When Yoongi learned that Tura village is the center of trade and merchandise, he knew that it was the first place he had to go to after leaving his own hometown. So after hitching a ride with some horse retailers, he makes it to said village in approximately two days.

At first, Yoongi doesn't see anything special about the place. Sure, there are a lot more shops than in his hometown, but none of them have rare cores, weapons  or craft cards. He already has all the basic cores too.

"There goes my chances of getting a thunder core," Yoongi murmurs under his breath and continues to look around. "Might as well get something to eat."

Yoongi fishes out his money from his pocket and counts what he has left. Two silver coins and ten bronze coins— that means he has about twenty elems left to spend. He sighs, unsure whether that can even cost him a meal or not.

When Yoongi spots a merchant stall selling dumplings, he freezes on the spot and feels his stomach rumble. He slides through the crowd of tourists and hums at the smell of freshly baked bread and sautéed meat.

Yoongi finally pushes through the people and sees the vendor's shop. There's a cylindrical steamer on his cart with about four containers of dumplings in each layer. It's spinning slowly with a heating light glowing from inside.

"My lord and savior, the dumpling master!," Yoongi cries loudly and clutches his sack of money. "How much for one?"

"Oh, just fifteen elems each!"

Yoongi walks away with his head hung low, a steaming hot container of dumplings in his hands. He sits on one of the benches and mourns his loss of money, now he only has one silver coin left in his pocket.

"Okay Yoongi, it's fine," Yoongi takes a deep breath. "It's better than starving to death."

When Yoongi opens the food container, his mood immediately shifts. There are four pieces of dumplings inside, each of them steaming hot. He takes a big sniff of the food and enters heaven for a split second.

It's a decadent smell, one Yoongi hasn't had since he left his hometown. His stomach rumbles again. "Hng, I haven't had a good meal for days."

Yoongi licks his lips and picks up the dumpling. Its oil soaks his fingers and he can see the grilled meat through the transparent bread. He opens his eyes wide and pops one in his out.

Once the flavor explodes in his mouth, Yoongi is overwhelmed. He can't believe he's been missing out on such taste in his life. God forbid, this is so delicious!

Yoongi is about to pop another dumpling in his mouth when someone bumps into. Everything goes in slow motion as his food container falls. He stares at the remaining dumplings that are now coated in mud and pebbles.

"My dumplings," Yoongi squeaks in a high pitched tone.

Mourning is soon replaced by fury. Yoongi's neck creaks as he turns towards the people who bumped into him. He's about to pop off when he notices that they're a duo of very suspicious looking hooded figures. Neither of them even give him a glance.

Yoongi swallows his anger and clutches his iron sword's scabbard. He steps over the dirty dumplings and tails behind the mysterious duo. It's easy enough, especially because they don't blend into the crowd.

At first there's no pattern, just the two figures walking in a straight line along with the crowd. Yoongi almost gives up on following them when they suddenly freeze.

Yoongi wonders what's going on and eyes the shops surrounding them. He goes to a tourist centered store and glances at what the figures are looking at. Just a few feet ahead of them is man with a dark cloak and bandaged arms. He especially notes the holster on his belt.

"So he's a craft card user," Yoongi whispers with a smirk. "Interesting."

When the bandaged man glares at the hooded men, Yoongi knows they aren't in good terms. The three finally group together and walk away from the crowd. He follows them by passing behind buildings.

Once they enter an alley, Yoongi climbs up the building's pipe and perches himself on the second floor balcony. He isn't surprised at how he isn't noticed by any of the crowd. They're all busy with merchandise anyways.

Yoongi sits on the railings and swings his feet. He places his sword over his shoulder and frowns when the bandaged man smoke a stick.

"Ugh, smokers," Yoongi sighs and shakes his head. "Disgusting. They kill themselves and the people around them."

With the angry thoughts still in his head, Yoongi eavesdrops into the conversation. The hooded men are obviously threatening the bandaged man, who is strangely more than calm.

