First quest

"Master Adam, is everything all right?" Bouyd asked, stepping into the room just in time to see Adam frantically rummaging through his wardrobe, tossing clothes haphazardly onto the floor.

"No, it's not all right!" Adam shouted, holding up a finely embroidered tunic before discarding it onto the bed. "Too expensive. No, not this either. Why don't I have anything practical to wear?" He threw his hands up in frustration, muttering under his breath about his lack of foresight.

Bouyd, ever composed, took a step closer and cleared his throat. "Master Adam, if I might be of assistance?"

Adam froze mid-step, finally looking at Bouyd as though he were a lifeline. "Bouyd, thank God. Quick! Do I have any clothes that are... I don't know, disposable? Something I can wear without worrying if it gets ruined or dirty? This is important! I can't believe I forgot."

Bouyd observed Adam's pacing with a faint smile, his amusement carefully masked. "Of course, sir. I'll fetch something suitable right away," he said, his tone calm as ever. "In the meantime, breakfast is being served in the Queen's dining hall. Perhaps you'd care to make your way there while I prepare something appropriate for you to wear?"

Adam sighed, his shoulders slumping as his panic subsided slightly. "Yeah, fine. Thanks, Bouyd. You're a lifesaver."

As Adam left the room, Bouyd's smile grew slightly as he straightened a sleeve of his coat. "Him and Her Majesty," he murmured to himself, shaking his head with a touch of fondness. "So very similar. It's no wonder she likes him—it'd be hard not to like a reflection of oneself."

With that, Bouyd turned and departed, the ghost of a chuckle on his lips as he went to fetch Adam's attire.

_________________

"…"

Leah stared at Adam as he shoveled food into his mouth with reckless abandon, using anything but proper utensils. Bread in one hand, a fork stabbing into something unidentifiable in the other, and crumbs dotting his face, he was the antithesis of dining decorum. Her expression was flat and thoroughly unamused.

Finally, Adam paused mid-bite, noticing her gaze. "Is something wrong? Do I have something on my face?" he asked, gesturing vaguely at his cheek, which only caused a crumb avalanche.

Leah closed her eyes and exhaled slowly, shaking her head. (What kind of royal behaves like this? Or... perhaps this is deliberate—an act to show he feels comfortable enough around me to discard his rank and title. Could it be his way of treating this as a meal between friends?) she rationalized, trying to find logic in the chaos before her.

What she didn't realize was that Adam wasn't playing any social games—he was just stupid and hungry.

Now finally full and far less stressed, Adam leaned back and decided to make conversation. "So, you and Nilguard are close? Like... childhood friends or something?"

Leah didn't skip a beat. "Pretty much. Though rivals would've been a better term."

Adam blinked at her, still chewing. "Rivals? In what, fashion sense?"

Leah gave him a look so sharp it could've cut steel. "You're one to talk," she deadpanned, gesturing at the state of his shirt, which bore evidence of every course he'd devoured.

"Oh... sorry, I forgot I was wearing this…" Adam muttered, glancing down at the food-stained shirt and suddenly feeling a wave of embarrassment. (What's wrong with me? Ever since I started growing a bit more comfortable here, it's like I've been getting dumber or something...) he thought, scolding himself internally.

Before he could sink deeper into self-recrimination, the sound of familiar footsteps interrupted his spiral. Bouyd entered the room with his usual measured grace, a faint smile on his face as he addressed Adam. "Master Adam, I've prepared your attire for the outing. It should be suitable for the occasion, and you needn't worry about the... mess." He gestured lightly toward the battlefield of crumbs and stains with a knowing look. "I'll take care of it. Believe me, I've dealt with far worse."

That last remark earned him a pointed throat-clearing from Leah, who refused to meet his gaze. Bouyd chuckled, bowing slightly in mock apology. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have other duties to attend to." With that, he exited the room, leaving Adam and Leah in silence.

Adam broke it first, his curiosity getting the better of him. "Hey, boss… how come Bouyd has horns but no other animal features? Is he a beastfolk?"

Leah, still sipping her tea, nodded. "Correct, though more precisely, he's only half beastfolk. The horns are a mark of his heritage."

Adam tilted his head, intrigued. "Half beastfolk, huh? So… why's he here in the Empire of all places? Doesn't seem like the friendliest spot for someone like him."

