The next day dawned with a weary sigh as I reluctantly emerged from the depths of sleep. Yawning, I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, feeling the weight of exhaustion clinging to my bones. It wasn't the most restful night—I had spent the previous evening at the tavern, sharing drinks and tales with my fellow adventurers.
Among them stood Grimm Ironheart, a towering figure with muscles that seemed carved from stone and eyes that held the weight of the world. Sizing him up, I instantly sensed that he was no small fry. He possessed an air of strength and determination that spoke volumes.
As tankards clinked and laughter echoed, his jovial facade slipped, revealing a glimpse of the turmoil that lay beneath.
As we exchanged stories over a few drinks, he confided in me, revealing the reason behind his adventuring endeavors. His wife was cursed—a curse that plagued her family every hundred years. It was a burden he had taken upon himself to lift, to break the cycle of misfortune that had plagued their lineage for generations.
"I was this close to breaking it... but I wasn't strong enough in the end, face to face with that monster... I fled like a coward" he confessed, a tear glistening in his eye before he quickly wiped it away. His tone turned serious as he imparted words of wisdom that echoed in the depths of my soul. "Adventuring ain't for the weak kid, some monsters out there are truly terrifying." he said shaking his head.
His words lingered in the air, weighing heavily on my mind as I gave them careful consideration.
Before parting ways, I mustered the courage to inquire about the red-haired girl in the cloak—a mystery that had been nagging at the corners of my mind. Grimm's expression clouded with confusion at first, but the more I described her, recognition dawned in his eyes.
"Ah, you mean Grey-san," he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "Grey Fulgora, she's one of the strongest adventurers in the guild."
Curious, I pressed for more information, and Grimm revealed the dark truth that shrouded Grey's existence—a curse that brought misfortune to all who crossed her path. It was a fate that had left her isolated, shunned by those who feared the calamity she unwittingly brought upon them.
"Poor girl," Grimm murmured, a note of sympathy coloring his words as he shook his head in dismay.
As our conversation drew to a close, I thanked Grimm for his candor, feeling a renewed sense of purpose stirring within me. With a determined stride, I made my way back to the inn, my mind ablaze with thoughts of finding Grey and perhaps offering her the apology she deserved.