Amid the noisy bustle of the guild, the same whispers echoed once more as adventurers talked about the Saga Party that had just returned.At the moment, Rian and the others sat around a round table sticky from spilled drinks. A few wooden mugs, half-filled with leftover ale, were scattered about. The air felt tense. Saga, with a smug look on his face, began discussing the distribution of rewards according to each member's performance.
He pulled out a heavy leather pouch and spilled its contents across the table. The cheerful sound of clinking coins filled the air as piles of silver and bronze scattered everywhere.
"The total mission reward is two gold coins, equal to two hundred silver. The split will be based on contribution," Saga announced, his eyes scanning each member.
He started dividing the piles.
"Berlin, your magic strike was crucial. Fifteen percent. Gustin, your slash almost landed, fifteen percent. Rinrin, your buffs were helpful, fifteen percent."
He pushed thirty silver coins toward each of them, then turned to Catty.
"Catty, your finishing attack was good. Ten percent."
Saga shoved twenty silver coins toward her. Finally, he turned to Rian with a mocking smirk. He grabbed ten silver coins, broke them down into a hundred bronze coins, and pushed the small pile toward him.
"Rian, five percent."
The largest portion, over a hundred silver coins, he pulled toward himself.
"I'll handle the rest for the party's fund and my share as leader," Saga said smoothly. The so-called "fund" was a convenient excuse, one that was never publicly accounted for.
The other members—Berlin, Gustin, and Rinrin—stayed silent. They looked indifferent, as if already used to this unfair system.
Rian frowned. He looked at the small pile of bronze coins in front of him, then glanced at the neat stacks of silver before the others. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Only five percent for him, and even Catty, who landed the finishing blow, received just ten. It was an insult.
"Why is the split so uneven? My share and Catty's are far lower than the rest," Rian said calmly, though his voice carried quiet defiance.
Saga gulped down his drink and slammed the mug on the table.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?! If you don't want it, I'll take your share too!" he roared, his voice drawing glances from nearby tables.
"You're a new member! It's normal in every party that beginners get less!" Saga jabbed a finger toward Rian's face. "All you did was carry supplies, so stop complaining!"
Rian's patience, which had been holding by a thread, finally snapped. This wasn't about money anymore—it was about dignity and fairness. He couldn't accept this kind of treatment. He rose from his seat. Catty, noticing the tension, stood beside him.
Rian grabbed the pile of bronze coins and Catty's silver, then turned his back on the table.
"If you can't accept it, I'll kick you out of this party!" Saga shouted after him.
"Fine. I quit," Rian said without looking back. He walked straight toward the guild's exit, leaving the Saga Party behind for good.
"Rian, are you sure?" Catty asked, following him.
"Yes. I won't grow if I stay in a party that doesn't value its members," he replied once they were outside.
"Alright then," Catty said softly, accepting his decision. "So, where do we go now?"
Rian looked toward the lively streets that led to the city market.
"Let's go shopping with what we've earned. Didn't you want to buy food?"
Catty's face lit up. "Yay! Let's go, Rian!" she cheered, already forgetting the unpleasant scene at the guild.
They headed to the market. The atmosphere was vibrant and full of life. The air carried a mix of sweet pastries, grilled meat, and the fresh scent of fruit.
Catty's tail swayed excitedly as her eyes darted from one food stall to another. Suddenly, she stopped in front of a stand selling skewered meat. Boar meat sizzled over a charcoal grill, filling the air with a rich, mouthwatering aroma.
"Rian, I want this one!" she exclaimed, eyes sparkling.
"Go ahead, tell the vendor how many you want. I'll pay," said Rian.
"No need," Catty refused quickly. "I got paid too, remember? Let's save your money for something more important, okay? For food, we'll use mine."
"Alright, if you insist," Rian replied with a faint smile, touched by her cheerfulness and thoughtfulness.
They went from stall to stall, collecting food into their bags: roasted boar skewers, smoked meat sandwiches, sweet pastries, and fresh fruit juice.
By the time they reached the end of the market, the sun was already sinking. The sky turned from bright blue to a soft, golden hue.
"Rian, where are we going to eat all this?" Catty asked, eyeing the heavy bag in her hands.
"Put it in my Storage. It'll stay warm there," Rian said, summoning a faint glowing portal. "We'll eat near the royal gate. I know a nice spot with a great view."
"Really? Let's go then! I can't wait!" Catty exclaimed, pulling his hand eagerly.
Her warm grip made Rian pause for a second. A gentle warmth spread through his body, and for a fleeting moment, it reminded him of his late wife—back when they were young and happy, before everything fell apart. It was a bittersweet feeling.
They arrived at a small hill overlooking the main gate of the Fulakmi Kingdom. From there, the view was breathtaking. The entire city stretched before them, the royal castle gleaming in the distance while the golden lights of Kuningan began to shimmer one by one.
They laid a simple cloth on the grass, and Rian took the food out of his Storage. Miraculously, it was still warm.
They ate together in peaceful silence, watching the scenery unfold under the fading sky.
"Rian, this is the happiest I've ever been. Thank you… for everything," Catty said, her mouth still half full of food.
"You're welcome. I feel the same," Rian replied.
For a moment, he fell quiet, remembering the pain of being abandoned by his wife. The wound was old, yet it still ached sometimes. He looked at Catty, his gaze heavy with emotion.
"You're not going to leave me too, right?" he asked, his eyes drifting toward the crimson sky.
Catty stopped chewing, swallowed, then looked at him sincerely.
"Of course not, Rian. I swear, even if death comes for me, I'll never leave you. Didn't I already promise you that?"
"Alright then. Thank you… for staying by my side," Rian said, feeling a quiet peace wash over him. For once, the fear of being alone began to fade.
The cold evening breeze brushed against their skin. The sun had disappeared completely, and the crimson sky slowly turned dark. Catty and Rian packed up, cleaning the spot before heading back.
"Rian, thank you for today. I really had fun," Catty said sincerely as they walked through the gate, returning to the kingdom.
"You're welcome," Rian replied softly.
They walked slowly, enjoying the calm of the night as the city lights flickered to life. After a short while, Rian noticed a small building tucked quietly among the houses—a church.
"There's a church over there. Let's stop by for a bit," he said.
"Sure, I'll come with you," Catty nodded.
The moment they stepped inside, a solemn stillness enveloped them. The benches were neatly arranged, and five divine statues stood at the front, the most prominent one depicting the Goddess Bodas.
"That one in the front... it looks like the Goddess Bodas. Is that really her?" Catty asked.
"Yes, it is," Rian answered with a nod. He approached the statue and knelt to pray.
He clasped his hands over his chest and closed his eyes. Catty, not really knowing how to pray, simply mimicked what he did.
As Rian shut his eyes, he felt a familiar pull, as if his spirit was being drawn elsewhere. When he opened them again, the Goddess Bodas was already standing before him. For some reason, she looked unusually cheerful.
"Welcome back, Rian. I'm so happy you came to visit me again," said Goddess Bodas with a bright smile.
"Well, that's a surprise. You seem cheerful today, Goddess," Rian replied casually, treating her more like an old friend than a divine being. He was too tired to act formal anymore.
This moment should have felt sacred, he thought. Most people would be honored to meet a goddess. But for Rian, who had been summoned to this place more times than he could count, the goddess now felt more like a mischievous friend who refused to leave him alone.
"You're so indifferent, Rian. You should be proud that I invited you back here," the Goddess pouted, pretending to be upset at his lack of enthusiasm.