How'd It Go?

After they ate, Grim and Dart made their way back to the tavern, where an excited-looking Marko greeted them.

"If it isn't my fledgling chimera hunters! So, how did your first job go? Did you get paid?" Marko asked.

"Y-Yeah…about that, Marko…" Grim was finding it difficult to tell him what just happened earlier at the slums.

"I am just kidding. I know you did not accept the old lady's payment." Marko said with a smile.

"Eh? How did you know that?" Grim was perplexed.

"She told me herself, she stopped by earlier and drank the hundred gold coins away in one go." Marko laughed as he said that. "But you know, I know you probably felt bad about accepting payment from her. You've got a good heart, kid."

The bald man rubbed Grim's head much like a father would to his son. "You've got your grandfather's sympathetic blood, that is for sure."

When Grim and Dart were in their room, they reminisced about what just happened.

"Well, it could have been worse, at least Marko let us off kind of easily." Dart said.

"True. Also, I just realized something, Dart." Grim replied back.

Dart leaned in and was keen on listening.

"There is so much more to this world than just relying on my instincts and senses. Take a look at our master, Alina, for example. If we did not help the old lady with her chimera problem, we probably would not have met her, right?" Grim uttered.

"Uh-huh, can't argue with that logic." Dart proudly nodded.

"I want to master her power or at least some variation of it. I've got to get stronger, because my soul is not just mine alone. No. It is for both of us. That goes for you as well." Grim was grinning as he said that while aggressively caressing Dart's head.

"Ouch… what has gotten into you?" Dart replied with an annoyed tone.

"We are going to make it big in this world, partner. Chimera hunters…it is not such a bad occupation after all, eh?" the elvish boy said with a smile.