The sun was setting behind them as Kazuki and his companions finally reached the gates of the town known as Ravenspire. The towering stone walls loomed ahead, casting long shadows across the plains. Guards patrolled the top, their steel armor reflecting the last of the daylight. A large iron gate barred their entry, and the sound of bustling activity within the town could be faintly heard.
Kazuki stretched his arms, feeling the tension ease from his muscles after the long trek. "Finally. Civilization."
Serena approached the gate, and the guard stationed there, a burly man with a thick beard, eyed them suspiciously. "What's your business in Ravenspire?"
"We've been traveling from the south," Serena said, her tone calm and confident. "We need a place to rest and some supplies. Also, this girl," she gestured to Mina, "needs medical attention. She was attacked by Direfangs."
The guard's eyes widened at the mention of the Direfangs, and he gave Mina a sympathetic look before nodding. "Direfangs, eh? You're lucky to be alive, miss. We've had reports of them getting more aggressive lately." He turned back to Serena. "You're welcome in Ravenspire. Just don't go causing any trouble."
Kazuki smirked as they walked through the gates. "Me? Cause trouble? Never."
Serena shot him a look. "Let's just find an inn and get settled before you jinx us."
As they entered the bustling streets of Ravenspire, Kazuki couldn't help but be impressed. The town was larger than he had expected, with tall stone buildings and cobblestone roads. Market stalls lined the streets, selling everything from fresh produce to weapons and armor. The smell of freshly baked bread mixed with the scent of roasting meats filled the air, and the sound of merchants haggling with customers added to the lively atmosphere.
"This place is huge," Leo remarked, his eyes wide with excitement. "I've read about towns like this, but seeing one in person is something else."
Mina, still pale but looking better after the rest, clung to Serena's side, her eyes darting nervously at the crowds. "I…I've never been to a place like this."
Kazuki walked ahead of them, glancing around. "First things first—let's find an inn. We need to rest up before we figure out our next move."
They eventually found a cozy inn near the center of town, a place called The Silver Griffin. The innkeeper, a cheerful middle-aged woman named Elara, welcomed them warmly and offered them two rooms for the night.
After making sure Mina was settled in and receiving proper care, the group gathered in the common room for a meal. The inn was lively, filled with travelers, adventurers, and locals alike. Kazuki could hear snippets of conversation about various monster attacks, guild rumors, and trade routes.
As they ate, Leo leaned in, his voice hushed. "We should find a guild tomorrow. They'll have information on the Direfangs and any other dangers in the area."
Kazuki nodded, though his mind was elsewhere. He had been thinking about the oddities of this world—the monsters, the magic, the strange sense of destiny pulling him into something bigger. But more than that, he was thinking about how he could navigate this world without being dragged into unnecessary conflicts. I didn't come here to be some legendary hero, he thought. I just want to live quietly—if that's even possible.
Serena noticed his silence and nudged him with her elbow. "You're awfully quiet, Kazuki. Everything alright?"
Kazuki shrugged. "Just thinking. This place feels…different. It's more alive than I expected."
Serena smiled. "That's one way to put it. But don't let your guard down. This world has its dangers, and we've already seen that with the Direfangs."
Kazuki sighed. "Yeah, I know. But I'm not planning to fight every monster that crosses our path. I'll help when I have to, but don't expect me to jump into every battle."
Leo grinned. "Well, that's why you've got us. We'll handle the small stuff, and you can step in when things get serious."
Kazuki chuckled. "Sounds like a plan."
The next morning, after a well-deserved rest, the group set out to explore the town. Their first stop was the Adventurer's Guild, a massive building near the center of Ravenspire. The guild was bustling with activity—adventurers of all ranks were gathered inside, discussing missions, trading goods, and boasting about their latest conquests.
Kazuki and his companions approached the reception desk, where a bored-looking clerk sat behind a stack of papers. He glanced up as they approached. "Looking to register or just here for information?"
Serena stepped forward. "We're interested in both. We encountered Direfangs on the way here, and we want to know more about the threat."
The clerk raised an eyebrow. "Direfangs, huh? Nasty creatures. They've been causing trouble around here lately. Packs of them have been sighted near the outskirts of town, but no one knows why they've gotten so aggressive."
Leo chimed in. "Is there anyone investigating the cause?"
The clerk sighed. "A few adventurers have taken up the task, but none have come back with solid information. Some think it's just the natural behavior of the beasts, while others believe something is stirring them up."
Kazuki crossed his arms, thinking. Something stirring them up? He didn't like the sound of that.
Serena thanked the clerk, and the group moved to a table in the corner to discuss their next move.
"So, what now?" Leo asked, looking at the others.
Serena frowned, deep in thought. "We could try investigating the source of the Direfangs' aggression ourselves, but that might be risky."
Kazuki leaned back in his chair, his expression neutral. "We'll deal with it if it becomes a problem. But for now, I'd rather not go hunting for trouble."
Before anyone could respond, a commotion broke out near the entrance. The doors to the guild swung open, and a group of heavily armed adventurers strode in, their leader—a tall, armored man with a scar across his face—holding the reins of a massive, bound creature.
It was a monster Kazuki had never seen before—its body was reptilian, with thick scales and glowing eyes. The adventurers dragged it toward the reception desk, dropping it unceremoniously in front of the clerk.
"Caught this beast near the eastern woods," the scarred man announced loudly. "Some kind of drake. Took us all day to bring it down."
Kazuki watched with mild interest, though his eyes quickly wandered back to his companions. He wasn't interested in making a name for himself in the guild. But he did find it curious how many different monsters roamed this world—each one with unique traits and abilities.
"See that?" Leo whispered, his eyes wide with excitement. "That's what this world is all about! Monsters, adventures, danger at every turn!"
Kazuki smirked. "Sounds exhausting."
Serena chuckled. "It's not all bad. But I understand why you'd want to avoid the constant fighting."
Just as they were about to leave the guild, a young woman with pointed ears and flowing silver hair caught Kazuki's eye. She was standing at a distance, speaking quietly to another adventurer, her gaze sharp and calculating.
An elf.
Kazuki felt a strange pull as he watched her. Something about her presence seemed…different. Mysterious. But before he could think on it further, she disappeared into the crowd, her pale figure blending into the sea of adventurers.
The group left the guild and spent the rest of the day exploring Ravenspire, gathering supplies, and preparing for whatever lay ahead. Kazuki's mind wandered back to the elf he had seen. He didn't know why, but he had a feeling that their paths would cross again.
For now, though, he focused on the present. There were mysteries to uncover, dangers to avoid, and maybe—just maybe—a chance for him to find some peace in this chaotic new world.