Evening settled over the Kingdom of Radiance in a wash of copper and rose. Canary‑yellow lanterns blinked to life one by one, stretching warm halos across the cobbled streets. The newly minted Strongest Guild wandered through the late‑day crowds with an easy swagger that came from recent triumph and a promotion still fresh in their minds. Shunjiro spearheaded the column, shoulders back, grin wide. Behind him walked Itsuki, bright‑eyed despite the day’s exhaustion, and Yoshinori. Tetsuo ambled along, swinging thick arms with exaggerated pride, while Aiko and Ryuji brought up the rear. When the Guild Hall’s carved double doors finally came into view, Shunjiro slowed his pace and turned to Aiko and Ryuji. A playful spark danced in his eyes. “You know,” he said, voice pitched just loud enough for passing adventurers to overhear, “we’ve been through a lot today. I was wondering if you two might make this arrangement official, become full‑time Strongest Guild members.” Aiko’s arms folded, her mouth tipping in a thoughtful line. “Hmm, what’s in it for me?” she asked, though her tone carried more tease than resistance. Shunjiro pressed a hand to his heart. “The glory. The legends. And, obviously, the honor of hanging around the world’s smartest man, Tetsuo.” Tetsuo puffed out his chest as if he had been practicing the pose all afternoon. “Can’t argue with facts.” Aiko’s answer came after a beat of mock deliberation. “You know what? I like the chaos around here. Also,” she added in a lower voice, “being in a guild called ‘The Strongest’ will show them.” Ryuji gave a sideways shrug. “For me it’s simple. Everyone needs someone to pull them out of trouble. May as well be me.” His grin widened as he ruffled Shunjiro’s hair. Shunjiro clapped both of them on the shoulders. “Then it’s settled.” Once inside the grand atrium, its vaulted ceiling frescoes glowing under chandelier light, Shunjiro raised the next subject on his mind. “We need a base,” he declared. “Somewhere to plot, rest, and share Tetsuo’s inevitable late‑night snack raids.” Tetsuo rubbed the back of his head, grinning. “We could ask Kaito for one of the unused dorm rooms. Being C rank should have perks.” Shunjiro’s face lit up as if he had discovered long‑lost treasure. “Tetsuo, you’re brilliant.” Itsuki giggled. “I’ll talk to Kaito.” Before anyone could object, she darted toward the administrative hallways, copper hair trailing behind her. The guild waited in the atrium, swapping stories. Ten minutes later, Itsuki returned, breathless but triumphant. She raised a small iron key that caught the chandelier’s glow. “You’re amazing,” Shunjiro said. Itsuki winked. “I know.” They climbed a side staircase and located their assigned door. Inside lay four sturdy beds, a broad oak table, two bookcases already stocked with parchment, a kitchen complete with clay stove, and a surprisingly spacious washroom. Modest by Radiance’s elite standards, yet to the Strongest Guild it felt like a palace. Shunjiro planted his feet in the center of the floor and issued a pleased hum. “Perfect, at least until we outgrow it.” Ryuji cleared his throat. “Uh, Shunjiro, there are only four beds, and there are six of us. Who’s sleeping where?” Shunjiro rubbed his chin thoughtfully before snapping his fingers. “Easy. Itsuki and Aiko get their own beds. That leaves two for the four of us.” Before anyone could argue, Tetsuo dove onto one of the beds, sprawling out dramatically. “Dibs on this one!” Yoshinori groaned. “Well, I’m definitely not sharing a bed with Shunjiro or Tetsuo. That leaves Ryuji, I suppose.” Ryuji looked visibly conflicted, glancing down at the floor. “I don’t know whether to be offended or not…” Tetsuo, always quick with a quip, smirked. “Oh, come on, Ryuji. You were probably hoping to share with Itsuki or Aiko anyway.” Ryuji’s face turned bright red. “W-what? No, that’s not what I meant!” “Sure, you didn’t, you perv,” Tetsuo teased, earning a round of laughter from the group.Once the teasing faded, Shunjiro clapped twice. “House matters sorted. Next job: dividing responsibilities. Yoshinori, you’ll choose our quests. Tetsuo may be the world’s smartest man,” he shot the larger boy a dramatic bow, “but your planning never fails.” Tetsuo slumped in mock defeat. “Suppose there can be two geniuses.” Shunjiro pointed at Itsuki. “You’ll assist him. Your instinct for people will balance his charts and diagrams.” Itsuki brightened. “Gladly.” Once Yoshinori and Itsuki left to peruse the quest board, Aiko drifted to the doorway, her mind