The flames danced as Jay gazed at the fire, the wood crackling every now and then, which was the only noise in the entire makeshift camp; every soldier vigilante for danger.

Jay made no effort to start a conversation with Anya sitting next to the campfire on his right – Jay didn’t despise her, but he didn’t let himself like her at all since she could be taking part in her father’s potentially manipulative tactics.

Jay asked himself “If she does realize that I’m being used as a tool by her father to help her level up, then she will be nothing but another overlord in my eyes… Besides, If she cared at all she would’ve apologized at the very least, but no.. She is either ignorant or evil.” Jay furrowed his brows a little as he squinted at the fire while thinking to himself.

“Though I suppose the treatment thus far has been beneficial for both of us.” Jay reasoned.

It was beginning to get dark, the sun had almost disappeared completely over the horizon as the dungeon rings glowed, and two more adventurers finally floated down.

Looking away from the campfire, Jay recognised one of them.

“Mark?” he thought “Looks like he found a partner after all.” Jay looked at the short woman by his side.

Mark was looking around as they floated down, while mostly only angry stares greeted them from the soldiers.

Mark pursed his lips, realizing what he had done “oops… I should’ve been keeping track of the time…” he thought to himself.

Michael walked up to them with a sly grin “Recruits, since you have no problem running in dungeons till dark, you will be in charge of lighting ALL the braziers at the guild tonight.” A sly smile appeared on Michaels face._.

At this, the annoyed soldiers collectively smirked and went back to guard duty.

“Yes, sir.” Mark and the other adventurer said, reluctant but not angry – they recognised that they deserved it for keeping everyone waiting till dark.

With that, Michael went to the fire Jay and Anya were sitting at, pouring some water on it before announcing in a loud voice “Ok everyone, back to the village. I’ll take the lead, while I want adventurers walking in the middle.”

The class trainers and soldiers all formed 2 marching lines as they walked back side by side with Michael on the front. Other than a brief moment where Michael paused to analyse the blood stain still colouring the path, the marching troops maintained a constant speed.

Along the way, Mark made conversation with Jay. Jay thought he was a friendly guy who seemed to care about others – though he did have his lapses in consideration for others.

To Jay, Mark seemed like a guy who cared about others but was just a little forgetful. “Perhaps he has his own demons” Jay thought.

“So what do or did you do?” Mark asked.

“I used to run a butchery but… well, my father left and I wanted to become an adventurer so I was considering finding someone to run it for me. It’s been hard alone but I am now used to it.”

“Oh cool. My father was a mason, he used to design bridges for the kingdom but he eventually decided to settle down here in the quiet countryside.”

“Bridge design huh? So you must be kinda rich?”

“You would think so, but he invested in some… unfortunate businesses… After everything that happened we were almost homeless.” Mark looked at the ground with sad eyes “But my mother held on and worked hard as a maid, and we were able to stay off the streets.” Mark’s eyes seemed like they could produce a tear if he blinked hard enough.

Jay was instantly encouraged by Mark. ‘How does he have such a positive attitude after what has happened to him?’

Before Jay could finish his thought, Mark continued.

“It was hard… ” It seemed like Mark could’ve gone on, but he decided not to over-share.

“That’s rough.” Jay didn’t know what else to say, so he decided to help. Not that Mark was a charity case.

“Man, if you’re interested, I’m planning to do some more grinding in this dungeon. Wanna come?”

“Yeah! Thanks man!” Mark smiled broadly “Is it cool if Kel comes too?”

Mark pointed at Kel – the other adventurer that Mark had left the dungeon with.

“Yeah sure, I don’t see why not.” Jay shrugged.

Kel looked back at Jay, a bit of an introvert – Jay was the one to introduce himself.

“Hi, I’m Jay.”

“Hi. I hope it’s all good if I tag along with you sometime” Kel smiled. She had a warm smile as she looked at Jay, with a small stature and curly brown hair, she carried a cheap-looking wand as she walked.

She noticed Jay looking at her wand. Holding up it, she explained herself “I just want to be prepared” she smiled.

Jay chuckled as he turned to Mark “So how did you end up with a manacrafter instead of a ranger?”

“Well, I just had trouble finding a ranger” Mark laughed as he scratched his head, Jay laughed along with him.

“Fair enough. So Kel chose you?” Jay glanced at Kel before looking back at Mark.

“Yeah basically…” Mark said as he looked at Kel.

“I wanted more experience… They wanted us to choose a group of 2 other adventurers. I chose Mark since he was alone – less exp to share.” Kel said, looking at the road as she walked.

“I think I’m gunna like her” Jay said as he laughed, slapping Mark’s shoulder – Mark smiling back.

—

“Oh, it looks marvelous! So beautiful! All my glowing weapons are so beautiful!” Bertram looked at the weapon display he planned to unleash on the new adventurers tomorrow. “I’m going to make a pretty penny off these fools, HA!” he put an arm around Hess as he looked “We’re going to leave with a chest full of gold, Hessy”.

Hess said nothing as he nodded back.

—

Arriving back at town, the soldiers went back to their homes or their duties as the 4 adventurers departed each to their own home – Anya going to the adventurer guild.

The next day, each of them made their way back to the adventurer guild – Jay smiled seeing Mark and Kel waiting at the start of the curving road heading up to the adventurer guild.

“Morning!” Jay called out from afar.

“Good morning!” Mark called out – Kel doing a small wave as her tiny hand creeped out of her dark-blue cloak – though she yawned as her and Mark had to stay up last night lighting torches.

The three began walking up the mountain as they talked together, wondering what the guild had in store for them today. The noble brats carriage whizzed by as they all simultaneously said “Bratty shit” before laughing together at their synchronisation.

“Did you two get much loot at the dungeon yesterday?” Jay asked

“We got a bit. Hopefully enough to buy a better weapon” Mark said as he brought out his sword “This was about 120gold.”

“Fuck me,” Jay thought. The sword was a true piece of crap ‘he definitely got ripped off.’ Jay thought.

Jay looked at his crappy sword, almost about to tell him he got ripped off – but he decided against it. It was the start of a new day and he didn’t want to ruin Mark’s positive attitude.

“Good thinking. Maybe we can get a discount..” Jay smiled mischievously “It really depends how much the crystals will sell for” he said as he pulled out a glowing crystal.

“What the?” Mark pulled out a crystal of his own “Why is yours glowing??”

“Because it’s charged. We got it from a level 4 bayring.”

“Level 4? Wow, you guys must’ve got far.”

Jay smiled as he stashed his crystal “We got pretty far, but I’m sure we can go further” Jay said as he gestured at Kel, Mark and himself.

Mark only smiled back “Hopefully. Those bayrings are little assholes.” Mark shook his head, looking at a friction burn on his leather vambrace.