Betrayal, What?

As Cauis and the group approached the inn, they were surprised to see Dylan outside, laughing and playing with a group of children. He was crouched down, pretending to be some kind of monster as the kids ran around him, giggling and trying to "defeat" him.

"Dylan...?" June blinked, tilting her head in confusion. "Weren't you supposed to be resting?"

Dylan looked up with a grin, one of the kids hanging onto his arm. "Oh, hey guys! Yeah, I was, but then these little rascals asked me to play, and, well..." He shrugged, clearly enjoying himself.

Axel smirked. "So much for being too tired to take a quest."

Dylan chuckled, lifting one of the kids onto his shoulders. "Hey, playing with kids takes less effort than fighting monsters, alright?"

Alisan crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Are you sure about that? They seem to be winning."

The kids cheered, as if proving her point, and Dylan let out a dramatic groan. "Agh! They're too strong!" He collapsed onto the ground, making the children laugh even harder.

Cauis shook his head with a small smile. "Well, at least you're in good spirits."

Dylan grinned up at them. "Of course."

The kids cheered, raising their arms in victory. "The monster is defeated! We won!!" they shouted happily, jumping around Dylan, who lay "defeated" on the ground with a dramatic groan.

"Ugh... You guys are too strong..." Dylan muttered, pretending to struggle as the kids laughed around him.

Just then, their parents called out from nearby. "Come on, it's time to go home!"

"Aww..." The children pouted but quickly ran off after waving goodbye. "Bye, big brother Dylan! Let's play again!"

Dylan sat up, watching them leave with a soft smile. "Yeah... let's play again."

Cauis crossed his arms, smirking. "So, the mighty Dylan was defeated by a bunch of kids, huh?

Dylan stretched, letting out a satisfied sigh. "Hey, they were tough opponents."

June chuckled. "You looked like you were having fun."

Dylan grinned. "Maybe. But you guys should try it next time seriously, it's a great way to unwind."

Alisan shook her head with an amused smile. "I'll pass. But good to see you back on your feet."

Axel clapped Dylan on the shoulder. "Alright, since you're all better, no excuses next time. You're coming on the next quest."

Dylan laughed. "Yeah, yeah"

As the group shared a laugh, the warmth of their friendship, they made their way back inside the inn. The day's events had been exhausting, but fulfilling, and with their latest quest completed, they could finally rest.

Each of them settled into their shared room, the comfort of a well earned break washing over them. Dylan, as usual, took his spot on the floor, resting his hands behind his head as he stared at the ceiling. His mind briefly drifted back to the strange feeling he had earlier.

"How did I know they were fighting red wolves?"

The thought nagged at him, but he brushed it off, convincing himself it was just his imagination. The rest of the group had already settled into their beds, exhaustion pulling them into sleep. The room was filled with soft breathing, the quiet hum of the inn creating a peaceful atmosphere.

Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, they allowed themselves to rest, recharging for whatever lay ahead.

As morning arrived, Cauis was the first to wake up. He stretched and sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes only to notice that Dylan was gone. His usual spot on the floor was empty, the blanket tossed aside.

Just then, June stirred, groggily sitting up and yawning. Cauis turned to her and asked, "June, where did Dylan go?"

She blinked a few times, still half asleep, before looking around the room. Realizing Dylan was missing, she frowned. "Huh… I don't know. Did woke up early?"

Cauis sighed, already feeling the start of another one of Dylan's unpredictable antics. "Let's find out," he said, getting up to check outside.

As Cauis looked around, he eventually found Dylan in the backyard of the inn, practicing his Temporal Dusk mastery. He watched in quiet amazement as Dylan threw a dagger, the blade vanishing in a blur before striking a distant tree with incredible speed.

Cauis crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow. So that's what he's been up to…

Another dagger flew, faster than the last, embedding itself deep into the wood with a sharp thunk. Dylan exhaled, seemingly satisfied with his progress, but Cauis couldn't help but smirk as he stepped forward.

"You know," Cauis called out, making Dylan jolt slightly, "if you keep training like this, people are gonna start thinking you actually care about improving."

