Thump, thump, thump, thump—
"Haaa..."
The panicked beating of my heart comforted me. Sweat rolled down my forehead and my back was drenched. I kicked off the thin blankets covering my hot body.
'It was all a dream...'
Some dream it was — it was a nightmare. I still remember the beating of my heart, the panic in those moments, and the paralyzing shriek of the cockatrice and the beast that ate the cockatrice. It was just a normal nightmare, one that was oddly memorable.
But something felt... off.
Surely, it was a dream. If not, then why would I be here?
"..."
Suddenly, a laugh left my mouth, and then a full round of chuckles calmed my thoughts.
'Hahaha... this is ridiculous, why am I even wondering about this?'
My eyes were greeted by the sun's rays that illuminated through the lattice windows of my room. The sunlight was warm and pleasant. After a quick stretching session, I quickly got into action and left my room. There was nothing to worry about, so I quickly shook the memories away.
The small cabin I lived in wasn't spacious, but the lack of furniture made room. The mornings were usually loud and busy, but today was a special day for our village. It was a special enough day that even I would wake up early.
Of course, I didn't wake up early.
Then, with a hand to my chin, I looked into space as I sat on a wooden chair. I slept early last night to wake up early this morning, but the nightmare must've made me oversleep. It was a painfully logical explanation; one that made me curse the nightmare again. Once for haunting me, second for my belated awakening.
"What was I supposed to do, again?"
I remembered the village would be greeting important guests today. I had the duty to guide them inside the forest! Though, that was on the second day. Meanwhile, I was also assigned to hunt a beast for the feast tonight. This was to be expected, after all, I was one of the most—ahem—skillful hunters that our village had.
But those guests were world-renowned, even the most dangerous demons and the most influential humans knew their names if not personally. For people of their level to visit our village meant a lot to the chief and elders. However, the younger generations were just as excited to meet them — if not more.
With youth like myself in this era of demons and conquests, there were many passions and desires for individual futures. However, the most popular options were clearly obvious.
———
Most of us wished to become a Master Warrior. Warriors go through different ranks or levels in their growth: novice, intermediate, advanced, elite, warlord, heroic, and lastly, master rank.
Secondly, others dream of becoming an 'archmage.' The power structure of mages are simple; from 'first circle' to 'ninth circles,' with ninth circle mages being bestowed the title of 'archmage.'
And, because mages have different affinities, most hope to be affined to the element of 'life.' After all, healers are paid generously.
———
And...
From the village gathering a few weeks ago, the chief and his assistant spoke about the visitors: "Highly ranked individuals will come. They have the power to flip our sorrows or multiply them, so we will treat them as highly as we can."
So who were these esteemed guests that were placed atop such a high pedestal?
Five individuals who gathered in a team or 'party' under the direct order of the Union Council; their skills in multiple fields, ability to adapt to changes in battlefields, and their ability to garner fame and appreciation all made them the 'Heroes' of the continent.
'The Party of Heroes! With two sword masters, the grand healer, an archmage, and a bowmaster! Five of the greatest heroes in humankind's history will—'
"..."
'The Party of Heroes...'
The air around me became thick.
"...Five of the greatest heroes..."
***
"Ah... curse those elders... I should've at least had a minute..."
In a mutter, I lamented the pain of not being able to greet the heroes. But then again, if I greet them with deliciously hunted game... I imagined the looks of impressment the heroes would show me. I smirked, but upon realizing my facial expression, my face quickly became stoic.
Only a few minutes before, as soon as I neared the village's assembly hall, I saw a great crowd of people surrounding what I assumed to be the heroes. I quickly ran past a dozen people but was greeted by someone I should've avoided.
Elder Josen was an old man with a needlessly long beard. He saw me and quickly pointed off into the forests: "Quickly, go hunt something for the heroes!" And with a firm hand, he pushed me away from the village square.
'That's why I'm here... picking at wild berries because I didn't have breakfast.'
My stomach grumbled so I gently patted it.
