Foss was a medium-sized border city at the western edge of Isvan. Foss was different from other cities in Isvan, as it held a weather that changed quickly with the seasons instead of lingering in the snowy winters. Foss could be considered the first and only taste of the West inside the borders of Isvan, and as such, it was one of the more populated cities inside the snowy country.

Yet even with its admirable weather, the train station was the main attraction. The railway that started in Foss cut through the border of Bosco and Seven and ended its trip midway into the country of Fiore. Foss was a necessary destination for those who wanted to travel, whether to the East or the West, and the city economy benefited greatly from it...

"100,000 jewels."

Even at the expense of some of its poorer visitors.

"Excuse me?"

Vera asked, unable to hide his disbelief as the lady at the counter, large build with a cigarette in her mouth and a grudge against the world, repeated the price that might as well have spelled out a scam in three different languages.

"100,000 jewels for a ticket brat. Take it or leave it."

Vera could only blink, feeling the words process until they clicked, his mouth speaking before he did as he raged at the counter, "Why is it so expensive!? The tickets here were only 5,000 a piece!"

Vera only had 12,000 jewels on hand; they would have been penniless if Torch hadn't bought the tickets across the river.

Apparently, they were still considered broke because the lady only gave them a passing glance before snorting, "Yeah, and you also weren't crossing two countries. Not to mention that the train you're trying to take is the unofficial border between Bosco and Seven; a lot of money goes into maintaining it."

The lady used magic to shine a small laser pointer from her finger to the public map by the side of the counter, the red dot highlighting a segment of the border between a mountain range running through Seven and Bosco.

"Hell, keeping monsters out of those tunnels is a nightmare. Practically costs a fortune, even with both countries chipping in."

The lady then traced the track from where it would begin, at the edge of Isvan's border in Foss, to its end, only a little way into Fiore, "That's why they take a little tax from the station in Foss. That tax is coming from you and all the idiots wanting a ticket out of Isvan."

The lady released her magic and pointed towards the back of the line that had formed behind Vera and Number 8 during her explanation, "Now, if you don't mind, I need to sell tickets to customers that actually have money. NEXT!"

Vera grit his teeth as he walked away from the counter, Number 8 following him as the two settle down with glum expressions. Vera stared holes into the floor as he muttered under his breath, "If I steal 10, no 20,000 a day... dammit!"

It had been three, maybe even four months since they left Brago, and Vera had never collected more than the 12,000 jewels Nano's parents gave them. It would take him months to scrounge enough to get to Fiore unless he wanted to try his luck and see which shop in Foss would take two kids without IDs or job experience.

How am I going to get 100- no, it's 200,000, isn't it...

Vera groaned as he tried to devise any way to avoid hiking to Fiore; all the while, Number 8 sat silently beside him and stared at the sky. Number 8's mouth hung slightly open as he muttered, "100,000... that's so much... 12,000... four birds... That's so many birds..."

Vera was too busy trying to plan a heist to notice how Number 8 seemed to short-circuit during his first encounter with capitalism. The two were brought out of their stupor as they heard a loud, indignant hell from the stationed train nearby.

"What the hell!?"

They saw a tall, young Asian man with a large build, long, messy, dark hair, an orange bandana with a circular symbol on it, and a leather jacket started growling at the train's conductor. His dark eyes narrowed as he spoke in a gruff voice reminiscent of a grizzly bear, "This wasn't part of the deal! Are you trying to scam us or something!?"

The conductor that the bear of a man was talking to, a thin man with round glasses, short brown hair, and a finely dressed suit and value vest, gulped, "Uh... we didn't know that there would be an issue? Bosco and Seven were supposed to"

"I didn't ask what Bosco and Seven were doing! I'm asking why you've added it as a requirement for us to do it without pay!"

The grizzly of a man growled, and a few stray eyes turned in apprehension, even a few whispering about a possible fight breaking out. The man's anger seemingly subdued as his companion, a shorter Asian man with lighter skin, sharp eyes, a Chinese-style Queue braid, traditional martial arts garb, and a comically large frying pan on his back, started trying to be cordial with the conductor. However, it was obvious from his tone that he was displeased.

"The job request said we would only be responsible for any bandits that might attack the train. There was nothing about monster subjugation in the flyer."

