One at a Time. (Part 5)

"Excuse me?"

I ask back in reflex when Juha covers me and push me back replying:

"That's going to be a hard request, Tarkus Ssi. Can't you see her garb? She is still recovering."

"Hoh? Says to the girl that could lift stuff even Master Martial Artist could barely lift in full power? Heck from that video yesterday, I saw her wield Malia like nothing when even most Martial Masters could barely lift it off the ground.

(But I suppose the right question is where did she even find that missing relic if what Jin-Yeon said is true?)"

He leans forwards whispering at the end as he rubs his chin.

(I guess I shouldn't have show anything... Come to think of it, where is the spear? I wonder if it's in the armoury?)

Juha frowns at him and Tarkus laughs it off and raise his hands replying:

"Okay, okay, no need to be so hostile, I am a patient man for my line of work. I'll ask you again when you got better, Sova Ssi."

He turns around and wave goodbye saying:

"And say hello to Jin-Yeon, I heard she'll be visiting you soon with news of you waking up. And it may be late but congrats on your recent promotion and recovery."

(Haah, I really need to find out who this Taiga person).

Seeing his huge figure walk away, maybe thanks to the new governor having a huge stature that I just realize how tall the doors in the adventurers guild are that someone of his size could easily pass through. Tall people must have their troubles too...

And alongside a contingent of the already few adventurers here follows him outside for reason I know not, Juha calms down and look back saying:

"I really hope you try to make a low profile for now."

"Yea... Sorry."

I look at Bai-Sik who's fawning over the orb he just received when he he notice my gaze saying:

"Heh, just because some important people acknowledge you doesn't mean anything when you have no exploits yet to tell!"

I tilt my head replying:

"Not to be rude or bragging but isn't achieving the same thing as Jin-Yeon Ssi already a great feat among all adventurers if what they say is true?"

"S-Shut up!"

Seeing Bai-Sik being do denial of me, I can't help but wonder if there's a reason he hate Owlians but leave it at there by asking:

"So, what do we do now?"

(Like honestly speaking getting ask to babysit him is already a sudden request).

"Hmph! That seems to be a problem with Owlians like you. I doubt you even have any stories to tell."

(What problem? But for the latter...)

I nod replying:

"Of course I do! I have many to tell of my adventurers. Well, before I join the guild."

"Oh? Like what? Impress me."

"Well, do you know of the Alein forest in Heaven?"

(I mean I trained there).

"Alein forest? Sounds stupid."

"Huh? Well, have you heard about the Shulan mountains in-"

"Those names don't ring a bell and you're probably making those names! I've been to Heaven and never heard of those!"

"Uh..."

(I really am not equipped with dealing with a kid... And I guess the names sound weird in Hwansea).

I look at Juha for help but she shrug her shoulders and shake her head.

(When will Bai-Sumi come and pick us up?)

"Is it true? A pioneer was here!?"

"Slow down, Ye-Hua Ssi! For a magician you sure have a high stamina... Fuuh! Wait, since you follow that idiot everywhere it makes much more sense."

A familiar voice rushes over from the entrance. My gaze follows the voice and see a girl the same age as me rush inside looking around wearing a robe and artifacts around her body and the other that slowly follow suit is a lady with a expensive robe with a painting on her back. Seeing them, I rejoice and wave both my arms shouting:

"Ye-Hua Ssi! Jana Ssi!"

"Oh my?"

"Sova Ssi!? You're awake!"

Ye-Hua rush and jumps catching my shoulders shouting:

"Thank goodness! I was so worried when we found your body so badly hurt at the boss room! I can't imagine the battle that ensues with how the room was after the battle. But congrats on emerging victorious!"

She touches my forehead and arms as to check but I shrug it off replying:

"Thanks for worrying, and I'm fine now. But can I call it a victory?"

(I mean I was in the heat of the moment there but I can't really say I... Beat him).

Ye-Hua looks around my body saying:

"Of course! And you're still wearing your hospital gown so don't push yourself too far."

That's when Jana pushes Ye-Hua aside saying:

"Well, well, glad to see you back on your feet, Sova Ssi."

"Oh, um... Yea!"

My target, the reason why I even get to stayed, and who I have to bring somehow... Geom Si-Jana. I scratch the back of my head saying:

"Um, so about that task you gave me. I'm sorry I failed-"

"Shhhh!"

Jana shoves a fan she pulled from under her sleeves. Wagging her finger she smirks saying:

"Please excuse those stuff for more private times, that is not a topic for kids to listen."

My eyes went to Bai-Sik who seems to be interacting with Ye-Hua. I nod replying:

"O-Okay?"

