By 3 PM, Houshao'nao rushed into the Mercenary Guild carry on one's shoulder carrying his small bundle, knocking sharply on Master Kerry's office door.
"Enter," Kerry called.
"Master, is the letter ready? I've come to collect it," Houshao'nao said,Push the door in.
"Of course,long ago already done. Remember: deliver this directly to Master Sheffield himself. This letter concerns *you*," Kerry said solemnly, picking up an envelope from his desk.
"Me? What about?" Houshao'nao frowned.
"Sigh, it's a long story. The mayor plans to repair the town clock, so your part-time job here might end. You know the guild can't support you indefinitely—so I want to recommend you to my friend. You'll work as his attendant. Sound good?"
"An attendant? Is that better than being a mercenary? Any *coin* in it?" Houshao'nao asked, stressing "coin" over "future."
Kerry stifled a laugh, knowing his priorities. "Absolutely. Master Sheffield is the richest man there. You'll live like a king…"
"Really? I'm in!" Houshao'nao perked up at the promise of wealth.
"Good. There, be quiet, work hard, and don't embarrass me," Kerry said, clapping his shoulder warmly.
"I will, Master! I'll work my hardest!" Houshao'nao declared, fired up.
"Before you go, take this. It's the staff I used in my academy days. May it bring you success," Kerry said, pulling a worn wooden wand from his drawer.
Houshao'nao snatched it eagerly, examining it with a grin. "You're too kind, Master! Thank—oh, crap, time's up! Gotta go. Any last words?"
"Just don't forget me when you're rich," Kerry chuckled.
"Never! A good man like you? I'll remember forever. Take care, Master." Houshao'nao bowed deeply before dashing out.
In the hall, he saw Jon, the Genius Mercenaries' vice-captain, pacing on the steps. *Am I the last one?* he thought, plastering on a smile as he trotted over.
"Boss Jon, were you looking for me?" he asked cautiously.
"Hmph, late again? One more time and you're out," Jon snapped, shooting him a glare.
"Sorry, sorry! Won't happen again," Houshao'nao bowed, fearing expulsion.
"Your transport's over there. Grab it and get ready," Jon said, pointing to a scrawny donkey tied to a pillar.
"A *donkey*?" Houshao'nao blurted, shocked.
"What, too good for you? Be grateful you have *anything*," a mercenary leading a horse jeered.
"N-no, donkeys are great…" Houshao'nao lied, masking his irritation.
"HAHA!" The mercenaries laughed scornfully.
Ignoring them, he approached the donkey. It was absurdly skinny. "Hey buddy, let's be friends," he said, reaching for the reins.
Before he could touch them, the donkey lunged, licking his hand with a massive tongue.
"You… you like me?" Houshao'nao said, flustered.
"Heh, I like you *as a snack*…"
Houshao'nao froze—the donkey had *spoken*. Before he could react, searing pain shot through his hand as the donkey bit down.
"AHHH!" he yelped, clutching his bleeding palm.
Mercenaries rushed over. "What happened?"
"This donkey talks *and* bites!" Houshao'nao cried.
"Talks? Ha! We've seen biting donkeys, but talking ones? Prove it, Houshao'nao. Make it speak!" they snickered, exchanging amused glances.
Glancing at the "innocent" donkey and the jeering crowd, Houshao'nao cursed himself: *Idiot! Even if it's a magic donkey, don't freak out!*
"What's your problem? Late, now this nonsense?" Jon pushed through, eyeing him.
"Boss, the donkey bit me," Houshao'nao mumbled, head down in shame.
"Hmph, can't even handle a beast. You're a disgrace to mercenaries. I only took you 'cause we need twenty bodies. Don't mess up again, or I'll drop the mission and kick you out. Now gear up—we leave *now*."
The mercenaries stifled laughter, their shoulders shaking as they returned to their tasks. Houshao'nao shot the donkey a glare. "Durade, you're still alive? Fine—spend your life as a donkey. You'll never be a dragon again."
"Bah! Once my curse lifts, I'll revert, while you're stuck powerless," the donkey hissed, eyes blazing.
They stared each other down, hostile, until Jon's roar cut in: "Houshao'nao, move it!"
"Coming!" He reached for the reins again, but the donkey bared its teeth. Seeing the mercenaries mounting up, Houshao'nao pulled a knife from his pocket.
"W-what are you doing?" the donkey gulped.
"Heh, what do you think? Behave, Durade, or I'll geld you right here. Curse or no curse, you'll be a *eunuch* dragon."
The donkey recoiled, hind legs tensing. *Is he serious? Even if I kill him, losing *that* is worse. Dammit—play nice for now.*
"Gris… Houshao'nao, let's cooperate. I'll help with the mission," it groveled, bowing its head.
"Compromising, huh? One trick—like throwing me off—and I'll make good on my threat," Houshao'nao smirked, wielding the knife menacingly.
"F-fine, I promise," the donkey conceded.
Relieved, Houshao'nao thought: *Geld you? I'd get kicked to death first. Idiot dragon—so gullible.*
He grabbed the reins, face stern despite inward laughter. But as he swung onto the donkey's back, he slid off, landing hard.
"Not me! I didn't move!" the donkey protested.
"Useless! Where's the saddle?" Houshao'nao snapped, rubbing his sore backside.
"Saddle? Where am I supposed to get one?" the donkey wailed.
"Stop whining—it's your fault." He climbed on again, this time straddling it. "Gallop! Catch up to the group."
The donkey neighed miserably and lurched forward.
Houshao'nao clung on, the tiny donkey struggling to keep up. He often secretly climbed onto the last cart to let it rest, but still felt optimistic. *Finish this mission, become F-rank. Even if Jon deducts pay, I'll get at least ten coins. Feast, new clothes… and get rid of Durade the donkey.*
Meanwhile, the donkey seethed: *Damn magician! Reduced a divine dragon to a pack animal. I'll repay this humiliation tenfold. Curse or no curse, I'll devour you.*
At dusk, the convoy halted. Jon pointed to a hillock; they'd camp there for the night. The group moved again, heading for the rise.