Kazuki and Selena stepped out of the guild and headed toward the gates of Veridonne. Murmurs drifted around them as they passed, whispers filled with curiosity and disdain.
"Finally, that weird guy with the mask is leaving!" one person muttered. Another added, "Leaving already? Wonder what he looks like without that mask."
Kazuki ignored them, his gaze fixed forward. Selena glanced his way. "This is normal for you, huh?" she asked with a wry smile. He didn't respond, simply walked on as they left the city behind.
After five hours of trekking, they came upon a sign at a fork in the road. "Left for a shortcut to Mirkdusk, but dangerous. Right for a safer, longer route."
Without hesitation, Kazuki turned left. "I've got no time to waste. Come with me if you want," he said. Selena sighed but followed, her pace matching his as they ventured down the more perilous path.
Not long after, they reached a dense forest. A faded sign at its edge read: Beware: Jungle Hounds.
Kazuki read it silently, while Selena explained, "Jungle hounds are like wolves but deadlier. Their bites are poisonous, they attack in packs, and they're hard to spot. They've also got an alpha that can control the vines around him."
"Any weaknesses?" Kazuki asked.
"Fire seems to work best against them," she replied.
Kazuki nodded. "You can fight, right?"
Selena just gave a determined nod. They entered the forest, pushing through webs and brushing past insects that buzzed and crawled around them. After nearly two hours, Selena slipped on something. She looked down—and let out a horrified gasp.
A decayed skeleton lay partially hidden under leaves, insects crawling over it. Kazuki covered her mouth to stifle her scream, studying the remains. "It's fresh. This guy died just days ago."
Before they could say anything else, a rustling came from the bushes. Kazuki tensed, eyes narrowing behind his mask. "Get ready," he whispered, shifting into a boxing stance. Dark and lightning magic crackled around his fists.
Selena extended a hand, casting a strong gust of wind that parted the bushes, revealing a pack of jungle hounds with eyes glinting hungrily. One lunged toward her, and she fired a concentrated light bullet from her fingertips, hitting it squarely.
More hounds appeared, surrounding them. Selena quickly conjured a spear made of light, while Kazuki called out, "You can get up to those trees, right?"
"Yes!" she replied.
"Then go!"
Kazuki stomped the ground with a burst of energy, forcing some of the hounds to leap back. He then charged forward, fists crackling with dark and lightning magic, landing a devastating punch on one of the hounds. It vanished in a blink, but his own hand bore the strain of the impact. The rest of the pack attacked in unison, their poisonous bites sinking into his arms and legs. Vines shot out from the trees, wrapping tightly around his limbs.
Selena glanced down from a tree branch and saw a massive hound—the alpha, wrapped in thorny vines. It tightened its hold on Kazuki, forcing him still. He gritted his teeth, fighting to break free.
"Kazuki!" Selena called, her face pale. "I could try a bigger blast, but it might hit you, too!"
Kazuki grimaced through the pain. "Do it! Just… make it count!"
Hesitant but determined, Selena aimed her hand at him and the jungle hounds surrounding him. "Radiant Burst!" she shouted, releasing a massive beam of light. The blast hit Kazuki and the hounds, scattering the pack and singeing Kazuki's right side in the process.
The alpha still loomed, its vine control intact. Selena leaped down from the tree, firing a light bullet that startled it, forcing it to release Kazuki. She gathered her power for one final attack, her hands glowing with intensity. "Radiant Burst!" she yelled again, sending a searing beam directly at the alpha's head, obliterating it.
The forest grew quiet as she turned to Kazuki. He was covered in bites and burns, but somehow, his wounds were healing rapidly, disappearing before her eyes.
"Your wounds… they're gone!" Selena stammered, her voice filled with amazement.
Kazuki looked down at his unharmed skin, his brows knitting in confusion. "I don't know what's happening to my body," he muttered, still trying to make sense of it. After a moment, he glanced back at the remains of the man they'd found earlier. "Let's give him a proper burial."
Selena nodded, and together they carried the skeleton to a clearing. Kazuki dug a small grave, and they buried the stranger with a few quiet words.
For the next three days, they journeyed on, finally reaching the gates of Mirkdusk as the sun dipped low over the horizon.
