Kaine & Miriam’s Legacy

"Perfect timing!" Thalia greeted with a bright smile as Daisuke approached the counter. "I just got done updating your guild card—congrats on the promotion; you've definitely earned it."

"Thanks," Daisuke replied, whisking the license away in his inventory.

Thalia observed him in amazement, her cheeks flushed as she nervously met his gaze before glancing away. "Um, I heard there's a chance you might be leaving Wonderelle soon?" she murmured, fingers fidgeting with the edge of her shirt.

"Yeah… at some point."

Thalia's heart sank at his confirmation, but she maintained a composed expression. "Before you go… would you be willing to accompany me in visiting my foster parent's grave? It's not far, just on the outskirts of town. But lately, there have been reports of bandits lurking along the road to the cemetery."

"Alright," Daisuke nodded, his thoughts drifting to his own mother's grave, which he knew could use some attention and fresh flowers.

"R-Really?!" Thalia exclaimed.

"Sure, you've helped me out a lot; it's the least I can do."

"Thank you so much!"

Daisuke turned, offering a casual wave as he made his exit. From the back of his clothes, Zephyr's head popped out, his paw pointing at his own eyes before swiveling to Thalia, conveying a clear "I'm watching you" gesture.

Thalia's expression settled into a poker face. "This isn't going to be easy, is it?"

***

As they traveled, Daisuke kept the Eye of Verity active, casually scanning for hidden treasures. Meanwhile, Zephyr was busy terrorizing the local monster population, which consisted solely of low-level monsters.

An open landscape stretched endlessly, a tapestry of rolling hills and lush meadows dotted with wildflowers. A gentle breeze rippled through the tall grass, creating waves that shimmered under the warm sun.

In the distance, a crystal-clear river wound its way through the valley, reflecting the sky's brilliant blue. The tranquility was only broken by the distant calls of birds, adding a harmonious melody to the serene vista.

The evenings had become noticeably chillier, but the daytime remained pleasantly comfortable. It was the season for farmers to harvest their crops in preparation for winter. But instead of being hard at work doing just that, Daisuke and Zephyr came across an elderly man nervously clutching a scythe, seemingly on the hunt for something.

"What's the deal with that scythe?" Daisuke murmured to Zephyr. "Is he an adventurer or something?"

Zephyr cocked his head curiously.

"No, I think he's a farmer, but the nearest wheatfield is at least a mile away."

Moved by the kindness he'd experienced from the Robinsons, Daisuke felt compelled to assist the elderly man. As he approached, he raised his hands in a gesture of peace, ensuring the supposed farmer knew he meant no harm.

"Hey, gramps," Daisuke called out. "Is everything alright?"

The man's eyes darted from Zephyr to Daisuke before he raised his scythe threateningly. "M-Monsters!"

Daisuke raised his hands in a calming gesture and took a cautious step back. "Easy now," he said soothingly. "I'm not here to cause any trouble. "My name is Haxks, and I'm not a monster. This is Zephyr," he gestured at the pup. "He's harmless."

The old man obviously wasn't buying it. "Of course a monster would say that," he accused. "You're obviously some kind of bloodsucking shapeshifter wearing human skin. My skin isn't as firm as it used to be, so why waste your time on an old man?"

Daisuke's expression settled into a poker face. He's gotta be senile. "If I were truly a monster," he countered, "would we be having this conversation right now?"

The man's grip on the scythe loosened as the few good brain cells he still had actively processed the claim. "Well, I'll be… you've got a point there, lad."

Daisuke finally breathed and lowered his hands.

"…If you're not a monster," the man mumbled contemplatively, his suspicions landing on a new angle of paranoia. "Then you have to be a bandit! You're just trying to butter me up so that you can steal all my eggs!"

Daisuke sighed noisily.

Zephyr rolled his eyes.

***

"Ah! So you're a traveling adventurer," the old man mused, handing Daisuke a cup of tea after returning his guild license. "Why didn't you mention that right away?"

Daisuke accepted the hot beverage, his eyes narrowing. "I tried, but you seemed more interested in lopping off my head," he muttered under his breath.

"Did you say something?" the man asked, raising his gray eyebrows. "My hearing isn't what it used to be," he added with a slight chuckle, tapping his ear to emphasize his point.

Daisuke took a sip of the tea and winced, the bitterness catching him off guard. The man grinned at his response. "My sense of taste has been a bit off, too," he grinned, a playful twinkle dancing in his eyes.

Daisuke cleared his throat and pushed the cup aside. "…So what were you searching for so far away from home?"

The man joined his silver-haired guest at a small wooden table behind his modest home, his eyes scanning the acres of land divided between crops and livestock.

"…My Mariam had always dreamed of living on a farm since we were children," he recalled with a bittersweet smile. "Sadly, she passed away last year."

Zephyr looked up from his bone with somber eyes.

"I'm truly sorry for your loss," Daisuke offered his condolences with sincerity.

The man's gaze drifted downwards, his fingers gently clasping the cup before him. "In honor of her memory, I've poured my heart into tending to the crops and tranquilids," he confessed softly, a shadow passing over his features. "But lately, a monster has been wreaking havoc on our livestock."

