Mirelya, Garrick, and Matsuda Ren stood before the enormous quest board inside the Lion’s Guild, carefully scanning the countless requests pinned across the wooden panels.
There were all kinds of jobs.
Simple deliveries.
Escort requests.
Monster exterminations.
And missions that looked completely impossible.
Ren’s eyes wandered across the board until one particular notice caught his attention.
He stepped a little closer.
“Whoa…”
He pointed at the parchment.
“Look at this.”
“‘Defeat the Ice Dragon.'”
His eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Dang… this is an S-Rank quest!”
Garrick glanced at the request before letting out a quiet sigh.
“Way beyond our level.”
Ren nodded in agreement.
“Yeah… figured.”
Meanwhile, Mirelya kept searching through the board.
A few moments later, she smiled.
“I found one.”
She carefully removed a sheet of paper.
“‘Exterminate Goblins in the Forest Dungeon.'”
She looked at the other two.
“C-Rank.”
Garrick quickly read through the details before nodding.
“Goblins are usually weak.”
He turned toward Ren.
“I think it’ll be good practice for the he—”
He caught himself halfway through the sentence.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
“…for Ren.”
Ren chuckled.
“If those goblins are anything like the ones from games…”
He shrugged.
“…then we should be fine.”
Mirelya carefully folded the request.
“Let’s register the quest.”
The three of them walked toward the reception desk.
Mari smiled the moment she saw them approaching.
“Already picked one?”
Mirelya handed her the request.
“Yes.”
Mari skimmed through it before grinning.
“Oh… goblins?”
Her eyes moved across the three of them before stopping on their guild badges.
“A Bronze…”
She looked at Garrick.
“An Iron—”
Then she corrected herself with a playful grin.
“Sorry… a Gold.”
Finally, she looked at Mirelya.
“And our Platinum adventurer.”
She giggled.
“Hehe… now that’s an interesting party.”
Ren smiled awkwardly.
“Well… I guess that’s one way to put it.”
Mirelya looked unexpectedly pleased.
“W-We are a team…”
She smiled softly.
“So… yes.”
At that exact moment—
A calm feminine voice came from behind them.
“Are you going after the goblins in the Forest Dungeon?”
All three turned around at the same time.
A hooded figure stood several meters away.
A dark cloth covered the lower half of the person’s face, leaving only a pair of sharp eyes visible beneath the shadow of the hood.
Ren studied the stranger for a few seconds.
“Looks like… a woman.”
Garrick stepped forward.
“Yes.”
“We’re heading into that dungeon.”
His expression became cautious.
“Why?”
The hooded woman answered calmly.
“I’m looking for a party that’s going there.”
Mirelya’s gaze dropped to the small guild badge attached to the stranger’s cloak.
She raised an eyebrow.
“But…”
“According to your badge…”
“You’re Gold Rank.”
She tilted her head.
“So why don’t you just go alone?”
The woman remained silent for a few moments.
Then she quietly answered,
“…Alone…”
Something in her tone caught Mirelya’s attention.
“Wait…”
She smiled gently.
“Are you… a mage too?”
The hooded woman looked directly at Mirelya.
She didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, she slowly scanned everyone in the group with a calm, unreadable expression.
Then, without another word…
She reached up and pulled back her hood.
Brown hair spilled over her shoulders.
A black eyepatch covered her left eye.
White bandages wrapped around part of her neck before disappearing beneath her clothes.
She gave a slight bow.
“My name is Lysera.”
“My class…”
“…is Assassin.”
Silence settled over the guild hall.
Ren simply stared.
Mirelya did the same.
Garrick…
Quietly narrowed his eyes.
His fists clenched almost imperceptibly.
Mirelya immediately noticed his reaction and shot him a quick glance.
Behind the counter, Mari crossed her arms.
“If they don’t want to take you…”
She shrugged.
“Then there’s nothing I can do, Lysera.”
“You’ll have to find another quest.”
