Unorthodox Guild

Chapter 27 Happy New Year, meow?

The continent of Sisonia is less of a continent and more of a vast valley surrounded by mountains.

Few people get to see the scenery beyond the mountains, partly because of the wind-swept, snow-covered mountain roads.

The ongoing war with the demons is another important reason: after all, with the war on the continent in such chaos, no one would be idle enough to climb a snow mountain.

However, neither of these is the main reason.

The most important reason is:

.......

Because this is version 1.1.

In the game "Yuanshen", Dragon Ridge Snow Mountain requires version 1.2 to unlock... no, that's not right.

Excuse me.

It's because of a legend.

Legend has it that the three mountain ranges surrounding the continent of Sisonia are the territories of three powerful monster kings.

Although it is just a legend, no one has ever seen the true face of the so-called Beast King.

Although over the years, many adventurers have dedicated their entire youth to trying to conquer those snow-capped mountains...

"..."

Unfortunately, all the adventurers who attempted to cross the snow-capped mountains disappeared without a trace.

After all, life is precious, and the vast continent of Sisonia alone has countless unexplored secrets.

Most normal people don't have the same yearning for the world beyond the snow-capped mountains as those crazy mountaineering enthusiasts, especially considering the ongoing conflict between humans and demons in recent decades...

This led to research and exploration outside of mainland China.

For a time, things came to a standstill.

.........

.........

Outside the Forest of Cuteness lies Cat Town.

The sun slowly set behind the western mountains, and another peaceful day came to an end in this quiet town.

"Hehe, little kitten, little kitten, stop running around, meow."

A catgirl with purple ears stroked the head of the kitten in her arms with a sunny smile.

This is one of the Cat Guild's commissions for today: to help townspeople find their lost cats.

Although the mission content doesn't sound like the work of a proper adventurer, it's more like the daily quests that the protagonists in second-generation games do when they have nothing else to do.

However, considering that cats can climb to some very tricky places, it would be difficult for a normal person to reach them.

Nowadays, many other quests in the guild are like this: although the content is different, it is really not easy to handle without some adventurer experience.

"..."

"It seems that the decision to transform the guild's business was the right one."

Kaya thought to herself as she stood silently observing the two cats.

Although, in terms of its content, this kind of mission is hard to associate with the identity of an adventurer.

However, now that we have entered an era of peace and development, the number of such requests has increased significantly.

This has led to these seemingly mundane tasks, which are not typically undertaken by adventurers and which many adventurers are unwilling to do, becoming the source of funding to support the guild's operation.

"Hehe, Hakimi meow, cute meow~"

"ha!"

"Meow!"

"..."

just.

Lilia watched as the orange cat, hissing at her, scratched her.

"..."

Kaya was thinking about something.

"Why are there cats in different forms in this world...?"

..........

..........

evening.

The dim sunlight shone on the path on the plain.

"Hakimi Hakimi Hakimi, Hakimi oh Namirudo~"

Humming a tune in some unknown language, a happy Lilia and an expressionless Kaya walked back to the guild.

To be honest, although both the Cat Guild and Cat Town are on the outskirts of the Moe Forest, the two places are not particularly close.

It's about a 30-minute walk, but there's a bus line connecting the two places, so commuting isn't too troublesome.

"..."

Wait, why are Kaya and Lilia walking back to the guild?

"..."

Because bus drivers are on holiday for the Chinese New Year.

........

........

The so-called New Year is actually a common festival in most parts of the Sisonia continent.

Several years ago, the hero team successfully defeated the Demon King.

In recognition of the heroes' contributions and the trade exchanges during the peaceful era, the entire continent, under the impetus of the Hero Memorial Foundation Association, adopted a calendar system with the day the Demon King disappeared as the starting date—the Hero Calendar.

Tomorrow will be New Year's Day.

On this memorable day, to celebrate the disappearance of the Demon King and the hard-won peace, those who have been working away from home will return to their hometown.

......

Then I made dumplings with my long-lost relatives.

"..."

I never imagined that the war had ended so long ago.

As the red sun gradually set on the horizon, Kaya exhaled a breath of stale air, seemingly lost in thought.

