Starting New Relations

Kaito and Henry stared at each other. Kaito looked incredibly nervous while Henry looked… embarrassed?

“It’s just that my ally here was… changing,” Rachael cleverly stated upon witnessing the situation alongside Henry.

Before Henry turned the corner, Kaito had taken some of the DNA from the adult body he had paid respect to and used his Disguise skill.

Unexpectedly, Kaito found himself disguised as a woman. However, the rushed Kaito didn’t realize that the woman’s decrepit state would mess with his skill. His hair and clothing didn’t transform properly.

Kaito had to partially make up a complexion, which resulted in longer, darker hair, with the female’s body and face. He still had his regular gear on, but luckily for Kaito, he was coincidentally not wearing his ‘iconic’ hooded cloak.

The breasts made Kaito’s blue tunic look small on him, which also caused his chestplate to be shifted up and slanted. This was why Rachael decided to say why he was changing.

“My apologies! Please finish changing!” Henry turned and quickly walked away from the two.

Rachael watched Henry leave until he was out of her perspective before addressing the situation.

“What happened?” Rachael asked bluntly. “Why do you look like a woman cosplaying as Kaito?”

“I was rushed, what did you expect!?” Kaito complained as he tried to adjust his clothes. “At least he didn’t recognize me.”

“Well, now you’re stuck looking like this since he saw you,” Rachael explained. “Here, quickly change into this before he gets more suspicious.”

Rachael gave Kaito some random, adventurous-looking clothes she had in her inventory. After Kaito changed, the two confronted Henry, who waited around the building.

“H-hey, we’re all finished now,” Rachael informed Henry while Kaito stood sheepishly behind her.

“Good. What brings you two here? It’s not exactly safe in this area at the moment,” Henry asked to divulge their incentive.

“We’re adventurers here to visit the elves,” Rachael explained. “We want to meet up with their doctor.”

Henry looked upon the transformed Kaito. His skin looked more pale, likely from transforming into a deceased person. Henry deduced that Kaito was likely sick and needed the doctor.

“I see…” Henry responded. “You two have good timing then.”

Kaito and Rachael looked at Henry, confused. He led them to a different area while he began to explain.

He was in the area after he heard rumors that the elves were still battling against the demons despite all the other Stampedes in Taelesta having been dealt with. Henry was on his way to aid the elves and had just finished helping out the survivors of the destroyed village.

Rachael and Kaito were led to an open area where many villagers and adventurers lounged. The villagers packed their belongings in carriages, while the adventurers looked ready for battle.

The two joined the other citizens while Henry stepped onto a decrepit stage that barely held his weight.

“Adventurers, I come bearing news,” Henry announced. “As you know, I have hired you all to help the elves repel the demon’s invasion. These two ladies are adventurers and will join us in our venture to the elves’ territory. We will be embarking after the surviving villagers leave for safety.”

The multitude of adventurers in the group looked at Rachael and Kaito with varied emotions.

“They’re kinda cute…”

“One of them looks like a healer!”

“They don’t look strong… Are we sure they can help?”

Kaito turned to face the group that had made that last comment, ready to judge them back. It was a group of three guys.

The strongest-looking one was slightly tanned, with dark red hair and orange eyes. A red vest slightly covered his abs, and his pants were more baggy-looking. He was accompanied by a tall, lanky-looking guy with a mohawk and a long nose, and the other dude was more stout with a shaved head.

Kaito stared at the group until he and the tanned leader made eye contact. He turned away immediately, looking flustered. Kaito smiled cockily as if he had won a battle.

“Caught red-handed,” Kaito thought.

After a while, the villagers left for other civilizations. It was time for the group of adventurers to head into the forest.

“How did things end up like this?” Kaito questioned quietly.

“My thoughts exactly,” Rachael responded. “It wouldn’t be this awkward if you hadn’t picked a fight with the Hero’s party.”

Kaito and Rachael, alongside the rest of the adventurers, entered the elven forest..

“Make sure you follow orderly!” Henry announced. “This forest has been applied with a blessing that will mess with our sense of direction, but I know the way, so worry not.”

Everyone did just that. They walked through the forest, following Henry’s lead. Unexpectedly, the three guys who mocked Kaito’s party approached them.

“H-hey there, ladies,” the tanned leader said nervously. “Sorry about our foul comment earlier. Since we’re allies now, getting along would be best!”

The tanned leader held out his hand for a handshake. Albeit reluctantly, Kaito returned the shake.

The tanned leader smiled excitedly upon shaking Kaito’s hand. Rachael was intrigued and made a slight grin upon witnessing the interaction. She had realized something.

“My name’s Gurkin!” He introduced himself. “My pals back there are Jett and Menn! They’re brothers!”

The lanky one being Jett, and the stout, Menn.

“I’m Kaito, and this is Rachael,” Kaito returned the introduction.

Rachael elbowed Kaito slightly, grabbing his attention. “You’re using our real names?” she whispered.

“Oh…” Kaito responded, not thinking it through.

“With us by your side, there’s no need to be worried!” Gurkin announced. “You can rely on us!”

Kaito looked at Gurkin, confused about why he acted so close, “We’ll keep that in mind,” he responded reluctantly. It didn’t help that Rachael started giggling on the other side of him, adding to his confusion.

All Kaito knew was that his adventure would shape out to be a weird one.