The next morning was bright and peaceful.
Kazuto and Arisa walked toward the guild. Birds flying above the sky, and a gentle breeze swept through the town. Kazuto had his hands behind his head, looking relaxed.
"So, Arisa," he began, "think we should take another quest today? Maybe something that doesn't involve goblins or exploding fireballs aimed directly at my face?"
Arisa puffed her cheeks. "That was your fault. You stepped in front of my fireball!"
He laughed. "Yeah, yeah. I guess I was too hot to handle."
She gave him a look. "You're impossible sometimes."
Kazuto smirked. "And yet you're still my partner."
Her face turned a little pink, and she turned her head away, mumbling, "Don't say things like that so casually…"
He chuckled quietly as they reached the guild entrance. The familiar sound of adventures chatting with their party members. They were gathering groups, discussing quests, boasting about hunts, and exchanging their loots for money.
Kazuto got excited, clenched his fists. "Alright, Our daily adventure begins now!"
"Right!" Arisa nodded, replying with soft smile.
They both walked toward the board, checking the every quests.
"Hmm…" Kazuto confused, rubbing his head. "We've got goblin nests, boar hunts, delivery escorts… is the last one really necessary for adventures?"
"I think so, or maybe we should try something simple today," Arisa suggested. "Like herb gathering."
"Herbs?" Kazuto blinked. "Arisa, we're adventurers, not gardeners."
She pouted slightly. "I just thought it'd be nice to relax for once."
Kazuto opened his mouth to reply—but then the guild's atmosphere suddenly shifted.
The door swung open with a bang, slamming against the wall.
Everyone turned.
A group of four adventurers stepped inside, their armor looked expemsive, weapons were strong. Their leader — a tall guy with spiky red hair and a smug grin — looked around the room like he owned the place.
Whispers filled the guild.
"It's them…"
"The B-Rank party… 'Crimson Fang'…"
"Ugh, not again…"
Arisa's expression tensed. "Kazuto… they're known for picking fights. Let's just stay out of their way."
Kazuto frowned slightly. "Bullies, huh…"
The Crimson Fang members strutted toward the counter, pushing aside anyone in their path. One adventurer dropped his drink as they shoved him, another stumbled back to avoid being hit.
"Move it, trash!" one of them barked.
Kazuto and Arisa stepped aside—well, Arisa did. But Kazuto didn't move.
The leader stopped in front of him, eyes narrowing. "Oi, kid. You got ears or what? I said move."
Kazuto looked up at him calmly. "And I heard you. But maybe try saying 'excuse me' next time."
The guild went silent.
Even Arisa's eyes widened. "K-Kazuto…"
The red-haired leader sneered. "Heh. You've got guts, I'll give you that." He leaned closer. "But guts alone won't save you, rookie."
Kazuto didn't flinch. "Neither will a mouth that runs faster than your brain."
A low growl escaped the man's throat, but before he could say anything, two of his party members noticed Arisa standing beside Kazuto.
"Hey, look at that," one of them said with a grin. "Didn't know the newbie brought such a cute partner."
The other smirked. "Hey, sweetheart, why don't you ditch this loser and hang with real adventurers?"
Arisa's face turned pale. "S–Stop that…"
Kazuto's eyes narrowed dangerously.
The bullies stepped closer, reaching toward her. "Come on, we'll show you what real—"
Shing!
Before the guy could finish, cold steel touched his neck.
Kazuto's sword was drawn in a blur, the edge pressing lightly against the bully's throat. The entire guild froze.
Kazuto's tone dropped, calm but deadly serious.
"Touch her again, and I'll make sure you regret it for the rest of your miserable life."
He grabbed the guy's shoulder and pulled him close, using him as a shield while his eyes glared straight into the leader's.
"If you go any further…" he continued, his voice echoing through the guild,
"…I won't let anyone walk out unharmed."
The leader's grin faltered. His eyes darted between Kazuto's blade and Arisa's frightened expression.
The guild had gone silent — everyone watching. The other adventurers, normally too scared to interfere, now stared in shock as the F-rank rookie stood up against the B-rank bullies.
The leader clicked his tongue. "…Tch. You got lucky this time, kid." He stepped back slowly. "We'll let you off for now. But next time…"
Kazuto's eyes narrowed further. "Next time, you won't get the chance."