Leah set her cup down, her expression softening with a hint of nostalgia. "He's here because he refused to leave." She paused, her voice quieter now. "When I tried to send him somewhere safer, he told me, 'Who will take care of you while I'm gone?'"

Adam blinked at her, surprised by the vulnerability in her tone. "Sounds like he cares about you a lot."

Leah gave a small, almost imperceptible smile. "He does. But don't let that fool you. He's also insufferably smug about it."

_________________________-

"Vikar!" Adam shouted, bursting into the guildhall like a gust of chaos. He bent over, hands on his knees, gasping for air as though he'd just sprinted across half the city.

Vikar, the ever-cheerful skeletal man who looked like he moonlit as a scarecrow, raised his bony face in recognition. "Adam!"

The two stared at each other for a moment—Adam wheezing like a dying accordion, and Vikar grinning his trademark skeletal grin.

"Vikar… quest… give me… a quest…" Adam huffed, between desperate gulps of air.

Vikar chuckled, shaking his head. "Gotta admire the enthusiasm, kid. Lucky for you, you're just in time. Another day late, and I'd have docked you guild points. But as fate would have it…" He reached behind the counter and pulled out a parchment with a flourish. "This here's a nice little monster extermination gig. Some wolves or somethin' are bothering a village just outside the capital. Easy stuff, should be a nice warm-up."

Adam straightened up, still catching his breath. "Okay, sounds good… but wolves? You sure there's no, I don't know, hidden catch? Like they turn into werewolves under moonlight or secretly breathe fire?"

"Kid, it's wolves. Don't overthink it," Vikar replied, his grin widening, which was creepy given he had the appearance of a corps with his pale sickly looking skin and dark bags under his eyes. "Now, you'll wanna head there quickly, right? Should reach the village by noon if you take a carriage."

Adam nodded but frowned. "Yeah, about that...."

"Ah!" Vikar exclaimed, holding up a finger like he'd been waiting for this moment. "You're in luck! Here at the guild, we offer premium carriage services for our most esteemed members! Comfortable seating, free snacks, even a curtain you can pull closed so nobody looks at your tired face." He leaned in dramatically. "Normally, this exclusive privilege comes with a hefty fee, but…"

Adam braced himself.

"Since it's your first time, you get a one-time free ride!" Vikar declared in his best customer-service voice, which somehow felt even more untrustworthy than his regular one.

Adam gave him a wary look. "Okay, but seriously, no catches? No 'you signed your soul away' fine print or 'oh, by the way, wolves are giant demonic monsters' twist?"

Vikar raised his hands, all innocence. "No catches, no tricks. Just good ol' guild hospitality. And maybe a mild sense of dread, but that's standard."

Adam sighed in resignation. "Fine. I'll take it. Just don't make me regret this."

Vikar handed him the parchment, his grin practically glowing. "Oh, you'll regret it eventually, kid. But not today!"

_______________

"Okay, okay... I can do this," I muttered to myself, gripping the edge of the carriage bench. "It's just wolves. I can totally handle this." I exhaled slowly, trying to steady my nerves.

The carriage jostled slightly as it moved down the uneven dirt road, the village now coming into view over the horizon. "This took way less time than I thought," I mused aloud, leaning forward to peer out the window.

The trip had felt absurdly short, a far cry from the hoof-worn treks I had braced myself for. "Guess paying for a carriage is worth the money in the long run," I added with a slight nod, already mentally adjusting my budget for future quests. But Vikar's words from earlier floated back into my mind:

"No catches, no tricks. Just good ol' guild hospitality. And maybe a mild sense of dread, but that's standard."

The unease lingered, gnawing at the edges of my confidence.

When the carriage finally rolled to a stop, I stepped out, stretching briefly before taking in my surroundings. The village was quaint—clusters of modest wooden homes, a few scattered gardens, and villagers bustling about their daily routines. A calm, picturesque scene... if not for the tension lurking beneath the surface.

I approached an elderly woman crouched near a small coop, scattering feed to a peculiar group of plump, feathered creatures I didn't recognize.

"Uh, excuse me," I said, clearing my throat to get her attention. "I'm from the guild. I was sent about a report concerning wolves? Do you know who made the request?"

