Episode 4. Shuffle Time (2)
Commencing Second Feature Establishment.
As expected, that night Aiden dreamed again.
Second Feature Establishment. He had no idea exactly what that meant, but it was clear the voice's owner intended to grant him something new.
You can instantly relocate to locations you have previously visited, bypassing the distance.
Establishment complete.
The Genre establishment will conclude after the next and final one.
Thankfully, that night's dream was unusually short and to the point.
It was the day after Aiden and Claire had reported their success.
The innkeeper, his beard neatly trimmed, placed two pouches of coins on the worn table with a relieved expression.
"Ha, this is something. It feels like a loss since just two people are taking it all, but when you think about it, it's not. Complicated, huh."
The innkeeper shrugged as he spoke, and the man in front of him pocketed the reward for two people's share.
Dark brown curly hair, cheap mass-produced armor, a finely crafted sword that didn't match it, and an oak barrel set beside him. He was Aiden Oliver, ready to depart at any moment.
"You don't look too upset about it."
"You're right. Honestly, it's satisfying."
Aiden had probed lightly as a joke, but the innkeeper didn't deny it and grinned instead. It was true they were short on funds, but he hadn't liked how the village—centered around the church—used mercenaries without regard for their reputation.
"Check it."
Aiden untied the strings and inspected his reward as the innkeeper dusted off his hands.
What met Aiden's eyes was a heap of coins enough to bring a faint smile even to the most stoic face. Even split six ways, it would be ample, and among the silver coins, a few gold ones gleamed.
"Looks good."
Aiden closed the pouch, tied it off, and sealed the sack. A normal successful commission might have let him bask in the joy of more gold, but the excessive reward drew too many watching eyes. From now on, he would be one of their objects of resentment.
"But to think two people could handle that."
"Just luck."
"Solving a manpower shortage with mere luck?"
"Didn't we just do it?"
"Ha, yeah."
Was it humility, or false modesty? No, how had two people pulled it off in the first place? The innkeeper didn't dwell on it. What mattered was that the mercenary before him had solved the problem. Who would argue with that?
"...Mind if I ask how you plan to get back?"
"I'll have to think about that."
The innkeeper leaned in and whispered sincerely out of concern for Aiden. Claire, who had worked with him, wasn't here, but she was worrisome too upon reflection. Surely the time-wasting mercenaries wouldn't target the innocent pair to steal their pay. They probably would.
"You could really be in danger."
"I know."
"And if you're in danger, that kid who was with you will be too."
Aiden quietly gauged the atmosphere around them. He'd known since arriving that many mercenaries were killing time, neither leaving nor staying. Unlucky, they'd return empty-handed, but inwardly, they eyed Aiden with other thoughts.
"Yeah, walking out honestly on foot might lead to trouble. Unless I vanish like some famous mage."
"Er... probably."
"But conveniently, I woke up this morning with a good solution."
Aiden pictured a specific location in his mind. No need for perfect recall—just a rough image of a visited place and its key features.
"See you next time, if there's one."
Aiden's form began to fade. The innkeeper's eyes widened in panic as he started to say something, but it didn't reach Aiden, already departing.
A system made solely for players' convenience, one every player had used at least once.
"Fast Travel."
Its name was Fast Travel. A provision for Aiden, the new player.
Aiden confirmed the system had activated properly and looked around.
Somewhere in the snowfield, a moderate distance from the village. A single massive boulder stood alone.
That was where Claire waited for Aiden.
"Eek!"
Then, a startled yelp came from behind him. Aiden jolted too, turning to see her collapsed, breathing raggedly.
"Ah, ah, it was you, old man. Thought some weirdo appeared out of nowhere."
"Didn't I tell you yesterday I'd come like this? We even checked together."
"How am I supposed to not get scared...!"
Well, she was already scared; nothing for it. And this Fast Travel produced no sound or light during use.
Thinking that, Aiden might have been just as startled in her place.
