Koru’s steps slowed for a mont as Zion ntioned the rcenary Guild.
"Registered... properly?" he asked again, eyes bright as the stone giant looked around the bustling street. "Does that an I can do the sa thing you do?"
Zion nodded slowly.
"We’ll also need to create a brand new ID for you," he continued. "Otherwise you’ll end up in jail before you know it."
Koru’s brows furrowed, his head tilting slightly. "Why?"
Zion fell silent for a mont, considering if he should even bother explaining this now. The reasons were rather complex, and would require him to explain the darker side of humanity after all.
’Uriel, can you try and teach him that later?’ he thought. ’This doesn’t feel like the ti or place.’
[Affirmative.]
Letting out a quiet breath, Zion turned to Koru as they walked.
"It’s simply one of the requirents," he said, voice low. "Sothing that shows that you are allowed to be here."
Koru’s steps slowed slightly as he scratched his chin. "Mhm, alright."
After turning the corner, they left the landing zone and reached one of the main streets.
The instant they stepped onto the street, Zion and Koru felt the mood change around them.
People walking by stared with wide eyes, moving in large circles around them while whispering amongst themselves.
Zion noticed Koru’s expression change after only a few steps as confusion filled his eyes.
"Zion?" he murmured, voice low. "What’s going on? Why is everyone looking at like that?"
"They’re just curious," Zion replied, scanning the crowd. "They’ve never seen a Verdant Sentinel before, after all."
Koru’s face lit up, a wide grin plastered across his face. "Good," he laughed. "Let’s keep going!"
Zion nodded, though his eyes darted between several people in the crowd, noticing their narrowed eyes and strange expressions.
[You are attracting a lot of attention,] Uriel said calmly. [I’d suggest covering your face at least a little.]
Without hesitation, Zion pulled up his hood and took a small mask from his pocket, covering his mouth.
Koru stared at him strangely, clearly wanting to ask what he was doing, but hesitated.
[Basic manners,] Uriel responded as Zion noticed it. [He picked up quickly that constant questions can annoy people.]
’Thanks,’ Zion thought, letting out a deep breath.
As they continued walking, a massive skyscraper entered their sights. The building was covered with dozens of extrely bright neon signs and hologram advertisents.
Koru stopped, frozen in place as his head tilted upward.
"That’s the rcenary Guild," Zion said, slowing down as well.
"...It’s huge," Koru muttered, his voice unusually quiet.
Zion nodded once. "It’s ant to be."
Koru finally took a few steps forward, though his mind was racing. "All of this... for people like you?"
Zion’s head snapped sideways, his eyebrow rising. "People like ? You an rcenaries?"
"Yes, that," Koru answered, oblivious.
Zion shook his head, attempting to smile, but was quickly reminded of the conversation with Calder.
He glanced at the ground, continuing his pace toward the rcenary Guild without looking back.
Koru quickly followed after him, still glancing around with an uneasy expression at all the stares he was getting.
The closer they got to the building, the fewer civilians remained, replaced by armored figures and people openly carrying weapons.
As they reached the plaza in front of the building, the looks they received had completely changed.
Groups of rcenaries openly stared at them—so with narrowed eyes, others with faint grins. A few didn’t even bother hiding their interest at all.
Zion felt the change in mood and raised his guard. ’There are quite a few of them, and they’re looking at us so brazenly too.’
These people were no longer staring out of curiosity. Instead, they were wondering about their strength—and the rewards capturing a Verdant Sentinel would bring.
’There are still far too many illegal research centers,’ he thought, energy coursing through his body. ’I need to be ready at any second.’
Zion increased his pace, reaching the entrance as quickly as possible.
"Huh?" Koru let out, speeding up as well.
Only after they reached the entrance and rcenary Guild staff entered their vision did Zion relax slightly.
’Uriel, my ID still works for these scanners, right?’ he thought, queuing up at the entrance.
[Affirmative.]
Zion glanced back, gesturing for Koru to stand behind him.
"What are we doing now?" Koru asked, leaning down beside Zion.
"We need to go inside," Zion answered calmly. "That’s where we’ll get you your ID."
Koru straightened again, nodding as if he understood.
The line advanced slowly, the tal gates flashing green every ti soone passed through.
Finally, it was Zion’s turn.
He stepped through the gate, a blue light scanning his body.
Then the gate lit up green.
Zion nodded once, passing through before turning around.
"You’re next," he said, gesturing for Koru to step forward.
Koru hesitated for half a second before moving, barely fitting through the gate.
The scanners activated once again, a blue light flashing across Koru’s body.
This ti, however, the light didn’t turn green.
It flashed red.
A sharp tone echoed through the entrance, drawing several glances from nearby rcenaries.
Koru froze.
"...Zion?" he asked quietly.
The Guild operator beside the scanner frowned, scratching the side of his head as he studied the readout. His gaze flicked from the screen to Koru’s massive fra, then back again.
"Huh," he muttered. "No ID for a Verdant Sentinel?"
Zion stepped closer, posture calm but ready. "He’s with . I just found him on a planet and am bringing him here to get his ID."
The operator paused, scanning both of them.
"Hold on, let check sothing," he said, leaning closer to the screen.
After a mont, he let out a low whistle. "You can go through. Just take him to reception imdiately."
The operator tapped a few buttons, disabling the red light before gesturing for Koru to pass.
Koru blinked, then carefully stepped forward.
"...I passed?" he asked.
Zion nodded once. "For now."
Koru’s face brightened, a smile returning. "That’s good."
However, Zion didn’t have ti to focus on Koru, instead glancing around carefully.
The alarm had drawn a lot of attention. People whispered and pointed from all directions.
’We should hurry,’ he thought, narrowing his eyes.
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