"Join my adventurer team, Johnny. We make a darn good team." Edith said, her backpack stretched to the brim with loot.
"I'm serious, I mean you as the close range and me as the archer… I literally don't think we can be beat." She paused for a second before asking. "Wait… what's your adventure rank?"
"I… don't know, how can you tell?"
Back on Earth, AR or Adventure Rank was displayed on the menu screen but there wasn't anything like that now. No arbitrary numbers on screen to tell him how strong something is, just a hunch and a gut feeling to guide him.
"You haven't had Katheryne evaluate you?" She asked genuinely.
"Evaluate me? What do you mean?"
This was news to him. The game never mentioned anything about evaluating or anything. They never even explained how Katheryne just knew what your rank was.
"You don't know? Katheryne is somehow always able to accurately tell your combat prowess or experience. Although anytime one of us asks her about it, she just says she's a good judge of character and brushes off any more questions."
"So what's this for then?" He asked as he held up the Adventurer's handbook.
"It's just a journal and a badge. We aren't really a formal organization like the Fatui or The Knights of Favonius so we don't carry around fancy medals or masks." She explained as she took out her own.
"You need to update your book once a week. I can tell you're still green from how clean yours looks."
"Well, I only just joined yesterday."
At those words, her eyes began to shine with a glint of mischief.
"So… you're saying I'm like… your senior?"
"Shut up." John looked away. "Why are you even helping me out anyways?"
"You ungrateful little br… You should be thanking me that I'm even talking to you." She began, taking longer strides to close the gap between them.
"Oh thank you so much for saving a poor defenseless damsel like myself." He replied in a mocking tone before she caught him in a headlock and started pulling his cheek.
"Stop! Ow, I mean it Edith!"
The both of them went back and forth, joking around all the way back to the city gates.
***
"You have to help me!" A woman yelled loudly enough for the both of them to hear as soon as they walked past the cobbled gates.
In front of the Adventurers' Guild's reception was a distressed woman dressed like a nun, berating Katheryne to help her. Visible beads of sweat formed on Katheryne's face as she tried to remain calm and civil.
"Woah… sounds serious." Edith muttered. "Wait to check it out?"
"I'm sorry but we don't have any Adventurers available right now. If you want you can post a commission or if its that urgent you could ask the knight-"
"I don't have time to go through the knights of favonius' procedures!" She took a deep breath, calming herself down before continuing. "Look, Allan hasn't returned and that boy can't even hold a sword right. Please, send someone to go look for him… Please… I'm begging you."
"Even if you do beg me… There's nothing I can do-"
"Fear not! I will take the commission." Edith declared, making both of their heads turn.
"Oh, Edith you're back-" Katheryne began before she got cut off.
"Thank Barbatos! Please, he was last seen around the Whispering woods and in terms of compensation…"
"You do not need to compensate us. We would never refuse to help those in need."
'Us? We?... Oi…' John looked dumbfounded at how Edith decided for them both without even asking him.
"Bless your heart child, the both of you." The nun started getting teary eyed. "You truly embody the noble heart and valor of a true child of Mondstadt… Just like the legendary hero… Venessa."
Edith's ears perked up at the mention of Venessa.
"W-Why yes." She rubbed her nose with a satisfied expression. "I am just like Venessa, aren't I? Hehe…"
"Wait a minute I never agreed to…"
"Let us go, Johnny. That poor lad must be scared out of his mind right now. We must leave right this second."
***
The sky darkened considerably and began to drizzle. The smell of rain was the only thing that felt familiar to John.
'Rain is rain no matter where you go.' He smiled to himself.
Edith meanwhile was grinning ear to ear as she strided with her chest puffed up and head held high.
"Did you hear that?" She asked, turning around with a idiotic smile on her face. "She said I am just like Venessa."
Her face beamed at him, almost blinding him in the process. Her happiness was contagious. To the point he felt awful if he didn't play along.
"You… like Venessa?"
"What kind of question is that? Who doesn't? Every girl dreams of becoming her."
"She's… my hero. Someone I strive to become."
Right… John had forgotten how big of a deal Venessa was for girls who grew up in Mondstadt. It's been a while but he recalled Jean also had an unhealthy obsession with Venessa. To the point it made her a dysfunctional workaholic to live up to her hero's legendary status. Even Marjorie really adorned Venessa. She was like the superman of Mondstadt essentially.
Still… John found it extremely weird.
This was the second time he'd enter the Whispering Woods. Heck, the forest itself was the first thing he saw when he got isekaid here.
This time, it was different. Now, he was mentally prepared. This time he had a weapon. He thought as he clutched the handle of the crimson starred blade.
Not even ten metres from the forest. The strongest smell of rot filled his nose, making him hold his stomach, barely holding in the urge to vomit.
That smell… There was no way he'd ever get used to it.
Edith wasn't doing any better, her face was visibly pale yet her expression remained normal.
"Hillichurls." Edith muttered.
The smell was stronger than what they faced before out in the open which mixed disgustingly with the growing moist atmosphere.
"Just our luck."