Chapter 16: Catching Up

“So, is this like our unofficial base now?” Raven dunked a biscuit into her tea before munching down on it. “Like, we don’t have to pay rent or anything?”

“Pretty much,” Lucian replied. “But we’re giving back by helping fix this place up, got it? We can’t look like leeches taking advantage of his kindness.”

Raven smirked. “Look at you,” she said, setting her teacup down with a soft clink. “I’m gone for less than a week and you’re already a shining beacon of class in the public eye.”

“Gotta keep up appearances, you know.” Lucian took a sip of tea. “Just like Carl said.”

“Hugh,” Raven corrected.

Lucian paused. “Ah, that’s right. Hugh.”

Just then, the merchant appeared, balancing a tray of biscuits and pastries. “Are we talking about Hugh?” he asked casually.

Lucian nearly choked on his tea. “No, no… No! We were, uh…” His eyes darted around for an escape. Think, think— His gaze landed on the tray. “You! We were talking about you and how you have the best jams for tea time!”

The merchant snapped his fingers. “Oh, fiddlesticks! That’s right—I forgot the jam! I’ll be right back.” He turned on his heel, disappearing down the hallway, his footsteps growing softer with distance.

The moment he was gone, Raven leaned in, whispering, “Are we not allowed to talk about Hugh around him? Does he hate him or something?”

Lucian shook his head. “No—it’s the complete opposite. Whenever he hears about Hugh, he just starts sobbing uncontrollably.”

Raven frowned. “Really? All the time? I thought it was just that one time back at the guild.”

“No. It’s all the time.” Lucian leaned back in his chair. “One time, a customer told him, ‘Hey, you know what would really kick off your business? An enchanting table.’”

Raven raised an eyebrow. “And?”

Lucian sighed. “He just left the tray of pastries with the guy and walked away—sobbing loudly.”

Raven snorted. “That’s a weird man you’ve got as a friend, dude.” She popped another biscuit into her mouth. “So.” She swallowed. “You’re running a business now, huh?”

Lucian shrugged. “Just something to make me money and improve my Blacksmithing skills.”

“But to get this popular in such a short time,” Raven tapped her fingers on the table. “How’d you do it?”

Lucian grinned. “By providing high-quality products, of course.”

Raven laughed at his response. “No, really. How are you so popular so fast?”

Lucian shrugged. “That’s what I do.” He set his teacup down. “The things I craft are better than the usual Level 1 garbage people get from crafting on their own.”

Raven’s eyebrows rose. “Wait—so you’re saying you can craft Level 2 gear right from the start?”

“Sometimes Level 3,” Lucian admitted. “But that’s a long shot for now.” He leaned back, taking another sip of tea. “The merchant says that if I keep at it, my odds of crafting Level 3 or higher should improve.”

Raven hummed in thought. “I should have you make me something.”

Lucian smirked. “I will… for the right price.”

Raven didn’t even hesitate. She pulled up her [Menu]. “No problem. How much?”

Lucian raised an eyebrow. “That depends on a few things—like what you want me to make.” He glanced toward the workshop beyond the courtyard. “And whether you have all the materials or if I need to provide some.” Turning back, he caught Raven nodding along eagerly. “I’m surprised you’re up for it. Spending, I mean.”

“I mean, I’ve got Gold to spare,” Raven said with a grin. She took another bite of her biscuit. “Don’t even have to worry about the BoP coming for me anytime soon. I paid off a good chunk of my debt, so they’re pretty much pacified for now.”

“Wow. Colour me impressed.” Lucian leaned back, giving her an actual look of respect. Guess she’s proving these money-grubbing rumors wrong. “Guess that’s what being part of Team 7 does for you, huh?”

The moment the words left his mouth, Raven shot up from her seat, leaning across the table. Her face was a mask of pure shock. “WHAT?!”

Lucian blinked. “What?”

Raven leaned in closer. “Who said that?! Did Levy tell you something about adding me to Team 7?!”

Lucian was thoroughly confused. “What are you—what?” He frowned. “You were added to their party, right?”

There was a brief pause. Then Raven burst into laughter. She laughed so hard a single tear ran down her cheek.

Lucian sighed, rubbing his temples. I forgot how impossible it is to have a straight conversation with her… “You done?” he asked, unamused.

Raven finally calmed down, wiping her eye. “Oh, Lucian, Lucian, Lucian,” she shook her head with a grin. “Teams aren’t made just because you party up with people.” She leaned back in her chair, smirking. “Teams are made when you make a team with people.”

