“So we have to apply for a position at the Guriera company?” Maria queried once more as the group walked along the busy road. It was just another day in Ugras, with people hustling and bustling around, minding their business. However, unlike usual days, the air was filled with the taste of anxiety. Compared to the jovial laughs and the cheery talks from before, everyone seemed to be a lot more despondent.

There were several wrecked houses now, with some people shifting through the wreckage, scavenging whatever supplies they could. The roads were busy only because the people were anxious to leave Ugras now.

“Mm. Yep. The Guriera trading company is apparently a powerful organization in this area, and the only reason they put up the request was because they were struck by the earthquake.” Yuuya shot a praising look at Mili, who had gathered all this information on her own. There was no system that was more efficient for information than the Adventurer’s Guild. Rumors were easy to find at the guild, especially for the ones willing to listen. Yuuya found it slightly amusing that those battle hardened veterans might gossip as much as the housewives back on Earth.

“So, they’re what, transporting supplies?” Maria asked. Yuuya nodded as he replied. “Yep. They must have other branches too. They might be evacuating as well.” Maria looked doubtful as she continued. “But since the area is in such a state now, can’t they reap some profit?”

Yuuya looked surprised at the way the seemingly innocent Maria thought up things. Mili quickly interjected as she replied. “That might be the case if they sold needed supplies. However, the Guriera company is more specialized in selling treasures and other rare to find things. Their clientele are mostly the rich aristocrats, and even they’re fleeing town now.”

Yuuya sighed self-depreciatingly, thinking of how experienced both Maria and Mili seemed in the art of business. As if sensing his feelings, Saki lunged forward to hastily pat his shoulder. The group kept moving, occasionally asked for directions, finally arriving at a grand yet dilapidated building with a half crushed board.

Yuuya looked confusedly at the grand entrance, which was blocked with rubble. A voice greeted them from the side. “Huh, you guys must be here for the quest.” Yuuya turned to look at a man with balding hair, wearing spiked black armor with a scar across his cheek. Yuuya nodded in reply. The man perused them for a moment, his eyes lingering on Maria and the rest. Yuuya fidgeted, clearly showing displeasure. The man suddenly shifted his eyes to Yuuya and replied. “Meh. You lot look acceptable. What rank are you?”

“Gold ranked party, Dusk Hunters.” Maria took over as she replied. The man seemed to think of it as funny as questioned, “A gold ranked party? Didn’t you read the quest’s recommended rank? It’s a Platinum ranked quest. And you lot seem like amateurs.” Maria smiled as she calmly replied, “But we completed a Platinum ranked quest to get here.” She tossed her adventurer card over to the man. With a grunt, he turned it over and whispered something indistinct. Magic words? And a language I haven’t heard of, no less. Yuuya noted. The man tossed it back to Maria as he continued. “Well, that’s fine enough I guess. I’m Filrek, captain of the Guriera guards. You can head over to the Ugras entrance, the cargo will be there. You’ll have to manage for your food and other needs on your own. And also, you can’t have these many lackeys with you.” Filrek finished, gesturing at Saki and Mili.

“For one, Mili is an adventurer too, and Saki will tag along with us. It’s not like a single person more is a bother to you. Also, we’re taking care of our own needs, and they count amongst it.” Yuuya coldly replied. The man seemed a bit irritated as he snapped back. “Doesn’t matter anyways. If you want to use our convoy to escort two nobodies, we’ll have to deduct your pay appropriately.” Yuuya didn’t seem to mind as he shrugged. However, Maria wasn’t so easy to please. “Deduct? By how much? It’s sixty per adventurer, so how much will you deduct it by for bringing them?” Filrek rubbed his chin as he thought. Finally, he replied, “Alright. How about this? 5 silvers each for each of them. That’s fifty silvers for the both of you if you do your cut of the job. Fair enough?”

Surprising Filrek and even Yuuya, Maria immediately pulled out a parchment and began scribbling on it. Finally, she addressed Filrek, “Sign here please. We wouldn’t want you reneging on your word.” Filrek chuckled wryly as bit his finger and rubbed a streak of red on the yellow parchment. “Careful, you are. That’s good.” Filrek looked at her with appraising eyes. “Well then, you lot can head over to the main camp. The others will be there.” Maria nodded and left, with the others in tow.

“Where did that come from?” Yuuya asked, a little bit of surprise lingering in his voice. Although he would think of asking how much exactly the payment would be reduced, he wouldn’t be cautious enough to ask for a written agreement. Maria smiled proudly as she replied, “Oh please, I’ve been an adventurer for 2 years now. Adventurers work for money. And unless you’re shrewd enough, you’ll always be broke.” She proudly extracted a bag from her boot and jingled it to emphasize her point.

“It’s no surprise that Maria is smarter than Yuuya.” Mili chipped in innocently. Yuuya laughed awkwardly as he remembered how the party at Ravenblack had tried to steal credit for his deeds. Although the claim by the shopkeeper had earned Yuuya his Silver rank, it was still an oversight by him to not think of the consequences. I still have a lot to learn, huh. Yuuya chuckled inwardly as he thought of this.

As they neared the gates of Ugras, they were surprised to see a long bustling queue standing there. Most of the people carried bags and whatever they could carry, and whole families were present, ready to leave. Mili seemed somber as she looked at the scene. Most of the people had despairing looks on their faces, fear clear in their eyes as it continuously darted back at Ugras, as if fearing another monster bursting through the earth and causing a calamity.

