Restored!

The next morning, as everyone was getting ready to take on another quest, Dylan suddenly spoke up. "Oh yeah, you guys go ahead without me today."

Everyone turned to him in surprise. Out of all people, Dylan was the last one they'd expect to sit out on a quest.

Caius, in a shocked tone, said, "Wha—? DYLAN, ARE YOU OKAY? You, out of all people, not wanting to do a quest??"

The rest of the group stared at Dylan, equally confused. It was completely unlike him to pass up an adventure.

Dylan said, "Why are you all looking at me like that? Is it weird that I don't want to do a quest or something?" he asked in a confused tone.

The group exchanged glances, still baffled by his sudden change.

June went up to Dylan and touched his forehead, checking for any signs of a fever. After a moment, she frowned slightly and said, "You don't seem to have a fever… also, you're acting kinda weird."

The others watched curiously, still not used to seeing Dylan turn down an adventure.

Dylan let out a small sigh and leaned back. "I'm still tired from overusing my mana," he explained. "I just want to rest up. Is that wrong?"

Caius crossed his arms, still skeptical. "Well... no, but it's just weird coming from you. You're always the first one to jump at a quest."

June nodded. "Yeah, it's just unexpected, that's all. But if you're really that exhausted, then you should take it easy."

Alisan gave him a small smirk. "Just don't use this as an excuse to slack off forever."

Dylan chuckled. "Yeah, yeah, just one day off, I swear."

As Cauis, June, Axel, and Alisan left Dylan to rest, they made their way to the Adventurer's Guild, ready to take on a new quest.

Upon arriving, they approached the quest board, scanning through the available tasks. The guild was bustling with adventurers, some discussing their recent missions while others glanced at the group, still murmuring about how they ranked up so easily.

June sighed, ignoring the whispers. "Let's just focus on finding a good quest," she said.

Cauis nodded, looking over the board. "Something decent but not too easy. Without Dylan, we should be careful about what we pick."

Axel crossed his arms. "Yeah, we don't want to overestimate ourselves either."

Alisan's sharp eyes landed on a particular request. "How about this one?" she suggested, pointing to a mission involving clearing out a group of goblins near a trade route. "It's not too dangerous, but still challenging enough for us."

The group exchanged glances before nodding in agreement. "Alright," Cauis said. "Let's take it."

After accepting the quest, the group wasted no time and headed out toward the location where goblins had been spotted. The mission was simple: eliminate the goblins causing trouble for traveling merchants and ensure the road remained safe.

As they walked through the dense forest, Alisan kept her senses sharp. "We should be close," she said, scanning the area.

June nodded. "Stay alert. Goblins may be weak individually, but in groups, they can be tricky."

Axel cracked his knuckles. "Good. I needed a warm-up."

Cauis grinned. "Let's make this quick, then. Without Dylan, we need to be more efficient."

As they pressed forward, rustling in the bushes made them stop. A group of goblins, armed with crude weapons, emerged from the shadows, their beady eyes locking onto the adventurers.

Cauis smirked, drawing his weapon. "Here we go!"

With that, the battle began.

The goblins charged in with wild screeches, but they were no match for the group's skill and coordination.

Cauis dashed forward, his blade slicing through the air as he cut down goblins one by one with precise, fluid strikes. Each movement was controlled and efficient, leaving no room for the creatures to react.

Axel, on the other hand, fought with raw power. His fists crushed goblins with every blow, sending them flying into trees or slamming them into the ground. One unlucky goblin got caught in his grip and was effortlessly tossed into a group of its kin, knocking them all down like ragdolls.

June and Alisan worked together to provide support. June kept the battlefield in check, ensuring no goblins could flank them, while Alisan used her Crushing Surge to clear out any that got too close.

"They're weaker than I expected," Alisan muttered, keeping her guard up.

June nodded. "Let's not get careless. There could be more nearby."

Just as she finished speaking, a loud, guttural growl echoed through the forest, and the trees rustled violently. A larger goblin, covered in crude armor and wielding a heavy club, stepped out from the shadows.

