As difficult as it was to be a solo adventurer, he couldn''t imagine how difficult it would be to do quests without the boon.Someone without a boon could swing a good quality sword at a slick rat and do no damage.The den that is channeled into even basic attacks makes a monumental difference.


    He was genuinely concerned for his safety, it would not take much for him to be killed.


    But my time there is up in less than 2 months, and the job market outside the guild is terrible.I learned about alchemy as a way to make cheap supplies for Guild jobs, so I was hoping some shop in town would hire me.Apparently the market for alchemy work is awful” Bryn said, shrugging his shoulders.


    Right now my plan is to keep taking jobs for the guild everyday, then to live on the streets for a week or two while I get the remaining money together.It won''t be pleasant but at least it’s not forever” he said, drinking the last of his soup broth.


    Good luck, Ranger isn''t the class I would have chosen but it seems like it suits you” he said getting up to leave.


    “180, why do you ask?”.


    “There’s a vampire spawn quest in the floating district that I''m short on points for.If we do our homework we can probably exterminate them without having to fight ourselves.I''ll give you whatever you need of the reward money to get back home, and in exchange I keep the rest of the money and all the guild points”.


    Not only was he helping this guy who really needed help, but by himself 20 guild points would take at least 2 weeks to get.If he could get that all in one day, higher-paying jobs would be just on the horizon.


    While the question was harsh to say to someone he had just met, Jordan knew how difficult living like this was with no prospects of joining a party.While it was dangerous, this was a quick fix to all of Bryn’s problems, and Jordan was counting on that temptation to work in his favor. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    He was struggling and it was clear to him he would never be able to become a stable adventurer without the boon.This one job would be able to save him months of struggling, and he would be able to immediately start working at his cousin’s package delivery service back home.His situation would be stable for the first time in months… if he lived.


    One hit from most creatures would down him instantly, and any attack he made would do no damage.There was no guarantee he would be safe, and a vampire spawn would be an unpleasant way to go.


    “My first adventure buddy!I have got to send a letter back home.My aunt always said I was weird and wouldn’t make friends, but look at me now.Still weird, but with a new friend” Jordan said, unaware of the slight trauma dump he had just committed.While he had the ability to think critically when it mattered, Jordan was a strange young man who had no filter.


    Bryn was nervously preparing mentally for having to go near combat, even if he wasn’t participating.Jordan on the other hand was radiating with happiness, however that quickly went away when he caught a whiff of himself.


    Never eat at a Georgina’s if you value your bathroom” Jordan said, noticing the random splotches on his armor.They had taken on an a unique color that couldn’t say he’d seen before.


    Then you fry them up and you’re good to go” Bryn said, a look of nostalgia washing over his face.


    “You’re surprised a bird man eats bugs?” He said with a raised eyebrow.Jordan did indeed think that, but he felt that continuing to comment on Bryn’s avian appearance would be in poor taste.They continued down the street, the citizens of the Gold District crossing the street to get away from Jordan.


    He had considered experimenting with alchemy, but the first potion he mixed grew barnacles on his elbow and he quickly gave up.


    If you drink it you get resistance against low level undead, seemed like it would be helpful in caves or dungeons.Part of the reason I agreed to go with you is because I knew I could give you this and at least be slightly helpful” he said.


    Don’t pretend like you’re useless when you’re not, especially when you’re throwing in what is basically an anti vampire potion.False humility not hot at all, don’t you want to be hot?” Jordan said passionately.


    He had never been around someone so strange.The way he chose to construct his sentences was poetic yet nonsense at the same time, and he never thought this wouldbe the first and only time he partied up with someone.


    They continued walking as Bryn tried to steady himself.He had not laughed that hard in a long time, and hadn’treally laughed at all recently.He finally caught his breath, finally feeling a little embarrassed at his loss of composure.


    I need constant validation and jokes are the way I achieve that, so I appreciate your service” Jordan said giving a salute.Bryn managed to keep himself from laughing again, but it took effort.As they arrived in front of Everwatch, they were both surprised at how short the walk felt.For the first time since both of them arrived in Zephtal, they thought the next job might be more fun than the last one.