THE ADVENTURER OF EDEN
2.1 "Back to Guildtown"

Shiki and Reina ride the wagon horse from the pier earlier in the afternoon. An hour's drive away, they arrived at the bustling city of Adventurers as it was already afternoon.

In order not to be conspicuous, Shiki asks Reina to wear a cloak. Of course if it was discovered that Shiki took a quest with one of the royal noble princesses, then the big news would instantly be heard throughout the city.

Shiki planned to tell some people about his last quest. He also believes the news of retirement will not be heard quickly because Anna herself is not the type of woman who easily divulges information.

On that matter, the Adventurers close to Shiki will know about it and the estimation is that a week from now the news about his retirement will be spread.

Shiki's plan was to retire and return to his hometown, but because of this last quest, he certainly rethought and was not sure if this quest would end in a week or two.

"Shiki-san, hey, Shiki-san."

"What's wrong?"

"Look at the crowd, is there a festival in town?" Reina pointed in front of them, on the main street of the city, dozens of citizens gathered.

When it comes to festivals, they will be held soon, but not today. Shiki said that to Reina, as she walked into the crowd that the woman pointed to.

When I got there, Shiki smiled. Residents cheered for some people Shiki knew, they were adventurers, but not ordinary adventurers.

Their names were cheered by the citizens of "Dion! The vira! Warren!" These are the three names that they use.

Dion, a disheveled yellow-haired youth. The intrepid faces of those two whitish yellow eyes were clearly visible. The adventurous clothes he wore, and carried a spear with an iron handle on his back.

"Yes! Say my name, everyone! I am the Strongest Adventurer (second) in the Guild! Ehaha!"

Behind her, the beautiful mature woman with purple hair was straight long. Dress a mage with a hat and a purple dress according to her hair color. Her beauty and maturity were unequaled in the Guild.

Vira was the name of this woman, the third Strongest Adventurer in the Guild according to the people.

"My cheer! Come on, more fun! Shout, my fans!"

A middle-aged man with brown hair. He also has a strong muscular brown skin. Wearing sleeveless leather shirt grey color and red trousers and boots.

Warren was the name of this middle-aged man, the fourth Strongest Adventurer in the Guild.

They were welcomed by the townspeople for a reason. It had been two weeks they had not been in the Guild and had just returned from the capital.

"When they had just arrived, they were greeted like celebrities. They're just adventurers, you know." Shiki smiled past the crowd of people.

They realized Shiki had suddenly charged in. "Eh, that's it! I did hear she wasn't coming, but..."

"If he's here too, then it's complete!"

"4 Adventurers Pillar!"

Shiki smiled, greeted with enthusiasm as well by his three companions. The citizens cheered happily as well, before them the 4 strongest Adventurers Pillars in the Guild gathered.

"So the three of them are his comrades Shiki-san!" Reina understood, it deserved to be very lively because they were welcomed like heroes in this Adventurer city.

***

After cheers and rapturous reception, the 4 Adventurers went straight back to the Guild office and held a small party with drinks and food provided by the receptionists.

"One.two... A TOAST!"

Of course with the return of the four of them, the office of the Adventurer Guild located in the middle of the city became very lively.

Shiki also drinks with a big glass of beer, along with Warren. Dion also danced and she was the most striking. Vira can only smile at that and sit by the reception desk, and nearby there is a receptionist named Gina.

"Uwah, it's crowded here, and Shiki-san is busy with her friends to the point of ignoring me."

Reina is now confused about what to do when Shiki is busy. He did not dare to disturb or perhaps rather did not dare for fear that it would ruin their quest agreement.

"Hey, do you know my brother?"

"Uh? Yeah...?" Reina was confused, it seemed that the girl next to her was asking about Shiki.

"Follow me a minute!"

"Eh! .uwah! Shiki-san!"

Reina was pulled away from the Guild office, her screams not heard by Shiki who was still having fun, but then;

"Yes, too, Shiki...! You just appeared from the direction of the city gate, right? Where are you finished?" That Warren before he chewed his meat.

"I just... Shit!" Shiki remembers she left Reina in her own town.

Of course he immediately rushed over, telling Warren and some of the adventurers earlier if any items were left behind at the city gate.

(Uh! I think he can take care of himself like a good boy, he should!) Thought Shiki, she was careless leaving Reina alone.

...

When he got near the city gate, Shiki did not see where Reina was. Shiki panicked of course, and did not know where to look. Reina only once came to her apartment, Shiki doubted that she could remember the way there.

"Ah, what are you doing there, senpai?" An adventurer appears to Shiki.

