The morning sun spilled through the windows of the guild hall, glinting off piles of gems and mined stones stacked neatly in the corner. Yoshiya pushed open the small crate, eyeing the rewards they had just received. Ten silver coins for the transport, and an extra one from Lia for the detailed report. Not much, but enough to keep them moving.
Omina perched on the edge of the crate, picking up a polished stone and tapping it against her palm. "Looks like all our hard work finally paid off," she said with a wry smile. "Though, I still think the sled deserves most of the credit."
Yoshiya chuckled, brushing a smudge of dust from his sleeve. "Cargo-kun strikes again," he muttered, and Omina gave a playful snort. "Hey! Don't forget Baboar and LaBoar. They did most of the hauling, you know."
They worked methodically, sorting through the loot. Gems in one pile, mined stones in another, and materials that could be repurposed for crafting set aside carefully. The leftover Taurox horns, hides, and organs were examined for quality and future use. Yoshiya ran his fingers along a pair of polished large horns, imagining them reforged into weapon hilts or decorative armor accents.
"You know," Omina said thoughtfully, "with all this, we could probably upgrade our sled again, make it stronger, or even rig some kind of harness for faster transport. I've been thinking about reinforced pack saddles for the boars." She tapped the side of LaBoar's saddle absentmindedly.
Yoshiya nodded. "I agree. And the hides we brought back—if we work on them carefully, they'll make sturdy armor, maybe even reinforced gloves or boots." He glanced at the small helmet on Baboar, remembering how the Taurox horn had shaped so well. "It's amazing what you can do with proper preparation and materials."
Omina leaned back, crossing her arms. "Speaking of preparation, have you thought about Kaito?" Her eyes darkened slightly. "The guy's a lone wolf, isn't he? I mean, he took that entire kobold camp by himself, left nothing behind. And I heard the guild keeps a little stash for him because he never bothers with rewards."
Yoshiya nodded, his brow furrowed. "Yeah. Lia told me more about him. High-risk quests, always solo, usually wounded or missing armor when he returns, sometimes a day late. He doesn't even claim the coins. It goes straight into the guild account."
Omina whistled softly. "No wonder he's such a problem for anyone trying to track him. He operates like a force of nature—efficient, reckless, and completely unpredictable."
Yoshiya rubbed the back of his neck. "Exactly. That's what makes me uneasy. I've seen his work at the kobold camp. Barbaric, overwhelming. And yet…" He trailed off, unsure how to put it into words. "He seems alive, like every strike is calculated but fueled by something more than just skill."
Omina smirked. "Yeah, well, lucky for us he wasn't after our loot. Yet."
The conversation shifted naturally toward their own next steps. Sorting and crafting took precedence, as both were eager to maximize the resources they had hauled. They examined the Taurox horns and hides again, this time more critically. "Armor, gloves, helmets… maybe even weapons," Yoshiya muttered, sketching a few rough designs in the dirt with his finger.
Omina nodded. "And don't forget the organs. They could be used for potions or reinforced gear if we ever collaborate with Mira again. Plus, leftover minerals and stones can be repurposed into tools or weapon inlays. We've got options."
They paused for a moment as a group of guild members passed by, whispering among themselves. Yoshiya's ears perked up; he caught a fragment of conversation. "…massive attacks near the mines… kobolds wiped out… maybe Kaito again."
Omina's eyes narrowed. "Sounds like trouble. We should be careful if we go back there, even with our sled and boars. Kaito's efficiency is… scary."
Yoshiya exhaled slowly. "Yeah. But at least we've got our own strategy now. The sled, the boars, our gear upgrades—if any unexpected threats appear, we're more prepared than ever."
They packed the remaining resources into neat piles, checking harnesses and straps for the boars. Yoshiya double-checked the sled, ensuring it could handle the weight of both minerals and hides. Omina gave a low whistle of satisfaction. "Looks like we're finally on top of things, for now."
Yoshiya glanced at her, catching the subtle excitement in her eyes. "For now," he repeated, the words carrying a quiet weight. They both knew the mines, the guild, and the surrounding forests held challenges yet unseen, and Kaito's shadow loomed over all of it.
As they finished their preparations, Lia approached once more, handing over the additional silver coin with a knowing smile. "Careful out there. That Kaito… he's trouble waiting to happen, lah."
Omina grinned. "We'll be fine. Cargo-kun and I have everything under control."
Yoshiya shook his head, suppressing a laugh. "At least for now."
They stepped back from the piles of sorted loot, pausing to glance at the boars. The two creatures snorted, shaking their harnesses impatiently. Their journey, and the work ahead, was far from over—but for the moment, Yoshiya and Omina allowed themselves a quiet satisfaction. The guild turn-in was complete, their resources secured, and the sled and boars ready for the next adventure.
The sun climbed higher, casting long shadows across the hall. Outside, the hum of the guild, the distant chatter of other adventurers, and the quiet sense of preparation for challenges to come made the morning feel alive. Yet, somewhere deep in the mines, Kaito's silent, unstoppable march continued, a force that neither Yoshiya nor Omina could ignore.