The Strongest Drug Dealer

( Drip! Drip! ) 

The rain fell down on Brune as he stood around the burial ground. Staring blanking at the grave sign. On the sign it wrote, "Heart Cards". 

The Cards family were buried next to each other after the alchemist guild identified every dead body with the descriptions from the records in the town hall. 

"Brune we finished everything up and are preparing to go back," a voice could be heard among the raindrops. 

Looking over, Kiji could be seen walking towards Brune. 

Giving Brune a big hug, Kiji informed him, "Since you have nowhere to go you'll be coming with us.".

"Ok," Brune replied. 

"I guess this is goodbye," Brune thought as he walked off with Kiji. 

Slowly approaching the temporal base everything was packed up and ready to be brought back to headquarters. 

( Sqawk! ) 

The group that Kiji belonged to was the special ops of the alchemist guild. They were tasked to arrive at a site as quickly as possible while enduring the greatest dangers. To be able to get to their destinations the quickest they rode on what giant birds called flawks. The flawks varied in size but the smallest one was three times the size of a full-grown ostrich. 

With beading eyes on Brune, he was scared to approach Kiji's flawk. 

Slowly approaching the flawk until it poked its head right in front of Brune's face. 

"Ahhh!" yelled Brune as he jumped back. 

"Pete, stop it you're scaring the boy, Brune don't worry he won't bite you," said Kiji as she petted her flawk. 

"Don't be scared??? This is my first time seeing a giant ass bird," Brune thought to himself. 

"Is everyone ready?" shouted the male elf who seemed like the leader of the group. 

Picking Brune up and placing him on the saddle of Pete, Kiji got on as they got ready to fly out. 

"Here Brune, take these," said Kiji as she handed him a pair of goggles.

"These are to protect your eyes from getting stuff in it while flying," Kiji told Brune.

( Sqawk! )

( Sqawk! ) 

Looking over at the male elf, Brune noticed how big his flawk was. Pete was able to fly with four grown adults but the flawk that the male elf was riding was almost three times the size of Pete. 

"Ok, time to head back to HQ and give a full report back to those damn lazy farts who just throw work at us!" said the male elf angrily before taking off. 

( Badum! Badum! ) 

Brune's heart started racing as Pete slowly ascended above the ground. 

( Clench! ) 

He held tightly to Kiji as the flight speed of Pete picked up. 

( Fluuuu! ) 

Hearing nothing but the wind blow, Brune looked down and could see that they were flying over the sea of life. The scenery was beautiful as the sea was clear and the surrounding greens looked lush. Taking everything he sees in, he vaguely remembers leaving something important to him behind. 

The flight took about five or so hours before being able to see what resembles a city. 

The alchemist guild's headquarters was located in the third city of Windell. 

Approaching the city, Brune could immediately see the difference between a town and a city. The city was bustling with people and buildings everywhere. 

The speed of the flawks slowed down as they reached the city. 

Looking around, Brune notices something out of place in the city. By the ocean was a huge giant gate-like structure. 

Flying for what felt like a few more minutes the alchemist guild's headquarters could be seen. Far from the busy city, the alchemist's headquarters had a huge open field with plenty of buildings surrounding it. The buildings varied in size. 

Landing on the open field, Brune could see what looked like stables for the flawks. 

"Everyone unpack and put everything away while I go give those damn old farts a breakdown of the report. Also, I'm going to need you to come with me," said the male elf while looking at Brune. 

Brune with the male elf walked for a few minutes before reaching the biggest building that was in the alchemist guild's domain. 

The interior was well-built with wood and stone. 

There were tons of people running around doing tasks, moving past the busybodies and into a back hallway hidden from the entrance. The two continue to walk through the hallway with plenty of doors on the side before reaching one big door in the middle and at the end of the hallway. 

( Creak! )

The male elf opens the door before saying, "Shika Ibo here to report for the investigation of the mad alchemist Orun.". 

Behind the door were ten people sitting above and around the doorway. There were humans, elves, and tigrets in those chairs. 

"Ok go ahead with the report," said the old man sitting in the middle of the council. 

"Yes, head council. Following the trail orb used by Leo Spite, we arrived at a town called Tep, which was located in the Kingdom of Suncrest. Upon arriving there was a poison fog which was the probable cause of death for almost every townsfolk, the only survivor is this kid here," said Shika while pointing at Brune. 

