The street is quiet again.
Cleanup teams drag away monster remains...and the injured guy taken away by the medics.
Maru sits on the curb, legs spread, mace resting beside him.
Still shaking.
"…I think I screamed too much."
Nearby, Sain wipes his spear clean.
"…You screamed efficiently."
Maru looks up.
"…That's a compliment, right?"
Sain nods once.
From across the street—
Ten hunters observe them openly now.
Sain notices them .
They carried a striking presence.
One steps forward.
Reva. Confident. Relaxed.
"You two working solo?"
Maru straightens immediately.
Maru:"Uh—yes! I mean—mostly! Sometimes! Today was—"
Sain:"Yes."
Short. Direct.
Reva's smile widens.
She gestures behind her.
The rest step into view.
Vyan flashed a feral grin
Kaal watches silently
Lily studies them like specimens
Grim looks with soul-piercing gaze.
Anya stands solid, unmoving
Maya avoids eye contact
Bete watches reactions
Fugu gives a friendly smile
Tara waves cheerfully
Reva:"We're forming a party."
Maru's eyes sparkle.
Maru:"A party?"
Sain narrows his eyes.
Kaal:"Solo hunting is difficult."
Anya:"Groups make more money."
Lily :"Success rates increase with mutiple people working together"
Fugu:"Team members cover your mistakes.For us, one mistake can cost a lot."
Vyan grins.
"Plus, it's fun watching teammates mess up."
Maru chuckles nervously.
Maru:"…I do that a lot."
Sain looks away.
Sain:"Thank you for asking… but I prioritize my family over everything else"
A pause.
Sain:"If it comes down to it…I'll protect them . Even if others are in danger."
Heavy silence.
Bete:"There's nothing wrong with that."
He nods.
"Most of us feel the same."
Grim (smirking):"I'd let the world burn if it kept my family safe."
The silence deepens.
Reva steps closer, eyes locked on Sain.
"You didn't fight like someone who didn't care."
He exhales slowly.
Sain:"…I need time."
Everyone pauses.
Sain meets Reva's eyes.
Reva studies him.
Then nods.
Reva:"Fair."
She hands him her phone.
Reva:"Text me when you're ready."
Sain agrees.
Maru jumps to his feet.
"I'm in."
Everyone blinks.
Sain:"…You didn't think."
Maru:"I did!"
"I don't ever want to fight bugs alone again."
Tara(laughing):"I like him."
Lily :"That concerns me."
Sain's social awkwardness kicks in , so he leaves.
Maru watches Sain walk away.
A little disappointed.
3 days Later
Central City Guild.
Hunters move in and out. Weapons clink. Monitors flash mission alerts.
The group sits together.
Maru fidgets.
"…He's coming, right?"
Reva:"Yeah. He just texted me. Got caught in a small monster attack. He's on his way."
Footsteps.
Sain stands at the entrance.
Same calm face. Same spear.
Everyone looks up.
Maru's face lights up.
"You came!"
Sain exhales.
"Sorry for the delay."
Few minutes Later.
They sit in a loose semi-circle.
Guild paperwork scattered between them.
Fugu:"So… we definitely need to come up with a party name."
The receptionist waits impatiently.
She has been asking them to decide since very long. so she won't accept any excuse this time.
Vyan:"Something intimidating."
Maru:" I am telling you guys just add something to 'Heroes'"
Anya :"No. I already told you we won't use that"
Reva:"it needs to be something unique"
Bete flips through the documents.
"…Interesting. Why didn't I notice this earlier"
He looks up.
"All of us were born in different months."
Maya tilts her head.
"…All twelve?"
Tara takes a look
"This is quite a coincidence"
Sain murmurs.
"Twelve constellations."
Reva's eyes light up.
"…Zodiac."
Maru:"That sounds cool!"
Lily :"Acceptable."
Kaal :"no complaints here"
Grim:"Fate-based names always sell."
Reva stands.
"Then it's settled."
"We'll be Zodiac."
Vyan cracks his neck.
Vyan:"Perfect."
Grim studies Sain.
The Guild stamp slams onto the document.
APPROVED PARTY: ZODIAC
Maru beams.
Maru:"…Do we get emblems?"
Fugu laughs.
Fugu:"Of course — if you perform well!"
Everyone laughs.