The woman paused, a handful of grain still in her palm, and studied me with a sharp gaze that belied her age. "Should be the mayor," she finally said, her voice gravelly but kind. She gestured toward a large house at the edge of the village. "Biggest house here. Can't miss it."

"Thank you," I said with a polite nod, making my way in the direction she pointed.

After a few minutes, I arrived at the mayor's house, which, true to the woman's word, stood out from the rest. It was larger and sturdier, though far from luxurious. The paint was chipped, and the roof looked like it could use repairs, but it had an air of quiet authority.

I knocked firmly on the door, and moments later, it creaked open. A man with a round face and thinning hair stood there, looking me over with a mix of relief and curiosity.

"Ah, you must be here about the wolves. Come in, come in," he said, ushering me inside.

The interior of the house was simple but comfortable, a stark contrast to the opulence I'd grown used to in the palace. As I explained my purpose, the mayor, who introduced himself as Clind, listened attentively.

"Egger!" he called out suddenly, his voice carrying through the house. "Take the boy to the site of the attack."

A few moments later, a burly man stepped into the room. Egger looked every bit the seasoned guard, with a thick frame, a grizzled beard, and an axe strapped to his side.

Egger led me outside and toward the outskirts of the village, his heavy boots crunching against the dirt path. "Over here," he said, pointing to a small paddock near the treeline. "That's where the wolves attacked. Took down two cows a few nights ago. Haven't seen 'em since, but the mayor didn't want to take any chances, so he called the guild."

I crouched by the remains of the paddock, examining the broken fence and the trampled ground. It was clear there had been a struggle.

Egger crossed his arms, watching me with a critical eye. "You sure you can handle this, kid? You're pretty young for an adventurer. Not to mention, if you're really only a copper rank…"

I straightened up and gave him a confident smile. "Don't worry. If it's too dangerous, I'll bail and let the guild send someone stronger. No point dying over a couple of wolves, right?"

He grunted in approval but seemed unconvinced. "Fair enough. Just don't do anything stupid."

Curiosity got the better of me. "By the way, you mentioned my age, but the mayor didn't seem to care. Is it normal for young people to be adventurers around here?"

Egger's expression softened slightly. "More common than you'd think. Most young'uns start at wood rank, though. Only a handful ever climb higher, and by the time they do, they're usually older and tougher."

He turned and began walking back toward the forest. "I'll leave you to it, then. If you need help, come find me. My hut's near the forest edge."

"Thanks," I called after him, glancing back at the paddock with a growing sense of determination. This wasn't going to be easy, but I'd handle it—somehow.

_________________

After about half an hour of scouring the area, all I managed to find was a tuft of fur snagged on a branch. Probably wolf fur, I guessed, but without any real expertise, I couldn't be sure. Still, it was the only lead I had, so I sighed and made my way toward the forest edge.

"Welp, I guess it's time to head into the forest," I muttered under my breath, steeling myself. Passing the treeline, I stepped deeper into the woods. The light dimmed as the canopy grew denser, the distant sounds of the village fading behind me.

I scanned the ground for tracks, hoping for anything that might resemble pawprints. "This looks like wolf tracks… I think," I muttered, crouching low to examine the impressions. They weren't particularly distinct, but it was the best I had.

"Welp, here goes nothing. Let's see where these lead."

I followed the tracks deeper into the forest, the journey taking far longer than it should have thanks to my lack of tracking skills. Eventually, the tracks led me to a clearing. At its center was the dark, looming entrance to a cave.

"Why would wolves go this far out for food?" I wondered aloud. "Wouldn't they waste more energy getting to and from the village? That's assuming the hunt was even successful…" I frowned. "That's not normal. Then again, this is a different world. Maybe wolves here are just built differently."

I crouched behind a thick bush, keeping the cave in my sights. Minutes passed in tense silence before the shadows at the entrance shifted. Slowly, something emerged.

My eyes widened.

A wolf—no, that was no ordinary wolf.

It was enormous, easily three times the size of any wolf I'd ever seen. Its fur was a mix of gray and white, its eyes sharp and predatory. Most unsettling of all was its tail, which seemed to be encased in some kind of natural armor, like overlapping plates of bone or metal.

