At the gates of Reka the streets are buzzing with people. Merchants trying to get in past the guards' post, with every thinkable merchandise on their vehicles.
The guards are working hard, non-stop, there are several of them, but clearly the merchants are far more, which leaves little time for breaks.
"Why is so much people in here?" Eren asks.
"This is Reka, a commerce driven town, one of the main merchant destination on the road to the capital" Shion replies.
Is clear that Eren is both confused and excited about the new adventures.
She also stood out.
In civilian clothes, she looked less like a swordswoman and more like someone who had wandered too far from home.
Reka had been Shion's choice for a reason. With traffic like this, armor could be found—good armor—and jobs would never be scarce.
"We probably should get going to the line" Shion said "this will take a while"
Shion and Eren had no carriage with them, but still had to get checked by the guards to enter the town.
After about an hour, they finally got inspected.
"Security seems tighter, did anything happen?" Shion asked a guard while she was under inspection of her backpack.
The guard didn't look up. "Couple of merchants smuggled explosive magic crystals. No inspection. They went off inside the walls."
"Sounds like a bad situation"
"Tell me about it. Prince's cart was close. Royal family thought it was a threat" The guard finished his inspection "Now we working like crazy for a dead man's mistake"
He stepped back and motioned them through.
Inside, Eren stopped.
Reka was not luxurious—but it was vast. At least three times the size of Trivale. The church bell tower rose near the town hall, visible even from the gates. No castle loomed above the rooftops; the royal family did not reside here. Instead, a governor ruled in the Crown's name—overseeing trade, taxes, land, and military strength.
For now, Shion had to find an inn for them to stay.
She got closer to Eren, who still was having a look at the buildings and people selling stuff on the streets.
"Let's find somewhere to stay. We can decide what we will do later"
"I'm right behind you" Eren responded.
They walked Reka's streets until a hanging sign marked an inn—Cloudy Night Inn—the sign reads.
As soon as they set foot in, the inn keeper couldn't hide his annoyance to see Shion.
The expression shifted to confusion when Eren walked right behind.
"We need a room, two beds" Shion asked the inn keeper "Is it fine for you Eren?"
Eren was having a look around the inn, clearly bigger than the one she was used to. "Sure, I don't mind"
The inn keeper hesitated for a moment "That will be two silver coins for every night. Payment upfront" He replied.
Two silver coins? That's half what she had, she only paid one silver coin for three nights at Trivale.
Shion held his gaze for a moment longer than necessary. Whether it was demand, greed—or something else—she didn't press it.
Well, it's illegal to sleep on the streets here, and Shion didn't want to spend another day without a shower.
"Tch—" With some reluctance, Shion payed for the room "Where is the Mercenaries Association in this town?"
The inn keeper took the coins from the counter less than thrilled "Two streets north" Replied.
The inn keeper called a waitress, whom walked them to their room, on the first floor.
Shion and Eren dropped their belongings, less than safe, but better than carrying them around town for nothing.
They both headed to the Association's building.
The scene here was different. A building full of mercenaries from all races.
Humans, dwarves, Stone-skins, Nymphs, Beastfolk.
Many races that even Shion hasn't seen before, all of them looking at the board, sitting on the tables, chatting among themselves, delivering a finished job.
They joined the people looking at the board, looking for a job to take.
Most mercenaries didn't notice them, the few that did just moved on with their lives.
Few job postings were not taken: Gather herbs, find a lost animal, break someone's leg, recover stolen goods.
The usual jobs, probably the ones that paid the best coin were already taken, considering the hour and amount of people.
"We have few options Eren. Herb gathering assistance needed – 4 Bronze per bundle."
"Is that a rare herb?" Eren asked
"Not necessarily, but will take some time to research the correct herb" Shion replied "We can also find a lost goat, white markings – 1 Silver reward."
"Sounds like a farm job, goats are unpredictable sometimes" Eren was getting a bit nostalgic over this job for some reason
"Right" Shion said dryly "We can handle a discreet matter requiring firm hands – inquire privately."
"So we have to meet the client to even know how much we are going to get paid. Probably a drunk man got angry to another one. Now he wants some kind of revenge" Eren probably saw something similar during her guard days.
"Our last option is recovery of stolen trade goods – 10 Silver upon proof."
"10 silver for recovering something stolen, usually is not that hard" Eren replied
Shion knew they had a winner, so got closer to the counter.
"Can we take this job?" She asked the clerk, a chubby woman with glasses, her jobs book open next to her.
"Sure, a merchant asked for this job posting" She replied, got her face closer to her book "According to my book, he said a competitor stole from him" She extended her hand towards Shion.
Shion handled her medallion, proving her as a member of the association.
"I will also need the registration of a new member" She signaled towards Eren "She's new, and we will be working in association"
Working in association was something most mercenaries wouldn't normally do.
Working in association meant equal shares by default. Most mercenaries avoided it. Too much trust required. Too many stories of partners vanishing mid-contract.
And then there were the racial tensions. Prejudices. Old wars.
Trust was more expensive than coin.
"What kind of mercenary are you?" The clerk asked adjusting her spectacles.
Eren hesitated. "A… new one?"
The woman raised a brow.
"Swordsman? Arcane sword? Wizard? Arcanist? What skills do you have?" There was a hint of impatience now—barely restrained amusement.
"She's a swordsman" Shion answered smoothly.
The woman scribbled something on a different book, then opened a chest under her desk and took a bronze marking.
"Welcome to the association" She said wile putting the marking on the table.
A small bronze medallion, same size as Shion's with an oak tree resembling a scale and a crown at the tree's crown.
Eren took the medallion and admired it for a second before lacing it into her neck.
"Now you need armor" Shion stated, looking at Eren from top to bottom.
"You're right"
They wandered outside for a while, merchants selling their wares, people bargaining for a better deal.
Despite the town's size, the wagons and carts made it difficult to pass in between all this activity, it was surprising they still had something to sell on the capital if they were headed there.
They finally find a merchant displaying some armors, leather, iron, few made from monster pieces.
"Find something that allows you to move freely, and doesn't feel like a burden" Shion told Eren few recommendations.
Eren tested several armors, combinations, designs.
She finally decided to wear a leather armor too, unlike Shion's, it had no chain mail sections into it.
"Let's get going, we need details on the job before the night falls" They paid for the armor and left the place.