"You're heading to the Adventurer's Guild too?" "Prim?" she asked, her voice bright with curiosity.
"That's our destination as well," Beatrice added, her tone measured but intrigued.
"Then why don't we travel together?" I suggested it casually, the idea popping into my head. "More people means we're better equipped to handle any trouble, right?"
I backtracked a bit, realizing I might've been too forward. "Uh, unless you've got other plans… no pressure, of course."
"No, we'd love to!" Prim replied eagerly, her enthusiasm catching me off guard. "Traveling with an S-Class adventurer? That's such an honor!"
"It's a privilege," Beatrice agreed, her expression softening slightly, a rare hint of warmth in her voice.
Karen chuckled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Sounds good to me. I'm in."
"The more, the merrier," she added, her tone light. "Journeys are always better with company."
"Alright, it's settled then," I said, a grin spreading across my face.
And so, our party of two became four, the road to the Adventurer's Guild now shared with Prim and Beatrice.
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Karen POV:
From the moment I laid eyes on Kairi, something stirred within me—a pull I couldn't quite name. His power, the way he felled the demon with a single, decisive strike, revealed a strength and resolve that captivated me. When he held me in his arms, his toughness and warmth seeped into my skin, igniting a spark that went beyond mere physical attraction. Yes, our intimate moments were a catalyst, but they weren't the sole reason I found myself drawn to him, my heart quickening with every glance.
Each moment we spent together only deepened that feeling, my chest fluttering with an unfamiliar excitement. Perhaps it was because my life as an adventurer, which began in my early teens, had left little room for men my age. Those I did encounter either cowered in fear of my S-Class reputation, dismissed me as a woman unworthy of their respect, or leered at me with undisguised lust—none ever saw me as an equal, let alone a potential partner. Romance had always been a distant concept, an impossibility in my world of blades and battles.
Then came Kairi. He was different. He neither feared me nor belittled me, nor did he approach me with crude desire. Instead, he treated me with a rare, genuine neutrality—a respect that felt like a breath of fresh air. Being with him, whether in battle or in quieter moments, brought a joy I hadn't known, each encounter stoking the embers of something new, something thrilling. Now, those embers had kindled into a clear, undeniable flame: I was falling for him.
I want to take a bolder step, I thought, my resolve hardening. I want to deepen my bond with Kairi…!
Tonight, staying at the inn might be the perfect chance to confront these feelings, to confirm what lies between us, and to define our connection once and for all.
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The evening sun dipped below the horizon as our carriage rolled into a small town, its cobblestone streets lined with modest shops and taverns, the air carrying the faint scent of baked bread and woodsmoke.
"We'll stay here tonight," Karen announced, her voice calm but carrying a hint of anticipation. "We'll depart tomorrow morning and should reach the guild by noon. Oh, and I'll cover all the lodging costs."
"Wow, Karen, that's generous!" Prim chirped, her pink hair bouncing as she beamed.
"Thank you," Beatrice added, her silver ponytail swaying as she nodded politely.
"Well, it's an S-Class thing, right?" I teased, grinning at Karen.
She shrugged, a faint smile playing on her lips. "It's custom for the highest-ranking adventurer to cover expenses in situations like this. And since I invited you along, Kairi, it's only natural I take care of it."
"That feels a bit unfair," I protested. "I'm happy to chip in—"
"No way," Karen cut me off, her tone firm but warm. "I won't hear of it. This is on me."
"Alright, fine," I relented, chuckling at her insistence.
"From now until morning, you're free to do as you please," Karen said, addressing the group. "Let's meet in the lobby tomorrow morning."
With that, our party disbanded, each of us drifting off to explore the town or settle into the inn.
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"But what do I do now…?" I muttered, wandering aimlessly through the inn's first floor, the wooden boards creaking under my steps. The evening stretched ahead, empty and uneventful, leaving me restless.
"You look bored," a familiar voice called out, smooth and teasing.
I turned to find Karen leaning against a wall, her fiery red hair catching the glow of the nearby lanterns, her emerald eyes glinting with a playful spark. "I'm bored too," she admitted, stepping closer.
"Karen?" I said, surprised, my pulse quickening at her sudden proximity.
"Why don't we… talk in my room for a bit?" she suggested, her gaze intense, almost feverish, as if her eyes were pleading—or perhaps inviting me into something more. My heartbeat surged, a mix of nerves and anticipation flooding my senses.
"Uh, Karen…?" I stammered, caught off guard by the shift in her demeanor.
She smirked, a sultry edge to her expression. "I'm quite the carnivore, you know," she purred, her voice low and bewitching, her eyes gleaming with a magnetic allure that made it impossible to look away.