Chapter 47 – From Stranger, to Partner, to Party
Chapter 47
From Stranger, to Partner, to Party
Date: Day 29 of Harvestmoon. 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Ina suggested they form party. The proposal was unexpected.
"So Elise's magic stones can be calculated as Hyoren's contribution too. I shouldn't suggest this… as it's kind of a loophole for newbies leeching off veterans. But I know from his posture that he is not actually a newbie."
She added. The assessment was accurate. Hyoren's bearing. His calmness. He had experience.
"Also think of this as an apology for my earlier behavior."
She said. The cat beastkin had pushed too far. Had teased too much.
"And because you are my friend, Elise."
Ina tried to earnestly apologize. Her expression was sincere. Her posture was humble.
Elise's ears twitched. The suggestion was considered. The apology was processed. Her shoulders released their tension.
"Sigh..."
She exhaled.
"Okay. I forgive you, Ina."
She said. The words were direct.
"And I know I can't change you. As long as you keep moderation on flirting with Hyoren... I won't strangle you."
She warned.
"And your suggestion about the party is actually good."
Ina's ears perked again. The reaction was joyful. The relief was evident. Her tail swished. The appendage betrayed her emotion. Happiness. Excitement. Satisfaction.
"So I can still flirt? Yay!"
She exclaimed. The interpretation was self-serving. The focus was on the permission. Not the restriction.
Elise shot another glare. The warning returned. The intensity resurged. The emerald eyes narrowed.
"In. Mo. De. Ra. Ti. On. Understand?"
She spoke each syllable distinctly. The word was not negotiable. The requirement was absolute.
Ina nodded frantically. The reaction was immediate. The threat was received. The boundary was understood.
"Understand, Elise. Understand."
She cleared her throat. The professional mask returned. The focus shifted. The business continued.
"So. What about the party?"
She asked. The topic was returned. The practical matter awaited resolution.
Hyoren nodded. The decision needed to be made.
"Forming an official party has already been one of our goal. So doing it earlier is fine."
He confirmed. The timing was acceptable.
"How to form a party, Ina? And what is a party? What's different from us traveling and fighting together without forming any party?"
He continued. The question was fundamental.
Ina straightened her pose. She began. Referencing her earlier comments. Building on previous information.
"Firstly... as I said above. Contributions made in a party mean every contribution is awarded to everyone in the party."
She explained. The core benefit.
"For example, Hyoren brings 40 stones. Elise brings 30. Without an official party... you only get what you each bring."
She contrasted. Separate credit. Individual points.
"But with a party, the Guild will count all, and will award you with points worth 70 stones each."
She clarified. Combined credit.
"Also, a lot of quests require you to be in a party. Some quests need minimum two, or three, and so on."
She noted. The list was not exhaustive. Additional advantages existed. Additional perks accrued.
"There are more benefits too. But basically… if you two are going to be together a lot… just form a party."
She concluded. The recommendation was simple.
Hyoren digested the explanation. The information was processed. The implications were considered.
"What about the demerit of forming a party then?"
He asked. He knew the principle. Every advantage had a corresponding disadvantage.
Ina put her finger on her chin. She pondered. The demerits were not as obvious as the benefits. But they existed.
"Hmm. Basically… almost none. It's just… you can get punished when your party member breaks rules or laws. And forming a party means working together. So you really need to trust the other member. Or there will be consequences."
She concluded.
Hyoren looked at Elise. She was looking at the ceiling. Her eyes wandered. But she seemed to see the past. Not the present. Memories played behind her gaze. Her expression was a bit dark.
He knew about her past. Some explicitly. Some implicitly. She had been through a lot. Ten years of being alone spoke by itself.
But now—she was with him. They had fought together. Survived together. Trusted each other. She had opened up. She had shared. She had formed a bond.
And he wanted to party with her. He made his decision.
"Okay, Ina. I will form a party."
The words were simple. But the commitment was significant.
