The day is here. After a lengthy farewell with my folks, who were very emotional, to say the least, I set out on my journey to Shalrune. I've got a pretty large backpack with me, practically as big as I am. Mom and Dad made sure to pack anything and everything. It's sweet, if not a bit excessive. But no matter, because this bag will also serve as excellent strength training.
Now onward and yonward to Ryazo Forest we go, baby.
After many miles, I finally reach the monster-filled cesspit known as Ryazo Forest. It's just as big as I remember, but I am far bigger and tougher than I was back then, so it doesn't bother me as I head down the path inward. After a few minutes of walking, there has been shockingly little beast activity, as in none at all. But then again, they usually strike closer to the center of the woods, which is exactly where I'm headed, so it's only a matter of time.
Speak of the devil, and the devil shall appear. Within mere seconds of that thought, a loud roar rocks the very foundation of the ground beneath me, and from the shadows of the dense woods surrounding me, a direwolf bursts out. The beast is as large as I am and twice as ferocious-looking. During my training I practiced fighting monsters in the woodlands south of my village, but I had never come across a direwolf before, so this should be a good test.
The beast is fast as it tries to leap at me and bite my head off, but too bad for this sucker that I can keep up with him easily. I didn't run over ten miles a day for all those years for nothing, baby. I'm as fast as a cheetah. It keeps leaping toward me and taking chunks out of trees. I'm debating what attack to use on the guy. I know it's only an audience of me and the damn wolf, but I want my first attack to be flashy and memorable, something that says hello world, here's your next champion of adventure.
Wait, I've got it. I'll use the lightning fist barrage. It's probably one of my favorite moves, a bit taxing because of the sheer speed and power I put into my punches, but it definitely has a flashy enough look to satisfy my desires. I dodge the wolf's attack one last time, circle around him, and build up my magic power. As soon as the direwolf turns, bolts of lightning course through my hands, and I strike the beast head-on with a barrage of lightning-fueled punches. Punch after punch after punch, about twenty or so blows land across the beast's head and chest within five seconds, the final one sending the direwolf flying backward into a tree.
The beast comically spins on its hind legs and falls over. Yup, that face says it all. This beast is completely out of it. I score the knockout victory. Way to go, me.
Job well done. After that I grab my backpack from the ground and head forward through the woods. Over the next hour or so I deal with a handful more monsters and practice my moves on each one, earning a KO from every beast that steps up to the plate. It's pretty fun, if slightly underwhelming. I was honestly hoping for more of a fight in these woods. Oh well, I'm sure I'll find some real excitement once I join a guild.
I don't really know how guilds work, though. Hopefully they aren't too exclusive or impossible to join. Eh, who cares? No matter what, I'll find a way to become an adventurer.
As I get closer and closer to the end of the forest, I hear a loud scream off in the distance. It is clearly from a woman, less a distressed scream and more a pained one. Well, if someone is in trouble, I can't just ignore it. I immediately sprint toward the direction of the scream. I leap along the treetops since it is faster and makes it easier to get the jump on someone or something if the lady is being attacked.
After about a minute of leaping, I find the source of the sound. It is a girl with a really cool-looking blade. It's red, and there are flames shooting out of it. She must be a fire mage. She looks about my age, maybe a year or two older. She has long green hair and an all-black ensemble with a black long-sleeved shirt, a short skirt, and thigh-high stockings. Not a bad look in my humble opinion.
Anyway, she is bleeding slightly from her forehead and backed into a corner by a group of orcs, waving her flaming sword at them to try to keep them back. Yeah, I suppose I can help her out. Wouldn't want the lady to get eaten or anything.
I leap into action, planting myself between her and the orcs. Before either the girl or the orcs have a chance to react, I strike, sending one of my main attacks, the Million Volt Howl, straight at the attackers. It absolutely fries the whole lot of them in one quick blast. They collapse before my eyes, burned by the admittedly excessive lightning I used. There is even a huge scorch mark staining the ground where they had been standing before they were launched back by my sheer awesome power.
Afterward I turn back toward the girl, and we lock eyes for the first time. She is hurt and leaning against a tree, and I'm standing there with a casual smile as I offer her my hand to help her to her feet.
"Hey there, my name's Kaine Stavvros. How about you?" I say in a casual, almost familiar tone. That is just how I am with most people, I suppose. She slowly raises her hand to mine, and I lift her up. Her eyes stay locked on me with a look I can't quite place as she slowly opens her mouth to speak.
"Trinn... My name is Trinn Vega."