"Anyway, you really came. Thought you might run off."
"Never crossed my mind."
"Not because I have your stuff, right?"
"Of course not...!"
As he spoke, Aiden handed Claire one of the reward pouches.
She had slipped out at dawn; in exchange, Aiden collected her share too and would pass it later. But to prevent her fleeing with the pay, he left his gear with her.
That was their deal.
"Wanted to take a comfy carriage."
Clutching the reward, Claire lamented waiting here in the cold to evade mercenaries, after earning the money from running away.
"If you'd waited quietly, you might've had to deal with a few mercenaries before boarding."
"Ehhh... How long do we have to walk then?"
"We'll find a comfy way as soon as another village shows."
"Whoaaa."
Claire raised her arms in joy, then let them drop limply and trailed after Aiden.
For her, unhindered by the cold, this might be a pure moment of happiness.
But right now, the reality of a long trek weighed heavier than her newfound freedom.
"Old man, can I ask a favor?"
"A favor?"
"Tell me something to cheer me up."
Aiden decided to share some comforting words for her.
"No need for me to say anything special."
"Huh?"
"You've got the freedom you wanted now."
"Oh...!"
Claire's face lit up more easily than expected. They weren't far from the village yet, but she had achieved her goal. Just thinking of what lay ahead probably felt exciting, not burdensome.
"Yeah. It really happened. No one's chasing us; it's just... over."
See? Anyone would feel that way.
"Sounds good to go together, but any plans ahead?"
"Dunno. With blessings, I can probably find work in a city."
"...Pardon?"
Wait a minute. Aiden, who'd been brainstorming topics while walking, was deeply shocked. He hadn't expected that answer in this situation.
Did she really run away banking solely on being a healing nun?
Her outstanding skills didn't match such a lacking future plan. Or was she hiding something?
"Claire?"
Resigned, Aiden decided to spell out reality based on his experiences.
"Let's talk a bit."
"Okay."
"Do you have a rough idea what nuns do outside the church to get by?"
"Well... they stick with mercenaries like you. Fighting together."
"Think everyone does that for no reason?"
Claire stammered, momentarily at a loss.
"N-no, I know. It's not like you can do much alone...!"
"If you knew, you should've prepared."
"Ehhh...!"
Nuns were valuable for healing, but only to mercenaries. Unlike mages, nuns mostly healed and blessed—useless for daily life. Sure, you'd need one for severed limbs, but most everyday issues resolved with basics.
"You should've thought more seriously."
"Eeeee...!"
"Assuming no preparations, anything come to mind now?"
"Well...!"
She shook her head no, clutching one arm and glancing sideways at Aiden.
"Then you'd be better off taking requests like me."
Aiden suggested the best job for her, but Claire looked reluctant.
"...But that's dangerous. I don't have anywhere to go as it is."
"It is tough."
Even Aiden, about to scold further, agreed. Mercenary life meant no home, chasing requests, sleeping wherever each night. No returning base, constant movement despite fatigue. Even with a comrade sharing life and death, the nomadic existence drained the spirit.
Age, gender, circumstances—overcoming them all, it'd still be hard.
"Still, you have to. Plan to starve when money runs out?"
"...No."
Claire, who'd seemed oddly relaxed, began to lose her composure. Finally grasping the gravity? No.
She'd known from the start the issues of being alone. So why act like she had zero plans?
"Then, old man."
She picked one idea from her mind.
"I'll think about it. We've got time before a big city."
"Yes, you should."
"So, how about this?"
"...?"
"I'll seriously mull it over, given some time."
Aiden had overlooked something crucial. Over days, he'd seen Claire's thoughts never faltered—always serious. Past childish age. Her speech was light, but her actions never reckless enough to ruin things.
No way someone leaving their lifelong home lacked a real plan.
What she saw as most desperately needed, yet absent for her:
"Hear me out later and tell me what you think?"
Something—or someone—to rely on and keep close.
