8.1: Bonfire

| Southeastern region of Linkon City, Hat Island

MC: “Rafayel...?”

Rafayel: “You’re awake?”

MC: “Are you all right? In the ocean, i thought you...”

Rafayel: “The line between being kind and being dumb is very thin. A small, smart fish swims away while it still can when the big fish are hunting.”

MC: “You’re the idiot. The whirlpool was obviously a death trap, but you just swam right into it...”

Rafayel: “Hmm...”

*Take his vest

MC: “Anyway, thanks... You were the one who pulled me out of the water, right? Thought I heard your voice before I blacked out...”

Rafayel: “That’s just my random act of kindness for the day.”

Rafayel: “Sooo, how long do you think this malicious creature will keep an eye on us...”

MC: “It’s the kitten from before! Now that the Wanderer’s gone, it should be safe.”

MC: “It’ll be cold tonight. It wants a warm place to sleep.”

*Pick up

MC: “What a cutie pie.”

Rafayel: “It’s moving. Get it away from me!”

MC: “Well, duh. A cat isn’t a log. Come on, pet it. It won’t bite!”

Rafayel: “...”

Rafayel: “You...”

Rafayel: “Your flattery means nothing to me. I don’t accept you.”

Rafayel: “If you need to thank someone, thank the silly girl. She’s the reason you’re even getting a crumb of my attention.”

Rafayel: “It... It licked me... Nooo...!”

Rafayel: “I... A monster touched me... My hand... It’s over. I can’t hold a paintbrush now. Not like this...”

MC: “Rafayel, is there a reason why you don’t like cats?”

Rafayel: “Why should I? I dislike them because I do.”

Rafayel: “For humans, it’s game over as soon as a cat nuzzles them.”

MC: “Rafayel, that means it trusts you and feela grateful.”

Rafayel: “Well, animals that are fond of humans usually have a tragic end.”

Rafayel: “One moment you’re cute and cuddly, the next they toss you aside. You’re forgotten, left behind.”

MC: “Look. It’s saying, ““Not all humans are like that.””

Rafayel: “And you? Wasn’t there something important you forgot about?”

MC: “Something important? What do you mean?”

Rafayel: “Nothing.”

Rafayel: “We’ll have more opportunities to get as many of those as we want. Today, we got lucky.”

MC: “Isn’t that the Protocore from the Deluge Wyrmlord? I didn’t think you’d be able to find it.”

Rafayel: “I see that twinkle in your eyes, you know. But this Protocore is mine.”

Rafayel: “Here’s payment for your services.”

*Take

MC: “You actually remembered.”

MC: “The Nest...”

*Open

|INVITATION

Hunting day: The 3rd Sunday of this Month|

MC: “Is this the place we can gather intel from?”

Rafayel: “Don’t believe me? Well, real intel is always hidden in the most inconspicuous places. The crazier it seems, the more likely it’s true.”

MC: “You must be a regular there. What did you need back in the day? Mummy bandages?”

Rafayel: “Little bit of work, you can get nice, poisonous sap.”

Rafayel: “But for a hunter such as yourself, you’re better off wearing a disguise before going in.”

MC: “Like what?”

Rafayel: “Like at least stop flashing your Hunter’s Watch around. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to pick up some of the local lingo.”

MC: “I’ll proceed with caution.”

Rafayel: “It’s okay, I’m a generous employer.”

Rafayel: “Since I hired you as my bodyguard, I’ll cover for you when it matters. But I must warn you...”

Rafayel: “In places like The Nest, you have to pay a very high price for obscure information. Especially for stuff involving—“

Rafayel: “Mysterious Protocores.”

MC: “...!”

Rafayel: “Ah, we’re saved. Let’s call it a day, yeah?”

Rafayel: “I hope you can find the right path, Miss Bodyguard.”