God of Destruction: Living Among Mortals

"Great," Elesch muttered. "We're already forming a parade."

"Relax," Nova said, catching up, walking a bit faster, flashing that confident grin he always put on when he didn't want to admit defeat. "Dogs aren't a problem. Just ignore them."

But ignoring them didn't help. As they left the crowded street and turned onto a quieter road leading toward the merchant's district, more animals showed up. A cat darted from an alley meowing insistently. Then another. Soon, four cats were weaving between their legs, tails brushing against their shoes, demanding attention.

Adam groaned, nearly tripping. "Okay, this is somewhat ridiculous. What did Marcus put in there, roasted chicken? Smells like we're hauling a century-old feast."

Elesch tightened her grip on the bag, grinding her teeth, speaking maturely: "Even if it is good, it's not our job to know. It's our job to deliver it intact."

Nova, of course, couldn't resist teasing Elesch and said, "You sound like a pamphlet. 'The Adventurer's Duty: Carry Things and Complain.'"

Adam chuckled softly, a tear dropping as Elesch shot both of them a glare. "He's not wrong." He said, his voice a whisper, almost to himself than Elesch, as he didn't want his ass handed to him by her.

As they continued, the animal parade grew. Stray dogs barked and wagged their tails, cats mewed insistently, and even a few crows began circling overhead, cawing as though plotting.

Nova leaned closer to Adam, whispering just loud enough for Elesch to hear: "At this rate, we'll arrive with a whole zoo. The merchant better show us the content inside, otherwise I'll be pissed."

Elesch didn't break stride, but her glare could've burned through metal itself. Then she said, reminding them: "If even one of these creatures scratches the package, you'll be the one paying. So, I suggest you drop your whispers and tell me to protect the bag, before you have to pay out-of-pocket money."

That did shut him up, but only for a few steps. Then he burst out laughing again, shurgging, his voice unable to mask his content state: "Fine. But admit it, this is way more fun than fighting for our lives. Who knew our first mission would be babysitting a dumb mystery box and the fan club?"

Elesch pressed her lips together so tightly it looked like she was physically and mentally holding back the urge to swing the package at Nova's head.

"Wholemsome fan club?" she said flatly. "They're practically drooling. How is that wholesome? That's what you call hunger."

Nova spread his arms dramatically, as if he were some kind of ringleader. "And yet, not one of them has attacked us. They follow me because they sense greatness. I am, after all, irresistible."

"More like insufferable," Elesch muttered, adjusting the strap on her shoulder.

Adam rubbed the center of his nose, then the right hand, and felt a little tickle on the left, so he did the left side as well. A thin smile appeared on his lips as Elesch finished her sentence.

Then he said sarcastically, making even Elesch break character: "If this turns into a full-on parade, maybe we can charge them money. Like, if you want a sniff, you have to pay up. I mean, we'll make some money from it, more than what Marcus will pay."

When an individual does guild missions, they usually receive bonus money afterwards, if the mission was flawless, but of course, for the trio to succeed, they would have to have the package completely unscartched, which, for the moment, felt slightly impossible.

Then, a goat, an actual fucking goat, stumbled out from a side yard and fell into step with them. Its little beard waggled as it screamed proudly, headbutting Nova in the hip before settling beside him like a loyal bodyguard.

Adam stopped dead in his tracks, doubled over, wheezing. "Oh no. Oh no. The goat likes you!"

Elesch, voice dripping with sarcasm, added: "Congratulations, Nova. You've found your spirit animal."

Nova looked betrayed, pointing at the goat like it had personally insulted him. "I am not goat material. I am the king of the jungle. A lion. An irresistible force of nature. The likes of you can't defy me."

The goat screamed proudly again, nudging him harder.

"Looks like destiny disagrees." Elesch snorted, a gentle smirk appearing at the edges.

By now, their procession had grown ridiculously: five dogs, six cats, a handful of pigeons that refused to stop circling, and one very stubborn goat. Pedestrians they passed either laughed outright or gave them the kind of wary looks reserved for people who had clearly lost all control of their lives.

Children pointed and clapped. One even asked his mother if it was "the new circus in town."

Elesch, cheeks heating, quickened her pace. "I swear, if Marcus is laughing about this right now, I'll-"

"He definitely is," Adam interrupted, still chuckling softly. "Probably even placed bets on how many animals we'd collect before arriving. He loves gambling, all I'm gonna say."

"Then we'll give him a show," Nova said proudly, straightening up, chest high. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Nova's Magical Menagerie! Featuring: cats who won't shut up, dogs who don't listen, and one goat that thinks I'm its soulmate."

The goat screamed on cue, earning another round of laughter from Adam.

Elesch groaned, her voice mixed with playful arrogance: "Why do I feel like I'm babysitting two children instead of adventuring partners?"

"Because you are," Adam said innocently, with a bright smile.

They turned down another road, one quieter and lined with shady trees. For a brief moment, Elesch thought they might finally escape the parade, but instead, three ducks waddled out from a pond and immediately fell into step behind the goat.

"Absolutely the fuck not," Elesch said, glaring at the ducks like they'd made a personal attack. "This is not happening."

Adam was clutching his stomach at this point, tears in his eyes, rolling down his face. "Oh, it's happening, alright. Ducks have now entered the chat."