She pulls her fan back and extend it as to hide her lower face.

"But you are wrong about what you said, come visit me later if you are ever so curious. For now don't you have someone else to please?"

Jana looks at Bai-Sik who is now engaged talking to Ye-Hua as I wonder how she got him to stop being grumpy.

"Is it true that owlian girl really contribute that much?"

"Of course! I wouldn't even get a promotion if it wasn't for her. I owe her a lot for the promotion."

"Is that so...?"

"Mhm! Even Zenon can approve of it if you ask him. Sova is a great Adventurer!"

"Mmm..."

Still refusing to believe Ye-Hua asks:

"Didn't you see the recordings? Even though she may be an Owlian it also proves she can't lie."

"Mom teaches me to be fair with how you treat certain groups. So then why don't you say that to the Owlians my dad helped? They are nothing but parasites leeching off my dad's hard work and goodwill! Lazing off and never bothering to do the basics labour that keeps their shelter functioning!"

He then points at me shouting:

"She! That Adventurer defies all I was taught! Isn't she supposed to be an Owlian!? So why isn't she greedy? Why isn't she weak? Why isn't she like the rest!?"

(What's with the way the kid thinks? Is that... Really how he thinks?)

"I'm not a person who give special treatments! That's what my parents taught me!"

(Ah...)

"Heh! Silly child!"

Jana intervenes and points her folded fan as the tip touches his nose before saying:

"The world doesn't revolve around your uncooked mind. But that is simply what it means to grow up, learning about things that goes against everything you learn..."

Jana pulls her fan back and taps her chin with a smile saying:

"And making your own decisions. Take it from someone who experience the same."

(Hearing her reminds me of of the start of this messy journey... And since this is already the last month of the year and getting pretty close, I'm going to turn 17 next year huh?)

Bai-Sik folds his arm as to hold himself. He glares at me saying:

"I owe you no apology! Ugh, now we just gotta wait for that demon aunt of mine."

Ye-Hua walks to my side and nudge my arm asking:

"So... He's not related to any of you?"

I shake my head replying:

"He's the cousin of a colleague. She told me to try and impress him but it seems that doesn't seem possible."

"You got that right! Physical abilities are nothing much in a society of magic!"

*Clack*

Jana opens her fan with a loud voice before she points at the kid saying:

"That's where you're wrong, Kid."

"Huh?"

"I suppose it may be true in parts of where you live but that's not true in most of here. This is a society of Martial Artist and do you know what makes up half of a Martial Artist?"

"His techniques?"

"Wrong! It is thier bodies! What do you think they cultivate for? It's to turn their bodies into something more and it can't be dispersed by those measly Owlian Steel."

"Owlian Steel?"

Bai-Sik tilts his head as I realize maybe that ore is not that common for people to know. Then again that ore is illegal.

"Either way, one day you will need to change your views boy. So why not give her a chance? My word may not be much but the fact that many trusts her proves otherwise no? I assure you she's not bad."

I felt my heart torn a bit hearing Jana says that, knowing what I'm doing here and what I'm gonna do to her my eyes wander away.

"Really? Urrgh... Fine, but I'm not expecting much."

"That's a start!"

Ye-Hua replies cheerfully when a couple of people enter and a familiar voice shouts:

"Sova! Finally! Let's grab some lunch! Hum!"

With Tarkus leaving many adventurer seems to left as well following him making her voice echo loudly across the training hall. It's none other than Yoo-Ah waiving her arm and jumps to hug me and Bai-Sumi who follows along that pulls Yoo-Ah away saying:

"Aren't you attached to her a bit too much?"

"Nope! She loves hugs!"

(And head pats too).

I nod along her statement when Bai-Sumi smiles replying:

"Aren't you too old for that? You're 16 aren't you?"

"There's no age restriction for hugs and head pats!"

I answer back profusely and Bai-Sumi shakes her head replying:

"That so? Then..."

"Hehe!"

She pats my head as I realize its been a while since someone actually give me one. I can't help but smile when Bai-Sumi stops and looks at me a bit uncomfortable saying:

"Right... So, did that little brat cause you much trouble?"

"Oh, not much! But I guess I failed to impress him."

"Aw, don't worry. I heard that a Pioneer visit here."

"That's right, Devil Aunt! And he even gave me a souvenir!"

Bai-Sik shows her the nightlight Tarkus lefts him replying:

"Waaa~ amazing and I'm surprised he is that kind compared to his huge presence."

(Yea... It kinda contradicts what he told me about being special and all that).

Yoo-Ah who finally notice Jana and Ye-Hua looks at them surprised asking:

"Oh! Aren't you two the visitors that came to visit her and left that big gifts?"

