The next morning, the sun filtered through the small window of Kazuki's inn room, casting a golden glow over the worn wooden floor. He stretched lazily, feeling the stiffness in his muscles from yesterday's encounter with the Forest Beast. It was strange—his body felt stronger than it ever had back in his old life, and despite the battle, he hadn't felt exhausted at all.
Guess I'm really not the same person I was, he thought with a faint smile as he got up and began preparing for the day.
After a quick meal at the inn's tavern, Kazuki made his way back to the guild to meet up with Serena and Leo. The town was bustling as always, but there was a palpable energy in the air—people whispered about the discovery of the northern ruins, rumors spreading quickly through the streets. Kazuki could hear snippets of conversation as he passed groups of adventurers.
"They say it's an ancient elven site…"
"…filled with traps and cursed treasures…"
"Only the bravest adventurers are going after it."
Kazuki smirked to himself. He had no delusions of grandeur, but there was something exhilarating about being part of such a quest. Let's hope Leo hasn't dragged us into more trouble than we can handle.
When he arrived at the guildhall, Serena and Leo were already waiting for him by one of the long wooden tables, studying a map spread out in front of them. Serena greeted him with a nod, while Leo waved him over enthusiastically.
"Kazuki! You're just in time. I've been gathering info all morning," Leo said, practically bouncing in his seat.
"Did you find anything useful?" Kazuki asked, sitting down across from them.
Leo grinned and pointed to a spot on the map. "According to some of the older adventurers, the ruins are located here, deep in the northern woods. It's about a two-day journey on foot from the town, and the path is known to be crawling with monsters. But that's not the interesting part." He leaned in closer, his voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper. "The ruins are said to be an ancient elven site, dating back to a time before the Great War."
Kazuki raised an eyebrow. "The Great War?"
Serena nodded, her expression serious. "It was a massive conflict that nearly tore the continent apart centuries ago. It involved humans, elves, dwarves, and even the demon tribes. The details are mostly lost to history, but it's said that powerful magic and ancient artifacts were used during the war. If these ruins are from that era, there's no telling what we might find inside."
Kazuki frowned. "And no one's explored these ruins before?"
"Not properly," Leo said, shaking his head. "There have been a few attempts, but most of the adventurers who went in never came back. Those who did return…well, let's just say they weren't in good shape."
Serena glanced at Leo with a frown. "And this is where you want us to go?"
Leo grinned sheepishly. "Hey, where's your sense of adventure?"
Kazuki leaned back in his chair, considering the risks. The northern woods were bound to be dangerous, and if what Leo said was true, the ruins themselves could be even worse. But at the same time, there was something about the mystery of it all that intrigued him. This world is filled with unknowns, and I want to see what it's hiding.
"Alright," Kazuki said finally, meeting Serena's gaze. "I'm in. Let's check out these ruins."
Serena sighed but nodded. "Fine. But we need to prepare properly. I don't want us walking into a death trap without the right supplies."
Leo pumped his fist in victory. "Yes! I knew you'd be up for it!"
The rest of the day was spent gathering supplies and making final preparations for the journey. Serena took charge, leading them through the marketplace to stock up on essentials—potions, food, and even a few new weapons. Kazuki bought a sturdy new sword to replace the worn one he had borrowed from the guild, while Leo picked up several scrolls filled with basic magical incantations.
As they walked through the busy streets, Kazuki couldn't help but notice the variety of people around them. Elves with their graceful, lithe movements, dwarves bartering loudly with merchants, and even the occasional beastfolk—humanoid creatures with animal-like features—passed by. This world was so much more diverse than his old one, and the more he saw, the more curious he became about its inhabitants.
At one point, Kazuki caught sight of an elven woman standing by a merchant's stall, her silver hair catching the sunlight. She was tall and elegant, her sharp eyes scanning the wares with a focused intensity. There was something about her presence that struck Kazuki—an air of quiet strength, like she was accustomed to battle. But before he could dwell on it, Serena called him over, and the elf disappeared into the crowd.
I wonder if I'll meet more of her kind in the future, Kazuki mused as he rejoined the group.
By the time they finished their preparations, the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the town. They agreed to leave at first light, giving them one last night of rest before their journey into the unknown.
As Kazuki lay in bed that night, his mind wandered back to the ruins. What kind of ancient magic would they find there? And what dangers awaited them in the depths of the northern woods?