"Actually," One of the hooded men speaks. "Boss said that if you refuse to come, we can confiscate your craft cards."

The aura around the bandaged man changes and he nearly crushes the cig in his hand. Yoongi himself freezes as he recalls a certain memory from back then, of himself screaming and crying in rage.

Yoongi's eye twitches. He balances on the railings and clutches his sword tightly in his hand. After staring down at the hooded men for a while, he jumps and swings his weapon downwards.

Neither of the hooded men have time to scream. Yoongi strikes them at the neck, feigning them unconscious. He stands there and sighs.

"Thanks for the help. For the record, I could'a beaten their asses myself."

Yoongi turns around. He stares at the bandaged man and takes a good look at his face. His black hair is long enough to reach his chin, fringe down and covering his right eye. The cig is back between his lips.

"But you didn't," Yoongi says and places his sword back in its scabbard.

The man argues that they're his friends and he could have talked them out of it. Yoongi argues back and points out their intent to attack. He just laughs and exhales out a thick layer of smoke.

When the man suddenly walks forward, Yoongi becomes alert and holds onto his sword's handle. He stops until their standing side by side. The bandaged man reeks of tobacco smoke. Yoongi scrunches his nose.

"What's a warrior class like you doing in Tura village?," He asks with both hands in his pockets.

It makes Yoongi think. He's mostly in Tura village due to the knowledge of it being a place rich in merchandise and is of course disappointed by the lack of it. But there's his other goal— forming a team.

A team of adventures who, just like Yoongi, are willing to risk their lives for treasure and maybe something even more. He grins at the bandaged man, who is watching him carefully through the corner of his eyes.

"I'm searching for something," Yoongi chirps. "I think you can help me with that."

The bandaged man turns to Yoongi properly and raises an eyebrow. He looks hesitant, obviously. It makes Yoongi wonder what he's thinking.

"You're a summoner, right?," Yoongi smiles. "My name is Yoongi and I'm forming a crew."

Yoongi pauses to observe the man's reaction to the offer. He doesn't say anything, instead he just stares cautiously. That purple rat on his shoulder squeaks softly.

"Want to join me?"

After Yoongi extends his hand, he waits. And waits. The bandaged man stares at his face then his hand. Suddenly he laughs and the cig between his lips shakes.

"Nah," He says and walks aways.

Yoongi is frozen. He recovers quickly and turns around. "Hey! Just so you know, I don't just ask anyone to join me!"

"Hm," The bandaged man just shrugs. "Well, I have'ma own goals. Being with you will get in the way."

"What— no!," Yoongi grits his teeth and runs after him. "Bandaged man! Wait!"

"It's Jungkook," He hisses and glares at Yoongi through the corner of his eye. "Don't call me bandaged man."

Yoongi grunts and runs after Jungkook. They're soon out of the alleyway and back into the crowd of people. He realizes that the hooded mens' unconscious bodies are in the dark behind him. Eh. As if he cares.

Just when Yoongi is about to grab Jungkook's shoulder, the purple rat pops out of his sleeve and hisses. He yanks his hand backwards and yelps.

"See? Ube doesn't like you," Jungkook says and gently pets the rat. "You should go. Find someone else to join your crew."

"But you're the perfect summoner!," Yoongi screams and points accusingly. "You can't just not join!"

"And what makes you say that?," Jungkook turns around and exhales smoke. "You've know me for five minutes, half of the time without even knowing my name. How are you even sure that I'm a good summoner?"

Yoongi thinks hard. He doesn't know how to explain it but he knows that Jungkook is the perfect summoner for his team. He glances desperately at his figure and beams when he spots the little purple rat on his shoulder.

That's when Yoongi suddenly recognizes it. "Purpura Bestia."

Jungkook freezes the moment he turns around, the cig placed between his fingers. He glances behind wearily, almost curiously. The rat on his shoulder squeaks.

"As far as I know, that's a Class B monster," Yoongi smirks and crosses his arms over his chest. "The fact that you've tamed it outside it's card, and have it with you at all times, is telling."