“Wait.”
Everyone turned to look at him.
Ren glanced at Lysera, then at the others.
“She can come with us, can’t she?”
Mirelya immediately broke into a cold sweat.
She awkwardly scratched her cheek while stealing a glance at Garrick.
Garrick let out a long sigh.
“Ren…”
He folded his arms.
“Assassins aren’t exactly welcomed in this kingdom.”
His eyes never left Lysera.
“They’ve caused more than enough trouble around here.”
Lysera slowly closed her eyes.
She stood perfectly still for several seconds.
Without saying a word.
Mirelya was the one who finally broke the silence.
She looked at the young woman with a gentle smile.
“Why do you want to come with us, Lysera?”
Once again…
Lysera took her time before answering.
Her gaze drifted across everyone present.
Garrick.
Ren.
Mirelya.
Mari.
Only then did she quietly reply,
“I want help clearing out the goblins.”
Mari answered almost immediately.
“Your rank is more than enough for a mission like that.”
Lysera slowly shook her head.
“I earned this rank because of my speed.”
She lowered her eyes.
“But I still lack control.”
She paused.
“I can’t properly judge how much strength I should use.”
Silence settled over the group once more.
Ren looked at her for a few moments.
Then smiled.
“That’s fine.”
“As far as I’m concerned…”
“…you’re welcome to come with us.”
He grinned playfully.
“Besides…”
“It’d be pretty embarrassing to die to goblins.”
Lysera frowned.
“Embarrassing…?”
She stared at him.
“Who do you think you are?”
“If you went in there alone…”
“…you’d die too.”
Ren scratched the back of his head with an awkward laugh.
“Y-Yeah… you’ve got a point.”
Mari opened her mouth to object.
“I don’t think that decision should be left to the weakest member of the pa—”
“I trust him.”
Mari stopped mid-sentence.
It was Mirelya who had interrupted her.
She smiled warmly at Ren.
“If Ren-kun says it’s okay…”
“…then I trust his judgment.”
Mari blinked in surprise.
“What…?”
Her eyes widened.
“But… isn’t he supposed to be the weakest one here?”
Garrick sighed once more.
Then looked directly at Lysera.
“Fine.”
“But we’re all keeping an eye on you.”
For the first time…
The serious expression on Lysera’s face faltered.
Her visible eye widened slightly.
“I…”
Her voice almost failed her.
“I… can really come?”
Mari looked back and forth between them before letting out a defeated sigh.
“Well…”
“It’s your party.”
She grabbed another form.
“I’ll add you to the quest, Lysera.”
Lysera lowered her head ever so slightly.
A small, genuine smile appeared on her face.
“…Thank you.”
“Really.”
Ren smiled back.
“We can get to know each other on the way.”
Mirelya nodded enthusiastically.
“Of course.”
She smiled at Lysera.
“We’d like to know more about you too.”
Mari finished updating the paperwork before handing over the quest documents.
“Here.”
“The four of you are now officially registered for this mission.”
She pointed to the paper.
“It contains the client’s information and the exact location.”
Then she closed the guild ledger.
“Good luck.”
Ren accepted the document.
He puffed out his chest just a little.
“All right…”
“Let’s get going.”
The four of them left the guild and began walking through the bustling streets of Valtheris.
Although the city was still full of life, the buildings gradually became more spread out as they approached the outer districts.
After several minutes of walking…
Lysera finally broke the silence.
She glanced discreetly at Ren.
“…Thank you.”
“…For trusting me.”
Ren turned toward her.
“Hm?”
She kept her eyes on the road ahead.
“Ren…”
“…that’s what everyone calls you, right?”
He smiled faintly.
“Yeah.”
“That’s my name.”
“You can just call me Ren.”
Lysera looked at Ren for a moment.
“…Ren.”
She tilted her head slightly.
“That’s… a strange name.”
Ren smiled faintly.
