Chapter 1: The Traveler (Part 2)

The Vilpora forest. This sea of forestry spread wide in the center of the continent and was home to varieties of plants, animals, and monsters as well. There's no end to reports or news of the surrounding settlements plagued by the monsters, along with the quests for the guild to solve the problem. Adventurers thrived in these areas, fighting off the monsters. It is a job that requires putting their lives on the line to venture into danger.

And with the appearance of the dungeon, the forest monsters are stirred. High-ranking from the depths of the forest and other unknown monsters prowled around where they shouldn’t be, making the forest worse for hunting and foraging.

Even so, a group of adventurers ventured it's depths, weaving their way through the dense thickets and trees. Birds sang jolly and played in the branches only a few rays of light filtered in. An occasional cold breeze brushed her skin —a faint reminder of the past winter. Esveles attuned her ears to every rustle and glance around, wary of something amiss. Perhaps a monster still lurked in the undergrowth. But that was impossible, wasn’t it?

They’re cautious even if there’s no need to. Perhaps that was what he was implying to them.

In front of her, Ruy glanced back.

Toward the one with the least tension, or perhaps it’s safe to say, the one who threw caution to the wind

At the very rear, a little bit of distance from the party, was the traveler in an academic robe. The person they invite for a joint expedition.

Contrary to the feeling of the cautious group, he was the only one peaceful vibe, glancing at the scenery around him with light steps.

“You sure are carefree, huh, traveler,” Ruy said in a loud voice, sounding impressed.

“Yeah, you act like this is some sort of excursion,” said the man in a black coat, his gaze forward to the woods.

Yord is the new addition to First Dawn as a scout who was recommended by the Adventurers Guild for being of rank A. Since he was a veteran and a freelancer, Esvele decided to hire him for the time being.

“Well, the weather’s great.”

Esvele couldn’t help but sigh at the traveler’s buoyant reply. They haven’t been together so long, but she felt he knew more or less his attitude.

“You could try to be cautious even if there weren't monsters nearby. This is still the monster nest. Carelessness is one of the leading causes of death of adventurers.” Esvele said strictly. Admonishing him on his unbothered attitude.

“That’s true…” He said softly. “But I’m not an adventurer, and from what I see, there’s nothing to be cautious about right now.”

With his detection magic, He provided the information on where the monsters were and a rough estimation of their strength.

But even so, they weren’t safe against the terrain and insects, and other animals that posed a problem to them. Perhaps he didn’t consider them a problem to begin with.

Since they were here for the dungeon and not hunting, they came prepared, equipped themselves with a monster repellent device, and even insect repellent incense.

However, some monsters proved it ineffective. They encountered goblins and giant spiders that forced their way through, though most were avoided if not worth the trouble. Perhaps he’s allowed to be at ease since he wasn’t the one dealing with the monsters.

“Interesting? So the monsters here pose no danger to you?” Elbard asked, cutting off the branches blocking his way.

“In this area, yes. But who knows when we go deeper.” He said as he veered on his way to the thickets. He picked up a baby bird from the ground and jumped up into a tree to return it to its nest.

“That detection magic sure is convenient. Does it also detect human presence?” Esvele smiled and asked.

“No, this spell is only tailored for monsters. As a lone mage, I need to know the location of my enemies beforehand so I can prepare my magic, kill them if possible before they get close.”

“You really think this through, huh. No wonder you’re confident doing this alone.” Fenma said, sounding impressed. “My detection magic includes people, though only reach 100 meters at best, and stretching further will consume more mana. And using it all the time will deplete my mana reserve, so I really need to be smart, when to use it.” Said Fenma, “Which makes me wonder just how much mana you actually have if you’re using it all the time. It seems you’re not experiencing any fatigue.”

The traveler smiled and replied, “I’ll tell you, my mana is lower than the average mage. It’s just my magic works differently. If I do it you’re way, I will only reach the same distance as yours if not shorter.”

“I see, a different spell formula?”

“Something like that.”

“But still, there’s might be monster that can hide its presence perfectly and may bypass your detection. There are reports of unknown monsters and even unique ones after all. There’s a possibility that—”

“Don’t jinx it, Rudel,” Ruy said, admonishing their paladin.

“But he is right, lad, with the forest being as it is now, there is a possibility that monsters like that exist. You should be the most careful one around here since you’re alone.” Yord said.

“Noted.” He said, then muttered, “Though if there is even a monster like that here, we’re doomed.”