***
Ina then raised her hand to the front. Asking for something.
"Okay. Now give me your two guild cards."
She instructed.
"And tell me your party name."
Hyoren widened his eyes. The surprise was immediate. The shock was evident.
"Party name? We need to name our party?"
He had not prepared for this. He had not considered it.
Ina's ears perked. The reaction was amusing.
"Of course. How can we track your party if it's unnamed?"
Hyoren then looked at Elise. Seeking her confirmation. Seeking her input. She was the veteran. She was the experienced adventurer. She would know what to do. What name to choose.
Elise met his gaze. Her emerald eyes found his. The connection was instant. The understanding was immediate. She saw his uncertainty. His hesitation. His unspoken plea for help.
And she smiled.
"I'll leave it to you, Hyoren."
She said. The delegation was clear. The responsibility was transferred.
"I will accept any name you pick."
The trust was extended. She would not interfere.
Hyoren's heart rate increased. The realization struck. She was not going to help. She was leaving it entirely to him.
He was not expecting this. He had assumed she would have input. Would have suggestions. Would have opinions. But no. She was deferring completely and entirely to him.
He was always bad at naming things. The memories flooded back. Melopple. The ridiculous name he had given to the fruit. Graptrus. Elise had always teased him. Mocked him. Corrected his naming sense with exasperation and amusement.
And now she was leaving the party name to him. The identity they would carry. The label that would define them.
He looked at Elise again. Hoping for reconsideration. Hoping for guidance. Hoping for something.
Elise nodded. The gesture was final. No escape.
"I leave it to you."
She repeated. The delegation was absolute.
"But if you pick something bad… then I will still accept it. But remember… I will be angry."
The warning was added. The stakes were raised. She would accept whatever he chose. But the consequence of a bad choice would be her displeasure.
Ina watched them with an amused expression. The dynamic was entertaining. The hesitation was understandable. The pressure was visible. Her tail swished behind her. Enjoying the show.
"Take your time, Hyoren."
She said. Her voice was teasing. Helpful. But also adding pressure.
"Remember... don't pick a bad name."
She warned.
"There is a case of a party disbanding just because after a while they felt the name was so cringe."
She revealed. The horror story was documented. A party had dissolved. Had fallen apart. Had ended. Simply because the name was embarrassing. Was cringe-worthy. Was unbearable.
"Hehehe."
She laughed. The sound was not reassuring. It added weight to the burden. It increased the pressure. The name mattered. The name was important. The name could determine the fate of the party.
It was not reassuring. It added more weight to him.
What was a good name?
He put his hands on his chin. Thinking.
Should I use Earth or Japanese names? Something from his previous life? Something from his original world?
No. Natives wouldn't know them. The references would be meaningless. The significance would be lost. The name would be empty. Hollow. Without context.
About Elf and Human? A name reflecting their races? Their composition?
If they got a Beastkin or Dwarf member in the future—the name won't hold. The label would be inaccurate.
Spearmen and Ranger? A party name reflecting their classes? Their combat roles?
He shook his head.
Damn it. Thinking about it already gave me cringe.
He thought more deeply.
What was my goal? What was Elise's goal? What was the party's purpose? Our purpose. Our journey.
The question required deeper consideration. Not just surface labels. Not just obvious descriptors. Something more meaningful. More significant.
We met in a forest. Our immediate goal was reaching cities. But that was not it. That was temporary. That was passing. What was deeper? What was fundamental?
He tried to remember. His and Elise's declaration. Their shared aspiration. To reach platinum rank. To become so strong that no amount of anything the world could throw at them would matter. To be powerful enough. Capable enough. Resilient enough.
Remembering Luminara and Noctynara's words. The twin goddesses who had summoned him. Who had given him this second chance. They had said it clearly. Plainly. He was not a Hero. He could live freely. He was not bound by destiny. Not constrained by prophecy. Not shackled by obligation.
That was it. He was free.
