The cold evening air settled over Kagetsura Village like a heavy cloak, the sun having vanished behind the distant mountains, leaving only a faint purple glow on the horizon. The stars glittered above, their light barely penetrating the chill that wrapped around the Adventurer's Guild's stone courtyard. Outside the medical room, Selena, Reina, Yuki, and Himari stood in a tight cluster, their breath forming wispy clouds in the frosty air. The torchlight from the guild's entrance cast flickering shadows across their faces, illuminating Selena's silver hair, Reina's worried expression framed by her red locks, Yuki's bruised but defiant features, and Himari's quiet resolve. The stone walls loomed behind them, their rough texture absorbing the faint warmth of the torches, as the group waited in tense anticipation for their companions.
An attendant from the Adventurer's Guild approached, their boots crunching softly on the gravel path, their guild insignia glinting under the torchlight. "Are you Selena, Reina, and Yuki?" they asked, their voice formal yet warm, carrying the weight of official business.
Selena stepped forward, her posture steady, her silver eyes meeting the attendant's. "I'm Selena," she said, gesturing to the others. "They're Reina, Yuki and Himari."
The attendant's gaze swept over the group. "Where are Takeshi, Haruto, and Renjiro?"
Reina's voice was soft, laced with concern. "They're inside the medical room."
The attendant nodded, reaching into a leather satchel to produce seven hunter IDs, each etched with intricate runes that shimmered faintly in the dim light. "In your group: three mages, two swordsmen, one healer, and one supporter," they said, handing the stack of IDs to Selena. "These are yours. Congratulations on your journey."
Selena's fingers brushed the cool metal of the IDs, her expression solemn as she accepted them. "Thank you," she said, her voice steady as the attendant turned and walked away, their footsteps fading into the night's quiet.
Moments later, the medical room door creaked open, and Renjiro, Haruto, and Takeshi emerged, their figures silhouetted against the warm light spilling from within. Haruto's new T-shirt, provided by the nurse, covered his stitched wounds, but his face was pale, his dark hair disheveled from the ordeal. Reina hurried to his side, her eyes wide with worry, her voice trembling. "How's your injury?"
Haruto turned his face away, a flush creeping up his cheeks, his heart racing with quiet joy at her concern. "It's fine," he said, his tone casual, but his entire face turned red under the torchlight, betraying the warmth he felt inside.
Selena's sharp gaze shifted to Renjiro, her voice cutting through the moment. "Do you still wish to go alone to that place?"
Renjiro's silver-and-white hair caught the light as he met her stare, his expression hardening. "I don't think it's a good idea since he's injured. Going to a place barely anyone knows…" He trailed off, pulling a worn, folded map from his pocket, one he'd received from Tetsuya. He unfurled it, pointing to a marked location. "We need to go here—the deep mountains on the Kagetsura border." His face paled, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "It's very long, at least twenty kilometers. If we walk now, we can reach by tomorrow morning."
Takeshi, his bandaged arm shifting as he crossed his arms, frowned. "You mean traveling at night in the forest is a good idea?"
Renjiro stood abruptly, his eyes flashing with irritation. "You bastard, do you think we have money to stay tonight? We brought a limited amount!"
Takeshi's jaw dropped, his voice rising in disbelief. "Haaa, we haven't spent a single silver or anything!"
Himari's calm voice interjected, a playful glint in her eyes. "Why don't we decide where to stay with rock, paper, scissors?"
Renjiro's face lit up, a grin spreading across his lips. "Great idea!" He turned to Takeshi, his tone challenging. "Let's decide who decides."
After a lively, heated round of rock, paper, scissors, Renjiro's fist pumped the air in victory. "Let's prepare for a night trip!" he exclaimed, happiness bubbling in his voice. He turned to the group, his expression softening. "Is it okay for you all to travel at night?"
The group exchanged glances, their faces a mix of fatigue and determination, the weight of their recent battles lingering in their eyes. They nodded in unison, agreeing to travel and rest in the forest. With the decision made, they left the Adventurer's Guild, their footsteps echoing on the cobblestone path as they headed to a nearby supplies shop. The shop's lanterns cast a warm, inviting glow, and they purchased essentials—dried meats, bread, and backup food for emergencies. They sat together for dinner, their laughter and smiles filling the air as they shared stories, the camaraderie a brief respite from their daunting journey. With supplies packed, they walked to Kagetsura Village's east gate, ready to depart.
Renjiro opened his map, holding it under the faint starlight, the parchment crinkling in his hands. "Let's move. Everyone, follow me," he said, his voice firm as he led the way.