Esvele, looking at him soberly, His words hadn’t escaped her and planted a budding concern.

“By the way, don’t you think the assassin is taking a while to return?” Yord’s asked tuning to the group.

They don’t have problems with the monsters so far. But since they’ve been avoiding a needless battle so far, they’ve long veered away from the usual route the adventurers use. Clavic was in charge of navigating through the forest and picking the best terrain for the party to use. But it seems it’s been a while since he returned.

“He is probably having trouble navigating the terrain. But he’ll be back before you know it.” Elbard assured him. Since he was the leader of his party, he knew full well of his comrades.

And as if right on cue, he fell from above and presented himself before the group.

“There is a huge cliff up ahead. We have to turn west to get through.” He said curtly.

“Something’s coming from the north west.” The traveler sighed, looking down, gaining everyone’s attention."

“How strong is it?” Elbard asked, keeping his calm.

“Rank A… perhaps upper rank A?”

“What now? Should we hide to let it pass us by?” Rudel asked.

“It’s a dangerous monster, of course, we have to avoid it,” Fenma stated, as if it were the natural conclusion, which was seconded by Esvele.

“I agree, let’s move,” Esvele said

Albard glanced at Clavic, who nodded in response.

“Sound barrier.” Fenma then cast her magic, a spell to muffle the sound they created.

It was then that the party dashed forth to avoid the incoming monster.

Uninviting the terrain as it is, the party traverses the undulated forest ground with ease. Elbards spearheads the thicket; one swing of his sword is enough to clear the way, and even fells some small trees. This just proves rank A status isn’t just for show. Other blade wielders joined to clear the way.

“Looks like we can’t avoid it.” The traveler stopped, prompting the party to halt. “It’s homing right towards us.”

The party followed his gaze to the trees. And it didn’t take long before a distress call reached them.

“Help!”
“Help us!”

Two men emerge from the trees. Tailing behind them is a large beast bulldozing its way through the blocking trees.

“Mother fu-ker!” Yord cursed, drawing his short sword at the ready.

Beside him, Ortiz fetcheed his sword from his back and grunted, “It must be the urzyk from the lower levels.”

Esvele and her party braced themselves, their gaze fixed on the approaching monster.

The beast stands on its hind legs, and it can easily reach 3 meters in height. Its sharp, dark brown fur can blend in with the woods easily. Its face is akin to a malnourished bear with long ears like a bunny.

It’s swiped. It swipes its long arms, hoping to catch the two adventurers. But the two sides split up from both sides, evading the sharp claws that cut the tree that stood between them.

“Let’s go!!!”

Elbard barked out. Charging the beast together with his crew.

Esvele won’t accept being left sideways, so she issued an order.

“Let’s support them.”

“Strength boost, speed boost.” Fenma points her wand to Esvele, Ruy, and Rudel in order, granting them a physical boost through magic.

No sooner than the film of light that covered them faded than the vanguard dashed and intercepted the beast. leaving only the rear guard, the wizard, and the priestess.

The monster roared, eye raging in hatred or perhaps joy, seeing two prey increase to eleven

Elbard slips underneath the approaching arm, then strikes its leg. It was a shallow cut, nevertheless enough to make the monster furious. It roared and swiped its arm to get back at him. Elbard seems fast on his feet and evades.

From the side, Ortize swung his bastard sword on its legs. With its large side, the blade would deal a lot of damage, but it went as far as Elbard goes.

“Danm!” Ortiz cursed, pulling the blade. But the monster opened its mouth, and warm light glowed within. This is not good -was written on his face.

“Get behind me!” Rudel barked as he planted his large shield to the ground. “Stout barrier!”

A transparent sheet of ocre light radiated from the shield. A ball of condensed prana shot out from the monster, shattering the barrier like glass.

Both Rudel and Ortiz blasted away to distance.

“Rudel!” the priestess ran off to the two most likely to cast healing magic to get them back up.

At that brief window when the monster’s finished, its innate magic, Esvele and Ruy sneak up from both sides.

Esvele jumped and slashed the shoulder, opening up a wound. The urzrk roared in pain and anger, glaring at her. But with its attention occupied, Ruy aimed at the wound in its legs that Ortiz dealt. However, its eyes shifted to him.

Ruy jumped back with all it’s might before the spot he was before exploded. The shockwave upon impact sent chunks of earth and plants hurling.

—Him included.