The conductor, lighter in build and more cowardly from the looks of it, stuttered out an explanation, "Um, of course, it's understandable, but as I said, Bosco and Seven were supposed to take care of it. There hasn't been any communication as to why they haven't, but we're supposed to keep a schedule, and you two are the only ones we have hired. If it's possible-"

"We will not do extra labor for free. Especially when we came prepared to fight bandits, not monsters." The shorter man dismissed instantly, earning an expression of despair from the conductor, who started trying to negotiate out of desperation, "Please! If monsters show up, the passengers won't be safe."

"Then why can't you pay us more for it." The shorter man shot back, earning a frown from the conductor, "We get a set amount of money to hire protection for the trains that travel across the border. Bosco and Seven usually provide this fee, but since they haven't contacted us about the issue..."

The conductor's words fell off, but the message was clear: the station needed help to hire more security. Especially since they didn't know the situation with Bosco and Seven, they hoped the security they hired could tack on an extension of the job description. Although the conductor wasn't stupid, and he was willing to make concessions that weren't cold cash to get the help required, "If you do, I promise your guild will get priority for any future job requests from the train station-" the conductor's words were cut off as the shorter man shook his head, "We aren't part of a guild."

The conductor's face fell because he had nothing else to offer them. He wasn't aware he was working with freelancers, which made any future benefits he could offer meaningless since they wouldn't be able to benefit from them on a reliable basis.

"Oh..."

The conductor said, his hopes at a decent security detail shattering before a young yet strangely mature voice cut through the discussion, "Hello, I heard you need some people to protect the train from monsters."

The three adults looked over to the voice, their gazes turning downwards to see two kids, one a little older than the other but neither looking over 13, meeting their surprised expressions. The state of dress and worn-out clothes told the adults that they were dealing with refugees from Isvan looking for a way to get out of the country.

"We'll protect your train."

Even if it meant lying and trying to get a job that they obviously couldn't do.

"Get lost, kid, you're in over your head."

The taller man said, shaking his head as he turned back to see if he could shake down this weasel of a conductor for some extra pay. His attention left the boys for a second before the older one, cocky little shit apparently with red eyes and short black hair, scoffed, "Hey, you dumb gorilla, I wasn't talking to you. Mind your own business."

The taller man blinked, his eyes turning from the conductor with an annoyed glare at the kid, "Eh!? You wanna say that again, you little runt!?"

"Sure, you dumb gorilla, I wasn't talking to you, so fuck off.' Wait, I didn't say that last part, did I? My bad." The kid gave a mock wave of his hand as an apology, ignoring the veins popping in the taller man's forehead as his patience was tested thoroughly.

This little shit...

The tall man gnashed his teeth, the idea of punting the rude street rat becoming more and more appealing before his older brother spoke sternly, "Daisuke, calm down. Can't you see the kid trying to rattle you up?"

Daisuke looked at his brother, pausing as he saw his brother's no-nonsense tone before Daisuke redirected his gaze to the kid, who he now noticed was standing light on his feet. A guarded expression on the boy's face hid his true thoughts, yet there was obvious intellect in his eyes.

The casual, seemingly analytical glance the boy's red eyes gave his brother made Daisuke re-evaluate the boy's behavior. What the boy had said was similar to a cocky kid that didn't know what he was talking about, but the way his body rested, not too tense yet not relaxed either, the boy's hands in his pockets but slack enough that the kid could slip them out at a moment's notice...

It screamed confidence.

This brat was trying to pick a fight...

Daisuke almost wanted to laugh, but he stifled his amusement. If the kid was confident he could take him in a fight, it must've meant he had something up his sleeve. If this kid did beat him, then the commission would have certainly gone to them, and Daisuke would have lost him and his brother a job request.

I need to calm down... like my brother said...

Daisuke closed his eyes and took a deep breath, Daisuke's broad shoulders relaxing as he slightly bowed his head to his brother, "Sorry, Jun, you're right. I should've been more careful." Jun only nodded in response, his attention taken as the black-haired boy released a disappointed sigh.

"Damn, thought that would work..." The boy muttered, earning a smack to the back of the head from the younger boy, who had blue hair and a red birthmark over his eye. The boy shook his head before he turned to the two brothers and the conductor and spoke plainly, "Don't mind him; he likes making people angry. My name's Eight, and he's Vera. We'll fight off any monsters if you get us into Fiore."

The boy was straight to the point and didn't mince his words or intentions. A quality that was good for negotiations, even if the conductor still looked like he was trying to reason with the kids that this wasn't exactly a field trip they were taking.