Dylan turned, grinning. "Hey, I gotta keep my title as the most interesting in the group somehow."

Cauis rolled his eyes but couldn't deny it Dylan was improving, and fast.

Cauis asked, "So what was that throw why was it so fast like it was a blur"

Dylan twirled another dagger between his fingers, smirking. "It's Temporal Dusk. Turns out, if I coat my weapons with it, it makes the the dagger really fast its like it get's fast forward, so i named it Accelerate pretty awesome is it not"

Cauis crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow. "Accelerate, huh? So you're basically fast-forwarding the dagger through time?"

Dylan grinned, flipping the dagger once before catching it effortlessly. "Pretty much. Instead of wasting mana on my whole body, I just apply Temporal Dusk to the weapon. The result? A ridiculously fast attack that takes way less energy."

Cauis whistled, eyeing the tree where Dylan's daggers were embedded deep into the wood. "Damn, that's actually kinda crazy. If you threw that at someone, they wouldn't even see it coming."

Dylan chuckled. "That's the idea."

Cauis smirked. "You keep coming up with tricks like this, and you might actually catch up to me one

Dylan rolled his eyes, laughing. "Oh, please. I was ahead of you the whole time. You're just noticing now."

Dylan spun the dagger in his hand before tossing it up and catching it effortlessly. "Oh, this? I… uh…remember when i asked for money from June i uh.., bought this.. and hid it in my cloak." he said with a cheeky grin.

Cauis raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "So, That's why the remaining money left when June took it was low, And here I thought you spend it all on food."

Dylan chuckled, twirling the dagger between his fingers. "Hey, weapons are important! And besides, look how cool this is!" He flicked his wrist, coating the dagger with Temporal Dusk, then threw it toward a nearby tree. The dagger became a blur, embedding itself deep into the wood almost instantly.

Cauis let out a low whistle. "Okay… I'll admit, that's pretty impressive. But you hid it in your cloak this whole time?"

Dylan grinned. "Well, yeah. You never know when you might need a surprise weapon. Besides, I had to make sure I had something to practice with when I finally figured out how to make Temporal Dusk more efficient."

Cauis shook his head with a smirk. "You really are something else, Dylan."

As Cauis and Dylan went back to the inn, they saw June Axel and Alisan ordering breakfast meal as Dylan said to them "Wha- you dint wait for us. Hey miss! i also want a breakfast meal"

June looked over at Dylan and Cauis with a raised eyebrow, a playful grin forming on her face. "Well, someone's up early," she teased, her voice light. "We were hungry and didn't want to wait around all morning for you."

Dylan grinned back, shrugging. "Hey, i was..." He did not finish what he was about to say and just sat down beside them to the table.

The innkeeper, noticing Dylan's arrival, smiled and waved. "Good morning! What can I get for you?"

Dylan on the table with a sly smile. "Same as them, but make mine extra big," he said, giving the innkeeper a wink.

Axel chuckled from the table, tossing a playful look at Dylan. "You were so eager to catch up, now you're asking for more food? Typical."

Dylan gave Axel a mock serious look. "What can I say? I need the energy for today's adventure"

June rolled her eyes but smiled, enjoying the banter, Alisan just shook her head, smiling faintly. 

As the group settled down to their meal, and for a moment, the bustle of the inn felt like nothing more than background noise to their lively conversation.

The group finished their breakfast and headed to the Adventurer Guild, ready to take on the day's tasks. The sun was shining, and there was a sense of anticipation in the air as they walked through the bustling streets of the town.

Upon reaching the guild, they made their way to the bulletin board. After scanning through the various quests, they decided to take on a D-rank escort mission that involved protecting a merchant caravan traveling through the nearby forest.

Cauis glanced at the details on the quest slip. "Looks like we'll be escorting a merchant and their goods. Easy enough for us, right?"

Dylan smirked, stretching his arms. "As long as nothing crazy shows up, we'll be fine."

Axel grinned, cracking his knuckles. "I'm always ready for action."

June checked her gear, making sure everything was in place. "I'll keep an eye on things from the back. Let's make sure nothing happens to that merchant."

With their plan in place, they accepted the quest and gathered their things. The group set off toward the outskirts of town, where the merchant caravan awaited them.

