As Saya pushed open the guild doors, warm light and noise burst out. The guild was alive with energy—adventurers drank and laughed around heavy wooden tables, some polishing their weapons, others still in their armor or cloaks. A few wore… very revealing outfits, celebrating their successful missions. Maids hurried between tables with trays of food and ale, the air thick with chatter and the smell of grilled meat.
Seeing all this, Aziz's eyes widened in awe.
"Whoa! This is so beautiful and cool!" he thought, completely dazzled.
Before he could say more, a group of adventurer girls passed by. Their armor covered only half their chests, exposing their shoulders and toned stomachs. Some wore short skirts or half-jean pants, strutting confidently as if fashion itself was part of battle gear.
Aziz immediately averted his gaze with a disgusted grimace.
"Why do girls always wear clothes like that for adventure? That doesn't make any sense," he muttered, looking at Saya with a disappointed face.
"You wouldn't understand," Saya said sharply. "And it's their choice what they wear. Stop looking like a pervert." She stepped forward without even glancing at him.
Aziz blinked, caught off guard. His expression turned awkward.
"…Right. These things have become normal in that genre," he muttered to himself and hurried after her.
Saya stopped near a table with four seats—empty, clean, and slightly away from the noisy crowd.
"Sit here. I'll bring you food," Saya said casually.
"Got it," Aziz replied, sitting down while glancing around the hall with open curiosity.
"And also, please don't go anywhere or talk to anyone. Just stay here and wait a little longer," Saya said, her tone carrying a faint note of worry.
"Don't worry! I'll sit here like a good boy, elf-san!" Aziz said with a salute, grinning.
Saya sighed, pressing a hand to her forehead.
"My name is Saya, okay? Don't call me weird names," she said with an annoyed groan before turning away and walking toward the counter.
Left alone, Aziz continued observing the bustling guild. The laughter, the clinking mugs, the flash of weapons—it all felt surreal to him.
But before Saya returned, a flashy-looking man approached. He looked around twenty-two, with perfectly styled golden hair and gleaming golden eyes. His polished blue armor sparkled under the lantern light, and a smug smirk sat proudly on his face.
"Hey, poor guy," the man greeted mockingly, folding his arms.
Aziz blinked and pointed at himself.
"Uh… yes? Are you calling me?"
The flashy man ran a hand through his hair with exaggerated flair, his grin widening.
"Yes! Thinking of joining the guild? Haha! But you don't look like you've got the ability." He laughed mockingly and sat down beside Aziz like he owned the place.
Aziz raised an eyebrow, both annoyed and confused.
"You're right, sir. I just came here to eat," he said casually, giving a small, polite smile.
"…Not angry?" The flashy man's golden eyes widened slightly. Then he let out a sigh.
"Well, at least you're honest. But this isn't some restaurant that feeds you for free, understand? Haha!" He laughed again, full of arrogance.
"I know. An elf girl—uh… I forgot her name—invited me. She told me to stay here," Aziz explained.
"Elf girl?" the man repeated, his smirk faltering as his eyes widened. "Tch. You already have an elf girlfriend or something?!"
"Girlfriend? Nah, she's just someone who roasts me… calls me ugly," Aziz said with a tired, disappointed face.
The flashy boy burst into laughter, clutching his stomach.
"Pfft! Now that's fair! That elf girl gets it—she's not wrong! You really are ugly though!"
Saya returned with a plate of food and a glass of water. As she stepped closer, her eyes immediately met Aziz—and the flashy golden-haired boy sitting beside him. Saya's expression shifted the moment she recognized him.
"Loyid? Why are you here now?" Saya asked, her brows furrowing as she looked at the golden-haired man. She set the food and glass down on the table near Aziz.
Aziz blinked, curiosity flickering in his black eyes.
"Looks like they know each other," he thought, tapping a finger thoughtfully against his jaw as he glanced between them.
"Wait… you're the elf girl who's bringing that boy food?" Loyid said, his tone dripping with disbelief, his golden eyes widening.
Saya took a seat beside them, crossing one leg over the other and resting her hand on her hip with elegant poise.
"Yeah. He's homeless, useless, and hungry. And also, he helped me today—so I thought I should help him," she said casually, her lips curling into a soft smile.
Aziz's face twitched in annoyance.
"Why say useless words to me…" he thought bitterly.
Loyid smirked as his golden eyes flicked toward Aziz.
"Hmph… yeah, I could tell from his face. He'll die in this world if he keeps living like that," Loyid said, folding his arms confidently.
Aziz narrowed his eyes, his patience wearing thin.
"Don't call people that, Loyid," Saya scolded.
"Yeah, yeah," Loyid replied with a roll of his eyes.
Aziz suddenly raised his hand.
"Um, okay—can I have the food first? Then you two can talk."
"Oh, right! Here, sorry for making you wait," Saya said quickly, smiling awkwardly as she slid the plate toward him.
Aziz grabbed the spoon and stared at the meal with gleaming eyes.
"Man, I am so starving! This food looks delicious," he thought, before immediately digging in.
"Mmph, so delicious! Thanks, elf-san!" Aziz said, his mouth full of food, gratitude shining in his voice.
"Chill, man. You're eating like you haven't eaten in days," Loyid muttered, blinking in mild disgust.
Saya covered her mouth with a hand, quietly giggling at the sight.
While eating, Aziz looked up at both of them.
"So… you know this guy?" he asked.
"Of course. He's my teammate in the guild. We're adventurers," Saya replied.
"Wow. Nice. Well then, thanks to both of you. You guys truly saved me," Aziz said with a bright smile, shoving another spoonful into his mouth.
"Nah, no need to thank me. I didn't even want to see you here," Loyid said, arms crossed tightly.
When Aziz finally finished eating, he leaned back in his chair, one hand on his full stomach.
"Woo, I'm full now," he sighed contentedly.
Loyid leaned forward, smirking.
"So… your stomach's full now. You can leave."
"But he's homeless," Saya said softly, glancing at Loyid with a hint of concern.
"I know, Saya. But he doesn't have money to stay here. The Guild Master isn't as kind as you're pretending to be," Loyid replied bluntly.
Saya frowned, her gaze shifting toward Aziz's weary face.
"Look at him. He'll die if we don't help him," she said firmly.
Aziz sighed, crossing his arms.
"Yeah… that's true. I have no luck," he muttered.
Loyid groaned, rubbing his temple.
"Hmm… so what do you suggest, Saya?"
Saya's eyes suddenly lit up as she turned toward the guild counter.
"Why not let him join our team, Loyid? We're just two people. Having one more will be great."
"What!? Excuse me, Saya—but no way. He's useless! He'll die on the first mission!" Loyid shouted, clearly annoyed.
Aziz scratched his head awkwardly.
"Loyid is kinda right…"
Hearing that, Saya turned to Aziz with narrowed eyes, clearly irritated.
"Why are you so useless!? Can't you be serious for once?" she snapped.
"Fine," Saya continued, glaring back at Loyid. "Give him one chance. If he messes up, we won't take him."
Loyid groaned, crossing his arms again.
"…Alright. Fine," he said reluctantly, letting out a deep sigh.