After traveling for several days, the duo arrived at a small village—exhausted, penniless, and starving.
"I'm going to starve to death if we keep going like this. Aren't you hungry too?" Wal groaned, clutching his stomach.
"Uhhhhh, not really," 09 replied flatly.
"How are you not hungry?" Wal grumbled.
"I don't need much food," 09 shrugged.
"You mean you don't need any food? Everything alive needs food to survive," Wal argued, his tone frustrated.
"Uhhhhh, anyway… if we need food, we need money, right? Why don't we get a job or something?" 09 suggested nonchalantly.
"Hmmm, I guess we could pick up a small quest at the Adventurers' Guild," Wal said, rubbing his chin.
"Sounds good—as long as it gets us the resources we need to move forward," 09 replied.
"I swear, you act just like one of those annoying teachers I used to have," Wal muttered.
"Is that supposed to be a compliment or an insult?" 09 asked.
"I guess it's a compliment? Means you're smart… but man, the constant questions get irritating," Wal admitted.
Still bickering, the two made their way to the Adventurers' Guild. Upon arrival, Wal marched straight up to the receptionist.
"Hey, you got any quick, well-paying quests available?" he asked.
"Well, there's one that pays generously and isn't too difficult," the guild worker replied.
"What do we have to do?" Wal asked, eyes lighting up.
"We'll pay half up front and the rest upon completion. You need to escort a nun to Brandoz. She's assisting in the conflict against that devil wreaking havoc over there," the guild worker explained.
"That's it?! 09, we're in luck! We're already headed to Brandoz!" Wal exclaimed.
"Well then, sounds like a perfect match. Are you interested in taking the job?" the guild worker asked.
"HELL YES!" Wal shouted.
Not only were they given enough money to eat, but the guild also provided them with a map leading to Brandoz.
They met with the nun at a nearby church.
"Hey, we're here about the quest," Wal said, holding up the acceptance form.
"Yes, yes," the father of the church replied. "You'll be escorting Lilith—she's currently the most powerful wielder of holy magic in our congregation. However, she's quite frail, so ensure she's well-fed and protected."
A tall girl with golden blonde hair and piercing blue eyes stepped into the room. She stood about 5'10 and carried herself with a quiet grace.
"As the Father mentioned, my name is Lilith. May I know the names of my traveling companions?" she asked politely.
"I'm Wal, and this is 09," Wal replied.
"09? That hardly qualifies as a name. How about I give you a new one? I'll call you Rin—after my childhood dog," Lilith said with a mischievous smile.
Wal burst into laughter.
"Ain't no way you just got demoted to a dog!" he teased.
"I would prefer it if you departed immediately instead of lingering with idle chatter," the Father said sternly.
"Yes, sir!" Wal snapped, saluting half-heartedly.
And so, the three of them set out for Brandoz.
5 days remain.