Tobe & Miri

Four days had flown by in Riscone Kingdom, and Tobe and Miri had filled every moment with adventure and friendship. Alongside their allies from the Vast Star, they tackled quests, took on thrilling missions, and often found themselves in the midst of new challenges. Word of their exploits spread across the kingdom, thanks in part to Lala's idea of using a monitoring orb to broadcast their adventures. Their battles, quick thinking, and victories captivated locals and visitors alike, steadily drawing attention to the pair and the team of Vast Star. (And throughout these four days, Tobe learned 2 new spells; Rock Spire Shotgun1 and Vine Whip2, and Miri finally unlocked her final Race Ability; Weightless Embodiment3)

On this particular day, the city's bustling high streets felt especially vibrant. Brightly colored banners hung between buildings, children laughed and chased each other down the cobbled paths, and street musicians played lively tunes that carried through the crowd. As Tobe and Miri walked along, with Flake and Oculis flying close behind them, they paused frequently to soak in the sights—a public play drew a small crowd at the edge of the square, and artisans showcased everything from hand-crafted jewelry to delicate glass figurines.

At one of the stalls, Miri marveled at a small, polished crystal that changed colors in the light, while Tobe sampled a few local snacks that a vendor insisted they try. Every so often, a passerby would wave or shout a greeting, having recognized them from one of their broadcasted quests. Miri, always modest, would give a shy smile in return, while Tobe laughed and waved back, enjoying their new sense of belonging in the kingdom.

As they continued on, Tobe slipped his hand into his sack, counting the familiar weight of their hard-earned coins. After tallying it up with a look of satisfaction, he placed the sack into his Space-Space storage spell, his face brightening with realization.

"Miri," he said, turning to her with a grin, "I think we've finally got enough saved up."

She tilted her head, curious. "Enough for…?"

"To start building our guild—and our very own guild house!" he said, his excitement barely contained.

Miri agreed with a firm nod. "A guild huh?... But… We still need to find vacant land or a building for it to become real."

Tobe nodded back, his brows knitting together thoughtfully. "Good point. But where would we even start?"

As if by fate, they spotted Chisa strolling nearby, seemingly enjoying her own free time. Tobe raised a hand, calling her name. "Chisa!"

Chisa turned, her expression brightening as she saw them. "Kusakabe, Takanashi! Yes? What's up?"

"We're thinking of starting our own guild," Tobe explained with excitement, "but we're still looking for a place—maybe a vacant building or a decent spot of land. We could really use some help."

Chisa considered this for a moment, then gave a casual shrug. "I'm not tied up with anything right now, and the others are off doing their own thing. I'd be happy to join you!"

"Thanks, Chisa!" Tobe said, relieved.

"Thank you very much, Ms. Ikabe," Miri added with a grateful smile.

Together, they roamed the kingdom, surveying different streets and checking out potential locations. They wandered through narrow alleys and explored spacious avenues, passing by shops and chatting with a few locals for any leads. After a couple of hours, they finally came upon a vacant building nestled in a lively part of town.

The building was spacious and grand, with enough room for both a guild hall and living quarters. Its location was ideal, situated on a bustling street corner and conveniently beside a popular tavern.

The three exchanged glances, each nodding in agreement—this would be the perfect spot.

Now, all that remained was to make it official. With renewed determination, Tobe and Miri made their way to the palace, where they sought an audience with the king. He greeted them warmly, and after a few pleasantries, Tobe brought out the contract the king had granted him as a reward. Tobe and Miri explained their intent to use the contract to establish their guild.

The king listened thoughtfully, a proud smile forming on his face. "I see you've been making remarkable progress. It brings me joy to see you eager to contribute to our kingdom."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Miri said, bowing respectfully.

The king nodded, and with a wave of his hand, he summoned his daughter, Princess Tulia. "I'll have Tulia and her bodyguard accompany you to the location," he announced. "She'll oversee the final arrangements."