Jana extends her fan and wave it once replying:

"Hoh? Right, you're Sova Ssi' personal staff. We didn't get to introduce ourselves properly back at that room. I'm Jana and the boring girl behind me is Ye-Hua. As you can tell she's a proper adventurer and I'm their travelling companions."

"Hey, what do you mean boring!? Last I remember you're the one with a hobby of just standing around and counting rocks-"

*Smack*

"Ah~"

"Ignore that wailing apparition!"

"I see!"

Yoo-Ah place her hand below her stomach and bow gracefully replying:

"Greetings adventurer Ye-Hua and Visitor Jana, I'm Yoo-Ah! Please to meet you! And I heard you helping out Sova during his promotion, so thank you once again!"

(Oh yeah! I never thank them for the gift).

I look at Jana and bow my head saying:

"I almost forgot and I know this may be late but thanks for the get well gifts!"

"Hmph! It is simply an obligation to fulfill when that stupid wight went out of control and destroyed your stuff. Worry not, San-Min has drilled enough to her head to control herself more. In fact, he's the one that payed for the expenses too so I'll take your thanks to him."

"O-Oh I see, please do."

I look back at Yoo-Ah who's eyes are wandering as she waits and remember we still had our lunch. And remembering the talks from back then I ask,

"Say, Yoo-Ah mind if both of them come along for lunch?"

"Eh?"

"Oh? Are you sure, Sova Ssi?"

Both of them seems shocked but Ye-Hua to my surprise nods replying:

"Sure! It seems rather than rival you turn them to friends and companions! So sure!"

"And, if you don't mind, can you bring us to that bakery you like to told me about?"

*CLAP*

"Aaaah!"

Yoo-Ah claps her hand accompanied by a loud shout before she continues saying:

"That's right! I almost forgot with all that happen! Very well! Let's visit Uncle Yi-Il's bakery! But, only if you don't mind waiting a bit late to eat."

"Oh, we're having bread for lunch? Interesting. Though that names does struck me a bit, where have I heard it?"

"Of course you heard it! Uncle Yi-Il is one of the best baker in the Continent!"

"My! If that's so, then waiting for some time is more than appropriate for the best meal in the peninsula. Lead the way, Yoo-Ah Ssi"

"Hum! Hum! Now let's go! Follow me!"

Yoo-Ah rushes ahead and Jana nods folding her fan back to her sleeves as she follow suit. Bai-Sumi holding Bai-Sik' hand walk along a she says:

"Hold me tight now, you're lucky to be able to eat his baking."

"Hmph! I had the best chef cooked me meals! I doubt this baker I heard will do good!"

With Ye-Hua, Juha and me lagging behind, Ye-Hua sighs saying:

"Well, this has become quite a crowd. I suppose I should grab some for San-Min too if it is really from some top bakery."

(San-Min... I wonder if he will be an obstacle in the mission? I mean I somehow separated them but...)

Ye-Hua walks ahead while I was in thought when she grabs my hand and pulls me along asking:

"Hey, you okay? Come on, you're the one that invited us, shouldn't you be leading or walking beside Yoo-ah Ssi?"

"Right..."

*************************************

"What's with that group?", "Yeah, where did all those cuties gathered from?", "Woah!", "Damn!", "Must be some rich bunch.", "That Owlian among them is ruining it-", "Hey, eyes away! A jade bone is with them!", "Ah, shit!"

Ignoring the awes and the thought that I'm being included, I remember back that after changing my attire we all head out of the guild to the northern districts it seems. With the martial Law slowly being lifted, the streets starts to become more lively. The streets are starting to grow more crowded with even less soldiers, from the main roads where vehicles and other transports from land and air, some stores that is once boarded up and closed in the streets are opening and brightening the district...

(I wonder if I'll see the the whole street being active?)

It wasn't long before we exited the train station and hearing the news of the law lifting. When I look to my left, I see Yoo-Ah who's walking cheerfully and to my rightJuha walks along pleased, smiling as she looks ahead.

(Oh? She's really happy-)

"Hmm?"

*Sniff* *Sniff*

Picking up a very nice scent, I soon realize the crowds here are not actually just passerbys but crowds lining up to where the smell's coming from.

"Oooh! I can smell something very nice and I still can't see the store."

"Yea! I can smell something very nice too and is this the line? No wonder you told us to wait."

Yoo-Ah raise her arm replying:

"Hum! Hum! Yup!"

Before pointing it at the snowing sky saying:

"Uncle Yi-Il told me he is having some event for the people! It is to celebrate the martial law lifting and is giving some huge discounts! Plus he's making some super delicious meals for this events too!"