As they approached the caravan, the merchant, an older man with graying hair, waved them over. "Ah, you must be the adventurers! Glad to have you with us. The road can be dangerous, even this close to town."

Dylan gave a friendly grin. "Don't worry, we've got your back."

The group positioned themselves around the caravan, ready for whatever lay ahead as they began their journey through the forest. The sounds of birds and rustling leaves filled the air, and everything seemed peaceful for the moment.

But with their experience, they knew things rarely stayed peaceful for long.

As the caravan made its way through the dense forest, Dylan climbed onto the roof of the cart, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a keen sense of vigilance. From this vantage point, he could see the entire path ahead and the dense trees surrounding them. The wind tousled his hair as he perched, feeling the cool breeze against his skin.

Cauis glanced up at Dylan from the ground, raising an eyebrow. "You're not worried about falling off?" he called out with a teasing grin.

Dylan chuckled, adjusting his position. "I've got it covered, don't worry. This gives me a better view of anything approaching."

Axel, walking alongside the caravan, looked up with a smirk. "If you fall, I'm not catching you, you know."

Dylan flashed a confident grin. "I won't fall. I'm good."

Alisan, who was walking at the front with June, glanced back and shook her head, amused by Dylan's confidence. "Just be careful, alright? We don't want any accidents."

Dylan waved off the concern, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the path ahead. "I'm more concerned about what's out there in the trees than falling."

The rest of the group continued their walk, keeping their senses sharp. With Dylan keeping watch from above, they felt a sense of security, but they were all aware that things could change in an instant. The stillness of the forest only heightened their awareness, as they knew it wouldn't stay calm for long.

The sound of crunching leaves and the distant snap of twigs caused them all to tense up for a moment, but Dylan quickly called down from the roof. "Nothing yet. Just some wildlife."

"Good to know," June responded, keeping her eyes forward as they continued along the path.

As they emerged from the forest, the group was greeted by the sight of Silverforge, the bustling town ahead. It was a lively place, with stone buildings lining the streets, vibrant market stalls, and the distant hum of conversation and trade. The merchant they had been escorting, now visibly relieved to have reached their destination, pointed towards the town with a proud smile.

"We made it!" the merchant exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement. "This is Silverforge, the perfect place for merchants to trade. It's where goods from all over the region come to exchange hands. A place of opportunity for anyone looking to make their mark in the trade business."

The group looked at the town with interest, taking in the sight of the large town gates, which were adorned with intricate metalwork that hinted at the town's name. The air smelled of fresh bread, herbs, and the faint scent of iron and steel Silverforge was known for its blacksmiths and craftsmen. People of all walks of life wandered the streets, from merchant caravans to local artisans, and adventurers like themselves.

Axel cracked a grin. "Looks like a lively place. I think we could get used to this."

Cauis nodded, his eyes scanning the town. "It's definitely a good spot for merchants, but I'm sure there are other opportunities for adventurers here too."

Dylan jumped down from the roof of the caravan with a smirk. "I'm looking forward to seeing what they have here. Who knows, maybe we'll find something interesting or get ourselves into some trouble."

June smiled at Dylan's enthusiasm. "Let's get our job done first, then we can explore. But let's make sure we're careful this time. This place could be full of surprises."

The merchant nodded in agreement. "I appreciate your help getting me here. You'll find the guild and other traders over in the market district. If you ever find yourself needing work or trade, Silverforge is the place to be."

With that, the group made their way toward the heart of the town, ready for whatever the bustling marketplace had in store for them next.

Once they reached the Adventurer Guild, the group made their way to the counter, where they handed over the completed escort contract. The receptionist, a young woman with short brown hair and glasses, took the contract from them with a smile.

"Well done," she said, glancing over the details. "It looks like you successfully escorted the merchant to Silverforge. You'll find your reward waiting for you." She quickly processed the paperwork before handing over the payout for the quest.

The group shared a satisfied look as they received their gold. Cauis grinned, feeling the weight of the reward pouch in his hand. "Not bad at all. That was a smooth run."

