The second morning of their official adventurer lives dawned bright and gentle.
A cool breeze rustled the curtains of their home as the smell of toasted root bread and fresh tea drifted from the kitchen. The sunlight spilled across the common room, catching the glint of newly-polished gear and eager eyes.
"Breakfast is ready!" Hina called cheerfully.
Yuzu was already up, nervously double-checking her staff for splinters. Rika had taken up her usual post near the door, balancing her bow while half-dozing. Selena helped Lia and Lana braid their hair in twin buns.
while Lio, as usual, wrestled with his biggest challenge of the day: the Greenie.
Lio: "No! You can't eat the dish towel! That's not food!"
The green blob giggled and bounced around his shoulder, eventually curling up like a slimey hat.
"Every morning," Lio groaned, finally giving up and sitting at the table with toast in one hand and the Greenie nibbling the other.
Lia and Lana peeked into the dining room. "Big Brother's breakfast is under attack again!"
Yuzu giggled. "He's the only adventurer I know who gets bullied by his pet."
"I don't even own him!" Lio cried. "He's freeloading!"
"Why does he keep eating my breakfast?" Lio grumbled, holding his plate higher. "There's food in the kitchen!"
The Greenie squeaked and bounced into his lap anyway.
"Because you're the chosen one," Rika said without opening her eyes.
"The Slime King," Selena teased, smirking as she passed him a second slice of bread.
"I am going to fight you all one day," Lio muttered.
Lio: "And the slime will help me."
Red sat silently at the head of the table, sipping coffee. He didn't comment. He never did during breakfast.
But he watched.
After the morning cleanup, including Lio once again wrestling a Slime out of the dishwater, the team grabbed their gear and set off for the guild, their second day as official adventurers well underway.
The streets of Silverhaven were alive with chatter and movement. Market stalls clanged open, and wagons rolled through the cobbled roads. The smell of grilled meat, horses, and street spices filled the air. The party moved confidently through the flow of the city now, heads high, steps light.
"Feels different today," Yuzu whispered.
"How so?" asked Hina, adjusting the strap of her satchel.
Yuzu smiled nervously. "I don't know. It just… feels nice. Like we belong here now."
Lio nodded. "Yeah. Yesterday was our first job. Today? It's just routine."
"Let's hope it stays that way," Selena added, shielding her eyes from the morning sun.
As usual, Red said nothing.
The group gathered in front of the Silverhaven Adventurer's Guild by midmorning, feeling better than ever. Their new gear still had that fresh polish from the blacksmith's forge. Their rookie badges shone proudly on their belts. Their footsteps had confidence in them. Today, the rookie section had a few new postings. Rika leaned in to read.
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"Escort needed for supply cart en route to Dorenhill Village. Crate value estimated at 70 silver. Distance: 5 kilometers. Risk: Low. Pay: 18 copper."
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"Oooh, escort job. Eighteen copper," she said. "Slightly more pay than yesterday."
Yuzu peeked over. "Where to?"
Rika: "Merchant road to Southridge Mill. It's a half-day trip."
Hina looked to Red. "Still within our rank?"
Red nodded slightly. "Acceptable."
Selena stepped forward and plucked the quest notice off the board.
Selena: "Then it's settled. Let's earn another win."
They marched to the counter, where Sophia raised an eyebrow and took the paper.
Sophia: "Escort gig, huh? Merchant named Dentas. Older man, usually on time, kind of paranoid. He pays well, though. Don't scare him."
"We'll be good," Yuzu promised.
Sophia glanced at Red. "Still letting them run the show?"
He nodded once. "Until they learn."
Sophia hummed, stamping the paper. "Well, they're doing alright so far."
The client was already waiting just outside the west gate, a stout older man with a large mustache and a cart full of bolts of cloth and flour sacks.
"About time," he grumbled. "Sun's wasting! You the escort?"
Selena stepped forward. "Yes, sir. Officially registered."
Dentas: "Hmm. Young. Real young. But fine, long as you keep your blades sharp and your mouths shut."
The man climbed into the seat and snapped the reins. "Let's go."
The trip was smooth, the road well-patrolled and the weather calm. The occasional traveler passed by, and Lio even spotted a Kokoroko nest on a ridge, chirping softly.
They joked. Laughed. Marched in formation.
At one point, the merchant fell asleep with the reins still in hand, snoring loudly.
"I could've sworn he called us kids," Lio muttered. "Meanwhile he's out cold like a grandpa."
Yuzu giggled. "It's kind of peaceful out here."
"Too peaceful," said Rika, keeping one eye on the tree line.
Selena rolled her shoulders. "Maybe we're just good luck."
"No such thing," Red said from behind them.
But still, no monsters. No bandits. No accidents.
They reached Southridge Mill by early afternoon.
The merchant was grumpy but satisfied. He handed over the signed confirmation slip and waved them off without a thank-you.
Back at the guild, the team proudly handed in their paperwork.
Sophia checked the seal. "Everything delivered? No issues?"
"None," said Selena. "Road was clear."
Sophia counted the coins and handed over a pouch. "Eighteen copper, split how you like."
Lio grinned and opened the pouch. "I'll take three."
"You'll take two and a half," Rika said. "Yuzu needs more spell oil."
They divvied up the coin while sitting on a bench outside the guild, chatting excitedly.
"See? Told you this wasn't so bad," said Lio.
"We've completed two quests without a scratch," Hina said with a proud smile.
"I could get used to this," Rika added, stretching her arms.
"Do you think we'll rank up soon?" Yuzu asked, wide-eyed.
"Probably after a dozen quests," Selena answered. "Maybe a special job will get us noticed."
They laughed, leaned back, and enjoyed the afternoon breeze. The Greenie climbed up on Lio's head again and jiggled happily, as if to celebrate.
Red stood off to the side, watching them quietly.
Still silent.
Still unreadable.
That evening, at home, the dinner table buzzed with energy.
"Two jobs in two days!" Yuzu said, smiling brightly. "That's basically a win streak!"
"Tomorrow we aim for twenty copper," said Rika, holding up her fork like a sword.
"I heard there's a pest control job outside the orchard district," Hina added. "Low risk, but good pay."
"We should pick up more patrols," said Selena. "I want to get used to night work."
Lio leaned back in his chair. "Guys, we're unstoppable."
The Greenie squeaked and flipped into his lap. "See? Even he agrees."
Red remained in the corner chair, arms folded, eyes half-closed.
He listened to them laugh. To the easy talk. To the overconfidence and innocence.
And he said nothing.
Because he knew.
This was the sweetness before the bitter.
The breeze before the storm.
The high before the fall.
And one day, very soon, they'd find out what it really meant to be adventurers.
But for now…
He let them enjoy it.
They had earned that much.