As they passed through the east gate, the forest's darkness swallowed the village's lights, the cold breeze chilling their skin. The sounds of owls hooting and insects chirping formed a haunting symphony, the night alive with unseen life. Fireflies danced ahead, their soft glow illuminating the path like tiny beacons. Yuki's eyes sparkled with wonder, her voice soft. "It's very beautiful."
Takeshi, walking beside her, nodded, his voice hesitant. "Yeah, but walking in the dark night still scares me."
Haruto glanced at him, a thug smile curling his lips. "Are you scared?"
Takeshi jerked, his nervous smile faltering. "Who's scared?" he said, his voice betraying a tremor as he tried to mask his unease.
They pressed deeper into the forest, the cold biting at their exposed skin, the path winding through dense trees. Selena's voice broke the silence, her tone steady. "Renjiro, where are we heading now?"
Renjiro, engrossed in the map, barely heard her, his eyes scanning the parchment. "What did you ask, sister?"
Selena repeated, her patience unwavering. "Where are we heading now?"
Renjiro's gaze flicked from the map to the forest, catching a rustle in a nearby bush. Reina noticed his pause, her voice tinged with concern. "What's the problem, Renjiro?"
He shook his head, a thug smile aimed at Takeshi. "Nothing. I think I just saw a ghost."
Takeshi's eyes widened, his voice rising in panic. "Ghost? Is that true?"
Yuki rolled her eyes, exasperated. "I don't know why you're scaring this much."
A sudden rustle echoed through the trees, drawing everyone's attention. The group tensed, hands hovering near weapons, but Renjiro walked slowly toward the sound, his steps cautious. The noise led to a beautiful riverfall, its water cascading from a high cliff, each drop hitting the ground with a clear, resonant splash that echoed in the quiet night. Renjiro knelt, cupping the water in his hands. "It's pure water," he said, drinking deeply. He pointed to a nearby cave, its entrance shadowed but inviting. "This map has detailed geography. Let's stay here."
He rolled the map, stowing it in his pocket, and picked up a broken wooden branch. Wrapping it with cloth, he lit it with a matchbox, creating a makeshift torch that cast a warm glow. He stepped into the cave, its damp walls reflecting the flickering light, and shouted, "Come inside with some wood to give light!"
The group followed, gathering branches and setting up a camp inside, the cave's cool interior a stark contrast to the biting cold outside. They lit a fire, its warmth pushing back the chill, the flames dancing on the stone walls. Renjiro set his bag down. "Let's sleep here."
Everyone placed their bags on one side, pulling out blankets to prepare for sleep, their bodies heavy with exhaustion from the day's battles and the long walk. Himari spoke up, her voice practical. "We need someone to guard us while we sleep and change after a few hours to rest."
Renjiro nodded, his tone light but firm. "I'll guard since I didn't do anything to be tired."
As the others settled into their blankets, their breathing softening into sleep, Renjiro sat near the campfire, tossing wood to keep the flames alive. The firelight illuminated the dusty swords of Haruto, Yuki, and Takeshi, leaning against the cave wall. He picked them up, muttering, "They have no care for their swords, even though they save their lives." He pulled out his single dagger, a relic from his battle with Tetsuya, and sighed. "I need a good sword."
Sitting by the riverfall, the soothing sound of water filling the air, he began cleaning the swords, his hands moving with care over the blades. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed, his voice cutting through the night. "Why are you hiding? I know you've been following us since we left Kagetsura Village."
He turned toward the bush and forest, his grip tightening on Takeshi's sword. A figure emerged, their body cloaked in black, a mask obscuring their face. They drew a sword, the blade glinting in the firelight, and dashed toward Renjiro with startling speed, the air whistling with their strike.
Renjiro unsheathed Takeshi's sword, gripping it with one hand and bracing the blade's center with the other to block the attack. The swords clashed with a sharp, resonant clang, the force sending vibrations through his arms. He swung his right leg in a swift vertical kick, striking the figure's stomach with a solid thud. The black-clad attacker was pushed back, stumbling but standing firmly, their stance unyielding.
The figure spoke, their voice muffled but distinctly female. "Don't you remember me?"
Renjiro laughed, his tone mocking but curious. "Are you a celebrity or a bigshot, covering your face? But your voice is female, I think."
The figure's hands moved to their mask. "Oh, wait, now I'll show my face," they said, slowly uncovering it, the mask falling away to reveal a cascade of silver hair that shimmered like moonlight on water, framing a pair of piercing blue eyes that gleamed with a knowing, almost mischievous glint. She adjusted her hair with a graceful, deliberate motion, her fingers gliding through the silken strands, each movement precise and captivating, as if the night itself paused to watch her beauty unfold.
Renjiro's face froze, his eyes widening with a mix of shock and dread, as if confronted by a ghost from his past. His voice trembled, barely above a whisper. "You… what are you doing here, Swetha?"