Chapter 20: Quest 10: Prepare for the Adventure [Part 1]
In the morning, Makoto left his room while stifling a yawn.
“Good morning, big bro!”
“Yeah, morning.”
Fene greeted him energetically.
He ruffled her head roughly in response.
When Makoto started walking, she happily followed behind him.
She clearly felt indebted over the loan, but he could not allow himself to grow arrogant.
If he made unreasonable demands, her gratitude would vanish instantly.
He remembered twenty years ago.
When he first joined the company, he had been grateful to the president for hiring him.
But within a year, that feeling had disappeared.
That was simply how people were.
“Morning, sir.”
“Morning.”
Halfway down the stairs, he exchanged greetings with Sherry.
“Breakfast?”
“Please wait a moment.”
Sherry giggled for some reason.
Just as he was about to sit at the counter, Yuuka came down.
Perhaps she had low blood pressure—her glare was about twenty percent sharper than usual.
“Good morning.”
“…Morning.”
She responded to Sherry in a tone that screamed she was in a bad mood.
“Good morning, sis.”
“…Who’s this?”
“At least pretend a little.”
Why did she always act like she wanted to pick fights with everyone?
Makoto was sure he had been more considerate at her age.
“So, who?”
“It’s Tom from the dungeon.”
“It says Fene in her status.”
She must have checked it.
“Fene is Tom.”
“Huh?”
Her blunt tone irritated him, but snapping would solve nothing.
“Fene is a Fox Tail. She can disguise her appearance and status. Seeing is believing. Fene, show her.”
“Got it!”
“Ha!”
Smoke burst out with a pop.
When it cleared, Tom stood there.
“…The name in the status changed to Tom.”
“Believe me now?”
“Yeah.”
Yuuka shrugged lightly.
“That’s enough.”
“Ha!”
Smoke rose again, and Fene returned.
“When’s breakfast?”
“Please wait a bit longer.”
“Okaaaay.”
Yuuka dragged out her reply.
“While we wait, let’s talk about the future.”
Makoto sat at a table.
Yuuka took the seat across from him, Fene sat beside him.
“So, what first?”
“Right.”
Makoto folded his arms.
They had already decided to live as adventurers.
But one matter came before all else.
“How we divide rewards.”
“Of all things, that?”
“We start here.”
Yuuka seemed to have forgotten about the bounty incident.
“I believe money transactions are life transactions.”
“That’s exaggerating.”
“People betray and even kill over money. I don’t like talking about it either. But we can’t gloss over it.”
“…You’re right.”
Yuuka nodded solemnly.
“How will we split it?”
“Equal thirds.”
“Roles carry different burdens.”
Yuuka glanced at Fene, who shrank apologetically.
In combat, she might not contribute much.
But Makoto valued her knowledge and skills.
If she contributed there, that was enough.
“You okay with that?”
“I suggested it. Of course I am.”
“Fair.”
Yuuka crossed her arms thoughtfully.
She was calculating disadvantages.
“What if I refuse?”
“Then we don’t work together.”
“That’s no choice.”
“You can accept or refuse.”
She pouted but had little leverage.
“Is this permanent?”
“If we add members, we divide by headcount.”
“If we grow bigger?”
“We’ll discuss it then.”
“…Fine.”
She finally agreed.
“No complaining later.”
“I get it! Equal thirds!”
Makoto shrugged at her shout.
“Fene, can we create a joint account?”
“Yes. We can deposit rewards there.”
“Good.”
That would simplify things.
“With that, we’re a team.”
“Not yet.”
“What now?”
“Information gathering. We’ll rely on Fene. But information isn’t free.”
Fene had lived off dungeon runs.
Information likely cost money.
“If we have to buy info, we can’t expect her to pay.”
“It depends,” Fene said.
Makoto rubbed his temples.
“If they issue receipts, that’d help.”
“Then we just go together,” Yuuka said.
“…True.”
Fene added that they weren’t trading contraband.
So it would be fine.
“Now we’re a team.”
“Now we get to the main point.”
Makoto straightened his posture.
“Our goal is to become an organization surpassing the Knights of the Kingdom of Veris.”
“Yeah, makes sense.”
Makoto felt relieved.
If she had declared revenge as the team’s goal, that would be a problem.
Personal and organizational goals must stay separate.
“The Knights?” Fene asked.
“Not exactly the same. But comparable.”
“…Big dream, big bro.”
“Only the dream’s big.”
Fene’s eyes sparkled.
Makoto felt a stab of guilt.
Maybe he should not mention his slow-life dream again.
Sherry watched with a faint smile.
“First step, aim for A-rank. Yuuka and I are E-rank. Fene?”
“…I’m D-rank.”
She looked apologetic.
Likely held back by debt.
“What can D-rank take?”
“Herb gathering and material collection.”
“How underwhelming,” Yuuka muttered.
“We build from there.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“After breakfast, we open the joint account, take a request… and upgrade gear.”
“You just bought gear.”
“Not for me. For Fene.”
“…Big bro.”
“Don’t worry about money. I’ll pay.”
“What!?”
“You pay for your own,” he shot at Yuuka.
“I was joking!” she clicked her tongue.
“I can’t let you do that,” Fene protested.
“It’s an investment.”
“Investment?”
“I need you stronger if we aim higher.”
“I’ll live up to it!”
Her eyes grew moist.
“Breakfast is ready.”
As if on cue, Sherry placed the dishes on the table.