The afternoon sun filtered through the thick canopy as Arriel, Lira, and Kell moved deeper into the forest east of Veilden. Their latest quest—B-rank this time—involved clearing out dangerous monsters that had begun harassing travelers along a lesser-used merchant trail. The guild report mentioned Twofang Boars and Gorebeaks in the area—both aggressive and capable of serious injury.
Kell pushed aside a branch and glanced behind him. "We're close to the last marked sighting. You two ready?"
Lira nodded, her twin pigtails bouncing slightly. "Always."
Arriel gripped his shortsword. "Let's finish this before sunset."
Just as he said it, the underbrush ahead erupted with violent motion. Two massive boars—each the size of a small cart—charged out with furious squeals. Their twin tusks glinted, and their thick muscles rippled as they thundered toward the trio.
"Twofangs!" Kell shouted, quickly shifting into position. "I'll take left!"
Kell dashed forward, spear leveled, baiting the boar on the left. The beast locked onto him and charged. Kell narrowly avoided the tusks by vaulting over a root and jabbing at its side. The boar squealed, wounded but furious.
The second boar thundered toward Arriel and Lira. Without hesitation, Lira raised her staff and shouted, "Paralyze Field!" A shimmering dome of light formed beneath the charging boar, halting its limbs mid-stride. Arriel sprinted forward, ducking low and slamming his blade into its flank before dodging a retaliatory jerk of its head.
Kell struck the first boar behind the ear just as it wheeled around for another charge. The beast crumpled with a final grunt. Seconds later, Arriel delivered a decisive slash across the immobilized boar's chest. It shuddered, then collapsed.
Breathing hard, Kell rolled his sore shoulder and winced. "Damn thing nicked me."
Blood trickled down from a gash near his collarbone. Lira rushed to his side, examining the wound with a worried look.
"Sit," she commanded.
Kell complied.
She raised her staff, its tip glowing faint green. "Minor Heal."
Warm light surrounded Kell's shoulder. The bleeding stopped, and the flesh mended slowly beneath the glow.
Arriel sat nearby, keeping an eye on the clearing. "You good?"
Kell rotated his arm. "Better. Thanks, Lira."
They took a break, sitting on a rock under the shade of a wide tree. The forest was eerily quiet, save for the rustle of leaves.
"Harder than D-rank quests," Arriel said, wiping his brow.
Lira drank from her canteen. "We handled it."
"You two handled most of it," Kell muttered. "I'm basically bait with a spear."
Arriel smirked. "You're good bait, at least."
Kell snorted.
They stood to resume the quest when a new threat emerged—three Gorebeaks stalking them from the trees. These vicious, ostrich-sized monsters had beaks sharp enough to pierce armor and talons like curved daggers.
"Here we go again!" Arriel shouted.
The lead Gorebeak lunged at Lira. She pivoted smoothly and cast "Wind Lance!"—a sharp blast of wind magic that struck the bird mid-leap, sending it crashing into a tree with a sickening crunch.
Kell defended Arriel's flank as another Gorebeak charged. Arriel dropped and swept the beast's legs, while Kell struck it between the ribs. The monster collapsed.
The last one darted toward Arriel. Before it could strike, Lira shouted, "Bind Root!" Vines erupted from the soil and coiled around the Gorebeak's legs. Arriel finished it with a clean stab to the chest.
As the battle ended, their status bracelets glowed faintly.
Lira looked down. "Level 24."
"Same," Arriel said, smiling. "Finally."
Kell dusted off his pants. "Still nothing for me."
"You'll get your reward in Git," Lira teased.
Kell looked mock-offended. "That's not the same and you know it."
As they began walking back toward the travel road, Kell suddenly froze.
"Wait."
"What?" Arriel asked.
Kell turned his head slowly. "I heard something. A woman… calling for help."
Lira frowned. "I didn't hear anything."
Kell pointed toward a patch of dense trees. "That way. It was faint."
The other two strained their hearing. For a few seconds, there was nothing. Then, just barely—
"…help… someone… please…"
Lira's expression turned serious. "That's not an animal."
Arriel gripped his weapon. "Let's check it out."
Kell led the way as the three of them pushed through the undergrowth, the voice getting clearer with every step.
"…help me…"