"What the—Vikar, you bastard. That's not a wolf! No way that's a wolf!" I whispered harshly, panic creeping into my voice. "How the hell am I supposed to fight that?"

I hunkered down further, trying to still my breathing as I studied the creature. It seemed relaxed, resting lazily by the cave entrance.

"Okay, calm down. Maybe it's just really big. That doesn't mean it's invincible… right?" I whispered, more to reassure myself than anything. But my gut screamed otherwise.

Just as I was debating whether to retreat, a strange sound echoed from within the cave. It wasn't the low growl of another wolf, but something higher-pitched, almost… human?

My stomach twisted. "What was that?" I muttered, straining to see into the cave's darkness.

Moments later, something else emerged—a figure about my size, maybe a bit taller.

A Goblin? Or Something Else?

My jaw nearly dropped. It wore clothing—roughly stitched but clearly deliberate—and carried weapons, a crude but functional-looking spear slung across its back.

"What is that?" I whispered, eyes narrowing. Its general shape was humanoid, but its features were all wrong. Its skin was pale, its ears pointed, and its teeth… God, those teeth.

I felt a cold sweat break out across my back. "Is that a goblin? It kinda looks like one… but aren't goblins supposed to be green or something?" I muttered. "Wait, why would they be green? That's just some random fantasy trope. Whatever. For now, goblin it is."

The goblin-like creature shouted something at the massive wolf, but the beast merely flicked an ear in irritation, refusing to budge from its spot.

"That's not normal," I thought, eyes narrowing. "It looks like they've tamed it. They're wearing clothes, carrying weapons… That's not just an animal. That's organized."

Weighing the Options

My mind raced.

"So, what now?" I whispered to myself. "Do I run back to the guild? Get reinforcements? That seems like the smart thing to do. But what if they attack the village while I'm gone? I can't just leave them defenseless. Ugh, why do I care? I just told myself I'd bail if it got too dangerous."

I clenched my fists, frustration bubbling over. "Damn it, fine! Conscience, you win this round. You're lucky I'm mentally weak!"

I watched as the goblin and the wolf seemed to settle, the creature leaning casually against the beast's side. The scene looked almost peaceful, save for the gnawing tension in my chest.

"Wait…" I muttered. "They're organized. Intelligent. If I attack them, am I killing sentient beings? What if they're just protecting their territory?"

My thoughts tangled into a chaotic knot. "But what if they're bandits? What if they're planning to attack the village again? Ugh, this is why I hate fantasy worlds! Why can't things just be simple?!"

After another long moment of deliberation, I sighed. "Alright, here's the plan: I wait, observe, and figure out how many of them there are. Then I get the hell out of here and report back to the guild. No way I can handle this alone."

With that, I settled deeper into the bushes, keeping my eyes on the cave and the monstrous wolf that guarded it. This was far out of my skill level, but I wasn't about to make a move without knowing exactly what I was up against.

_____________

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long, jagged shadows across the forest floor. The cave entrance before me sat eerily silent. Not a sound, not a single movement. It had been hours since I first hid here, and I hadn't seen so much as a bird flit by.

"Should I leave?" I whispered to myself. The thought of retreating gnawed at me, but an inexplicable feeling kept me rooted in place. Something was here—I could feel it.

"Isn't this just paranoia?" I muttered. But the unease remained, daring me to turn back and leave this place behind.

Just as I was about to convince myself to leave, movement caught my eye. Emerging from the treeline on the opposite side of the clearing was a group of figures. At first glance, they appeared to be more of those goblins, each armed with crude weapons—clubs, spears, and rusted blades. Two large wolves accompanied them, and at the rear of the group was an even larger goblin, clearly the leader.

On his broad shoulders, he carried people.

I froze. A man and a woman dangled lifelessly over the goblin leader's shoulders, unconscious but clearly alive.

My breath hitched. They've taken prisoners.

"...Fine," I whispered bitterly, my hands trembling. "But if I die here, I swear I'll haunt Vikar until he begs for mercy."

I watched as the group marched into the cave, vanishing into its black maw. My heartbeat thundered in my ears.

"This is the price I pay for being stupid," I muttered under my breath. "I should've run hours ago. I'd be back at the guild by now... probably."