“Are you really going to make me ask to elaborate?”

Raven placed a hand on her chin. “Hold on. How do I explain this…?” She tapped her fingers against the table, thinking. “Okay. So, parties change all the time—people get added or removed depending on the job. But when adventurers find people they really enjoy working with, they form a team.” She leaned forward, gesturing with her hands. “It’s like… finding the people you really vibe with, get it? You don’t even have to party up with them all the time, because you trust them with your life. They watch your back, you watch theirs. That’s a team.”

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Lucian took a moment to process that. “So… they’re like officially sanctioned team-ups?”

Raven pointed a finger gun at him. “Yes! Exactly! Except… they’re not official-official… more like semi-official?” She waved a hand vaguely. “The system doesn’t reward teaming up, but the guild recognizes teams as accomplished adventurers who band together. Something like that.”

Lucian nodded slowly. “Oh, so you were part of their party but not an official member of Team 7?”

“Yep.” Raven flashed a big grin.

Lucian squinted. “And they’re the seventh team formed in the guild?”

“Nope.”

He blinked. “Then why the hell are they called Team 7?”

Raven shrugged. “Maybe Levy just likes the number seven.”

Lucian scoffed. “That’s dumb.”

Raven took a smug sip of tea. “And yet, they’re ranked number one in the guild.”

Lucian rolled his eyes. “That still doesn’t explain the damn name.”

Before Raven could argue, the merchant arrived, carrying a tray with three jars of sweet confections. “I didn’t know which ones you’d like, so I brought them all.” He smiled as he set them down. “We have strawberry, orange marmalade, and my personal favourite—pickleberry.”

Raven’s eyes lit up. “Ooooh! Yum!” She eagerly grabbed a pastry and slathered a dollop of the greenish jelly onto it. “I never get to try this!”

Lucian raised an eyebrow. Pickleberry? Well… I guess I should’ve expected some weird food in this universe. “May I?” he asked, gesturing for the jar.

The merchant nodded, finishing his own biscuit as Lucian pulled the jar closer. Yup. Pickleberry. Says it right on the label. He took a cautious sniff. The powerful, vinegary tang nearly punched him in the face. It was as if two types of vinegar had been mixed into the translucent, green goop before him. Yet… the way the other two ate it so enthusiastically made it look like an actual delicacy.

Lucian shrugged. Can’t knock it ‘til I try it. He scooped a good dollop onto something that looked like a round croissant. Then, without hesitation, he took a bite. An explosion of flavors hit his tongue.

What is this?! Lucian’s tongue was instantly hit with an incredible, sharp tanginess—the kind that reminded him of biting into a fresh pickle. But as he chewed, the flavour evolved. The initial tartness slowly diluted into something… pleasant.

Sweet. Gentle. Mild. A perfect balance to the bombardment of sourness that had just assaulted his taste buds. Each time I chew, something new happens! Then—a slight pop. A sudden burst of sourness hit again, resetting the cycle. His mouth watered uncontrollably. But somehow, that only made swallowing the pastry easier.

Lucian exhaled, stunned. “Wow.” That was all he could say.

Raven smirked. “Popped your pickleberry-ginity, huh?”

Lucian froze mid-chew. Then, very slowly, he turned to glare at her. “Never say that again.” He pointed a warning finger at Raven, then turned and pointed to the merchant. “We need more of this.”

The merchant’s face lit up. “Certainly!” He leapt to his feet, dusting off crumbs. “I’ll write up the order form right now!” With a cheerful bounce in his step, he sauntered down the hallway, disappearing from view.

Raven watched him go, then turned to Lucian. “Wow. He’s really chipper, isn’t he?”

Lucian shrugged. “I think it’s because he’s been lonely for a while.”

Raven blinked. “Huh.”

“Can’t really blame him.” Lucian picked up another pastry. “Even I’d probably be chummy with anyone if I went long enough without companionship.”

Raven stared down the hallway, arms crossed. “Damn. What a sad story.” Then, she frowned. “What’s his name, by the way?”

Lucian paused mid-bite. His gaze drifted to the jar of pickleberry jam he had been enjoying. After a moment, he nodded to himself. “… Carl,” he said confidently.

A teaspoon came flying at his face. Lucian ducked just in time.

“ARE YOU INSANE?!” Raven yelled. “You’ve been here for almost a week now and you still don’t know his name?!”

“I told you! It’s Carl!” Lucian protested.

