The streets of Arroyo are alive with activity. The market square bustles with a wide array of people—merchants haggling over goods, adventurers discussing the latest quests, and street performers entertaining crowds. The air smells of baked bread, roasted meats, and exotic spices. The sounds of clinking armor, lively chatter, and the occasional shout create a symphony of life within the city. Horses pull carts loaded with goods while children run through the streets, their laughter mingling with the sounds of commerce.

  Amidst this energetic chaos, a cloaked figure moves through the crowd, drawing curious glances from the people around him. The man is clad in black, his face concealed in shadow beneath a heavy hooded cloak. The fabric of his clothes is finely made but rugged. His face is hidden in the shadowy void within the hood, not even leaving a hint of a jawline visible when the sunlight catches him at the right angle. Across his back, a finely crafted sword rests in its sheath, the hilt peeking out just above his shoulder. By his hip, a blaster is holstered, an unusual sight in this world, drawing more than a few stares from adventurers who pass him by. But what catches the most attention is the lightsaber hilt dangling from his belt.

  Beside him, a young girl skips along, humming a cheerful tune as she bounces with energy. Her blonde hair is tied back with a neat braid that hangs down to her shoulders, but what truly makes her stand out are the fluffy cat ears perched on her head, twitching with each sound of the lively streets around her and her cat tail, tipped with white fur, swishes in rhythm with her steps. She wears a tunic of soft browns and greens, fastened with a leather belt. A small cloak drapes over her shoulders, practical yet stylish, allowing for ease of movement. Her small blaster is holstered at her hip, and a sheathed knife dangles on the opposite side. The attire is light and functional, perfect for an adventurer-in-training. She radiates joy, her presence as bright as the midday sun, and she hums without a care, fully absorbed in her own little world.

  The man and the girl stop before the guild hall, an imposing stone building with large wooden doors that creak as adventurers move in and out. The hall's architecture is medieval in style, with high stone walls and a tiled roof, but there are faint signs of technology integrated into the structure—subtle, almost hidden. Small lights embedded in the walls flicker on and off, their origins a mystery to the inhabitants of Arroyo, but those who know Ryu recognize his handiwork.

  Adventurers of all kinds, from armored knights to mages draped in robes, move about the hall. The smell of ale and roasted meat wafts through the air as loud voices and laughter fill the space. The bar area is alive with cheers, a group of adventurers celebrating a recent promotion to gold rank. In the corner of the lounge, a musician plays a lively tune on a lute, providing a joyous backdrop to the conversation. Waitresses dart between tables, delivering orders of food and drink to hungry adventurers. In the back, several groups huddle around the mission board, discussing their next quests while others wait their turn to approach the receptionist counter.

  They their way to the reception area, where a young woman stands behind the counter, her warm smile inviting them forward. Her vibrant blonde hair is tied back in a ponytail, and her ruby-red eyes sparkle with delight. Freckles dot her cheeks, giving her a youthful and approachable look. She wears a simple but elegant gown, the colors of the guild embroidered along the hem and sleeves. The insignia of the guild is proudly displayed on her chest.

  "Hi, Felicity!" Nikko greets her cheerfully, her voice full of excitement.

  Felicity's smile brightens even more. "Ryu, Nikko! Did you forget something?" she asks, her tone light and teasing.

  Ryu shakes his head silently, while Nikko leans toward the counter, her tail swishing with excitement. She pulls out her identification badge from under her tunic and places it on the counter, right beside Ryu's. Felicity looks down at the badges, and Ryu opens the sack he's been carrying over his shoulder, revealing large wolf pelts and severed wolf ears from their recent mission.

  Felicity chuckles lightly, taken aback for only a brief moment. "You'd think after all these years I'd gotten used to it," she says with a soft laugh, shaking her head as she collects the sack. "Give me a moment, I'll be right back."

  As Felicity disappears to the back, Nikko glances around the bustling guild hall. A few adventurers watch her curiously, their eyes lingering a little longer than usual, baffled by her presence. When Ryu notices their stares, he shoots them a look, and they quickly divert their attention, turning back to their conversations or drinks.

  Ryu lets out a sigh, still not used to the attention that comes with being one of the highest-ranked adventurers in the guild. His diamond-ranked badge often drew too much focus for his liking. Nikko, on the other hand, remains unfazed, her cheerful energy never dampened by the looks.

  Felicity soon returns, a tray in hand with two mounds of gold and silver coins stacked high. She places their identification badges on top of the coins and smiles warmly. "Your mission has been cataloged, and your successful—and may I add, fast—completion has earned you 25 gold and 78 silver coins," she says, her tone congratulatory.

  "And half—" Ryu starts to say.