"A Hobgoblin," Cauis said, gripping his weapon tightly.

Axel smirked, cracking his knuckles. "Now that's more like it."

The real fight was about to begin.

Cauis turned to Axel with a sharp look. "Be my tank! Block its attacks and restrict its movement I'll go for the kill!"

Axel smirked, rolling his shoulders. "On it."

As the Hobgoblin roared and swung its massive club, Axel stepped forward, bracing himself. The club came crashing down, but Axel intercepted it with his bare hands, his Mana Fist reinforcing his grip. The impact sent a shockwave through the ground, but Axel held firm.

"Not bad, but you'll need more than that to take me down!" Axel taunted, tightening his hold on the weapon and preventing the Hobgoblin from lifting it again.

Seeing the opportunity, Cauis dashed in with incredible speed, his blade glinting as he aimed for the creature's exposed side. "Now's my chance!" he muttered, lunging forward with a deadly strike.

Meanwhile, June and Alisan stood ready in case backup was needed. "Let's be prepared in case more show up," June said, eyes scanning the area.

Alisan nodded, mana surging in her hands. "If that thing breaks free, we hit it hard."

With Axel holding the Hobgoblin in place, Cauis's blade was just moments away from landing a decisive blow.

As the Hobgoblin shoved Axel back with a powerful push, its sheer strength sent him sliding across the ground. Axel gritted his teeth, quickly regaining his balance, but before he could counter, June swiftly raised her hands and channeled her magic.

"Chilling Pulse!" she shouted.

A wave of icy energy surged out, spreading rapidly across the ground and creeping up the Hobgoblin's legs. Frost formed in an instant, encasing its feet in solid ice, rendering it unable to move. The monster growled in frustration, struggling against the frozen bind, but the ice held firm.

Alisan smirked. "Nice one, June! Let's not waste this chance."

Cauis wasted no time, gripping his weapon tightly as he rushed forward. "I'm finishing this!" He leaped into the air, aiming for the Hobgoblin's exposed neck, ready to deliver a decisive blow.

With a battle cry, Cauis swung his weapon with all his might, the blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. The Hobgoblin let out a guttural roar as the strike landed, and with a final, forceful motion, Cauis severed its neck.

Axel, wiping sweat from his brow, grinned. "Nice work, Cauis. That was a clean cut."

June stepped forward, nodding with approval. "Yeah, that was impressive."

Alisan chuckled. "Looks like it's over. We handled that pretty well."

Dylan, who had been walking around the town, would have been jealous what they fought.

Cauis and the group carefully cut off the hobgoblin's ear, along with a few goblin ears, as proof that they had completed the quest. They secured the trophies and began making their way back to the town to report their success to the guild.

The receptionist smiled as she handed them their rewards. As they were about to leave, a stranger approached the group with a friendly yet confident smile. "I've seen you guys around doing quests a lot lately. Want to party up with us? We're tackling a Red Wolves quest. I saw you're D-rank, right?"

The stranger's tone was casual, but there was an unmistakable sense of challenge in their voice, as if they were testing the group's abilities.

The group sized up the stranger, taking in his appearance. He had black hair, tied neatly in a simple style, and wore a kimono-like outfit that gave him a sense of elegance and discipline. In his hand, he carried a wide stick, perhaps a weapon, though its purpose was unclear.

Cauis raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the stranger's calm demeanor and confident proposition. "You seem pretty confident," he said, eyeing the weapon the stranger held. "Red Wolves, huh? Sounds interesting. But what makes you think we're the right fit for your party?"

Alisan, always cautious, added, "Yeah, we've been doing our own quests, but teaming up with someone we don't know is a big decision."

The stranger nodded with a calm smile. "I get it, no pressure. I've just seen you guys handle your quests with skill. It's not every day we see a D-rank group that can move with that kind of coordination." He paused, letting his words settle. "The Red Wolves quest won't be easy. But together, we can clear it without issue."

June said, "You said you've seen us handle our quest, does that mean you've been watching us?"