Their goal was—to be free from the constraints of their past and trauma. To live freely. Achieving their goals. Freedom to pick their own path. Their own objectives. Their own destiny.
To see the world. To see towns, sea, mountains, forest, and anything this new world of his can offer. To journey to the unknown.
To became strong, so they can be free.
The goal Elise had shared. To become stronger so nothing can bound them anymore. The freedom to pursue that dream. To choose that goal.
Freedom.
The word resonated. The absence of constraint. The ability to choose. The power to determine one's own path.
Their shared aspiration. Their common goal. Their mutual purpose.
"Freedom Party."
The name came out from Hyoren's mouth. Spoken before he could second-guess himself. Before doubt could intervene. Before hesitation could paralyze.
The words hung in the air. It was simple. Cliched even. But it was the name which define them.
Elise's mouth was agape at first. She had not anticipated this. Had not predicted the direction of his thinking.
But understanding followed.
She knew their goal. Knew his circumstances. Knew the significance of the word. The weight it carried. The meaning it held.
And this name truly reflected it.
She nodded. The approval was granted.
"Freedom Party."
She repeated. The name was spoken again.
"That's good. Simple. But conveys a lot of weight behind that simplicity."
Ina also smiled.
"So you two decided?"
She asked. Confirmation was needed.
Both Elise and Hyoren spoke at the same time. The unity was instant. The agreement was simultaneous.
"Yes. Freedom Party."
The declaration was made. The choice was finalized. The identity was established.
Both of them then gave their guild cards to Ina.
Ina inserted the cards into the same magic tool as before. The device that had recorded Hyoren's information. The mechanism that had created his identity. Now it would record their partnership. Their party.
She put the party registration into the system. The data was entered. Freedom Party. The name was now in the Guild's records.
"Now. Put your two hands on the glass. And pour your Aethell again. It will officiate your party."
Hyoren and Elise did as instructed. They placed their hands on the glass. Side by side. The surface was cool beneath their palms.
They poured their Aethell into the device. The energies mingled. Combined. The tool shone again. Then—complete. The light faded.
Ina picked up the guild cards. She handed them to Hyoren and Elise. Each received their own card.
Hyoren checked. His eyes scanned the card. The information was displayed. His name. His rank. His branch. His role. His class. All the same as before.
Except one blank information was now filled:
Party: Freedom Party.
***
Both Hyoren and Elise looked at their own guild cards. Their eyes stared at the party name.
Ina then coughed. The sound was deliberate. She spoke. Her voice was professional again.
"Now. Can I process the magic stones?"
Hyoren and Elise looked at each other. The eye contact was brief. They chuckled. They had been lost in the moment.
Then they faced Ina. Ready to proceed.
"Yes, please."
Ina then went to the shelves. Her small frame moved with grace. She took another box. Another white box. The top was open. A funnel-like hole was visible.
She put it on the table. Then she poured the magic stones into the hole. First Hyoren's pouch. Then followed by Elise’s.
Ina then touched the flat glass pane on one of the sides. The activation was initiated. The box glowed slightly. The device began its work. Counting. Analyzing the contents.
She then widened her eyes.
"What is with this amount?"
She locked her eyes on Hyoren. The gaze was intense. Then to Elise. The examination continued. The evaluation shifted.
"If I’m correct… Hyoren's pouch is heavier than Elise's. And this number..."
She trailed off.
"My assessment earlier was correct."
She concluded.
"You are definitely not a newbie Hyoren. This result. This amount of magic stones. Not even Iron rank can achieve this within a month."
Elise smiled. The expression was warm. Genuine. She was proud of Hyoren.
"That's because Hyoren is strong."
She said that. The statement was simple.
Ina's eyes went predatory for a bit. The change was subtle. The earlier flirtation. The earlier playfulness. Those were different. This was something else. Something deeper. More intense.