  "And half will be donated to Mrs. Whitaker's orphanage," Felicity finishes for him, knowing their routine by now.

  Ryu nods in approval as he gathers his share of the coins, and Nikko does the same. She slips her identification badge back beneath her tunic.

  Before they step away, Felicity leans over the counter and asks, "By the way, I haven't seen Talia or Apollo in a while. How are they? And the twins?"

  "Talia's been busy growing all kinds of tea leaves and herbs in the garden," Ryu replies with a small smile. "Apollo's still his stoic self, watching over the premises and the twins... well, they've become rather adventurous lately. They spend every moment they can outside."

  Curious, Felicity watches as Ryu activates his gauntlet, projecting a small hologram. The image reveals an orchard filled with fruit trees. Two identical young girls with blond hair climb the branches, their small forms moving effortlessly among the limbs. Their clothes are simple yet practical—small tunics and trousers, dirt smudging their knees from their play.

  Felicity's eyes widen with awe. "Oh my, they've grown so much!" she exclaims. "You should bring them over more often."

  Ryu chuckles softly, deactivating the hologram. "Next time," he says, as he and Nikko start to walk away.

  "Send them my regards!" Felicity calls after them, waving goodbye.

  Nikko waves back excitedly, and the two make their way out of the guild hall, ready to face the next part of their day. As Ryu and Nikko make their way toward the exit of the guild hall, Ryu's sharp gaze catches sight of Elizabeth Kyra, the guild master, in the back of the room. She's standing tall, her dark hair pulled back tightly, exuding an aura of authority as she gives instructions to a group of guild workers. Elizabeth's eyes meet Ryu's from across the hall, and for a brief moment, there's a silent exchange of mutual respect between them. She offers him a slight nod, which Ryu returns with a subtle nod of his own.

  ?????

  Ryu and Nikko step out into the vibrant streets of Arroyo once again, their boots crunching lightly against the cobblestone road. The city hums with life all around them. Street vendors shout their wares from beneath colorful awnings, the sweet smell of pastries mixing with the earthy aroma of freshly cut wood from a nearby carpenter's shop. People hustle and bustle, haggling with merchants, chatting in small groups, or simply wandering through the various stalls in search of something to brighten their day.

  Above them, a flock of birds takes flight, their wings fluttering in unison as they soar over the rooftops. Nikko tilts her head back, watching them disappear into the clear blue sky, her eyes filled with wonder. Her cat ears twitch with every new sound—a smith hammering away at a glowing red sword, the clang of metal against metal ringing out from the nearby blacksmith's shop. The sound is almost drowned out by the distant tolling of the church bell, its deep chimes signaling the passing of another hour.

  Ryu reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small piece of paper, unfolding it as he walks. "Chocolate leaves, coffee beans, various rolls of fabric, and cake from Erza's cake shop," he mutters aloud, reading from the list. He glances over at Nikko, who is skipping along beside him, her tail swishing joyfully from side to side.

  Nikko, meanwhile, seems completely absorbed in the sights and sounds of the city. She glances at the passing stalls with wide eyes, occasionally stopping to peer inside windows or sniff the air as the scent of something delicious wafts toward them. She's especially intrigued by a bakery, her nose twitching as the scent of fresh-baked bread drifts out the door. But the moment Ryu starts reading again, she returns her attention to him, listening carefully.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  "Of course," Ryu continues, "she didn't specify what kind of cake." He lets out a sigh. "Nikko, do you know what kind of cake your grandparents like?"

  Nikko shrugs, glancing up at him as they walk past a small church with stained glass windows glinting in the sunlight. "Every time we have cake at their place, it's a different one," she says casually. As they continue down the street, they pass a weapons shop, its display window filled with shining blades and ornate bows, catching Nikko's eye for a moment before she loses interest.

  Ryu sighs and folds the piece of paper, tucking it back into his pocket. "What's wrong, Papa?" Nikko asks, her voice soft with concern. She may be young, but she's perceptive enough to sense the subtle shift in her father's mood.

  "I'm just not looking forward to their visit tomorrow," Ryu admits with a shake of his head.

  Nikko looks puzzled for a moment, her ears flicking with curiosity. "You don't like Grandma and Gran-Gran?" she asks innocently.

  Ryu chuckles softly. "No, it's not that. Don't tell your mother, but I dislike the way your grandmother judges me. She's always giving me 'proper' parenting advice as if I don't know what I'm doing. And her father—he's always complaining that we don't visit often enough."

  "But we do need to visit more often," Nikko says thoughtfully, echoing her grandfather's sentiments.

  Ryu lets out an exaggerated groan and pats her gently on the head. "Oh, don't you start too," he says with a teasing smile.

  ?????

