The next day, the guild was bustling with activity.
Adventurers came and went, joining parties, taking quests, and boasting of their latest dungeon adventures.
At the center of it all—
Yami, Rei, Lina, Kira, and Lucky Luke sat at a table, arguing over what to do next.
Kira was still nervous, occasionally glancing over at Yami. She had put her name on his party invitation, but the tension from the night before still lingered.
Rei, who was next to Yami, elbowed him. "So… what now?"
Yami let out a breath. "We just keep moving forward. Kira's coming with us. That's it."
Lina adjusted her glasses. "Then we have to consider what she'll do at the party. Kira, what class are you?"
Kira hesitated, then spoke, "Swap."
Lina blinked. "Swap?"
Kira nodded. "I can swap anything for anything else, as long as they're within range."
Yami scrunched his brow. "Give an example."
Kira glanced around and noticed a glass of water on the adjacent table.
She concentrated, and then—
Ding!
[Swap Activated!]
[Cup of Water → Lucky Luke's Apple]
SPLASH!
Lucky Luke, who was living a satisfied life munching on an apple, was left with a mouthful of water suddenly.
"BLERGH—?"
The apple was then placed where the cup was.
Rei laughed out loud. "PFFT—HAHAHAHA! Oh my god, that was perfect!"
Lina smiled. "That's… surprisingly useful."
Kira laughed. "See? I can trade objects, and even individuals."
Yami was surprised, but. he still wasn't at ease.
It wasn't about her ability.
It was about her.
The True Reality Regarding His Sister
Yami was silent for a moment, but then lapsed into talking.
".You remind me of someone."
The table was still.
Rei and Lina stiffened. They knew already whom he was referring to.
Kira looked at him, stunned. "Who?"
Yami's grip on his scythe closed.
"My sister."
Kira's eyes widened. "…Oh."
Yami looked at the table, his expression blank. But his voice. was heavy.
"She was kidnapped and murdered."
Silence.
Kira was shocked. She opened her lips to say something, but. nothing was uttered.
Yami continued.
"She was weak, but she always smiled. No matter how terrible things were, she never let anyone know."
His hands clenched into fists.
"I promised to protect her."
A deep breath.
"But I failed."
Kira's throat was tightened with a knot.
Rei and Lina looked away, their faces black. They had never before heard Yami speak of this so openly.
Lucky Luke, for once, didn't utter a word.
Yami looked up at Kira afterwards.
"I know you're not her."
Kira swallowed.
"But when I saw you." His voice cracked a little. "For a moment, I thought—"
He caught himself. Shook his head.
".Forget it."
Kira's hands trembled slightly.
Then, finally, she spoke.
"I have no idea why I look like her," she admitted. "But… thank you for saving me."
She looked at him steadfastly.
"And if you'll let me, I'd be delighted to help you."
Yami gazed at her for a moment.
Then he nodded. "Alright."
The tension relaxed a bit.
Rei clicked her fingers. "Okay! Now that that's out of the way—what's next?"
Yami breathed out. "We're getting stronger and stronger. We're not strong enough yet."
Lina shoved her glasses up. "Then let's look for a dungeon nearby."
Lucky Luke smiled abruptly.
"Well, well, well," he leaned forward and spoke. "Before that… I have an offer!"
Yami crossed his arms. "Go on."
Lucky smiled.
"Wait, I, great Lucky Luke, will bet everything i have… that you can't beat me in a duel."
The guild was quiet.
Lina's eyes grew tight. "Wait. You're wagering. everything?"
Lucky smiled. "That's true! If you win, you can have everything I possess."
Rei whistled. "That's crazy. Why on earth would you even place that bet?"
Lucky's smile widened.
"Because I already know how this ends."
Yami grasped his scythe.
This man. he was not normal.
".Alright," Yami answered, his eyes burning with passion. "Let's go."
Lucky smiled. "Oh-ho! This will be fun!"
The game was on.
Yami vs. Lucky Luke. But was it truly a gamble? Or was Lucky scheming something more substantial?