Forcing myself to steady my breathing, I stood. My legs felt like jelly, but I willed them to move forward.

The Cave

The air inside was damp and cold, the walls lined with jagged rock formations. My boots scraped against the stone floor, every sound amplified by the oppressive silence. The further I ventured, the darker it became, until I could barely see my own hands in front of me.

Should I make a fire? I wondered. But no—fire would make me a beacon for anyone or anything lurking in the shadows. I pressed on, relying on the faint sounds of footsteps ahead to guide me.

Suddenly, the darkness broke. A faint, flickering light spilled from deeper within the cave. I crept forward and ducked behind a boulder, peering out at the source.

My heart sank.

It was a small, makeshift settlement. Torches illuminated the space, casting flickering shadows over the crude tents and fire pits scattered throughout. Goblins moved about, their guttural chatter filling the air. Some were cooking over open flames, while others sharpened weapons or sorted through piles of stolen goods.

And at the center of it all: cages.

Humans were crammed inside, twelve in total, their faces pale and drawn. The cages were made of iron, their doors secured with heavy locks.

I'm way in over my head, I thought, my throat tightening. I need to get out of here and report this to the guild.

But just as I started to retreat, I heard it—a sound that froze me in place.

Crying.

It was faint but unmistakable, the plaintive wail of a newborn.

A Dangerous Decision

My mind went blank. Without thinking, I moved toward the sound, creeping along the edges of the goblin camp. The cries grew louder, each one cutting through me like a knife.

These things... they need to die.

The thought came unbidden, cold and sharp.

Backing out of the camp, I made my way to the forest. My body moved on autopilot as I gathered wood, cutting down trees with concentrated bursts of fire magic. My movements were mechanical, efficient. Even the eerie silence of the forest didn't faze me.

Tree by tree, I constructed a makeshift barricade at the cave entrance, layering the logs with precision. Part of me screamed that something was wrong, that I needed to leave—but I ignored it.

When I returned to the cave, I didn't hesitate. Summoning a fireball in my hand, I hurled it at the nearest goblin, my voice erupting into a battle cry.

The goblin screeched as flames consumed it, drawing the attention of the entire camp.

"Come on, then!" I shouted, creating another fireball, this one hotter and wilder than anything I'd conjured before. I hurled it at the nearest cage, melting the bars in an instant.

The humans inside kicked the door down and began running for the cave entrance. Strangely, none of the goblins chased them. All their attention was on me.

That's fine, I thought grimly. Let them come.

"Kid... Kid! Hey, KID! Do you hear me? Oi!"

A voice cut through the haze. I blinked, the world around me blurry and disjointed.

"Huh?" I croaked weakly.

Strong arms hoisted me up, and I felt myself slung over a broad shoulder. "You're alive! Good. Just stay with me. Don't head toward the light, alright? You did good, kid. You saved those people."

"Saved... people?" I mumbled, my voice slurred. "What people? Where am I? What happened?"

The voice—Egger's, I realized—chuckled. "Don't push yourself too hard. You're fine, though. No injuries except some scrapes. I was worried, with all that blood on you, but turns out none of it's yours!"

Blood? My stomach twisted. "Whose... blood?"

Egger shifted me on his shoulder, oblivious to my growing panic. "Just rest. We're almost back to the village. You'll get your reward, and probably more."

As Egger carried me through the forest, the acrid stench of smoke filled my nose. My stomach growled at the faint scent of burnt meat, but a deep unease coiled in my chest.

Smoke? Burnt meat? My brow furrowed. What happened back there?

Bits and pieces of the fight flickered through my mind, but nothing made sense. I tried to speak, to ask Egger what he meant by "saving people," but my vision swam and my head throbbed with every word.

Weren't I looking for wolves? The thought flitted through my mind before darkness claimed me once more.

_________________

By the Cave

"Sheesh, that's one hell of a way to die," Kel muttered, leaning lazily against the jagged stone entrance to the cave. Beside him stood Meli, her arms crossed and her expression sharp.

"Kel, shouldn't you be inside the cave? You are our frontliner, after all," she chided, narrowing her eyes.

