The night deepened around the quiet riverbank.

  The last sparks of the campfire danced softly in the darkness as the three of them finished dinner. The warmth of the meal still lingered in the air, mixing with the gentle sound of flowing water nearby.

  Kaito stretched his arms slightly and glanced at Renna.

  “Renna-san… did you take that quest alone?”

  Renna nodded while staring at the fire.

  “Yes. I don’t have a party. I accepted a quest to defeat two hobgoblins… but I never expected there would be five of them.”

  Serena tilted her head. “You still held them off alone. That’s amazing.”

  Renna shook her head immediately.

  “No. After watching both of you fight, I don’t think I can call myself amazing anymore. Fighting beside a mage and supporter like you is actually my dream.”

  Kaito chuckled awkwardly and scratched his cheek.

  “You’re flattering us. We’re only D-rank adventurers.”

  Renna smiled faintly.

  “Two D-rank adventurers who defeated Two C-Rank Hobgoblin. That’s not normal.”

  Serena giggled softly.

  “We’ve been fighting together for about a month now. We understand each other’s magic and timing. Kaito-kun supports me in battle, and I support him.”

  Kaito suddenly snapped his fingers as a thought hit him.

  “Wait… if Renna joins our party, wouldn’t that mean we could accept B-rank quests?”

  Renna nodded confidently. “Yes. A balanced party with mage, supporter, and swordswoman can take much higher quests.”

  Serena yawned, covering her mouth politely.

  “Let’s talk about this tomorrow… we still need two more wolves for the quest.”

  Kaito stood and poked the fire with a stick.

  “Serena, Renna — you two sleep inside the tent. I’ll keep watch tonight.”

  Serena smiled sleepily.

  “Wake me up if you get tired. Good night.”

  Kaito gave a small smile. “Good night.”

  The forest fell quiet.

  For the first time since meeting them, Renna fell asleep feeling safe.

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  Morning at the River

  Golden sunlight filtered through the trees.

  Kaito sat by the river, patiently fishing. The peaceful morning felt almost unreal after the chaos of the previous day.

  Soon, a fish tugged the line.

  He smiled. “Haha another bite.”

  Kaito looking back at the tent “Time to prepare breakfast Serena and Renna is waking up soon”

  Not long after, the smell of meat and fish soup drifted toward the tent.

  Serena’s voice came first.

  “Good morning, Kaito-kun.”

  Renna followed, still rubbing her sleepy eyes.

  “Good morning…”

  Kaito waved cheerfully.

  “Good morning. Go wash your faces. Breakfast is ready.”

  Serena grinned. “Yes, chef!”

  They sat together on a long log and enjoyed the warm meal in comfortable silence.

  Renna watched them quietly while eating.

  This peaceful atmosphere…

  She had never experienced anything like it before.

  After breakfast, Kaito packed the tent and supplies into his Item Box.

  “Alright. Let’s move.”

  Half an hour later, the forest rustled.

  Four wolves appeared from the bushes.

  Kaito pointed forward confidently.

  “Renna — charge. We’ll support you.”

  Renna’s eyes sharpened instantly.

  Serena raised her staff. “Water Bullet!”

  Kaito followed. “Stone Bullet!”

  The wolves staggered from the impact.

  Renna dashed forward like lightning.

  Her sword flashed once.

  Twice.

  Four wolves fell instantly.

  Kaito blinked. “That was fast.”

  Serena clapped happily. “Amazing!”

  Renna scratched her cheek shyly.

  “I’ve been hunting alone since F-rank until now so I have train so hard to reach this state.”

  Kaito laughed. “Let’s head back to the guild.”

  The town gates came into view an hour later.

  After enter the entrance three of them heading to the adventure guild.

  Inside the Adventurer Guild, a cheerful voice greeted them.

  “Welcome back, Renna-san!”

  A long red-haired receptionist waved from behind the desk.

  Renna smiled. “I’m back, Ellie. They are my life saver” and look back to kaito and serena “This is Ellie, She is my friend.”

  Kaito bowed politely.

  “I’m Kaito, and this is Serena. We’ve completed the quest.”

  Ellie nodded enthusiastically.

  “Please bring the proof to the storehouse.”

  Moments later, Kaito taking out all the wolf and hobgoblin from item box.

  Twelve wolves.

  Five hobgoblins.

  Ellie blinked. “…Oops.”

  Kaito laughed nervously. “Can the guild buy the hob goblins too?”

  “Of course!”

  Back at the counter, Ellie handed over the rewards.

  “Two silver for the quest, and three silver for the extra wolves and materials.”

  Kaito and Serena bowed together. “Thank you.”

  Ellie turned to Renna. “A gold coin for the hob goblin extermination.”

  Renna smiled gratefully.

  Lunch at the Guild Hall

  The guild hall buzzed with adventurers chatting, laughing, and eating.

  The three of them sat together at a corner table with simple meals.

  Renna hesitated for a long time.

  Then finally spoke.

  “Kaito-kun… may I join your party?”

  Silence.

  Kaito and Serena froze and looked at each other.

  Kaito spoke carefully.

  “I don’t want to refuse… but we’re only staying in Stonehaven for two or three weeks. After that, we’re traveling to Grainford City.”

  Renna lowered her eyes slightly.

  “I see…”

  She stood slowly.

  “Please let me think about it.”

  And she quietly left the guild.

  Kaito watched the door close.

  Serena whispered softly,

  “She really wants companions…”

  Kaito nodded slowly.

  Outside, Renna walked alone through the busy street.

  For the first time in years…

  She had something to think about.

  Something to hope for.