A young man with black hair. "Your face is panicking, did you lose something there? Are both of your knives missing.ah, that's it."

"Theo!" Shiki knew the young man's name, he was Theo.

Shiki remembers that someone drove Reina to her apartment yesterday, and Shiki suspects that it was Theo. Shiki believes Theo knows Reina's face as Princess Stardust.

"Theo! Do you remember the woman you drove into my apartment yesterday? Did you see him?"

"Oh! Princess Reina Stardust, right? I'm surprised he's together... Ah, this is a big deal! If he goes missing, one country will hunt you, senpai!" Theo said that, scaring Shiki

Then he told Reina where. "I saw him, he didn't go back to your apartment. But it was taken to an empty shophouse near the Guild office."

"What?!!" Shiki panicked again and ran away. Theo wanted to tell me more details, but Shiki had already run away in a panic

...

Shiki to the empty shophouse Theo meant, he sensed there were two people in this shophouse. This ability is to sense the existence of a person with magical energy. The abilities that Shiki had already used before he joined the Guild. Shiki's sensitivity to magical energy is also very strong.

At the same time, the brunette girl also felt Shiki coming.

"He's coming..." The girl wears a fox mask that is usually at the festival.

While Reina was tied to an iron pole with her mouth in a gag by cloth and her hands were also tied by cloth.

Later then... "DORINA!" Shiki shouted as soon as she appeared.

Shiki sees Reina, reflexing to his place, but an attack comes from above, which Shiki immediately restrains with both of his black knives.

The attack uses a katana, a sharp sword from the far east. Shiki was very familiar with the ins and outs of the sword, but there was no time to question it because his opponent was strong and made him excited.

"God!"

Shiki took off their clash, the girl with the fox mask attacked again quickly. Clashes occurred several times and Shiki was able to fend off any attacks of this girl with her magic eyes.

This magic eye besides being able to see all the attacking opportunities, could also see all the defensive opportunities. Shiki was already well able to use this magic eye of his.

His nickname in addition to "strongest in the Guild" also called him "invincible in close combat"

And Shiki showed that by flicking his opponent's katana ayuna. After that, the girl backed off and took a swipe.

Shuffle with both hands holding the handle of the katana and pointing it forward.

(She wants to use her nurse... But wait.) Shiki knew there was something strange about this girl.

"This is the pinnacle of my sword skills!"

The girl darted and Shiki looked extremely shocked when she heard this girl's voice.

"Without the light, three thrusts!"

The girl was directly in front of Shiki, and by looking at all the directions of his attack, Shiki prepared both of his black blades.

However, the girl's sword thrust was too fast and simultaneous, although Shiki repelled one and two stabs, but a fast third thrust hit her right palm.

Shiki also directly thickened the girl's katana, a katana with a long reddish blade.

"Came and intended to kill me. Are you so upset with me...? Yui."

Shiki certainly immediately knew the girl who attacked him earlier. With her voice, Shiki instantly realized that she was his little sister.

Yui opened her fox mask and stuck her tongue out. "Really! It's all because of you, aniki!"

***

This is a story from 10 years ago.

When a man came to me with a sad face and was very surprised. The man hugged me and said; "I'm glad you're okay! I'm glad you survived!"

I don't know who he is, but for sure, the man's embrace is very sincere. The big, strong man hugged me as if I were his long-lost son.

Next to her was a shy little girl looking at me. The pink-haired little girl threw away her face as I looked at her seriously.

The man was his real father, introducing the little girl to me.

"He's Yui Haruna, from today on she's your little sister and you'll be well taken care of, Shiki."

That's what she said, she wanted to take care of me as her foster child. I don't know what his purpose was, but that's for sure...

To be sure, different from "the jerk", this guy would be a great dad to me.

***

"Damnec!!!" Yui immediately jumped to embrace Shiki happily, The brother she had not met for a long time, it had been three years since Shiki had left her hometown to become an adventurer.

"Yui...!" Shiki's face was also very happy, this little sister was his family which meant a lot.

"I'm glad you're okay. It seems that you haven't changed much." said Shiki with them still in arms; "except for your hair, I'm surprised now it's brown."

"True, my hair color changed. It's not just style or anything." Yui said that, both of her hands wrapped around Shiki's waist; ". The color of the hair turned brown sign I was ready to have a child, aniki~"

Shiki was startled, slightly blushed and replied "i just found out"

"MMMMM!"

"AH! Wretch! Lena!" Shiki took off her embrace and untied the cloth that tied the hand and mouth of the black-haired woman.

