Emerging from an age-old slumber, he opened his eyes to an encompassing darkness.

In a nondescript tavern nestled within an unnamed village at the foot of the Dragon Mountains, on the fringes of the Magos Kingdom, a peculiar scene unfolded.

Young Nia gazed upon the man before her, feeling as though her beauty was a curse.

"I've wandered this chaotic world, directionless and lost," he proclaimed. "But today, I beheld you, a maiden as radiant as the Goddess of Light herself. Love has blossomed in my heart, imbuing my existence with purpose."

The bard Roderick, having concluded his impassioned, half-hour long serenade, struck what he deemed his most dashing pose and implored, "Lady Nia, I beseech you to accept my devoted affection!"

Nia blinked, demurring, "I'm afraid that's not possible. I'm but a child still."

Undeterred, Roderick persisted, "Then allow me to remain by your side, Lady Nia. I shall wait for you until you're ready to embrace my love."

"But..."

"Why the hesitation? Do you perceive me as a scoundrel?" Roderick's eyes glistened with unshed tears.

"However..."

"Why the doubt? Can you not trust me, Lady Nia? Though our acquaintance is brief, our connection is profound!" Roderick's anguish was palpable.

Nia felt the weight of her beauty as a burden, believing that her mere presence, even in silence, could inadvertently harm others.

As Nia sighed deeply, preparing to console the seemingly pitiful man, Wesley, the thief seated nearby, interjected, "For heaven's sake, Roderick. You've been recycling the same tired lines to woo women since you were twelve. It's utterly pathetic!"

Nia's face blanched as she glared at Roderick, who seemed ready to throttle the meddlesome thief.

"Hush," whispered Thal, the white-bearded dwarf, gesturing towards the entrance.

The quarreling men turned to see a female swordsman, clad in a form-fitting teal outfit and bearing a long sword at her hip, enter the establishment.

"Sister Uni, we're over here!" Nia called out, waving.

Uni approached, took a seat, and after a sip of water, reported, "I've inquired among the villagers. None know of the Lost Cavern in the Dragon Mountains, and with recent monster sightings, no one's willing to guide us up the mountain."

Wesley, his eyes glinting mischievously, turned to Thal. "Old man, is that treasure map of yours reliable? We'd better not be wasting our efforts!"

Thal scoffed, "Of course it is! Young people these days, utterly devoid of respect for their elders."

Roderick waved his hands placatingly. "Alright, alright, let's not quarrel. As the leader of this adventuring party, I declare we press on... Hey! Where are you four going? If you have objections, voice them! I'm an open-minded, magnanimous leader who'll listen... Wait, what? You expect me to foot the bill again? That's outrageous!"

A month prior, these five strangers had met in Chisu City, the capital of the Magos Kingdom. Thal, the dwarf, had chanced upon (or so he claimed) a map to the Lost Cavern in the Dragon Mountains. Hearing of the monsters that roamed the area, he sought reliable companions for the expedition. Uni, a female swordsman seeking to hone her skills, and Nia, a light mage looking to gain experience, both graduates of prestigious academies, joined the quest. Thal had confidence in these talented individuals. The other two men, however, were a different matter entirely. Roderick, upon seeing the two beautiful women, immediately proclaimed himself the world's greatest hero and joined the group. Wesley, the thief accompanying Roderick, latched onto the party at the mere mention of treasure. Thal accepted him, considering the potential need for lock-picking skills. Thus, this eclectic band of adventurers was formed.

Five days had passed since the group entered the Dragon Mountains. They had indeed encountered monsters, but only the weakest and most inferior kind, which Uni typically dispatched single-handedly with her sword.

As dusk fell, the quintet found a modest clearing in the dense forest to rest. Nia took charge of meal preparations, kindling a fire and cooking. Thal scrutinized the treasure map, muttering, "It should be nearby."

Roderick and Wesley couldn't resist offering their unsolicited advice to Thal. Suddenly, Uni, who had been gathering firewood in the distance, cried out, "Who goes there?"

Startled by the possibility of encountering others in such a remote location, the four rushed towards Uni. They found her crouched in the forest, a black-robed figure lying prone before her.

"Uni, did you kill him?" Wesley exclaimed in alarm.

Uni shot him a withering glance. "No, he was already on the ground. I was simply startled to find someone here."

Thal approached and turned the man over. He was a young man with refined features, his eyes tightly shut. His complexion was unnaturally pale, as though he hadn't seen sunlight in years.

Nia checked for signs of life. "He's still breathing," she announced. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and began to softly chant an incantation. Her hands soon emitted a white glow—a healing spell of the light magic school.

Nia hovered her hands over the black-robed man's chest, her incantation unceasing. The white light gradually suffused his body. After a prolonged moment, Nia withdrew her hands, her brow now beaded with perspiration.

Roderick, observing the motionless figure, couldn't resist commenting, "Lady Nia, could your spell have failed?"

Nia's eyes flashed with anger. "My offensive spells rarely fail. Care to test them?"

Roderick promptly fell silent.

Suddenly, the man stirred, his eyes slowly opening.

The sky had finally darkened to night.

As consciousness returned to the mysterious figure, the air around them seemed to thicken with anticipation. The forest's ambient sounds faded, as if nature itself held its breath.

Uni's hand instinctively moved to the hilt of her sword, her warrior's instincts on high alert. Thal leaned forward, his aged eyes glinting with curiosity. Wesley, ever the opportunist, surveyed the man's attire for any signs of valuable possessions.

Nia, exhausted from her healing efforts, watched intently, a mixture of concern and fascination etched on her face. Roderick, momentarily forgetting his earlier rebuke, positioned himself protectively near Nia.

The black-robed man's eyes, now fully open, seemed to hold depths of time and knowledge far beyond his apparent years. He gazed at each member of the group in turn, his expression unreadable.

As he attempted to speak, his voice emerged as a hoarse whisper, carrying the weight of centuries...