Rangers Endgame

Chapter 136: A Retiree’s Advice

The carriage rumbled to a stop in a relatively quiet corner of the Capital. As Dai emerged onto the walkway, he was met with elegant townhouses adorned with wrought-iron gates lining the streets. The clean air carried the scent of blooming flowers and chiming conversation.

The few passing pedestrians, some of them clearly nobles, couldn't help but slow their pace to silently gawk at the council’s guard. Some children stopped completely to jump and point excitedly at the Sentinel’s unexpected appearance in their neighborhood, but their parents were quick to swat their hands down and scold them about manners.

Dai spared them a nod, but his main focus was on the house before him. Trimmed grass stretched out to a two-story brick home with only a gate denying his way forward. As Shin and his rangers trickled out of the carriage, Dai went to examine the gate. Both doors were sealed by a high-quality lock with runes inscribed into its flat surface, which flared red at his unexpected arrival.

He stepped back as the artifact crackled to life.

[“Yes? Who is it?”] A rough voice acknowledged through the lock.

Dai cleared his throat. “Is this the home residence of retired ranger Skai?”

[“This is him,”] he answered. [“Who might I be speaking with?”]

“I’m Sentinel Dai of the Sentinel Vanguard. I’d like to ask you a few questions pertaining to the Outer Rim.”

The man on the other end responded with silence, and Dai wondered if the artifact picked up his voice. Shin stepped up to his side to check the lock, but it was still working perfectly fine. Kenzo sauntered up and reached out to the gate, perhaps to test its durability, but Dai obstructed him with a thick outstretched forearm.

[“Is this about that unfair payout incident?”] The man finally replied just before Dai was about to test the gate’s durability. [“I’ve already submitted a formal apology to the guild.”]

“This is an unrelated matter. And I can assure you that you aren’t in any trouble,” Dai made sure to add to hopefully tack on enough trust to let him inside.

There was another beat of silence before the lock shifted from a wary red to an accepting green. Dai tentatively opened the gate with a rattle, and he stepped onto the property, followed by Shin. As they made their way up the stone steps, the front door clicked and swung open.

A man with a glaring scar running down the side of his middle-aged face stepped out into the sun wearing comfortable loungewear and a welcoming smile. However, when he saw that the Sentinel wasn't alone, his inviting demeanor became more guarded.

Dai read him instantly and turned to the others with a halting hand, stopping them from crossing the threshold of the gate. “Wait with the carriage. This won't take long.”

They exchanged glances but didn’t protest. He allowed Shin to accompany him up the stairs to meet Skai nonthreateningly. “This is ranger Shin. I hope you don't mind him joining me.”

Skai gave the ranger a once-over and relaxed. He stepped back into his home and softly gestured them inside. “Please.”

The two guests nodded in appreciation before entering. The space yawned into a grand living room with expensive decor spaced particularly along the white wallpaper and prime furnishings. Warm lighting touched their skin, and the natural air behind them wisped away into the light scent of chemical disinfectant. Directly across from them was a tidy kitchen with a window looking out into a sprawling yard.

They removed their combat boots after Skai’s insistence before following him across the soft carpet. He gestured to the cozy couch, and they sank into its cushions.

“Would either of you like a drink?” Skai offered.

“Water would be great, thank you,” Shin accepted with a grateful smile.

Dai declined with a dismissive hand.

As Skai went to fetch Shin’s refreshment, Dai took notice of the pictures displayed atop the table stretching along the adjacent wall. A younger Skai with a scar-free face stood amongst other rangers, grinning awkwardly as the others ruffled his short hair.

“From my understanding, you were an A-rank before retirement, correct?” Dai asked, glancing lazily at the kitchen.

“That's right. Almost reached S, too. The party I ran missions with picked me up when I was just a C-rank. Can you believe that?” Skai chuckled wistfully over the rising pitch of pouring water. “The best fellas I’ve had the pleasure of adventuring with. They were goofballs but good folks, always there to help push me to become high-ranking like them.”

He walked back to the living room and handed Shin the glass, then took a seat in a plush chair across from them.

“Actually, I have them to thank for my smooth retirement.”

“It seems you were in excellent hands,” Shin responded, taking a sip of his water. “Most don’t get that luxury.”

“Depends on how you look at it. On occasion, they’d dump their rewards on booze after a hard-fought victory over a magma serpent, and I’d be firing off apologies at the bartender,” he barked out a laugh of reminiscence. When he let his laughter fade into a relaxing breath, he moved on. “My apologies. I’m sure neither of you has the time to listen to old, irrelevant stories. You mentioned you wanted to learn about the Outer Rim, yes?”

