Chapter Three:
Chores and Payday
Jane leaned forward, both hands on the frame.
"Let's go, Hanna.
What are you even looking for?"
Moving her head, trying to follow Hanna
who was tearing the room apart.
Opening drawers.
Practically diving under the bed.
Tossing clothes across the mattress.
Hanna kept pacing in quick, sharp bursts.
Dust traced her pacing, back and forth.
From behind the curtain, Hanna's voice came muffled.
"I can't find the…
fire glov—"
"Hanna!" Jane's tone cut through, low and sharp.
Hanna froze mid-step behind the curtain.
Jane leaned back, checked both sides of the hallway,
then leaned forward again.
"We're not camping anymore,
remember?"
Hanna whispered, behind the curtain.
"You're right.
I should be more careful…
we're in the Vault now.
Thanks."
She leaned out slightly,
shoulders angled,
one hand holding up a faded red glove.
"Found it," smiling ear to ear.
Jane narrowed her eyes.
"You're just too cute to stay mad at,
don't you think?"
Hanna stepped fully out, approaching Jane.
"Yeah.
I'm fully aware of that," she smirked.
She tucked the red glove into her right pocket,
and stepped into the hallway.
Jane followed.
The door clicked shut behind them.
Their steps were already fading down the stairs.
Jane paused halfway across the hall.
"Where do we even get the mission?"
Hanna's eyes scanned left—
then right.
"That's the registration desk from yesterday...
So...
probably that guy." Pointing across the floor.
A man hunched over a stack of forms behind a low stone counter.
Jacket collar crooked.
Ink staining his knuckles.
One mug,
untouched, near the edge.
Jane moved forward, stopping just in front of the table.
A stitched name badge sat crooked above his pocket.
Rusk, already half-faded.
"We're here to get assigned to a Site Mission."
His eyes flicked up halfway.
"You're the two from yesterday?"
The girls glanced at each other.
He pulled a copper-trimmed slip from the side tray,
without really looking at it.
He started to recite:
"No field board access until loadout's cleared.
Level One backpack minimum:
Sleeping bag,
healing parchment,
five-day ration."
Hanna stepped in, one hand shifting at her side.
"Where do we get that?"
With a long,
slow movement,
the man pointed down the hall.
"Infirmary.
End of the corridor.
Lockers on the left will have your names.
If they're empty,
metal cabinet
close to the check-in table."
His eyes dropped back to the forms.
Jane stepped back from the desk.
;
Hanna bowed quickly.
"Thanks." Both moved toward the corridor's end.
The infirmary entrance was wide enough for almost a carriage to pass.
Without a door,
only a thick white metal frame.
Hanna moved first, getting inside.
Jane was some steps behind her.
The infirmary hall echoed faintly with their steps.
Just a low hum of a cooling charm along the wall seam,
and lamplight soft against pale tiles.
Hanna headed toward the line of lockers on the left.
Each one was thick iron,
square-latched,
tightly etched in black script.
She ran her hand along the metal—
"Here.
That one's yours."
Jane's locker clicked open,
nothing inside.
Hanna's was also empty.
She slightly shifted her weight to one side.
Jane nodded toward the far wall.
A tall metal cabinet
stood at the end of the corridor,
glass-fronted.
On the right wall, two lines of beds that were clean enough
to reflect on the light coming from the windows, behind them.
Jane leaned on a white metal table,
which seemed to be the infirmary check-in,
that Rusk mentioned.
Jane looked down at the table.
A pair of old glasses and
a pile of medical files.
Behind the table was
a small wooden door,
closed.
Through a small iron-framed window in the door,
were some dark wooden boxes, labeled.
Medical/Heal Supplies.
She turned and followed Hanna,
who was already close to the cabinet.
Hanna looked at Jane coming close.
She pressed a fingertip to the glass door from the metal cabinet.
"Look,
I think it's this one."
Big,
stuffed
backpacks.
They were stacked in metal frames.
