What’s this shaking? AN EARTHQUAKE??

“Yo, are you awake yet?

…

Wake up.

Wake up.

WAKE UP.

WAKE UP.”

Oh, never mind, it was just Leif shaking my bed, trying to wake me up.

“What is wrong with you?

It’s far too early for you to be this loud.”

“It’s already nine o’clock. Let’s go get breakfast.

HURRY HURRY.

Plus, I have a surprise in store for you.”

Huh? What is he talking about?

“What’s up?”

“You still need to meet the rest of my party, remember?”

“Of course, I’ll be there.”

Right, he did mention it briefly.

He had recently just arrived in Ayla with his two cousins. I believe their names were Sif and Hil-something.

Given that they were the daughters of their tribe’s Warchief, their arrival in Tayma was to negotiate a military alliance with Tayma’s Lord and encourage one of his cousins into a diplomatic marriage to ease such agreements.

It’s really despicable to use these tactics, but this world is still in its feudal age, so I understand the reason. I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t forced onto them.

Nonetheless, sailing from the Frozen waste to Tayma was a remarkable achievement.

By the sound of things, only a few intrepid souls were eager to risk the journey, and even fewer were those who made it.

At that moment, my respect for Leif increased significantly.

Why is Leif even so friendly to me? He and his party are undoubtedly very experienced, so what does he stand to gain? Not like I had anything worth robbing anyway.

------

As we had just started heading down the inn’s narrow halls, he stopped by the room next door, room 16. This imbecile was banging on the door so loudly that I began to wonder whether he was trying to just knock or barge in by force. I was sure by now he’d woken those residing in the neighbouring room… I’d have to make sure I apologised later if I happened to run into them.

“Could you knock any louder? I’m sure room 15 is excited to be woken up by you.”

He just looked at me and chuckled.

How long are they planning on making us wait?

It had been more than 2 minutes, and Leif’s banging was only getting louder.

I’m genuinely sorry for whoever was trying to rest in room 15. On second thought, what if room 15 was hosting one of those easily irritable muscleheads? Maybe I shouldn’t apologise and just run.

I swear I’ll change my life and start attending church every day. Just please, whichever god hears my call, don’t let me die again in such a stupid way. Amen.

Finally, the door opened and out came two menacing-looking women.

“Morning!”

“Good morning Leif.”

“So, how did your quest go yesterday?”

“It was fine, but it’d have been much easier if we had your shadowstep skill.”

“Hahaha, I’m sorry, I just had some errands to run,” he said with a smug face.

Did he…? Didn’t he spend the whole day with me after finding me on the road? I’m starting to think he might not be that great of an adventurer. This dude is just carried by his party…

At that moment, my respect for Leif had decreased significantly.

“Then how much did they pay us?”

“500 aurei after the quest, and we need to go pick up the other 500 today.”

“Sweet. That should cover our inn for two more weeks.”

“Who is he?” murmured the blonde girl, puzzledly glancing at me.

“Right, I still have to introduce you two to Clay-y…

Sorry, I still don’t know what’s your surname?”

“S-”

WAIT, no one knows my last name here. I can stop having such a stupid surname. What should I say instead? Oh, I could use one of those cool biblical names.

“Azazel. Clay Azazel.”

Fuck. This is too edgy, but now it’s too late, too bad, I’ll just run with it.

“Oh, okay then, that’s an unusual last name, first time I’ve heard it.”

“Well, Clay, they are my cousins and adventure pals, Sif and Hilda Thorvald.”

And he’s Clay Azazel. He joined our party yesterday.”

“Leif, you do realise I’m still the leader, right? We’ll see about it.”

“PLEASE, SIF. PLEASE DO IT FOR ME.”

Is Leif like a loser? Are they with him just because he’s their cousin and their parents forced them? Maybe that’s why he picked me up, to be his friend? Losers attract each other.

Sif exuded such a powerful presence. Even without seeing them spar, I somehow knew Leif could not land a scratch on her. She also looked nothing like them.

While Hilda and Leif had a lot of northern traits, with their borderline ashy white blonde and blue eyes, they were so stereotypical Norse Vikings it was almost funny.

Hilda even played the part. Her attire was on par with their typical image. Braiding her hair, revealing the left side of her head along the runes tattooed on it. Donning a horned helmet hanging on the side of her hip, chain armour and wolf pelt leaving only her arms and part of her face exposed. Additionally, a big round wooden shield on her back and a weary axe that had seen better days was covered in runes.

On the other hand, Sif had wavy black hair and a deeper complexion tone, similar to what Turkish people would have in my world.

I couldn’t help but wonder whether she had been adopted, was merely from a different mother for diplomatic reasons, or was the result of adultery. Still, I had no right to ask a stranger with whom I had never shared words before this morning about her family’s affairs.

I should probably quit speculating right now.

Her armour was also unique, and one of the most gorgeous I’d ever seen, even compared to those in video games.

The chain armour was barely visible under her neckpiece. It was all covered by a mostly merlot red dress. Two black stripes ran along its sides and extended to the forearms, leaving its shoulder red.

In the centre of her chest, a yellow tulip was emblazoned on her clothing.

Is that some form of a noble family crest?

Her bracelets, shoulder pieces, waist armour, and boots were all black metallic and laired and embellished with a golden flower and vine theme, with all of it encompassing its sides in gold.

The skirt was wrapped under the waist armour with long black and golden silk-like straps that reached her knees, mimicking the Roman “pteruges.”

Despite all of the intricate decorations on the armour. What struck my attention the most was a golden pendant that was partially open, revealing a picture of a woman our age.

Its beauty had me spellbound.

“Anyway, let’s hurry on downstairs and spend some of the money.”

“Pay for your breakfast yourself. You good for nothing.”

“Come on, don’t be that way, Sif, pleaseee, I’m starving, and I’m starting to run low on funds.”

I’m feeling a little bad. It must be because he spent so much on our drinks and food yesterday. But also, how is this guy such an idiot. Why would he spend all of his allowances on me?

“Okay, we’ll spot you today too, but tomorrow you’re coming with us on a quest.”

“THANK YOU SO MUCH. I love you so much Sif.”

“Just shut up. Let’s go then. Also, you better tell me more about yourself later. Though, we can’t come with you right now. We need to visit the guild quickly to get the rest of our pay, and I have to visit the armoury with Hilda.”

Sif went through her punch and handed Leif a bunch of shiny silver coins before shutting the door in our face.

She’s terrifying. What the fuck am I supposed to say to her? Leif did say I could join his group, but he was lying to me when he claimed he was the leader. I’d best think up a reason to get into their party as soon as possible, or I’ll be homeless.