“Correct,” Dai responded, secretly grateful to get back on topic.

Skai gave him a curious look. “I’ve only explored known locations. I’m sure someone as high-ranking as you is already familiar with what’s out there.”

“Not this particular location,” Dai insisted.

Confusion crossed Skai’s face. “Where would that be?”

“Rangers’ Graveyard.”

The mere mention of the name drained the life from the retired ranger’s face as the air around him plunged. Unseen horrors flashed across his darkened eyes, and his trembling grip tightened around the armrests.

Dai didn't say anything further, patiently waiting for Skai to heave himself from the tar of his haunting past just to respond. Sympathy fell over Shin’s face, but he, too, could only wait until the man was ready.

The retired ranger controlled his breathing just enough to lift his head, a haunted look killing the wistful humor in his eyes. “Don't say that name again.”

Dai offered him an apologetic nod. “I understand that…place is a touchy subject for most, but—”

“You're not going to drag me back,” Skai asserted, his breathing building.

Shin set his drink down. “No one is going to make you go back,” he de-escalated. “We’ve only come for information if you're willing.”

Skai threaded a hand through his hair and took a shaky breath. “What makes you think I know more than any other survivor?”

“You're the only one who wasn't admitted to a psychiatric ward,” Dai stated. “Which makes you the best candidate to help prepare us.”

His eyes widened in disbelief.  “You're not planning to go there, are you?”

“An urgent mission has come up, and it involves us passing through it.”

“Whatever this mission is, you’re better off abandoning it,” he said flat out. “Because in that place, death is a mercy.”

Dai leaned forward, elbows on his knees, and clasped his hands. “We need something to go off of. Can you share the types of monsters we will encounter?”

“There are no monsters.” Skai’s mournful gaze shifted to the photo of his former party. “Only those who have crossed its threshold.”

His cryptic responses gnawed at Dai’s patience. Shin put an understanding hand on his shoulder, the light squeeze communicating he’d handle it.

Turning back to Skai, Shin said, “Unfortunately, this is an underlying matter we cannot afford to ignore. Any advice that you have would be a tremendous help.”

A maddened chuckle tumbled from Skai’s lips. “Advice? I already told you. If you know what’s good for you, abandon this mission. None of it is worth it the moment it involves that place.”

Skai gripped his forearm to tame the tremors. The Sentinel and ranger gave him time to control his worsening episode. Skai’s hand shot to Shin’s glass, and he gulped down its contents. He wiped away the water spilling from his lips, and his breathing evened.

“You've overstayed your welcome,” he whispered brusquely, leaving no room for argument.

Dai and Shin let out soft, but understanding sighs, and stood to their feet nonetheless.

“Thank you for your time.” Dai dipped his head.

“And thank you for your hospitality. Our apologies for the trouble,” Shin added regretfully.

Skai didn't respond to either of them as they both donned their boots and let themselves out. The others were waiting patiently with the carriage. Kouami absently twirled his wand between his dexterous fingers while conversing with Asuka, while Kenzo and Hideki observed the curious passerby like unofficial guards. Asuka chuckled at something Kouami said, but flinched when Dai entered his periphery.

Kenzo and Hideki turned when they approached, Hideki snapping a rigid salute and his eyes straight, while Kenzo stood relaxed at attention. Dai dismissed them both with a hand, mostly to keep Hideki from embarrassing himself.

“Anything?” Kouami asked with optimism.

Shin responded with an unfortunate shake of his head.

Asuka’s shoulders slumped. “Does that mean we’re going in blind?”

“Such is the nature of the Outer Rim,” Dai reminded him, pulling open the gate.

Kenzo shifted skeptically. “So what does this mean for us?”

“We proceed as planned,” Dai said matter-of-factly, moving to the coachman to relay their next destination.

He felt their uncertain gazes on the back of his head.

“Sentinel Dai, with all due respect,” Kenzo started tactfully. “Without solid information on what’s out there, our chances of success are needlessly lower. Surely we can dig up something before we go on this expedition.”

Dai met his gaze, the Sentinel’s determination not faltering, as he opened the carriage door. “There are no other reliable sources, as all other survivors are ill-suited to pry into their traumatic pasts. We’ll make do.”

“How can you be certain?” Kouami questioned.

Dai paused midway through climbing inside. “You have the strongest weapon standing alongside you. All you must do is rally behind me, and I will personally guarantee that this expedition is a success.”