The leader reached over and slapped the back of the speaker's neck.
"Idiot! He's not going to kill a licensed SSS Rank in the middle of a guild tavern. He's probably here to recruit him!"
"What? No way," the second member argued, rubbing his neck. "Everyone knows him, He's famous for doing everything solo. He's never joined a party, never formed a guild, and he definitely doesn't take a friend! Why would he change his heart now?"
"Maybe he's tired of being alone," the leader speculated, his voice hushed with awe. "Look at the way he's staring at the kid. You don't think... is he actually going to break his legendary streak and form a duo with Johnn?"
In his excitement, the leader hadn't realized his voice had risen from a whisper to a clear, audible pitch that cut through the sudden silence of the tavern.
SMACK!
