Chapter Text
The afternoon sun streamed through the stained-glass windows of the Central Guild Office, casting prismatic light across Glen's desk as he massaged his temples. Reports of shady dealings in the neighboring Guild had been piling up—missing artifacts, suspicious transfers of funds, whispers of black-market potions circulating among adventurers. He needed eyes inside, but sending an obvious scout would raise alarms.
The door creaked open.
Alina marched in, her arms laden with thick folders, her dark ponytail hair swaying with each purposeful step. The Ifuru Guild reports—right on time, as always.
"Such a devoted girl," Glen mused, watching her set the files down with military precision. If only half his guild members were half as efficient.
His thoughts were abruptly derailed by the sound of the office door slamming open.
"ALINA-SAN!"
Jade practically bounced into the room, his violet eyes alight with delight, as if he hadn't seen her just that morning.
Alina didn’t even glance up.
"Go away."
Undeterred, Jade swooped in, reaching for the stack of folders.
"Let me help you with those! They look heavy—"
She yanked them out of reach.
"I don’t need your help."
Jade clutched his chest dramatically.
"You wound me! After two years of friendship—"
"We are not friends."
"Acquaintances?"
"Pests and exterminators."
Jade grinned.
"Ooh, kinky."
Alina's eye twitched. Without breaking eye contact, she lifted one of the folders and slammed it toward his face. Jade dodged with a yelp, laughing as she swung again.
Glen watched, chin resting on his hand, an idea forming.
These two.
Constantly at each other's throats.
And yet...
He'd seen them work together before. When it mattered, they moved like a perfectly synchronized team—Jade's reckless brilliance balancing Alina's razor-sharp precision.
And right now, he needed that.
He cleared his throat.
"You two. My office. Now."
To be continued... --->