D-Day

The mercenary guild's main chamber was an imposing space adorned with maps, trophies, and the scent of seasoned warriors. The team of hunters, led by Xavier, stood in formation before the guild master's large desk, a solid piece of weathered oak. The air was filled with an air of anticipation, punctuated by the occasional creaking of armor and the rustle of paper.

At one end of the desk, Garrett sat, a rugged figure with a leather jacket and a mop of disheveled hair. In his hands, he held a crumpled piece of parchment, which he calmly unfolded. His brow furrowed as he perused the contents, analyzing the details of the upcoming mission.

The guild master, a seasoned man with a long white beard and piercing eyes, surveyed the team with a nod of approval. "Good to see you all ready for another mission. We have a task that requires your skills."

As the guild master spoke, Garrett silently reviewed the details on the paper, his eyes scanning the information meticulously. The others in the team stood at attention, their expressions a mix of curiosity and readiness.

Finally, Garrett gently placed the parchment back on the desk, leaning back in his chair. He looked up at the guild master, a hint of intrigue in his eyes. "What's the mission, boss?"

The guild master met Garrett's gaze, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "A routine clearing mission, nothing too extravagant."

Garrett sighed, a touch of disappointment evident in his voice. "I was hoping for something more exciting."

The guild master chuckled, understanding Garrett's desire for a challenge. "Well, unfortunately, this is what's available at the moment. Sometimes the routine missions are necessary to keep the balance."

Garrett nodded in understanding, leaning forward with a thoughtful expression. "Alright, boss. When do we leave?"

The guild master leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "You and your team will depart in two days. We'll make sure everything you need for the task is prepared. Additionally, we'll have handymen on standby to recover the corpses of the beasts you take down."

Garrett nodded, his disappointment giving way to a pragmatic acceptance. "Two days it is, then."

The guild master's gaze shifted to the rest of the team. "Make sure you're well-prepared. It might be routine, but every mission carries its own challenges."

Xavier and the rest of the team acknowledged the guild master's words with determined nods. They understood the importance of even seemingly routine tasks and were ready to face whatever challenges awaited them.

As the meeting concluded, the team began to disperse, discussing strategies and preparations for the upcoming mission. Garrett remained seated for a moment, his gaze lingering on the parchment before he folded it neatly and placed it back on the desk.

The guild master, catching Garrett's lingering look, offered a reassuring smile. "Not every mission can be an epic saga, Garrett. But they all contribute to the greater story of the guild."

Garrett grinned, his eyes reflecting a mix of determination and acceptance. "True enough, boss. Let's get this done."

With that, Garrett rose from his chair, joining the rest of the team as they prepared for the routine yet vital mission that awaited them.

The entrance of the mercenary guild buzzed with activity as Xavier and his hunter team arrived two days later for their routine clearing mission. Lined up in a neat row were about five handymen, a sturdy carriage, and a few horses ready for the journey.

As Xavier stepped forward, he couldn't help but notice the handymen lined up, their eyes gazing at him and the other hunters with a mix of admiration and respect.

It felt strange for Xavier, who vividly remembered being on the other side of such lineups during his days as a handyman. The memories of his last handyman task with Travis, which ended in tragedy, flashed in his mind, creating a knot of unease in his stomach.

Aria, ever perceptive, noticed the tension in Xavier's posture. She walked up beside him, giving him a reassuring pat on the back.

"Don't worry, Xavier. We've got a strong team, and we'll have each other's backs. This mission will be a breeze."

Xavier managed a grateful smile, appreciating Aria's comforting words.

"Thanks, Aria. I know we've got a capable team. Just a bit of nerves, you know?"

Aria chuckled, understanding his feelings.

"It's normal to feel a bit jittery before a mission. We've all been there. Just trust in your training and in us. We've got this."

Despite Aria's reassurance, Xavier couldn't shake the lingering unease. The thought of returning to a handyman task, especially one that held memories of a tragic past, made him apprehensive. He didn't want history to repeat itself, and he silently hoped that his presence wouldn't bring bad luck to the mission.

The guild master, overseeing the preparations, approached the team.

"Everything is set for your mission. The handymen will handle the recovery of the beasts' corpses. Make sure to coordinate with them and ensure a smooth operation."

Xavier nodded, suppressing his lingering unease. The guild master's words triggered memories of his days as a handyman, a time when he had taken on such tasks with a sense of purpose and camaraderie. Now, as a hunter, the dynamics had changed, and he needed to embrace the new role while facing the ghosts of the past.

The team mounted their horses, and Xavier took a deep breath, focusing on the present moment. The carriage was ready, and the handymen were prepared for their part of the mission. As they set off, Xavier's gaze lingered on the guild's entrance, his thoughts a mix of determination and a tinge of nervousness.

Throughout the journey, the team engaged in light banter, discussing strategies and sharing stories to ease the tension. Aria continued to offer words of encouragement to Xavier, reminding him of the team's strength. Despite the support, Xavier couldn't completely shake off the shadows of the past, a faint unease lingering in the back of his mind.

While he didn't voice out his thoughts in hopes of not jinxing the mission, he still held onto his understanding of how his bad luck works and silently followed the team.

His eyes shifted to his stats once more and he nodded with a flicker of determination in his eyes. He acknowledged the fact that he had become a hunter through his hard work and training and now he has the strength to stand side by side with them.

"After this, let's get some hot buns and chicken soup. What do you think?" Xavier asked an abrupt question stunning his team but the underlying meaning behind his words left them smiling.

"Hot buns and chicken soup it is!" Garrett laughed out loud and the others joined in.