With their next job in sight, Miri and Anne began making preparations before traveling to their supposed destination. Well, as much preparation as they feasibly could, given their limited funds. With the majority of their money going towards food and lodging, there’s pretty much very little left for supplies or even new spell and talisman runes for that matter. They’re going to have to make the most out of every single piece of gold they had if they’re going to get through this job.

  Currently, Miri and Anne were inside their inn room packing supplies for their journey.

  “Health potions, check. Mana potions, check. Food and water, check. Map to Moirai Keep, check…” Miri said, running through the list of items as she packed them into her knapsack.

  “Umm, Miri? Are you sure you’re completely ready to take on this job?” Anne asked while also in the process of packing.

  “Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?” Miri answered casually.

  “Well, it’s just that…this is still a very dangerous journey and…” Anne said, feeling a bit hesitant and uncertain. “...there’s a chance that we might not come back alive…and yet…I don’t know how to put this…you don’t seem all that concerned about it.”

  “Maybe I’m just brave. Maybe I’m just not all that scared of death.”

  “No, I’ve seen my fair share of brave people, people who don’t fear death—knights who seek to die in an honorable battle, assassins with a lust for blood. You don’t seem like any of those people. In fact, I’d say that it’s not that you don’t fear death…it’s that you don’t have a very strong attachment to life.”

  That statement gave Miri a bit of a pause. “Well…you’re not exactly wrong on that front either. It’s not like I’m suicidal or anything; it’s just that…I haven’t lived a very impressive or meaningful life up until this point, so it’s highly unlikely that anyone is going to miss me if I’m gone.”

  “But what about your family?” Anne asked with tender concern. “Wouldn’t they be worried if you are suddenly gone? I know that if I’m suddenly gone, my family will certainly be worried.”

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  “I, uhh…I’m not particularly close with my family,” Miri admitted. “They probably wouldn’t even notice that I’m gone.”

  “My goodness, Miri…that is quite sad to hear. I’m very sorry.”

  “Ehh, it’s alright. At this point, I’m kinda used to it.”

  This conversation kind of brought up a touchy subject for Miri, one that she was reluctant to confront. For the longest time, she felt like she had failed to live up to her fullest potential. Even though she got exceptionally high grades in high school, she ended up dropping out of college. At that point in her life, she just felt lost and directionless, not knowing what to do with her future and yet not wanting to do what others tell her to do.

  Throughout her entire life, her parents were always the ones guiding her into doing what they wanted instead of doing what she wanted for herself. Plus, their constant comparisons between her and her more successful siblings only made her feel more and more insecure. In her parents’ eyes, it’s unacceptable to simply be average—you’re either a success or a failure, there’s no in-between. How ironic that the more they wanted her to succeed, the more she wanted to fail just so that she could spite them.

  As a way to escape her family’s incessant pressure, she found her solace in video games and anime. One thing led to another and now she's a full-blown otaku.

  “Hey, you know what? You don’t have to come with me to do this job if you don’t want to,” Miri insisted. “I can just go by myself. And if I happen to come back with the runes, we’ll split the money together, 50-50.”

  “What?! You’re just going to do all of the work and take all the risks while also giving me half the reward?” Anne replied with surprise. “That is unacceptable, Miriam Caldwell! I simply cannot accept it!”

  “Well, you’re the one who keeps yapping on about how dangerous this job is. Maybe it’s better if you sit this one out.”

  “Sure, I may be a worrywart when it comes to these things, but that’s just who I am as a cleric—one who’s responsible for the well-being of the entire team. That doesn’t mean that I wouldn't go with you. If anything, it is even more imperative that you have me by my side. I may be terrified of this quest, but I will rather risk death than to allow you to face the danger all by yourself. If you’re going, I’m going with you as well. That is final!”

  Miri saw how concerned Anne was to her and couldn’t help but give a warm-hearted smile in response. “Thanks, Anne. I couldn’t ask for a better partner.”