"Alright, let me grab your gear so you can hit the road," the merchant said, rubbing his hands together.
"I'm packing you a supply of Spinewear and a few starter weapons - on the house."
"Gee, thanks," Akeno said raising a brow.
"No, no - this isn't charity," the merchant insisted. "It's gratitude. You saved my shop. Let me return the favor."
After rummaging through the back for a while, he returned with several overstuffed bags and laid them on the counter. Boros stared. "This.... Is a lot, old man."
"Heheh," the merchant laughed awkwardly. "Yeah, maybe I overdid it. "Suddenly, his eyes lit up like he remembered something. "Oh! That Kunai from earlier - can I see it for a second?" he asked, turning to Akeno.
She pulled it from her pouch. "Sure... why?"
"You said you needed more, right? I'll pass this along to the blacksmith as a sample. He can forge a set for you. I'll cover the cost."
"Oh. Uh.... Alright, thanks," Akeno said, handling it over.
Boros shifted the bags onto his back. "We should get moving."
"Got it," the merchant said with a grin. "Just swing back in a month or two - and I'll have your kunais ready."
He waved as they stepped out the door."Try not to save any more shops on the way out, alright?" he called after them."
Man.... this is way too many bags," Boros muttered, adjusting one on his shoulder.
"Yeah," Kinuko agreed, eyeing the pile. "No way we're showing up the guild looking like this."
"I can drop them off at the inn," Akeno offered with a grin. "You two go ahead without me."
Boros and Kinuko exchanged a glance. Boros cleared his throat."Kinuko?"
"I'll go with her," she said before he could finish.
"Aww, come on," Akeno pouted. "Can't trust me with one simple delivery?" She gave a teasing look, eyes gleaming with mischief.
"It's not about trust," Kinuko said, smirking. "There's no way you're carrying all those bags on your own."
"Fine, fine," Akeno laughed. "I tried."
"We'll meet back at the bench," Boros said, already turning down the path. "Same one where the old man spotted us."
"Got it," Kinuko nodded.
The trio split - Boros heading off toward the bench, while Kinuko and Akeno turned back toward the inn, their bags in tow.
Boros sat on the bench, legs crossed, lazily rolling a lollipop around in his mouth as he stared up at the clouds. The world was quiet..... for about five seconds.
Thud.
The bench jolted slightly as someone landed beside him. He didn't flinch - just lowered his gaze slowly.
"Oh. It's you guys," he said flatly.
"We're back!" Akeno shouted, immediately jumping on him.
"Ugh - get off," Boros groaned, pushing her off like she was a backpack. Kinuko noticed the lollipop. "Didn't know you were into sweets."
"This?" Boros pulled it from his mouth and twirled it between his fingers. "Nah. I was bored and snagged it from some old guy's shop."
"You took it?" Akeno raised an eyebrow.
[Flashback]
"Hey! What's this huh?" the old man blinked in confusion.
"It's candy," Boros said, already unwrapping it.
"Give it back!" the old man shouted.
Snatch.
"Too late."
[End of flashback]
"Totally worth it," Boros smirked to himself as the memory faded.
He turned to Kinuko. "Wanna lick?"
"Huh? Me?" she blinked, pointing to herself.
"I wanna lick!" Akeno declared, snatching it from his hand.
"Hey -! I was joking," Boros snapped.
"Too late," she said with a smug grin, stuffing it in her mouth.
Boros sighed and rested his arms around both their shoulders. "You guys sure took your sweet time."
"What happened while we were gone?" Kinuko asked.
"Nothing much. Just.... People staring. Was starting to get really annoying."
He stood up, stretching his arms behind his neck. "Anyway, let's figure out where the closest guild office is. You said we're leaving it up to luck, right?" he said glancing at Kinuko.
"Yeah I did."
"Then let's get moving."
The three of them headed off down the street, side by side.
After asking around for a bit, the trio finally found the nearest guild office.
"This is the place? Should we go in?" Boros asked eyeing the building.
"Well, we didn't walk all this way to window shop," Akeno said, already heading for the door.
"Wait -" Boros called, trailing after her with Kinuko right behind.
They pushed through the doors and stepped inside. The place was buzzing - adventurers in armor passed by, people crowded around mission boards, and the sound of clashing weapons rang out from a training room somewhere deeper inside.
"Welcome," a voice called out. The group turned. A woman in sleek guild attire stood near the entrance, smiling professionally.
"Uh..... hey," Boros said, raising a brow.
"Welcome to the White Tigers Guild," she repeated. "How can I help you?"
"We're here to join," Boros replied. "I see. All three of you?" she asked "Yeah," Kinuko confirmed.
"Perfect timing," the woman said, turning on her heel. "We're about to start the second round of guild trails. You can jump in with that group. Follow me.
"She led them past the lobby and deeper into the building. As they turned a corner, a glass wall stretched along the right side of the hallway, giving them a full view into a training room where adventurers sparred and practiced - flashes of steel, sweat flying.
"This way," she said, stopping at the door at the end of the hall. She pulled it open. "Go on in."
The trio stepped through, and the door clicked shut behind them. "She's not coming in?" Akeno asked, glancing back.
"She's probably headed back to the front," Kinuko said. "Still gotta greet the next wave."
The room they entered was lined with rows of chairs - some filled, some empty. A quiet buzz of chatter filled the space. At the front stood a bored - looking man in light armor, leaning on the podium with his arms crossed."
Well don't just stand there - take a seat. We don't have all day," he called out without even looking at them.
"Huh?" Boros frowned. "Who does this guy think he's talking to? I'd dropkick him in broad daylight."
"It's fine, Shiro," Kinuko said with a sigh. "Let's just sit."
They found seats near the back and settled in. The man at the podium finally stood upright and addressed the room.
"If you're sitting here, it means you're looking to join the White Tigers Guild. If not.... congratulations, you're lost."
Some people in the room laughed.
"I'm a B - Rank adventurer. That's all you need to know about me. In a few minutes, someone will come through that door," he said, pointing to a side entrance beside the podium, "and take you into the next phase of the guild trails."
"As for what happens in there?" You'll find out when it starts."
"That was your pep talk?" Boros muttered under his breath.
"Speak of the devil," the man said.
The side door burst open, and another man stomped in, his voice booming.
"All of you - on your feet! Follow me, now!"