Faded paint marked the shelves:
LEVEL 1 – BASIC LOADOUT | 50RUNS
LEVEL 2 – ENHANCED PREP | 100RUNS
LEVEL 3 – FIELD SPECIALIST | 250RUNS
A faint blink pulsed at each Tekke port.
Jane leaned in slightly.
Her hand hovered near the Level 1 tag.
"Okay...
Five for each,
or maybe
just one Blue." She murmured low.
She looked back to the stacked backpacks.
"How?
if we need missions to get Runs,
but we can't do missions without supplies,
how can w—"
"The shiny mushrooms!" Hanna's hands clapped together.
Jane jumped, startled.
"What are you talking abou—
No.
No.
No, no, no, no, no.
We're not
going back there."
Hanna narrowed her eyes.
"But I don't eve—"
"Nope." Jane shook her head.
"Are you sure?" Hanna's eyes locked on her friend.
Jane nodded.
Hanna turned slowly walking toward the infirmary exit.
Her pacing steady and silent.
"Okay"
Jane blinked.
"Where are you going?"
Hanna stopped.
"To the Adventures Vault.
We need that money
if we're going to buy those packs."
She glanced over her shoulder.
"You can go back to the warm and safe room if you want."
Jane looked at Hanna who started to walk again.
Then stepped after.
"Fine.
But just this time,
so we can start the real missions here."
Hanna lit up.
"I knew you'd understand."
Jane rolled her shoulder.
"If I let you go alone,
you'd probably step on your robe
and
fall again."
Hanna froze mid-step.
One sharp look.
"That happened a single time."
Jane walked past her.
"Yeah.
But it was hilarious,
it was raining,
and when you stood up,
you looked like a fish.
Toasted on one side.
Raw on the other."
Hanna snorted, trying not to laugh.
She picked up the pace to catch up Jane.
"At least
I wasn't the one who ate a mushroom
and tried to fly
thinking that was a fairy.
And
I'm pretty sure
that
was
not
only once.
Keke."
Jane raised her hand.
"Okay,
I surrender.
But I still think that third one
wasn't poisoned."
Hanna slid beside her.
"Mmhm.
Let's go get our
missions." She drew the air quotes,
wide,
theatrical.
They linked arms.
Light steps.
As they neared the door.
Hanna touched her chin.
"I'm pretty sure
it was at least
five mushrooms."
Jane raised an eyebrow.
"No way,
that other time
wasn't—"
Jane leaned back on the wall
outside the Adventures guild
next to the doors.
"I won't go in there again,
can you just choose two missions…
please…
Then,
we can get at least one full blue
and
some greens."
Hanna frowning.
"Are you sure
that
you don't want to choose
at least one?
Maybe I can bring the papers out here
and you can choose too."
Jane smiled, reached forward and
bopped her nose.
Soft and quick.
"No need,
All missions at this place
should be easier than
walking forward.
But, thank you for
worrying."
Hanna nodded slowly.
"Okky,
wait here."
Jane gave a small tug on Hanna's robe.
"One thing,
Hanna…
don't touch anything in there,
okay?"
Hanna made a little pouty face.
"Not even
the sparkly ones?"
Jane frowned.
"Especially
them."
Hanna smirked.
Then smiled, hopping towards the doors.
"Okay…
okay,
I won't
be
long."
After a few minutes,
Hanna exited the Vault
holding two folded mission slips.
She walked quickly,
her steps light,
paper flapping gently with each move.
Jane saw her approaching.
Before she could speak,
Hanna raised her hand slightly and grinned.
"No, no—
I didn't touch
the sparkly,
beautiful,
and
extremely interesting mushroom
I saw inside.
I kept my promise."
Jane smiled.
"I know you did.
Now,
show me the mii-ssions."
Hanna handed her the papers.
Jane unfolded the first one,
scanning it for a moment.
She nodded.
Then her eyes shifted to the second.
Her expression changed slightly.
Hanna tilted her head.
"Any problem?
Did I pick something too difficult?
I thought this place didn't have any hard missions…"
She rubbed her fingertips together, recalculating.
