"And that's why I'm wet right now," Martin explained when his teammates asked why he was late to their meeting.
Kill Clause hated lateness and had demanded an explanation. Once Martin explained everything properly, though, and they saw the Dragon Turtle perched on his head with a smug little expression, she softened and let the matter go.
"You have a valid reason to be late," she whispered.
NukEncore winked at Ao Tenshin. "Good job, Angel!"
Ao Tenshin squealed in agreement.
Martin let out a breath and glanced between the three girls. The wet clothes and the detour to the river had delayed him, but they were not the real reason his chest still felt tight. "Actually... there's something bigger."
That alone changed the mood around them. Kill Clause's eyes sharpened. Chaosgraphy tilted her head. NukEncore brightened at once, as if she could already tell he was trying and failing to hide good news.
Martin pulled up the system window and showed them the quest.
