1317

Caravans made their way down the road. It was a normal day. The world was at peace.

The boy smiled.

A second later, this was all burnt to ash. The surroundings became an inferno.

Amidst all that destruction, the boy was only able to focus on one thing. The beast that had brought all this with it, the only thing left standing among the flames.

It didn't even spare a moment to pay attention to those caught up in its devastation.

The weak lay beneath its gaze. Only the strong being was allowed to stand.

1327

Aron woke up and quickly headed out. As always, he was headed to the gathering hall.

His memories of yesterday still hadn't returned to him, he was in a half-awake state. It was only once he encountered her again that he remembered what was going on.

"Ah, there you are." Julia thought aloud. "Where'd you even disappear to yesterday? You move too fast."

"I went home." Aron replied "I was tired."

"It wasn't even evening yet."

"I lifted a Rathalos."

"Oh yeah, that was so completely incomprehensible that I just forgot about it. Anyway, let's get going."

They headed inside to pick out a quest.

"How about this one?"

"That's a gathering quest."

"Yeah, I noticed."

"Doesn't that seem boring?"

"...Well, I mean, we can go with a hunt if you want, that's fine. I just figured we might as well use this as a chance to talk some more, but I guess you don't like talking much, so uh, worry, I'll just-"

"Fine then, let's go."

"No really, we can just hunt something, so like-"

"You'll probably end up carting if we fight something too dangerous, so let's just gather for now."

"...Sure, if that's what you want."

"It is."

They travelled to the jurassic frontier, heading further into the jungle.

Their quest was to gather 5 abyssal mushrooms.

"So, got any idea what to talk about?"

"That's your job."

"Sure. Then, have you got any interests?"

"Getting stronger."

"Hobbies?"

"Getting stronger."

"Anything you do to pass the time?"

"Getting stronger."

"You have to have something other than getting stronger!"

"Not really. Look, I'm not one for like, doing anything other than hunting. Wouldn't this go better if you talked about yourself?"

"Then, ok. I just like normal stuff, like y'know, reading and stuff."

"So you spend a lot of your time reading, then?"

"Yeah."

"So that's why you're so bad at fighting."

"...Ow."

Julia paused for a second, trying to think of some counterargument.

"I'm not… that bad at fighting, you know? I was just taken off guard."

"Somehow I really doubt you're telling the truth."

"I can be useful! Just watch!"

"We're not fighting anything today."

"...Watch next time, then."

"Why are you even planning on there being a next time?"

"Because we're partners now."

"According to you."

"Do you not agree?"

"Wasn't that obvious? In the first place, I dunno why you're even tryna work with me."

"I already said, didn't I? Cause you're all alone."

"...That's not wrong, but is that really a reason?"

"Well I'm all alone too, so I guess."

Aron just stared for a few seconds, before turning around again and walking away quicker than before.

"C'mon, let's get moving. We're barely getting anywhere while we're chatting."

"Ah wait," Julia chased behind him "I've still got a bunch of other conversation starters to use!"

"Seriously?"

"Yeah. Ok, first, how do you like your steak?"

"Cooked."

"...More specific."

"I like it when it's warm."

"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"

"Doing what?"

It took a while for them to reach the lower areas.

"Ah, over there." Julia thought aloud.

"What, so that's all there was to this, huh?" Aron thought aloud in response.

"Don't say that, it'll make something unexpected and dangerous happen."

"Well, I wouldn't be too against that, seeing how boring this has been so far."

"I'd rather not risk it, so let's talk about something else."

"I thought you ran out of conversation starters when we were climbing down."

"I remembered another one. So, where are you from?"

"Pokke."

"Hmm… must be cold."

"It was. Probably still is. I hope."

"...I'm from Minegrade."

"So what's it like there?"

"...Busy, I guess."

"Then why'd you leave?"

"Cause it's too busy."

"Ain't that good?"

"I guess, but I couldn't really deal with it, so…"

"...Ok. I should probably talk about something else, right?"

"...Yeah."

"Well uh, as for why I left Pokke. I dunno. It's not an interesting place, it's just cold. There's nothing for me there…"

"It'd probably be for the best if we both just didn't think about our pasts, wouldn't it?"

"Mm."

"Well, I got the mushrooms anyways, so let's go."

Somehow, it was near dark by the time they got back to town.

"How were we even doing that all day?" Aron asked.

"Time flies when you're having fun."

"I see, I'll have to avoid ever doing it again. Is what I would say, if it even was fun."

"Don't be like that. We talked a bunch, right?"

"How does that go against what I'm saying?"

"Well anyways, even if you're the introverted strong guy type, going hunting with others is better than going alone, right?"

"That wasn't a hunt, though…" Aron's voice trailed off, not really finding a way to argue against the rest.

"Well, for the time being," he thought "Going along with her whims isn't that bad, so I haven't really got a reason to fight back. Still, something's off, isn't it? Like..."

His thoughts were cut off by Julia continuing. "So on that note, let's go drinking to celebrate a job well done!"

"Wait."

"What?"

"Ok, so first off, that implies the existence of a job, but I feel like if I keep denying that we did anything it's just gonna go through one ear and out the other, so I'm dropping that. Second off, why are we going drinking?"

"...To celebrate a job well done?"

"All we did is talk, and now you wanna talk even more? It's ridiculous."

"Is it?"

"It is!"

"Well, I mean, talking while drinking is fun so-"

"Not interested."

"That line's overused. Come on."

"Look, I'm going home already-"

"Ah, could it be that you've never drunk anything before?"

"What are you talking about? I've been drinking my whole life. Everyone dies. Otherwise we'd die."

"...You know that's not what I mean."

"Then what do you mean?"

"Alcohol."

"It's not really my thing."

"So you haven't tried it. Wait, how old even are you?"

"Eighteen."

"Huh, you look older."

"Thanks?"

"Well, that makes things different if you're just a kid."

"How old are you, then?" Aron asked in response, a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"Eighteen."

"You know that's the same, right?"

"Yeah, but I'm eighteen years and eleven months. So I'm more or less nineteen. How many months in are you?"

"Eleven."

"Be honest."

"...Eight. But using something like months is stupid anywa-"

Julia's grin widened. "See, exactly like I thought. You are currently, and forever will be, a mere infant."

"Then just go and die already, old hag."

As Aron finished his line, he felt something was wrong. A great evil had been awakened by these words. Killing intent filled the area.

"W-wait, why are you even mad, you implied that yourself!"

"It's different when you put it like that! So, how about we leave this little conversation aside and get to drinking already? Or…"

"O-okay, let's go." Aron rushed inside.

Julia put her rage aside to follow him.

This began their partnership.