In the silence of the night, a mysterious cloaked figure walked slowly. Carrying a basket covered by a blanket, every step was accompanied by the cawing of crows. The figure headed toward an orphanage in Step Town, located on the outskirts of the city. Placing the basket in front of the door, the figure knocked on the wooden entrance. Each knock was echoed by the hooting of an owl perched on the roof of the three-story building.
knock knock knock
Inside, a brown-haired woman in a nun's uniform was cleaning dust that had settled in the corners of the dark room.
"Who would be knocking at this hour? " she muttered, turning toward the brown door that looked dark in the night.
She hurried to the door. Although hesitant at first, she eventually opened it. Peering out, she looked in every direction. No one was there, but she found a basket covered by a blanket. Her eyes immediately focused on it.
"What is this? " the woman asked, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.
She pulled back the blanket and was shocked by what lay beneath.
"Eh? A-a baby?!! " she exclaimed, her mouth agape for several minutes.
Under the blanket was a baby with the name "Ray " handwritten on his small, fragile right hand. There was also a pendant tucked beside him.
"Ray? Is that your name? " she whispered, gazing at the baby in confusion.
"~Waaaaa ~waaaaa. " The baby began to cry.
Seeing the infant abandoned at the doorstep of an orphanage, the woman realized... That... this child...
"So... you were... discarded... by your family... how tragic... But don't worry, I will definitely raise you and look after you. Welcome to your new home, Ray. "
The baby stopped crying upon hearing those words. He then gave a wide smile to the woman while lifting his tiny hands.
===
Eighteen years had passed since that night. The baby, Ray, was now almost eighteen years old. Currently, Ray was lying among the grass, shaded by tree branches swaying slightly in the wind. Surrounded by a cool breeze, he was reflecting on...
"Haaaah~ " I let out a sigh, the vast blue sky stretched out before my eyes.
My name is Ray, a young man currently living in the Step Town orphanage, on the outskirts of the Hillrest Empire. Tomorrow I turn exactly eighteen. One of the traditions in the Hillrest Empire is that when someone reaches eighteen, they start working in their field of expertise or leave their comfort zone to seek something new. However, even though I'll be eighteen tomorrow, I still haven't decided what I'm going to do next.
"Haaaah~ " I sighed again. My head and chest felt so heavy that sighing had become a habit whenever I pondered alone.
"Sighing like that won't make you a great person, Ray. " A familiar voice spoke from beside me. I turned toward the sound, already knowing who it was. Her reddish-brown hair swayed in the strong gust of wind. My hair is brownish-red, so our hair is somewhat similar? I don't know.
Ryfa, a childhood friend who also lives at the orphanage. We are close because we're the same age and have been together since we were small. What makes me curious about her is our similar hair color—reddish-brown and brownish-red.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Why are you here? Isn't it time for the restaurant to open? " I sat up from the short grass and nodded quickly.
Even though her birthday was still a while away, Ryfa had already decided to work at one of the restaurants in town; in fact, she helps out there often now. Ryfa plans to work at Mr. Gill's, one of the most popular restaurants in town. They are famous because their stew is delicious. When I ate there, I was amazed—how could someone make a stew that good using only beef? A red broth with reddish-brown meat floating in it. The meat is neatly cut and tender. Just imagining it made me salivate a little.
"I brought a meal for you. You must have forgotten to bring it, right? " Ryfa held out a parcel wrapped in brown cloth.
Seeing that, I reflexively opened the bag lying beside me and began searching inside... Wait, why am I checking if Ryfa already brought it?! Good grief, what's wrong with me today?
"Hehehe, thanks for bringing it for me. " I replied, scratching my head awkwardly. "Hurry to the restaurant before you're late. " I added, waving her away.
"Hahhh, alright. Oh, by the way... "
"Hmm? "
"Have you decided? What you're going to do after this? " Ryfa asked, suddenly making my body freeze. I had always thought about it, almost settled on it. But for some reason, it felt like something was holding me back. Like a darkness constantly swallowing my resolve. Or maybe I just felt it didn't fit? I don't know; the point is, I haven't decided.
