A cold breeze stirred through the towering trees of Nova Forest, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and fresh morning dew. Sunlight filtered through the canopy above, scattering golden patterns across the forest floor. Amid the quiet hum of nature, a lone figure lay motionless beneath the trees—a knight clad in battle-worn armor, unmoving as stone.
The silence broke with a faint chirping.
Small birds fluttered down, perching upon the knight's knees and shoulders. They pecked curiously at the dull steel, unafraid, as if the figure were nothing more than another fallen relic of the forest.
Then, one armored finger twitched.
A slow, metallic breath escaped from within the helmet as an unseen gaze flickered to life. The birds scattered in a burst of wings as the knight groaned softly and pushed himself upright. Dust clung to his armor, which he brushed off with lazy movements before lifting his head to take in his surroundings.
The distant rush of a river murmured nearby. Leaves rustled overhead, and unseen creatures called to one another in the depths of the forest.
"…Still alive," he muttered. "Well… sorta."
His gaze lowered to his hands, encased in cold steel. There was no warmth. No sensation. Only emptiness beneath the armor. With a quiet sigh, he rolled his shoulders and began to walk, the crunch of grass beneath his boots oddly soothing.
"So the battlefield became… this?" He glanced around at the peaceful landscape. "Must've been a long time since I died."
A sudden movement drew his attention.
A deer stood only a few paces away, frozen in place, its dark eyes fixed upon him. Alferno tilted his head slightly.
"…Hey there, buddy."The deer bolted.
He sighed. "Yeah. Okay. Guess I'm not exactly approachable these days."
Still, curiosity pulled him forward. He followed where the animal had fled, weaving through the trees until the forest opened onto a riverbank. Sunlight danced across the water's surface, reflecting the world in shimmering ripples.
"…Like the gods said," Alferno murmured. "Cursed. Let's check, huh?"
He knelt beside the river and stared into the water. A steel helmet stared back.
After a moment's hesitation, he reached up and removed it.
Nothing stared back.
No face. No flesh. No bone. Only a hollow absence where his head should have been. The rippling reflection distorted the emptiness, as if mocking him—confirming what he already knew.
A dry chuckle escaped him. "…Well. That's a look."
He replaced the helmet and tightened its straps, sealing the truth away once more. Rising to his feet, he cast one last glance at the river.
"Right. Time to figure out where the hell I am."
With that, he turned and walked deeper into Nova Forest, its shadows closing quietly around him.
The steady murmur of the river followed him as he walked along its bank. The forest remained dense, yet strangely peaceful—no signs of war, no remnants of the battlefield he remembered.
Before long, a dirt road cut through the wilderness, leading to a small wooden bridge stretched across the river. Alferno stepped onto the worn planks, his armored boots thudding softly against the wood. He paused midway, resting his hands against the railing.
The river flowed effortlessly beneath him. Calm. Undisturbed.
"…Would've been nice to wake up to this instead of a battlefield."
Shaking his head, he continued along the road.
Not long after, the creak of wheels reached his attention. A wooden carriage emerged, pulled by two sturdy horses. The driver slowed as he noticed Alferno standing in the road.
The traveler was unmistakably beastfolk—feline ears twitched atop his head, and a striped tail flicked lazily behind him.
"What are you doing out here, knight?" the man asked, curiosity coloring his voice more than caution.
Alferno studied him briefly. Relaxed posture. One hand on the reins, the other resting casually on his knee. Not hostile.
"Do you know where the nearest village is?" Alferno asked. "I'm a bit lost."
The beastfolk raised a brow. "There's a town up ahead—Beasts Town. Just follow this road."
"Appreciate it."
Without another word, Alferno continued on, leaving the traveler to watch him for a moment before snapping the reins and moving on.
Smoke soon curled into the sky ahead, and the towering wooden walls of a settlement came into view. Watchtowers stood at each corner, and the gates lay open as travelers—mostly beastfolk—passed in and out.
