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Chapter 14 - Chapter 14 – The Price of Trust

Morning light poured through the stained glass of the Adventurers' Guild, scattering colored patterns across the wooden floor. Kaito leaned against the counter while Talia handed over the last sheet of parchment to the clerk.

The young woman behind the desk gave a small smile. "All signatures accounted for. Congratulations — your group is now officially registered under the name Elysium."

Kaito adjusted his hat and smirked. "Well, would ya look at that. We're a real team now."

Elenya tugged his sleeve, beaming. "Does that mean we can take bigger quests now?"

The clerk chuckled. "Not yet, sweetheart. But you'll have more access — and more responsibility."

Talia nodded thoughtfully. "Responsibility we can handle."

The clerk stamped the final seal on the parchment, ink shimmering with faint blue mana. "Welcome to the ranks, Elysium. Try not to burn down a village."

Kaito grinned. "No promises."

---

They lingered near the quest board after the paperwork was done. Dozens of parchment notices fluttered in the guild's drafty air — missing livestock, bandit sightings, escort missions — but one stood out.

"Kobold infestation — Estate of Baron Haldric of Yswyn Vale. Payment: 30 gold."

Darrun let out a low whistle. "Thirty gold? That's A-rank money."

Marin blinked. "But it's marked C-rank?"

"Yep," Kaito said, pulling it off the board. "Either this Baron's got deep pockets or there's more to it than he's lettin' on."

Talia crossed her arms. "Kobolds aren't usually a major threat. But nobles don't pay thirty gold for nothing. We should expect a nest, maybe a chieftain."

Elenya tilted her head. "Are kobolds like goblins?"

"Meaner," Kaito said. "Smarter too. Think scaly miners with bad attitudes."

Darrun grinned. "Sounds like home."

---

They set out at dawn, the road winding through meadows heavy with dew. The baron's estate came into view before noon — a sprawling manor surrounded by hills and farmland, with workers standing nervously outside the gate.

The steward met them halfway, wringing his hands. "Thank the gods you're here! They come from the old quarry at night — steal livestock, tear up the fences. We've lost three guards already!"

Kaito nodded calmly. "We'll take care of it. Point us to the quarry."

That night, Elysium crept into the ravine where the moonlight barely touched the rocks. Kobolds scurried among the shadows — dozens of them, armed with crude picks and daggers.

Kaito crouched behind a boulder. "Alright, same plan as before. Darrun, you draw their attention. Talia, you cook whatever's left. Marin, keep him on his feet. Elenya, stay back and watch for flankers."

Elenya nodded seriously, bowstring drawn tight.

When the fight broke out, it was chaos — Darrun roaring at the front line, hammer flashing; Talia's magic lighting the cavern in bursts of flame and wind; Kaito moving like a storm between them, blade flashing with quick, efficient strikes.

The Kobold Chieftain — a hulking brute covered in bone armor — lunged at Kaito with a jagged spear. The blow grazed his arm, sparks flying.

Kaito gritted his teeth. "You picked the wrong ranch to raid, partner."

He feinted low, caught the creature's wrist, and drove his sword through its chest. The beast fell with a guttural hiss, its pack scattering into the tunnels.

When silence finally fell, the group was covered in dust and sweat — but alive.

Elenya ran to him, breathless. "You're bleeding!"

"It's just a scratch, sugar," he said, ruffling her hair. "You did great out there."

---

By the time they returned to the manor, the first light of dawn was rising over the hills. The baron himself — a portly man with too much jewelry — met them at the gate.

"My heroes!" he exclaimed, clapping his hands. "You've done Brisden a great service. Here's your payment — thirty gold, as promised!"

He handed Kaito a heavy pouch that jingled with the sound of fortune.

"Much obliged, sir," Kaito said, tipping his hat.

When the noble vanished inside, Talia turned to the others. "Alright. Let's talk coin."

Kaito opened the pouch, counted the glittering coins, and divided them evenly — six apiece.

Darrun tucked his share into his belt. "Never thought I'd see a payday like this from a C-rank."

Marin smiled. "Feels almost wrong."

"Don't jinx it," Kaito warned.

But before anyone could pocket their gold, Talia raised a finger. "Actually, I have an idea."

The others looked at her curiously.

"From now on, we each set aside five coins from every quest," she said. "Not for drinks or weapons — for the future. A party fund."

Elenya blinked. "For what?"

Talia smiled faintly. "For a home. A headquarters. A place that belongs to Elysium."

Darrun grinned. "Now that's somethin' worth savin' for."

Kaito rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Not bad, sugar. Ain't every day someone thinks past the next payday."

He reached into his pouch and dropped five coins back in. "Alright. Party fund's official."

Elenya mimicked him proudly. "Five coins!"

Marin giggled and added hers. "We're really doing this, huh?"

Kaito smiled as the pouch clinked full again. "Yeah. We are."

---

That night, back at the inn, the group gathered around a single candlelit table — tired, sore, and smiling.

Kaito lifted his mug. "To Elysium. May our coin purse stay heavy and our bones stay unbroken."

They clinked mugs, laughter echoing through the quiet inn.

And for the first time, it didn't feel like a job.

It felt like a family.

---

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