Axel cracked his knuckles, clearly pleased. "Easy money. Maybe we should find another quest before we go explore the town."

June nodded thoughtfully. "I agree. We should probably make the most of our time here."

Dylan stretched, glancing around the bustling guild. "I'm up for anything, really. I'm just excited to see what Silverforge has to offer."

Alisan gave a soft chuckle. "We've earned a little break, don't you think? But we can always find more work afterward."

The receptionist gave them a polite nod. "If you're looking for more quests, feel free to check the board. There are always jobs available for adventurers here."

The group thanked her, and with the gold in hand, they headed toward the quest board to see if there was another opportunity waiting for them in the vibrant town of Silverforge.

The group stood before the quest board, eyes scanning the different postings. They couldn't help but notice how many of the tasks seemed perfectly suited to their skills.

One quest stood out immediately Transporting Heavy Crates, which required someone with immense strength. Axel's eyes lit up as he read the description. "This one's definitely my thing," he said, grinning. "Heavy crates? Sounds like the kind of thing I can handle without breaking a sweat." 

Next, there was a quest that caught June and Alisan's attention Ice and Crushing Magic were needed to clear a path through a blocked area, with a strong emphasis on elemental manipulation. June's expression brightened. "This one's perfect for both of us. I could use my magic to freeze the area, and Alisan could crush it with her Rapture. It could be a good way to work together."

Then, another quest caught Cauis's attention a Monster Hunting Quest specifically for a skilled fighter. It was right up his alley. "Looks like they've got something for me, too," he said with a grin, pointing to the quest that listed monsters needing to be hunted and brought down by strong combatants. "I'll take this one."

The group glanced at each other, the options clear and appealing.

The group turned toward the voice, and a man stepped forward, his face eager but slightly wary. "Looking for a party member to help with a Red Wolf hunt! Anyone up for it?" He waved a hand toward Dylan, who was already eyeing the opportunity with interest.

Dylan's curiosity piqued as he looked at the man, then back at his friends. "Red Wolf?" he repeated, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I never got to fight one of those. You guys don't mind if I go with them, right?" He flashed a grin, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

Cauis raised an eyebrow but shrugged, glancing at the others. "It's your call, Dylan. We've got our own tasks, but if you want to try out the Red Wolf hunt, go for it. Just don't get yourself into too much trouble."

June smiled, giving him a supportive nod. "You know you're always welcome to join us, but if you want to do something else, it's fine. Just be careful."

Alisan nodded as well. "I'm sure you can handle it. Just stay safe, alright?"

Dylan's grin widened, and he gave a thumbs-up. "Thanks, guys. Don't worry I'll be back in one piece. I'm gonna show them what Temporal Dusk can really do!"

With that, Dylan turned back to the stranger, ready to join him for the Red Wolf hunt. The group wished him well as he set off, already thinking about their own tasks and how they'd continue their work in town.

The group split off to tackle their own quests, each of them heading in different directions with a sense of purpose.

Cauis, eager for a challenge, headed straight for the monster hunting quest. His eyes sharpened as he thought of the fight ahead, the thrill of battle fueling his determination.

June and Alisan made their way toward the quest involving ice manipulation, a task that perfectly suited their magical abilities. The thought of combining their talents to create and crush ice together brought a smile to their faces, and they quickly discussed how they would approach the job.

Axel, his strong physique well-suited for lifting, headed to the transport task. The job involved moving heavy crates, and with his strength, he knew he'd finish it in no time, and hopefully impress a few people along the way.

Dylan, meanwhile, was already deep into the Red Wolf hunt, his excitement building as he joined the stranger and his team. The idea of testing his newfound abilities on such a formidable creature was something he couldn't resist.

As they all embarked on their respective quests, they couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in their growth as adventurers. Whatever challenges lay ahead, they knew they'd face them with determination and a strong bond.

As the group made swift progress on their quests, the day seemed to go smoothly for everyone except Dylan. While Cauis, June, Alisan, and Axel worked hard, gaining satisfaction from their tasks, Dylan's situation took a darker turn.

He had joined the stranger's party for the Red Wolf hunting quest, expecting a thrilling challenge, but something felt off. The group's leader, a man named Garin, had seemed kind and enthusiastic at first, but Dylan started to notice small signs of mistrust.

