VIP System

Chapter 24 - The Silver Mane Guild

Leo was walking with Ai through the lively streets of the capital. The air was filled with the sounds of merchants shouting their wares, children laughing, and the clatter of horse-drawn carts. Ai carried the two cats, each nestled comfortably in her arms, their fur pristine white. Leo noticed the curious glances from passersby, chuckling to himself. "Ai, you seem to be quite the attention-grabber," he remarked.

Ai was about to reply when Leo cut in with a thoughtful question. "What should we tell Amanda about who you are? The kittens are one thing, but I can't think of a believable story for you yet."

As they walked, one of the cats looked up at Leo and meowed softly, its eyes wide and innocent. His heart swelled with warmth, and he thought about how adorable they were. The moment made him nostalgic, reminiscing about his past life and wondering if this was how he would have felt if he had taken in kittens back then.

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Inside the guild, Amanda was deep in conversation with her friends when she noticed Leo walking past the building. He was smiling, his hair flowing gently in the breeze. She paused, her heart skipping a beat, her eyes fixed on him. Her friends noticed her sudden distraction and turned to look outside as well.

Suddenly, the street darkened as a large shadow passed overhead, and a strong gust of wind swept through, scattering leaves and causing people to shield their faces. The wind tousled Leo's hair wildly, and he instinctively looked up, brushing it out of his face with a casual yet captivating gesture.

Boris, recognizing Leo from afar, called out to him loudly, trying to get his attention. "Leo!"

Leo looked around the area, searching for the source of the voice until Ai gently tugged on his shirt and pointed towards the guild building.

He saw Boris waving his arms and waved back with a smile. He gave Ai a subtle nod, signaling her to follow him inside. As he approached the group, he noticed Amanda and was about to greet her, but she seemed lost in thought, her eyes distant. Boris, ever observant, noticed Ai and asked, "Who's she? I didn't see her with you last time."

Amanda snapped out of her reverie, her eyes wide with surprise. "When did you see him?" she asked Boris.

Leo jumped in, "Boris was guarding the clothing shop we visited yesterday."

Boris laughed heartily, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Sorry, Amanda. I didn't recognize you immediately. I thought you were causing trouble in the store."

"By the way, the assistant manager who caused the commotion has already been fired. I know the store owner, and we agreed that her attitude wasn't fitting for the store."

Talia, with a mischievous grin, chimed in, "I envy you, Amanda. It's your first time in the capital with Leo, and you already had a date."

Both Leo and Amanda blushed furiously, their faces turning crimson. Amanda flailed her arms, trying to cover her face, while Leo scratched his head, looking down with a sheepish chuckle escaping his lips. The group burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the guild hall.

Boris, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes, noticed Ai's composed and confident demeanor. He stroked the cats she was holding and asked, "So, who is she?"

Leo was momentarily caught off guard. They hadn't thought of a story for Ai. To his surprise, Ai began to speak, her tone steady and calm, yet carrying a hint of vulnerability.

"I was traveling with my family when a monster attacked us," she began, her voice soft yet clear. "I managed to escape, but the rest of my family... they weren't so lucky."

"I ran into the forest but got lost and ended up where the red slimes are. They were about to attack me when Leo found me and rescued me."

Leo internally praised Ai for her quick thinking, wondering if the story would hold up. Ai, sensing his thoughts, assured him that it was a believable tale. "It's common for traveling demihumans to face such dangers. Most hire adventurers for protection. Those who don't usually end up being killed by roaming monsters," she added.

The group nodded in understanding, their expressions softening. Amanda looked at Ai with a mix of sympathy and respect. "I'm glad Leo found you and brought you here safely," she said warmly.

Boris, satisfied with the explanation, smiled at Leo. "You have a good heart, Leo. Taking care of those in need is what being an adventurer is all about."

Leo felt a surge of pride and gratitude. He glanced at Ai, who gave him a slight, approving nod. The connection between them felt solidified, and he knew they would make a formidable team.

Boris asked Leo, "What's your plan for her now?"

Before Leo could respond, Ai quickly interjected, "I have nowhere to go now. I would like to ask Leo to take care of me from now on." Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, and her ears drooped, giving her an irresistibly pitiful look.

Leo thought to himself, She's a frightening actress. He paused and then said aloud, "You need to ask Amanda first."

Before he could even turn to Amanda, she was already there, hugging her tightly. "You're very welcome, Ai. We'll take care of you," Amanda said warmly.

Talia, ever the playful one, teased them, "You two are acting like you already have a daughter because of Ai."

Amanda turned bright red, stammering in embarrassment, while Leo, not understanding Talia's jest, simply smiled at Ai. He thought to himself that they had successfully navigated this particular problem.

As the group shared a lighthearted moment, Boris chuckled, watching the scene unfold with amusement. "Looks like you've got quite the little family already," he remarked, his tone both teasing and approving.

Leo began to piece together what they were saying, and the embarrassment hit him hard. His face turned beet red as he waved his hands frantically, scratching his head and mumbling incoherent words.

"N-no, it's not like that!" he stammered, his eyes darting around for a distraction. "We just met, and I mean, she's... we... it's just...!"

The cats then meowed softly, sandwiched between Ai and Amanda. Amanda pulled away from the hug, and the cats jumped onto the table. Suga, recognizing them, suddenly stood up. "Those are limited edition looter pets, the Twin Cats, White!" he exclaimed. "They were sold using random summoning tickets, and only 100 pairs exist."

Ai, her expression both proud and nonchalant, added, "I only used 10 pulls for them."

People inside the guild started to gather around, admiring the cats and congratulating Ai, saying she was a very lucky girl. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement and admiration.

After a long and tiring day, they finally returned to their inn. Amanda snuggled Ai next to her as they went to sleep. The cats, meanwhile, curled up on Leo's bed, their soft purring filling the room with a sense of calm and comfort.