The sun dipped low on the horizon, painting the sky in orange and crimson hues as Adonis and Elora returned to Shangila's Adventurer Guild, sacks filled with Stoneback Boar tusks strapped to Adonis's back.
"You know," Elora said with a smug smile, licking the last of a honey treat from her fingers, "for a brute with zero sense of humor, you're surprisingly good at keeping me alive."
"And for a 'genius mage,' you're surprisingly good at running in circles and shouting for help," Adonis shot back, adjusting his mask as they reached the front steps.
"Hmph. You'll miss me when I'm gone."
"I'll throw a party."
"Rude."
They entered the guild. As always, it was lively — clinks of mugs, shouts of victory, the sharp scent of steel and sweat lingering in the air. But just as they made their way to the reception desk, a sneer stopped them in their tracks.
"Well, well. If it ain't the newbie masked boy and his little sister."
Adonis turned to see an orange-haired young man leaning against a pillar with his arms crossed. His smug smile was backed by a group of four others — all similarly cocky, all wearing their guild badges proudly: C-Rank.
Adonis recognized him instantly.
The con-artist party the receptionist had warned him about.
"I'm not his sister!" Elora said, eyes twitching. "And I'm older than I look, you overcooked carrot."
The orange-haired man clicked his tongue. "Mouthy little brat. Better teach your girlfriend to behave, Masky."
Adonis stepped forward, eyes calm behind the mask. "We're here to turn in a quest. Move."
But the man blocked their way.
"You're new here," he said with mock concern. "Thought maybe you needed… guidance. Y'know, help. You see, rookies who take C-Rank missions right away either die or disappear. We could be your… bodyguards. For a price."
Elora whispered, "Do we slice them now or later?"
Adonis replied calmly, "Let's not cause a scene."
One of the thugs behind Orange Hair stepped up. "What, too scared? Just hand over little fee, and we'll protect you."
Orange Hair snickered. "Or are you hiding behind your little sister again?"
Clink.
Five golden swords shimmered into existence behind Adonis's back, glowing with cold light.
The air turned tense.
Gasps echoed across the guild.
"Holy shit— Are those manifestation-type swords?" someone whispered.
Even the receptionist blinked in shock. "...He summoned them without a chant?"
Adonis didn't say a word.
The swords began to spin slowly, forming a halo of death. just few centimeters away from their throat.
"I'll say this once," he said. His voice calm, but sharp as the blades behind him. "Get. Out. Of. My. Way."
Orange Hair froze, cold sweat forming on his forehead.
Elora smirked and leaned over, whispering to the group, "He's in a bad mood today. Had to dig boar tusks with his bare hands. Real cranky."
The con party scattered.
One even tripped on his own leg trying to scramble away.
As the guild watched in stunned silence, Adonis and Elora walked past them like nothing happened.
They dropped the tusks on the counter.
"Ah, welcome back," the receptionist said, barely hiding a grin. "And... good work out there."
Adonis nodded. "Can we get the payment?"
"Of course! That's seven Stoneback tusks. Here's your 8 silver coins." She paused, then leaned forward slightly. "And... that performance? Top notch. You'll be the talk of the guild tomorrow."
"Rumors spread faster in guild, aren't they?," Adonis replied, sliding the coins into his pouch.
Elora clapped him on the back. "Well, too late now, Masky. You just introduced yourself to Shangila."
"...Great."