"Look..." the conductor started, glancing back at the train before digging and shaking his head, "I may need a security detail, but I'm not going to hire two kids to get themselves killed by monsters. I know you two want to get to Fiore, but-"

"We're mages."

Vera interjected, halting the conductor's explanation as he looked at the two boys in surprise, his surprise turning to gratification as a tiny breath left his lips, "Oh..."

The conductor's shoulders sunk with relief as he glanced at Jun, who only gave a slight nod to indicate that the boys weren't lying. The conductor gave his two new bodyguards a pleasing smile as he held out his hand for the blunt one to shake, "Well, that changes things."

As a conductor, he had to make sure his train got to Fiore safely, and since these kids were mages, they'd be perfect to answer any monsters that popped up.

"My name's Norman; doing business with you is a pleasure."

It looked like Norman's luck had finally turned around.

The train ride to Fiore was more tranquil than Vera had expected; with him and Number 8 on the roof of a train cabin, they saw the entire countryside of Bosco and Seven front and center. It was astounding how the two countries seemed to divide themselves on either side of the train tracks, with Seven having a warmer, grassy-hills terrain reminiscent of Fiore. In contrast, Bosco had a slightly more relaxed, rockier terrain that reminded Vera of the mountains in Isvan if they weren't buried in snow.

The best part of the trip, though...

They got to see when it stopped snowing, unlike in Foss, where the snow was freshly melted, and the air still held its damp, depressing nature. The snow was erased, replaced a mile into the trip with sunny skies and warmer weather, all for Number 8 and Vera to enjoy atop the train that was barreling toward Fiore.

"This is the stuff..."

Vera said as he relaxed on his place on the train's roof, his feet kicking out over the edge, looking at Seven, while Number 8 replied from the edge overlooking Bosco, "It's weird..."

My skin feels itchy...

Number 8 didn't like the new temperature difference, probably because his entire existence had been spent in a controlled setting or the cold of Isvan. The fact that his sweater was built for heavy snow and slowly began to cook him alive wasn't helping. Number 8 considered the pros and cons of ditching his jacket and walking around in his hospital gown before Vera spoke offhandedly from his side of the train.

"Oh, come on, you're just saying that because you haven't experienced the true bliss of warm weather. Once we get to Fiore, you'll never ask for snow to come around again."

It sucks that this train doesn't pass by Magnolia, but the conductor said he'd drop us off at the nearest town. Once we're there, it will only be a matter of time before we save enough to buy tickets to Magnolia...

Vera smiled as he stretched his arms out and soaked in the warm weather, not even minding that his heavy coat was making the spring weather tilt towards hot on the temperature scale. Anything was better than the cold of Isvan, and if he ended up sweating a little, it was not like it mattered to him in the slightest.

Unfortunately, that was a sentiment Number 8 didn't seem to share, "Still... I don't like it..."

Number 8 shifted uncomfortably in his jacket before glancing at the long sleeves and letting an 'ah' slip through his lips. A small thread came from his finger, cutting his heavy, fur-lined sleeves until his thin arms were fully displayed. Number 8 took the extra sleeves and shoved them into his pocket if he wanted to re-attach them later.

That's better...

Number contently sighed as he glanced back at Vera, "Hey Vera, do you want-"

"Nah, I'm good. You can have Sho carry your sleeves, though."

Number 8 blinked in surprise at Vera's quick dismissal, unable to ponder too much on it as Sho slithered next to him and popped out of the ground. A shadowed hand gently raised to indicate he wanted to hold on to the sleeves Number 8 had in his pockets.

"Here, Sho... thanks."

Number 8 handed the sleeves to Sho, who took them onto the ground with him as he slunk back to Vera's side. Number 8 was about to comment before a calm yet slightly curious voice cut in, "You two sure look relaxed..."

The two mages turned to see Jun and Daisuke walking from one of the nearby passenger cars, the two jumping up to stand next to Vera and Number 8. Jun looked at the two curiously while Daisuke looked like he wanted to be anywhere else, "Why are we here, Jun? I wanted to get some shut-eye before the mountain pass."

Jun shrugged, "We'll have plenty of time to do that later, Daisuke. Isn't it better we get to know the mages we're working with instead? They could help us if the job is more difficult than expected."

Daisuke huffed and crossed his arms, ignoring his brother as he looked at the passing scenery. His wandering thoughts came to a head as he heard Vera snort from his seat, "Weren't you the one who said you wouldn't do work for free? Why should we help you if bandits show up? We're here to fight monsters."

