Even though Farmer Hound was more farmer than hound, it was still Farmer Hound. The man had given him nightmares as a child. And after what he had to face earlier, the sight of Farmer Hound bearing down on him with dagger-like claws and fangs would haunt him for the rest of his life. However long that may be, given how much trouble he was most likely in.

  Thornelius whimpered at the sight, nuzzling deeper into the [Cheese Pouch] attached to the [Cheese Chestplate] that Colby was still wearing.

  “It’s okay, boy. I’ll protect you. Sort of.”

  As much as Colby wanted to run away, there was nowhere to go. This was his home.

  Although right now, it seemed that Farmer Hound’s target was double dagger girl and the dull duo.

  Within the crowded shop, between the stacks of Skate Goats and bouquet of Daisy Cows, they stood behind the counter. Colby’s father, Jack, was there as well, standing next to double dagger girl.

  His mother was most likely at the back, making sure that Brie was safe.

  “Colby!” his father shouted the moment the door swung open.

  He ran around the counter, gently nudging the teetering towers of Skate Goats with his forearms and slipping through the narrow gaps between bunches of Daisy Cows crammed into every last available inch of the shop as he hurried towards the open door.

  “Where have you been?” his father asked, hugging him tight and accidentally squeezing Thornelius in the process.

  “Long story. Very long story. What’s going on, Dad?” Colby asked as he slipped out of his father’s grasp to give Thornelius a much-needed and deserved breather.

  “Farmer Hound and your friends that Porter brought are having a disagreement. I’ve been forced to act as a mediator.”

  “Well, have fun with that,” Colby said. “I’m going to go take a shower. That means you, too, Port.”

  “Okay, Colby,” he said, squeezing into the shop behind him.

  “Not so fast, Colby,” his father said, blocking his path. “Once this is settled, you’re going to tell your mother and me everything that happened. Until then, you’re not going anywhere.”

  “Do I have to?” Colby whined.

  “Yes. Now come. I need help talking to someone your age.”

  Colby sighed as his father dragged him across the shop towards the counter, while Porter trailed behind. When they passed by Farmer Hound, Colby covered the opening of the [Cheese Pouch] with his hands, shielding the whimpering and shedding Thornwolf.

  The dull duo was still in their leather armor—or what was left of it. Dried blood caked whatever scraps that hung on by the thinnest of threads, and fresh bandages peeked out from underneath.

  Beside them sat double dagger girl.

  Her usual black robe—now a combination of red and black—was gone. Instead, she wore a familiar-looking bright yellow t-shirt.

  Wait! That was his shirt.

  Sure, he hardly wore it due to how glaringly yellow it was, but it was still his. How could his parents give it to double dagger girl, the girl who tried to rob him not once, but twice!

  “I know you’re upset, Colby,” his father said. “But you’ve never worn that shirt, and she needed something to wear. And it’s the closest thing we had in her size.”

  “What about Mom?”

  “Did you really need to ask?”

  “Fine. But you owe me. Now, what’s all this disagreement about so that I can finally go rest?”

  In summary, Farmer Hound was willing to forgive double dagger girl and the dull duo’s previous see-star abuse on the condition that they work for him. Something which all three of them vehemently refused. Both sides refused to budge.

  When Jack pushed double dagger girl on why she refused, she replied with a simple answer.

  “Money.”

  And when prodded for information, she shrugged. “Who doesn’t need money in this world? And no offense, farming is not where the money’s at.

  And that was where the discussion started and ended.

  Once again, Colby had to save the day. And once again, not exactly by choice.

  All he wanted to do was take a nice, hot shower, then crash in bed, but that could only happen after an explanation of today’s events to his parents, which could only begin once this dispute was settled.

  “So the problem’s money?” Colby asked.

  “Yes, how many times do I have to say this!” Double dagger yelled, only to immediately wince in pain.

  “Abby!” Lefty of the dull duo said, holding her steady. “Are you okay?”

  “She’s clearly not,” Colby said. “Do I need to bring up the obvious? You can’t exactly earn money as an ‘A’ word like that—plus the stupid taxes. Farming’s a relatively easy way to earn money when you’re that injured.”

  “I already tried that,” his father whispered into his ear.

  “Listen, boy,” Farmer Hound growled. “Don’t you dare insult my farmers. They put their heart, blood, and soul into their work. Calling it easy is hogwash.”

  Colby was scared. But he was also too tired to care anymore. He just wanted this to be over.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  “Okay. That means the pay should be pretty high,” Colby said. “Problem solved.”

  “It's not enough,” double dagger girl snapped.

  “Really? How much gold do you even need?”

  “A lot.”

  “Is there a particular reason why?”

  “Who doesn’t want gold in this world? With gold, you can solve any problem. And I want a lot of gold.”

  Hooray for the power of inference. But Colby’s brain was too zapped to form a more coherent sentence.

  “So what problem do you have that you need to solve that requires an exorbitant amount of gold?”

  “It’s none of your business,” she snapped again.

  “True. My business is cheese. And that t-shirt you're wearing is cheddar colored. Therefore, this is my business. There’s also the fact that you’ve tried to rob me twice… Wait! Why am I even helping you? I can just call the Knights to arrest you.”

  “Don’t you dare,” she growled, glaring at him as the dull duo drew their swords.

  “I am literally ex-best friends with a Knight-in-Training. So, I dare. Plus, you owe me. Okay, technically, they owe me more,” Colby said, glancing at the dull duo.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Who do you think saved them from that big hound-wolf-canine monster thingy?”

  “The Supply Runner. I saw him carrying them here.”

  Colby rolled his eyes. “Is this what it’s like talking to me?”

