Humans fear many things. Darkness, insects, animals, the depths of the ocean… Death, hunger, disease. But in this era, what people feared most could be summarized in a single word: Monsters.
Rowan walked with heavy steps towards the academy's stone-paved garden. Normally, his shoulders would be straight, his gaze lively; but this time, his eyes were downcast, the sparkle in his face long gone. It was as if only a dark shadow remained of the man who had been smiling an hour ago.
Eren was sitting on an old bench in the garden. Without turning his head, he watched Dean, who was leaning against the wall, out of the corner of his eye. Dean's hands were clasped across his chest, his eyes fixed on a point far beyond the garden.
Rowan finally reached them, his steps heavy; as if each stone pavement carried a separate burden for him. He took a deep breath, then asked in a low but clear voice:
Rowan: "Dean… When you said they would put the most pressure on us, what exactly did you mean?"
Dean slowly turned his head to Rowan. There was no contempt in his eyes, but no ease either. He spoke with a cold smile:
Dean: "Are you asking what I meant? Simple. If they find an opportunity to corner us, they will lean on us the most. If we have to fight monsters… they will send their strongest ones to our area. If the supervising hunters want us to fight one-on-one… they will deliberately put the toughest ones against us."
A moment of silence followed. The wind swept the leaves in the garden. Rowan's fist clenched slightly. Eren, meanwhile, narrowed his eyes, examining Dean's face.
Eren turned his face to Rowan. There was a weary expression on his face. After looking around, he broke his silence:
Eren: "Friends, don't take offense, but… at least for myself, I don't think I'm the second strongest person in this building."
Dean raised his eyebrows, responding with a mocking smile:
Dean: "I don't think you're the second either. But to be honest, being chosen first was a surprise even for me."
Dean's gaze shifted between the two of them, then he asked seriously:
Dean: "It's been bothering me. Before coming here, did you submit an application to join, or were you invited?"
Rowan: "I was invited."
Eren: "I was invited too."
Dean nodded, taking a deep breath.
Rowan: "I was thinking of applying, but to have an advantage, I first made a river stone potion. After drinking the potion, I could use water magic, albeit limited… I already mentioned this. But what I didn't mention is this: something attacked me on the way back. A werewolf. I don't quite remember how I did it, but I defeated him. Then the patrols came and arrested me, and I received an invitation. I heard the werewolf was already injured."
Eren's eyes suddenly widened.
Eren: "Wait a second… The same thing happened to me."
Rowan: "Did a werewolf attack you too?"
Eren: "No. My friends and I went to hunt a few living dead. Our goal was to simply make a report. But suddenly, an injured vampire appeared. Two of my friends died, one was seriously injured. Only Kayra and I survived… Then they arrested both of us. And of course, we both received invitations."
Rowan's face became serious.
Rowan: "I'm sorry to hear that."
Dean crossed his arms over his chest, his voice growing a little harsher:
Dean: "My condolences. I think I understand why, but I'm going to tell you something that will surprise you. You know those blood-winged creatures, the bat-hawk hybrid monster birds. Three of them attacked me while I was collecting stones and plants in the forest. I killed all three, but my leg was badly broken in the process. Still, they healed it. The strange thing is… like you, I was arrested and then received an invitation. It seems they ranked everyone who could kill a monster highly. So the others aren't weak, they just haven't had a chance to show themselves."
Dean: *The truly strange thing is… they arrested all of us before inviting us.
A moment of silence followed. Rowan finally raised his head.
Rowan: "What I told you happened three days ago. When did yours happen?"
Eren: "I think two days ago. But I fainted… I still don't remember some things clearly."
Dean: "It was four days ago."
Dean: *Hmm… the timings are close. And all of us were suddenly arrested after killing a creature. Except for me, the creatures that appeared before both Rowan and Eren were injured. It's as if they were deliberately weakened…
Eren: "Come on, let's walk around a bit. I heard the first fog will settle today, and they say it brings good luck. Also, Mira got our exam allowances from the Hunter's Guild, and we're going to choose our own equipment."
Rowan: "They already know what we need. Why are they making us get it?"
Dean: "Stop whining, let's go. You'll have a chance to choose your own equipment. Guys, I actually prepared a small weapon list for us."
Eren: "When did you do that?"