"Huh," Jungkook scoffs. "So ya'know your monsters."

"Of course I do," Yoongi nods proudly. "For me to form a team, I need to know everything about the other classes!"

"I'm flattered," Jungkook chuckles and pauses to inhale a smoke. The tip of his cig glows red. "But that won't change how being with you will get in the way of my goal."

"What is your goal then?," Yoongi irks as he continues to tail behind Jungkook.

There's a silence as Jungkook freezes once again, his back facing Yoongi's. His aura changes again, one so intimidating that it actually makes Yoongi grab his sword's scabbard by instinct.

"It's none of your business," Jungkook replies with a strange tone. "Leave me alone."

Just when Jungkook starts walking away, a huge figure looms over him. Yoongi squints at the man who appears. He looks like a boar with his big and wide head. Standing around him are tall goons with menacing shadows.

Yoongi instinctively grabs his sword but Jungkook makes a gesture at him. He grumbles and scrapes the iron blade back into its scabbard.

"Hey there, Doma," Jungkook grins and the cig in his mouth tips. "Do ya need something?"

"It's Mister Doma to you, boy!," Doma screams whilst a string of saliva flies out of his mouth. "Isn't it obvious?! I'm here for my payment!"

Yoongi raises a brow. He's never seen or heard of this Doma but the way his clothes are lined with gold thread, along with the goons around him, tells him that this boar looking man is supposedly an important person.

"Jungkook, did you rob this man?," Yoongi blurts out.

Jungkook turns to glare but Doma only chortles. "Yes, boy! You are right! This man scammed me of my services without giving proper payment!"

"I just hitched a ride," Jungkook groans. "And we had an agreement, didn't we? I told ya, I got no cash."

The argument continues and Yoongi thinks. He glances at Doma's pockets and sees some wads of elms sticking out of it. Behind him, children beg, but the goons are shoving them away.

Yoongi's jaw clenches as he grits his teeth. He pulls his sword out of his scabbard and presses the tip of its blade on Doma's neck. Everyone freezes, everything stops.

Citizens around them scream and run. Yoongi glances at Jungkook, who is giving him a wide eyed expression. "What?"

Jungkook puts on a grin and shrugs. "Didn't think you'd pull your sword out this soon."

"H-Hey!," Doma stutters and raises his voice. "What are you doing?! Do you not know who I am?!"

Yoongi ignores the way Jungkook grumbles under his breath. "I don't."

"Oh, then let me tell you—"

"Shut up," Yoongi hisses and steps closer. "I may not know who you are but I know what you are. You're a greedy man who cares about nothing but money."

Doma flinches but freezes again when the blade presses more on his neck. None of his goons move.

"If you were even slightly virtuous, you may have at least glanced at the begging children behind you. Don't try, they're gone."

Yoongi pauses to glance around. Everyone is looking but they make it a point to have a big distance between them. In their group, only Jungkook is smiling.

"I don't know who you are and I don't care," Yoongi's eyes burn with rage. "People like you are the reason others suffer so much. So I'm going to beat your ass until you learn your lesson."

Doma's face actually turns red out of anger. But he doesn't say anything, especially because blood starts to drizzle down his neck. At this point, the goons start to surround Yoongi and Jungkook.

"Seize them!," Doma screams. "Strip them of everything! Beat them to a pulp."

"God, you're such a pain," Jungkook grumbles and digs into his card holster. "Getting me involved in shit like this."

"It's not my fault that I want to beat this guy's ass," Yoongi says and watches the goons take out similar swords.

Warriors, just like him, the most common of the seven classes. Yoongi is almost embarrassed to be grouped with these goons.

"Don't blame you," Jungkook shrugs and spreads his craft cards across his fingers. "But did you really have to provoke right smack in the center of Tura village?"

Yoongi doesn't say anything. Jungkook is right, he should have at least started the fight in a place where innocents couldn't possibly be harmed. It's especially difficult, knowing that Doma doesn't care if others get hurt.