Princess Tulia entered with a gentle smile, bowing slightly as she joined them. "It's an honor to help," she said, addressing Tobe and Miri warmly. "Shall we go?"

Tobe and Miri led the way, with Princess Tulia following closely behind. When they arrived at the vacant building, Chisa was still waiting outside, admiring the structure. Tulia took in the building with a look of approval, then drew out the contract, scanning the document one last time before pressing her royal seal upon it.

"With this," Princess Tulia declared, her voice strong and steady, "the building is now officially yours. May your guild thrive and bring peace and prosperity to the kingdom."

"Thank you, Princess Tulia," Tobe said, unable to hide his excitement.

"Thank you very much!" Miri added, bowing gratefully.

The princess smiled. "I look forward to hearing of your adventures. Best of luck, Guildmasters."

With that, the paperwork was done, and the building officially belonged to Tobe and Miri. As they stepped into their new guild hall, the excitement was nearly overwhelming, as Chisa congradulated the both of them for the making of their new guild, and she said that she would be sharing the good news to the others.

The next day was in full swing, and the marketplace of Riscone Kingdom was alive with activity. Colorful banners fluttered above the streets, and the air was filled with the sounds of chatter, laughter, and the occasional clang of metal as blacksmiths hammered away at their anvils. The sun cast a warm glow over the cobbled streets, perfect for a shopping spree. Tobe, Miri, and their ever-enthusiastic companions, Flake and Oculis, had set out to buy everything they needed to turn their newly acquired guild house into a home.

"So," Tobe said, flipping through the list he made as they moved through the crowd. "First things first—shelves. Lots of them. For all our books, documents, and anything else we'll be collecting. We'll need sturdy wood, but nothing too flashy."

Miri gave a small nod, scanning the various stalls lined with furniture and household goods. She wasn't one for extravagance, but she understood the importance of setting up a practical space for the guild. "Function over flair," she said quietly, inspecting a set of solid wooden shelves.

Flake, however, had other ideas. She fluttered over to a brightly painted bookshelf with intricate carvings of swirling vines and glowing gemstones. "Ugh, look at this one! This is the kind of thing that screams we're a guild that knows how to make an entrance," she declared, dramatically spinning in mid-air as if showing off a new dress. "I'm telling you, guys, this is the one."

Miri raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. She'd long since accepted Flake's affinity for flair, even if it wasn't always practical. "We need to keep it simple, Flake," Miri said, her tone as gentle as it was firm.

"But style is important too!" Flake said, hovering closer to Tobe. "You don't want a guild that just looks ordinary."

Tobe chuckled, rubbing his chin. "You're not wrong," he admitted. "But let's stay focused on the essentials first."

Miri and Tobe picked out some sturdy, practical bookshelves, while Flake made a mental note to come back for the "sparkle" later. As they moved along, Flake darted from stall to stall, inspecting every piece of furniture with her usual dramatic flair. Tobe and Miri, in contrast, kept things simple—checking for strength, durability, and practicality.

Next, they came across a stall selling storage chests. These would be perfect for holding weapons, guild supplies, and all manner of things they might need in the future. The merchant, a large dwarf with a thick beard and a booming voice, greeted them enthusiastically.

"These chests are made from the finest oak and reinforced with steel! Built to last a lifetime!" he said, pounding one of the chests with his hammer for emphasis.

Tobe knelt down, inspecting the chest's joints and hinges. "This looks solid. Let's take five of them," he said, making a mental note of their price.

Flake flew around them, checking each chest with a critical eye. "Not bad, but imagine if we had some glitter to accentuate the wood grain. A little bit of shimmer, maybe around the edges? Or perhaps we could get some custom runes etched into them?" She looked at Tobe with wide, hopeful eyes.

"We'll stick to basic storage for now," Tobe replied with a grin, clearly amused. "No glitter, no runes."

Flake groaned dramatically. "Fine, fine. But you'll see! A little sparkle always adds a certain something."

