The sun had dipped below the horizon by the time the trio left the Adventurers’ Guild. Lanterns lit the cobbled streets of the town, and the evening air was cool and calm.

  Kazuki walked ahead, his hands in his pockets, while Garron and Elara followed slightly behind.

  “We’re D-rank now…” Garron grinned. “That was amazing.”

  “I’m just glad we survived,” Elara whispered, her fingers gripping her staff tightly. “Those goblins… they were terrifying.”

  Kazuki didn’t respond. His eyes were scanning the streets for something.

  “A place to sleep,” he finally muttered. “You two… where are you staying tonight?”

  Garron and Elara froze behind him.

  “I, uh… I hadn’t thought that far ahead,” Garron admitted with a forced chuckle. “We’ve been crashing behind the guild for a few nights.”

  Elara looked down at her feet. “We don’t really… have homes. We just joined the guild recently.”

  Kazuki stopped in his tracks and turned to them. “You’ve been sleeping outside?”

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  They didn’t reply, but the silence was answer enough.

  He clenched his fists. The weight of the pouch given to him by the gods still hung at his waist.

  “Come on,” he said simply.

  “Huh?” Garron blinked.

  “We’re finding an inn. Somewhere decent.”

  ---

  They eventually stopped in front of a modest but clean-looking place: The Hearthlight Inn. A wooden sign hung above the door, engraved with a glowing lantern. Warm golden light spilled from the windows, and the aroma of roasting meat and baked bread filled the air.

  Inside, the inn was bustling. Adventurers ate, drank, and laughed around the fireplace. A kind-faced innkeeper greeted them.

  “Looking for rooms, young ones?”

  Kazuki stepped forward and placed a few gold coins on the counter. “Three rooms. Dinner too.”

  The innkeeper’s eyes widened. “Of course! Right away!”

  Garron’s mouth hung open. “W-Wait, Kazuki, that’s a lot of money—”

  “I don’t care,” Kazuki said flatly. “You two are part of my party. You’re not sleeping outside again.”

  Elara stared at him, her expression unreadable.

  ---

  Later, the trio sat at a wooden table in the inn’s small restaurant. Plates of roast chicken, potatoes, and steamed vegetables were set before them, alongside mugs of warm cider.

  Elara had tears in her eyes as she took her first bite. “This is… this is the best food I’ve ever had.”

  Garron stuffed his face with a huge grin. “Kazuki, you’re a damn hero.”

  Kazuki chuckled softly. “Don’t go worshipping me yet.”

  As the meal settled, they leaned back in their chairs, warmth in their bellies and a rare comfort settling over them.

  “So,” Garron said, wiping his mouth, “where are you from, Kazuki? You’re… different.”

  Kazuki looked down at his mug for a moment. “Far away. Let’s just say… I didn’t have anyone either. Not until now.”

  There was silence for a moment.

  “I don’t remember my parents,” Garron admitted. “Been on my own since I was a kid. I joined the guild hoping to get strong, make something of myself.”

  Elara nodded slowly. “Me too. I was always moving from one place to another. People didn’t trust mages like me. But when I saw Garron training behind the guild, I… I just followed him.”

  “And now we’re here,” Kazuki said, staring at the flame in the lantern hanging above. “Fighting monsters, taking quests, and eating real food.”

  “Feels like a dream,” Elara whispered.

  Kazuki smiled faintly. “No. This is just the beginning.”