The Crimson Fang members scowled and turned around. "We're retreating for now," the leader growled, glaring. "But we'll remember your face, brat."
They ran out of the guild, slamming the door behind them.
The guild silenced for a few seconds…
Then suddenly —
"Wooaaahh!!"
The entire guild erupted into cheers.
Adventurers clapped, some whistled. Kazuto didn't know what is happening right now.
"You gave them a lesson, kid!"
"Finally, someone stood up to those jerks!"
"About time someone put them in their place!"
Kazuto blinked, lowering his sword, slightly confused. "…Wait, seriously?"
A burly adventurer walked up, patting him on the back so hard he almost stumbled. "You've got guts, kid! We've all wanted to do that for months!"
Another grinned. "They've been bullying everyone here. But you made them down! They should get a lesson for bulling other."
The guild receptionist smiled warmly. "You've earned everyone's respect today, Kazuto."
Kazuto scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "Ahaha… I just did what I have to do."
Arisa slowly walked up to him, her expression soft and shy. She gently tugged on his sleeve.
"Kazuto…" she whispered.
He turned to her. "Umm.. yeah?"
She looked down, cheeks pink, and smiled softly. "Thank you… for protecting me."
For a moment, Kazuto's heart beat went faster. The way she looked at him — gentle, grateful, and pure — it made his chest tighten.
"Ah—uh, yeah," he stammered slightly, rubbing the back of his neck again. "I mean, of course I would. You're my partner, right?"
Arisa blinked, then smiled wider. "Mm… yeah."
The guild suddenly fell quiet again — then a mischievous voice called out:
"Oho~ what's this? Did we just witness a love confession?"
Another voice joined in. "Look, they're blushing!"
"Couple goals!" someone shouted, and the guild burst into laughter.
Arisa gasped, covering her face with both hands, her cheeks now a bright red. "W–Whaaat!? N-No! It's not like that!"
Kazuto's own face flushed slightly, and he sighed, trying to stay composed. "Guys, come on, seriously…"
One adventurer elbowed him playfully. "You're the lucky guy."
Kazuto groaned. "You're all impossible…"
But deep down, he couldn't help smiling a little.
Arisa peeked through her fingers, still red-faced. "They're so mean…" she said quietly.
Kazuto leaned closer and whispered, just teasing her, "You even look cute when you're embarrassed."
Her hands flew up again. "S-Stop saying that!"
"Hey, I'm just telling the truth!" he laughed.
"Ugh, you're the worst…" she muttered, but her voice was soft — no real anger behind it.
Finally, Kazuto sighed, placing his swords back into their sheathes. "Well… at least that's one problem solved."
Arisa glanced at him. "Do you think they'll come back?"
Kazuto shrugged with a calm smile. "Maybe. But next time, I'll be ready."
Then he looked up toward the ceiling as if realizing something — and spoke directly to the sky.
"Seriously though… Hey, God! You forgot to give me mana and now you're sending bullies my way? What's next, a dragon attack?"
Everyone in the guild blinked.
Arisa tilted her head. "Kazuto… who are you talking to again?"
He coughed awkwardly. "Ah—uh, motivational monologue. Totally normal thing."
She gave him a suspicious look. "You're so weird sometimes."
He grinned. "Yeah, but that's what makes me cool."
"Cool? More like crazy," she muttered under her breath, but she was smiling.
The adventurers around them laughed again, chatting and joking. For the first time since arriving in this world, Kazuto felt truly happiness, joy — even respect.
As they walked out of the guild together, the sunlight gleamed off his swords.
Arisa smiled softly beside him, still a little pink but clearly happy.
Kazuto glanced at her and smiled faintly. "Hey, Arisa..."
"Hm..?"
"I think… this is the beginning of something good."
She looked at him curiously. "You mean our adventure?"
He grinned. "Yeah. That… and maybe a little more."
Arisa blinked, then blushed again. "I–Idiot…"
Kazuto chuckled quietly. "Heh. I'm just joking Arisa.."
The two of them walked down the street side by side — their journey as adventurers, partners, and perhaps something more, just beginning to take shape.