They purchased the chests and continued on their way. Next up were chairs. They needed something functional for the guild hall, but also comfortable enough for long meetings and strategy sessions. The chairs were a bit more varied in design, ranging from simple wooden stools to plush armchairs that could easily have been seen in a noble's home.

Miri picked out a set of practical, yet well-designed chairs—sturdy with just a hint of style. Meanwhile, Flake found herself lounging in a plush armchair, dramatically flopping back with a contented sigh. "Now this," she said, "is luxury."

Miri shook her head with a small smile. "We don't need that much luxury, Flake," she said, checking her list.

"But why not?" Flake asked, looking up at her with an exaggerated pout. "Just think of all the long hours we'll spend in meetings! Don't you want to be comfortable?"

Tobe laughed. "Let's get a few of these for the main meeting area," he said, picking out a middle ground between comfort and practicality. "But we don't need a whole room of plush chairs."

Flake huffed but accepted the decision. "Fine. You're lucky I like aesthetic. And comfort," she added with a wink.

They moved on to lighting, where Tobe was keen to find enchanted lamps that could provide a steady source of light without needing to be constantly tended to. Flake, of course, was more interested in the magical ambiance.

"These glowing orbs are nice, but they don't have personality," she remarked, as she hovered over a floating orb of light that twinkled like the stars. "We need lights that speak to the spirit of the guild. Something that says, 'We're here to protect and to shine!'"

Miri rolled her eyes but smiled at Flake's antics. "We need practical, not whimsical," she said, but even she had to admit the twinkling orbs had a certain charm.

"I'll make sure we get the right mix," Tobe promised, picking out a few floating lights that would illuminate the guild hall without being overly extravagant.

Hours passed, and they continued through the market, slowly filling up their carts with the necessary items—tables for the guild hall, simple but functional desks, enchanted crystal vases, and a variety of small trinkets to add life to the space. They even found a few rugs—though Flake was adamant they needed something with more "vibrance" to complement the furniture.

At one point, Flake even convinced them to buy a large, ornate mirror with an intricate frame. "This would be perfect for the entryway! Imagine the first impression it'll make when people walk into our guild!" she exclaimed.

Miri didn't argue, but she did shoot Tobe a look as if to say, this is your call.

Tobe sighed. "Fine, we'll take it."

They wrapped up the shopping and headed back to the guild house, where they began unloading everything. As they arranged the furniture, Flake added her signature flair by hanging the twinkling orbs and even placing a few extra "sparkly" trinkets around the rooms. Tobe and Miri took charge of getting the guild hall set up, placing the tables, bookshelves, and chests into place, while Flake handled the more whimsical details.

At one point, Oculis blinked slowly from his usual spot on Tobe's shoulder. Tobe looked at him with a grin. "What do you think, Oculis? Too much sparkle?"

The silent eyeball blinked twice, his expression unreadable, but his wings twitched slightly—a subtle signal that maybe, just maybe, he was enjoying the chaotic blend of practicality and flair.

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows over the newly furnished guild hall, the group stood back to admire their work. The space had come together in a way that felt both functional and comfortable, with just enough personality to make it uniquely theirs.

"Well," Tobe said, wiping his hands on his pants, "it's not perfect, but it's home."

Miri gave him a small, satisfied smile. "We'll make it work," she agreed.

Flake floated above them, her eyes sparkling. "Yeah! We'll make this place shine!"

The three of them exchanged a look, and despite all the differences in their personalities, one thing was certain: they were ready to take on whatever came next. The guild was officially theirs, and together, they would make it a place where their adventures would continue—filled with laughter, hard work, and a touch of magic.

The newly built guild house of The Cheery Black Guild stood proudly in the heart of Riscone Kingdom, its stone walls gleaming in the warm glow of the setting sun. This was more than just a building—it was a testament to the hard work, determination, and unwavering spirit of Tobe, Miri, and their friends. After countless days of planning, designing, and laboring, they had created something extraordinary. The guild house was ready to accept new members, to welcome adventurers from all walks of life, and to become the foundation of their future.

