Shadows on the Road

Chapter 8 – Shadows on the Road

Almost a full day had passed since they left the quiet village of Elmere.

Ren sat at the back of the carriage, his silver hair fluttering in the breeze, eyes scanning the forest line with a distant calm.

Takashi, meanwhile, was chatting with the driver up front—his tone serious, but his body relaxed.

“So, were there any robberies on your last trip?” Takashi asked, leaning back against the seat.

The driver shook his head. “No, sir. These days, such incidents have dropped thanks to the Adventurer’s Guild patrols. But nothing in this world is ever completely safe. There are always a few… bold ones.”

He tugged the reins, slowing the horses slightly as the wheels creaked over the dirt road.

Ren narrowed his eyes. A faint movement—something darker than shadow—shifted behind the trees.

He smirked. “No attacks, no robbers, huh? Takashi, looks like our luck’s about to be tested.”

Takashi turned, frowning slightly. “What do you mean?”

Before Ren could answer, the driver suddenly pulled the reins tight. The horses neighed sharply, and the carriage screeched to a halt.

The air changed.

A heavy pressure—bloodlust—rolled in like a wave, thick enough to make even the birds go silent.

“I-It’s… the Black Fang Crew,” the driver stammered, his hands trembling as he covered his head. “Why are they here?!”

Ren and Takashi stepped out of the carriage, calm but alert.

“There’s no reason to be afraid,” Takashi said, hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sword.

“You don’t understand!” the driver said desperately. “They’re monsters! The worst kind of people you could meet on this road!”

Takashi tilted his head. “Oh? Are they really that special?”

The driver’s eyes widened. “You don’t know them?! Each one of them has a bounty of ten thousand gold coins on their heads!”

Ren met the gaze of the man stepping out from the trees—their leader. A tall, scarred figure with a cruel grin and a jagged blade at his waist.

“Ten thousand, huh?” Ren said, unimpressed. “I expected more. Looking at you… I’d say you’re worth maybe half that.”

The leader’s grin vanished. His face turned red with rage. “You little brat! I’ll kill the white-haired one myself! The rest of you—kill the driver and that swordsman!”

Ren sighed, scratching his head. “See, Takashi? Mr. Leader’s getting red. I told you our luck ran out.”

The leader roared, stepping forward. Sparks of dark magic flared around his sword.

“You insolent wretch! I’ll show you your place!”

Ren glanced at Takashi, about to say something—but Takashi cut him off.

“You picked this fight. Don’t expect me to help.”

Ren chuckled. “No, no, you got it wrong. The driver said they’ve got a bounty—so don’t kill them, just catch them.”

“Stop ignoring me, you little—!”

The leader’s words were cut off as Ren’s fist slammed into his gut.

A deep thud echoed through the clearing.

The leader dropped to his knees, gasping for air, eyes wide in disbelief.

Ren exhaled lazily. “Big reputation, zero strength. What a disappointment. You done, Takashi?”

Takashi was already cleaning his hands. “I was done before you started.”

“Good,” Ren muttered, stepping back into the carriage. “Let’s move. We’re wasting daylight.”

With the help of Takashi’s magic, they bound the entire Black Fang Crew inside a makeshift cage attached to the carriage.

“You two are really something,” the driver said, still in awe. “Are you adventurers?”

“Not yet,” Ren said. “We’re joining the Guild once we reach the capital.”

Ren looked toward Takashi. “So… who’s claiming the bounty?”

Takashi replied, “First, we register at the Guild, then hand them over and collect—”

The driver interrupted, “No, sir! You can claim your reward directly from the city guards at the Gates of Ardentis.”

Ren’s eyes lit up. “Even better.”

By evening, the towering white walls of Ardentis, the capital of the Kingdom of Valmor, came into view.

The two claimed their bounty at the gate—then headed toward the grand Guild hall to register.

But the moment they stepped inside, something unexpected happened.

The air inside the hall shifted.

Ren froze. Takashi’s eyes widened.

And in that instant… both of them realized something—or someone—was waiting for them.

Waiting for Takashi.

Who is this mysterious person, and what awaits them in Ardentis?

To be continued...