"Of course not yet, but... " I replied in a low voice, looking at the sky and quickly closing my bag.
"But...? " Ryfa asked, tilting her head.
"Ah, never mind. See you later. " I stood up and immediately ran toward the trees.
"Hah, he just left like that. " Ryfa muttered, pouting.
I left Ryfa under the tree just like that. I didn't do it without reason; I did it because Mr. Dovin was waiting for me at his house to go hunting. That's why I had to hurry.
"You really never change, Ray. But... I don't hate it. " After saying that, the girl smiled. "Alright, time to head to the restaurant. "
===
After running quite a distance through the trees, I reached Mr. Dovin's house. A two-story house made of dark pine wood stood firmly among the trees, with various meats and animal skins drying in the front yard. The first floor was for storing equipment and hunting catches, while the second floor was Mr. Dovin's living quarters.
"Mr. Dovin! Sir! Hey!! " I shouted while knocking loudly on the first-floor door.
"Strange, no answer. Has he already left? " I murmured.
Not long after, the door opened to reveal a middle-aged man... let's just call him a man. He had fairly long brown hair tied in a neat ponytail. He wore hunting gear like mine: leather armor protecting the chest, stomach, knees, and elbows, along with thick ground-bear leather gloves. Not to mention the hunting boots made by Mr. Dovin that had helped our hunts all this time. I don't know what material these boots are made of, but they seem to come from a strong and rare animal.
"You're late, Ray. Why do you always make me wait? Haven't I told you many times to arrive earlier? " the man said, shaking his head.
Dovin, a hunter who often helped at the orphanage. My activity since the age of ten until today has been helping him hunt. He also taught me various things, such as martial arts, dagger fighting, archery, and the basics of hunting and survival tips in the forest.
"Sorry, Sir. I was daydreaming for a bit " I said, bowing slightly to him.
"Don't daydream too much. What if you get possessed by an evil spirit? Ryfa would be sad, you know. " Mr. Dovin said as he walked outside, closing the door.
Why did he suddenly bring up Ryfa? Weird old man.
"Oh, Mr. Dovin, there's something I want to ask. " I said, still standing by the door.
Mr. Dovin stopped and turned around. "Hmm? What is it? "
"Are my parents still alive? " I asked with a serious expression.
Hearing that, Mr. Dovin gave me a sharp look and let out a long sigh. Then he said, "Why are you asking me? Who do you think I am? A fortune teller? I didn't even see the moment you were left at the orphanage. Were you even brought here by a human? Hahaha. " Mr. Dovin replied jokingly.
What was that supposed to mean? Of course I'm a human child... right? Oh, damn, now I'm overthinking.
"Just give me your opinion, Sir. Besides, I'm serious about asking. " I replied, feeling a bit annoyed.
"Even if they are still alive, what would you do? You want to look for them? Don't talk nonsense and go get your gear. " Mr. Dovin answered, shaking his head.
Look for them? Wait, why did I only just think of that now? Why hadn't I thought of it before? Maybe that really is the only way to answer all the questions about them in my mind. Who are they? Why did they abandon me? Am I human or not?
"Wait a second... looking for them? Hmmm~ that's a great idea, Sir!! " I exclaimed, my eyes sparkling.
"Eh?! G-great idea? " Mr. Dovin was shocked. He didn't expect his joke to be taken so seriously.
"I've decided what I'm going to do tomorrow. Since I'll be eighteen, I'll be free to go anywhere, right? Right!!! " I shouted enthusiastically.
"Wait, you're joking, right? Right?! " Mr. Dovin panicked instantly.
"Come on, Sir, let's hurry to the forest. There's a lot I need to prepare for tomorrow. Tomorrow is a big day!" I ran toward the forest, carrying my bow and a full quiver on my back, leaving Mr. Dovin behind in a state of panic and confusion.
"Hey!!! " Mr. Dovin shouted at Ray, but he was ignored. He sighed and continued, "Hah, whatever. Maybe it really is time to let him see the outside world. Even if he's not quite sharp enough yet, it's fine. Although... it might be hard to find them. " Mr. Dovin said, then followed in the direction Ray had gone.