( Gasp! ) 

The council reacted after hearing a portion of the report. 

Shika continued his report, "After investigating we believe the poison fog was able to spread quickly as an explosion was the catalyst for it. Reaching the center of the damage we believed we were able to identify Orun based on the silver ring on his right pinky which in every report showed him wearing it wherever he went. However, we aren't one percent certain as the body was burnt to a crisp so we couldn't confirm if it truly was him or not,". 

Giving out the full details of the report, Shika was stopped as he was told telling the council anymore wasn't necessary. 

"Thank you for the fine report, we will contact the Suncrest Kingdom and give them an explanation. As for the situation with the boy, we will try our best to find the proper accommodation for him but in the meantime, he will stay with the Black Flawks," said the head council. 

"Yes sir," replied Shika. 

"With that, we end today's meeting. Everyone try to get some rest as we will have to attend the grand meeting for matters regarding the blood moon." the head council gave his ending remarks. 

With the meeting concluded, Brune and Shika walked back down the hallway. 

The two continued to walk in silence until Shika informed Brune, "Since you will be staying with us for the moment, there will be rules. No running around and causing a ruckus. No sticking your head in place or rooms you aren't permitted to. And last don't bother me.". 

"Who the hell does this guy think he is?" Brune thought to himself as he nodded yes. 

"Also what are you?" Shika asked. 

"What the fuck does he mean what am I??" Brune thought in his head confused about the question. 

"I am Brune??" said Brune in a confused state. 

Seeing the confused look on Brune's face Shika said, "Are you perhaps a half-breed as you have to eyes of an elf but the looks of a human,". 

"Yes, Brune never saw mom, dad said she elf," Brune replied. 

"Wow it sounds like this kid is having a rough life," Shika thought to himself as he felt sympathy for Brune. 

After the question for Brune, the two continued to walk silently until they made their way out of the building and in front of another building that was a few minutes away. 

"Black Flawks," Brune read in his head the signboard above the new building he hadn't seen before. 

The building he was now entering was the dormitory and living space for the Black Flawks, which is the group Kiji belonged to and the group Shika led. 

Heading inside the two were stopped by Kiji with a question ready for the two, "So what did they say was gonna happen to Brune?"

"They haven't decided anything yet but for now he will be staying with us for the time being," answered Shika. 

"Come here Brune, I have so much to show you," said Kiji as she took Brune's hand. 

Being shown around by Kiji, they went to the kitchen area, kiji's room, and lastly outside to where the bathhouse was. Continuing to explore and talk, the facility around the Black Flawks had an open ground for learning to ride the flawks, also not far from the flying area, they had a training ground with all types of weapons. 

The Black Flawks consisted of twenty-three members and thirty-one flawks. 

The energy from Kiji was contagious, Brune finally cracked a smile on his face. 

"So Brune, would you like to become a member one day? I think you have the potential to be a member one day" Kiji told Brune. 

"Make a lot of money?" Brune asked. 

"Ehh we make just enough to survive but you won't have to worry about food or a place to stay and although the mission is dangerous they are still plenty of fun," replied Kiji. 

Hearing Kiji Brune had an epiphany, "What am I gonna do with my life, I have just been living it without a thought other than trying to get money. Wait money.... money. Oh my god, my coin pouch!!!!!" Brune thought to himself. 

"Who make lot of money?" Brune asked Kiji. 

"Well, hmmm. There are a lot of ways to make money, but the most rich person I know is my granduncle. He is a unique individual as he was a famous dungeon diver and alchemist, truthfully he's the reason I got this job," Kiji answered. 

"I want to be like him," replied Brune as he imagined swimming in coins. 

"Hahaha, I'm not saying you can't do it, but it is hard being a dungeon diver and an alchemist, in the dungeon there are laws but most of the time aren't followed as there is no way to confirm what happens inside. Since potions and elixirs are very expensive, the most targeted individuals in the dungeons are alchemists." Kiji advised Brune. 

"How did granduncle do it?" Brune asked curiously. 

"He was powerful enough to defend himself from others," replied Kiji. 

"I want to be powerful too then," said Brune.