"Attention, all adventurers!
The frequency of Dungeon spawning is increasing. The beasts are growing aggressive by each day. The Rift appearances are nearing settlement areas.
Therefore, adventurers who are willing to actively participate in Rift eradication and Dungeon dive along with the royal army will be rewarded handsomely by the king himself!"
The unanticipated notice pasted on the outdoor notice board created quite an uproar in the city. Adventurers from all directions rushed to the Guild premise to verify the information first-hand.
And once it was clarified, greed got the best of their judgement.
Those who confirmed the authenticity of the notice beheld the king's insignia attached to the parchment. Their eye did not rest idle and moved to the list of activities and accompanying rewards.
A typical morning of a fine sunny day in the kingdom of Swanhild turned out to be unexpectedly noisy. The commotion caused by the royal edict was not contained to the city alone but to the nearby settlements too. The overnight arrival of the king's proclamation threw commerce ratings to new heights.
Yet, no one discerned the underlying threat. None realised the approaching calamity.
***
"Argh...I didn't sign up for this! How are these beasts so strong?!"
"Pull back!! We cannot defeat them!"
"Mages, cover us!!"
The expectation of the sparkling eyes of greed turned sour by the evening as the sun painted the sky with an alluring orange-red hue. The sparse population of cloud weren't enough to veil the beauty of nature.
And down below was the soil drenched in blood and tears!
The airhead adventurers who seized the opportunity to obtain some good money were in despair while holding onto their lives. Their swords broken, shields shattered and their will to combat mutilated. While posing a fruitless resistance, the brave ones were sliced to death.
"Spectres to the..."
The mage couldn't complete her words as she fell lifeless. Her lustreless eyes stared at the figure of a white ethereal being who was consuming her soul.
"R...retreat!!"
The Knight Commander's voice was no longer domineering but brimming with fear. His mount, a Six-legged Battle Horse exhibited distress and an urge to flee from the frontlines.
The voice spread across the deluge of soldiers and adventurers and they receded without reserving their energy. However, the beast horde running wild were faster. The withdrawal alone caused more than twenty soldiers to lose their lives.
And somehow, those who endured entered the safe limits of the city. To provide cover fire, the royal mages discharged massively powerful Lightning magic and decimated the enemy forces.
And when the sun leaned on the mountains after witnessing a lopsided battle, there was a figure standing on top of a distant peak. The tattered clothes dancing to the faint breeze were outlined by the fireball of illumination.
"We will reclaim our birthland. We will reclaim what's rightfully ours."
Uttering to himself, the person turned around and disappeared behind the mountain. The light of the day was overshadowed by the invading darkness and the world was introduced to nighttime.