On the outskirts of the kingdom, five young knights tore through the orc village, leaving no survivors. The young and old alike fell beneath their blades, and not a single orc was spared. In the chaos, Kael moved like a shadow, his sword singing as it cleaved through orcs with precision and grace. His movements were fluid and deadly, each strike purposeful. He spun, cutting through a charging orc's neck, watching as blood sprayed into the air, the crimson mist covering the battlefield.
"Another one down!" a knight called out from across the field, watching Kael's massacre in awe. "He's like a demon out here!"
Kael's dark brown eyes wandered over the battlefield, his breath calm and measured despite the carnage. An orc attempted to ambush him from behind, but Kael felt its presence before it made a sound. With a swift pivot, he slashed across the orc's chest, his blade tearing through flesh and bone. Blood gushed out in a torrent, the orc collapsing to the ground, lifeless.
He barely registered the kill. His thoughts were elsewhere, lost in the rhythm of battle. These monsters must be wiped out before they can raid human settlements, Kael reasoned, justifying the blood on his hands.
Finally, the battle ended. The village lay in ruins, bodies scattered everywhere, their grotesque forms twisted in death. The knights, breathing heavily, began cheering as the adrenaline wore off.
Earl, a fellow knight Kael had grown close to, walked over, grinning as he clapped him on the back. "Four missions in, and you're still cutting down more than anyone else! Impressive as always, Kael."
Kael simply sighed, wiping the blood from his blade. "I just did what I had to."
They mounted their horses and rode back toward the kingdom, the taste of victory bittersweet on Kael's tongue. This was Kael's fourth mission, and he had quickly adjusted to the life of killing these creatures. Orcs were nothing more than pests to him now, easily dealt with even by first-layer knights like most of his team. But in his group, Kael was different. He was the only second-layered knight, his skills with the sword at a two-star level, putting him far ahead of his peers in combat prowess.
Upon arriving at the mission house, they were greeted with cheers from fellow knights and citizens alike. Kael managed a small smile, trying to ignore the hollowness that gnawed at him. If all these people are happy, then it must be for the greater good, he thought, pushing away his lingering doubts.
At the counter, they claimed their reward—10 gold, split among the five of them. Kael pocketed his 2 gold, a decent sum considering that it could cover nearly half a year's living expenses for a villager in Eldenwood. Memories of his family's meager income surfaced in his mind. His family used to make around 7 gold a year, but with taxes, they could only keep 3. Kael forced those thoughts aside, focusing on the present.
"Drink up, Kael!" Earl shoved a tankard of beer into his hand, laughing heartily. "Four missions down, and you're already making a name for yourself!"
Kael took a long drink, the beer doing little to numb the restlessness inside him. His eyes wandered to the mission board, where new tasks were posted daily.
He scanned the missions:
Exterminate a village of undead – Reward: 30 gold
Clear out a goblin encampment near the southern mountains – Reward: 15 gold
Hunt a rogue wyvern near the Blackwood Forest – Reward: 5,000 gold
Kael's gaze lingered on the wyvern mission. Five thousand gold was a fortune, enough to make a man rich for life. But he quickly dismissed the thought—such a mission was far beyond his reach. It required several four-layered mages, not first-layer knights like most of his team. The orc mission they had just completed was something even a group of first-layer knights could handle. In his group, Kael was the only second-layered knight, and while his two-star swordsmanship set him apart, he knew he wasn't ready for something as dangerous as a wyvern.
As Kael continued to scan the board, he noticed a group of senior knights gathered nearby, their armor gleaming under the low light. They were murmuring to each other, looking for volunteers. One of the men, tall and scarred, caught Kael's eye.
"Hey, young knight," the scarred man called out as Kael approached. "Looking to join us for a quick mission? We need someone to fill a spot."
Kael eyed the man, noting his hardened demeanor and the confident way he stood. "What's the rank of your group?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
The man smirked, sizing Kael up. "We're all three- and four-layered knights. What about you?"
"Second-layer mana core," Kael replied, his voice even.
The man's eyes widened slightly, impressed. "Second-layer already, huh? That's good enough. You won't slow us down."
Kael's curiosity deepened, but something tugged at him. "What's the mission?" he asked, wanting to know before committing.
The man's expression shifted, becoming more serious as he leaned in closer. "It's a search-and-survey mission," he said in a low voice. "In Eldenwood."
Kael's heart skipped a beat. Eldenwood? His old home. The village where his life had shattered. He hadn't set foot there since the day his parents were killed. A cold sweat broke out on his back as the memories flooded his mind.
The knight continued, oblivious to Kael's turmoil. "It's just a routine check, nothing dangerous. We're making sure there are no