"…Journey's officially started, huh?"
Alferno joined the line at the entrance, scanning the crowd. Tails, ears, fur—he stood out more than he liked.
When his turn came, a guard stepped forward, spear in hand, eyes narrowing.
"Wait… are you a knight?"
Alferno's unseen gaze flicked briefly to the spear. "Obvious, isn't it?"
"Royal knight?" The guard's grip tightened.
Ah. So royalty wasn't popular here.
"Not exactly," Alferno replied casually. "Mercenary."
The guard studied him. "You sure?"
Before Alferno could answer, the guard turned to call for backup—but instead, a young girl in a gray cloak approached, cat ears perked and tail swaying.
"Uncle! What are you doing?" she protested. "He's just some guy! Don't scare him off!"
"Emily, this isn't your business," the guard groaned.
"No way! You're totally bothering this mister knight!"
Alferno watched the exchange, amused. "Just saying," he added dryly, "people behind me are waiting."
The guard ignored him as Emily suddenly tried to bite his arm. He swatted her away with a sigh before turning back.
"Mercenary card."
Alferno stiffened—internally panicking. "Do we really need to—"
"Yes."
Emily crossed her arms. "I can smell that he's not bad! Let him in!"
"No."
"What if I take responsibility for him?"
The guard pinched the bridge of his nose. "If he causes trouble, you'll deal with the mayor."
Emily beamed. "Deal!"
Before Alferno could react, she grabbed his arm and dragged him through the gate.
"Guess that's settled," Alferno muttered, glancing back.
The guard only sighed and waved them through.
Pulled into Beasts Town, Alferno wasn't sure whether he'd just been saved—or thrown headfirst into trouble.
As Emily led him through the bustling streets, he glanced down at her hand still gripping his arm.
Yeah. He definitely had questions.
"So," Alferno said casually, "why did you help me? You don't even know who I am."
Emily finally released his arm and turned toward him, her smile bright and effortless.
"Because I like helping people in trouble," she said. "And you looked nice. Also"—she tapped a finger against her nose—"I didn't smell any bad intentions on you."
Alferno nodded, amused. "Well. That's a first."
She tilted her head, studying him with open curiosity.
"What's your name, mister? You said you were a mercenary knight, right?"
"Alferno," he replied. "And yeah. I'm looking for work."
The moment the words left his mouth, Emily froze—then her face lit up like she'd just won a prize.
"I know!" she said, suddenly stepping in front of him and blocking his path. "I know exactly where you can get a job! I'm forming a party, but no one wants to join me…"
Alferno paused, an unseen brow lifting beneath his helmet.
"If it pays," he said with a shrug, "I'm willing to say yes."
Emily practically bounced in place.
"Great! Follow me, Mister Alferno!"
She spun around and took off down the street, and Alferno followed at a steady pace, taking in the town as they went. Despite its modest size, Beasts Town was alive with movement. The marketplace buzzed with vendors calling out their wares—fresh produce, leather goods, handmade charms—while wooden homes and inns lined the roads, their structures blending naturally with the surrounding forest.
Beastfolk filled the streets. Cats, wolves, foxes, even a few with horns or scales moved about freely, chatting and laughing as they went.
"Well," Alferno muttered, observing the crowd, "no wonder they call this place Beasts Town."
Emily nodded eagerly. "Yup! And don't be surprised when I tell you—the town was founded by catfolk and wolves!"
"So beastfolk came together and built a place just for themselves," Alferno said. "Somewhere they could live in peace."
"That's right!"
Alferno hummed in acknowledgment. A town without human rule. That explained the guard's earlier suspicion.
For now, he followed Emily, curious about this so-called party—and whether it would actually be worth his time.
They soon stopped in front of a large wooden building reinforced with thick beams. Above the entrance hung a sturdy sign carved with bold letters:
BEASTS TOWN GUILD HALL
Emily pushed the doors open without hesitation.