"..."

Whether during his teenage years at the magic high school or after passing the entrance exam for the Sisonia Magic Academy, Kaya was constantly dealing with demons and monsters.

Even after the victory in the war, Kaya often felt a sense of disorientation.

Similarly, this situation is manifested to varying degrees in many seasoned adventurers.

Later, in the study of white magic, this symptom was also given a name: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

It's unclear whether this was out of consideration for their old classmate relationship, or because Kaya's symptoms might be quite serious.

This led him to help out at Lilia's guild after the war, when adventurers were no longer in high demand, even though the reward wasn't much gold...

"..."

For some reason, his symptoms, known as post-traumatic stress disorder, improved two months after he joined the guild.

Not only has her condition improved, but it seems to have improved a little too much. Now, Kaya only wants to get out of this shady place as soon as possible...

"..."

You asked Kaya what she plans to do after leaving the guild?

Well.

Actually, he hadn't thought it through. Maybe he could use the gold coins he had saved to travel the world and explore other secret realms along the way... Wait, isn't that still about fighting monsters?

But there's really nothing we can do about it.

Kaya's family situation is rather unique; the last time he went home was the last time he went home, which is why he was still working overtime at the guild even though it was New Year's Day.

"..."

"but......"

I looked at the purple thing beside me, bouncing around and humming a little tune.

"Oh, right, Lilia."

"Meow? Boss, you're going to sing Meow with Lilia too?"

"..."

Looking at the girl's intelligent face, Kaya wanted to say something, but after thinking about it, she decided against it.

Aren't you going home for the New Year?

Elisa, that little brat, has recently taken a break and gone back to the White Demon Court, so the guild has had fewer troubles lately.

Yura seemed to have something she couldn't say... She had tentatively asked about it yesterday and was about to burst into tears, which scared Kaya so much that she didn't dare to ask any further.

"but....."

As for Lilia, she was someone she met at the magic high school.

Although I don't remember much about some of the distant memories, I do remember that this guy seemed to have a home to return to.

"..."

However, for some reason, every year they choose to stay in the guild and cause him trouble.

If only this guy and Elisa could go home together... that would be a way of giving Kaya a break.

"Meow, Lilia's hometown, meow?"

Upon hearing Kaya's question, Lilia stopped humming her strange little tune.

He turned his head over and looked at the black-haired boy who was still staring straight ahead.

"Yes, that's right, Lilia."

Seemingly oblivious to Lilia's gaze, Kaya continued speaking to herself.

"It's been so long since you've been home. There are so many people in the guild now, it's good to come home and visit once in a while..."

"Because Lilia wants to be with the boss, meow!"

"..."

Seeing that Kaya was speechless, Lilia smiled and turned her head away again.

"Hehe, boss."

"Lilia's hometown, but it's the New Year's meow of Sisonia."

"..."

That's right.

Kaya slapped his forehead: Damn it, how could I have forgotten about this?

Although the Warrior Calendar is the most common practice in most countries and regions of the continent of Sisonia.

However, it seems that Lilia's hometown is not located on the continent of Sisonia, but in the mountains to the north.

In that case, it's understandable that the girl doesn't go home for the Lunar New Year.

just.

"..."

The girl's background is accompanied by some unpleasant memories.

How could Kaya, who attended the same magic high school and even the same magic classroom as Lilia, not know?

Because of her background, Lilia not only had few friends during her time at the magic high school, but also encountered some unpleasant things.

As a result, when the magic high school first started, Lilia always appeared in the classroom with droopy ears, looking rather listless.

Fortunately, the girl later met a boy named Kaya.

Although at first he was only attracted by the fish in Kaya's bento, and he always made Kaya angry by stealing his bento.

But after getting to know the boy better, he became Lilia's best friend.

Back then, Kaya, though not as knowledgeable as she is now, still knew a bit about the girl's background and would intentionally or unintentionally avoid the topic of Lilia's hometown in conversations.

"I'm sorry, Lilia, I said some things I shouldn't have. Please don't take it to heart."

But whether it was because the memory was too distant or because recent events had disturbed Kaya's thoughts, she actually forgot such an important matter.