As they ventured deeper into the forest, Garin and his two companions grew increasingly distant, barely acknowledging Dylan's presence. He brushed it off at first, chalking it up to their focus on the hunt, but when they ambushed a pack of Red Wolves, everything changed.

In the chaos of battle, one of the party members, a man named Varn, had turned his back on Dylan, attacking him instead of the wolves. Dylan dodged the strike, confused and shocked. His instincts screamed that something was wrong, but he couldn't figure out what.

"Garin!" Dylan called out, trying to make sense of the situation, but the leader didn't react. Instead, Garin stepped back, watching the confrontation unfold with a cold expression.

"You weren't really part of the plan, kid," Varn sneered, his eyes gleaming with malice. "We only took you in because we needed another body for the wolves. But now, you're just a nuisance."

Dylan's heart raced as the betrayal sank in. They had used him as bait, and now they were turning on him.

The wolves had been cleared out, but Dylan's focus was now on his supposed teammates. He had to act fast, or they'd take advantage of his vulnerability.

Dylan's eyes narrowed as the realization hit him. Those he had fought alongside, were now the ones turning their backs on him. He chuckled bitterly, shaking his head. "Ah, so this is what it feels like, huh? One of those betrayal scenes…"

Varn stepped forward, a cruel smirk spreading across his face. "You're not as naive as you look, Dylan, but it's too late now. You were never really part of our plan. We just needed one person someone to fill the role, someone expendable. That's why we advertised for a party member. You weren't meant to be an ally; you were meant to be the sacrifice."

He swung his blade toward Dylan, the edge flashing menacingly in the sunlight. "And now, you're going to fulfill your purpose," Varn taunted, his eyes gleaming with malice.

Dylan froze for a moment, the words sinking in, as the full weight of the betrayal crashed down on him. "A sacrifice?" Dylan repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief. He laughed bitterly, almost as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "So that's why you were desperate for a party member."

He narrowed his eyes at Varn, his grip tightening around the hilt of his sword. "Well, I'm not going down that easily."

Varn's smirk widened. "You've already lost."

As Varn swung his blade, Dylan's enhanced reflexes, powered by Temporal Dusk, kicked in. He dodged the strike effortlessly, moving with such speed that Varn's blade seemed to slice through thin air where Dylan had just been. In a fluid motion, Dylan spun around and landed behind Varn in an instant.

With a swift, almost practiced motion, Dylan drew one of his daggers, coating it with his magic. Without hesitation, Dylan threw it with precision, the blade cutting through the air like a blur.

The dagger struck Varn directly in the head, its force amplified by the magic. Varn's eyes widened in shock as the blade sank deep into his skull. He staggered, trying to comprehend what had just happened, before collapsing to the ground with a final, heavy thud.

Dylan stood still for a moment, watching the body fall. His breathing was steady, his face a mix of calmness and a touch of disdain. He had known something wasn't right, and now the betrayal was over. "Not as smart as you thought, huh?" Dylan muttered under his breath, his expression cold and unyielding.

As Garin and Hank, enraged by the loss of their comrade, lunged toward Dylan, their weapons drawn, he remained calm and collected.

Garin swung his blade with a wild fury, aiming for Dylan's head. But Dylan, using the power of Temporal Dusk, effortlessly sidestepped the attack. Time seemed to slow for him, giving him an almost preternatural ability to react. With a fluid motion, he spun out of the way, his body moving as if gravity held no sway.

At the same time, Hank, who had been lying in wait, made his move, attempting to strike Dylan from the other side. But Dylan was too fast. As Hank's sword descended, Dylan parried the blow with his own dagger, redirecting Hank's strike with a precise twist of his wrist. The impact sent a jolt through his arm, but Dylan's grip remained firm, using the momentum of Hank's attack against him.

"Is that all you've got?" Dylan taunted, his voice cold but laced with confidence. He shifted his weight, preparing for the next move, his eyes locked on both Garin and Hank. Their attacks were relentless, but they were no match for the sheer speed and finesse Dylan had honed with his magic.

