The tavern was dimly lit, filled with the quiet murmurs of patrons scattered at worn, battered tables. The clinking of tankards and occasional laughter from a group near the fireplace gave the place an odd warmth, despite the shadows. In a far corner, hunched over his drink, sat Ray Adams—a man as scarred and rugged as the road itself. His stare was locked on his tankard, lost in thoughts that he kept hidden even from himself.
Ray's appearance was a story in itself. His clothes were smeared with mud and streaked with drying blood, probably his own mixed with that of the wolves he'd hunted down in the nearby forest. His black leather armor had long seen better days, scratched and torn from countless close encounters. A faint metallic scent clung to him, a reminder of blood and sweat, but Ray wasn't the type to care. His dark, messy hair fell over his brow, shadowing his eyes, and the rough stubble on his jaw only added to his worn, battle-hardened look. His hands, wrapped around the tankard, were calloused and scarred, marked by years of gripping a sword.
The mercenary sat there quietly, staring into the amber depths of his drink as if it held answers he wasn't quite ready to find. Taking a long, slow sip, Ray felt the bitterness settle in his chest, grounding him. He often did this after a hunt—sat alone, letting the silence soak in, allowing the ache of fresh cuts and bruises to remind him of the day's work. Every job, every kill, felt like a small piece of revenge, a personal strike in a war only he seemed to be fighting.
Just as he started to lose himself in the comfort of his drink, a familiar voice cut through the dimness.
"Well, if it isn't the Wolf Man himself!" came a cheerful, teasing voice.
Ray sighed, not needing to look up to know who it was. "Nio. You sure know how to ruin the only quiet moment I've had all day."
Nio, his guildmate and closest friend, slid into the seat across from him, a mischievous grin lighting up his face. Tall and lean, with a twinkle in his eye that seemed permanently affixed, Nio was as flashy as Ray was subdued. While Ray's armor was simple and worn, Nio wore his own with a splash of color—today, it was a bright red scarf tied around his arm. He leaned in, sniffing the air dramatically before wrinkling his nose.
"Good gods, Ray! You smell like a bear's backside," he laughed, waving his hand in front of his nose.
Ray shot him a look, though he couldn't keep the smirk entirely off his face. "Took down a pack of wolves. Sorry if I didn't stop to wash up on the way back."
"Would've been polite," Nio replied, his grin widening. "Or at least sit closer to the window."
Ray rolled his eyes, setting his tankard down with a solid thud. "Do you have a point, or are you just here to annoy me?"
Nio's expression turned serious, though the gleam in his eye didn't fade. "Actually, yes. I've got a job I think might interest you."
Ray groaned. "I just got back. I'm not exactly looking to jump right into another hunt."
"Oh, but this isn't just any hunt," Nio said, his voice dropping as he drummed his fingers on the table, clearly enjoying the suspense.
Ray's eyes narrowed. "Go on, spit it out."
Leaning in, Nio's voice lowered to a near whisper, even though no one else in the tavern seemed to be paying them any attention. "There's been some… unusual activity near the Immortal Cave."
The name made Ray's grip on his tankard tighten instinctively. He knew the Immortal Cave—everyone did. It was the kind of place that had gained its reputation through whispered tales and hushed warnings. A cavern so treacherous that only the most skilled warriors or the most foolish dared to enter. Monsters thrived in its depths, creatures fierce enough to make even seasoned fighters think twice. And the stories? They said only "immortals" ever made it back alive. Ray's jaw tightened as the weight of it sank in.
"You can't be serious," he muttered. "The Immortal Cave? That place is a death sentence."
"Not for everyone," Nio replied, a sly smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "This time, there are… special arrangements. They're bringing in a high-tier mage."
Ray raised an eyebrow, curiosity sparked despite his skepticism. "A mage? I thought only the king's elite had mages willing to stick their necks out for something like this."
"That's what makes it interesting," Nio said, leaning closer, his voice almost conspiratorial. "The mage they're sending? It's Andrew Paul."
Ray's eyes narrowed in recognition. Andrew Paul was no ordinary spellcaster. His name carried weight, stories of his skill spreading through taverns and guild halls alike. Some said he'd defended an entire village single-handedly against a horde of orcs, using nothing but his magic. Even Ray, who preferred his solo hunts, felt a flicker of interest. Working alongside someone with that kind of power would be something different.
But he forced himself to stay composed, trying not to let his interest show. "And why would a mage like him take on a job at the Immortal Cave?"
Nio's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief. "Oh, I know why. But I'm not spilling the details unless you agree to come along."
Ray frowned, frustration flashing in his eyes. "You're holding out on me?"
"Maybe," Nio shrugged, leaning back with a grin that seemed to dare Ray to refuse. "Let's just say there's more to this mission than the usual coin. Something bigger. Something that might just be worth it."
Ray took a deep breath, his gaze drifting to his drink as he considered his options. He wasn't the type to jump blindly into something dangerous, especially when it involved a place like the Immortal Cave. But the way Nio was talking, the promise of something beyond the ordinary, stirred a spark of intrigue in him.
Finally, Ray looked up, meeting Nio's gaze with a firm expression. "Fine. But if this turns out to be a waste of time, you're buying my drinks for a month."
Nio's grin widened, looking more victorious than ever. "Deal. Let me get us another round, and I'll tell you everything."
As Nio got up to fetch the drinks, Ray felt a strange mix of anticipation and unease settle over him. Whatever lay in store at the Immortal Cave, he had a gut feeling it would test him in ways he hadn't yet faced. And as he watched Nio return, tankards in hand, Ray knew that whatever this journey held, it was one he couldn't turn away from.