  Ryu and Nikko stroll through the bustling streets of Arroyo, the morning sun casting long shadows as it rises higher in the sky. Their first stop is the Laughing Giant, a well-known tavern nestled within the heart of the city. The tavern's exterior is adorned with colorful banners and intricate woodwork, giving it a warm, inviting appearance. As they approach, the sounds of laughter and clinking mugs spill out from the open windows.

  Inside, the tavern is alive with activity. Patrons fill the tables, sharing stories and enjoying hearty meals. Ryu nods at a few familiar faces before heading to the counter, where a burly bartender is polishing glasses. Nikko, as always, stays close to Ryu, her keen eyes taking in every detail around her.

  Ryu summons several barrels of his much loved fruit brandy from his pouch of holding onto the counter, the bartender's eyes lighting up with recognition. "Ah, Ryu! Finally!" the bartender says with a grin, taking the barrels to the back and returning with a leather pouch rattling with coins. "This'll keep the patrons happy for a while."

  Ryu nods in acknowledgment, his expression calm and collected. "Just make sure to save some for me."

  The bartender chuckles and waves them off, already turning to another customer as Ryu and Nikko exit the tavern.

  Their next stop is Pierre's, a small but bustling candy shop run by a rather eccentric cat-person. The shop is filled with the sweet scent of chocolate and caramel, and the shelves are lined with colorful jars filled with every type of candy imaginable. As they enter, Pierre, with his gray cat ears twitching and tail swishing, greets them with a wide grin.

  "Ah, Ryu! And... little Nikko!" Pierre exclaims, a playful glint in his eye.

  Nikko's face scrunches into a pout as she crosses her arms. "I'm not little," she declares, her tail giving a swift flick of annoyance.

  Pierre chuckles, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Forgive me, mademoiselle! Of course, you're all grown up," he says with a wink, which softens her frown into a shy smile.

  Ryu steps forward, chuckling. "The usual, please."

  Pierre's face lights up with recognition. "Ah, chocolate leaves again? I have a large variety of sweets," he says with a grin, already reaching for the familiar jar and pouring the leave shaped chocolates into a large paper bag, "I have more than just chocolate leaves, you know."

  Ryu nods, chuckling. "She says they're perfect for unwinding."

  But before he can say more, Nikko's gaze catches on a display to her right. Her eyes go wide as she spots a jar filled with bright, glossy candies in every color of the rainbow. She points at it, excitement bubbling in her voice. "Papa, can we get some of those?"

  Pierre follows her gaze and smiles. "Ah, excellent taste, mademoiselle Nikko! Those are our candied moonberries—sweet, with just a touch of tartness. My newest creation."

  Nikko's tail flicks back and forth in excitement as she looks up at Ryu. "Can we, Papa?"

  With a chuckle, Ryu nods, indulging her with a warm smile. "Alright, we'll add some candied moonberries to the order too."

  Pierre grins, clearly pleased with their choice. "A perfect addition!"

  Pierre quickly gathers together the candied moonberries into another paper bag and hands them to Nikko, who cradles them in her small hands with a beaming smile.

  "Till next time, Pierre," Ryu says as he pays for the sweets, Pierre nodding enthusiastically.

  "Always a pleasure, Ryu. Come back anytime!" Pierre calls after them as they leave the shop.

  As they continue their journey, they pass by a bustling marketplace where vendors call out to passersby, selling everything from fresh produce to handmade crafts. The air is filled with the scent of spices and the sound of haggling voices. Ryu and Nikko navigate the crowd with ease, their next destination in mind.

  Their next stop is Elara's workshop. The workshop is a modest building, yet it exudes a sense of craftsmanship and skill. The exterior is plain, save for a simple sign bearing Elara's name and a hammer crossed with a sword—a clear indication of the quality work that goes on inside.

  As they step inside, the clang of metal and the hum of machinery fill the air. The workshop is lined with racks of weapons, pieces of armor, and various mechanical components. The scent of oil and metal is strong, yet familiar, reminding Ryu of countless visits to such places in his past.

  Elara, a tall and sturdy elf with sharp features, stands waiting, her arms crossed and an eyebrow raised. As Ryu and Nikko approach, she lets out a small sigh. "You're late," she remarks, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.

  Ryu chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck. "Apologies, Elara. We ran into... well, more errands than we anticipated."

  She gives a knowing nod, her eyes bright with curiosity. "Ah, always something with you, isn't it?" She gestures to the neatly arranged materials, her gaze sweeping over the sheet metal, the coils of wire, and various other materials. "Here you go—all as requested. Strong alloy sheet metal, spooled metal wire with low resistance, and a few extra odds and ends."

