Chapter 4 A New Hunt

The next morning, Duen met Leon early in the bustling town square. “You’re late, come on!” Leon chided playfully, already leading the way. “Steve’s office is just ahead, on the second level,” he added, setting a brisk pace. As they strolled towards Steve’s office, Duen caught sight of Lia descending a flight of stairs and walking away from them. “That’s Lia,” Duen thought, wondering why she was at Steve’s office.

A man with familiar features sat amidst a cluttered desk, its surface overrun by books and stacks of papers. He had long, blonde hair neatly parted down the middle, accented by a gold chain around his neck.

“Hi, Steve,” Duen greeted with a warm smile.

“Duen! Damn! I heard rumors that you—” Steve’s words tumbled out in a rush of excitement. He hurried over, placing both hands on Duen’s shoulders, scrutinizing him for a moment before pulling him into a heartfelt embrace. Adorned with several rings, each bearing differently colored stones, Steve emitted an air of familiarity. Yet, his attire and demeanor exuded a confidence distinct from the quiet and aloof Steve Duen had known in his own world.

“Duen’s a legend! He reappeared with a goddess in his arms yesterday, I kid you not,” Leon chimed in, giving Duen a playful wink.

Duen shook his head, a touch of confusion in his eyes. “To be honest, all of this feels surreal,” he said. “Yeah, he kind of lost part of his memories,”explained Leon.

“Losing your memory is a small price to pay,” said Steve. “At least you’re in one piece, alive and kicking.” Steve chuckled as he settled into his chair behind the desk. He pulled open a drawer and whipped out a box of cigars. “Only for buddies. These cigars are from Balon in the south. I traded for them. You can’t find these anywhere else. Give it a try!” Steve encouraged, lighting up a cigar and exhaling a puff of smoke.

“Thanks, buddy!” Leon accepted the offer, lighting up a cigar with appreciation.

“How’s business?” Leon inquired, his usual charming demeanor on full display.

Steve leaned back, puffing out a cloud of smoke. “Busy! Deals are coming, business is brisk.”

“What brings you?” he asked, his tone holding a hint of curiosity. Leon retrieved the spirit stone from his pocket and presented it to Steve. “This stone here, can you get me a certificate?” he inquired.

As Leon got to the point, Steve’s demeanor shifted subtly. He appeared more analytical, studying the pair carefully.

Steve took the stone and examined it meticulously, using a small magnifying glass. He then responded, “I can get you anything, if…”

“If the price is right,” said Leon, completing Steve’s sentence with a knowing smile.

“It’s big, but it’s not a live stone,” Steve commented, his gaze shifting between Leon and Duen. He placed the stone on the table and pinched his chin in contemplation.

“I know that; I want to sell it. How much?” Leon inquired, his voice resolute. “I’ll sell it for you, but I take 60%,” Steve declared, leaning forward with an unwavering gaze.

Leon’s eyes widened in disbelief. “60%, Steve, what the hell!” he exclaimed, swiftly snatching the spirit stone from the table and placing it back into his pocket.

Steve maintained his composure. “Suits you, Leon. Nobody has the connections to get you the certificate except me. I’ll even find a buyer for you. Sixty percent is my share, considering I’m taking just as much risk as you in this deal.”

“50%, Steve! Come on, for old times’ sake!” Leon protested, his determination clear. He slowly retrieved the spirit stone from his pocket.

“55%! Final offer,” Steve stated firmly, extending his hand for a handshake.

Leon glanced at Duen, who gave a nod of agreement. “Deal!” Leon exclaimed with a grin as he shook Steve’s hand. “I bet you already have a buyer lined up,” he added.

Steve smirked. “I probably do. But what really piques my interest is that spirit stone in your dagger, Duen. You’re not selling it? I reckon it’s worth at least ten times more, maybe twenty if it’s a live stone.”

Leon turned to Duen, a questioning look in his eyes. “That’s his family’s heirloom; his mom left it for him. He’s not going to sell it,” Leon explained.

“Never say never,” said Steve with a shrug.

“Steve, did Lia come by earlier?” asked Duen, shifting the conversation. He was eager to learn more about Lia’s recent activities.

“Yes, she did. We just signed an exclusive contract for a hunt,” Steve replied.

Leon raised an eyebrow. “Lia Nightingale going on a beast hunt? Business must be really slow for her to take on a beast hunt,” he remarked, his tone betraying surprise.

Steve nodded. “The bounty is really attractive.”

“You just sit here and broker all the deals, with no risk whatsoever,” Leon quipped, rolling his eyes. “You’re shrewd, buddy… really shrewd.”