“Funny…”
“I was just about to say the same thing about yours.”
Lysera raised an eyebrow.
“Hm?”
“‘Lysera’ would sound pretty unusual where I come from too.”
Before she could ask another question, Garrick lightly nudged Ren’s arm with his elbow.
His expression was serious.
The look in his eyes silently warned him.
Be careful.
Ren let out a quiet sigh.
“Ah…”
He scratched the back of his neck.
“I mean…”
“…the town where I used to live.”
“Your name would be considered pretty uncommon there.”
“That’s all.”
Lysera watched him for several long seconds.
Almost as if she were trying to determine whether he was hiding something.
In the end…
She simply nodded.
“…I see.”
For a while, no one spoke.
Only the sound of footsteps echoed along the road leading away from Valtheris.
A gentle breeze swayed the treetops overhead.
Then Ren looked at the large hood covering most of Lysera’s face.
“Can I ask you something?”
She turned toward him.
“What is it?”
“…Don’t you get hot wearing all of that?”
He gestured awkwardly toward her cloak.
“I mean…”
“Your clothes cover almost your entire body.”
“Even your nose.”
For an instant…
Lysera’s expression hardened.
Her visible eye narrowed slightly.
“You…”
Before she could finish, Mirelya hurriedly stepped in.
“Ren…”
She smiled awkwardly.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to comment on other people’s clothes.”
Ren immediately realized he’d probably crossed a line.
“Ah…”
“Sorry.”
“I was just curious.”
Garrick kept walking but decided to explain.
“There are many regions where war never truly ends.”
His gaze remained fixed on the road ahead.
“Some people hide their faces for a reason.”
He paused briefly.
“Some are hiding scars.”
“…Others simply don’t want to be recognized.”
Silence followed.
Lysera continued staring straight ahead.
She didn’t respond.
Not even a single word.
Garrick glanced sideways at her.
It almost looked as if he was waiting for some kind of reaction.
But she simply kept walking.
Quietly.
After several more minutes…
Lysera finally spoke again.
“…You seem strong.”
She glanced at Ren’s guild badge.
“Even if your rank says otherwise.”
Ren laughed sheepishly.
“I only look strong.”
He scratched the back of his head again.
“The truth is…”
“I don’t even know how to fight.”
Lysera looked at him for a second.
Then, surprisingly…
A faint smile appeared beneath the cloth covering her face.
“…Seriously?”
Ren nodded.
“Well…”
“I can throw a pretty strong punch.”
He chuckled.
“So I doubt I’d lose to a bunch of goblins.”
Lysera let out a quiet laugh.
“So you’re confident.”
“Or reckless.”
“Maybe both.”
Ren laughed with her.
“Honestly…”
“I have no idea which one.”
Their conversation continued naturally as they walked side by side.
A few steps behind them…
Garrick observed the exchange without missing a single detail.
His eyes never stayed away from Lysera for long.
Beside him, Mirelya also walked in silence.
Then Garrick spoke quietly enough that only she could hear.
“You’d better keep an eye on that strange woman…”
Mirelya frowned slightly.
“I-I am keeping an eye on them.”
Garrick sighed.
“…Good.”
Neither of them spoke again for several seconds.
Eventually, Mirelya glanced toward him.
“Is there something you want to say?”
Garrick kept looking straight ahead.
His expression grew noticeably more serious.
“I’ve been wondering…”
He paused.
“…when you’re going to tell him.”
Mirelya’s eyes widened.
“G-Garrick…”
She instinctively stepped a little closer.
“Keep your voice down…”
Garrick folded his arms.
“He’ll find out eventually.”
Mirelya lowered her gaze.
“…I know.”
“But…”
“…it’s still too soon.”
She took a quiet breath before looking forward once more.
That’s when she noticed something.
Lysera had turned her head ever so slightly.
For only an instant…
It almost looked as though she had been watching the two of them.
The moment she realized Mirelya had noticed…
A tiny smile appeared on her lips.