Dean: "I was thinking about it while you were sitting on the bench, watching me out of the corner of your eye. Anyway, let's start with you. Since you said you're a sniper, you must have a gun. A short sword for self-defense, and of course, a few smoke bombs. If you conceal yourself as a sniper, it's easy to attack. Rowan, I know you can do magic without a staff, but if we get a cheap staff, it will increase your firepower by at least 40%. For this, get a short apprentice staff. Make sure the stone at its tip is not elemental, because if it is, you'll spend all your allowance just on the staff. Then, you know those one-time spell crystals? You can cast one spell per crystal, let's get a couple for all of us, but you should have more. Also, those river reed robes, let's get one of those for you. It prevents magical energy from escaping the body, so we won't waste your limited power. As for me, I already have a sword and a spear but I'll get a chained meteor hammer. The main idea is, I'll wrap the meteor hammer around the monster or opponent, and then you'll shoot. Besides that, it would be good to get a throwing knife and a couple of javelins. I'm good at using them too. Anyway, that's it for now, let's go."
Eren: "I see."
Dean: "What?"
Eren: "Nothing. Anyway, since you thought about it so much, Dean, let's go."
As they left the courtyard and headed towards the crowded streets of the city, there was a sweet chaos in the air. Safe Haven's Autumn Festival had begun. Colorful lanterns shone on every street corner, pumpkins hung on ropes; iron horseshoe decorations were nailed to the entrances of houses. The public clung tightly to these traditions, believing they would ward off evil spirits and creatures.
In the marketplace, tables overflowed with fruit baskets, fresh bread, spices, and produce from the villagers. In this era, when caravans rarely ventured out, products brought in a single trip held special value. People offered even their meager goods with a celebratory mood.
On one side, fortune tellers read the future in their tents, and young people whose palms were read burst into laughter. On the other side, jugglers performed with bottles and torches to the applause of children. Flutes playing foreign melodies, drums, and the hum of the market mingled together.
Dean scanned his surroundings with cold eyes; it was as if the festival was just a crowd and noise to him. Rowan's eyes, however, sparkled as he looked at the magic crystals displayed on a stall. Eren's attention was drawn more to the weaponsmiths; short swords, gleaming knives, and gunpowder pistols were on display.
Just then, Mira appeared from among the crowd. She held a small pouch in her hand, clearly there to share the allowances received from the Hunter's Guild. She approached them with a smile.
Mira: "Here you are. I brought your allowances. You can get the equipment you want from this festival."
Rowan nodded, glanced at the pouch, but his eyes were still on the crystals. Eren sighed: "My mind is stuck on swords." Dean, meanwhile, curled the corner of his lip almost imperceptibly: "This is not just entertainment, it's also part of the test. Whatever we get, we will rely on it to survive."
Mira pointed to the crowd around them:
Mira: "That's right. And don't forget, this festival is not just a celebration. It is believed that the first autumn fog brings good luck. It is said that those who are outside when the fog settles will have their luck turn. That's why everyone is so enthusiastic. Today will be Safe Haven's busiest day of the year."
Eren: "Since everyone has their money, we should go and get our equipment. It's almost evening. The fog will settle in 2 hours. Let's all get our main equipment now, then we can get the less essential side items. First, since I'm getting a sword and Dean is getting a meteor hammer, we'll both go to the blacksmith. I don't know where staffs are sold, but Rowan, you must know."
Rowan nodded. Rowan: "Yes, I know."
Eren: "Okay, no problem with you. Mira, you're like a scout, the most suitable job we can give you is trapping. I saw a stall selling bear traps down the street, you can check there."
Mira: "Thanks for the advice, see you." She then quickly walked away.
Eren was about to set off with Dean to the blacksmith, but he hadn't noticed that Dean had already disappeared. Eren: "Mr. Dean, I guess he didn't bother to wait for me. See you, Rowan, I'll look around myself."
Rowan smiled at Eren. Rowan: "See you, Eren."
Rowan also started moving. Eren walked slowly forward, the light of the pumpkin lanterns becoming more dazzling, and the decorations around him becoming even more beautiful. As he passed the food stalls, the smell made his stomach rumble, and the soot from the burning candles darkened the fabrics. As he walked around, he saw blacksmith stalls, but either the quality seemed too low or the price was exorbitant for the quality. For Eren, who had spent his childhood with a hunter, it was not difficult to understand whether the weapons were of good quality. As Eren continued to walk, he saw some blacksmiths fighting ahead and started walking towards them. Amidst the crowd of the market, the sounds of hammers mingled. As the dull sound of metal echoed, heated shouts rising from one point caught Eren's attention. People had gathered in front of two blacksmiths.
On one side, there was a large man, gleaming in clean clothes, with silver embroidery up to the sleeves of his jacket. Those around him whispered who he was. Clay Moregrave. Son of a noble family, grandson of one of Safe Haven's famous masters.