"Then we end this quickly," Yoongi finally steps backward and reaches into his sack of cores. "Say, maybe fighting together will convince you to join my crew?"

"Keep dreamin'," Jungkook picks out a card and it starts to glow. "I just want to beat this guy as much as you do."

"What are you waiting for?! Attack them!"

Even after all the goons charge, Yoongi keeps his eyes on Doma and isn't surprised when he sees him flee the scene. He turns towards Jungkook, who is holding a car high in the air.

"Monster summon, cast!," Jungkook screams and car glows again. Vines sprout from inside. "Venus, go!"

A Venus Flytrap shoots out from within the card and tackles one of the goons. He falls to the ground and screams when vines wrap around his arms.

Yoongi takes out a core with a dazzling sky blue color. He slams it on the base of his iron sword and screams. "Ice core, equip!"

The iron sword's blade glows and turns icy blue. Thick and cold mist seeps from the weapon as Yoongi clutches onto it. He's shaking as well, his teeth clattering together.

"Blizzard!," Yoongi shouts and spins himself around.

His sword's mist spins along with him to form an icy tornado. It knocks down nearby goons and freezes some of their hands and weapons as well.

"Well damn," Jungkook smirks and crosses his arms over his chest. "Didn't think you'd have a rare core with you."

"Shut up and fight!," Yoongi hissed and swings his sword. It clashes with another.

Jungkook chuckles and plucks out another card from his hand. He flips it and throws it at the Venus Flytrap. "Monster evolve, cast!"

The moment the card touches the Venus Flytrap, it dissolves. It glows for a bit and it's vines start to extend. It's mouth is now red, teeth bigger and sharper. The vines wrap around more goons and pin them to the ground.

"You know that Doma is getting away, right?," Jungkook says and digs into his coat pocket. Ube squeaks.

"I know that!," Yoongi snaps and hits a goon's face with the blunt edge of his sword. "I saw him."

After Jungkook puts on a brass knuckle, he punches a goon in the face. Blood spurts out of the man's nose as he crumples to the ground.

Yoongi glances behind him. Jungkook is beating some goons with his fists, brass knuckles already dripping with blood. Behind him, the Venus Flytrap disarms said goons. He sees the perfect teamwork between the two; strip the opponents of their weapons then beat them.

"With how narrow the streets are and how big his body is, he won't go far," Jungkook says and plucks out yet another card. "Turn around for a sec."

After Yoongi does as told, Jungkook screams another monster summon chant. It's so close that the bright light would have definitely blinded him.

Yoongi turns back around to see a large brown eagle perched onto Jungkook's arm. "I got an idea. You up for some flying?"

"What?," Yoongi blinks and elbows someone in the face.

"Iris here has the strength to carry you," Jungkook says as his Venus Flytrap attacks more goons behind him. "I think she'll help you find Doma. Latch onto him."

"W-Wait!," Yoongi yelps. "I've got a fear heights!"

Too late. Yoongi can do nothing but scream as Iris clamps its feet on his back and lifts him high in the air. He immediately feels queasy and nearly drops his sword.

"Damn you, Jungkook!," Yoongi screams and sees Jungkook smirk before he's out of view.

Yoongi takes a deep breath and calms down. From this height, the building looks shorter and the people resemble much more like little dots. He can hear the eagle's wings flap behind him.

"Okay, Yoongi, you can do this," Yoongi grumbles under his breath. "Just look for anything that resembles a wild boar—"

When Yoongi looks down, he pauses when he sees a rather distasteful sight. There's a wild boar looking thing running through the streets with a large cloak over its figure. He's barreling his way through the crowd and some people are even knocked to the ground.

Yoongi recognizes him immediately. "Iris, drop me when I say so."

Iris caws in reply and flies to the direction Yoongi points at. Doma runs through the crowd and towards a small carriage. He pushes the driver off and desperately climbs on as the horses neigh in shock.

"Now," Yoongi whispers through gritted teeth.

