"Excuse me, have you seen this Adlet guy today?" Eddy asked the guild receptionist.
"Yes, sir. Over there—second table to the right. He's sitting alone. That's the one you're looking for," the girl replied with a practiced smile.
"Thank you."
We thanked the receptionist and turned toward our quest giver.
"Let's go talk to him about the details," Eddy said.
As we approached his table, Eddy politely asked, "Adlet, right?"
"Yes. Who are you?" the man replied curiously.
For some reason, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about him. He looked normal enough, but something about him just didn't sit right with me. I couldn't quite figure out what.
He was an ordinary-looking adventurer, carrying a short sword that rested on the table. His bright purple hair was neatly cut and combed, complementing his striking purple eyes. The way he sat gave off an air of nobility, making me suspect he might be from a distinguished family. But still, something felt wrong.
"We saw your quest and decided to help," Viola said, smiling at him.
"Ah, I see. That's great. You all look quite capable, especially him," Adlet said, pointing at me.
I smiled awkwardly. This wasn't the first time this had happened. Because of my large build, people always assumed I was stronger than I actually was.
We each took a seat around him and introduced ourselves along with our guild ranks.
"Gold-ranked... I was right about you," he said, looking at me.
"Can you share more details about the quest?" Simon asked.
"Oh, yes, sure, sure."
Adlet leaned forward and placed an old golden scroll on the table. "It all began when I found this scroll in a dungeon."
Eddy picked up the scroll and unrolled it.
"What is this? I can't read a single word," he frowned, tilting it toward us.
I glanced at it too, but the writing was in an unknown language.
"Let me explain," Adlet said. "When I found this scroll, I became curious and started researching the language. After months of effort, I finally managed to decipher some of it."
"And?" Eddy prompted.
"The scroll speaks of a miraculous spell—one that can bring the dead back to life. But it's not necromancy; it's something entirely different. It's a part of regular magic. The spell requires six base elements to be cast: fire, wind, water, earth, light, and dark. All of them must be combined but 1 or multiple casters, and the process takes an immense toll on the caster."
He sighed and continued, "Unfortunately, there are no instructions on the actual spell itself. So, I spent six long months searching for more clues... and at last, I found one."
"And that's where you guys come in," Adlet continued. "We need to check out an old structure. I'm sure we'll find more information on the spell within its ruins. But the place is ancient and now overrun with wild beasts."
"I see. Let's go then!" Eddy said excitedly.
He's way too eager for this quest. But, honestly, I can't blame him. I mean, come on—it's a revival spell. A magic that can bring back the dead.
"Are you sure it's not just an old folk tale?" Simon asked, skeptical.
"I'm certain," Adlet replied firmly. "It has to exist."
"Alright then, let's gather supplies and head out."
"....."
"Did you find the spell?" I asked Barren.
"What do you think?" Eddy snapped. "If we had, we would've already revived Viola."
When he put it that way, it actually made sense.
Barren continued, "Nothing happened on the way to the ruins or inside. The beasts were weak—we defeated them easily and made our way deeper. But the further we went, the more creatures we encountered, almost like they were guarding something. And then, finally, we reached the last chamber."
"....."
"Oh, look at this wall!" Viola said, pointing.
We all turned to where she was gesturing.
There was an ancient drawing etched into the stone. It depicted two large spheres, roughly the same size, connected by what looked like a tunnel. On either side of this tunnel were figures—people, perhaps. The next image showed a figure passing through the tunnel from one sphere to the other. But the last drawing was the most unsettling. The figure that had crossed through was clutching its head as if in pain.
Below this, there had once been more to the engraving, but that section had been broken off, leaving the meaning incomplete.
"This is it!" Adlet shouted, rushing toward the wall. "Search for it! The spell has to be here—now I'm 100% sure of it!"
"What does all of this mean?" Viola asked, puzzled.
"Yeah, I don't get it either," Simon added. "Is this showing the revival process?"
"But what about the last image? Why does the person look like they're in pain after passing through?" I asked.
"That's not important right now. Just search for the spell!" Adlet ordered.
The uneasy feeling in my gut grew stronger after seeing that mural, but we continued searching.
"....."
"I found something!" Simon called out from deeper inside the chamber.
"What is it?" Adlet rushed over to him, excitement evident in his voice.
"Strange, isn't it?" Viola murmured beside me.
I turned to look at her. She seemed uneasy too. I wasn't alone in feeling that something about all of this wasn't right.
"We found it!" Adlet screamed.
"This is it!"
Hearing his voice, we rushed toward him. By the time we arrived, Adlet had already unrolled the scroll, while Eddy and Simon stared at it in confusion.
As we got closer, we saw the scroll—golden, just like the previous one. But something was different. Unlike the first scroll, which was filled with cryptic symbols, this one contained only one spell, written clearly in our own language.
"By the light and darkness that pierces the veil, reveal what lies beyond the matter. Show me the mirror of existence—Gate of the Null Room, open my sight!"
I frowned. This doesn't seem like a resurrection spell... I glanced at Eddy, and judging by his expression, he was thinking the same thing.
"This is the revival spell?" Viola asked Adlet.
He didn't respond. He just stared blankly at the scroll, as if trapped in a trance.
"Hey!" Eddy said, placing a hand on Adlet's shoulder.
The touch seemed to snap him out of it. His eyes widened, and suddenly, he blurted out, "We have to run!"
"What? Why?" Simon asked, bewildered.
"Don't argue! We need to leave—now! If we stay here, things will get bad!" Adlet urged, his voice tense with fear.
We didn't understand, but the urgency in his voice was enough to push us into action. Without hesitation, we turned and rushed toward the exit of the ruins.
Then, just as we neared the entrance, a faint sound echoed from the passageway ahead.
Adlet froze. "What... was that?" His voice trembled.
"We have to check it out," Eddy said. "Either way, that's our only way out."
Reluctantly, we moved forward, stepping out of the ruins—only to find... nothing.
But something wasn't right.
"It's way too quiet," Eddy muttered.
He was right. Compared to when we arrived, the jungle now felt eerily still—as if something had silenced the world around us.
Then, the undergrowth shifted.
A deep, guttural growl rumbled from the darkness of the trees, sending a chill through my spine. From the shadows, it emerged.
A hulking, deformed beast, its body covered in patches of matted fur and leathery, scarred skin. Its limbs were grotesquely long, almost unnatural, ending in massive, clawed hands that could tear through stone. Its head was wolf-like, but stretched unnaturally wide, its mouth lined with jagged, uneven fangs. Yellow, soulless eyes gleamed in the dim light, fixed directly on us.
The creature exhaled, its breath coming out in thick, visible puffs.
To be continued.....