“They’re back!”
No one knew who shouted it first but soon, everyone’s attention was stolen by a group of people walking through the main street.
Some were injured and some were alright which was exactly why all eyes were focused on them.
“It’s them, the missing people!” Someone cried out and soon, everyone began to make different noises.
“Yes, they’ve been rescued!”
“Someone finally decided to save them!”
Amidst the chanting, Damien and Aquila roamed the skies, circling around the people like preys that had found predators. This action made the people’s chants even more heated.
“That’s definitely the man who rescued them!”
“He looks really capable!”
The sound of cheers filled the air as Damien and the others arrived back at the town.
People crowded the streets, their murmurs turning to shouts of joy as familiar faces emerged among the rescued.
Families and friends rushed forward to greet those who had been missing, tears of relief streaming down many cheeks. Some began to clap, and soon the entire gathering erupted into applause, celebrating the return of their loved ones.
The relief was obvious to all, but beneath it lingered an unspoken truth. For every person who returned, there were others who hadn’t made it back.
The absence of those faces was a shadow that no one dared to address. Instead, they focused on those who had survived, offering congratulations and kind words, masking the weight of loss.
When Aquila finally touched down from the sky, a collective gasp rippled through the crowd.
Many backed away in fear, unsure whether the magnificent beast was friend or foe. Now that the beast was closer to them, its aura felt suffocating. Its sharp talons glinted in the sunlight, and its powerful wings stirred the air as it landed gracefully in the center of the square.
Before panic could spread, one of the rescued individuals stepped forward, waving their hands frantically. “It’s him! That’s the man who saved us!”
The murmurs turned to exclamations of awe and gratitude. The crowd burst into applause once more, this time directed squarely at Damien.
He easily dismounted Aquila, a faint smile playing on his lips as he dismissed the summon. Aquila vanished into a shimmering portal, leaving the crowd stunned at the sight of magic they rarely encountered.
Damien faced the group of rescued individuals and gestured toward the nearby healers stationed in the town square. “Go and get yourselves treated. Make sure you’re all properly taken care of.”
Many of them paused to thank him again, bowing their heads and clasping his hands in gratitude before moving off to seek aid.
Damien nodded at each of them, his smile widening slightly at their appreciation. As the crowd began to disperse, he turned toward the streets, setting his sights on the Mercenary office.
The applause and murmurs faded behind him as Damien strode purposefully through the bustling streets. The town seemed alive with activity, the relief of the returned captives lifting the spirits of everyone he passed.
Yet, Damien’s focus remained fixed. His success on the mission had given him a strange mix of satisfaction and restlessness. There was always another task to be done, another demon to hunt.
Within minutes, he arrived at the Mercenary office. He pushed open the door to find Arielle standing at the counter, organizing a stack of papers. She looked up as the door swung open, a spark of recognition lighting her face when she saw him.
“Well, if it isn’t our local hero,” she teased with a grin.
Damien smirked and approached the counter, handing her the scroll from his mission. “I’m all done.”
Arielle unrolled it and immediately noticed the black mark that signified its completion.
“You made quick work of this,” she said, her tone a mix of admiration and curiosity.
“It was manageable,” Damien replied nonchalantly.
Arielle scanned the scroll for details and glanced back at Damien. “So, what rank was it? Grade Five? Or higher?”
“Grade Four,” Damien said firmly.
Arielle raised an eyebrow but didn’t press further. She’d seen Damien summon a Grade Four mana beast the previous day, so his claim seemed plausible enough.
Still, the ease with which he completed these missions made her suspect he was more capable than he let on.
“Well, congratulations on completing a Grade Four mission,” she said, pulling out a small pouch. “Your reward: seven hundred gold coins.”
Damien accepted the pouch with a polite nod. The amount wasn’t much compared to what he could earn from selling the essence cores in his possession, but it was a decent reward for a single mission.
As Arielle worked on updating his Mercenary ID, she looked up suddenly. “I just realized something—we never added your last name to your card.”
Damien stiffened slightly but maintained his composure. “I don’t have one.”
Arielle tilted her head, her curiosity evident. “No last name? Really?”
“It’s… complicated,” Damien said, keeping his tone light. He wasn’t about to explain his estranged relationship with his father or his exile from the Terrace family.
Arielle didn’t press the matter, sensing it was a sensitive topic. Instead, she finished updating the card and slid it across the counter toward him. “There you go—everything’s complete now. Congratulations again, Damien.”
Damien picked up the card, slipping it into his pocket alongside the pouch of coins. “Thanks,” he said simply.
Arielle leaned on the counter, a playful smirk on her face. “You’re making a habit of this, you know. Saving people, completing high-ranking missions, showing off your fancy summons…”
“Just doing my part,” Damien replied with a faint grin. “I’ll be back soon enough. Who knows? Maybe I’ll find another demon nest to clear out.”
Arielle chuckled. “I’ll keep an eye on the board for you. In the meantime, go enjoy yourself. You’ve earned it.”
Damien nodded, tipping an imaginary hat as he turned toward the door. “See you around, Arielle.”
“Don’t get yourself killed, hero,” she called after him as he stepped outside.
Damien let the door close behind him, the bustling town welcoming him back into its lively embrace. His stomach growled, reminding him of his next objective.
“Time for something hot and spicy,” he muttered, heading off to explore the town’s food stalls.