'Aww... I know you're hungry, but we'll feast on meat tonight.'
With a sigh, I rid myself of any other thoughts and removed the handkerchief atop my spearhead.
The spearhead was the shape of a bay leaf, its shaft was especially long, and under the head was a short crosspiece to prevent the body of an animal from reaching the wielder. I didn't like the long shaft, but I had chosen this 'bear spear' because of that — I would be a good distance from the animal.
If there was a small animal like a boar, I'd have to switch to the shorter spear on my back, or my short sword. It was fortunate that I left my weapons outside.
"Wow, these berries are delicious..."
As a bitter berry burst in my mouth, I paused. I shouldn't be doing this.
Then, I exhaled deeply and focused my mind on something else. I visualized a shining bright light shaped like a sphere. With a deep breath, I instantly felt a strong wave of aura escape my body.
I could see—no, feel everything.
The berry bushes, the short fuzzy grass, bits of ice and snow that hadn't melted, the moistness of the bark from the dew, and even the little buds on the branches of plants. It was an amazing sensation, but it wasn't an all-powerful skill.
With a fierce cough, I held onto my knees as my head spun. My throat felt dry and scratchy as I coughed, yet I couldn't do anything but stay hurt. Worst of all was the piercing migraine in my head, it made me tumble for a few seconds, but I kept my balance.
The skill I had used was 'aura-sense.'
Manifesting my soul into a 'worldly substance' emanated an energy called aura. Everyone, even 'mundane' humans has an aura, but not everyone can sense their own aura or utilize it. Our bodies naturally emit aura, and thus, first expressions are usually based on a person's aura. However, highly skilled aura users can use certain abilities like aura sense, aura manipulation, aura infusion, etc.
"Cough, cough!" My throat continued to flare in pain.
When a person can use aura to the highest level, they are called 'aura-masters.'
And like all aura-using intermediates, I experienced a backlash because I hadn't mastered aura sense yet. Upon familiarity with using a skill, backlashes occur scarcely, and the effects of the skill such as range and detail expand.
"Damn this stupid skill, I could barely perceive anything."
I wasn't completely mad, however. I knew this forest from the back of my head; it was a place I visited often since my childhood, I could easily wander far in and not get lost. However, changes in the forest were evident; like the increasing number of demonic beasts, though they were usually demented little creatures.
And with confidence built up from the numerous times I've been hunting, I wandered into the forest's dark and humid embrace.
The early spring weather was cool and windy, but the morning had made it humid and sticky. Even so, the breeze was refreshing. It was a strangely familiar feeling as if I had experienced this not long before.
"..."
With a frown, I hit my head to forget the nightmare.
'I should've bought that nightmare charm—"
—Grrrrrr...
As soon as I heard a growl on my left, I stepped back and jumped into position — my spear pointing forward. I glared into the thick bushes and tree trunks in front of me.
For a while, a standstill occurred. My arms became sore, but I held on.
"Any second, now..."
But nothing came out of the shadows. After a long silence, my arms became slightly sore so I cursed and made up my mind.
"Huup—!"
I thrust my spear into the bushes and they shook. Yet, nothing happened. I continued to use aura sense, but nothing differed. Was something wrong? Was it me? This had never happened before in my years of—
"SHREEEIIIIGH!!!"
A horrid sound, like a pig shrieking and a horse neighing, resounded. The sound was gross and eerie, but if the tone had been any deeper, it would've been horrifying.
At the same time, the bushes rustled in movement, and a creature the size of a piglet leaped out of the bush. The creature desperately flapped its wings but only managed to land on top of the bush.
"A chicken?"
But as I looked closely, I realized the creature's neck was featherless — it had much fewer feathers than a chicken. Its beak bared sharp teeth, its back was adorned with reptilian spikes and scales, its tail was like a lizard's, and its wings were thinner and almost draconic.
"Y-you can't be serious—"
I subconsciously took a step back as my hands trembled.
That hideous little thing...
...was a cockatrice.