Juha holds her chin and open her eyes wide saying:

"Oh yeah, the new governor said he is funding an edict of bread and games for the past week. I guess it makes sense he would enlist the support of such a talented baker and that huge game yesterday."

I can't help but feel amazed replying:

"Woah! He must be really nice for paying for all this stuff."

(And he even let me recover in his private residence).

Juha sharpens her eyes and return to her usual calm face replying:

"Hmph! I suppose it's best you think like that. But either way, how are we suppose to have our lunch with such a long line? I doubt your words of waiting a while counts as this."

Yoo-Ah places her arm on her hips and puff her chest out shouting:

"Don't worry! I have a plan! Follow me!"

"W-Woah..."

Yoo-Ah grabs my arms and I let her pull me along as we branch away from the line and is heading to the side where people are still moving. The scent of something floral, fruity, and even sweet waves through the air more which makes me hungry again while I try my best to hold my saliva.

We kept walking, passing through the endless crowd and soldiers keeping them in line as they ignore us because Juha's presence...

(She really is nice to have along).

Before long, I could see a tall building exuding smoke from multiple chimneys. Crowds pour in and put from multiple double doors from the huge building with guards watching over them. Atop the tall roofs and there's a sign saying,

[Yi's Bakery]

"Woah, look at all those people, where have they been hiding all this time?"

Ye-Hua looks around replying:

"They're probably from other streets and districts too. Anyways, we're so close! Don't stop now!"

"A-Again?"

Ye-Hua pulls me once more, curious as to why she is so confident I ask,

"How are you sure we can bypass all the people here?"

(I mean, I could see the some glares coming our way).

Yoo-Ah smirks replying:

"How? By using the back door of course! I was once a trainee and disciple of Uncle Yi-Il a few years back. Seeing this situation there's no way Uncle would refuse a experienced helping hand! In fact, he already send a letter asking for my help when he heard I was in the city a few days back!"

"Oh! So that's why the cookies and cakes you make are so delicious. And how you know him?"

Juha, impressed by her words softly says:

"Cunning for someone who looks like you."

"Hey! What is that suppose to mean! Anyways, seeing those soldiers if we get stop please be the one to speak!"

"So much for having a loud voice."

Maybe it's Juha's presence but the soldiers that is forming a line make way saluting as they let us through a part to the side of the building.

"Stop right there! What the hell are you idiots doing!? So what is she's Jade bone!?"

"B-But sir!"

From the corner two soldiers walk towards us. Like Colonel Iseon, the one shouting wears a long coat and unlike him he has jade trim to his uniform like Juha. I can't help but notice his short silver hair and sharp emerald eyes. Yoo-Ah stops as they stand against us and the jade bone soldier folds his arms asking:

"Well, if it isn't 2nd lieutenant Jin-Juha? What the hell is the internal defense bureau doing back here? Bringing a group of girls too. Just because we're soldiers don't mean we get free pass. If you really want some then you can wait until the Bread & Games are over where the governor promised us a feast in our barracks."

Juha steps over and salutes with a glare, scoffing at him replying:

"Hmph! Major Won-Su, Sir! Don't misunderstand! I'm only here to accompany someone who wishes to help Yi-Il's bakery."

"What did you say!?"

Seeing them two together, I soon realize the subtle differences in their uniform other than the long coat. The pattern of the trim and the way the buttons work, like Juha wears a six buttons side to side on her stomach rather than the Major who has a button from top to bottom. The female soldier and the male defense bureau soldier that tried to kick me out does wear the same uniform Juha while the Colonel also wears the same uniform as the Major infront of us...

(More like why do they wear different uniforms?)

The major looks at the soldier beside him nefore looking back at us saying:

"Honestly, I don't wish to entertain your excuse but we did receive message from Yi-Il. So who's the helper?"

Juha looks at Yoo-Ah replying:

"Her Major, her name's Yoo-Ah she's once under the tutelage of Yi-Il."

"Tch, the only once here losing is you if you lie, call inside!"

"Y-Yes sir!"

The soldier beside the Major runs to the corner and as we wait, Juha and the Major stares against each other before he unfolds his arms asking:

"So, who are those other people you brought anyways?"

"Them? Adventurers and Adventurer Guild Staffs. Friends and acquaintances of hers ...And their family I suppose. The only one to speak is her."

"Ah, that blondie over there must be the recent rising Star Child huh? Wielder of the missing Relic, Malia. But even then you do realize the one coming is only that girl right?"

Juha shrugs her shoulders replying:

"Who knows?"

