A small talk, a big plan, a sure deposit, an unsure promise

10:02

Hilda was walking around the city leisurely. A thick jacket was covering her upper body while fur-like pants covered her legs, providing her with a lot of warmth. Indeed, craftsmen of Merchants Guild were excellent when it came to armor against temperatures.

Thankfully to her, most of Magician Guild had spent the night partying, so it was very likely they won't go for a raid early. After all, they had time to conquer floor 11. The streets were also empty. Walking down one of the streets, she found a nice cafe, which, surprisingly enough, was open. She bought herself a large cup of dark coffee (she preferred it bitter and strong), and continued on her mostly destination-less walk. For now, she needed to wait patiently.

She passed by a bus station (mechanized vehicles started being manufactured and maintained thanks to Ieva and some other tinkerers), and once a vehicle arrived, she walked on board and went a few stations. After she got out at random station, she decided to continue walking wherever. Well, she would probably do it, if she didn't get a message.

@Donnie: DW, you there?

@Dragon Witch: Yes?

@Donnie: You still looking for that guy?

@Dragon Witch: Yup. No luck so far.

@Donnie: You're telling he was pretty tall and danced with a sword?

@Dragon Witch: It did look like he did. Why?

@Donnie: Look at what my drone picked up in main park ;) [Link]

Hilda clicked in a link, and immediately she saw a live relay of someone training in a park. Due to some distance being maintained, she couldn't recognize his face, but the way he swung the sword seemed reminiscent of what she saw yesterday.

@Dragon Witch: How'd you find him so easily?

@Donnie: I'm a magician, duh. Thank your sister for those babies, she'd be suited for our guild.

@Dragon Witch: You won't convince her. -.-

@Donnie: I know, and it hurts me. T-T I kinda wish she'd at least show me how to fix them.

@Dragon Witch: She fixes them for free, you know?

@Donnie: Still, I'd love to learn from her.

@Dragon Witch: Then ask her out. ;)

@Donnie: No way in hell. It took me half a day to remove all nails from my hands last time we went out. Seriously, you need to do something about her, she's a sociopath.

@Dragon Witch: That's what you get for trying to score her so fast ^^ Well anyway, I'll send you 100 bucks, so stop whining and let me know if he moves away. Later.

@Donnie: Yeah, till next time.

Hilda formed a small smile on her face. It was good to hear that her sister was taking care of herself (even if she got into big trouble at times), and she was now nearly certain where Youngwoo was. To be honest, there was a minuscule chance that this wasn't him, but she didn't think about it too much. The way he fought was too unique to be widely known.

11:00

"Your style bears signs of years of training, Youngwoo." She said, making her presence known. She'd been leaning on a tree for a few minutes now, and she kind of marveled on how oblivious Youngwoo was to her presence once he begun his training.

He stiffened and turned to her slowly. There was something she wasn't expecting in his eyes: embarrassment. Weirdly enough, that emotion quickly died off and he started looking at her in a neutral manner. Dear, he was indeed a very collected person, maintaining his cool even when just a second ago he looked like caught red handed.

"I'm sorry." She continued speaking. "I interrupted your training."

But he didn't respond for a long while. Silence was beset upon them, only disturbed by a slight breeze. Youngwoo slowly sheathed his sword, unsure what to reply with. He only looked at her for a moment before realizing how he looked. He was all covered in sweat, in fact, his shirt had taken a deeper shade altogether, and his shorts stuck close to his body. Normally, he'd simply find a secluded place and change into some fresh clothes (he always carried spares in a pack), but this time this wasn't possible. Hell, why did this have to happen? How'd she find him?

"Hello, Hilda." He nodded lightly. "You're not interrupting. I was planning on finishing anyway. What brings you here?"

"Just taking a walk." She replied. "And then I heard you and thought you might be in danger to use all your skills, so I decided to come around."

"I see." 'Please, just walk away. Walk away and forget you saw anything.' "But I'm fine. Just trained a bit."

She nodded lightly, but didn't respond otherwise.

"Is there anything else?" He asked. Youngwoo simply intended on getting away as quick as he could. He wanted to get to floor 13 already to just finish his quest. Then his training (hopefully) won't be so awkward anymore once somebody sees him.

"No, I don't think there is." She said, but he could swear that he felt her tone shift a little. No, wait, he probably was imagining things.

"Then, it was nice seeing you, Hilda." He said, and turned away, intent on leaving. Without even turning back at her, he took his pack and started walking away.

"Wait, Youngwoo." She jogged to him, and started walking alongside him. "Why are you training at this time? Today's celebration of New Year."

"...I just train every day. It's how it is for me." He replied reluctantly.

"I see... you must've been in Tower for long?"

"I guess." He nodded lightly.

"So, I take it you'll take on floor 11 when it opens?"

"I don't know. I might." He replied.

"Would you like some help?"