The stranger met June's gaze with a calm and steady look. "Not exactly watching," he replied with a small, knowing smile. "More like observing. I've been around town, noticing adventurers of all ranks, and you caught my attention with how well you worked together on your recent quests."

He adjusted his stance, his wide stick now resting on his shoulder. "I have no ill intentions. Just offering a chance to work together. If you're interested in the Red Wolves quest, I think it could benefit both sides."

Cauis raised an eyebrow at the stranger's words. "Hmm. Well, you certainly know how to get our attention. But we'll need more than just your word to join up."

The stranger gave a small bow. "Fair enough. Let me know your decision. If you choose to team up, I'll be ready when you are."

The group exchanged glances, weighing the offer, unsure of what to make of this mysterious stranger.

Dalvian gave a polite bow, his calm demeanor unwavering. "I apologize for not introducing myself earlier. My name is Dalvian, and I come from the Valsaria Empire. I've traveled far and wide, and I've learned the importance of alliances in this line of work."

Cauis, being polite, replied, "I'm Cauis. Nice to meet you, Dalvian."

The rest of the group introduced themselves, each offering a warm smile.

"I'm June," she said, giving a small wave.

Alisan nodded, her tone friendly, "Alisan."

Axel gave a casual grin and said, "Axel, nice to meet you."

Dalvian said, "Now that we've introduced ourselves, what will it be? Caius wants to form a party."

Cauis thought for a moment, then glanced at his friends, considering Dalvian's offer. He nodded thoughtfully before turning back to Dalvian

"Sure, we could form a party," Cauis replied, his tone calm but with a hint of curiosity. "We've been working as a team for a while now, so adding someone new could be interesting."

The group exchanged looks, silently agreeing. They weren't ones to rush into decisions, but the offer was worth considering, especially with the potential of a more challenging quest ahead.

The group, now officially a party with Dalvian included, made their way back to the forest. The air was crisp, and the tension from the previous quests still lingered, but there was a sense of anticipation in the air as they prepared for the red wolves.

Dalvian walked confidently at the front of the group, his wide stick resting on his shoulder. He moved with purpose, scanning the trees and terrain around them.

"Stay sharp," Dalvian said as they entered the forest, his calm voice cutting through the ambient sounds of the woods. "Red wolves are no joke. They're not just strong, but they hunt in packs and are highly territorial."

The group nodded, adjusting their stances and readying themselves for whatever lay ahead. They had faced many challenges before, but the addition of Dalvian to their ranks brought a new dynamic, and everyone felt a renewed sense of focus.

As they ventured deeper into the forest, the shadows of trees grew thicker, and the distant howls of wolves echoed through the air. It wouldn't be long before they encountered the red wolves.

June's senses sharpened, her eyes narrowing as she stood still, listening intently to the sounds of the forest around her. Her body seemed to settle into a quiet alertness, as if she were one with the environment.

After a few moments, her eyes snapped open, a look of certainty on her face. She motioned for the group to halt.

"I sense something nearby," she said in a low voice. "It's close, but it's not moving like a typical animal. Something's off."

The group paused, their attention fully on June, who was now scanning the area, her senses alert to any movement. Her hand subtly reached for her magic, preparing for anything that might appear.

Dalvian's calm gaze shifted to her. "Do you have a visual, or is it more of a feeling?"

"It's close enough for me to feel," June replied, her voice steady, but a hint of caution in her tone. "But we should move carefully. Whatever it is, it's not just a random animal."

The group nodded, instinctively falling into a formation, prepared for anything that might come their way. The quiet of the forest seemed to deepen, as though the very air was waiting for the inevitable encounter.

The red wolf burst out from the underbrush, its eyes glowing with an intense, fiery hue. It let out a vicious snarl as it lunged toward the group, its fangs bared and claws extended.

Axel, ever the protector, stepped forward without hesitation. His massive frame planted firmly between the wolf and his comrades, ready to absorb whatever attack came his way. He raised his arms, positioning himself as a shield to the group, the ground shaking slightly under his heavy presence.