“Hey, I do have risks,” Steve defended himself, gesturing to the spirit stone on the table. “Plus, I have all the connections, so I might as well use them.”

Just then, an old man dressed in upper-class medieval attire entered Steve’s office. Steve quickly stashed the spirit stone in his drawer. “Which reminds me, I’ve got important business, buddies. I’ll update you once this is done,” he said, rising to greet the old man.

Duen nodded and waved. “See you around, buddy!” Leon called out as they exited the office.

As they strolled through the town square, Leon piped up, “Now that we’ve sold that stone, we should look for more ways to make a quick buck!” However, Duen had other plans in mind.

“Leon, I’m going to look for Lia,” Duen declared.

“Alright, I’ll brainstorm our next money-making scheme. I’ll be fishing at the lake. See you later,” Leon replied. With a wave, Duen happily made his way down the street toward the Nightingale Weaponsmith.

Inside Nightingale Weaponsmith, Lia meticulously inspected a silver spear adorned with a yellow spirit stone. Placing it gently on a table amid an assortment of blades, armor pieces, and various accessories, she methodically checked items off her checklist. Perching the pencil back behind her ear, she remained immersed in her task.

The soft chime of the doorbell broke her concentration, prompting Lia to look up, pencil poised in her hand. “Good day!” she greeted warmly, her demeanor welcoming.

Duen returned the smile as he stepped into the shop. “Good day, Lia,” he replied, his gaze drifting to the array of equipment on the table. “I was thinking of grabbing some tea and pastry. Would you care to join?” he offered, noticing Lia’s busy schedule.

“Hi, Duen. I’m swamped at the moment, but thank you,” Lia responded with a gentle smile, briefly diverting her attention from her work.

“Actually, I was just about to look for you,” Lia continued after a moment of reflection. “I have something to discuss with you.”

“Sure, what is it?” Duen inquired, eager to hear Lia’s request.

Lia hesitated for a moment, her concern evident. “But I’m not sure if I should. You just came back from that botched hunt.”

“Tell me what’s on your mind, Lia,” Duen urged, his gaze focused intently on her.

Her cheeks tinged with a faint blush, Lia finally voiced her request, “I’d like to hire you.” 

Duen’s expression registered surprise. “What exactly do you mean?” he inquired, intrigued.

“I’ve received a job from Steve, and we’ve sealed an exclusive contract. Tomorrow, I’ll venture into Girden Heim Forest in pursuit of a winged beast. The client seeks the core of this creature,” Lia revealed. “The bounty stands at 10,000 silvers, and Nightingale Weaponsmith will undertake the crafting of the weapon for the client.”

“10,000 silvers, wow!” Duen exclaimed.

“Business has been sluggish lately, and I saw this as an opportunity,” Lia continued. “With the necessary equipment at hand and the forest harboring a plethora of unique creatures, it also presents a chance to acquire rare crafting materials.”

“Would you be interested? I’m willing to offer you a 30% share,” Lia proposed.

“30%?” Duen exclaimed.

“Fine! 40% is my final offer. If you decide otherwise, I’ll ask Leon,” Lia countered.

“No, I’ll do it!” said Duen quickly. He couldn’t bear the thought of Leon being alone with Lia for days, so he swiftly decided.

“Really, great!” Lia beamed.

Duen felt a wave of relief wash over him as he saw Lia’s smile. “What is the Winged Beast, though? Do you have more information on the creature we’re supposed to hunt?” he asked.

“Steve said there’s not much specific information; we’ll know more when we get there. ‘Winged Beast’ is probably just their way of naming it. We’ll get more details when we arrive,” Lia replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

“But for 10,000 silvers, it’s probably a rare-grade beast,” Lia explained, her tone more assured.

“A rare-grade beast? Beasts have grades too?” Duen asked, his curiosity piqued.

“Yes, of course. It’s directly related to the grade of the spirit stone,” Lia replied, her expression animated.

Duen’s eyes sparkled with interest as Lia continued passionately, “That blade which you inspected yesterday…” she pointed to the beautiful blue blade hanging on the wall.

“The Stone of Astacama…” Duen recalled.

“That’s a rare-grade live stone,” Lia confirmed with a nod. “The stone was crafted from Astacama’s core, which is a rare-grade beast,” she elaborated. “Moving up the ranks, there’s Unique grade, Sacred grade, Mythical grade, and of course, Ancient grade.”

“Ancient grade! Wow, tell me about Ancients, Lia,” Duen prompted, completely absorbed in the conversation.

Taking a deep breath, Lia replied, “Those are the rarest of all. I have never seen an Ancient stone or an Ancient Beast for that matter.”