Opposite him was a young master, covered in soot, his arms calloused but with fire in his eyes. Those whispering about him were entirely different: "He has no means, but he works miracles with the hammer in his hand. His father was also a master blacksmith. His name is Taron Blackforge."
In the midst of the fight, Clay angrily shouted:
Clay: "Stop talking nonsense, you fool! No one cares about your family name. We have money, a workshop, students. The swords we forge can never be on the same scale as yours!"
Taron's face was crimson, but his voice came out firm:
Taron: "Even when my family was starving, they forged swords by reducing steel to its purest form! With fewer resources, with more sweat than your family… Only two of your swords, Roadrunner and Stray, could compete with our craftsmanship. The rest are just shiny decorations!"
The crowd looked at each other with a murmur. A few people quietly supported Taron, but no one could openly voice their support. Because the person opposite him was a Moregrave.
Just then, Eren stepped in front of the crowd and entered between the two blacksmiths. Eren: "Friends, please calm down, don't fight in the middle of the crowd."
Clay turned his eyes to Eren, as if he would devour either Taron or Eren right there. Clay: "Who are you to interfere with me?!"
Eren: "Please calm down."
Taron looked at Eren. Taron: "I am already calm. This fool has been badmouthing my work ever since he arrived."
Clay turned his eyes to Taron, his face contorted with rage. Clay: "You call this work? You're just a street rat playing with a hammer. Your father was a drunk who died in debt, and you're following in his footsteps!"
Taron's eyes blazed. He took a step forward, his hand clenching the hammer at his side. Taron: "Don't you dare talk about my father!"
Eren placed a hand on Taron's chest, holding him back. Eren: "This isn't the place for this. Let's all just calm down."
Clay scoffed, looking Eren up and down. Clay: "And who are you to tell me what to do? A hunter-in-training? You look like you've never even held a real sword."
Eren's eyes narrowed. He didn't say a word, but his gaze was enough to make Clay pause. There was something in his eyes, a coldness that didn't match his youthful appearance.
Suddenly, a clear, authoritative voice cut through the tension. "That's enough."
Everyone turned to see a tall, imposing figure approaching. It was Kael Duskgrave, one of the most respected hunters in Safe Haven. His presence alone was enough to silence the crowd.
Kael looked at Clay with a disapproving frown. Kael: "Clay, you're a Moregrave. Act like it. You're causing a scene."
Clay's face paled. He bowed his head slightly. Clay: "My apologies, Master Duskgrave."
Kael then turned to Taron. His expression softened slightly. Kael: "And you, young Blackforge. Your father was a great man. Don't let fools like this tarnish his memory."
Taron nodded, his anger subsiding. Taron: "Thank you, Master Duskgrave."
Kael then looked at Eren, a flicker of interest in his eyes. Kael: "And you. You have the eyes of a hunter. What's your name?"
Eren: "Eren, sir."
Kael nodded. Kael: "Eren. I'll be watching you."
With that, Kael turned and walked away, the crowd parting for him. Clay, humiliated, shot a venomous glare at Taron and Eren before storming off. The crowd, sensing the drama was over, began to disperse.
Taron let out a long breath, his shoulders slumping. He turned to Eren with a grateful smile. Taron: "Thank you. You didn't have to do that."
Eren shrugged. Eren: "It was nothing. I don't like bullies."
Taron's smile widened. Taron: "Well, 'nothing' just saved me from a lot of trouble. Let me repay you. Are you looking for a weapon?"
Eren's eyes lit up. Eren: "As a matter of fact, I am."
Taron gestured to his stall, where a collection of finely crafted swords and daggers were displayed. Taron: "Then you've come to the right place. Take your pick. On the house."
Eren's jaw dropped. Eren: "Are you serious?"
Taron laughed. Taron: "As serious as a heart attack. You did me a favor. Now let me do you one."
Eren couldn't believe his luck. He looked at the swords, his eyes scanning each one carefully. They were all masterpieces, far better than anything he had seen at the other stalls. His gaze finally settled on a long, slender blade with a simple, elegant hilt. It was a beautiful sword, perfectly balanced and razor-sharp.
Eren: "I'll take this one."
Taron nodded in approval. Taron: "An excellent choice. That's a lunar-forged blade. It's light, but incredibly strong. It will serve you well."
Eren took the sword, his heart pounding with excitement. He couldn't wait to try it out.
Eren: "Thank you, Taron. I'm in your debt."
Taron clapped him on the shoulder. Taron: "Nonsense. We're even. Now go, and good luck in the trials. I have a feeling you're going to need it."
Eren nodded, a determined look on his face. He turned and walked away, the lunar-forged sword in his hand. He had a feeling Taron was right. He was going to need all the luck he could get.