The red wolf, undeterred by Axel's stance, slammed into him with a force that would have sent most warriors sprawling. But Axel gritted his teeth, using his superior strength to hold his ground. The wolf's claws raked against his Stone Shield, the defensive barrier cracking but holding steady.

"Now's our chance!" Cauis shouted, quickly closing the distance. His blade flashed in the air as he struck with precision, aiming for the wolf's exposed flank. His attacks were swift and controlled, aiming to weaken the beast.

Dalvian, taking advantage of the opening, raised his wide stick. He swung it in an arc, his movement fluid and practiced. The weapon glowed faintly as he activated a technique, sending a shockwave of energy toward the red wolf. The wolf howled in pain as the force of the blow pushed it back a step, leaving it vulnerable to more attacks.

The red wolf growled, clearly irritated, but it wasn't done yet. With a swift motion, it snapped its jaws toward Axel, attempting to break through his defense. However, Axel held firm, his strength unyielding as he braced for the next wave of attacks.

The red wolf, enraged by the constant onslaught, lunged forward again, its jaws snapping toward Axel with terrifying speed. But Axel, anticipating the attack, reacted with incredible speed and strength. He swiftly grabbed the wolf by its jaws, using his powerful arms to restrain its head. With a grunt of effort, Axel swung the creature's body around, slamming it hard against the ground with a deafening thud.

The wolf yelped in surprise, momentarily stunned by the sheer force of the impact. It struggled beneath Axel's grip, growling and trying to wriggle free. But before it could recover, June stepped forward, her eyes narrowed in concentration.

"Frost Lance!" she called out,

With a swift motion, June extended her hand, and a sharp lance of icy energy materialized in the air. The frost-covered spear flew through the air with incredible speed, aiming directly for the wolf's exposed side. The moment the lance made contact, it pierced the wolf's body, the freezing energy instantly spreading through its form, freezing it from the inside out.

The red wolf let out a sharp, agonized howl as the cold overtook it, its movements slowing as it struggled against the icy grip. It tried to move, but its limbs were now frozen, leaving it unable to fight back effectively.

Axel stood over the wolf, his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. "Nice shot, June," he grinned, stepping back as the wolf's resistance faltered.

The rest of the group prepared for the final blow, knowing the wolf was on its last legs.

The red wolf, its body frozen and battered, let out one final, desperate howl. The sound echoed through the trees, a mournful cry that carried far and wide, signaling for help from its pack.

For a moment, everything went still. The group exchanged wary glances, knowing that the wolf's call might bring more danger. The silence was broken by the rustling of the trees nearby as the sound of approaching footsteps likely more red wolves filled the air.

Dalvian narrowed his eyes, his grip tightening on his wide stick. "We need to end this quickly," he said, his calm voice laced with urgency. "The others won't be far behind."

June, still focused on the frozen wolf, readied herself. "Let's finish it before they get here."

Axel, already prepared to strike, cracked his knuckles. "I'm ready. Let's make it count."

Cauis, his sword poised, nodded firmly. "One last push. We can't afford a fight with more wolves."

With that, they steeled themselves, ready to deal the final blow before reinforcements could arrive.

The group took a deep breath as they focused their efforts on finishing the red wolf. With one final strike, the beast collapsed, but they had no time to celebrate. The pack, drawn by the wolf's desperate howl, arrived in full force.

A pack of red wolves, their eyes glowing with aggression, surrounded the group. Their snarls filled the air as they began to circle, preparing to strike.

Axel stepped forward, his posture wide and firm, ready to tank. "Looks like we've got ourselves a fight," he said, his voice steady but tinged with excitement. "Bring it on."

Dalvian's calm demeanor didn't falter. He spun his wide stick expertly in his hands, ready to face the pack head on. "Stay close, and keep your guard up," he warned, his eyes scanning the area.

Cauis raised his sword, his focus unshakable.

June, her eyes narrowed in concentration, prepared her next spell, her body taut with energy. "I'll slow them down. We can't let them swarm us."