Daisuke narrowed his eyes at Vera, who rolled his eyes in response. Daisuke gritted his teeth as he muttered, "Exactly, Jun. If the brats want to die alone, let them. We have better things to do."

"I doubt it..." Vera muttered under his breath, ignoring Daisuke's growl before Jun cut in with a light hand on Daisuke's shoulder, "Even if that's true, it's better to be prepared in case emergencies arise. Besides Daisuke, it's not like the boy... Vera, right?" Vera nodded, Jun giving a hum in return, "It's not like Vera is wrong. We don't have to work together; I'm merely suggesting we do each other a favor in case things turn out ugly."

Jun pointed toward the front of the train, "In a couple of hours, we'll be passing the Ripple-Back Mountain Range. The railway goes through a long series of caverns inside the mountainside; it acts as a natural tunnel for the railway. Bandits love to camp at the entrance, while monsters usually settle inside it."

Jun opened a hand placatingly, "Since both our groups will be fighting roughly simultaneously, I suggest we work together. It'll ease the burden on all of us, and if we have to fight Bandits and Monsters simultaneously, it'll be advantageous for us to work together."

Jun watched as the two boys considered his words, the blue-haired boy defaulting his gaze towards Vera, showing Jun that there was a clear distinction in leadership between the two.

Surprising, I thought the dull one would be in charge...

Jun took note of that for later; his attention was grabbed as Vera spoke with a slightly suspicious tone, "What do you have in mind if we do work together?"

Jun smiled slightly, tilting his head as he looked towards the growing horizon where they'd likely have to fight.

"Well, if it's alright with you..."

Jun smirked as he patted Daisuke on the shoulder with a little more force than necessary. His taller yet clumsier brother stumbling forward as Jun said with the practice of a politician, "I was thinking we'd switch partners."

Jun would have paid to get a picture of Daisuke's reaction.

Number 8 was surprised when the shorter freelancer, Jun, if he remembered right, offered to switch partners. He was even more surprised when Vera agreed, handing Number 8 off to work with the bigger one, Daisuke, while Vera went off with Jun to the front of the train. Both groups waited until they crossed under the giant tunnel through the Ripple-Back Mountains growing in the distance.

"Hey, slightly less annoying brat..."

Daisuke took it upon himself to make small talk a few minutes before the train was scheduled to hit the tunnel through Ripple-Back Mountains.

"You said your name was Eight, right? What's up with that?"

Daisuke watched curiously as Number 8 flinched, crossed his arms, and looked away, "Nothing. It's my name." Number 8 frowned as an uncomfortable feeling crawled in his gut, like bugs squirming around, before he could brush them aside and mutter, "What does it even matter..."

It's my name, isn't it...

Number 8 frowned as the uncomfortable feeling returned, Number 8 ignoring it once again as his unsaid reluctance to continue the conversation failed to catch Daisuke's attention, and the freelancer shrugged, "I was just curious; Eight's a weird name."

"No, it isn't." Number 8 said defensively, earning an eye roll from Daisuke in return, "It is."

"Is not."

"Is too."

"Is not!" Number 8 in a highly defensive manner that surprised even himself, his eyes wide as he saw Daisuke roll his eyes in return and hold his hands up in mock surrender, "Jeez kid, alright. You like your strange name. I give..." Daisuke shook his head and muttered something about 'both these kids are annoying' before he turned towards the front of the train. His eyes narrowed as he gestured back to Number 8, "Okay, kid, the caverns are coming up. Get ready..."

Number 8 huffed, glancing at the mountain range ahead and taking in the giant caverns the train was roaring toward. The jagged entrances open and wide, like a giant kicked a hole in the middle of the mountains that stabbed at the sky. The space beyond the entrance was overcast in the shadows from the high cavern roofs. Number 8 guessed that the stalactites hanging over the entrance were common throughout the cave system.

"All right then..."

Number 8 murmured, his magic flaring as the train entered the cavern, and they were pushed through a giant damp, rocky tunnel. The lights from the train and the fading sunlight from the first entrance and the coming exit were the only sources of light for them to see.

It's quiet...

Number 8 had to narrow his eyes as he glanced around the cavern, his gaze turning haphazardly to the high cavern ceilings, which went so high he couldn't see where they ended. The rocky terrain hid them in their shadows, and the only thing he could see were the tips of the stalactites that hung from their depths.