  His father and Porter both nodded pretty much immediately.

  “I don’t have time for this,” Colby grumbled.

  Colby walked around double dagger girl and approached the dull duo, motioning for them to sheathe their swords.

  “I saved both of you. And I helped Port make sure he kept his promise. No Arcanists or Knights. So at the very least, you can help by answering a few questions.”

  The dull duo nervously glances at each other, before their eyes slid back towards double dagger girl. She practically vibrated with anger. It would’ve been more terrifying if she hadn’t been in a bright yellow t-shirt that was slightly too big for her frame.

  “I will kill you,” she spat.

  Colby really did not care at this point. He tiptoed between the dull duo, because of course they had to be taller than him, as he whispered into their ears. “And who do you think made sure that she has someone to kill? This guy. So why don’t you tell me why you need the gold, and I’ll call this even.”

  Lefty bit his lip before he sighed, “We need money for medicine.”

  “Nick!” Double dagger girl yelled, wincing in pain.

  “And for whom?” Colby asked, looking towards Righty of the dull duo.

  “For Gabby,” he said.

  “Chip!” she screamed, only to flinch in even more self-induced agony.

  “Who’s Gabby?” Colby asked, moving away from the dull duo and sitting on the counter like he owned the place—because he technically did. “Wait, don’t tell me. Let me guess. Gabby is double dagger girl’s sister. A twin? She’s super duper sick, which explains why you need the gold. And she’s also staying somewhere in Brinebrook. That explains why you three are still hanging around here despite being wanted by Farmer Hound and the Knights.”

  “None of your business!” double dagger girl roared.

  “I’ll pay for the medicine,” Farmer Hound suddenly blurted out.

  Double dagger girl and the dull duo immediately snapped their heads at him.

  “Why? What’s your game? You don’t know me. These two nitwits could be lying.”

  “They’re not. I can tell.”

  “And you think you have enough gold?”

  “I have enough. But I’ll only pay on one condition. Work for me until your debts are settled.”

  “Why? What sort of trick is this?”

  “No trick,” Farmer Hound. “Consider it an apology.”

  “For what?”

  “Open the door.”

  Normally, Colby would oppose such a request. That was the ‘Employee Only’ door, for employees only. And the dull duo were not employees. However, if they—

  Lefty of the dull duo didn’t even let Colby finish his internal monologue. He grasped the knob and opened the door. Immediately, something brown darted through the opening. It flew around the room in a brown smear before landing atop double dagger girl’s head.

  That was a Sp-arrow—basically a bird plus arrow.

  Though Colby didn’t remember Sp-arrows having a wrapped bandage around their wing.

  “I was too overcome with rage when I was chasing you. I didn’t notice the Sp-arrow until it was too late. But you did. You could’ve just ignored it, but instead you dove in to protect it from me. Not only did you save the Sp-arrow, but you saved me. If it wasn’t for you, I would have become the very thing I swore to destroy: monster abusers. This is my way of showing gratitude. But I am also aware of your past actions. For that, you need to work under me. You need to learn why monsters aren’t something that we humans should take advantage of.”

  “Wait, that’s it? All because I protected this bird? And when did you ever chase me? Wait… Don’t tell me. That monster was you!”

  “Yes. To all of it. And the reason I’m willing to help with your supposed medical issue is the same. Without the burden of gold, you wouldn’t have a reason to go to the dark side ever again.

  “Cool. So you’re willing to pay for Gabby’s medicine no matter how much it costs? Immediately?”

  “Yes. Provided that you work until your debts are paid off, while I re-educate you and your companions about monsters.”

  “I don’t care about any of that. What’s the interest rate?”

  “Zero.”

  “You’re kidding?”

  “I am not,” Farmer Hound said. “Jack, cheese boy, and Porter will act as witnesses.”

  “Fine. I accept. But I want you to pay for Gabby’s medicine right now.”

  “Patience,” Farmer Hound growled. “You work for me. I am your boss. There is a hierarchy here. One that you must learn, or else.”

  “But first let me talk to Colby.”

  “Me?”

  “Yes. I would like to offer my sincerest gratitude for stopping me earlier. I couldn’t discern between true monster abusers and those practicing the art of self-defense. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Do I get a reward?”

  “Yes. Am I correct that you’d want it in terms of salt and milk?”

  “Wait, really? You serious?”

  “Yes, I am. It’s also an additional thanks for protecting these Daisy Cows and Skate Goats, even though you didn’t have to.”

  “I mean… they did pay to be protected.”

  “Payment aside, you protected them. And with your permission, I’d like to continue to protect these monsters.”

  “Why would you need my permission? They’re not mine. Let them choose.”

  “And they have. They have chosen you.”

  “They have? All of them?”

  “Yes.”

  Colby glanced over at the towers of Skate Goats and bouquets of Daisy Cows, those that were in the mainshop floor anyway. They looked back at him, nodding as if able to understand the conversation.

  An army of monsters at his disposal did sound tempting, but…

  “This house doesn’t have enough space,” he said. “You have my permission to look after them. Provided I get some milk in exchange, of course.”

  “Very well,” Farmer Hound said. “And thank you for humoring me, Jack.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Good.”

  Farmer Hound growled before walking towards the door. The Daisy Cows and stacks of Skate Goats followed behind him, funnelling through the narrow exit.

  Now that this was open, he just had to talk to his parents about everything that happened, maybe explain to Porter that the hound monster was actually Farmer Hound, and then he could finally rest.

  The already opened ‘Employee Only’ door slammed into the wall as a screaming and crying Brie ran out into the mainshop floor.

  “No! You can’t take away my new friends! It’s not fair!”

  Colby sighed.

  Great, another problem to take care of.