Barely noticeable.
Then she calmly looked forward again.
As though nothing had happened.
Mirelya remained silent.
“Did she hear us…?”
The thought lingered in the back of her mind as the four of them continued toward the Forest Dungeon.
After a few more minutes of silence, Lysera spoke again.
“…Ren.”
He turned toward her.
“Hm?”
“Do you trust them?”
The question came so suddenly that Ren needed a moment to think.
Then he smiled.
“Well…”
“They were the ones who helped me when I first woke up.”
He paused for a second.
“…Actually, they’ve helped me with a lot of things.”
He glanced back at Mirelya and Garrick.
“So…”
“Yeah.”
“I think I do.”
Lysera remained quiet for a moment before asking another question.
“How long have you known them?”
Ren let out a small laugh.
“Honestly?”
“Not very long.”
She tilted her head.
“Not very long?”
Ren nodded.
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
For the first time since joining them, Lysera looked genuinely surprised.
Slowly, she raised one hand.
She pulled down part of the cloth covering her face.
Revealing more of her features.
“So…”
“How long has it been?”
Ren looked directly at her.
For several seconds…
He completely forgot to answer.
She’s…
beautiful.
The thought crossed his mind before he could stop it.
Her chestnut hair framed her face softly.
The sunlight filtering through the trees reflected gently in her bright eyes.
Even with her calm, almost expressionless demeanor…
There was something unexpectedly graceful about her.
Ren found himself staring.
Without saying a word.
Several long seconds passed.
Mirelya was the one who finally broke the silence.
She pointed toward the road ahead.
“The client should be just beyond that path.”
Everyone shifted their attention forward.
Ahead of them stretched a narrow dirt road, partially swallowed by the forest.
Tall trees lined both sides, their branches weaving together overhead.
Ren blinked several times, finally snapping back to reality.
“Ah…”
“Right.”
“Let’s keep going.”
Without another word, the four of them followed the narrow trail.
A gentle breeze rustled the leaves overhead.
Somewhere in the distance, birds sang peacefully.
With every step they took…
The sounds of Valtheris faded farther behind them.
Soon…
Only the forest remained.
And the steady rhythm of their footsteps.
They continued walking along the dirt path.
The deeper they went…
The denser the vegetation became.
The thick canopy almost completely blocked the sky, allowing only scattered rays of sunlight to reach the ground below.
The trail remained quiet.
Peaceful.
After nearly twenty minutes of walking…
A small wooden house finally came into view between the trees.
Despite its age…
It looked surprisingly well maintained.
A thin stream of smoke drifted lazily from the chimney.
Someone was definitely home.
Garrick slowed his pace.
He studied the house for a few moments.
“Think this is where the client lives?”
Mirelya unfolded the small map Mari had given them.
She compared it with the surroundings before smiling.
“Yes.”
She pointed toward the cabin.
“According to the map…”
“This is the place.”
The four of them approached the house together.
As they drew closer…
They noticed an elderly man standing near the porch.
Something about the way he stood caught Ren’s attention.
The old man leaned awkwardly to one side, as though supporting his weight in an unusual way.
Ren frowned slightly.
“What happened to him…?”
Garrick stepped forward first.
“Hello.”
The old man slowly lifted his head.
The moment he saw them…
A warm smile spread across his face.
Mirelya held up the quest request.
“Are you Mr. Goro?”
The old man nodded.
“I am.”
His smile remained gentle.
Mirelya let out a relieved breath.
“The quest notice said we should speak with you before entering the dungeon.”
Goro nodded again.
“That’s right.”
He gestured toward several wooden benches beside the porch.
“Have a seat for a moment.”
“There are a few things I’d like to explain first.”
The four exchanged brief glances.
Before anyone else could answer…
Lysera stepped forward.
Her expression remained as calm and serious as ever.
“Sir.”
“We came here to eliminate the goblins.”
Goro let out a quiet chuckle.
