City of Paran

After days of travel, they finally caught sight of their destination: the City of Paran. However, to reach it, they first had to cross the world's longest bridge, which served as the gateway to the city. Paul couldn't believe his eyes; this was his first visit, and the reality of Paran's grandeur far exceeded his wildest dreams.

The city's grandeur was overwhelming, with towering walls surrounding a vast lake and colossal buildings rising from within. Crowds of people queued to cross the bridge, and Paul noticed a diverse array of races among them. 

At that moment, many were showcasing their unique traveling abilities: some soared effortlessly over the walls, while a young woman used her fire powers to levitate gracefully above the others. 

In this marvelous city, Paul felt a sense of belonging, knowing he didn't have to hide his abilities. However, he knew he had to control his uncontrollable rage—a challenge that set him apart and remained a personal burden.

Meanwhile, as the rest of the group enjoyed their idle chatter, Eijay couldn't help himself. He scanned his surroundings, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he eagerly hoped to discover new spells to add to his collection. Seeing his enthusiasm, the others chuckled at their friend.

Soon enough, it was their turn to face the imposing gate guards at the entrance. Tension filled the air as they approached, with the guards' stern faces and heavy armor standing in stark contrast to the lively city behind them.

Adding to the pressure were the murmurs of voices and the shuffling of feet from the crowd of onlookers. The spectators gawked at the sight of the grimy, injured group, their curiosity evident. Whispers spread through the crowd, and the collective gaze made the moment feel even more charged.

But when Chris raised his hand and called out, "Make way for the survivors, please," the atmosphere shifted. Both the guards and bystanders relaxed as they realized these were people rescued from bandits, and that the one leading the group was Chris—a knight of the City of Paran, a hunter, and a respected figure.

The guards quickly assisted them inside the city, guiding them through the bustling streets. As the news spread rapidly, many citizens recognized their missing loved ones, leading to a wave of emotions that surged through the city. The streets were soon filled with the sounds of joyous reunions, celebration, and heartfelt tears as families embraced their returned members.

Meanwhile, Chris made his way to the guild house to report the news personally. The rest of the group followed closely behind, each with their own tasks in mind. This included the newly formed brotherhood: Eijay, Jeyel, Rhyz, and Zaell, who walked beside Paul as he levitated above the ground using his flying ability.

While Paul and Zaell hurried to the front desk to request new licenses, Jeyel, Rhyz, and Eijay waited by the door, chatting among themselves and observing the bustling activity around them.

"I need to request a replacement for my damaged license. A wolf chewed on it," Zaell chuckled, pointing at Black, who was sleeping inside Paul's bag.

"Hey, I said I'd pay for it," Paul replied firmly, reaching into his bag and pulling out a single glinting gold piece.

As Paul handed the gold piece to the lady at the front desk, he said, "I'd also like to purchase a license, please."

The lady's stern gaze softened with a touch of kindness. "That will be 30 silver for both of you," she replied, handing over a small form. "Please sign this, and I'll need a drop of blood." 

Paul extended his arm, and the lady pricked his finger, catching a single drop of blood in a vial. As the blood touched the card, it glowed with an ethereal light, and his name appeared magically on the license. At that moment, Paul was officially recognized as an F-rank hunter.

"You can rank up by completing various tasks, each offering its own rewards," the lady explained as she handed back their change.

"Good luck, hunter," she added with a reassuring smile.

Feeling emboldened, Paul asked, "Excuse me, do you have any information about the Green Dragon Crocodile? I'm particularly interested in its weaknesses. Any details would be greatly appreciated."

The lady's expression shifted from friendly to one of shock and disbelief. "The Green Dragon Crocodile? How do you know about that creature? It's been thousands of years since anyone's seen one," she exclaimed, her astonishment mirrored by the surprised faces of Paul's companions who had overheard the exchange.

Paul suddenly realized that asking about such a mythical beast was unusual. "Um, nothing much," he said, trying to mask his genuine curiosity with a casual tone. "I just wanted to gather some information in case I ever come across one."

The woman chuckled softly. "Let me check the back office for any information on that creature," she said before heading into the office. Meanwhile, Paul's companions gathered around him, their curiosity clearly piqued.

"What do you mean by a dragon?" they asked in unison, their voices filled with bewilderment.

Paul, with a mischievous smirk, replied, "It's probably best if I explain over dinner. Trust me, it'll be worth the wait."

The lady soon returned with an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry, but I couldn't find any information on the Green Dragon Crocodile," she said.

Paul masked his disappointment with a smile. "Thank you for checking," he said gratefully. "I appreciate the effort."

As they left the guild house, Paul couldn't shake off his sense of disappointment. The lack of information weighed on him, yet he quickly reminded himself that there would be other chances to find what he was looking for.

After a brief moment of reflection, he broke the silence with a question to lighten the mood. "So, where should we eat?"

All of them nodded, appreciating that Paul was making an effort to stay in good spirits. If their friend—now brother—needed to share his troubles, they would listen and support him to the best of their abilities.

"Hey, Jeyel and Eijay," Rhyz suggested, "we should definitely take them to that cozy tavern we all enjoy." Both of his brothers agreed with a nod.

As they strolled through town, they were captivated by the stunning beauty surrounding them. The colorful storefronts and lively atmosphere filled the streets with joy. Their journey led them to the Coffee Tavern, a charming establishment known for its delectable cuisine and inviting ambiance.