With the King's blessing, they had sent stacks upon stacks of flyers across the kingdom and beyond. The message was simple but powerful: The Cheery Black Guild is ready to accept new members. Visit us at the High Kingdom of Riscone. Each flyer was a seed, waiting to be planted in the hearts of those who dreamed of a greater adventure.

Tobe, Miri, Flake, and Oculis stood together, gazing up at their guild house with a mixture of pride and awe. The structure was perfect—just as they had envisioned it. The walls were solid, the windows wide and welcoming, and the entrance adorned with a large wooden sign bearing the guild's name. There was still work to be done, of course—more furniture to be moved in, more decorations to be hung, but for now, it felt like everything was finally falling into place.

"Can you believe it?" Tobe said with a grin, looking around the courtyard. "We actually did it."

Miri stood beside him, her expression calm yet content. "It's a step forward. A big one, but just a step," she said. Though she was more reserved, there was a quiet pride in her voice. This was the beginning of something new for them both, a new chapter in a world full of unknowns.

Flake bounced around excitedly, her eyes wide with joy. "It's perfect! It's like a dream come true!" she squealed, her wings fluttering with enthusiasm.

Oculis, ever the quiet observer, stood by the doorway, blinking slowly as if to acknowledge the accomplishment. His silent presence had always been a comforting one, and though he never spoke, his emotions were always clear through the subtle movements of his eyes. He blinked once, a soft, almost imperceptible blink of approval.

The flyers, printed and distributed with the help of the King's aides, began their journey across the world. The news of The Cheery Black Guild was carried on the wind, traveling from village to village, town to town, kingdom to kingdom. They were making their mark—slowly but surely—on the world.

Elsewhere, the reactions to the flyers were mixed, yet all equally significant.

Yuka sat beneath the shade of a tall tree, wearing new summoner gear, surrounded by playful sprites. She was content, her mind at ease as she braided flowers into her hair. Suddenly, a familiar green slime, Blubby, waddled over and handed her a flyer. Yuka raised an eyebrow in surprise, taking the flyer and reading it with a thoughtful expression. "Hm, so they're in Riscone now, huh?" she mused aloud. "Maybe I'll pay them a visit. See how they're doing."

In a faraway city, Jun sat on a rooftop, chewing on a piece of bread, the wind tousling his hair. Just as he took a bite, a flyer blew into his face. He chuckled, brushing it away. "Heh, shortstack Senpai is making waves, huh?" he grinned, feeling a surge of pride for his friends. "Well, looks like they're doing well. I'll pay them a visit."

Back in Dornias, Chief Dornias received a flyer from a local receptionist. She smiled warmly as she read it. "So they're finally making a bigger name for themselves," she mused, her voice thick with admiration. "Good for them." She tucked the flyer away, a subtle yet proud gleam in her eyes.

Farther along, Elma held the flyer in her hands as she sat by the window of her cabin, the soft light of the sunset streaming through. "I see they're doing well," she said softly, her lips curling into a gentle smile. "Maybe I should pay them a visit soon. I owe them that much." She tucked the flyer into her bag, her heart swelling with warmth.

Max, bloodied and bruised from a recent battle, held a flyer in his hands, a grin spreading across his face. "Look at you two, making a name for yourselves. I'm proud of ya'll," he chuckled, wiping some blood off his face. "I'll visit when I can, don't worry."

Cal, one of the B-ranked adventurers Tobe and Miri had rescued from the dungeon, held the flyer up to his party members, showing it with pride. "The Cheery Black Guild, huh? These two really are going places," he said, his voice tinged with admiration. "I think we should visit."

August Munth, still working on the repairs of the Mana Rail, looked at the flyer with a thoughtful expression. "Good for those youngins," he remarked quietly, his voice carrying a mixture of pride and a hint of nostalgia. "They've earned it."