Jane glanced up, voice calm.
"No, no.
Not that.
There's no way this place would ever list a real 'mission.'
And I never seen you miss a number
not even,
once."
She tapped the second paper.
"One full Blue to unclog the river pipes? Either they're too shiny to get wet or
we're about to meet the cleanest rodents in the city."
She folded both papers and handed them back.
"Let's go.
Farm to save.
Pipes to unclog."
Hanna's lips curved slightly at the compliment.
Then she jumped up onto Jane's back,
one hand hooking over her friend's shoulder,
the other arm stretched out, pointing ahead.
"Let's go!
First step to getting our house!"
Jane grabbed under Hanna's legs and started walking with her on her back.
"Don't forget the tea set."
Hanna raised her fist in the air.
"And a tea set!"
They headed toward the city gates.
They followed the dirt path past uneven fence posts,
some bent from inside pressure,
others clawed.
A few rows of crops were still standing, barely.
Near the edge of a broken irrigation trough,
someone moved.
Half-hidden behind a gnawed redleaf stalk,
a swirled horn rose into view.
Then came the small frame beneath it,
no taller than Hanna when Jane met her,
but with four arms,
busily adjusting a damaged valve.
A Mundi.
Jane stepped closer, raising her hand,
steady but light.
"Hi,
excuse me.
Do you know where the owner is?"
The Mundi blinked, turned toward Jane.
He replied in smooth, layered tones (in Pyrali):
"Bu'uplra thulvel Chakshu"
Pointing with two of his left fingers toward the main house.
Then returned to his work without pause.
Jane and Hanna looked at each other.
Hanna tilted her head slightly, smirking.
"I'm pretty sure he said
I'm prettier than you when the sun touches my hair."
A man came from the side path,
carrying something wrapped in cloth,
grinning as he passed.
"You got it close.
He said the owner's inside.
Don't worry,
she knows Common."
They started to walk toward the house,
avoiding some smashed crops on the way.
The house creaked as they stepped inside.
Not broken,
just old.
The air inside smelled like pressed leaves
and salted wood.
A cracked window let in a narrow strip of sun that hit the kitchen wall.
A woman was kneeling near the oven,
tying bundles of dried stalks.
Her back,
broad.
Sleeves rolled to the elbow.
No jewelry.
One braid tucked behind her left ear.
"Give me a second." Without turning.
Jane stood still.
Hanna hovered by the doorway,
eyes scanning a shelf of pickled roots.
The owner turned.
"You're from the Vault?"
Jane nodded.
"We got your report.
You mentioned Lynts."
The woman stood,
wiped her hands on her apron.
"Three nights ago.
They came down from the ridge trail.
Small herd.
Four,
maybe five.
Hit the redleaf rows.
Trampled the irrigation basin."
Jane looked outside, then turned to the Owner.
"You know where they went?"
The Owner pointed through the window.
"West fence.
There's a bend in the treeline.
If they stayed close,
you'll see where the bark's peeled."
Hanna bowed respectfully.
"Thank you,
we will start right away."
Jane followed Hanna outside, moving without sound.
They passed the fence entering the forest,
the trees thinned slightly.
Walked for a while.
Then, just beyond the ridge curve—
stripped bark, like someone had peeled back old paper.
Fresh claw lines curved over the edge of a sunken grove.
Deep enough that light didn't reach the bottom.
It smelled of crushed root, wet leaves, and fur.
Jane knelt.
Tapped the dirt sometimes.
Ran her fingers through loose bark.
Nostrils flared,
eyes narrowed.
"What a mess."
They followed a path of long fur
just enough to reveal the break.
They burst from the lower brush like a snapped net.
First Lynt:
fur matted in sap,
curved horn chipped.
Eyes fogged.
Second:
larger.
Rear foot dragging.
Spit hissed from its mouth like steam.
Third and fourth followed.
Smaller, but faster.
Coated in ash.
Jane was already moving.
The first slammed low,
she twisted,
planted her shield, took the impact with both feet grounded.