But Hyoren saw it. He caught the shift. The transformation of her gaze. It was different compared to before. Earlier, the predatory look was playful. Teasing. This was more. Raw. This was genuine interest. Genuine recognition of a valuable specimen. But as fast as it appeared—it was gone. Replaced with professionalism. The mask returned.
Elise didn't catch that. She had not seen the shift. Had not noticed the momentary transformation. Her attention had been on Hyoren.
Hyoren then asked. The question was innocent. But probing. To assess Ina's reaction.
"Is the number really surprising, Ina?"
Ina, who was recording the tally on paper, gave it to Hyoren.
Her ears stood still. Focused. Attentive. Her tail was still too. Not swishing. Not swaying.
"See it yourself, Hyoren..."
He took the paper. His eyes scanned the record. The categories were listed. The counts were displayed. The breakdown was clear.
The numbers were truly plenty. He had felt the pouch was heavy. But the magic stones were tiny. Small crystals. Individual units. He had not realized the number was this significant.
But as he had also leveled up to level 6—that meant he had grinded a lot of monsters. Experience required kills. Kills produced stones.
Goblins : 211 Magic Stones
Goblin Fighters : 41 Magic Stones
Goblin Warriors : 2 Magic Stones
Green Wolves : 16 Magic Stones
Alpha Green Wolves : 1 Magic Stone.
Dreamblooms : 3 Magic Stones.
"The numbers speak for themselves."
Ina said. Her voice was quiet.
"But you two… really fought an Apex. And actually killed it? Something that might require multiple bronze rank parties to fight."
Hyoren smiled wryly. The expression was modest. The admission was honest.
"We just got lucky. And we both had our own trump cards. We barely won, though. Elise's arrows and our potions were depleted. Our armor torn. My weapon destroyed."
Ina still couldn't believe it.
"But still… How..."
Elise's eyes narrowed. The question probed too deep. Touched on secrets. On abilities. On things that could not be revealed. They needed to keep Hyoren's Unique Skill—Berserker—secret.
"Ina. That was a breach of etiquette."
The rebuke was gentle. But unmistakable.
Ina winced. The reaction was immediate. The correction was received. She had crossed a line.
"Elise. I know. It's just..."
Her voice trailed off.
"Unbelievable… But you are right. I won't pry..."
She promised.
"...but this means… Hyoren is truly a force to be reckoned with."
Ina smiled. But her eyes were truly assessing him. The look was evaluating. She had found really good prey. A powerful individual. A man worth pursuing.
But as she had promised Elise—she would not try to steal him. She sighed. The frustration was evident. The opportunity was recognized. But forbidden.
And she forced herself back to professionalism. The mask returned.
“Okay then. To tally your magic stones. Goblins worth 3,000 Kres each. Fighters 5,000 Kres each. Warriors 12,000 Kres each. Green Wolves 10,000 Kres each. Dreamblooms 8,000 Kres Each.”
She paused.
"This Alpha. I suggest you sell it at a different shop. We will only buy it for 50,000 Kres. You might find a better buyer at other shops."
She suggested. Specialty buyers. Those who valued rare materials. They would pay more.
Hyoren then took the Alpha magic stone back. He gave it to Elise. She would secure it with other Alpha materials.
"Thank you, Ina, for the suggestion."
He expressed gratitude.
"So what's the tally?"
Ina then looked at the paper. The numbers were reviewed. The calculation was verified.
"All of that, minus Alpha… the total price is… 1,046,000 Kres."
Hyoren's eyes widened.
"Over 1 million Kres?"
He repeated.
"That was..."
He struggled to find a comparison. To contextualize the amount.
"...over 100 days of a day laborer's earnings!"
Elise chuckled beside him. The reaction was amused. She touched his shoulder. To calm him.
"That's why, Hyoren. I said before…you don't need to worry about me paying for all the necessary stuff first."
The understanding dawned over him. Elise kept reminding him that he would earn more than enough money to start his life. His 50 days of survival and grinding monsters was not a small feat.