Even Decem Munth, still hiding in the shadows of Riscone, silently regarded the flyer. His eyes flickered with curiosity, but he said nothing. He tucked it away, his thoughts unreadable.

But not all reactions were so warm.

In the depths of a dark, cold castle, a sinister figure sat upon a throne of bone and metal. The Angelic Scythe rested in his grip, its blade reflecting the dim light of the room. As he gazed at the flyer, his lips curled into a twisted smile. "The short spark and his dark-dressed girlfriend are making waves now, are they?~" he mused, his voice dripping with malice. "How... amusing. How irritatingly amusing." He dropped the flyer, watching it flutter to the floor. "Let's see how far you get," he muttered, his eyes narrowing.

Elsewhere, a massive figure clad in red energy armor stood atop a pile of rubble. His battleaxe gleamed, covered in blood. He stepped on the flyer beneath his boot, crushing it as he marched through the snow, leaving behind a trail of destruction.

And far across the lands, a figure of different types of stone and metal stood in a widely decorated room. His body crackled with magic, veins of colored light surging through the cracks in his rocky exterior. "Our next target... the High Kingdom of Riscone," he growled, raising his staff to the sky. A wicked grin twisted his face as he looked toward the horizon. "Prepare yourselves."

Back in Riscone, Tobe and Miri stood side by side on the balcony of their guild house, watching as the sun dipped below the horizon.

The sky was painted in hues of orange and pink, the last light of day slowly giving way to the quiet of night. Tobe held a steaming cup of tea in his hand, his gaze soft as he watched the world around him. Beside him, Miri stood silently, her arms crossed as she looked out over the kingdom. Flake and Oculis were inside, resting peacefully after a long day.

Tobe held a warm cup of tea in his hands, his gaze resting on the distant mountains. He turned to Miri, a gentle smile crossing his face. "This... this is just one stepping stone into our new life here," he said softly. "Who knows what we'll face in the future? What kind of people we'll meet, or what dangers we'll overcome. But one thing's for sure," he added, a grin spreading across his face, "as long as I've got you by my side, I know we'll always pull through."

Miri's lips curled into a small, genuine smile. "I think so too, Tobe Senpai. I'm glad you're by my side. You're someone I can always rely on."

Tobe's grin widened, his playful side surfacing. "Don't call me 'Senpai' anymore, okay? We're friends now, Miri."

Miri chuckled softly, the corners of her eyes crinkling with amusement. "I think you're right," she replied, her voice teasing. "But I'm still not going to stop calling you that sometimes."

They clinked their cups together, the sound of porcelain ringing in the quiet evening air. The sky above them darkened, the first stars appearing in the heavens, a reminder that even in the vast uncertainty of the world, there was always something to look forward to.

They stood together, ready for whatever came next, as the winds of fate began to stir. No matter what challenges lay ahead, they knew they would face them together—side by side. And with that, they could conquer anything.

End of Chapter Stats of our Young Adventurers:

Tobe Lvl 70 - (Race Abilities: High Jump, Cat-like Instinct) (Spells: Mana String, Explosion Impact, Fall Lighting, Space Space, Aqua Control, Reconstruct, Firas Bolto, Rock Spire Shotgun, Vine Whip )

Flake Lvl 32 - (Skills: Ice Creation, Icicle Rush, Frost Breath, Ice Ball Shot, Familiar Fusion)

Miri Lvl 64 - (Race Abilities: Halo Flash, False Judgement, Weightless Embodiment) (Skills: Strength Up, Defense Up, Agility Up, Slash, Pierce, Shield Block, Shield Bash, Shield Rush, Bastion Wall Shield, Bastion Weapon Integration)

Oculis Lvl 29 - (Skills: Health Drain Tendril, Soft Healing Glow, Wide Party Heal)

(This is the end of Volume 1 - New World Arc.)