Lia’s smile faded as she grew serious. “Duen, I believe the beast hunt you went on was an Ancient Hunt,” she stated.

Duen was taken aback. “We were hunting for an Ancient-grade Beast?” he asked in disbelief.

“Yes, and hundreds signed up for it after being lured by the immense bounty offered,” said Lia. “Do you remember anything?” she inquired.

Duen shook his head slowly, his expression filled with concern. “No, not at all, Lia,” he said. “And no one came back?” he questioned.

Lia sadly nodded. “Apparently, only you did. Everyone else is still missing, not even bodies were found.”

Lia thought for a moment before firmly stating, “So I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to pass on this hunt.”

“I get to spend a few days just with you; no way am I passing on this,” replied Duen, a warm smile returning to his face.

“Great! Pack your supplies, and we’ll leave tomorrow morning,” Lia said with a slight blush and eager smile.

The next morning, Duen hurried down the wooden stairs, the steps creaking under his eager footsteps as he anticipated the adventure with Lia. Gus sat at the dining table, nursing his coffee, his gaze fixed on Duen as he descended.

“Good morning, old man!” Duen greeted with a wide grin, reaching the bottom of the stairs. Gus frowned, scrutinizing Duen closely, a hint of concern creasing his brow. “You’re not in trouble, are you?” he inquired, his voice tinged with worry.

“What trouble?” Duen laughed, finding it amusing how similar the two versions of Gus were.

Gus raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting to Duen’s attire and backpack. “No work today? Why the change in outfit? Off to the bar already?” he queried, his tone tinged with curiosity.

Setting down his cup, Duen poured himself some coffee. “No mines today. I’ve got a job from Steve,” he explained casually.

“You just came back from that disaster, Duen. Where are you going again?” asked Gus, sounding anxious.

“I’m heading to Girden Heim with Lia for a rare-grade beast hunt,” Duen replied confidently, a spark of excitement in his eyes as he took a sip of coffee.

“Oh, with Lia,” replied Gus, looking somewhat relieved at the mention of her name. “You really don’t remember anything about that hunt, Duen?” he asked, his concern evident.

“No, nothing! I gotta go, old man. I’m running late,” Duen said, his face lit up with excitement as he grabbed his backpack and made his way to the door.

“Wait, did you bring it with you?” asked Gus, his tone serious.

“Bring what?” Duen turned back, puzzled.

“The dagger, Duen. The Stone of Eternity,” Gus reminded him.

“Oh, that. Yes,” Duen nodded, realizing what Gus meant.

“Only use it if you absolutely have to,” Gus emphasized, his voice tinged with concern. “I’ve said this so many times, and I know you’re not a kid anymore. But be careful and keep Lia safe,” he added earnestly.

Duen beamed and nodded impatiently. “Got it, old man! I love ya!” he exclaimed as he rushed out of the house.

“A rare-grade beast should be easy,” Gus whispered to himself, taking a contemplative sip of his coffee.

As Duen hurried towards the gates of Havone, he found everyone already assembled, with a horse carriage waiting. Steve waved as Duen approached, his breath still catching up.

“Good morning!” Duen greeted, trying to steady his breath. Turning to Lia, he paused, struck by her appearance. Lia wore a hunter’s cap, her brown hair neatly tied up, adorned in a well-tailored hunter’s vest, pants, and boots. The outfit accentuated her curves, leaving Duen momentarily mesmerized.

“Lia, you look great!” he complimented, his admiration evident. Lia, caught off guard by the compliment, blushed before reminding him, “That doesn’t change the fact that you are late. We are partners, remember? I have expectations, and you have to keep your end of the deal,” she said firmly.

“Aye, ma’am!” Duen replied with a grin, acknowledging her authority. “That’s classic Lia,” he mused to himself.

“The Star boy has the privilege of being a little late,” said Steve, chuckling.

“Starboy?” queried Lia, puzzled.

“You don’t know? Duen is already famous; he made a name for himself at the mines,” explained Steve.

“Steve, don’t call me that, please,” requested Duen, feeling awkward about the attention.

“Alright, time to get down to business; the bags and equipment have been loaded,” continued Steve. “Both of you will take the horse carriage to the Havone outpost, and the next part of the journey will be by flight. You’ll ride across the sea to the next outpost near Solgandr,” he elaborated. “Girden Heim forest will be a short trek away from the outpost, and you will start the mission. Questions?” asked Steve.

Duen exchanged a glance with Lia, and she smiled confidently before adding, “All good. Thank you for the arrangement. See you around, Steve,” as she boarded the carriage.