Kel shrugged, his usual grin plastered across his face. "Sard's handling it. Said he wanted to check for traps and whatnot. The guy's meticulous—I trust him. And judging by this crispy mess here," he gestured to the charred corpse of what had once been a demon, "I'd say there's not much left alive to fight anyway."

With a careless motion, he poked the blackened husk of the demon with the toe of his boot. The body crumbled slightly, sending up a puff of ash and the unmistakable stench of burnt flesh.

Meli wrinkled her nose and took a step back. "Kel, stop messing with it. Ugh. The smell alone is going to make me lose my breakfast. Anyway, any thoughts on why lesser demons would be out here? Your guess is as good as mine."

Kel tilted his head. "I dunno. You're the priestess. Shouldn't your goddess have sent you a vision or something?"

Meli rolled her eyes. "That's not how it works. But... if there are lesser demons involved, and they were sent to collect sacrifices..." Her voice trailed off, her gaze hardening. "Then there should have been a proper demon orchestrating this. A real one. We'll need to report this to the guild as soon as we're back. This kind of activity isn't random."

Kel sniffed the air, wincing. "Whoever did this has a mean streak. Burned the lot of them to cinders." He glanced at her, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You know, Vikar said it was the kid's quest. That raw copper rookie from Kedor we met a while back. Remember him?"

Meli's brow furrowed, her lips parting in disbelief. "Him? No way. That kid's barely old enough to hold a sword, let alone take on demons. This..." She gestured at the charred remains. "This looks like the work of a seasoned mage."

Kel shrugged again, his nonchalance grating against the macabre scene. "Hey, don't look at me. I'm just telling you what I heard."

At that moment, Sard emerged from the cave, waving them over. His face was pale beneath his mask, but his tone was matter-of-fact. "It's clear. They're all dead. No human casualties, thankfully. No traps, either—if there were any, they were probably destroyed in the chaos."

Meli glanced between the two men, her skepticism etched into her face. "Are you sure? Should I inspect the area with magic? There might be something you missed."

Sard shook his head firmly. "I wouldn't recommend it. The smell's a thousand times worse inside. Even with this mask, I nearly lost my lunch. Whoever did this wasn't subtle."

"Right," Kel said, clapping his hands. "Let's board it up and get moving. Whatever these demons were up to, it's above our pay grade. Let's get back to the village and file our report."

As Sard and Kel began the trek back, Meli lingered at the entrance. Her eyes lingered on the carnage, the twisted, blackened remains scattered across the ground. The air reeked of sulfur and scorched flesh, and the faint echoes of something wrong gnawed at the back of her mind.

"There's no way," she whispered to herself. "That kid couldn't have done this. Not alone."

She turned and followed the others, but the image stayed with her, refusing to fade.

____________________

"Congratulations, Adam! You've completed your first official quest! Hurray!"

Vikar's boisterous voice echoed through the guild hall as he gave a mock bow, his arms spread wide. Adam sat slumped in a chair, his face pale and his eyes dull.

"Vikar," Adam croaked, his voice barely above a whisper. "You said it was wolves. Just... wolves."

Vikar laughed, clapping him on the shoulder. "That's what the quest paper said! How was I supposed to know there'd be demons involved? But hey, you survived! That's what matters. And for your great contribution—and the significant risk—you'll be getting a hefty reward. Plus, you can take it easy for a while. No need to rush into another quest, eh?"

Adam's gaze darkened, and his lips curled into a weak snarl. "When I die... I'm haunting you."

Vikar only chuckled, his grin unshakable. "I'd expect nothing less, kid. Now go rest. You've earned it."

Adam stumbled out of the guild hall, his head throbbing. The events of the night before were a blur, hazy and disjointed. He remembered fire—searing heat, blinding light—and screams.

The story had been pieced together for him by the villagers. No one had been harmed, and the demons had been eradicated. Yet Adam could recall none of it.

As he climbed into the carriage bound for the capital, the scent of smoke lingered in his nostrils. Beneath it was another scent, faint but unmistakable—the sickly-sweet tang of blood.

He clenched his fists, his knuckles white. This isn't right, he thought. Something happened back there. Something I don't understand.

The carriage jolted forward, and Adam leaned back, closing his eyes. Sleep didn't come easily. The faint wail of a crying infant echoed in his mind, growing louder and more distorted until it was no longer human.