Dylan was in complete control now, watching his enemies closely, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. The once tense situation now felt almost effortless to him.

Dylan's heart raced as he noticed the growing pack of red wolves slowly surrounding him. Their eyes glinted with hunger, and the sound of their low growls filled the air. The realization hit him that, despite his earlier display of skill, he was still outnumbered. He had already expended much of his mana, and continuing to rely on Temporal Dusk would only leave him drained and vulnerable.

His instincts kicked in, and he immediately deactivated the magic, feeling the familiar weight of his mana returning to a more manageable level. Without hesitation, he turned on his heel and sprinted toward the town. The wolves, sensing his retreat, began to close in, but Dylan's speed enhanced by his agility and the temporary boost of his magic allowed him to put distance between himself and the pack.

"Run, RUN AWAY DYLAN " Dylan yelled, his voice a mix of determination and desperation as his legs moved faster, every ounce of his energy poured into escaping the wolves' relentless pursuit.

Dylan's heart still raced as he finally made it back into town, the weight of his narrow escape settling over him. He slowed his pace, walking through the bustling streets, the adrenaline from the chase beginning to wear off. But even with the rush fading, there was a lingering heaviness in his chest.

He stopped for a moment, just outside the gates of the town, his eyes scanning the crowd but not really seeing anything. His mind kept replaying the moment when he had thrown the dagger, the cold finality of it. The sharp image of Varn's face as the blade sunk into his head.

He leaned against the stone wall, his eyes lost in thought. "I killed a person, but I don't feel anything. Not even a shred of guilt. Shouldn't I feel something?" He asked the empty air, his voice uncertain.

It didn't make sense. The usual weight of a life lost should have weighed on him, but it was like the moment had passed too quickly. He'd acted on instinct, to survive. Was that what it was? Survival? Or was it something else? Something darker?

He sighed deeply, his mind struggling to make sense of it all. "Maybe... maybe I'm just numb." He shook his head. "Or maybe I'm not who I thought I was..."

As Dylan, see's Axel carrying a big crate he feel a bit at ease as he went to Axel and asked "you still on your quest Axel?"

Axel, his muscles straining under the weight of the large crate he was carrying, gave Dylan a tired but cheerful grin when he spotted him. "Yeah, still on the quest. These crates aren't going to carry themselves!" he joked, his tone as casual as ever despite the heavy load.

He shifted the crate on his shoulder as he walked up to Dylan. "What about you? You look like you've been through the wringer. Everything alright?" Axel asked, his usual carefree demeanor laced with a hint of concern. He had noticed Dylan's distant look earlier, and it didn't go unnoticed now.

Dylan nodded, though it was clear something was still weighing on him. "Yeah, just... a little weirded out," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "But I'm good. Just wanted to check in with you. Seems like you're handling your quest alright." He gave Axel a reassuring smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes.

Axel chuckled, shaking his head. "Handling? More like surviving," he said, shifting the crate again. "But it's all part of the job, right? Anyway, you sure you're okay? You're acting kinda... off." Axel raised an eyebrow, looking at him with genuine concern.

Dylan replied, "Yeah im alright dont worry about me just finish that quickly ill go try look for June.

Axel gave Dylan a quick nod, still focused on the crate. "Alright, take care of yourself. Don't do anything crazy," he said, before turning back to his task.

Dylan watched Axel for a moment before heading off, trying to push the unsettling feeling from the betrayal out of his mind. It wasn't the first time he'd been in a dangerous situation, but something about the whole experience felt different this time. As he walked toward the area where he might find June, he couldn't shake the sense of unease creeping over him.

As Dylan walked around the town looking for June he walked up to the food stall, the savory aroma of grilled meat filling the air. His stomach growled in response, and he couldn't help but smile. He hadn't had a decent meal since the incident, and the smell of the skewers was comforting. 

"Five skewer, please," Dylan said, handing over the coin to the vendo

As he bit into the tender meat, the warmth and flavors helped ground him a little, bringing a brief moment of peace amidst the chaos of his thoughts. He continued to chew thoughtfully, his eyes scanning the bustling streets, hoping to spot June.