“Thank you, Steve. See you real soon,” echoed Duen as he followed Lia onto the carriage.

“Have a safe hunt, and I’ll see you guys back home to split the bounty!” yelled Steve as he waved to both of them, his voice fading as the carriage started its journey.

As the carriage glided through the picturesque plains and scenic landscapes, Duen peered out the window, taking in the beauty surrounding them. Hills rolled gently, adorned with lush greenery and vibrant flowers, painting a serene tableau. “This is beautiful, Lia,” he exclaimed, feeling invigorated by the prospect of adventure. The dream felt incredibly vivid and real to him.

Lia smiled, the wind tousling her long brown locks as she gazed out the window. “It is,” she agreed, savoring the enchanting journey as much as Duen did.

As the carriage rolled along, Duen’s gaze fixed on the yellow spirit stone adorning Lia’s spear.

“Is that a live stone, Lia?” he inquired.

Lia shook her head. “No, it isn’t. Unfortunately, I don’t have a live stone yet. I hope to own one soon.”

“How do you turn the core of a beast into a live spirit stone?” asked Duen earnestly. Lia rolled her eyes. “Seriously, now I’m wondering if I should have picked Leon instead.”

Lia elaborated, “There are only two ways. The first involves slaying the beast and extracting its core, where the soul resides.”

“Then you place it into a spirit container,” said Lia as she reached into her haversack and retrieved a spirit stone container. With a slight twist, she demonstrated how it opened in two before handing it to Duen. He inspected it; it was a white, cloudy casing that could be opened up into two halves.

“Spirit containers are crafted from dead spirit stones,” Lia explained. “Hmm, It’s concave, like a casing, or an avocado without the seed. The seed would be the core, right?” Duen said as he studied the spirit container.

Lia paused, puzzled by the reference. “Avocado? What’s that?” she asked, prompting Duen to realize that the fruit might not exist in this world. “Oh, it’s a fruit, but never mind,” he replied.

“Well, in a way, it is like a fruit,” Lia continued, “the spirit container preserves the core. After which, it must be brought to a core foundry which pressurizes the core and crystallizes it. We have one in Havone at the royal foundry.”

Duen’s curiosity persisted. “And the spirit stone acquires a color?” he inquired.

Lia nodded. “Yes, once crystallized, the spirit stone takes on a distinct hue, and a skilled blacksmith like myself can forge powerful weapons using the live stone.”

“Wait, you mentioned two methods, what’s the other one?” Duen asked, recalling Lia’s earlier explanation.

Lia sighed softly. “Ah, the second method is so rare that it’s almost mythical. Beasts have the ability to transfer their soul or spirit force and attach it to a dead stone, effectively creating a live stone,” she elaborated.

“These occurrences are incredibly rare,” Lia continued, her tone serious. “It usually happens when there’s an extraordinary affinity between the beast and its wielder. I’ve heard stories of Falconian Shamans from Solgandr who possess this ability. When a beast is close to death from old age or illness, and the bond between the trainer and the beast is exceptionally strong, the shaman can transfer the beast’s soul into dead spirit stones, thus creating live stones.”

Lia looked at Duen with concern. “You’ve really lost your memory, Duen… How could you forget these fundamental things?” she asked, her worry palpable.

Duen grinned, enjoying Lia’s company and soaking in every detail of this dream-like experience, not minding Lia’s chiding in the slightest.

After what felt like two hours, the carriage finally halted. Peering out of the window, Duen spotted the carriage rider handing documents to a Havone guard. He couldn’t help but overhear loud screeches and the powerful flapping of wings, sparking his curiosity.

“We’ve arrived,” Lia declared, opening the carriage door and stepping out, gesturing for Duen to follow suit.

“Lia Nightingale?” a guard called out, striding towards them, gripping the leash of a massive beast. Duen’s eyes widened in shock as he beheld the enormous creature, nearly slipping off the carriage in astonishment.

The beast boasted a bird-like head and moved on all fours, its legs resembling those of a bird with sharp talons. Its hooked beak exuded menace, perfect for rending flesh from bone. Beautiful, full-feathered wings adorned its body, and it remained highly alert, scanning the newcomers with its head swiveling from side to side. A white spirit stone was strapped onto its head, and a seat harness rested on its back. This colossal bird-like creature measured approximately 22 feet in length, not counting its tail, and stood at a towering 5 feet in height—almost as tall as Duen himself. Its occasional powerful screeches only added to its imposing presence.

“That’s me!” Lia exclaimed confidently as she strode toward the guard.

“Two Griffons to the outpost, your documents have been cleared,” the Havone guard informed them, handing Lia what appeared to be a whip with a spirit stone gemmed in the handle.

