Jotaro, Aiko, and Kira hurried when they saw the entrance to the kingdom in the distance. But just before crossing it, Kira raised her voice.
– Wait a moment! – she exclaimed, making the other two stop and look at her.
– What is it? – asked Aiko.
Kira frowned.
– Don't you realize that Jotaro isn't camouflaged?
– Camouflaged?... Oh no! I forgot to use the camouflage spell! – said Jotaro with a start, dropping the ogre's body. – I'll cast it right now.
– Do it quickly. I don't want us to get chased again like the first time we came here – said Kira.
– Yeah, got it – replied Jotaro, casting the spell in a hurry.
Once camouflaged, the three of them continued their way, still carrying the ogre's body. As they approached the main gate, Jotaro couldn't help but think:
– Won't the guards get scared when they see an ogre corpse? – he murmured to himself, then looked at Aiko. – Hey, Aiko, don't you think we should...?
But he didn't finish the sentence.
The guards, upon seeing them arrive with the corpse on their backs, simply stepped aside and let them through without saying a word.
– What...? Why didn't they say anything? – thought Jotaro, completely confused.
Aiko asked him:
– Hey Jotaro, were you going to tell me something?
– Y-yeah… but it's not necessary anymore.
– Are you sure? What were you going to say?
– I was just thinking we should hide the ogre so we don't scare the guards, but… clearly, they weren't scared at all.
– Of course not. Adventurers often bring back monsters they've hunted. It's normal – Aiko replied with a smile.
– I see... – Jotaro nodded.
They headed straight for the adventurer's guild, where they dropped the ogre's body in front of the counter, where Azumi, the receptionist, was waiting.
– Here's the ogre – said Jotaro.
Azumi was left speechless.
– I can't believe you defeated it! They're usually really tough, even for A-rank adventurers!
– Really? – Jotaro asked, surprised.
Kira stepped forward with a big grin.
– It's all thanks to Kira, who struck it with all her might!
– But you were the first one to be taken down – Jotaro teased, smiling.
– Shut up! – Kira shouted, blushing.
Jotaro and Aiko laughed, enjoying the moment.
– By the way, Jotaro, can I borrow your adventurer's card for a moment? – Azumi asked.
– Huh? What for?
– I just want to check something – she said.
– Alright, here you go.
Azumi then looked at Kira.
– I need yours too, Kira.
– Mine? – she asked, pointing at herself.
– Yes.
Kira took out her card and handed it over.
– Don't you need Aiko's too? – Jotaro asked, curious.
– No need. I only need yours and Kira's – Azumi replied.
She turned around and, with a finger, touched the rank on Jotaro's card. Instantly, the rank changed from D to B. Azumi whispered to herself:
– I knew it...
She repeated the process with Kira's card, and the same thing happened: Rank D changed to Rank B.
– Hey, Azumi – Jotaro asked – why did you want to see our cards?
She turned back to them with a kind smile.
– Sorry, I just wanted to check your ranks. Here you go.
She handed back the cards. Jotaro and Kira took them.
– Thanks – they both said.
Jotaro looked at his card.
– Wait, what?! Rank B?! – he exclaimed in disbelief.
– Mine changed too! – Kira shouted excitedly.
– But how did we rank up so fast?
– Probably because you accepted and completed an A-rank mission – Azumi explained.
– I see... so it was because of the ogre quest – said Jotaro.
– Exactly.
– But if we ranked up, why didn't you check Aiko's card too?
– That's true – added Kira. – She helped too.
– Aiko is already A-rank – Azumi explained. – To rank up further, she'd have to kill fifteen ogres or at least one dragon.
– I see… – Jotaro said, clearly impressed.
Kira raised her hand.
– By the way, Azumi… since we killed the ogre, don't we get a reward?
– A reward? Oh, of course! You mean the payment. Just a moment, please.
Azumi disappeared through the door behind the counter. While they waited, Jotaro turned to Aiko.
– Hey Aiko… after this, would you like to go somewhere?
– Huh? What?
– I asked if you'd like to go somewhere – he repeated.
– I guess… but where?
Jotaro paused, tapping his chin with his finger.
– Hmm… good question...
– What if we go eat at the Cavern? – Kira suggested.
– You're always thinking about food, aren't you? – Jotaro said with a smile.
– Of course not!
– Alright then. Let's eat first.
– Yaaay! – Kira shouted happily.
– And you, Aiko? Where would you like to go after?
– How about we go monster hunting? That way we can earn more money.
– Oh! Great idea! – Jotaro said.
– I'm in! That way we can see your strength in action, right, Jotaro? – added Kira.
– I guess so. Then it's decided. After we eat, we go hunting – Jotaro concluded.
Just then, Azumi returned with a sack of coins.
– Sorry for the wait. Here's your reward – she said, handing it to Jotaro.
– Thank you very much, Azumi – he replied.
– You're welcome.
– Alright, let's head to the Cavern – Jotaro announced.
– Yes, let's go! – said Kira excitedly.
As they walked toward the guild's exit, Jotaro asked:
– What are you going to order?
– A huge chunk of meat! – Kira answered without hesitation.
– I'll have carrot soup – said Aiko. – What about you?
– Same. I love carrot soup.
– I can't wait to get there and try that delicious meat! – Kira exclaimed, smiling.
– Me too – said Jotaro, sharing her smile.