Icarius knew exactly what he had to do: find the head of a powerful monster, the most valuable part, and bring it back without revealing his true strength. He had just one day to get it done. As night fell, he headed back to his small, isolated wooden home to rest. Although he should have had trouble understanding the villagers, they spoke in a language he somehow understood perfectly. It confused him, but he brushed it off, thinking it might be one of the many skills he gained as a sage. He tried to relax, but before closing his eyes, another worry crept in: How was he going to explain having such a powerful monster's head while keeping his low profile? After some thought, he decided he could say his uncle from the nearby city sent it to him as a gift. That seemed like a good enough excuse, so he finally let himself drift off to sleep.
The night passed quietly in the small village of Tyouga, and Icarius woke up the next morning with a strong sense of purpose. He had to get this done. Heading out to the cursed forest nearby, he knew that was where he'd find the monster he needed. The forest was pretty calm as he entered, the trees towering over him as he went deeper.
Icarius thought to himself, This place doesn't look so cursed… yet. But he kept his guard up, knowing that appearances could be deceiving.
As he made his way further in, he suddenly found himself surrounded by a group of ten demonic goblins, like the system indicated. They were green-skinned with two red horns on their heads, and they looked ready for a fight. The goblins spoke in their language, but Icarius understood them clearly.
"What's this kid doing here? He must've gotten lost from his mommy and daddy!" Their captain, wearing a golden helmet, sneered.
The other goblins laughed, one of them stepping forward. "Captain, let me take care of him. I don't like the way he's looking at you."
Icarius stayed silent, feeling a mix of excitement and readiness. This was his first real encounter with monsters that everyone feared. The goblin, who had stepped forward, grinned wickedly. "I, Gortar, will turn you to dust with my fire magic. Not that you'd understand a word I'm saying, but you'll get it in the afterlife!"
The goblin raised his wand, and a massive wave of fire came hurtling toward Icarius. The blast was so intense that the other goblins started to leave, laughing at what they assumed was the kid's demise.
But when the smoke cleared, Icarius stood there, untouched. He followed the goblins quietly, knowing they hadn't noticed him yet. When he was close enough, he whispered a single word: "Gravila."
The goblins were suddenly slammed to the ground, pinned by an invisible force. Their captain, wide-eyed with fear, managed to stutter, "H-how are you still alive?"
Icarius stepped forward, his voice calm but cold. "Hello, little goblins. How does it feel to be at my mercy? Do you enjoy killing children? It's your turn now."
The captain, panicked, begged for his life. "Wait! I'll give you all the gold we've taken! Just let me live!"
Icarius ignored him and grabbed the goblin, who had threatened him earlier. The goblin, Gortar, was confused as to why he was spared from the gravity spell. He tried to strike Icarius with his sword, but Icarius looked him straight in the eyes, his aura freezing the goblin in place.
"Watch closely," Icarius said, his voice low and threatening.
He then whispered, "Omnigravila," and the ground beneath the remaining goblins cracked and crumbled, swallowing them into a deadly pit. The last goblin, shaking with fear, handed over his sword as Icarius demanded.
"Never trust someone you tried to kill," Icarius muttered before swiftly beheading the goblin. He placed the head in a leather pack, tossed the body into the pit, and sealed it with a wave of his hand.
He headed straight to the office in the city. The day was almost over, and he knew time was against him. When he arrived, he handed the accountant the goblin's head. The accountant's eyes widened in surprise.
"A kid like you took down a B-rank monster? How is that possible?" the accountant asked, clearly suspicious.
Icarius quickly came up with his excuse. "It wasn't me. My uncle, an A-rank adventurer in Gyrok, sent it to me. I'm just learning the ropes of this adventurer life," he said, trying to sound casual.
The accountant wasn't fully convinced but had no proof otherwise. After a few tense minutes, Icarius was handed two golden coins, more than enough for what he needed.
Feeling relieved, Icarius decided to treat himself. He stopped by a local restaurant and ordered some cooked fish and a drink called Holo, a blend of milk, almonds, peaches, and apples. As he ate, he let his mind wander.
"What else is out there in that cursed forest?" he thought to himself. "What other monsters are there, and what treasures could be hidden?"
These thoughts followed him home. After putting his money away, he closed the door and took a deep breath.
"No equipment, no plan, but I've got to see what's out there," Icarius whispered to himself.
With that, he steeled himself for whatever lay ahead and set out once more, ready to uncover the forest's secrets.