"I don't see anything..." Number 8 murmured, earning a scoff from Daisuke, "That's a good thing. Means we don't have to worry about bandits..." Daisuke glanced ahead of him, the first in a long series of caverns coming to an end as the train passed into an open stretch along the mountainside.

Still, they usually aren't this quiet...

Daisuke ignored his worries about why the bandits weren't at the cavern's entrance like they were supposed to be. Instead, he focused on the approaching cavern that would inevitably hide something worse than low-level bandits.

"We just have to worry about whatever scared them off."

The next cavern snuck up within the minute, delving the two into another quiet and eerie tunnel, giving them almost a second of peace before they heard a series of howls and a frantic, rabid hustling towards the train cars. A series of barks and growls echo through the caverns, surrounding the train with Daisuke able to see a few monsters hounding towards the last cart they were standing on.

Are those... dogs?

Daisuke frowned as he took notice of the white-plated armor, the gaping maws and fanged teeth, their heads seemingly missing their eyes and only housing a set of canines that looked to rip him apart. A species of monster that Daisuke had never seen before, although they looked similar to the D-rank 'Hell Hounds' that disappeared from Desierto a while back. The only difference was that these wore spiky white armor instead of that fleshy skin the hounds had, making them more robust but not as fast.

This is the first time I have seen these. Is it a new species? No, they would have been noticed if they were here then. So how-

"Oh... it's these..."

Number 8 said, ignoring the shocked expression on Daisuke's face as he let a razor-sharp string flow from his fingertip. He bisected a dog that got too close, its two halves crashing into the dogs behind it. The attack barely halted the pack of dogs dutifully chasing the train, inching their way closer.

I wonder why they're here...

Number 8 pondered why the monsters from the lab were roaming around the mountain range, especially since it looked like Daisuke had never seen them before.

This must be where the robes used to get them from, and now that the lab is destroyed, nothing is keeping the dog population in check...

That would explain why they were here and hungry by the looks of it. Starving for food as, the first of many jumped on the train's roof and rushed Number 8, who dodged without any difficulty. His eyes were cold and uncaring as he weathered the storm that followed, his ears picking up Daisuke's shout over the howls of the monsters.

"Hey, kid! How do you know about these things!?"

Daisuke yelled as he shifted out of a dog's way and pushed it over the train side, kicking another one off the train as he tried to keep track of all the dogs swarming the train car. A quick count told him that maybe ten or twenty in the pack were chasing them, and a few more were chasing the front carts where Jun and Vera were stationed. Daisuke glanced at the front of the train before Number 8's dull voice brought him back, "Fought them before; they aren't that strong. Just persistent..."

Number 8 finished his words by sliding past another dog; the motion was so practiced he could probably do it in his sleep. His hands quickly flicked a thread together, and all the while, he led the dogs on a walk atop the train cars.

"Thread Make Daggers"

Number 8 held his threaded daggers lightly, sidestepping a dog that pounced at him before slipping the blade between the plates on its neck. The dog died instantly, just like it had done back in the lab...

Oh yeah...

Number 8 tilted his head in thought, not paying attention to the fight as he killed another dog. His mind was on other things...

Vera didn't have his magic back then...

Specifically, Vera had a completely different experience than he did at the lab.

Vera didn't want to admit it; he didn't, but the second he heard those barks, that eerie growl and blood-thirsty snarl...

He froze.

"Hey, kid..."

He was right back in the lab, running from another one. Hearing their snarls echo against the white walls while the doctor taunted him over the projector with that sickening voice of his...

"Hey!"

He was flailing around, buying himself every futile minute until the dog inched closer and closer to his neck, taunting him because it couldn't kill him back then...

"Hey, kid! What're you doing!"

The dogs could kill him now, though. Nothing was stopping them from ripping his throat like they had tried to do a thousand times. No sick doctor with crappy runes to prevent them from tearing him off the train hull and devouring him on the spot.

"VERA!"

Jun screaming his name finally broke Vera out of his stupor; Vera let out a shaky breath as he felt a bead of sweat drip down his palms. His gaze never left the dimly lit caverns and the outlines of the white-plated and hungry dogs chasing after them.

"I'm good..."

Slowly but surely, they made their way towards the front of the train, where Jun and Vera were stationed. A few appeared to move towards the back end of the locomotive, where Number 8 and Daisuke were waiting.

"Yeah... sorry... I'm ready..."

