The Last Link

Chapter 1 – Part 2: New Faces

The following morning, after what had been an unusually chaotic first day, I barely made it down the stairs before running into the unfortunate half-elf from the night before. He still looked like someone who had barely survived a nightmare.

I couldn’t help but greet him cheerfully.

Alana: “Good morning, Wilbur! I hope last night’s earnings were good.”
I glanced at the exhausted half-elf. “And good morning to you too, guard.”

Wilbur smiled as he set a hearty breakfast in front of me.
Wilbur: “Good work last night, girl. Go on, eat. It’s on the house—consider it part of your pay.”

My eyes lit up at the sight of the food, and without thinking twice, I dug in eagerly. I glanced at the guard and offered him some, though he looked far too tired to be tempted.

Alana: “Want some food?”
Cain sighed.
Cain: “Sorry. This isn’t one of my better mornings.”

Just then, Daiki came down the stairs, wearing the same indifferent expression as the night before. He sat at the bar and asked only for a drink before making his first comment.

Daiki (glancing at Cain): “Told you you were weak.”

Cain barely lifted his head.
Cain: “It’s not just that, animal.”

Alana: “Alright, alright. I think everything’s settled. Stop acting like children.”

Both snorted and turned back to their meals. Something still felt off, so I decided to ask.

Alana: “So… what’s a guard doing in a tavern? I thought you had your own places.”

Cain sighed again and pulled out a slightly crumpled paper, placing it on the table. Daiki and I leaned in, curious.

Cain: “We need adventurers to help capture certain individuals. With how exhausted I was, I missed the recruitment rounds. The pay is good—but I need reliable people.”
He scratched the back of his neck, uncomfortable.

Alana: “Well, if it means sleeping under a roof tonight, I’m in. Nice to meet you—Alana.”

Cain: “Cain. And yes, the pay should be enough to live comfortably for about a week.”

Daiki: “Then I’m in too.”

Cain: “Didn’t you hear me? I need decent people, not animals,” he muttered.

At that moment, a mysterious young man joined the conversation.

Young Man: “You shouldn’t talk like that about someone who could crush your head like a grape. If the job’s open, I’d like to join.”

We all turned to look at him—a young man with light brown hair and calm brown eyes.

Cain: “And who are you? How do I know you’re decent?”

Yadiel: “Pleasure. My name’s Yadiel.”
He gave a slight bow. “And why wouldn’t I be decent?” he added with a teasing smile as he sat at the bar.

Alana: “You need people, and he seems capable. Why not?”

Cain hesitated, then sighed.
Cain: “Fine. Meet me in the plaza in a few minutes.”
Without another word, he stood up and left, clearly tired.

Alana: “So what brought you all to the capital?”

Yadiel: “Oh, I’m from here. I’ve lived here my whole life.”

Alana: “Really? I thought you were an outsider. I’ve only seen adventurers in this tavern.”

Yadiel: “This place has the best drinks in the city, doesn’t it, Wilbur?”

Wilbur: “You flatter me, kid,” he said with a grin.

Alana: “And you, Daiki—you said you were from the north. What brought you here?”

Daiki: “Work.”

Yadiel: “Not much of a talker, are you?”

A few minutes later, we headed to the plaza, where Cain was waiting by the fountain.

Cain: “At least you showed up. Though you weren’t necessary,” he said, eyeing Daiki.

Daiki: “Coin is coin.”

I sighed.
Alana: “Well, we’re all here. What are we waiting for?”

Cain: “The mission might get complicated, so they’re sending a cleric. Looks like she’s running late.”

From a distance, we saw a young woman with light hair and an innocent look running toward us.

Young Woman: “S-Sorry… Is this the right place?” she asked nervously.

Yadiel: “You might be lost. The market’s that way.”

Young Woman: “No, I was sent as support for the mission. They told me to meet the guard by the fountain.”

Cain: “Then you must be the last one. Good. Now we’re all here.”

Daiki: “You’ve got to be joking. Why send a child on a mission?”

Eleanor: “I-I’m not a child. My name is Eleanor. I’m training to be a better healer, and I hope I can help,” she said timidly.

I immediately grabbed her hands with enthusiasm.

Alana: “Don’t worry! If you have any problems, just tell me. I hope we become great friends!”

Eleanor: “…Y-Yes, I hope so too.”

Yadiel: “Alright, then. What’s the job?”

Cain nodded, his expression serious.

Cain: “We’re looking for a group that’s been causing disturbances in the city. Yesterday we captured one of them—an assassin. We believe we know where their base is, but the path is dangerous. They’re very young, so we need to be careful. They seem to be hiding in a nearby cave. Everything’s already paid for by the guard. We just have to go.”

Daiki: “If they’re kids, just scare them.”

Cain: “The higher-ups don’t want to waste guards on this. That’s why they’re hiring adventurers.”

Yadiel: “Sounds easy enough.”

And with that, we set off.