But he quickly got up and braced his sword.

At that time,

“GRROOARRAR!”

Clavic jumped from above and delivered an intersecting slash on its back.

“Guys, clear the way!” Fenma bellowed. Atop her raised wand was a large fireball that could easily swallow her size.

The surrounding party obeyed and backed off, giving way to the rushing fireball.

An explosion resounded in the forest along with a flash of light. Fire spread around the area. Heat oozes from the smoke and embers that scorched the ground.

Urzyk staggered, but did not fall. It seems it was hurled several meters by the blast.

Smoke roses from its charred body, but no visible damage so far. Its eye is still burning with the desire to get revenge.

“Looks like it’s lively.” Rudel approached the group fully healed, together with Ortiz, his giant sword resting on his shoulder.

“It won’t be long,” Ortiz grunted.

The vanguards slowly surround it.

The monster turns its head to its targets, perhaps confused about who it should aim first.

The monster roared before it jumped forward, arms gleaming with prana, rushing to Ruy. Rolled over to dodge but swatted the other arm.

But before the contact, he held his sword to mitigate the damage; nevertheless, he was thrown into the trees. Evele, determined to get back for him, stepped up, but soon jumped backward to dodge the prana ball. She landed safely.

However, behind the monsters,

“Eat this!!!”

Yord successfully slipped on its sharp eyes and dealt more damage to the wounded leg. Pieces of flesh were thrown in the air, along with blood, as he struck with his daggers in a rapid succession. A fleeting victory before he retreated.

Growling, the urzyk swiped its claws toward Yord. He jumped forward and rolled over the ground to evade. It seems he generated the aggro, as the monster followed him. With his stance broken, he sure is cornered. However,

Rudel charged to intercept, Esvele and Ruy followed suit. Battles against the beast rage on, filling the forest with boisterous noise, the cries of both the monster and adventurer.

Meanwhile, as the vanguard was busy fighting, Fenma chanted her spell again.

“That fireball was a bad idea.” His gaze was fixed on the battle ahead.

“You? Are you not going to cast your magic, too, sir traveler?” the priestess asked, not pleased as he was the only one not helping in the fight.

“No need, these guys can do it themselves. Even a triblade alone and kill it. ” The young man sounded so sure of his assessment.

Fenma gazed at him sharply.

“Even so, this is still a battle; we need to help! This is the basis of our collaboration.”

“You’re right… But I don’t need to use magic for this situation.” The young man picked two random rocks nearby. ”

“Uh… and what are you going to do with those rocks?” Esvele asked, her brows knitted together,

After inspecting it briefly, He flicked his wrist—an almost lazy motion—and the rock flew with impossible precision.

Dead in the eye; the beast flinched and cried with a deafening wail, but it was soon followed by another rock to the other eye, making it even. With its vision robbed, it flailed its arm wildly, wailing.

Was that magic? But it didn’t seem like it. What dropped on its feet was an ordinary rock marred with blood.

But who could have done it?

Esvele looked over her shoulder.

A traveler stood beside the surprised mage. It was easy to tell who did it.

“Just use wind magic or anything as long as it’s non-AOE.”

Fenma turned to the traveler, whose gaze was still fixed on the battle.

She bit her lip and surrendered, “Fine!” waving his prize wand and chanted, “Wind of sliphs gather before the hymed of sky…” air gathered atop her head and formed a large orb, gleaming with verdant hue.

“Wind blast!” she cried as she waved her wand, releasing the wind orb.

The urzyk was launched once more and crashed into a tree behind. With its posture broken, this gave the vanguards close in and inflict as much damage as possible.

Paladin, with his mace, pounds the left leg to keep it down. Ruyed followed up; his sword gleamed with prana and cut open its right legs. Yord sneaked to its back and swipes his daggers.

Every strike of the blade solicited a painful growl. This can’t go on. The Urzyk, driven with rage, flung massive arms and pounded the surroundings blindly, hoping to hit their enemy. The forest ground was plowed and unearthed, sending the debris into the air.

But it failed to reach its target as they all retreated to safety. How could he know? It’s blind.

Eventually, another wind orb took him down.

This time, Esvele dashed forth. Prana infused her saber, gleaming in umber light. Pack with strengthening magic, she managed to cut off the arm that was approaching her. She didn’t stop there and jumped up, twisting in the air before she pierced its head. Blood exploded below its head and ended its life.

Esvele sighed, losing her tension.

