The town of Eirwald came into view, its walls standing tall against the forest's darkened silhouette. Despite the late hour, the town still buzzed with the activities of those preparing for the night. Lanterns flickered from the stone walls, casting a warm glow on the cobbled streets. For Kazuki and his companions, it was a welcome sight after the ordeal with the Shadow Wyrm.
As they approached the gates, a pair of guards stepped forward, their armor gleaming under the torchlight. They eyed Kazuki, Serena, and Leo warily but didn't raise their weapons.
"Halt! State your business," one of the guards called, his voice gruff but not hostile.
Serena stepped forward, flashing a confident smile. "We're travelers. Just passing through and looking for a place to rest for the night."
The guard glanced between them before nodding. "Alright. But be mindful—there have been reports of monsters in the area recently. Stay within the town's walls at night."
Kazuki exchanged a glance with Serena and Leo. Monsters? Could the Wyrm have been part of this? Either way, they needed a break. He gave the guards a curt nod before leading the way into the town.
Eirwald was a modest settlement, built around a central market square. The buildings were sturdy, made of stone and timber, with steep, thatched roofs. Merchants were packing up their stalls for the night, and the scent of freshly baked bread still lingered in the air.
"I'll handle the inn," Serena offered, already heading toward the nearest building that displayed the sign of a bed and ale. "You two wait here."
Kazuki watched her go before turning to Leo, who still seemed deep in thought. "Something on your mind?"
Leo hesitated, glancing around as if someone might overhear. "That Shadow Wyrm… it wasn't a coincidence, Kazuki. There's something unnatural about it. Monsters like that don't just show up out of nowhere."
Kazuki remained silent, waiting for Leo to continue.
"I don't know what it is, but I think we're being drawn into something bigger. Something we don't fully understand yet." Leo's voice dropped to a whisper. "And I think it's connected to you."
Kazuki raised an eyebrow. "Me? Why do you think that?"
Leo looked uncomfortable, but he pressed on. "You're not just some ordinary traveler. I can feel it. I don't know what you are, but you're different, and that Wyrm… it was looking for something. Or someone."
Kazuki didn't respond immediately. He had wondered the same thing, but he didn't have enough answers to make sense of it all. "We'll figure it out," he finally said, though his tone was more cautious than reassuring.
Leo nodded, though his unease was still evident. Before either of them could say more, Serena returned with a key in hand.
"We've got rooms," she said, her usual cheerful tone masking any tension from the earlier conversation. "Come on, let's get some rest."
The three of them made their way to the inn, a small but cozy establishment with a roaring fire in the hearth. The innkeeper, a plump woman with graying hair, greeted them warmly before showing them to their rooms.
Kazuki's room was simple—a bed, a chair, and a window overlooking the quiet street below. He sat on the edge of the bed, removing his sword and setting it down next to him. The events of the day played over in his mind—the Wyrm, the strange window warning, and Leo's unsettling suspicions.
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. What had he gotten himself into?
Before he could dwell on it further, the window screen reappeared before his eyes, glowing faintly.
New Quest Added: Uncover the Source of the Monster Activity. Reward: ???
Kazuki frowned, reading the message. The window had been quiet for so long, and now it was giving him quests? He shook his head, leaning back on the bed. He couldn't ignore it. Whatever was happening in this world, it seemed like he was being pulled deeper into it.
"Guess I'll have to deal with this too," he muttered to himself, closing his eyes. Exhaustion took over, and soon he drifted into a restless sleep.
Kazuki awoke in the middle of the night to a soft knock on his door. His hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword as he sat up, listening.
"Kazuki?" It was Serena's voice, quiet and urgent.
He stood, crossing the room and opening the door to find Serena standing there, her face unusually serious. "What's wrong?"
"Leo's gone," she said, her voice low. "I woke up to check on him, and his room was empty. The innkeeper said she saw him leave an hour ago, but he didn't say where he was going."
Kazuki felt a sinking feeling in his chest. Leo had been acting strange ever since the fight with the Wyrm, and now he'd disappeared without a word?
"I'll find him," Kazuki said firmly, grabbing his sword.
Serena nodded. "I'll come with you."
The two of them made their way out of the inn, the streets of Eirwald eerily quiet under the pale light of the moon. Kazuki led the way, his senses on high alert as they searched for any sign of Leo.
They didn't have to search for long.
As they rounded a corner, they saw a figure standing in the shadows near the edge of the town. Leo was there, his back to them, staring out into the forest. His staff was in his hand, and the air around him crackled with magical energy.
"Leo!" Kazuki called out, his voice firm.
Leo turned slowly, his expression distant and troubled. "Kazuki… Serena… I didn't want to drag you into this."
"What are you talking about?" Serena demanded, stepping forward. "You just disappeared in the middle of the night! What's going on?"
Leo hesitated, his grip tightening on his staff. "There's something in the forest. Something powerful. I felt its presence after we fought the Wyrm. It's been calling to me… I had to come."
Kazuki narrowed his eyes, stepping closer. "And you didn't think to tell us?"
Leo shook his head. "I didn't want to put you in danger. But now… I think it's too late."
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through the town, carrying with it a chilling, otherworldly whisper. Kazuki's grip tightened on his sword as the window screen reappeared before him.
Warning: Dangerous presence detected. Proceed with caution.
Before any of them could react, a shadowy figure emerged from the forest. Its form was indistinct, almost like smoke, but its glowing red eyes were unmistakable.
Leo's face paled as the figure approached. "That's it… That's what's been calling to me…"
Kazuki stepped forward, his sword at the ready. "Stay behind me, Leo. Serena, keep your distance."
The shadowy figure stopped a few paces away from them, its voice echoing through the night like a whisper on the wind. "So… you've come."
Kazuki's eyes narrowed, his body tense. "Who are you?"
The figure chuckled darkly. "I am but a messenger… sent by one who has taken great interest in your arrival, Kazuki."
Serena stepped forward, her hand on the hilt of her sword. "What do you want?"
The shadow's red eyes gleamed with amusement. "To deliver a message, of course. Tell me, Kazuki… do you truly believe you were brought to this world by chance?"
Kazuki's grip on his sword tightened, but he remained silent, waiting for the shadow to continue.
"Your arrival was not an accident. You are part of a grand design, one that has been set in motion long before you were even born."
Kazuki frowned, his mind racing. What was this creature talking about? Was it possible that his arrival in this world had been planned?
The shadow's voice grew colder. "The forces at play here are far beyond your understanding. But know this—your destiny is tied to the fate of this world. And the choices you make will determine its future."
Kazuki didn't respond immediately, his mind processing the information. He didn't like being manipulated, and the idea that his life was part of someone else's plan didn't sit well with him.
The shadow began to fade, its form dissolving into the night. "We will meet again, Kazuki. Until then… be wary of the darkness that follows you."
And with that, the figure vanished, leaving Kazuki, Serena, and Leo standing in the silence of the night.
Serena let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "What the hell was that?"
Kazuki sheathed his sword, his expression grim. "I don't know. But whatever it is… it's not over."
Leo stepped forward, his face pale. "Kazuki, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"
Kazuki cut him off with a shake of his head. "It's not your fault. Let's get back to the inn. We need to rest and figure out what to do next."
As they walked back, Kazuki couldn't shake the feeling that the shadow's words held more truth than he cared to admit. His journey was only just beginning, and the darkness that followed him was far more dangerous than he had imagined.