2

Billy tried to brush Ol' Smith's concern off, "Smithy, there are only so many level D adventurers around the village. Most of them either moved to the bigger towns or are on duty. How do you expect us to find a full party when a 2 member party is already so hard to gather?

"Both Felicia and I are level D adventurers. Hell, I'm sure I'll be able to pass the level C advancement test that is coming down the line after the entry tests are over so the two of us are more than enough to take on a level E quest!"

Felicia lowered her head with something akin to shame and kept her mouth shut when Ol' Smith turned to look at her. It was quite obvious whose idea this was. Felicia was probably roped into Billy's harebrained scheme. The girl was too kind for her own good.

Ol' Smith sighed as he shook his head. "I know both of you are very experienced adventurers, the best this humble village has to offer in fact but as you know, rules are..."

Before Ol' Smith could finish the sentence, Billy cut the old barman off, "Smithy, I know what you're going to say, rules are rules, right? But have you considered that rules are meant to be broken? I mean with two of us taking the helm, what can possibly go wrong? It's only a level E quest, I'm sure you can make an exception..."

"I know you're capable adventurers but it's more than ability that we're concerned about. There has to be a reason for the quest to ask for a 3 member party..." Ol' Smith tried to explain but Billy wasn't listening.

By then, Billy's eyes caught sight of Arthur who had his head turned conspicuously their way. An idea lit up Billy's face as he wandered over to curl his arms around the young man's shoulders. He announced joyfully, "Smithy, here, I found the third member for our party! Now, would you let us go?"

Ol' Smith replied without missing a beat, "What?! Arthur isn't an adventurer, what are you talking about?" Again, Arthur knew the old gentleman only meant well but the categorization of him as "not an adventurer" so firmly and easily still hurt.

This time, Felicia also added, "Billy, I don't think that's such a good idea..."

Billy frowned and turned to face Felicia, "Felicia, not you too? Do you have that little faith in our Arthur?"

Felicia struggled to provide a straight answer because she did not want to harm Arthur's feelings. She could not devalue the young man just like that but she still did not think it was a good idea to bring Arthur with them, it might be too dangerous. Therefore, she uttered in a roundabout way, "Of course not, Arthur is the brightest in our class when we were in school together. There's no reason for me to underestimate him but I think he should gather more experience before he takes on any quests."

Arthur understood what Felicia was hinting at and he appreciated her concern. She was right, the three of them were from the same age and thus attended the same classes when they were young. However, after they graduated, she and Billy earned their adventurer's license almost instantly while Arthur was left behind. It was then that the distance between them grew. Felicia still treated Arthur as a friend when they ran into each other around town, which was rare. The same though could not be said of Billy. The boys used to be pals when they were younger but after Billy became an adventurer and Arthur failed, the former took on this attitude of an older brother around Arthur that the young man did not appreciate. It felt like Billy was patronizing him based on the sole fact that he was an adventurer and Arthur was not.

"And there's no better time than now," Billy countered. "This is just a level E quest, there's no better opportunity for him to gather experience than to go on this quest with us. The both of you are trying too hard to baby the little man's feeling. Why don't we ask the man himself? Arthur, would you like to come to this quest with us?"

This 'little man' was another thing that Arthur hated. Billy took to calling him that after he came back from his first successful quest. It was as if that mere fact placed Billy on a high social status than he was, which Arthur had to admit had a ring of truth to it.

Arthur really wanted to say, 'I am nobody's little man and of course, I'll go on this quest with you' but all he did was nod his head silently.

Billy turned to the two and shrugged, "See, I rest my case."

Ol' Smith jumped out to stop them, "Arthur, I cannot let you do this. You know I won't let you go on any of these quests without an adventurer's license."

"Wait, Arthur, you failed the entry test again?!" Billy asked audibly enough for the whole bar to hear. Arthur could feel color rising to his face. Felicia smacked Billy on his arm for his lack of sensitivity. She smiled and consoled Arthur, "I'm sure it's just bad luck. You'll make it next time."

"After his legendary losing streak?" Billy scoffed, "You sure are hopeful." Felicia branded him with a death gaze. Billy shrugged and said, "I'm just trying to make a point. Have you ever wondered why you keep failing, Arthur?"

'Yes, because I'm a failure.' Arthur thought but did not say.

"We know you've gotten the theory part of the exam down to the tee so this means you're lacking in practical experience! You know what's going to fix that?" Billy asked. "By completing this quest with us!"

Arthur had to agree the man had a point.

Billy turned to Ol' Smith. "I know the quest is a dungeon-looting mission but can't you make a last-minute change to make it an escort mission? We'll just consider Arthur our escort target. He can follow us and learn the ropes while we handle the rest."

Before Ol' Smith had the chance to say anything, Billy pulled Arthur off the chair and out the inn. "Felicia, I'll leave you to handle the details, we'll wait for you at the village entrance!"

"Wait!" Ol' Smith called.

"Ol' Smith, don't worry, I'll take good care of Arthur. I won't let any harm come to him." Felicia sighed helplessly and she promised.

Ol' Smith sighed as well. Billy had already dragged Arthur away so what could he do about it?

After ironing out the details of the quest, Felicia bade Ol' Smith farewell, promising once more to look after Arthur.

After she left, a man who sat a table away from them picked up the dagger and slunk out the door.