Reina puffed her cheeks at Shiki, who was astonished to see that and understood Reina was upset with him.

"Huh, so you really know that girl, Aniki. Who her? What's your relationship with him? Why is this girl close to you? Is she your girlfriend or how did you get her attention?"

Shiki was astonished to hear Yui's possessive question. And Shiki asked back of course about Reina's kidnapping.

"And you kidnapped Reina here? Are you doing this because you're jealous?"

"Of course!" yui replied clearly.

Shiki let out a long sigh, and Reina blinked, she understood what Shiki and Yui's relationship was. Not lovers, but brothers

"Oh, so she's your little sister, Shiki-san."

"true." Shiki nodded.

Yui hugged Shiki's left hand. "I'm Yui Haruna! I am the younger sister of Shiki the Strongest Adventurer and his future wife!"

"Oh so!" Reina smiled happily, and she was shocked to hear the last sentence; "Wife candidate... Little sister..."

"...INCEST!!!" Reina shouted comically shocked at this uncivilized relationship.

But Shiki explains well what his relationship with Yui really is. They are not siblings, but sisters and Shiki are the adopted children of Yui's biological father. The two of them had been together for seven years until Shiki left "Paradise" 3 years ago to become an Adventurer.

"I see, you should have said that from the beginning, Shiki-san." Reina blushed small.

"Who is this?" tanya Yui was still holding Shiki's hand.

"He's my client." Shiki tells Yui; "...Reina Stardust is her name."

Yui looks surprised, and Shiki just realizes that she is speaking the wrong way.

"E-H!"

Shiki immediately jumped to help Reina from Yui who wanted to behead her. Shiki was on top of Reina and shouted out in protest at Yui; "What are you doing, Yui?! You want to kill my client?!"

"Silence, aniki! He is a royal noble! He must die!" Yui shouted annoyedly.

Reina looked surprised at that.

"I know you hate royal nobles, but that doesn't mean you can kill people who have nothing to do with your mother's death or with the destruction of Paradise 13 years ago!" Shiki yelled annoyed at his little sister. Reina silently heard that, Yui's anger was enough she taught.

"I knew... But ugh...!" Yui became worried, and she scolded Shiki earlier.

Yui knows what she's doing childishly, but this is all Shiki's fault because she hasn't been back to Paradise for three years.

"...it's all your fault, aniki! You haven't been back to Paradise in three years! Never send a letter either!" The brown-haired girl cried out in annoyance; "Indeed Paradise's distance here is far away, but at least comes back once a year!"

"Huh?" Shiki is shocked and Yui replies to him with her mistake.

"Dad is upset with you, everyone in the village is disappointed too! I came here to drag you home, then we got married and had a lot of kids!" Yui shouted again. Reina blushed a little hearing that, she did not dare to comment and just kept quiet.

"Quick get away from that woman and go back to Paradise!"

Shiki was confused now, Yui blamed him and indeed he was wrong for never coming back because of his laziness.

Yui comes all the way here too just to drag him home and they get married, then Shiki becomes the head of the Haruna clan.

"Yui, relax... I'm sorry, ok? I didn't go back to Paradise because.malas."

Yui and Reina were shocked to hear that. "You're the worst!"

"But to be honest, I plan to go home after this because I've decided to retire. Reina's quest to find her missing father was my last quest as an adventurer." Shiki explained that to her sister.

"If you want to help this quest, I'll go back to Paradise." Shiki said that; "How about...?"

"But you just went back to Paradise? Not planning to marry me?" Yui asked, frowning in annoyance.

Shiki knew marrying Yui was one of the clearest options in her life. Yui is a woman now, but the sensation for Shiki is not that she can be Shiki's wife.

Yui is.and always will be... "I always thought of you as my little sister." Shiki spoke honestly about her feelings for Yui; "you and Dad are my precious family."

Reina listened, Shiki's refusal must have hurt for Yui. However, Yui's reaction remained silent, until a few seconds later Yui's reply to the rejection surprised Shiki and Reina.

"Ah, I was expecting you to say that!" Yui grinned and chuckled; "I already know you think of me as a little sister only, never more."

"That's what you are, aniki. I'm glad that part of you hasn't changed."

Shiki reacted in shock and mentioned her sister's name. "Yui..."

"Hmph! I'll come if so! If I had an adventure with you, I'm sure I could charm you and make you fall in love with me as a woman... Aniki!" Yui told her brother while pointing at him.

The excited face indicates that Yui is confident that Shiki will fall in love with her.

...Chapter 2.1 "Back to Guildtown" - done...