The mid-morning sun cast a warm glow across Veilden as the town bustled with life. Vendors called out their daily specials, children ran laughing through the cobbled streets, and at a corner café with wooden tables and hanging flower baskets, three familiar figures sat sipping tea and munching warm bread.
Arriel leaned back in his chair, arms folded behind his head, gazing up at the sky. His status bracelet gleamed on his wrist, the number 22 boldly displayed on its tiny crystal screen. He didn't bother hiding it anymore. There was no point. Everyone in Veilden knew.
And that's what made it feel so strange.
"People keep staring…" Arriel muttered, shifting in his seat.
"They're smiling at us," Kell pointed out between bites. "I think they like us."
"They smile, sure," Lira said, arms crossed and eyebrows furrowed. Her own bracelet, also showing 22, was plainly visible on her wrist. "But it also means everyone knows exactly how strong we are. If someone wanted to take us down… they'd know who to aim for."
"Always with the gloom, Lira," Kell teased. "You need to relax. This is the nicest place we've been so far. No one here is plotting to murder us in our sleep."
Lira didn't reply at first, just quietly tore off a piece of bread and nibbled on it. "I know. I just… being exposed makes me uncomfortable. But…" She glanced out at a pair of children waving at her, grinning ear to ear. She raised a hand hesitantly, then waved back. "They're kind here. That helps."
Arriel gave a small smile, his awkwardness melting into gratitude. "I still don't know how to act when people thank me just for walking around."
"Act like a Hero," Kell grinned.
"But I'm not doing anything!"
"You survived Valtheas. Fought an SS-rank monster. Took part in the war. Helped rebuild. You did more than enough."
Their quiet moment was interrupted by a shout from a passing boy, "Thanks for protecting us, Hero Arriel!"
The brown-haired teen blinked as the child dashed away.
Kell snorted into his drink. "Get used to that."
They finished their meal and made their way to the Adventurer's Guild, the sun now high in the sky. Inside, the usual crowd bustled—adventurers chatting, scribes organizing quest documents, and a bulletin board crowded with parchment notices.
Something new caught their eye.
A fresh poster, recently nailed to the board, fluttered slightly under the breeze from an open window.
It read:
---
Wanted: Reguldi
Age: 25
Race: Human
Status: Rogue Hero
Crimes: Murder, Robbery
Level: Unknown
Reward: 20,000 Git (Dead or Alive)
---
A charcoal sketch showed a rough-looking man with sharp eyes and a jagged scar running down the left side of his nose.
Kell let out a low whistle. "Twenty thousand Git, huh…"
"We're not bounty hunters," Lira said sharply, her voice low. "Forget the reward. Just memorize the face."
Arriel stared at the poster. "That makes two rogue heroes in the last few months. How many more are out there?"
"Too many," Lira muttered. "And the stronger we get, the more we're going to attract attention. Some will want to fight us. Others will want to… recruit us."
"Or worse," Arriel added. "Let's just be careful."
"Agreed."
Kell tore his gaze away from the poster and moved toward the quest board. "Alright, enough grim stuff. Let's see what quests are available. You two didn't hit Level 22 by sitting around."
They scanned the board until Kell tapped one with a proud grin.
"Here we go. B-rank quest."
Lira leaned in to read. "Danger level moderate. Forest patrol and extermination—possible Gorebeaks or Twofang boars."
"Doable," Arriel said. "As long as they don't appear in a swarm."
"It pays well," Kell added. "We'll bring extra potions and maybe a second satchel of stun vials."
The receptionist, a cheerful young woman with a silver headband, processed their request and gave them a nod of approval. "Good luck, heroes. Be safe out there."
As they exited the guild, the sun filtering through the clouds above Veilden painted the buildings in a soft amber hue. Townsfolk smiled as the trio walked by—no longer just adventurers, but protectors in the eyes of the people.
"I'm still not used to this," Arriel muttered.
"You'll get used to it," Lira said gently. "Just don't let it change who you are."
Kell patted Arriel's shoulder. "Besides, think of it this way: we're legends in the making."
"And legends," Lira added, "need to keep training."
The three of them walked off down the street, their shadows long behind them, ready to face the next challenge—together.