Yoongi yelps a bit when Iris lets go. He soon regains balance and almost screams at the realization of him falling from the sky. His hands shake as he grips his sword tightly.

"Freezing Wind!," Yoongi screams and flips in the air.

A cold gust brews underneath Yoongi. He feels ice shards hit his face but not sharp enough to cut his skin. Then he reaches out to the flask of water attached to his belt.

Yoongi waits until he's close to the ground. He pours the water and it freezes instantly in wind. A light gasp leaves his lips as he barely gets his feet on it and slides down.

Then Yoongi jumps. Doma looks up and meets his eyes as he flips and lands on top of the carriage. His icy sword goes through the ceiling.

Doma releases something that sounds like a hyena screech and nearly falls off one of the horses. "Y-You! H-How?!"

Yoongi points his sword at Doma's neck again and ice cold mist rises from it. "I told you I was going to teach you a lesson."

When Yoongi drags Doma to Jungkook, he sees all the goons stacked together in a large pile. He initially thinks they're all dead but the summoner disappointedly confirms that they're all unconscious.

The village watchmen soon arrive to find out what the commotion was about. Yoongi explains what happened down to every detail and both he and Jungkook find out that Doma has been forcibly taking money from the townspeople.

And that's how Yoongi and Jungkook are suddenly hailed as Tura village's heroes. There's no fancy podium or announcements, instead it's just the townsfolk flocking around them as if they were deities.

"Please say you're feeling the embarrassment too," Yoongi whispers at Jungkook, who is boredly staring ahead with crossed arms.

"I just wish they'd give us some grub," Jungkook says as he drops the cig butt and crushed it with his heel. "Hey, got a light?"

Yoongi frowns and feels the hot fire core press against his leg in his sack. "Smoking that much will kill you."

Jungkook takes a cig out of his pack and smiles. "I've already died once. This stick ain't gonna kill me."

Those words make Yoongi narrow his eyes. He wonders if it's some kind of metaphor to something. Still, since Jungkook is still waving that cancer stick at him, he sighs out his flame core.

"Rub it on and it'll spark," Yoongi says and looks away.

"Thanks," Jungkook replies and takes a deep breath. He exhales and releases smoke.

All the while, the citizens come pouring and thanking them. Apparently Doma has been taking their money and goods for a long time now, thus resulting in Tura village's currently poor economy.

It takes a while but the hype eventually dies down later in the evening. Now Yoongi and Jungkook are left alone in the middle of the streets. Everyone and everything is back to normal.

"Doma's in police custody," Yoongi sighs and shakes his head. "But somehow I don't feel satisfied at all."

Jungkook quietly pets Ube. He glances at Yoongi through the corner of his eyes. "This doesn't mean anything."

"Huh?"

"Us working together," Jungkook looks away. "It doesn't mean I'm joining your stupid crew."

Yoongi smirks and leans closer to Jungkook. "Oh really? I didn't even mention me trying to recruit again."

Despite the way Jungkook's eye widens, he scoffs and keeps his gaze away. "We both had the urge to kick that pig's ass. It's nothing more than that."

There's a silence as Yoongi and Jungkook continue to walk the now empty streets side by side. It's cloudy and the moon is covered, moonlight barely seeping through the clouds. All the shops are closed.

Yoongi glances at Jungkook. He's feeding Ube with some kind of cracker. The rat chews it silently but is somehow still glaring at the warrior.

"You know," Yoongi speaks after a long silence. "You're a bad liar."

Jungkook stops and Yoongi nearly bumps into him. He gulps hard at the way the summoner glares at him but still puts on a grin.

"There are a lot of things you can say or do to make me feel like you hate me," Yoongi tilts head and keeps the smirk on his face. "But I don't think that's it."

"What do you think, then?," Jungkook replies in almost a whisper.

"Well," Yoongi cracks his fingers and stretches his arms. "If you really disliked me that much, you would have left the moment we put Doma in custody."

"It's not what you think," Jungkook replies quickly. "I just..."

