Talio glanced at the money, then at his empty wallet, and back at the smiling faces around him.
"Really… thank you."
The Blonde winked.
"It's on me today. You owe me a dungeon run without flinching."
Talio laughed.
"Deal."
They stood and exited the restaurant into the warm afternoon. The sun cast long, lazy shadows on the cobbled street. The girls waved goodbye, promising to see him again after the dungeon raid.
Once they'd disappeared around the corner, the Blonde nudged Talio.
"Here."
He handed Talio more notes.
"Start with a decent sword and maybe some healing potions."
Talio flicked through the notes in his hand. His shoulders sagged—fatigue, relief, gratitude all mingling. He shook his head ruefully.
"I… think I'll wait until tomorrow. My head's already pounding from today."
The Blonde laughed.
"That's probably for the best. You'll shop better on a full night's sleep."
He clapped Talio on the back.
"Get some rest. You better get ready for that dungeon."
Talio nodded, slipping the notes into an inner pocket. 'Tomorrow, then. equipment and maybe a real phone…'
He exhaled, a smile tugging at his lips. The blonde waved at him then walked towards the inn, whilst Talio went in the opposite direction, the gentle bustle of the town enveloping him in the soft lull of everyday life.
And under the fading light, Talio felt happiness stir in his chest for the first time in a long while—something stronger than the dread of unpaid debts. However he could not let this brief respite cloud his goal.