CHAPTER 100: CHAPTER 99: SAND HUNTER PARTY

Kael looked up from a stack of parchment on the counter as the doorbell chimed.

Alenia stepped in, followed by the Red Band and a few others. She stopped just past the threshold, her eyes widening as she looked around.

"So this is your shop..." she murmured. "The ceiling’s so high."

Kael gave a slight smile. "Ah, you’ve arrived."

Alenia turned toward him. "Your shop is very big. And the structure—it’s different from any building I’ve seen in Ginip."

She wandered slowly past the shelves, her hands clasped behind her back as she examined the products one by one: soap bars neatly wrapped, flashlights with metal casings, paper packs with clean printing. Her gaze lingered on a row of toothbrushes.

"These items are... amazing," she said, half to herself. "What kind of place makes these?"

Kael didn’t answer directly. Instead, he glanced at Seris, who was behind the counter, arranging a few new items.

"Seris," he called. "Can you show her around?"

Seris smiled. "Of course."

Alenia followed her, still gazing around in quiet awe. The Red Band split up—Liora and Mira made a beeline for the food section, laughing as they picked out snacks like children in a candy store.

Kael turned back toward the entrance as Darien stepped forward, flanked by another group.

"This," Darien said, motioning to the people behind him, "is the Sand Hunter party. I thought you might need more people, so I brought them."

Kael raised an eyebrow. Five people stood behind Darien.

The man in front stepped forward.

He looked to be in his late thirties, maybe early forties—older than the others, but not past his prime. A tall, broad-shouldered figure with a heavy traveler’s cloak over his armor. A short, square beard lined his jaw, neatly trimmed despite the road. A thin scar crossed beneath his right eye, disappearing into his cheekbone like a half-healed memory.

There was a stillness to him—a man used to listening before acting, watching before speaking.

He removed his glove before extending his hand briefly, then gave a respectful bow—not too deep, not too shallow.

"Nice to meet you, Master Kael," he said. His voice was deep, steady, and calm. "My name is Bram. I’m the leader of this party."

He stepped aside. "Let me introduce the others."

A woman with short, dark hair and a long scar down her cheek gave a nod.

"Tess," she said. "Scout and crossbow. I spot the trouble before it spots us."

A compact crossbow was strapped to her back, bolts resting in a worn pouch at her hip.

Next came a broad-shouldered man with a dented pauldron and thick arms. He grunted once, then said simply, "Jorin. Shield. I stand in front."

Bram gave a chuckle. "He’s not much of a talker, but if something big charges us, he’s the one who takes the hit."

Then came a thin, wiry boy. He looked no older than seventeen, wiry and quick, with twin daggers at his belt and a pack full of tools strapped to his side.

"Malik," he said. "Traps, locks, and sneaking around. I’m also very good at running away if things go bad."

The last to speak was a woman. She gave a small, polite bow. She wore a dark green cloak, a longbow across her back, and a leather pouch of herbs and bandages at her hip.

"Ferra. Archer and field medic. I patch up the messes they make."

"Which is often," Malik added quickly.

Ferra shot him a look. "Especially you."

"Huh"

Then Darien said to Kael, "We met them when we were coming. When they heard about you, they were interested in joining us, so we brought them here."

Garrick, standing nearby, crossed his arms. "I assure you that you can trust them. They are very experienced and trustworthy people. Our team has conducted some missions with them before."

Kael kept his expression neutral, though his thoughts stirred.

More people? he thought. That means more mouths to feed. More gold every month. And I’m already short on funds...

Still, his face showed nothing but calm.

Then one of the Sand Hunters—Tess—spoke up. "We’ve heard a lot about you. Your name’s well known among adventurers. And your goods... they helped us out more than once."

Bram stepped forward again. "But more than that... I want to thank you. Personally. For saving our village."

Kael looked up. "Your village?"

"Yes," Bram said. "Dustrim Village. You gave the medicine that saved us during the Wasting. Without it... we would’ve lost half the village. Maybe more."

Kael said, "So you are from that village."

That’s good. Since I saved their village and family, they might be grateful to me.

The Sand Hunters all bowed their heads slightly.

"We owe you," Bram said. "You saved our families. So when we heard you’re starting a new organization and needed people... we made our decision."

"You don’t have to pay us much," said Malik, the youngest of the group. "We’re not here for gold. We want to repay you."

Ferra added, "Think of it as gratitude. A way to give something back."

Kael breathed out through his nose and rubbed his temple.

"I appreciate it," he said. "But I don’t let people work for free."

He looked at them again. "Do you hold any rank with the Guild?"

Bram nodded. "Yes. Officially, we’re D-rank under the Adventurer’s Guild."

Kael nodded. "In that case, I can’t offer the same pay as Red Band. They’re C-rank."

He paused, calculating.

"For now, I’ll offer your party five gold coins per month. That includes housing and supplies. If things go well, it can increase."

The Sand Hunters looked at each other. They nodded as one.

"That’s more than fair," Bram said. "Thank you, Master Kael."

"You’re a good man," Tess added, her voice low and genuine.

Kael gave a short, quiet sigh.

Darien grinned. "I figured they’d be a good match."

Kael stepped back toward the counter and picked up a pen. "Seris will record your names and team details. I’ll have identification tokens made for you within the week. Until then, no official duties. Just stay alert, stay nearby."

Bram bowed again. "Understood."