"Just what?," Yoongi insists and bumps Jungkook's shoulder with his own. "Come on, you can tell me."

Jungkook grumbles something under his breath but it's too incoherent for Yoongi to understand. He makes a gesture and Ube crawls into his palm and curls itself there.

"None of your business," Jungkook snaps after a long silence.

Although Yoongi is dying of curiosity, he decides not to push the topic. He sighs and yawns loudly. At the same time, his stomach grumbles.

"We need to find a place to stay for the night," Yoongi pouts and rubs his stomach.

"We?," Jungkook raises a brow. Ube squeaks.

"Uh huh," Yoongi nods. "If you're going to stick with me, might as well find us a place to snooze."

Jungkook's face contorts into something nasty and it almost looks like he's about to explode in rage. Yoongi actually expects it and is surprised when the summoner agrees instead.

A few minutes of awkward silences and unanswered questions later, the two reach the only building that's at least similar to what an inn should be. If it isn't for the large Inn signboard hanging above, neither of them would recognize it as one.

"This just looks like an abandoned house," Yoongi hums and strokes his cheek. "I don't think it's wise for us to be— Hey!"

Jungkook suddenly enters and Yoongi scrambles to tail behind him. Once the door opens, a little bell rings above then. The inn's interior smells and looks old with its faded wallpaper and aged furniture.

When Jungkook suddenly puts out his cig even though he's only halfway into smoking it, Yoongi knows something is wrong. He opens his mouth to speak but freezes when he hears a third voice.

"Oh my, I did not expect customers at this hour."

Yoongi nearly yelps but he swallows down his scream. He follows Jungkook's gaze and spots an elderly woman sitting behind the front counter. Her face is ripe with wrinkles, grey hair tied into a neat bun. Only then does he see the No Smoking sign in front of her.

"I apologize for how everything looks," The old woman's voice shakes as she speaks. "After my grandson, I made my house into an inn."

"It's okay, Ma'am," Jungkook says with a very fake looking smile. "We'd like to reserve a room for the night."

She stares at Jungkook then at Yoongi. There's a strange chuckle that resonates from her. "I see. Please follow me."

Yoongi racks his brain about what the old woman could possibly be thinking. They both follow her up a narrow set of spiral stairs and reach a hallway with a single door at the end.

"Forgive me, I only have one room," She says. "My grandson's. Please enjoy your stay. Also, I'd love for the couple to stay for free."

Both are left dumbfounded as the old woman laughs and disappears down the stairs alone. Yoongi glances at Jungkook, who is just silently petting Ube in a daze.

"At least we got the room for free?," Yoongi says with a high pitched tone.

Jungkook glares at him again before opening the door. He and Yoongi are greet by a plain looking bedroom with blue cloud patterned wallpaper and a single bed.

Wait. A single bed? Before Yoongi can say anything, Jungkook walks ahead. "You can take the floor."

"Excuse me?," Yoongi hisses. "You can't just decide for me!"

So the two end up doing a game of rock, papers, scissors. Jungkook wins. Yoongi grumbles as he lays down a sheet on the ground.

Jungkook lays on his bed with both hands under his head. The cig is in his lips but it remains unlit. Ube is curled on a little pillow.

As Yoongi detaches his sword's scabbard from his belt, he lets it lean on the wall next to his makeshift bed. He then feels a pair of eyes staring at him from behind.

"What is it?," Yoongi turns around with a raised brow.

"You said you only have common cores," Jungkook finally removes the cig from between his lips. "But you used an ice core."

"I did," Yoongi kneels down and fluffs his pillow. "So? It's a common ore."

There's an expression of disbelief on Jungkook's face as he sits up and stares. "No, it isn't. If you sell an ice core to middlemen, you'll get thrice the price of common cores."

"Really?," Yoongi says as he smoothens the blankets with his feet. "Where I come from, ice cores are common."

Jungkook is obviously alarmed by the information. "Then where are you from?"