Daisuke frowned. "A monster?"

The man nodded. "The wounds left behind paint a clear picture."

"Is that monster what you were searching for when we met earlier?"

"That's right—if that thing isn't stopped, it'll keep wiping out our livestock, ruining everything Mariam and I worked so hard for," he asserted, his words carrying a blend of conviction and desperation. "I can't allow everything to end without a fight!"

Daisuke caught the reflection of Mr. Robinson's determination in the man's resolute expression. He was convinced that if anything endangered Diana, Dale would exhibit the same unwavering resolve and determination to address it—such was the depth of their love and commitment to each other.

Daisuke understood that Kaine Blackhorn wasn't Dale Robinson, but he couldn't shake the feeling that assisting the man would be a small way to repay the couple for their kindness, even if only in a minor way.

DING!

[The quest «Preserving Mariam's Memories» has been received.]

[Preserving Mariam's Memories]

[Quest Difficulty: C

Kaine's wife, Mariam, had a deep connection with nature, favoring the tranquility of the countryside over the bustle of towns and cities.

After eloping, Kaine helped Mariam realize her childhood dream of living off the land. When she passed away, he felt her presence in the fields and livestock they had nurtured together. Now, a dark entity threatens to destroy everything he has fought to preserve.

Clear Conditions: Help Kaine banish the evil threatening the paradise he strives to protect.

Rewards:

▪︎ Affinity with Kaine +100%

▪︎ EXP +35,000

▪︎ 17 Gold

Quest Failure:

▪︎ Kaine will be consumed by hopelessness

▪︎ Death of the livestock and crops

▪︎ Sporadic hauntings by Mariam]

Hauntings? Daisuke paled slightly. You must be kidding me, he thought incredulously as he looked up at Kaine. "Do you still have the carcass from the most recent livestock attack?" he asked, trying to stay focused despite the unsettling news.

***

In Sehreneti Online, monsters were akin to the wildlife of the real world. Among them, several species, known as tranquilids, were distinguished by their docile nature. Much like cattle, sheep, chickens, and pigs, these creatures were domesticated for their milk, eggs, and monstron.

In well-secured enclosures, Kaine kept his livestock segregated by species. Minitaurs were a subspecies of the Minotaur. These muscular, quadruped mammals resembled bison. Though they didn't produce milk, their monstron was tasty, and their hides were remarkably sturdy.

Horned Rabbit was a staple among adventurers, and their hide was great for making fashion accessories. Zephyr approached the enclosure and growled, but he was soon confronted by a protective Bearhound that was Kaine's own companion. The canines sniffed and circled each other cautiously.

Woolox were a convenient blend of cow and sheep, epitomizing the tranquilid species with their exceptionally docile and social nature. They were a farmer's treasure and celebrated for their rich milk and incredibly soft wool.

The fourth and final tranquilid that Kaine raised was the rare and elusive Mithrilcrest Deer. Majestic and as large as an elk, their monstron was a delicacy, but what farmers and connoisseurs truly coveted were the creature's antlers, made of pure mithril.

Once a year, the Mithrilcrest Deer would naturally shed their antlers, which would then regrow. Farmers were content with this cycle, as the rarity of the antlers made them highly valuable. However, poachers lacked such patience. They hunted and slaughtered the Mithrilcrest Deer for their antlers, which fetched high prices on the black market. Consequently, the species was now on the brink of extinction.

Without even seeing the carcass, Daisuke knew exactly what was happening. Mithrilcrest Deer were magnets for bandits and thieves; it was obvious they were mutilating the creatures for their antlers. However, as Kaine led him to the scene of the crime, what he found was a far cry from his clever deduction.

Three Minitaurs lay motionless within their enclosure, their massive bodies rigid with the onset of rigor mortis.

"…They're not the Mithrilcrest Deer," Daisuke murmured, somewhat dazed as he scrutinized the creatures' bodies for any visible wounds.

"That's right. All the deer are safe and accounted for," Kaine informed.

Daisuke's eyebrows furrowed in thought. "Which makes it less likely to be the work of a poacher," he muttered to himself. "Minitaurs are tuskless, unlike elephants and rhinos whose tusks are sold on the black market in the real world. So, what exactly would poachers be after?"

A thorough scan of the creature's body revealed small puncture marks on its forehead and back. Surely a predator that could overpower a Minitaur would have left more prominent scars than this. Daisuke couldn't picture a Lipanthyer, Owlbear, or Bullgator leaving such small incisions when they had such deadly weapons at their disposal.

"What kind of predatory monsters roam these parts?" Daisuke asked.

"Nothing powerful enough to cause this," Kaine responded.

"And at what time do you think the attack took place?"

"…Mmm. I suspect sometime last night while I was asleep since I didn't hear any commotion."

Daisuke cupped his chin in contemplation. Based on the development of rigor mortis, I'd say he's right. Since it hasn't been too long, maybe I can find some environmental clues around.

As he activated the Eye of Verity to survey the area, Zephyr diligently applied his keen sense of smell, sniffing the ground and the surrounding air.

RUMBLE.

But while they were hunting—

BOOOM!

They were also being hunted.