“So eager already?”
He slowly stroked his beard.
“Ah…”
“The impatience of youth…”
Lysera didn’t react.
“We’d like to head there as soon as possible.”
The old man simply smiled.
“Very well.”
He took a slow breath.
“These lands are ancient.”
“Very ancient.”
His eyes wandered toward the forest beyond the house.
“And the Forest Dungeon…”
“…is older still.”
Goro nodded slowly.
“I see…”
A nostalgic smile crossed his face.
“I’ve heard stories about the Forest Dungeon before.”
“They say it’s existed for thousands of years.”
“…Perhaps even longer.”
Mirelya nodded.
“I’ve heard the same.”
Goro pointed toward the dense forest behind his house.
“If you follow the path for about two kilometers…”
“…you’ll eventually reach the dungeon.”
He paused.
“For the first stretch…”
“You’ll only encounter goblins.”
Garrick folded his arms.
“So we just stay near the entrance.”
“That should be enough.”
The old man remained silent for a brief moment.
Then he answered slowly.
“…That’s…”
“I suppose that’s what I should say.”
His response left an awkward silence hanging in the air.
A moment later, he smiled again, as if brushing the strange remark aside.
“Well…”
“You youngsters seem eager.”
He waved his hand toward the forest.
“Go on.”
Ren, however, didn’t move.
Something about the old man’s expression still bothered him.
He looked directly at him.
“…Can I ask something?”
Everyone turned toward Ren.
“You said the goblins have to be eliminated…”
He glanced toward the forest.
“But…”
“…aren’t we the ones invading their territory?”
“What exactly did they do?”
The smile slowly disappeared from Goro’s face.
His eyes grew noticeably heavier.
“They did.”
He took a deep breath.
“They’ve been raiding nearby homes.”
He looked back toward his cabin.
“A neighbor who lived about a hundred meters from here…”
“They stole every bit of food he had.”
His voice became quieter.
“…Then they killed him.”
No one interrupted.
Goro continued.
“They steal livestock.”
“They steal tools.”
“They take anything they can carry.”
He clenched one trembling hand.
“And if someone fights back…”
“They burn everything.”
Silence.
Even the birds seemed to have stopped singing.
Ren lowered his eyes for a moment.
“…I see.”
“So they really are a problem.”
Mirelya quietly clenched her fists.
“We’ll take care of it.”
Without waiting any longer, she was the first to begin walking toward the forest.
Ren, Garrick and Lysera quickly followed.
Just as they were leaving…
Goro called out.
“Hey!”
The four of them stopped and turned around.
The old man raised one hand.
“Be careful.”
A warm smile returned to his face.
“And…”
“When you’re done…”
“Come back here.”
Garrick nodded.
“We will.”
He hesitated for a second.
Then looked at the old man once more.
“…Mr. Goro.”
“Yes?”
Garrick pointed subtly toward the strange posture Goro had been holding ever since they arrived.
“Earlier…”
“You were standing in a rather unusual way.”
“What was that about?”
The old man stared at him for several seconds.
Then suddenly laughed.
“Hahaha…”
He scratched the back of his head.
“Oh…”
“That?”
His smile slowly became unreadable.
“I’ll tell you…”
“…when you come back.”
He paused.
“…Assuming you do.”
A brief silence followed.
Then he chuckled once more.
“And…”
“Try not to die.”
“Hehe.”
None of the four answered.
They simply exchanged uncertain glances.
Then continued down the forest path.
The trees slowly swallowed them from sight.
Goro remained standing in front of his house.
Watching them disappear among the shadows of the forest.
The smile faded from his face.
Completely.
His expression became cold.
Serious.
Almost sorrowful.
He stared toward the direction they had gone.
“…You made it here sooner than I expected…”
His voice was barely above a whisper.
A faint breeze passed through the trees.
The old man’s eyes narrowed.
“…Hero.”
The forest answered only with silence.