"...?" He looked at her, a little surprised. "I haven't made my decision yet." He didn't intend on getting into a guild any time soon. He would've wanted to earlier, but now, with his SSS-rank skill and prospect of getting swordsmanship as a skill, he started drifting more and more distant from the idea. Well, he was sure he could resolve his doubts by the time he got Iris' Wardstone.

"I'm sure you haven't. I'm telling you not as guild representative, but as a fellow Hunter. Hunters should help each other, right?" She asked, quoting his words from the day before. "And besides, I need to repay you for helping me out."

"There's no need to repay me, Hilda." 'Please don't tag along. It'd be unnecessary trouble for both of us.' Youngwoo knew well that Dragon Witch would want Iris' Wardstone for herself. It was supposed to be an artifact befitting a mage, and a lot of people died after it was shown to public due to how valuable it was.

"If you say so. But my guild won't be going to higher floors for some time, and I'd like to see them for myself. That's why I'd like for you to let me tag along."

Why was she so goddamn adamant? Didn't this girl ever hear of letting an issue go? Youngwoo gritted his teeth. He really didn't want to have Hilda turn into an enemy, but once they found the Wardstone, she was sure to. Think, think... isn't this what you always do?!

"Tag along? And you're alright with coming with me? On your own? You don't even know me."

"I know. But you seemed okay, and besides, you'd be wronged if you thought that I am weak." Hell, she just wouldn't give up on the issue.

"But I don't want you to tag along." He replied bluntly. He didn't want to tell it to her initially, since he didn't know how she'd react, but now, with little options left, he decided to put it as it was. "You'll only get in my way." 'Better some harsh words now than sharpened steel later.'

"Youngwoo." Said Hilda, coming to a halt. Looking at her, Youngwoo stopped as well, immediately recognizing sudden anger she emanated. "You're not the only one who's strong." She clenched her fists and looked at him fiercely. However, after a few tense seconds, she let out a sigh and calmed down visibly. "Just trust me that I'll be of help. I'm stronger than you think."

'Oh, I know that very well.' He thought, reminding himself how he died to her twice. Still, there was something weird about her now. He didn't think she'd want to come with him so much. Why did she want to? He felt like she'd not let the issue go at all. In fact, seeing her now, he was certain that she'd follow him even if he refused her help. With a sigh, he replied:

"Alright, fine. Sure, you can come with me. But I'll need you to promise me something."

"Depends on the promise."

"If I'll tell you to let me have an item we get, you'll let me."

"Alright."

"Wait, just like that?" He looked at her, shocked.

"Yes." She replied.

"..."

Hilda looked at him with a little weird look. Why was he so surprised? Did he actually WANT her to refuse? She wasn't sure, and decided to continue:

"You don't really think I'm a small, innocent girl, do you?" Suddenly, she charged her magic. After a few seconds, a magical sigil appeared on her hand, and she swiped it behind them two.

Earth was ruptured and upturned, many smaller parts shot into the sky and started falling down, creating a rain of debris. It was Earth Dragon Ascension, used in its full glory of destructiveness. Youngwoo looked at the range of almost 25 metres that was completely annihilated and confirmed it with a little fear; this skill was too powerful to be classified as A-rank. Still, he kept his cool when he heard her continue:

"Just so you know, if you dare turn your back on me, I'll hit you with more powerful skill." She said with resolve. Well, she most definitely wasn't kidding. Her words actually sent shiver down Youngwoo's spine.

"Same applies to you, Hilda." He replied calmly, Calm Mind keeping his fear in bay. He actually looked like he was seeing this skill for a thousandth time. Well, in a way, he was, but this was his first time seeing it used in person (those times during banshee raid didn't count to him).

"Then, as a token of trust, I want to ask you for your phone number." She said. Hell, those eyes were serene, and yet full of wariness, but Youngwoo immediately saw her cheek twitch ever so slightly. Was this a bit of pink he was seeing?

"...sure." He replied, taking out his device.

After exchanging numbers, they decided to get to the 11th floor as soon as it opened. Not knowing what environment awaited, Hilda went to her home to prepare. Meanwhile Youngwoo sighed. This wasn't an ideal plan, but so long he didn't let Dragon Witch even see Iris' Wardstone, he'd be fine. Well, he was sure he could hide it if he needed to. It had a name of Amethyst of Infinity, but it wasn't that large, at least not on photos comparing it to a typical Hunter's fist it seemed to be at most 2 centimetres in diameter.

Hilda was walking to her home from the meeting with Youngwoo. 'Good.' She thought. 'It went well.' It was similar to what she planned. Well, the outcome wasn't perfect, but she didn't care for potential items. She cared for only one thing.

'Don't worry, Ieva, I'll keep the battery safe.' She thought. 'Damn, it's cold.' Hilda shivered a little. 'Seriously, he must have some kind of temperature tolerance skill. I'd like one, too.'