Under the sweltering summer sun, Thomas panted heavily as he swung his small dagger at the gelatinous slime. Each strike was fueled by determination and guided by his father's encouraging words.
"You can do it, Thomas. Just stay focused, son," Paul watched closely, standing a few steps away. Thomas wiped the sweat from his brow, his gaze never leaving the stubborn slime.
With a deep breath, Thomas slashed his dagger, hitting the slime's core. The creature dissolved into a puddle of goo, disappearing into the earth. Triumph surged within Thomas as he let out a triumphant cry, his young heart racing with exhilaration. Paul applauded, a proud smile on his face as he approached his victorious son.
"Wow! That was impressive. I am proud of you, Thomas," Paul praised, his voice carrying genuine admiration. Thomas, still catching his breath, managed a proud nod. "Y-yes! I did it, Dad. I did it." His legs wobbled, and he collapsed onto the grass, a mixture of exhaustion and happiness washing over him.
Paul was quick to reach him, catching Thomas just before he fell. "You look exhausted. Let's collect the bounty and head home," Paul suggested gently, hoisting Thomas onto his back. As they started the journey back to town, Thomas nestled against his father's broad shoulders, the gentle rhythm of his father's footsteps lulling him into peaceful drowsiness.
While Paul focused on their path, he was oblivious to the hidden presence lurking beyond the tree line. Shadows shifted, a pair of eyes fixated on the father and son. An eerie grin spread across the observer's face, hinting at a malevolent plan.
Reaching the town of Berg, Paul carefully laid Thomas on a couch within the adventurer guild. Thomas shifted, his eyelids fluttering open. He found himself in the familiar surroundings of the guild, a mix of accomplishment and fatigue washing over him. He blinked in surprise as a guild member's voice reached his ears.
"Hey Janne, I'm back," Paul greeted, his voice carrying a touch of weariness from the day's training. Janne, a friendly face behind the counter, greeted him with a warm smile.
"Welcome back. May I have the slime cores as evidence?" Janne's tone was professional yet friendly, making Paul feel at ease.
Paul placed a bag filled with slime cores on the counter, a mix of pride and relief in his expression. "Here are the cores. How much do I receive for this many?" he inquired, his gaze fixed on Janne.
Janne hesitated briefly before responding, her fingers tapping thoughtfully on the counter. "Hmmm, considering the condition of the cores, I can offer you 5 bronze coins."
Paul's grin widened, and he nodded his acceptance. "That's more than enough, thank you." He took the coins and slipped them into his pocket.
Janne exchanged his adventure card for the coins, her smile warm and genuine. "Nice to see you back, Paul. Have a great day."
With the formalities concluded, Paul turned to retrieve Thomas, but he was met with a heartwarming scene. Thomas was engaged in conversation with a girl around his age. As Paul approached, he noticed that the girl was an elf, her short green hair framing her delicate features.
A smile tugged at the corners of Paul's lips as he watched Thomas interact with his newfound friend. Paul called out to his son, "Thomas! Let's head home; it's getting late." His voice was both inviting and reassuring.
Thomas tore his attention away from the conversation and turned to his father, his eyes bright with excitement. He waved goodbye to the elf girl before bounding over to Paul, his small form filled with youthful energy.
As they rode on horseback, the day's events were a topic of conversation between father and son. "Well, well, well, it seems someone made a new friend today," Paul began, his voice playful.
Thomas beamed, his face animated with enthusiasm. "Hehehe, yes, Father. She's nice."
Paul chuckled warmly, his pride evident. "Did you learn her name?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.
Thomas nodded enthusiastically, his eyes sparkling with joy. "Yes! Her name is Serena. She's very kind and friendly."
Paul's smile widened, his heart warmed by his son's blossoming connections. "It's good to know you're making friends," he remarked, his tone both affectionate and approving.
As the day wound down, a sudden change in the sky's hue caught Paul's attention. A dark plume of smoke rose ominously in the distance, shrouding their village. Panic-stricken figures dashed in all directions, and Paul's heart clenched with a mixture of dread and determination.
He reined in the horse, a sense of urgency gripping him. Gently, he turned to a fleeing villager. "Hey, what's happening in the village?" Paul's voice carried a blend of concern and urgency.
The villager's face reflected sheer terror as he glanced at Paul. "Goblins! They're attacking!" The word hung in the air, heavy with impending danger.
Paul's instincts flared, his grip on the reins tightening. Without a second thought, he spurred the horse into motion, his mind focused on the safety of his village and the loved ones within it. As they sped toward the village, Thomas clung to his father's shirt, his heart racing in tandem with his father's steely resolve.