***
Ina went to a secure box nearby. The container was metal. It sat against the wall. She placed her hand on the surface. Her Aethell signature activated the lock.
The box clicked open. She took a few coins from it. She counted quickly. After closing it again—she returned to the desk. Ina then gave the coins to Hyoren.
"Okay. Your payment... count it."
Hyoren took the coins.
1 silver coin. Bigger than bronze. The size difference was noticeable. Similar symbol etched on the surface. The Zalkier Symbol. The mark of this world's currency. Alongside it—4 bronze coins. And 60 copper coins.
He nodded. The number was accurate. The payment was proper. He looked at Elise. She also nodded. He put the coins in one of his smaller pouches. His first earnings as an adventurer. His first payment as a registered professional.
"Thank you, Ina."
He expressed gratitude.
Ina nodded. The acknowledgment was returned. Then she extended her hand.
"Now, give me your guild card. I will update it."
Hyoren tilted his head. Confused. The request was unexpected. He had just received the card. What more was needed?
Ina's face showed exasperation. The reaction was mild. But evident.
Elise touched his shoulder. Her voice was soft. Amused.
"Hyoren. We earned over 1 million Kres."
She reminded him.
"That means we also earn contribution points. Fufufu."
She chuckled. The sound was playful. She was enjoying his confusion.
Realization dawned over him. The understanding came late.
His face flushed. Embarrassed. He had been so focused on the money. That he had forgotten about contribution points.
"Sorry. Talking about that amount of money made me forget about that."
Hyoren then gave back his card.
Both Elise and Ina chuckled. The amusement was mutual. The new adventurer had been overwhelmed by his first payment. It was understandable. It was endearing.
Ina then took his card. She put it on the magic tools again.
"From your magic stones—you earned a total of 104.6 points. This means you advance to Iron Rank straight away."
She continued.
"And you will have 94.6 points leftover. You only need 5.4 points to reach Copper. Talk about record-breaking speed."
Ina shook her head. The gesture was incredulous. The result was extraordinary. Her cat ears swayed. Even her body language showed amazement.
She then gave back the card.
Hyoren checked. The same data as before. But one line had changed. His rank was now truly Iron. Not Wood anymore.
Elise beside him looked proud. Her expression was warm.
Ina then coughed. The sound was deliberate. She spoke. Her voice was inquiring.
"So. Anything else you two want?"
Elise looked at the window. The suns were almost gone. The dual lights that illuminated this world were descending. The night was starting to descend.
Hyoren looked at Elise. She shook her head.
"Okay, Ina. Maybe that's all for today. Thank you for your time."
Ina smiled. The expression was warm.
The three of them stood. They then left the room. Back to the main hall of the Guild.
But the hall was different now. The hall was starting to become busy. Adventurers were returning. The evening crowd was arriving. Those who had left early in the morning. Those who had completed their quests. Those who had finished their work.
The noise level had increased. Voices filled the space. Footsteps echoed on the floor. The Guild was alive.
Hyoren and Elise waved to Ina.
"See you tomorrow, Ina."
Hyoren said.
"Remember your promise, Ina. See you..."
Elise’s farewell was soft, but laced by warning.
Hyoren and Elise then walked toward the exit.
Ina smiled. Her expression was warm. Her tail swished. The appendage moved with contentment. Her ears perked.
She waved. The gesture was returned.
And as they were already almost reaching the door—Ina shouted. Her voice carried across the hall. The words were meant to be heard. The teasing was not over.
"If you get bored of him… please give him to me!"
She called.
"If it's with him… maybe it will make me stop hunting for men and finally settle for life."
She added. The implication was significant.
"Fufufu."
Her laugh was teasing. The sound was mischievous. The provocation was deliberate.
Elise turned around. Huffing. The sound was exasperated.
"Ina! Never!"
She declared. The rejection was absolute. She then turned around and grabbed Hyoren's arm. Her grip was firm.
Then she exited the guild. Pulling him along. Leading the way. Ina's amused laughter was behind them.