The morning sun bathed Silverhaven in gold and warmth. Red stood outside the guild hall, his black armor shimmering slightly in the daylight as he waited for Selena, who had darted across the street to grab a fruit tart she claimed she couldn't resist. The usual bustle of adventurers came and went, some boasting of completed quests, others huddling in groups around the mission board, negotiating party compositions and loot shares.
Selena returned moments later, munching cheerfully on her tart and smiling.
Selena: Okay, now I'm ready," she said between bites.
Red gave her a subtle nod.
Red: Good. Let's check if any new quests have been posted.
Inside the guild, the mission board was packed with flyers. Most of them were goblin extermination missions from nearby regions, scouts reporting increased activity near forest trails and abandoned ruins.
Selena: Ugh, goblins again? Why are there so many of them?
Red: Fast breeders, And stupid enough to pick fights. That makes them a constant source of coin for low-rank adventurers.
They stepped forward to inspect the list when a voice piped up behind them.
"H-Hey! Wait!"
They turned to see a small, lanky boy, perhaps no older than sixteen, hurrying over. His copper-red hair was wild, and his face freckled with youth. His armor was clearly a secondhand mess, an oversized breastplate that clanked when he moved, boots two sizes too large, and a sword that seemed to weigh more than he did. He looked like someone playing dress-up in his father's adventuring gear.
"Please...wait!" the boy called again, breathless.
Red raised a brow, but said nothing.
Selena: Do we… know you?
The boy stopped in front of them, panting slightly.
Lio: No...uh, no, but...my name's Lio. I...I saw you take that goblin quest yesterday. You both looked like a proper team. I...well…
He rubbed the back of his neck.
Lio: Everyone else already teamed up and left me behind. I was hoping…
Selena: You want to join us?
Lio: Please. I haven't eaten since yesterday. I spent the last of my coin on sharpening my sword...and, well, obviously I didn't do a great job.
Red crossed his arms, studying the boy carefully. Lio looked desperate, but not broken. His eyes still had the spark of determination...naïve, perhaps, but still willing to fight.
Red: Why are you doing this?
Lio: Because I want to prove myself. I want to become strong enough to take care of myself. I don't have anyone. No home. No family. But I can still fight if someone gives me the chance. Please… let me come."
Selena looked away, uncomfortable.
Selena: Red, he looks like he'll get himself killed out there."
Red: Maybe,
Red said, his voice flat as always.
Red: But he still asked.
Selena: I'm just saying...
Red: If you want to earn more coin, we'll need a bigger quest,
Red interrupted calmly, looking down at Lio.
Red: Goblin activity in the northwest forest has been marked urgent. Dangerous. Risky. Better pay."
Lio's eyes lit up.
Lio: Yes! I can fight. I...I can follow orders. I won't get in the way!
Selena still looked unsure.
Selena: He's not even holding his sword right.
Red: I'll teach him on the way
Selena: Wait, what? You're serious?
Red: We cancel the small quest,
Red said, already walking back toward the quest desk.
Red: And we take the urgent one.
Lio stood stunned for a moment before practically stumbling after them in joy.
At the receptionist counter, Receptionist Sophia looked up.
Receptionist Sophia: Back already? Changing your minds?
Red: We'll take the urgent goblin extermination request, The one from Elderholm Trail. Triple pay, yes?
Receptionist Sophia arched a brow.
Receptionist Sophia: That's right. That one's dangerous. Some reports say the goblins have begun using coordinated attacks. And someone spotted a hobgoblin.
Selena: Wait, hobgoblin? That's not low-rank!
Receptionist Sophia: You sure you want this one?
Receptionist Sophia asked, scanning Red's calm face, then glancing down at Lio's clunky armor.
Receptionist Sophia: You've got a new recruit?
Red: He'll stay back and watch. Won't engage unless necessary.
Sophia gave a slow nod.
Receptionist Sophia: All right then. I'll register all three of you.
As the group moved toward the exit, Lio couldn't stop talking.
Lio: I...thank you! Really! I thought I was gonna have to go back to begging at the temple. I'll do my best, I promise!
Selena: You'd better.
Outside the guild, Red led them to the marketplace for supplies. He picked up a few extra healing potions and bandages, tossing one small pack to Lio.
Red: First lesson, A blade can kill. But what keeps you alive is your brain.
Lio caught the pack clumsily and nodded furiously.
Lio: Got it! Use my brain!
Selena rolled her eyes.
Selena: Oh boy.
As they walked through the city gates and into the fields beyond, the wind carried the scent of pine and the chirping of birds. Red moved quietly, eyes scanning the treeline.
Red: Lio, Your sword. Show me your stance.
Lio stopped and drew his blade. It wobbled in his grip like a fish out of water.
Selena winced. "Oh gods."
Red walked behind him and adjusted his feet, nudged his elbow down, and shifted his weight.
Red: Like this. You're not swinging a hammer. You're guiding a fang.
Lio: O-okay.
As they continued toward Elderholm Trail, Lio took every chance to ask questions...how to watch for ambushes, how to pace breathing during combat, and how Red got so strong.
Red only replied with short, useful answers.
Selena, meanwhile, watched from behind, still not entirely convinced but no longer dismissive. She glanced at Lio's awkward steps and sighed.
Selena: He's not the worst, she muttered to herself.
Red glanced back at her.
Red: What?
Selena: Nothing! she said quickly, folding her arms.
As the forest loomed closer, and the trail narrowed into shaded paths, the sounds of wildlife quieted...replaced by something else. The faint crack of branches. The low guttural laughter of goblins.
Red raised a hand to halt them.
Red: We're close
Lio swallowed, nodding.
Lio: I'm ready.
Selena drew her dagger and stretched.
Selena: Let's get this over with.
They stepped into the gloom, blades drawn, the forest holding its breath.