“Ugras… is going through tough times now, isn’t it?” Maria asked hesitatingly. Yuuya smiled darkly as he replied, “Tough times is understating it Maria. Ugras will probably keep declining at this rate. This damage, it won’t be easy to fix.” Yuuya cast an eye towards the city that once was Ugras. Its formerly prestige was gone, with a cataclysmic hole gaping in the middle of it. A dark aura pervaded the air, seemingly suffocating people. Mili nodded as she added, “The nature energy here has been tarnished. And with the large blow it suffered, people will only keep leaving. This will only lead to a decline of economy in Ugraok too. “

“Well, it’s not like we can magically fix it.” Yuuya added as he noticed the gloom in the air once again. “We’re adventurers, and there’s still a large world for us to adventure in!” Yuuya added cheerfully. Saki, her face a bit saddened, grabbed onto the hem of Yuuya’s tunic. With heavy hearts, they moved to the end of the queue.

“Oh! Master Yuuya!” One of the guards that were struggling to keep the line in check brightened up as he noticed Yuuya and his group. He waved towards them and gestured them to come over. Curious, they waded through the crowd to meet the guard.

“I don’t know if Master Yuuya recognizes me, for we only met that day. But Captain Farkas told us to tell you that he’ll be here in Ugras, so no need to search the world for me…. kid.” The guard added with a hint of hesitation, as if worried Yuuya would be offended. However, contrary to his expectations, a beaming smile split Yuuya’s face. “That old man. I would like to trouble you to tell him that I’ll definitely beat him the next time!” The soldier looked shocked hearing such a statement, taking a moment before nodding his understanding.

He began to leave before he turned around and asked again. “Is Master Yuuya leaving Ugras? If so, I can get you past the queue.” The soldier offered. “But wouldn’t it-?” Yuuya began, but was interrupted by the soldier as he explained. “The queue is only forming because all those who are leaving need to provide and inventory of all they’re taking away and proof identity. It’s just a legal formality. But since Master Yuuya and the others are adventurers, and have also been vouched for by Captain Farkas, you don’t have to provide such documents.” Since the soldier was more than willing to get him past this, Yuuya also acquiesced.

The soldier nodded well naturedly after seeing Yuuya and the others off beyond the city walls. This was apparently a military exclusive exit, and so Yuuya encountered no problem exiting. They set off once more, heading towards the convoy’s meeting place. As they walked, Maria questioned, “Yuuya, who’s this Captain Farkas?” Yuuya smiled as he explained all that happened with Farkas, only leaving out the circumstances of why they met.

Once they reached the rendezvous point of the convoy, they were mildly surprised to see that the people there were already preparing to set off. A line of carts stood ready, a trio of Curas harnessed at the front. However, unlike their feral kin, these were quite docile, and it also seemed like their sharp claws were reduced to mere snubs.

“Are you the last two for the spots?” A man with a bird called out as he saw them heading towards the convoy. Nodding, Maria showed them her adventurer card for proof. The man nodded as he replied, “Mm. Filrek had sent word ahead about you two. I’m Tirel, the representative of the company. You people be quiet and not make trouble now. Filrek will tell you what jobs to do.” He stroked the bird tenderly. Yuuya noted that the bird seemed to be quite special. It had something that seemed like a brand cut into its beak, and he could detect hints of magic from it. Maria nodded at the man and beckoned at Yuuya to follow her.

The other adventurers didn’t talk to them much, except a young man with glasses who amiably waved at them. The others were more reserved, minding their own business. Yuuya however noticed that the number of adventurers exceeded the 12 spots that were offered. Probably because they’re leaving Ugras as well. And Ugraok too, with this quest.

The people from the Gurier company all wore dark blue robes embroidered with a wilting rose. They seemed to be in quite a hurry as they hustled and bustled around the 4 carts, chaining them together and preparing the Curas. Yuuya began inspecting his sword since he was bored, and Maria took to her new bow, adjusting it to its peak condition.

As they checked their equipment, Yuuya noticed that three of Maria’s arrows seemed thicker and different from the rest. Curious, he asked, “Maria, what is with those bows of yours?” It was as if an electric current had passed through her as Maria immediately became quite jittery. Like a child getting a gift, she carefully but excitedly took out one of the bows.

“Yuuya, remember that day when you told me about innovating the arrows and making more?” Maria could barely hold in her excitement as she handed him the arrow. To Yuuya’s surprise, even the shaft of the arrow was thicker than normal. As he rubbed his fingers against the uniformly coarse arrow, he was stunned to discover that the body was lined with several threads folded on one another. “I had to spend a bit of my savings, but I managed to buy some Golden Wing Spider’s webs. I even had an Artificer look at it, so if all is well, the arrow should-“

“Fire with a tensile wire attached to it….” Yuuya murmured, almost dazed. Did she just manage to make something like an arrow grappling hook? “Mm! But I’m not sure if it’ll work as expected though. I wanted to compress the wire in order to make it work as I want, but the folding might affect the trajectory.” Yuuya was joyous as he handed the arrow back to Maria. “It’s no matter Maria. All starting steps are slow. I’m amazed you actually made one in our time in Ugras.” Maria laughed as she replied, “Heh Yuuya, you’re not the only one who went for secret training. Even Mili went to some magic courses and Saki al-“

It was as if an electric current passed through Mili and Saki as they dove at Maria. Saki was faster, even tackling Maria to the ground in an attempt to stop her from talking. Yuuya chuckled as he saw the trio play around. Even they’re trying to become stronger. As expected, to survive, one must always keep moving forward.

“Alright, that’s enough for now. We’re about to set out now, you guys.” Tirel called out. “Filrek is here now, and he’ll assign you your chores.”