“I can’t believe you!” Raven shot to her feet and started marching toward the hallway. “I’m asking him before this gets even more embarrassing—and then I’m quizzing you when he’s back!”

Lucian panicked. “WAIT!” Raven stopped, mid-step. “Wanna bet on it?”

Her eyes lit up. “I’m listening.” She returned to the table and sat down, eyes gleaming with interest. The candelabra’s light flickered between them as she leaned forward.

Lucian folded his arms. “Alright. You ask for his name when he gets back. You don’t know it yet, so there’s nothing wrong with asking.”

“Sounds fair.” Raven grinned. “What do I get when he says anything other than ‘Carl’?”

“All the Gold I have on me,” Lucian said, pulling up his [Menu] to check his [Inventory]. “213 Gold in total.”

Raven snorted. “Pfft. Pocket change.” She smirked. “Fine. I’ll match that. Hope you’re ready to finally give me a long-overdue paycheck for touring you around.”

Lucian clenched his jaw. Damn woman… But it’s fine. He’d earn back whatever he lost tomorrow. At the very least, he’d finally learn the guy’s name. “Hope you’re ready,” he shot back, “for helping you improve your reputation.”

Just then, the merchant returned, carrying a fresh order form. “Already placed an order for more pickleberry jam.” He set the paper down. “Picked up some Grandle milk, too. We were running low on stock.”

“Thanks! We appreciate it.” Raven grinned—then shot Lucian a sly side-eye. Time to move the needle on their bet. “Say, I don’t think I ever caught your name.”

The merchant blinked. “Oh! Now that you mention it, I don’t think I’ve told you.” He extended a hand with a polite smile. “The name’s Carlsbad. Carlsbad Burberry.”

Lucian clapped his hands together and hopped in his seat. “Hot. Damn.”

* * *

“I can’t believe his name was actually Carl,” Raven muttered. She sat on the edge of the bed, arms crossed, watching Lucian tinker away at the crafting table. The workshop was hot and stuffy. “This room needs some serious air conditioning.”

Lucian didn’t even look up. “I told you I knew.” He used a pair of pliers, carefully bending the metal in his hands. “But you didn’t believe me.”

“You didn’t know either!” She jabbed a finger at him. “Your reaction gave it away!” She sighed. “But… a bet’s a bet.”

“Don’t be so bent out of shape.” With a final whack of his hammer, Lucian stood up and presented his work. A golden bangle. “Here.” He tossed it to her. “Now you can’t say I never made you anything.”

Raven caught the bangle, inspecting it up close. It was simple, but elegant. A thin, winding bracelet with small stones interlocked between two golden bands, woven together. She stared at it, then back at Lucian. “I’d much rather have my money back.”

Lucian sighed, rubbing his face. “Did you check the item level?”

Raven glanced at the bangle. A small menu popped up beside it.

[Golden Bangle, Level 3]

Her eyes widened. “LEVEL 3?!” She shot up. “That’s worth way more than 213 Gold!”

Lucian leaned back in his chair, stretching. “That’s why people keep coming back. I only provide high-quality products. Now you can sell it for more.” He groaned, rolling his shoulders. “Damn, I need a better chair.”

Raven twirled the bangle in her fingers. “Sell it?” she muttered. “Are you kidding?” She slipped it onto her wrist. “I’m keeping this baby on me.”

“Great. Now you can start a collection like Vivienne.”

Raven pointed at Lucian. “Don’t ruin this for me.” She held up her wrist, admiring the bangle under the light. Then, something clicked. “Oh, right! That reminds me.” She snapped her fingers. “Levy gave me a tip before we parted ways. Said I should tell you immediately, but… I forgot.”

Lucian groaned. “Of course you did.”

Raven ignored him. “He heard something that might interest you.”

Lucian leaned forward, suddenly much more focused. Levy knew. He knew that Lucian only cared about one thing.

Raven grinned. “There’s been a string of attacks on airships.” Lucian’s expression hardened. “Some survivors say the culprit is a large, winged beast.”

Lucian’s breath hitched. “You’re saying…”

Raven shrugged. “Not a hundred percent sure.” Then, she smirked. “But it does sound like one.”

Lucian shot up. A twinkle of excitement flared behind his eyes. “No time to waste, then!” He grabbed his hammer. “We’re going after the next Master Beast!” The bangle on Raven’s wrist shimmered in the lamplight. Lucian’s hammer gleamed as he strapped it to his back. Somewhere out there, another monster waited, and this time, they’d be ready.