“Good work, Capt,” Ruy said as he approached. In tow was Rudel and Yord.

“Are you guys alright!”

“Yeah, you saved us.”

Neia ran towards two adventurers who had been chased earlier. There might be someone among them who needs treatment, even if there’s no visible damage.

Gazing sharply, Yord strode toward them with a brisk pace

“You guys are quite lucky. And stupid. The fuck are you doing!? Yord asked, not hiding his anger. “If we weren’t capable, you could’ve put us in danger.”

“We didn’t mean to, we were tasked to investigate the forest, then that monster showed up, we couldn’t do anything against it. So we had to flee.”

It was a pass parade; of course, anyone on the receiving end would get angry. They basically drag others into the danger they’re in. Perhaps anyone would’ve done so when you’re life is hung on a thin string. But still, it’s one of the practices that is condemned in the adventurer’s field. If her party had ever been in the same situation, perhaps Esvele would’ve done the same. As shameful as it is, as long as those she cared for are safe.

Perhaps Ebard thought the same, he calmly to the group to pacify the situation.

“That’s enough. What matters is we’re all safe.”

The battle is over. Esvele strode towards the rear guard and said, “That was a good assist.”

“Yeah! Good work, Esvele, and to everyone, too.” Fenma said.

The traveler coldly stands by the sideline. It wasn’t evident to everyone, but Esvele’s intuition told her he was on high alert. He has no opening despite being a mage. His expression is calm but cold, like he is waiting for something to happen. Where is he looking at?

Curious, Esvele followed his gaze.

The arguments stopped between the Yord and the two adventurers. And Neia doesn’t want to be doing anything aside from listening to the conversation. Perhaps those two didn’t need any help after all.

Elbard joined Ruy with Rudel. Ortiz approached them and expressed a light gratitude for saving his life.

And Clavic seems to be walking towards them.

Perhaps the traveler was angry with the pass parade that those two adventurers committed?

Then he perked up and turned to the woods.

“Hey, how did you do that?” The Fenma asked. “The rock should have shattered on impact due to the natural fortifying mana.”

“That can wait. Looks like another monster is heading here. the noise must have caught its attention.”

With his words, the argument stops. And all eyes fell on him.

“How strong is it?” Esvele asked with concern.

“Strong enough to wipe us out. Everyone hide,” despite what gravity of the situation, he still had his composure as he headed to the thicket.

The group didn’t ask him any further questions and followed quickly. The two adventurers looked quizzically, but Yord pushed them to move, saying. “Get your ass moving quick, the lad's an accurate detector.

He scurried to the urzrk and unfurled the scroll in front of the beast. He put his hand to the scroll, and a pattern emerged. The moment he touches the beast, its body is vacuumed towards the scroll.

With his task done, he ran over and hid with them.

“Lady Fenma, recast your sound magic barrier.”

“Is that monster really strong for you to be this cautious?” Femna asked, but still followed the traveler’s instructions.

Moments after, a three-meter beast arrives silently. With white fur painted with black patterns. Goat horns on its head, coupled with a rich white mane, its imposing figure exuded a dread that would freeze anyone, enough to make even the veteran adventurers terrified.

“H-Holy shit..! That’s a Whitemane…!” Yord whispered in panic.

“Legend says it’s the guardian of the misty region,” Elbard said, keeping his composure.

“There’s no way we can fight it. That’s one of the strongest S-rank there is!” Ruy gravely said, his hand not parting with the hilt.

“H-how in the world did it end up here?” Niea said, clutching her staff.

Esvele's eyes were fixed on the monster as she broke cold sweat.

If he didn’t warn us, I can’t imagine what will become of us.

She gazed at the young man, who seemed unperturbed about the situation.

The large beast’s ears perked up before it turned and bolted away— perhaps it sensed something. After the Whitemane figure vanished in the distance, it was then that they came out of their hiding spot.

“Alright, coast clear, let’s proceed.” The traveler said, not bothered by checking on everyone.

It was then that a scream rang out in the direction where the white main went off. Everyone knew what was happening. An inevitable fate for those who are caught off guard. Normally, they would rush and help.

But against that monster? Not a chance.

They can only feign ignorance of the dying screams. Looked down in frustration, knowing they won’t be able to do anything.

Elbard clicked his tongue and cursed, “Damn it!”

“Let us go before the beast finds us,” Yord said, sheathing his daggers at his belt.

And so the group made their way deeper into the forest.