Vera murmured, not even taking note of Jun's disbelieving glance as the two turned towards the snarls, Jun taking his frying pan out and ready to hit any dogs off the train if their numbers got too high, while Vera let Sho form behind him. His shadow glanced at Vera before tensing, tilting its head before directing its gaze at the approaching dogs. Sho gave a slight, questioning tug on the link that Vera answered quickly.

"Yeah, Sho... they're the ones."

Vera felt Sho bristle, his shadow flexing its dagger-like fingers as it waited for the first dog to jump onto the train car. The dim lights of the train highlighted its white-plated armor and razor-sharp claws that dug into the train hull below them with every step. Vera gulped as he tried and failed to calm his nerves, "Okay, Sho, let's-"

Vera's words stopped as Sho dashed forward without warning, ignoring Vera's surprise and ramming into the dog, who bit into Sho's shoulder. Vera was about to call out before he saw Sho's fingers grip the dog's jaw, cranking it open before stabbing a hand through the dog's open maw. Sho's fingers cut like butter through the canine's unplaited gums, piercing the dog's brain and killing it instantly.

Oh yeah...

Vera felt his fried nerves relax a little, his head clearing as he saw Sho move on to the next one. The dogs tore into Sho but couldn't finish him off. All the while, Sho ripped into everyone he came across, stabbing at their weak points when possible and punching them off the train when not.

I'm not alone...

Vera's eyes glazed past Sho's battle as a few of the newer arrivals bolted towards Vera and Jun. Two dogs targeted Jun while one rushed towards Vera, leaping at Vera with movements that Vera had seen so many times he might as well have them memorized.

I have Sho.

Vera smiled as he danced past the dog, luring it towards the edge as he felt Sho return to him, finally falling from the onslaught of dogs. Vera let his magic flow as he saw the dog's jaws open and try to bite into his head.

I can't break their plates...

Vera leaned back, unfazed as the jaws clamped shut above him, the air displacing his hair as he flipped backward onto his feet. His eyes were alight as he felt his shadow crawl up his arm, similar to what he had done back in Brago.

But Sho can.

Vera watched with adrenaline as bladed claws swiped at him, taking an inch of his cheek as Vera slid past the attack. He stuck his hand into the dog's open mouth, watching with delight as Sho's arm shot out from his palm, piercing through the dog's head and killing it before it even had time to yelp. Vera pulled his makeshift sword out of the dog's corpse before kicking the mutt off the train.

"Hey, Sho, you don't mind if I use your arm as a sword, do you?"

Vera watched with satisfaction as Sho gave a quick thumbs up before returning to a stiff, crude, sharp, magic arm that remained unmoving as Vera wielded it. A smile crossed his face as he turned to the dogs rushing them, uncaring for the dead Sho had left behind in his rampage. The dogs that had tormented him for months were running at him like he was a meal...

How lucky.

"Thanks, Sho..."

Vera smiled with vengeful glee as he rushed towards the incoming dogs, not worried since he knew how they moved better than anyone else. He wasn't worried about them; it had been foolish for him to be in the first place.

"I know we usually fight separately, but..."

He'd dodge if they got too close, then slide his makeshift sword through the plates on their neck. If their claws ended up grazing him, he'd take a leg in return. If one of them bit him, he'd stab through the soft spot on the bottom of their jaw and tear a hole into their brains. He'd be covered in cuts and bruises by the end, but he didn't care...

"I want to enjoy this."

He couldn't think of a better start to his life in Fiore.

Norman had been the conductor of the train running through Bosco and Seven for years, and he'd never had such a terrifying experience as he'd had on this particular trip through Ripple-Back Mountains.

Why were there so many!?

The Ripple-Back Mountains had never been a safe journey, but the monster population was usually tame. There are only a handful of D-rank monsters at times; a C or B rank would pop up every once in a while. That was usually the extent of it; Bosco and Seven had always assured the tracks were clear of any surplus that would be too much for the security detail to handle.

This time, though...

Norman couldn't count how many dogs he heard barking and snapping as the train rolled onward. He couldn't care how often he'd heard passengers screech in fright from their passenger cars, having caught sight of the hounds from their windows. He couldn't count how often he listened to a thrash or snarl from above him, how often the dogs' claws would dig into the roof, how often he'd hear a stray yelp that he hoped, no prayed was from the mutts...

Otherwise, it would be from the security detail, the freelancers, or the mages fighting the dogs...

Oh god, the mages...

