[Soe]:"Hey... how about we form a party together?" Aki blinked. [Aki confused]:"You mean an adventurer party?" Mia tilted her head. [Mia]:"Why bring that up now?" Soe looked toward the busy streets ahead.
[Soe]:"Because after yesterday, I thought about it." His expression became more serious. [Soe]:"We worked surprisingly well together. Aki's combat ability, your magic support, and my fighting skills... we cover each other's weaknesses."
He looked back at them. [Soe]:"We literally went through a situation where we could have died, and we survived because we trusted each other." Aki and Mia looked at him.
The words were simple, but they carried weight. Soe wasn't just talking about becoming stronger.
He was talking about relying on each other. Aki slowly smiled. Mia nodded.
[Mia]:"I have no objections. I feel like I can put my trust in both of you." Aki looked between them. He never expected his first few days in this world to turn out like this. Friends. A team. People he could actually trust. Something he never really had before. [Aki smiling]:"I'm in."
He then looked at Soe. [Aki]:"So Soe, are you the leader of—" Before he could finish, Soe immediately laughed. [Soe laughing]:"Oh hell nah." Aki froze. [Soe]:"I'm not the leader type of guy." He pointed at Aki. [Soe]:"But you? I feel like you'd make a decent leader." Aki stared at him. [Aki surprised]:"Wait... what? Me? The leader? You're joking, right?" Mia smiled slightly. [Mia]:"Actually, I agree with Soe." Aki looked at her.
[Mia]:"During the skeleton battle, you were the one thinking ahead. You noticed something was wrong before anyone else. You made the plan and acted when everyone needed it."
She smiled. [Mia]:"I think you'd make a good leader." Aki didn't know how to respond. He wasn't used to people trusting him.
[Soe]:"So it's decided. Aki's our leader." Aki stared forward.
[Aki thinking]:"Don't I get a say in this?" Cynth's voice suddenly echoed in his mind. [Cynth]:"Congratulations. You somehow became a leader without trying." [Aki thinking]:"Thanks for the support."
Soe stretched his arms.
Soe:"Let's meet up tomorrow at the guild. We'll officially register our party and then take on our first quest together." Aki sighed but smiled. [Aki]:"Fine by me." Mia picked up her shopping basket. [Mia]:"Same here. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get back home before my brother starts wondering where I am." She waved at them. [Mia]:"See you tomorrow." They watched as Mia disappeared into the crowd. After a few seconds, Soe turned back toward Aki. He looked around. [Soe smiling]:"Let's finish this tour before the day ends." Aki nodded. [Aki]:"Yeah. Lead the way."
The two continued walking through the streets of Justia.
The rest of the day passed quickly.
Soe continued showing Aki around the kingdom. They visited the Justia Library, a massive building filled with thousands of books about history, magic, monsters, and ancient civilizations. They visited Justia Park, where families relaxed beneath giant trees and children played freely. They even passed by the Justia Colosseum, where adventurers fought for fame and experience. Every place showed Aki another piece of the world. By the time the sun disappeared, the streets were illuminated by glowing lamps. They went their separate ways.
Later that night... Aki returned to his room. He collapsed onto his bed, staring at the ceiling. [Cynth]:"You seem quieter than usual." [Aki]:"Today was a lot." He closed his eyes. [Aki]:"I saw the hero. I learned about gods. I learned a little about other kingdoms. I formed my first ever party with people I actually feel comfortable around." A small smile appeared. [Aki]:"This world is bigger than I expected." A blue screen suddenly appeared in front of him.
NEW QUEST AVAILABLE
Quest: Defeat the Dark Triad
Aki immediately sat up.
[Aki confused]:"The Dark Triad?" He stared at the words. [Aki]:"Cynth... what is that?" A short silence followed. [Cynth]:"I don't know."
Aki froze. [Aki surprised]:"You don't know? You gave me the damn quest!" [Cynth]:"Although that maybe true the details of this quest seem to be hidden, I guess you have to figure it out yourself."
Aki looked at the screen again. Dark Triad. Something about them felt dangerous. [Aki thought]:"If even Cynth doesn't know... They sound like a lot of trouble, like an evil organisation or something." He slowly closed the window.
[Aki determined]:"I'll have to ask Amy more about this tomorrow. For now some well deserved shut eye."
Outside his window, the lights of Justia continued shining.
The outskirts of Justia were silent under the cover of night. Far away from the warmth of the kingdom's streets, where lanterns no longer illuminated the roads and the voices of citizens faded into nothingness, an abandoned warehouse stood forgotten. The old wooden structure creaked with every passing breeze. Broken windows allowed thin rays of moonlight to enter, cutting through the darkness and revealing the dust floating through the air. But tonight, the warehouse was no longer empty. Several figures stood inside, their faces hidden by shadows. The atmosphere was heavy, filled with tension and hostility. These were not ordinary criminals. They were members of the Black Scorpion.
A group feared by many low-ranking adventurers. A man slowly stepped forward from the crowd. The moonlight revealed him. A black scorpion tattoo crawled up the side of his neck, the mark of his organization clearly visible. His short black hair framed a sharp face, and his red eyes carried a dangerous intensity. Every movement he made showed confidence, arrogance, and a deep hunger for violence. This was Jeevan. The leader of the Black Scorpions.
He stopped in the center of the warehouse, facing a man sitting calmly on a large chair. Unlike the others, this man did not need to move to command respect.
His presence alone controlled the room. Behind him stood another figure, silent and motionless like a guard protecting a king.
Jeevan lowered his head slightly.
[Jeevan]:"I'm sorry, boss, for those failures of mine who got arrested."
His fists tightened. [Jeevan]:"But we can't let this go." His red eyes narrowed. [Jeevan]:"That newbie adventurer embarrassed us. He destroyed our reputation and made our members look weak." A cruel smile appeared on his face. [Jeevan]:"We have to teach him a lesson. No one humiliates the Black Scorpions and walks away." For a moment, silence filled the warehouse.
The man sitting on the chair slowly raised one arm. The entire room immediately went quiet. His voice finally broke through the darkness.
[Man with a deep dark voice]:"Don't worry." The man leaned forward slightly, though his face remained hidden.
[Man with a deep dark voice]:"You'll have your fun with him." A faint dangerous aura spread through the warehouse. [Man with a deep dark voice]:"No one picks a fight with us..." The shadows around him seemed to grow heavier. [Man with a deep dark voice]:"...and gets away with it." Jeevan grinned.
The excitement in his eyes was impossible to hide. The Black Scorpions had found their target. And now... They were preparing to strike.