Zaell's face lit up with a warm smile as he saw the quaint, weathered sign that proudly displayed the tavern's name. He had a deep fondness for coffee, often joking that he drank at least 30 cups a day.

Inside, they were greeted by the intense gazes of various groups of hunters scattered among the tables. However, their rough exteriors were softened by the warm glow of the room. The group was unbothered, given the formidable foes they had faced in recent days.

They made their way to a table near the edge of the bustling hall, and Jeyel called out to Mrs. Lorry, the tavern keeper.

"Mrs. Lorry, could we please have five orders of your finest meat, along with your renowned coffee and a few beers to wash it all down?"

"Welcome back, Jeyel," Mrs. Lorry said warmly. "You look like you've had a rough time. I knew your brothers would find you. Today, I'll give you all a 70% discount." The group cheered in response.

When Mrs. Lorry arrived with the food and drinks, the brothers eagerly dug into the delicious spread. Their laughter filled the air as they enjoyed the well-prepared meals and shared joyful moments together.

A few hours later, a group of hunters, clearly new to the City of Paran, approached them with apparent intent to cause trouble. This group had deliberately chosen this café as their new territory, having spent several days frequenting it because its owner was a woman and there were no men present to challenge them.

When the group saw Paul and his companions enter the café, they immediately became alert, especially when they realized that some of them seemed to know the owner.

Their initial attempts at intimidation failed to provoke the desired reaction, so they decided to escalate the situation.

The leader of the group stepped forward, brandishing two knives. "What do we have here? A cripple having fun?" he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. The group laughed harshly. "What's wrong with your eyes?" he taunted, aiming one of his knives at Paul's face.

Known for their ruthless behavior, these hunters relished tormenting those they deemed weaker. To them, Paul's perceived vulnerability made him an easy target for their cruel amusement.

Yet, despite the threat, Paul remained calm. His voice steady, he simply replied, "Just looking for a place to eat."

The leader's sneer widened, but he lowered his knife. "There's another tavern not far from here. You should leave."

Before the leader could make another move, Rhyz swiftly teleported behind him, disarming him with precision and pinning him to the ground. Jeyel and Eijay quickly moved to secure the area, ensuring that none of the leader's group dared to intervene.

The tension was thick as Rhyz tightened his grip on the leader, his gaze unwavering. "Don't mess with my brother or this establishment, rookie!"

Startled by the sudden display of strength, the leader's group fled in panic. Jeyel and Eijay stood by, their expressions hardened with a menacing aura.

"Let him go, Rhyz. It's not worth it," Zaell said as the man fled through the door. Rhyz returned to the table and resumed his seat.

"Normally, we'd handle thugs like those in front of everyone. It's the hunter's law to eliminate threats," Rhyz added.

Zaell sighed. "I understand that, Rhyz, but we have to choose our battles. Not every fight is worth the bloodshed."

Rhyz nodded reluctantly. "Maybe you're right, but it goes against everything we've been taught."

Zaell hesitated before replying, "I know, but I think it's for the best," as he ordered his tenth glass of perfectly brewed, aromatic coffee. The conversation turned light-hearted as they resumed their laughter and banter.

Paul chuckled, "What a crazy bunch," savoring another delicious bite of succulent meat. "Look who's talking," they all chimed in, savoring every moment of their delightful dinner.

 The group continued to enjoy their meal, reminiscing about old adventures and sharing stories of their latest exploits.

As they enjoyed their conversation and laughter, the heavy oak tavern door creaked open, and they looked up to see Chris entering. They waved at him warmly.

Chris limped into the dimly lit tavern with his men, momentarily silencing the murmurs and clinking of goblets. He made his way over to the group, his expression a mix of intensity and warmth. 

"The guild master has requested a meeting with all of you, and I've briefed him on everything," he announced, pride evident in his voice. "Would you all mind if I joined you for dinner?"

The group exchanged glances and nodded in agreement, making room for Chris and his men at the table.

Mrs. Lorry carefully arranged a fresh spread of delicious food and cold beer on the table, then leaned down to tenderly kiss her husband, Chris. "How was the mission, darling? Are you alright?" she asked, her concern deepening as she noticed his injured leg.

Chris met her gaze with gratitude. "The mission went well. I'm okay dear. How's the café been while I was gone?"

Mrs. Lorry smiled warmly. "There was a new group causing a bit of trouble these past few days, but Jeyel and his companions handled it swiftly." Chris smiled.

Curious, Mrs. Lorry then asked, "How did you come to know these boys?"

Chris nodded appreciatively. "They joined my rescue mission and saved many lives."

"Is that so?" she replied, her eyes lighting up with admiration. "Drinks are on the house!" she announced.

Paul and his brothers exchanged warm smiles with the couple, grateful for the gesture.

As the entire tavern erupted in cheers and applause, the joyful sound mingled with the lively music that filled the night air, making for a memorable evening.

After some well-deserved drinking, Paul's companions shifted their focus back to the topic of the dragon. Curious and eager to learn more, they urged Paul to elaborate on his encounter with the mythical creature.

Paul's recounting of the tale drew the room into an attentive silence. As he spoke, his brothers and Chris listened intently, captivated by the vivid details of his experiences. Paul described the dragon's awe-inspiring presence, the challenges he faced, and the mysteries that surrounded the beast, painting a compelling picture that held everyone's rapt attention.