Kazuki and Selena arrived at Mirkdusk under the cover of night. As they wandered through the winding streets, Selena noticed the unusual crowd of masked figures passing them by.
"Kazuki, look! So many people here are wearing masks, just like you," Selena remarked, her eyes darting from one masked person to the next.
Kazuki glanced at the crowd but didn't respond. He simply continued walking, his gaze focused on finding a place to stay. After a few moments, they found a quaint inn with dimly lit lanterns hanging by the door, casting a warm glow.
"Sit at the counter while I get us a room," Kazuki instructed as they stepped inside.
While Kazuki negotiated with the innkeeper, Selena overheard him saying, "Two rooms, please." She leaned over and interrupted, her cheeks tinged with a soft blush. "No, make it one room. We can share, besides…" She trailed off shyly. "You'll be my future husband, anyway!"
Kazuki nearly choked on his words, his voice firm. "No. We agreed on 'no invading each other's privacy,' remember?"
"But… it's not that personal," she mumbled, looking away but with a mischievous smile.
With a reluctant sigh, he conceded, "Fine. One large room with two beds, please."
The innkeeper nodded and replied, "How many nights?"
Kazuki thought for a moment. "Two weeks should be enough."
"That will be 20 silver pieces."
Kazuki counted out the coins and handed them over. After the innkeeper led them to their room, Selena immediately began organizing her belongings, while Kazuki slipped outside to get some fresh air. The night was cool, and the streets had quieted down, save for a few travelers and townsfolk lingering under the stars.
A young boy approached him, his eyes shining with admiration. "Mister, that's a cool mask! What's your name? I'm Carlos!"
Kazuki crouched down slightly, meeting the boy's gaze. "Zuki," he replied, keeping his tone soft. "Just call me Zuki."
Carlos chuckled, tilting his head. "Zuki? That's a funny name! Are you an adventurer?"
Kazuki nodded. "Yeah, I am."
The boy's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Will you be here for the Carnival of Forgotten Faces next week?"
Kazuki nodded again, a faint smile hidden beneath his mask. "I will."
"Then show me your face when you come!" Carlos laughed, darting back to a woman standing nearby.
She stepped forward and offered a warm smile. "I'm so sorry for my son's curiosity, sir. I hope he didn't bother you."
"Not at all," Kazuki replied. "He's a good kid."
"Oh, thank you. I'm Lucy, Carlos's foster mother," she introduced herself, bowing slightly. "It's nice to meet you, Zuki."
Kazuki nodded in acknowledgment, watching as Lucy and Carlos disappeared into the night.
He eventually made his way to the guild, surprised to see the number of adventurers who also wore masks. After ordering a meal to take back to the inn—grilled chicken, corn cobs, and a bottle of beer—Kazuki returned to their room to find Selena carefully placing her belongings around the space. Without a word, he set the food on the table.
"The food's here. If you're hungry, eat," he said, grabbing a corn cob and taking a hearty bite.
Selena sat down across from him, picking at her own meal. "What took you so long?" she asked with a slight pout.
Kazuki merely shrugged. "None of your business."
They ate in comfortable silence, the events of their journey catching up to them. After finishing his food, Kazuki twisted the cap off the bottle of beer and took a long drink as he settled onto his bed. Selena, watching him with interest, crossed her arms.
"Where's mine?"
Kazuki looked at her over the rim of the bottle. "Didn't know you drank."
Selena narrowed her eyes at him. "I do."
"Fine," he smirked. He held the bottle out to her. "It's half. All yours."
Selena hesitated before taking the bottle, her cheeks turning slightly pink. "You didn't even wipe it off!" she huffed.
Kazuki raised an eyebrow. "Grow up. It's just a bottle. Drink it or give it back."
With a small laugh, Selena took a sip, finding herself pleasantly surprised by the rich flavor. She savored it for a moment before setting it down. Kazuki, already feeling the fatigue from their travels, lay back on his bed, arms behind his head as he drifted into a half-sleep.
Selena, glancing over at him, whispered to herself, "I didn't expect any of this from him. He may act rough, but… he's kinder than he seems." She allowed herself a small smile as she lay back, closing her eyes with a newfound sense of contentment.