Alisan stood by, her magic at the ready, watching the pack's every movement. "We'll manage. Just don't let them get too close."

The pack lunged forward, their fangs bared, their jaws snapping at anything within reach. The group had no choice but to engage them, a battle for survival in the heart of the forest.

June's Chilling Pulse erupted from her hands, spreading out in a wave of freezing energy. The nearest red wolves howled in surprise as their legs froze solid, unable to move. The freezing chill spread quickly, rendering several wolves immobile, vulnerable to the group's onslaught.

Cauis didn't waste a moment. With swift precision, he dashed forward, his sword cutting through the frozen wolves with deadly accuracy. Each strike landed true, severing heads and limbs, his movements seamless as he fought with unwavering resolve.

Dalvian, ever calm, moved with calculated grace. His wide stick swung like an extension of his body, the heavy blows landing with precision, knocking out one wolf after another. His experience showed as he maintained a steady rhythm, disarming and incapacitating the wolves without breaking a sweat.

Axel, using his raw strength, powered through the wolves, lifting them with ease and slamming them down onto the forest floor. His sheer power was overwhelming, and with each slam, a wolf was incapacitated, either knocked out cold or crushed under his might. His broad grin never wavered as he threw wolves aside with impressive force.

As the battle raged on, the wolves' numbers began to dwindle, their once coordinated attacks falling apart as they faced the unrelenting might of the group. Despite the overwhelming odds, the pack's determination to fight back weakened as they realized they were outmatched.

The freezing effect from June's spell continued to give the group an edge, allowing them to pick off the remaining wolves one by one. With every fallen wolf, the group's unity and strength became clearer. Together, they had managed to take on the pack without hesitation, a testament to their teamwork and trust in each other.

Dalvian stood with a pleased smile, his eyes scanning the battlefield as the last of the retreating red wolves vanished into the forest. He wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead and turned to the group, his tone impressed.

"You guys are something else," Dalvian said, still catching his breath. "I didn't expect you all to be this good. You make a hell of a team."

Cauis, wiping the blood off his blade, gave a modest nod. "We've had our share of battles. We work well together."

June flashed a proud smile, her usual cool demeanor softening in the aftermath of the fight. "Teamwork makes all the difference."

Axel gave a chuckle, his grin wide. "We got each other's backs, simple as that."

Alisan, her eyes scanning the area to make sure no more wolves were lurking, nodded in agreement. "Everyone did their part. It's what made this work."

Dalvian gave a respectful bow, impressed by their cooperation. "I'm glad to be working with such skilled adventurers. Let's finish this quest, shall we?"

The group made their way back to the guild, their steps lighter now that the dangerous red wolves were behind them. Each of them carried wolf ears as proof of their victory. Upon entering the guild, they approached the receptionist, handing over the proof.

The receptionist smiled warmly as she took the ears, nodding approvingly. "Well done! You've completed the quest," she said as she processed it. After a moment, she handed over their rewards, and the group exchanged satisfied glances.

With the quest officially done, they made their way to a nearby tavern to celebrate. The atmosphere was lively, and their spirits were high after the successful completion of their quest. They gathered around a table, raising their glasses.

"Here's to a great team!" Cauis said, lifting his mug in a toast.

"I couldn't have asked for better people to take on this quest with, Well i wish Dylan was here though" June added, smiling.

Dalvian gave a nod of agreement. "A solid team, indeed."

Alisan gave a soft smile, her usual reserved nature giving way to a rare moment of warmth. "Cheers to us."

Axel grinned, raising his glass a little higher. "To killing wolves and getting paid!"

Laughter filled the air as the group clinked their mugs together, celebrating their teamwork and the success of the quest. After the toast, they split the reward money, each of them getting their fair share.

Dylan's absence was felt, but the group knew he'd rest up for the next adventure. For now, they enjoyed their hard-earned victory, knowing that with each challenge, their bond grew even stronger.

