"S-rank mission?"
"Yes. We usually send at least five people out for these. Sometimes ten. I'll let you take two."
Shiro points at the bug.
"If that thing is an A-rank, I think I'll be fine. I'll do it solo."
"But if I let you do that, who'll confirm to me that you did clear the mission?"
"Well, what's the mission? Can't I bring you a horn or something? Leg? Head?"
"I guess you could, but... what if you fake it?"
"How the hell would I do that? Seriously, what's your opinion of me?!"
"You're disrespectful, short-tempered, broke and you reek of alcohol. What should I think of you exactly?"
"Well... shit. You got me there."
"Right. You're gonna take the silver-hair and the receptionist."
The receptionist grabs the Grandmaster by the arm and drags him in the back.
"What the hell are you thinking?!"
"Well, remember the thing you did when I should've fired your ass?"
"..."
"This is your punishment. It's either this or you're out."
"...no way."
They get back to the front.
"She's in. She dragged me in there just to tell me how excited she is."
"You motherf-"
"Now, let me tell you what your mission is."
Shiro looks at the other girl.
"She didn't say yes."
The girl walks up to him.
"I'm coming."
"She did say yes. Guildmaster, please continue."
The Grandmaster coughs.
"Right. Have you ever heard of dragons?"
"You're sending me to fight a dragon while babysitting those two?"
"No. It's worse than that. A two-headed dragon. One head spits flames, the other head breathes ice."
The receptionist throws herself on her knees and grabs the Grandmaster by the leg.
"I'M TOO YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL TO DIE LIKE THIS!!! DON'T DO THIS TO ME."
Shiro laughs heartily.
"Beauty is your concern? You're an 8 at best. I'd do it, but I don't think it's enough to justify that sentence."
Her eyes dart to Shiro, frowning as if trying to pierce his skull.
The silver-hair speaks up.
"Don't worry, I'm pretty powerful myself. I think we'll be fine."
"WELL, I'M A FREAKING RECEPTIONIST FOR A REASON."
Shiro chimes in. "What rank are you, silver-hair?"
"S-rank."
"That explains your balls."
"Uhm."
"So, Grandmaster, why wouldn't you mention her being an S-rank?
"To keep you on your toes. I picked her for a reason. You don't think I'd actually intentionally send you to your death, right?"
"I don't think it. I'm sure you would."
"Be that as it may-"
"Not even trying to deny it? Not cool, dude."
The Grandmaster coughs.
"Take this scroll. You have all the details on it. Including the reward. Now get moving!"
"Aye, aye. Just keep the money ready, bossman."
The three of them embarked on a very dangerous mission. Or in the thoughts of the receptionist, a suicide mission.
One of them, and it's unclear which one, needed to be dragged out of the guild. And they cried during it, too.
As they begin walking, the silver-hair speaks up first.
"I'm Saya. What about y'all?"
"Shiro."
"Yuyu."
Shiro turns to Yuyu.
"Yoyo?"
"YU. YU."
"Yoyo."
"Yu... forget it."
Shiro stops walking and opens up the scroll.
100 silver equals 1 gold.
"Alright... let's see this reward."
The two girls get closer.
"S+ mission... fierce dragon... ten people recommended... blah blah blah. Oh, here it is."
Yuyu's eyes finally light up. "A hundred gold?!"
"A month full of rum."
The girls both look at Shiro sideways.
"A month? What the hell's wrong with you?"
"With 70 silver a bottle, that would be like... almost five a day. Checks out, right?"
"Are you usually this good at math?" Saya asks.
"When it comes to drinking, you bet."
Yuyu chimes in. "You're worried about his math?! FIVE bottles a day? How is this guy still alive?"
"It's a skill only the strongest can possess. Not that you'd know anything about that."
"Ugh. The strongest losers, maybe."
Shiro and Saya both laugh.
Saya grabs the scroll.
"It says here we're heading to... the Death Plains?"
A shiver goes through Yuyu's entire body.
"Guys... all the signs hint at one thing, clearly. Please, let's just get back to the guild."
Shiro scoffs. "Don't wuss out now. It's not even that far."
"How far is it?" Saya asks.
"I've been there before. About two hours from here."
Yuyu falls to her knees, again, and starts pouting.
"Two hours is not far? All I've done up until today is sit behind a desk..."
"If you keep making love to the dirt it will take longer. Come on up."
"Asshole."
She gets up and they go.
Shiro grabs Saya and pulls her closer, then lowers his voice.
"I have a business offer for you."
"Does it require you whispering in my ear?"
"I need to borrow exactly three gold from you. I'll give you back four."
"Let me guess, four bottles of rum?"
Shiro sheds a tear.
"Finally someone who understands me."
Saya pushes him away and goes in her pocket.
"There. I hereby declare myself not liable for fueling your addiction."
Shiro kisses her left cheek. "Thank you, my saviour."
Saya almost blushes and tries to hide a little smile.
"It's right up there. You can wait outside."
He starts picking up the pace.
Yuyu is confused. "Where's he going?"
"He's... meeting an old friend."
"Now?! After he just lectured me about wasting time?
"Won't take long."
"Ugh. Fine."
Shiro walks in and heads for the bar.
The bartender's face lights up.
"No way."
"Surprised?"
"I wrote you off as a ghost in my mind."
"I'm keeping my promises. Always. You're pretty soft for helping me thinking I wouldn't come back."
"I would've still killed you if I bumped into you."
"I'd expect nothing less. Here, three gold. Give me two bottles of rum, and one bottle of wine. Red. I got a couple ladies with me. Keep the change."
"I kept the opened bottle just in case. I'll add that in."
"So you did have a sliver of hope."
"I guess I did. Here you go."
"Thanks. I'll treat you to a bottle when I return."
"Where are you going?"
"The Death Plains."
"You gave up on life already?"
Shiro sighs.
"I've been there before. It's true, the monsters there are something else, but I came out just fine."
"Just fine might be pushing it. Though I trust you'll return. Take care."
"You too."
Shiro grabs the bottles and exits the building.
Yuyu wastes no time. She starts squinting.
"What are those?"
"Something for the road. Enough to keep me sober."
Shiro's idea of sober clearly has an unusual definition.
Saya is amused. Yuyu sighs deeply, judgy, but backs off.
Shiro downs whatever remained of the open bottle and throws it in the trash. In seconds.
Yuyu watches him with a look of disgust and... awe? She shakes her head and gets back to hating.
"You girls want some?"