Tall, thick redwood trees in the forest of Lavista had hidden the sun from sight, but the sky still being at its afternoon blue suggested it was around 3:00 PM. If Kirin rushed to return to the guild, he'd probably have ample time to take on another mission.

Squealing internally, he arched his back and stretched his arms upwards. "Well, that was unbelievably fun!"

Faolan let his gaze blanket the forest, covering every single carcass that belonged to a pile encircling Kirin.

The trap, unbothered by the massacre he had just committed, merely leaped over a dead wolf's body to get out. "Now I also saw a quest to kill garaga snakes, I'm pretty sure. I should definitely do that next."

Flames hissed.

Less than a minute after Kirin had left, the circular heap of corpses had begun blazing like a witch's burning stake.

Faolan lowered his hands.

Was it him who casted?

"If anyone ever came across that, they would freak out for sure. Better to get rid of it."

Kirin blinked twice and slowly raised a finger to point. "You... were really here the whole time?"

"Mhmm."

"You saw everything?"

"Mhmm."

"You heard all my...?"

"Mhmm."

Shame steamed from Kirin's face as a flushed shadow attempted its best to hide him.

Kya-ya-ya-ya.

That's how he sounded! So... lewd!

How embarrassing. How embarrassing. How bloody embarrassing!

Faolan let free a breath of dismay. "Seriously. Once you're part of our guild, you better not have us worry like that again."

Kirin jumped. "You... were worried?"

"Of course! Who knows what could have happened to you? What if you didn't have magic? What if Katrina hadn't told me you were coming here alone? What if you died?"

Kirin's index fingers began poking each other.

Was Faolan scolding him? Sounded like it. Annoyance was pretty clear in that tone. Kirin had no complaints, of course. Except that he needed more than just reprimanding. Perhaps some sort of punishment? If Faolan was up to give one. He should seriously at least slap Kirin's wrist.

Faolan marched closer.

Wait, wait, wait! He's coming! He's coming! Is he actually gonna strike a belt? Oh please, oh please!

Faolan placed his hands on Kirin's shoulders.

"Huh?"

"Katrina told me why you came here alone."

"Wait. What?"

Kindness and concern twinkled in the man's glistening green eyes. "No one was wanting to party with you, right?"

"Oh." Kirin's face blanched. "When you ask it that way, it just sounds condescending. Not that I disapprove or anything. By all means, condescend me."

"Ah. Forgive me." An enchanting smile brightened Faolan's already radiant face. "What do you say you join our party?"

Kirin's heart thumped.

Join? Their party?

He was being invited. To a group. A group of people. People who could become his friends.

There was only one answer Kirin could possibly give.

Yes.

Yet, for some inconceivable reason, he was unable to part his lips to say it.

"First though." Faolan stepped back and rested his hands on his hips. "You gotta report to Master Chrisholm. Can't join our party if you can't join our guild, can you?"