Even though Lilia usually acts like a dummy.

But Kaya knew that even the most optimistic fool had some vulnerabilities deep down... especially after spending these past few days with Yura, which made him realize this even more deeply.

and.

Although I'm a little reluctant to admit it, I'm probably Lilia's longest-lasting friend.

Imagine being told such hurtful things by a close friend, how could Lilia not be hurt...?

"Meow, boss, what are you saying, meow?"

"..."

Looking at the purple catgirl who tilted her head.

"..."

Well, it seems this guy has reached another level of being heartless.

"It's nothing."

He shook his head. "I accidentally mentioned your hometown earlier, and I'm afraid you might overthink it and be unhappy."

Although Lilia seemed not to have heard what was said earlier.

However, perhaps out of guilt, Kaya still explained things to Lilia properly, telling her not to worry too much.

"Oh, I see, I see, meow."

After hearing Kaya's explanation, the purple-haired catgirl twitched her ears, as if she understood something.

But then he flashed his signature cheerful smile and rubbed against Kaya's shoulder.

"..."

If this female cat were to go into heat with him normally, Kaya would probably smack her on the head to bring her back to her senses.

For some reason, Kaya walked silently along the dirt path leading to the guild this time.

The warm yellow sunlight of the setting sun fell on the two of them, casting long shadows.

"Hehe, Lilia won't be angry with the boss, meow."

"Lilia is so happy to have her boss by her side, how could she possibly be angry? Hehe."

"...Never mind, whatever makes you happy."

Seeing Lilia's cat-like smile, Kaya exhaled a breath of stale air.

I admit I was in the wrong today, getting rubbed against by the purple Hakimi and stuff, so I won't say anything more...

"..."

Before Kaya could react...

Lilia's long cat tail had already wrapped around the boy's neck.

"Hehe, if the boss could marry Lilia, Lilia would be even happier, meow~"

"..."

Perhaps sensing the boy's compliance today, Lilia became somewhat overbearing.

"Hehe, if Lilia and the boss get married, there will definitely be lots of cute kittens~"

He took Kaya's hand and gently placed it on the soft slime.

"..."

"Hehe, when I bring the kitten and the boss home together, Lilia's family will definitely..."

She tiptoed and exhaled a breath of stale air into Kaya's ear...

"I can't hold back anymore."

A powerful blow that cracks the skull! A deliberate, deliberate punch!

.........

"Meow..."

Beside the Forest of Cuteness, there is an adventurer's guild with adorable cats.

The catgirl, with drooping ears, covered her purple head, which was swollen with a bump, and let out a whimpering sound.

In short, something happened on the way that caused several large, festive bumps to appear on the girl's head on this joyous day that was about to start the festival.

"Um, Mr. Kaya, Miss Lilia, welcome back... oh?"

"Miss Lilia, what happened? You're hurt?"

As Corim walked out of the guild lounge, she immediately noticed the large bump on Lilia's head.

He hurried over to Lilia and asked about the girl's condition with some concern.

"I did it."

Kaya was quite forthright and readily admitted it.

"Oh dear, Mr. Kaya, you..."

The little one with long ears, hands on hips, stared at the innocent-looking black-haired boy.

"Even if Miss Lilia made you angry, shouldn't you at least go a little easier on her?"

"...Ask the cat yourself."

"No matter what, it can't be..."

"Meow... Lilia just wants to have kittens with the boss, meow..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Eh?"

It seemed they had heard something incomprehensible.

With its long ears, Corim stood frozen in place, as if it had gotten stuck.

"..."

I ignored those two idiots.

Kaya sat back in the swivel chair at the guild's front desk, turned on her computer, and began registering the completion status of today's commissions.

"..."

"Hmm."

Halfway through the registration process, something seemed to catch my eye.

This caused Kaya's hands to stop typing on the keyboard.

"..."

Both the pointer and the gaze were fixed on a piece of data and annotation highlighted in red.

[Rank F Secret Realm: Forest of Cuteness]

[Magic concentration has increased significantly; consider upgrading the dungeon's rating.]