"You haven't change since-

*STOMP* *STOMP*

"Wait a moment, Miss!"

"YOO-AAAAH!!!"

Loud footsteps echo across the alleyway and the voice of a lady roars across when from the corner the Major comes out from. Seeing the middle age lady rushes towards us with breakneck speed, Juha seems to be appalled as she seems to hold her scream while she jumps towards Yoo-Ah.

With tears and snot on her face, dried dough burned crisp and the smell of bread all over her, she buries her head on Yoo-Ah's chest shouting:

"Yooo-Aaah! Thank goodness you arrived! Uwaaah! Aaaa! We shouldn't have accepted the contract from the Governor no matter how much he offered! My arms would fall off before all our stockpiles finished! Anyways! Quickly come inside! Your help is sorely needed!"

Yoo-Ah grabs her shoulders as to prevent her from getting up replying

"Aunty Ma-Yi, only if you let them in!"

"Whatever! Bring them to the guest rooms or if they can help with labour bring to the storage, let's go! With you we could double our efforts!"

"W-Woaah!"

Yoo-Ah was lifted off the ground anyways and carried away when the Major sighs and walks to the side saying:

"You may pass... Take care..."

He said reluctantly and feeling a tint of dissatisfied in his tone Juha leads the way with a grin look following the lady's trail as to where she carried Yoo-Ah away.

(Weird, this is the second time I saw Juha with that face. Did she perhaps know that lady?)

With Juha leading ahead we turn at the corner and see the huge bakery from behind. Unlike the colorful front the back is much more simpler as I could see chimneys connecting the roofs and windows open as I see a burning oven. With the door open wide, Juha enters first saying:

"Excuse us."

I follow suit and look around and see what seems to be a huge storage, the air is filled with brown dusts and the smell of wheat and something very nice coming from the room beyond. Boxes with small notes are lined up across the shelves, bright lights across the ceiling when the soldier behind us closes the door.

"So... Where are we suppose to go?"

Ye-Hua asks when I nod along asking,

"Yea, where is the guest room?"

When I heightened my hearings, I ignore the sound of steam and crackles and hear someone talking at the other rooms beyond,

"YOO-AH! Did you saw my message!? Thank the Gods! Please, start with pulling out the breads on the 3rd section ovens."

"Right away Capt!"

"It's Head Baker to you! And you said you brought friends to help?"

"Yup! They're pretty strong!"

"Heh, you sure do have a glib tongue to bring that much friends. Honey, give them some good kneading!"

"Okay, sweet bun!"

I stop listening as I hear someone approaching us and look back seeing the others looking at the boxes.

"Um, I think we'll be working before we can eat."

"Hah! Perfect!"

Ye-Hua responded immediately as she points at Juha saying:

"It seems that it's time you learn how to do your own labour!"

"Foolish Ye-Hua! You think I can't handle some low labour?"

Bai-Sumi nods along saying:

"That's quite expected but to think the day Yoo-Ah actually force us to do something comes."

(Is it really that weird?)

Hearing the sound of footsteps coming closer, I look at the opened door ahead and see the woman that carried Yoo-Ah. Unlike when she appears before she now stands tall with her hand on her hips as she smiles proudly saying:

"Alright, you volunteers! Food comes with effort! If you want your own specialized custom bread on a platter you better work for it!"

She walks between Juha and I who's the closest and nods saying:

"To think she manage to rope in a jade bone like you, Juha. She might be more impressive than I thought..."

She looks at Juha as she says that and turns to me as saying:

"And you must be the recently popular Star Child! I can see many developed hidden muscles within you, lifting Malia with those guns seems more believable..."

She then walks past us and closed her legs and puts one of her hands to her back and using the other to point at the sack at the ground shouting:

"You two will be the carriers! Start by grabbing those flour bags to the kitchen just the room where I enter, now get going! Star Child, you carry extra!"

"Y-Yes???"

I answer back while Juha who seems reluctant and frowning nods along replying:

"Yes instructor- I mean ma'am! (Old habits die hard, and to think that instructor is the wife of Yi-Il...)"

I hear Juha mutter at the end and I follow suit taking the sacks and follow Juha wondering if this is really alright for lunch?

Ignoring the 4 behind as the lady.

(Heh! Either way, I suppose a lively time like this is not so bad... I wonder what lies ahead? I mean I have a party at night, another two days later, and then a huge game next week, a mission I had to complete by bringing Jana, and then there's Colonel Iseon who I have to cooperate with so it seems it would be good if I can contact Shifu or Abe. Also it seems there's that [Origin] I have to control...

My schedule seems to be pretty packed but it seems I can only do one at a time).