On a nearly dilapidated table sat two plates, each containing nothing but hardened bread. The bread's darkened appearance suggested it had been stored for days, almost on the verge of developing mold. This was considered a luxury for the two children, a rare occasion when they could still have something to eat.
In a forlorn, worn chair, Leyner slouched. His attire appeared grimy, and his messy hair added to the desolation. Their home seemed to echo with a profound silence, its emptiness a poignant reminder of what had been lost. All that remained were the chairs, a dining table, and a handful of family photographs on the wall, haunting emblems of a happier past.
"Come on, let's eat. We have to work today. Uncle Olivier said we can join his expedition team as porters," Rivele said, taking a seat across from Leyner and starting to eat her bread. The tough texture of the bread was unmistakable as she bit into it, and the bland taste made the chewing effort truly unpleasant for the tongue.
"Alright, Sis," Leyner replied curtly, his eyes unable to hide his true feelings. But neither of them had any other choice.
Under the radiant sun, its warmth gentle, the chorus of birds filling the air with their jubilant tunes. Having finished their meager breakfast, they ventured outside from their aged abode. They couldn't afford to be late today, so they left early, as their home was located on the outskirts of the town.
"So, what's Uncle Olivier's plan for the day, Sis?" Leyner raised his gaze to meet his sister's, a curiosity in his eyes.
"He said we're going to hunt Pardo Wolf. He promised us two silver coins each," Rivele explained.
"I-isn't that dangerous? Aren't Pardo Wolves nearly the size of bears?" Leyner asked, his concern evident in his voice.
"D-don't worry, Uncle Olivier is dependable," she said, not realizing her own hands were trembling after Leyner's description of the Pardo Wolves.
"Is it really going to be okay?" Leyner wondered without saying it aloud.
They had to traverse a footpath, and sometimes adventurers and mercenaries passed by them, just like this morning. Occasionally, they also spotted knights and merchants on the same path. Leyner's eyes seemed fixated on the armor they wore. Like a child in general, he appeared in awe of the gallant stature of the knights as they walked and carried out their duties in their armor.
"I think we can have a nice meal tonight," Rivele said with a hopeful smile.
"Um, yeah, I hope so too," Leyner replied.
They continued walking and conversing along the path, displaying the close bond of siblings. Unbeknownst to them, they eventually arrived at the city gates. Two guards stood at each corner of the gate, holding their weapons. The gates were quite wide, and people could freely pass in and out without any charge, for this was
"Hey, kiddo, over here!" A man shouted at them, waving his right hand, clad in a brown leather glove. The man was dressed as a hunter, with his attire layered with iron armour on his chest, and he wore similar arm and leg guards, appearing lightweight. The man's hair resembled a lion's mane, also a thin mustache and beard adorned his face.
"We aren't late, right?" Rivele asked the man.
From appearances, the man seemed to be around 27 years old. The man leaned against the gate's wall. A weapon hung from the man's waist, a sword, sheathed in a black scabbard adorned with a golden floral motif.
"Don't worry, kids," he said, giving them a thumbs-up.
"So, where are the others?" Rivele asked.
"The rest? Nah, they're not here yet. You know how those lazy bums are, never on time for this kinda stuff," he said casually.
A quarter-hour had drifted away, as evidenced by the clock tower in the heart of the town, its spire reaching towards the sky.
Footsteps approached them, and a diverse group of people arrived, each one equipped to the teeth. They carried weapons, wore armor, and had bags filled with potions and other supplies for their adventure.
"This long-eared got a knack for scrounging up worthless junk. Don't you dare put the blame on me for bein' tardy," the dwarves grumbled in a rude tone. He was not particularly tall and kinda look old enough like some typical oldman, despite that, his heavy armor and the large axe slung on his back made him quite the formidable figure.
"What, don't pin this on me, you shorty! Your wrinkled face can't appreciate the importance and beauty of the accessories I just got, geezer!" the pink-haired elf girl shot back. Her long elfin ears were a unique feature compared to the humans, and her attire was notably casual, with plenty of skin on display. She casually toted a bow and arrows, as well as a dagger sheathed on her thigh.
"Who the hell are you callin' short and geezer?! You're older than dirt, you loony old hag!" The dwarf replied.
"Both of you are utterly hopeless, can't you see there are children here? Save your argument for later," a woman with short hair and slightly tanned skin spoke. She was clad in incredibly heavy armor, causing the sound of clinking metal to accompany her every movement. She only carried a massive kite shield hung in her back.
"Cron's right," Olivier chimed in. He offered a faint smile and straightened his posture, standing tall.
"Shut it, who do you think you're calling out of line, you drunken louts!" Coming from both the dwarf and elf, their responses were fired simultaneously.
Olivier, upon hearing this, responded with a small chuckle at their banter.
"Kids, take these..." The woman known as Cron handed over two satchels to the young siblings. The bags were quite heavy, indicating that they contained potions and various gear and items that might come in handy for their mission today.
"W-what is this, Miss?" A bit nervous, Rivele inquired.
A small grin crossed Cron's face as she replied, "A few potions, antidotes, and some jerky. Use them when necessary. By the way, I'm Cronetta Vermion." Her golden hair seemed to glisten as she introduced herself, perhaps due to the sunlight making it shine even brighter.
"Ahem, Shu Palpa, that's the name of this lovely lady here," the pink-haired elf immediately joined in with enthusiasm and a hint of teasing.
"Hahaha—don't be so stiff, kids. I know you're still green, but loosen up a bit. After all, you've got a long life ahead, hahahahaha" the dwarf said, approaching and giving each of the young siblings a friendly pat on the shoulder. "By the way, I don't have a proper name; I missed my naming ceremony, but folks call me Egar! Nice to meet you, kids."
Seeing how enthusiastically they introduced themselves, Rivele found it cool. Her eyes seemed to light up, her pupils dilated, and she responded in a loud voice, "Rivele Meyner, p-pleased to meet you all!"
"Hah—That's not bad, kid! Good, adventurers should be like that!" Egar cut in with a praise full of excitement.
"So, what about the little one?" Egar asked, turning his gaze towards Leyner.
"L—Leyner Meyner," Leyner introduced himself with a hint of shyness.
"Eh—this one's a bit shyer than his sibling, Ahahahahaha—!" Egar added with a hearty laugh.
"Enough with your wisecracks, you sound like a damn know-it-all, and you're freaking them out!" Shu snapped.
"W-what?! No way, you're just blabbering, old hag!"
Their journey was filled with conversation, laughter, and a lively atmosphere that colored their travels. Pardo Wolf was located in the western part of Olihart, and they had to exit through the same gate where the Meyner siblings had entered earlier, then continue their journey westward to Weist Forest. The forest was known for its gigantic trees, and the dense foliage created an eerie atmosphere. It was dark, silent, cold, and sometimes shrouded in mist, making the journey there quite a harrowing experience.
And that's where the true story will begins.