William was checking out the mission board, when Osric approached him.
"Have you decided on something?"
William turned around and started smiling when he saw Osric's typical calm and handsome face.
"Osric? It feels like forever since we did that mission together. How are you?"
"I'm doing okay. What about you?"
"I can see that. You have some nice new equipment. As you know, that hobgoblin bastard gave me quite a beating, so I was out for over a week before taking a mission again."
"Yeah. So have you chosen a new mission already?"
"No, not yet. The problem is that I can't handle E-Rank missions by myself and most parties are full. The ones that form temporary ones usually don't want me with them, but I don't know why."
"What about you Osric?"
'They probably judge him based on his outgoing personality, but since they haven't worked with him, they don't know that he is pretty skilled with his axe.' Osric thought to himself before answering.
"Sounds troublesome. I'm planning to take one. If you want in, we'll move now. I need someone reliable."
William's face lit up when he heard that.
"Yeah let's do that!"
Even though William was a couple years older, anyone would think differently. William was too soft for an adventurer in Ashbrook and Osric was too hardened for someone his age.
'This is really fortunate. He was exactly the person that I already had in mind. But I can't trust him yet based on our last mission. I need to test him when it's just us.'
Osric smiled faintly.
'It will be better to recruit him after we complete a mission together.'
"Alright, let's decide on a mission."
"Okay. What do you think we should take?"
They both turned towards the board and looked at multiple E-Rank missions.
'To test how well we work together and me being able to observe him at the same time, it would be better to take a mission that involves a single monster.'
His choices were among four missions.
Thornback Boar.
Wolf.
Forest Lynx.
Bonespear Ape.
Osric quickly cut down the options.
'The wolf would be too easy, so that's out.'
'And while a single Bonespear Ape is technically also at the bottom of E-Ranks, I have never faced one, it usually works together with its pack and it's too unpredictable.'
That left the Thornback Boar, which Osric faced once before and the Forest Lynx.
'Both are good choices for us.'
'But since I faced the Thornback Boar once before and it's too predictable despite its strength, it would be better to face something to give us variables.'
"Hey William. Have you faced a Forest Lynx before?"
He looked curious and answered.
"Nope. You?"
"Me neither. Let's take this one."
William was surprised by how bold Osric was, but he agreed without complaint.
"Do we leave right now?"
"If you're ready."
"Of course. Let's go!"
'Why is he so excited?'
Osric looked at the mission parchment after taking it off the board.
Objective:
Find and eliminate the Forest Lynx that has been bothering herb gatherers inside the forest.
Reward:
50 Copper.
Scout Information:
The Forest Lynx is clever and cautious. It's an excellent hunter as well as quiet and fast. It is almost always alone though, including this particular one.
'The reward sucks, but that doesn't matter this time.'
'Since neither of us has faced it, this will be the perfect chance to see how we work together against an unknown challenge.'
As they walked out of the city, William started talking.
"Did you hear about George's party?"
"You mean Laurent joining them?"
"That too. But apparently Erica retired because of the injury she got on that mission. So now it's just George, Roman and the new Laurent."
"I see. Well that's to be expected. Adventurers usually only retire because they encounter a danger they couldn't escape."
William looked a little spaced out.
"Yeah…"
"I feel kind of bad for her, but it's better to look forward for yourself."
Osric didn't expect that.
'Well at least he isn't naive and not as soft hearted as I thought. That's good.'
'I'm not looking for someone with huge morals and a kind heart. Ability and trustworthiness matter most to me.'
"You're right William. I prefer focusing on my own growth. Let's focus on our mission and making a living."
"Haha yeah! I need to make a lot of money to repay my grandparents for raising me."
"Yes, that sounds good."
"What about you Osric? Why did you become an adventurer?"
'That's a deep question.'
"Honestly, I was sick of living as someone poor and weak without control over anything."
"I want power with both money and strength."
William looked really surprised.
"Wow. You really are honest about what you want. That's really cool."
Osric just stayed silent and they kept walking until they arrived inside the forest after a while.
'It's time to start building something of my own.'