Before Yoongi can answer, a knock comes from the door. The old woman appears at the doorway with a tray in her feeble hands. Two teacups and two plates of bread with steamed fish are on top of it.

"I apologize for intruding," She says and steps in carefully. "I prepared dinner for the young couple."

Yoongi wants to correct the old woman but he knows that doing so will make him feel guilty. Instead, he stands and gently takes the tray from her.

"Thank you, ma'am," Yoongi bows and places the tray on the small coffee table in the middle.

Truthfully, Yoongi is more disturbed at how Jungkook himself doesn't seem too bothered by being called a couple. The summoner stands up and hides his cig deep in his coat pocket.

"Thank you so much for your kindness, ma'am," Jungkook puts on that fake ass smile again. "Not everyone is as kind as you are when it comes to travelers."

"Oh, it's nothing," The old woman says as she steps out. "Please, enjoy your meal."

Right after the old woman exits the room, Jungkook has on his naturally groggy expression again. Yoongi scowls at how easily he can fake his expressions.

They sit across each other and start to eat. Yoongi almost cries because of how much he misses home cooked food.

"This is so good," Yoongi speaks through tears and chews.

Jungkook chuckles and eats silently. He gives Ube a diced piece of carrot and speaks. "So why are you here?"

"To eat?," Yoongi answers through a mouthful of food.

"No, you dingus," Jungkook rolls his eye and laughs. "I meant why are you traveling. You have your own goal too, right?"

A silence as passes as Yoongi thinks to himself. He stares at Jungkook, who is looking back at him expectantly.

"If I tell you my goal," Yoongi sips his tea. "Will you tell me yours?"

Jungkook stabs a slice of fish with his chopstick and it makes Yoongi flinch. He eats and chews it slowly, all the while his gaze is glued right at the warrior's face.

"Fine," Jungkook sighs. "But only if you tell me everything."

Since Yoongi is actually taken aback by Jungkook's words, it takes him a while to respond. "Oh, well... Like I said, I'm searching for something."

When Jungkook doesn't say anything, Yoongi takes it as a sign to continue.

"Years ago, when I was a kid, I lost something important. Now that I'm old enough, I'm going to search the globe and get it back."

"Mhm," Jungkook hums and lifts his teacup to his mouth. "What was it? Some kind of treasure?"

Yoongi laughs. It's a cliche question, once he's heard many times. For some reason, anytime a regular person sees a traveler with a sword, the instant assumption is that they're searching the world for treasure.

"No," Yoongi shakes his head and places his tea on the ground. "Something much more valuable than that."

It's obvious in Jungkook's expression that he's curious but he doesn't ask further. Yoongi is glad that he doesn't pry into the topic.

"What about you?," Yoongi asks after he swallows a mouthful of fish. "Why are you traveling?"

If Yoongi were to be honest, he expects Jungkook not to say anything. The summoner is obviously the type who keeps things to himself, it's in his nature to be quiet.

So when Jungkook actually replies, Yoongi is taken aback once again. "It's complicated, really, but... we did have an agreement."

Jungkook looks up from his food and gives Yoongi a genuine smile. At that moment, the warrior realizes that he somehow found his first good friend in a long time. For it to be in the form of a very emo looking summoner is beyond him.

What happens next is so quick that Yoongi doesn't realize it until it's over. There's shattering of glass from the window next to them. Something zips in the air and strikes Jungkook's head.

Yoongi trembles. He reaches up to wipe the hot blood on his face. It takes all of his courage to glance at Jungkook, who is laying on the ground with a bullet hole in his head.

Ube squeaks but it sounds more like a scream of horror. Yoongi doesn't know what to do. Blood pools on the ground and soaks their pillows. It reaches the tips of his shoes and only then does he snap back into reality.

"Jungkook?," Yoongi says with a broken voice.

There's no reply. Ube the rat continues to squeak and claw at Jungkook's shoulder. Yoongi traces where the bullet came from with his eyes and sees a pile of glass shards below the shattered window.