abuzz. She leaned against the jamb, watching Yoshinori disappear around a corner with Itsuki chatting animatedly at his side. A flicker of something, curiosity, maybe irritation, crossed her features. Does Yoshinori like her? He hardly shows emotion, yet he listens whenever Itsuki speaks. Aiko pressed fingers to her chin. He never gives that same attention to me. She scolded herself for the thought, but it refused to fade. Beside her, Tetsuo elbowed Ryuji. “Bet you five dragon coins those two end up together.” Ryuji raised both hands in surrender. “Wise men don’t gamble on romance.” Aiko inhaled slowly. If they do, fine. But… I haven’t shown him what I can do yet. Determination set her jaw. I’ll prove valuable in battle and out of it. Then he can form his own opinion. Downstairs, the massive quest board bristled under lantern light, each parchment promising coin and danger. Itsuki’s fingers fluttered near a colorful flier advertising medicinal herb gathering, then recoiled at a parchment spattered with dried mud and labeled C Rank Spiders. She shuddered. Yoshinori skimmed a poster pinned center board. Clear the Goblin Dungeon in Dungeon Valley. One hundred dragon coins. He whistled. “One hundred? For a C rank? Unusual.” Itsuki leaned in. “That reward is huge for C rank. Are goblins really that hard?” Yoshinori tapped the board thoughtfully. “Sometimes guild officials understate ranks to attract applicants. A payout like that suggests hidden risk. Could be B rank disguised.” “Should we skip it?” Itsuki asked, voice small. He looked sideways at her. “If it truly pays one hundred dragon coins, it could jump‑start our treasury. Goblins are nasty but predictable. I propose we take it if the team agrees.” He folded the parchment carefully, tucking it under his arm. “Besides,” he added softly, “Shunjiro thrives on challenges.” Itsuki exhaled. “Then let’s do our homework. We’ll prepare thoroughly.” Back in the dorm, Yoshinori laid the quest sheet on the oak table. Shunjiro’s eyes gleamed like a child spying his birthday cake. “A dungeon already? Perfect test of our new rank,” he said, cracking knuckles. Itsuki voiced her hesitation. “Goblins creep me out, but the pay seems too good.” Yoshinori explained his suspicions: unknown variables, possible rank mislabel. “We approach with caution,” he concluded, “but I believe it is worth the risk.” Aiko propped elbows on the table, studying Yoshinori. “Yoshinori’s right. We survived worse than goblins. With proper planning, this could be easy profit.” Tetsuo grinned. “And if it’s not? That’s why we have Shunjiro.” “Hey,” Shunjiro laughed, “team effort, remember.” Ryuji drummed fingers along the tabletop. “I’ll scout reputable goblin tactics and traps.” Itsuki brightened at the proactive plan. “I’ll stock extra healing salves and anti‑poison herbs.” Shunjiro rested palms on the table’s edge and looked each member in the eye. “We clear this dungeon together. If anything feels off, we back out. No reckless heroics.” His gaze lingered on Yoshinori and Itsuki. “Agreed?” Heads nodded. “Then it’s settled,” Yoshinori said, rolling the parchment and tying it with twine. “We depart at dawn.” Beds claimed and lamps dimmed, the guild members prepared for sleep. Ryuji and Yoshinori negotiated blanket boundaries with minimal fuss, Tetsuo snored forgotten seconds after lying down, and Itsuki whispered goodnight to Aiko before pulling her covers to her chin. Aiko lay awake a moment longer, brewing silent questions. Does he like her? She closed her eyes, inhaling the faint lavender soap that clung to the linens. It doesn’t matter tonight. Tomorrow we will fight as one. Across the room, Yoshinori stared at the ceiling. One hundred dragon coins. Something feels off. He resolved to triple‑check dungeon reports before dawn. Yet a small, unexpected warmth spread in his chest, thinking of Itsuki’s faith in his judgment. That trust, he admitted, mattered more than the coins. Shunjiro checked the latch on the front door, then paused to look over his friends, each drifting into their own dreams. A soft smile tugged at his lips. They’re not just comrades now. They’re family. He extinguished the final lamp. Moonlight filtered through the shutters, casting pale stripes across the floorboards. Outside, Radiance’s night guards changed shift, the city settling. Inside, six rising adventurers steadied their hearts for the unknown depths of Dungeon Valley. Tomorrow the Strongest Guild would prove whether Rank C was mere ink on parchment or the first step toward legends.