He'd hired kids to fight those things. What was he thinking?

Please be okay...

They had passed the worst part of the Ripple-Back Mountains a few minutes ago; the cavern system that lasted over an hour was left behind them. Now, it was safe for him to check on the passengers and the security details that were supposed to report to the first-class cabin.

"Keep the train steady; I'll file a report later to send to Bosco and Seven."

Norman told the engine driver, leaving the front engine and moving across the open connector to the first-class cart. Norman opened it and was ready to calm down the commotion he'd expected to see from the passengers or the injured security, but instead, he saw something he hadn't expected...

He saw the security detail sitting at a private booth, all of them, without a single one missing or dead, the mages on one side and the freelancers on the other. A table lay between them with the giant frying pan Jun used leaning against its end, blocking the entire walkway with its abnormal size.

Thank god they're alive...

Daisuke had an array of cuts and bruises across his massive figure, a claw-shaped gash across his chest, and tears in his leather jacket, but nothing else. On the other hand, Jun had less, only a couple of scrapes and a gash on his forearm to show his injuries and a chunk of his queue missing.

His frying pan was covered in monster blood from the dogs, and he looked tired from swinging the big thing around if the heavy breaths he took were any indication. He was also dripping in sweat, probably from over-exertion, but physically, he looked like he would've been in the best condition...

If it wasn't for the blue-haired boy without a grain of dust on him.

Number 8, if Norman remembered right, was perfectly fine. There wasn't a scratch or drop of blood on him, and he looked the least tired out of the group. The kid wasn't even breathing heavily, as if he'd just gone for a light stroll and decided to take a break because he got bored.

The black-haired boy, Vera, was the opposite.

He looked the most worn out; there were cuts everywhere, and if it weren't for the stench of monster blood reeling off him, Norman would have thought the kid had bled himself dry.

The boy's clothes were hanging on by a thread, except for the sleeves that seemed brand new and somehow freshly sewn onto the boy's clothes. There was a concerning gash on the boy's forehead that looked freshly sewn as well, and he had the worst injuries from the group, but even then...

"Wow..."

The boy had a content smile as he leaned back in his seat, his hands behind his head as he gazed out the window.

"That was therapeutic."

Vera said, earning an eye roll from Number 8 while Jun quirked an eyebrow, Daisuke being the only one to comment with a booming laugh, "Therapeutic? You look like you crawled around in a dumpster!"

"Oh yeah? What about you? Shouldn't you be ashamed that a kid had to save your ass?" Vera shot back, sticking his tongue out at Daisuke, who huffed and crossed his arms, looking away with a hint of embarrassment, "Hey, it's not my fault Eight is crazy strong..." Daisuke scratched his cheek as he glanced at Jun, who had steadied his breathing and was now looking at him with questions on his face, "Seriously, Jun, the kid's a monster. Should've seen him; I'm pretty sure I caught him yawning at one point."

Jun's eyes widened in surprise, the table turning to Number 8, who flushed at the attention, coughing into his hand, "Um... you must be mistaken. I would never-"

"Oh, you so would." Vera interjected, hissing as Number 8 stepped on his probably bruised toes underneath the table before continuing with a blank expression, "I would never do that."

Jun sweat-dropped at the sight, deciding he didn't want to be on the receiving end of the kid's ire, so he dropped the subject. His eyes caught Norman staring at them from the aisle, so he waved the man over, "Hello, Norman; I believe we have a payment to discuss."

The table watched as Norman picked his jaw off the floor and walked towards them, giving a confused look at them all before shaking his head and muttering something about crazy people. Norman's professionalism came into play as he gave Jun and Daisuke their jewels before turning to Vera and Number 8, who were getting ready to sleep the rest of the journey into Fiore.

"As for our deal, you don't have to worry; we'll be at Oak Town in a few days. From there, I'm sure you'll be able to get another train to Magnolia."

Norman watched as Number 8 blandly nodded, seeking to fight back a yawn. Meanwhile, Vera quirked his sleepy eyelids as he put his chin on the table and proceeded to doze off. The adrenaline from the fight finally wore off after an hour of fighting the monsters from his past.

Oak Town...

Vera hummed, falling asleep with a content yet tired sigh. His mind was already skipping over the last pit stop they would make in their trek to Magnolia and the guild within its heart.

Huh...

Unfortunately for Vera, he was still a far way from Magnolia...

Sounds familiar...

He was still a long way from Fairy Tail.