Fokusar and Glacia stepped out of the train, both tightly gripping their weapons.
They followed a gravel path surrounded by tall trees, passing a wooden sign that read Willowwood Village.
“This forest is starting to creep me out,” Fokusar admitted, walking alongside Glacia.
“It doesn’t creep me out,” Glacia replied coldly.
As they continued down the path, the village finally came into view.
It had an eerie atmosphere; every single house was constructed from dark pine wood.
As Fokusar and Glacia walked toward the largest house in the center, the villagers in the surrounding homes quickly slammed their doors and shut their windows the moment they saw them.
“They really don’t like outsiders, huh?” Fokusar asked, trying to lighten the heavy mood.
“They sure don’t,” Glacia answered flatly.
They reached the large pine wood house, and Glacia knocked firmly on the door.
A brown-haired man opened it.
“Oh, you must be visitors.
Come inside, I’m the village leader,” he said.
Glacia and Fokusar stepped into the house.
Right away, their eyes were drawn to a large orange stone mounted on the wall.
It looked alive, seething and pulsing with heat every second.
“We are from the Order,” Glacia said, gesturing toward the glowing artifact.
“We’re here to collect the Blaze Stone.
We are willing to do whatever it takes to get it.”
While Glacia was talking, Fokusar noticed a little brown-haired girl in a white shirt peeking out, staring at him.
He gave her a small smile, and she smiled right back.
“A mission is something that cannot be outrun, and cannot be undone,” the village leader said, his tone suddenly turning grave.
“Tell me what it is.
I’m ready,” Glacia replied.
“I don’t think you are,” the village leader said, his voice deadly serious.
He leaned in.
“You must slay a beast.
A beast that feasts on blood…
the Wendigo.”
Hearing that word, both Glacia and Fokusar’s eyes widened.
“It’s up in the mountains to the north,” the village leader continued, handing Glacia a compass.
“Bring back its head, and you will get the stone.”
Glacia took the compass and walked back outside, heading straight toward the north with Fokusar.
Both of them tightened their grips on their weapons, preparing for the hunt.