The village was still asleep when Kael opened his eyes.
The room was quiet except for the faint sound of crickets outside the window. A pale blue light filtered through the curtains, telling him dawn was still some time away.
He sat up slowly.
Today wasn't another herb gathering quest.
It wasn't repairing fences or delivering supplies.
Today he would witness his first real goblin subjugation.
Not alone.
With experienced adventurers.
Kael climbed out of bed, washed his face with cold water from the basin, and began checking his equipment.
His sword came first.
He pulled it from its scabbard and carefully inspected the blade.
"No chips."
He ran a cloth along the edge before sliding it back into the sheath.
Next was the leather armor he had bought two days ago with the silver he earned from his quests. It wasn't expensive, but it protected his chest and shoulders without restricting his movements.
Finally, he checked the small pouch on his belt.
A waterskin.
A loaf of bread.
A few strips of dried meat.
A length of rope.
A flint stone.
Nothing special.
Just enough to survive if things went wrong.
Kael slung his pack over his shoulder and stepped outside.
---
The morning air was cold.
Thin mist floated above the empty streets while lanterns still burned outside a few buildings.
As Kael walked toward the guild, he noticed the bakery was already open.
The old baker smiled.
"You're up early."
"So are you."
The old man laughed.
"I have bread to bake."
Kael smiled back.
"I have work."
The baker reached behind the counter and held out a warm bread roll.
"Here."
Kael blinked.
"I haven't paid."
"You don't have to."
Kael hesitated.
"I can't just take it."
The old baker waved his hand.
"You helped old Bren last week."
"And my granddaughter said you carried her basket after she tripped."
Kael scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"It wasn't a big deal."
"Maybe not to you."
The baker pushed the bread toward him.
"So take it."
After a moment, Kael accepted it.
"...Thank you."
"Come back alive."
"I will."
As Kael walked away, he looked down at the warm bread in his hand.
He smiled.
"...Nice people."
---
The Adventurer Guild was much quieter than usual.
Only a handful of adventurers had arrived.
Some were checking their weapons.
Others quietly ate breakfast.
The cheerful atmosphere from yesterday was gone.
Everyone looked focused.
Lyria spotted Kael the moment he entered.
"You actually came."
Kael looked confused.
"You told me to."
"I know."
She walked over carrying two wooden cups.
"I just thought you'd somehow arrive even earlier."
She handed him one.
"What is it?"
"Tea."
Kael took a sip.
It was hot.
Slightly bitter.
But pleasant.
"Thanks."
Lyria nodded.
"Did you eat?"
Kael held up the bread.
"The baker gave me this."
She looked surprised.
"Old Mr. Harris?"
"I think that's his name."
She smiled.
"He doesn't usually give free food."
Kael shrugged.
"He insisted."
"Then that means he likes you."
Kael looked down at the bread.
"...Really?"
She laughed.
"You're surprisingly slow when it comes to people."
"What does that mean?"
"It means..."
She pointed toward the guild hall.
"People have started talking about you."
Kael frowned.
"...Why?"
"Because you're polite."
He looked even more confused.
"That's normal."
Lyria shook her head.
"You'd be surprised."
Before Kael could ask another question...
The Guild Master walked into the hall.
"Everyone."
The conversations immediately stopped.
"We leave in ten minutes."
"There are eleven confirmed goblins."
"Possibly more."
He pointed toward a rough map laid across one of the tables.
"Our objective is simple."
"Destroy the nest."
"Rescue anyone inside."
"If civilians are present, their safety comes first."
The adventurers nodded.
The Guild Master looked toward Kael.
"You stay with me."
"Understood?"
"Yes, sir."
"No acting on your own."
"I understand."
Lyria folded her arms.
"You'd better."
Kael smiled.
"I said I would."
She looked at him for a few seconds before quietly saying,
"...Come back."
"I will."
"...Promise?"
"I promise."
---
The group left the village just as the sun rose over the eastern hills.
There were eight adventurers in total.
Two archers.
One mage.
Four swordsmen.
The Guild Master.
And Kael.
The road was quiet.
Most of the adventurers were talking among themselves.
Kael mostly listened.
"So you're the kid who fought the alpha wolf?"
One of the older swordsmen smiled.
Kael nodded.
"I got lucky."
The man laughed.
"Lucky?"
"I saw that corpse."
"Luck doesn't leave cuts that clean."
Another adventurer joined the conversation.
"How long have you trained?"
Kael thought for a moment.
"...Since I was five."
"Twelve years?"
"Yes."
The adventurer whistled.
"That's some dedication."
Kael simply smiled.
He didn't mention that he trained because he had no magic.
Or aura.
The conversation slowly died down as the group entered the forest.
The Guild Master raised a hand.
"Quiet."
Everyone immediately stopped talking.
The atmosphere changed.
Weapons were quietly drawn.
The mage whispered a spell under her breath.
Kael instinctively slowed his breathing.
His heartbeat became steady.
His eyes carefully scanned the trees around them.
One of the archers noticed.
The woman smiled slightly.
"Good habit."
Kael looked at her.
"My teacher always said..."
He paused before smiling bitterly.
"...Actually."
"I never had one."
The archer blinked.
"You trained yourself?"
Kael nodded.
She looked genuinely impressed.
"That's harder than learning from a master."
Kael simply smiled.
"I just kept practicing."
The Guild Master glanced back at him.
"...Discipline."
Kael looked confused.
"Sir?"
"Talent helps people start."
The Guild Master continued walking.
"But discipline decides how far they go."
Kael quietly remembered those words.
---
About an hour later...
The hidden entrance appeared ahead.
The same bushes.
The same narrow path.
The Guild Master crouched beside the opening.
"So this is it."
Kael nodded.
"I watched them come and go yesterday."
The Guild Master looked toward the mage.
"Can you sense anything?"
She closed her eyes.
After several seconds...
"...There are living creatures inside."
"More than ten."
The Guild Master's expression hardened.
"We're going in."
He looked at everyone.
"Formation."
The swordsmen moved to the front.
The mage stayed in the center.
The archers positioned themselves behind.
Kael naturally stepped back.
Remembering his promise.
The Guild Master gave him a brief nod.
"Good."
Without another word...
The party entered the cave.
The darkness swallowed them whole.
Deeper inside...
A pair of glowing yellow eyes slowly opened.
They were larger than any goblin's.
And they were waiting.