And outside, on the roof of the building across the inn, is a woman holding a rifle. Yoongi doesn't know if eye contact is made but she disappears almost as soon as he sees her.

Yoongi turns when he hears the door start to creak open. It's the old lady.

"Oh my, did something happen? Did something break?"

Before the old lady can enter, Yoongi flings his own body at the door and shuts it. He shakes as his hands leave bloody prints on the wood.

"It's okay, ma'am," Yoongi tries his best to conceal the fear in his voice. "I just dropped one of my cores."

"I see," She replies. "Enjoy your stay."

Yoongi slides down the door after he hears the old woman walk away. He stares at Jungkook blankly. His dark hair is coated in fresh blood.

Rage suddenly starts to fill Yoongi. He hears his younger self scream again and reach out for the one he lost. His hands ball into fists and tremble as he stands.

Yoongi marches to his sword's scabbard. He attaches it to his belt and paused when he sees the blood on the handle. Behind him, Ube lays on top of Jungkook.

"I'm sorry," Yoongi whispers and clenches his jaw. "I'm sorry that I couldn't protect you, Jungkook."

When Yoongi faces the window, he keeps his eyes on where that woman was standing. He grits his teeth and steps over the pool of blood.

"But I'll make sure to avenge you."

Yoongi has his eyes set on the roof across the inn. He takes out his ice core and equips it onto his sword. Icy mist circles around him as he steps over the glass shards and in front of the window sill.

But before Yoongi can even jump out, he feels something nibble his ankle. He looks down and sees Ube with its teeth latched onto his skin.

"Get off me, you rat!," Yoongi hisses and shakes his foot. "Don't you want to me to avenge your owner?!"

Ube squeals and falls on the ground. It's shaking its head wildly, tail wagging intensely.

"What? You want to come?," Yoongi asks with a raised brow. Ube shakes its head. "Then what?"

After a few seconds of Ube's nonsensical squeaking, Yoongi decides to ignore the rat and faces the window again. He's already stepping on the window sill when someone speaks behind him.

"Hey, where are you going?"

Yoongi freezes and repeatedly asks himself if he really is hearing Jungkook's voice. He contests within his mind whether he should turn around or not. What if he's greeted by Jungkook's ghost? What if he's gone mad and is hallucinating?

Despite the thoughts, Yoongi swallows his fear and turns around. Shock settles in his body and he drops his icy sword to the ground.

Jungkook is sitting on the ground with a leg raised over the other. He's reaching into his coat pocket, all the while the blood coating his head drips down to his lap.

"Damn, my head hurts," Jungkook takes out that half cig he had moments ago. "Hey man, could you give me a light? I don't care if this is a non-smoking area now."

Yoongi just stands there, frozen. He stares at Jungkook as Ube runs towards him at full speed. The summoner casually pets his rat and waves the cig.

"Why are you staring?," Jungkook asks with a grin. "This happens all the time."

"You have a bullet hole in your head," Yoongi speaks. He's out of breath. "How— How are you still—"

"Oh, right," Jungkook ruffles his hair. Blood splatters around him. "I never told you, sorry about that."

Not knowing what to say, Yoongi watches silently as Jungkook runs a hand through his hair. It gives him a clear view of the bullet hole on the summoner's temple and the rivers of blood flowing down to his neck.

Then Jungkook lifts his fringe. His right eye, which was initially covered, is finally revealed to Yoongi. The pupil is inky black and the iris at the center glows in a single blue dot.

"But I did mention that this cig can't kill me," Jungkook chuckles. "Neither can a bullet to the head."

"What are you?," Yoongi asks with a mixture of fear and curiosity.

Jungkook stares at him as he pulls out a card and sticks it to the bullet hole in his head. Yoongi winces when it starts to glow.

"Take a guess."

-

A/N — hello everyone! i didn't have a message in the intro but welcome to my new rpg based au! this will be lore heavy and i probably will be focusing on this story to be the main one of my account for now.

hope you guys find it interesting! can anyone guess why jk didn't die? hm