And so began my story—a young man discarded by his family, deciding to go find them. It might sound reckless or even foolish. But I don't care. This is the path I choose!
===
An orange sky, fading into darkness, hovered over Step Town. It was time for me to return from the forest after hunting several animals.
"I'm home. " I said weakly, closing the orphanage door.
"Welcome back, Ray. How was the hunt? " a woman greeted me.
Elen, or Len as I often call her. She is one of the caretakers of the orphanage where I live, and the person who has raised me since I was a baby. She was also the one who picked me up from the doorstep that night.
"Not bad. We got ten wild rabbits and two boars. " I replied while taking off my hunting gear.
"Thank goodness. Get some rest, Ray; you must be tired. " Elen said.
"Alright, Len. But before that... " I hesitated for a moment... but then continued. "There's something I want to talk to you about. "
"About what? "
"About my plans for tomorrow. About what I'll do once I turn eighteen. " I said with a serious expression.
Elen's eyes widened for a moment, then she smiled. "We can talk about it after you clean yourself up. I'll listen to you later. Go wash up first; you don't want to say something serious while you're dirty, do you? "
"Alright, Len. I'll see you after I've cleaned up. " I replied, heading to the bathroom.
After washing and relaxing my muscles, I met Len in the living room to continue our conversation.
"Len, can we discuss it now? " I said, sitting on a chair illuminated by a magic lantern—a light source powered by a white stone that glows if shaken or tapped several times.
"Alright, I'm listening. " Elen replied.
"Len, I... I... Hahhh. " I sighed to shake off the nervousness. "I plan... to go on an adventure to find out about my parents' whereabouts. " Unconsciously, I gripped my trousers tightly as I spoke.
Maybe Len would reject this plan, as I felt it was impossible for me to leave this town so suddenly.
"Are you sure about that? Is that what you truly want to do? " Elen asked, looking at me seriously. Her gaze startled me. Len, who always had a soft and pleasant expression, suddenly looked as if she were staring directly into my soul.
"Of course. Because, since I was a child... question after question has filled my head regarding... my... parents. I always wonder if they are still alive. Or if they have forgotten me. I want to know the answer. And what I want to ask most of all is... WHY DID THEY LEAVE ME HERE??! " I replied with an equally serious gaze.
"It turns out you've grown into an adult, Ray. Even though you were so small and helpless when I found you. Now you're even brave enough to venture into the outside world. " Elen replied, her eyes glistening with tears, yet still smiling softly.
I looked down after our eyes met for a moment. So, it really was too sudden...
"But... " Elen said, wiping her eyes. "I won't stop you if that's truly what you want to do, even though we might be lonely once you're gone. "
I looked up. "You're not stopping me? " My eyes widened in surprise. I really thought she wouldn't give me permission to leave.
"Of course not. If I stop you, it means I'm hindering your growth, right? We are humans who constantly grow, discover new things, and chase our dreams. Above all, every meeting eventually leads to a parting—be it by death or by a departure like ours today. So, achieve your goal. When you succeed, come back and tell us how magnificent your adventure was. " Len gave a very warm smile, making my eyes tear up at her words.
"Thank you, Len. I'll start preparing for my departure tomorrow. " I replied with relief.
"Wait, you're leaving tomorrow? Do you have a lead? " Elen asked, slightly surprised.
"Yes, that's the plan. As for a lead... the only one I have is that pendant. I'll ask adventurers or guilds in other cities; they might know something. "
"Alright, but don't forget to say goodbye to the others tomorrow, okay? "
"Of course, I won't leave without saying goodbye. Goodnight, Len. " I said, getting up and heading to my room.
"Goodnight, Ray. " Elen replied, still sitting in the living room.
I suppose it is a bit sudden to leave tomorrow, but I don't want to waste any more time. I can't wait to find out the truth. Even so, I'm a bit worried. Can I really find them with only a pendant as a clue? Ah, whatever. Even if I had no clues at all, I know I would still look for them. I decided this because of Mr. Dovin's joke, but for some reason, I don't feel the doubt I had before. I wonder where that darkness blocking my mind yesterday has gone.