The second circled wide,
Hanna dropped a slick of frost between two rocks.
The Lynt skidded,
stumbled,
flipped.
Thud!
The third hit harder.
Jane grunted as her shield rang again.
This time,
she rolled under the chin,
came up behind,
slammed her elbow into the beast's flank.
Then kicked it sideways into a trunk.
The bark cracked.
Two more crashed in from the left.
Larger.
Fangs yellowed.
One, foaming at the jaw.
The air shifted.
Jane didn't look back.
"Don't.
You promised."
;
Hanna's hand hovered halfway through the second glove.
The air shimmered faintly.
Jane's stance didn't change.
"Trust me."
"I can handle three
or four of these oversized wigs."
Hanna exhaled.
Not angry,
just pulled back.
Glove stayed half-on.
The heat faded.
Jane took the first charge full-body.
Let it knock her two steps back,
then punished it with the edge of her shield.
Hard.
The second circled wide
but Hanna was already there.
Ice traced under its paws,
forcing a stumble.
They didn't speak.
Didn't seem to need to.
Each step seemed timed.
Each strike—clean, like it had been done a hundred times.
One Lynt yelped
another slipped.
Snarls turned to skids.
The forest trembled under their breath.
The lead one staggered.
Snorted.
Turned.
The rest followed.
Jane exhaled slowly, checking her shield arm.
Frost cracked underfoot as Hanna stepped beside her.
For a few seconds,
they both just stood
in the aftermath,
breath syncing,
the cold air stinging quietly between them.
Jane smirked.
"I think,
unclogging pipes
doesn't sound
so bad anymore."
Hanna laughed, holding her stomach.
The slimes blocked the sewer pipe,
jiggling like half-melted jelly.
Jane knelt near the outflow stream,
boot wedged into mossy stone as she tugged one free.
With a horrible squelch,
the slime popped loose—
sending Jane flying backward into the shallow stream.
Half-submerged in sewer runoff,
she stared up at the sky.
"HANNA!
HANNA!
HANNA!"
She scrambled up,
a full slime stuck to her head
like a glistening hat.
She ran blindly
and slammed into a low-hanging branch—
thud.
The slime splattered between her and the tree.
Jane landed flat on her butt,
hair soaked,
sewer water dripping down her armor,
face twisted, exhausted.
Hanna stood a few paces away,
dry and clean,
clutching her stomach to hold in her laughter.
She stepped closer with pity-soft eyes
and conjured an ice block,
putting it gently on top of Jane's head.
"Hold it here.
What would you do without me?"
Jane blinked, still stunned.
Took the ice block.
"…Thanks.
I knew that one blue Tekke was too much
for just 'unclogging pipes'."
Then Hanna reached into her pouch,
pulling out her red gloves
and removing the blue ones.
"Don't mix them—" Jane started.
Hanna, pulling on the fire glove.
A warm glow pulsed.
"Relax,"
She yanked off the fire glove
and melted the ice block,
washing Jane's face
and hair in a sudden burst of clean steam.
Jane stared at her.
"Hey.
You waited the five seconds,
right?"
"Yes, mom.
Five.
Whole.
Seconds." Hanna held up five fingers mockingly.
"See? Still alive."
Jane narrowed her eyes.
"If you collapse,
I'm leaving you in the sewer."
Hanna grinned.
"Liar."
Behind Hanna's back,
her fingers trembled.
"Ok, lets finish the job.
Try to be closer to me while I froze them."
Jane nodded, getting up.
She got into position between the pipes, a few meters ahead,
and Hanna behind her.
Jane stood there.
Making sure that not a single slime touched Hanna
while she goes on freezing
and cracking the slimes that were clogging the pipes.
After some hours of
freeze,
unclog,
and
don't let them pass.
They finally finish.
Jane looked up, walking slowly.
"I really
need a bath
right now!"
Hanna splashed a bit of water from her canteen on Jane's head.
"Yeah,
you really do!"
She started to hop toward the path above the hill.
"Come back here." Jane laughed, following Hanna.