Chapter 26: Taking the Quest

Chapter 26 - Taking the Quest"But I have to remind you, the quest that I am taking is an A-rank difficulty. And by looking at your badge, you seem to be a newcomer since you're Bronze," Inigo said, gesturing subtly to the token hanging from her neck. "I could say the same thing to you," Lyra countered smoothly, her eyes flicking toward the bronze badge hanging off his own chest. He gave a half-smile. "Yeah... but I have combat experience. I can take care of myself." "I can take care of myself too. Don't worry," she replied, her tone even, calm. "I won't drag you down." There was no arrogance in her voice—just confidence, controlled and sharp like the string of the longbow on her back. Inigo studied her again, more closely this time. Her cloak was travel-worn but neatly kept. The way she carried herself was subtle, efficient—no wasted movement. Her gloves were well-used, the fingertips stained faintly from resin or sap. And though her quiver wasn't stuffed full, the arrows that were there were handmade. Fletched by someone who knew what they were doing. "I suppose we're both risking it," he muttered. "Might as well risk it together." She inclined her head slightly. "Agreed." They returned to the counter. Elise looked up from her paperwork, and when she saw Lyra next to Inigo, her brows rose. "I take it you found someone?" she asked, lips quirking into a faint smile. "Yeah," Inigo replied. "This is Lyra. She's joining me for the kobold extermination." Elise's eyes moved to the elf, giving her a quick once-over—not judging, just measuring. "Do you have a guild registration?" Elise asked politely. Lyra nodded and retrieved a small folded parchment from her belt pouch, placing it gently on the counter. Elise scanned the document and hummed. "You recently joined, making you a bronze rank. I don't think the two of you will be enough to handle the quest. You can either find another or look for more members." "I don't think anyone around this guild would join our party," Inigo said, tapping his clenched fist on the counter with a minimal force. "I know, there was a waiver I signed when I took that goblin quest. It was a C-rank quest. How about we sign that waiver so the guild won't be responsible for any mishaps that may occur in our mission. Sounds good?" Elise's lips thinned. She clearly didn't like it—but she didn't shut it down, either. Her eyes drifted between Inigo and Lyra, calculating the risk, the paperwork, and perhaps the headache it might cause her later. "You're seriously going to attempt an A-rank kobold extermination," she said slowly, "with just the two of you?" "I've seen worse," Inigo replied. Lyra crossed her arms. "I have, too." Elise exhaled through her nose, clearly not convinced but out of options. "Fine," she muttered. "Don't say I didn't try to talk you out of it." She reached under the counter and retrieved a black folder, flipping it open and pulling out a thin sheet of parchment with pre-inscribed runes along the edges. It was the waiver—an Adventurer's Guild liability release form, intended for foolhardy missions that didn't meet proper safety protocols. "I'm required to explain this in full," Elise said, setting the form between them. "By signing this, the guild relinquishes all responsibility should anything happen to either of you. No rescue parties. No life insurance claims. If your corpses are found—or not—you will not be counted among the protected." Inigo nodded. "Understood." "Understood," Lyra echoed. Elise handed them each a feather quill and ink vial. "Sign at the bottom. Full name. Blood signature optional, but preferred for confirmation." Inigo signed first—Inigo Velasquez—his handwriting crisp and steady. "Blood signature? There was none when I signed one. I won't do a blood signature." Lyra followed. She hesitated only for a second before writing out her full name in elegant script: Lyra Artheniel. Elise took both forms and scanned them, then pressed the guild seal onto the lower-right corner of each. A quick magical flicker confirmed their registration. She sighed again and slid two stamped quest slips across the desk. "It's your funeral." "Nice to know you care," Inigo said, slipping his slip into his satchel. "I do," Elise replied dryly. "Which is why I'm not smiling." He smirked. "We'll bring back results." "I'm sure you will. Just don't bring back pieces of yourselves." Lyra gave a curt nod. "We'll be back. Thank you for accommodating our request." "Good luck," Elise said, the words sounding more like a quiet prayer than encouragement. As the two turned away from the counter, the guild hall seemed to quiet just a bit around them—adventurers glancing their way, some whispering, others shaking their heads. "You feel that?" Inigo muttered as they pushed through the doors and back into the sunlight. "What?" Lyra asked. "The weight of low expectations." "I don't care about anyone's expectations." "Ohh..." Inigo whistled softly. She is the type of girl in the anime who is quiet but cold and skillful. Would she live up to his expectations? It will be answered once they reach the site. Exiting the Adventurer's guild, Inigo remembered Lyra saying that this was personal. He wondered what that was. "Miss Lyra, mind if I ask you some questions?" Lyra glanced sideways at him, the hood still shadowing most of her face, though the tip of one pointed ear twitched. "You may ask," she replied calmly. "Whether I answer is another matter." Inigo chuckled. "Fair enough." They walked in sync now, boots tapping against the cobbled stone of the street as they made their way toward the city's eastern gate. "I was just wondering," Inigo began, "what you said earlier... that you had your reasons for taking this quest. Personal ones. What's that about?" There was a pause—long enough that he wondered if she'd ignore it entirely. But after a few steps more, she spoke. "A month ago," Lyra said quietly, "a merchant caravan traveling through East Hallow Hills was attacked by a group of organized kobolds. Only one survivor. The others were either killed or taken. One of them was my cousin." Inigo's casual expression sharpened slightly. "Taken?" "That's what the survivor said. They didn't just kill everyone outright. Some were dragged into the mines." "So you joined me in hopes of finding your cousin?" "Do you have a problem with that?" "I don't have a problem with it. It's just that I am now understanding why this mission is personal to you." She simply nodded and looked ahead, telling him that she is not interested in talking to him for longer. Still—he is partnered with an elf girl, a real elf-girl, and with a glance, he could tell that she is one of those jade beauties. 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