“Come on, Duen, we don’t have all day,” Lia urged, as she approached her mount.

“Sit!” Lia commanded, holding onto the whip. The beast obediently dropped down on all fours, allowing Lia to fasten her backpack securely.

Another guard led a second Griffon out from the outpost and handed Duen the whip. Duen whispered to himself, “Oh my god… we’re going to ride this across the sea.”

Lia glanced to the side and yelled out to Duen, “Tell him to sit so you can strap your backpack.”

“R… right,” Duen replied nervously. He didn’t want Lia to feel she had made a wrong choice by selecting him for this. Summoning his courage, he instructed, “Sit!” The Griffon gazed into Duen’s eyes for what felt like an eternity before obediently dropping down on all fours.

“Hahhaha! I did it!” Duen chuckled with relief as he started to secure his backpack onto the beast.

“Are you ready? From here, we’ll reach the next outpost in probably less than 30 minutes!” Lia yelled as she gripped the harness and climbed onto the saddle, settling atop the Griffon.

“They are trained to fly to the outpost, so just enjoy the ride!” Lia yelled as the Griffon stood up on its powerful legs and started to flap its wings while running forward. With a mighty leap, the huge beast took off into the sky, leaving behind strong gusts of wind and dust.

Duen, trying to overcome his initial nervousness, whispered to himself, “Oh my god, okay, let’s try this.” He covered his face from the dust and stepped onto the harness, pulling himself up to sit comfortably on the saddle. The Griffon made a low rumbling grunt before standing on its powerful legs. “Let’s go,” Duen whispered as he rubbed the beast’s neck. The Griffon responded by flapping its powerful wings, running forward, and then leaping into the sky.

The wind pushed against Duen’s face as they ascended, and he held the leash tightly. The beast let out a low grunt. “Sorry,” Duen said, trying to be aware, and he released the grip. Soon, they were flying over the blue waters, and a breathtaking panoramic view of the horizon unfolded before them.

“Wow…” Duen gasped in awe as he flew over the blue waters on the bright sunny day. He could see the waves and smell the sea breeze. “Let’s dive,” Duen whispered excitedly as he leaned forward and tugged the right side of the leash. The Griffon responded to Duen’s pull, dipping its head and swooping down. “Woooohoooo!” Duen roared with exhilaration as they swooped in the sky.

Lia watched Duen enjoying the ride with a smile and whispered to herself, “That hasn’t changed. He is still such a kid.”

As they crossed the sea, land appeared on the horizon, and soon both of them approached and landed at the Havone outpost. “Wow! That was awesome!” exclaimed Duen as he dismounted the Griffon. Lia had already handed her whip to a Havone guard and was studying a map.

Duen unstrapped his backpack and handed the whip to a Havone guard. “This way, Duen,” Lia said, pointing toward a distant wooded area. “Those woods over there, that would be Girden Heim forest.”

They continued down the path toward the forested area. “Our first priority is to secure a campsite for the night,” Lia said as they approached the forest. As they neared the woods, Lia stopped and placed her backpack on the ground. She unstrapped her spear from her backpack.

“From here on, we’ll have to be prepared for anything. Put these on,” Lia instructed as she took out two lightweight leather armors from her backpack. “Out here, dangers are everywhere, from predatory beasts to rogue hunters. Letting our guard down can cost us our lives,” Lia emphasized as she put on her armor.

“Right,” said Duen with a nod, sensing the seriousness of the situation, and he quickly donned the leather armor. “Wow, this armor is surprisingly light and comfortable. It doesn’t seem to restrict my movement at all,” he remarked, stretching and testing its flexibility.

“Thank you for the compliment; it’s crafted by the best Blacksmith in the world,” Lia said proudly. Duen beamed and nodded in agreement.

As they continued their path toward Girden Heim Forest, a pair of hunters draped in armor walked past them. One of them rested a large axe on his shoulder, while the other had a great sword sheathed and slung behind his back. Both hunters appeared weary, with mud-streaked faces that indicated they had been out in the wild for days. Lia remained cautious, maintaining a safe distance from the pair, but even so, Duen overheard snippets of their conversation.

“Two weeks, and I didn’t even catch a glimpse of it,” one hunter lamented to the other as they passed by Duen and Lia.

“Yeah, I heard that another group spotted it a few days ago, but the hunt went horribly wrong,” the other replied, just as Duen walked by them, leaving their conversation behind.

Duen turned to Lia and declared confidently, “We’ll be the ones to slay the beast.” Lia responded with a simple, reassuring smile and a nod.