A few hours earlier, Dylan had been walking around the town, still feeling the effects of his mana exhaustion. He had spent most of the day resting and recovering, taking it easy as his friends went out on their quest. Dylan didn't mind the break his body still needed time to recuperate, and the bustling town offered a pleasant distraction.

As he strolled through the streets, he couldn't help but smile at the peaceful atmosphere around him. People went about their daily business, and the sounds of street vendors calling out their wares added a certain charm to the place. It was a nice contrast to the intensity of their recent battles.

Though he enjoyed the quiet, Dylan's thoughts kept drifting back to his friends. He hoped they were handling the red wolves well. They had grown stronger with each quest, and while Dylan was confident in their abilities, part of him couldn't shake the feeling of wanting to be there beside them.

After some time, he returned to the inn, where he found a quiet corner to sit and rest. He couldn't help but think about how much he had changed since meeting the group. They were more than just teammates now they were friends, and he cared for each of them deeply.

Dylan winced, his hand going to his forehead as a sudden sharp pain shot through his head. The headache was intense and unexpected, making him pause for a moment. His mind buzzed, almost as if trying to make sense of something that didn't quite fit. Then, the words slipped out of his mouth before he could stop himself.

"How... did I know they're fighting red wolves?" he muttered to himself, his voice laced with confusion and surprise.

The moment the words left his lips, Dylan felt a strange sense of clarity. It wasn't just a random thought it was almost like an instinct, a sudden realization of what was happening with his friends, even though he hadn't been there. His heart raced as the confusion only deepened. How had he known? What had triggered this odd sense of awareness?

His mind spun as he tried to piece it together, but nothing made sense. Dylan closed his eyes, trying to focus, but the headache persisted. It was as though something was connecting him to his friends in a way he couldn't explain.

Dylan shook his head, trying to push away the lingering confusion. "Must be imagining things," he muttered to himself, a little uneasy but determined to shake it off. His friends were fine, and everything was probably going smoothly on their end. It was just his mind playing tricks on him.

He walked out to the backyard of the inn, the fresh air hitting his face as he stepped outside. The cool breeze helped clear his thoughts, and he took a deep breath, trying to center himself. The yard was peaceful, the quiet hum of the town barely reaching him from beyond the walls. It was a nice contrast to the chaos of the day.

As Dylan leaned against a nearby tree, he allowed himself to relax, watching the clouds roll by. He could hear the distant chatter of people in the town, but for now, it felt like he was in a world of his own.

Dylan stood up straight, his hands steady as he pulled the dagger from his cloak. With a quick motion, he focused on applying Acceleration to the blade. The magic flowed into the weapon, its edge shimmering with the added speed and precision.

Without a second thought, he hurled the dagger at a nearby tree with incredible force. The weapon sliced through the air, a blur of motion as it struck the tree trunk with a satisfying thud. The dagger had embedded itself deeply into the bark, the force of the throw leaving a small crack where it hit.

Dylan smirked, impressed with his own aim, though he couldn't help but feel a bit of satisfaction at the control he had over his abilities. The Acceleration had made the throw far more powerful than it would have been otherwise, and he felt more in tune with his magic as the rush faded away.

"Not bad," he muttered to himself, walking over to retrieve the dagger from the tree.

Dylan paused as he pulled the dagger from the tree, his mind racing. A small grin spread across his face as he realized something. Applying Temporal Dusk to smaller things, like the dagger... it barely drains my mana.

He stood there for a moment, considering the implications. When using his full power in large-scale attacks, his mana had always been drained quickly. But applying it to smaller objects like weapons seemed far more manageable. This realization opened up a whole new way of using his abilities without risking exhaustion.

Dylan tested the idea once more, focusing Temporal Dusk on the dagger and throwing it again with the same precision. It felt effortless this time, and he could feel the subtle mana usage, almost negligible compared to when he'd used it for more intense actions.

"Guess I've been thinking about this the wrong way," Dylan mused, his tone more thoughtful than usual. "I can still use Temporal Dusk... just need to scale it down. Now I just need to get the timing down."