  Ryu steps forward, studying the materials carefully, running his hand along the cold, durable surface of the alloy. His eyes linger on each item as he inspects the craftsmanship and quality, appreciating the careful selection.

  Elara watches him, her expression both amused and inquisitive. "Did I miss anything?" she asks, tilting her head slightly.

  Ryu looks up, a satisfied glint in his eyes as he shakes his head. "No, you got it right, Elara. This is perfect. Just what I needed."

  Elara smiles, a hint of pride flashing across her features. "Good to hear. I knew you'd need the best, so I made sure it was just that." She wipes her hands on the cloth again, her sharp gaze sweeping over the group. "Anything else while you're here? Or will this be enough for today's... endeavors?"

  Ryu chuckles, glancing at the impressive spread of materials. "For now, this is more than enough. Thank you, Elara."

  Elara watches as Ryu summons the materials into his pouch of holding. "What are these for, exactly?" she asks, her curiosity getting the better of her.

  Ryu, ever the enigmatic, simply replies, "Future projects."

  Elara raises an eyebrow but doesn't press further. Instead, she folds her arms and leans against a workbench.

  "So, how's working in Arroyo treating you?" Ryu asks, changing the subject.

  Elara chuckles softly. "It's far more relaxing than it was in Curville, that's for sure," she says. "I don't have as many orders to fulfill."

  Ryu glances at her, curious. "Isn't that a bad thing? Fewer customers mean less business."

  Elara shakes her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "Not necessarily. I get fewer customers, sure, but the orders I do take are of higher quality, and I have more time to work on them. I prefer it this way—less chaos, more precision."

  As Ryu continues to inspect the materials, Nikko's attention is drawn to the weapons displayed along the walls. Swords, axes, and spears of various designs gleam under the workshop's lighting. She steps closer, her eyes wide with admiration. The craftsmanship is impeccable, and each weapon seems to tell a story of its own.

  Meanwhile, Ryu finalizes his purchase, handing Elara a small pouch of gold coins. "I'll let you know when I need more materials," he says, as Elara carefully counts the coins.

  "Till next time, Ryu," Elara says, giving him a nod as they prepare to leave. "And don't be a stranger."

  Nikko waves at Elara, and Ryu gives her a slight nod of thanks before they exit the workshop.

  Their final stop is Erza's Bakery, a cozy shop located near the edge of the market. The bakery's windows are filled with displays of tempting pastries, each more delicious-looking than the last. The warm scent of freshly baked bread and cakes wafts through the air, drawing them inside. The shop's owner, Erza stands behind the counter, her hands dusted with flour. She has long, flowing scarlet hair and a confident posture, her strong frame reminiscent of a seasoned adventurer. She greets them with a wide smile.

  "Ryu! Nikko! What can I get for you today?" Her bright smile makes her seem approachable despite her somewhat intimidating appearance.

  Ryu approaches the counter, taking a deep breath and exhaling deeply. "I need a cake to impress my in-laws," he says, almost as if he's uncertain of his choice. "I'm not sure what kind would be best."

  Erza taps her chin, pondering for a moment before her face lights up with an idea. "How about a honey cake? You can't go wrong with that—it's sweet, rich, and everyone loves it."

  Ryu considers this and then nods. "Sounds perfect."

  While they wait for the cake, Nikko peers at the various pastries displayed on the counter, her eyes wide with interest. Erza works quickly, wrapping up the honey cake with care, tying a neat ribbon around the box.

  "Here you go, Ryu. This cake is sure to wow them," Erza says as she hands over the box.

  Ryu reaches into his pouch and pays for the cake, placing a few extra coins on the counter. "Thank you, Erza," he says with a slight smile.

  Erza grins, pocketing the coins. "Always a pleasure, Ryu. And make sure to bring everyone by next time."

  Ryu nods in agreement as he takes the cake. "We will," he replies, before he and Nikko step out of the bakery, the morning errands now complete.

  Sometime later, after visiting many different shops and filling their bags with everything on the list, they finally make their way out of Arroyo.

  Nikko munches happily on a cookie Erza had given her as a small treat for the road. "She's really nice," Nikko says through bites of her cookie, crumbs falling onto her tunic.

  Ryu smiles at her, "Yes, she is."

  Ryu and Nikko leave the city of Arroyo behind, the lively energy of the marketplace and crowded streets slowly giving way to the tranquil countryside. The path they follow is familiar, a routine they've shared many times, but each journey holds a quiet significance that neither of them ever takes for granted.

  Nikko skips alongside Ryu, her cat ears twitching with every sound—a bird's call, the rustling of leaves in the wind. Her tail swishes in rhythm with her steps, and though the walk is a common one, there's a sense of anticipation in her movements. She knows they're heading somewhere special.