War turned out to be mostly waiting in line.
Rin stood on the tarmac at Eros Airport at 4 AM, shivering in his tactical gear while holding a cup of vending machine coffee that tasted like hot dirt and regrets.
Around him the Association was mobilizing, loading cargo planes with crates of ammunition and mana crystals while helicopters chopped the air overhead, making the whole scene feel like a movie set where they were the underpaid extras.
"We look like NPCs," Rin said, watching a squad of A-rank Hunters walk past in matching crimson armor that probably cost more than Rin's entire life earnings.
"We are NPCs," Sable corrected, adjusting her backpack straps. "We are the D-rank side characters who get a few lines of dialogue before the main heroes do the cool stuff."
"Speak for yourself," Jax said, checking his sound emitters. "I plan on being the plucky comic relief who survives until the sequel."
