"Home sweet home!" Sky's voice rang out as he jogged up to one of the guards, launching into a lively conversation with him. From what I overheard, he was recounting the details of the beast encounter like it was some grand adventure, his words animated and full of excitement.
I turned to Amber, watching as she shook her head, a small sigh escaping her lips. "That Sky," she muttered, half-exasperated, half-amused. "Even though he said he was going to 'escort you' to the chief... Oh well, I guess I'll have to do it."
A chuckle escaped me at their dynamic. It was clear this wasn't the first time Sky's energy had gotten the better of him, and I couldn't help but appreciate the easy camaraderie between them. It seemed like they were always like this—Sky rushing off on one of his impulses, and Amber gracefully taking charge when he inevitably got sidetracked. I motioned for Amber to lead the way. "Alright, show me the path."
Her cheeks flushed a soft pink, and I could tell she was embarrassed by her brother's antics. It was an endearing sight, one that reminded me of the bonds between family, no matter how complicated or chaotic they could get.
The village—Howlstead, as Amber called it—was alive with activity. The streets bustled with beastmen of all shapes and sizes, their voices filling the air as merchants called out their wares and hunters returned with fresh kills. Yet, despite the energy surrounding me, my thoughts kept drifting back to Amber. She didn't quite belong here. Not in a way that would make her stand out among the villagers, but there was something off. No fur, no sharp ears or tail—just the soft, ordinary features of a human girl. Still, there was something else about her that tugged at the back of my mind. Her hair. Her red hair stood out—bright, almost striking against the sea of beastmen. I'd seen it before, on rare occasions, in circles of people far removed from places like Howlstead. But here? It felt… unusual.
I didn't dwell on it. Some things were better left unspoken, and if there was one thing I'd learned from my time around high-ranking officials, it was that some details were best left in the background.
As we walked, she eagerly introduced me to several key spots: the blacksmith, where the ringing of hammers echoed through the air; the armorer, who was busy fitting a massive wolf beastman with a chest plate; and the apothecary, its wooden shelves lined with herbs and potions that filled the air with a mix of earthy and bitter scents. Finally, she pointed out the adventurers' guild—a sturdy, well-built structure that doubled as an inn. It seemed like the best place to stay for the next few days. A bit of rest wouldn't hurt—I needed to recover my strength before continuing my journey.
We eventually reached the village center, where Amber exchanged quick greetings with a passing villager before leading me to a large, well-worn building. She knocked on the sturdy wooden door."Come in," a deep voice boomed from inside.Amber pushed the door open, and we stepped in. The room was organized but overflowing with stacks of documents and reports. Sitting behind the desk was a massive man with graying hair, his sheer presence commanding attention. Even while seated, he looked imposing, but when he stood, his true size became apparent—at least seven feet tall, his muscular frame making the desk seem almost comically small. His sharp eyes studied me before softening as he turned to Amber.
With a heavy yet gentle hand, he ruffled her hair. "How have you and your brother been? How's your father?"
Amber smiled, "We're all doing fine, Chief. Father has been recovering well from his injury, and sky..." Her expression quickly turned serious. She took a step forward. "Sky was training out in the woods, a ways from the village, when a giant bear-like beast attacked us." She shivered slightly at the memory. "If it wasn't for him"—she gestured toward me—"I don't know what would've happened."
The chief's gaze settled on me, his expression unreadable. I extended my hand. "Luce. I was traveling to a nearby village as part of my mission to oversee and investigate the corruption spreading in the area. I ran into Sky and Amber on the way."
The chief studied me for a long moment, his sharp eyes scrutinizing every inch of me. Then, suddenly, his face broke into a wide grin.
"Well, I have to thank you then!" he boomed, stepping forward. Before I could brace myself, his massive hand clapped against my back with enough force to send me staggering forward. It felt like getting struck by a boulder."
We'll celebrate our little troublemaker's safety—and honor a brave young hero—tonight!"
I steadied myself just in time to catch Amber's reaction. Her face turned an impressive shade of pink as she huffed, crossing her arms."Troublemaker? Me?" she muttered, her hair flicking behind her in irritation.
I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. "I look forward to it," I replied, rubbing the sore spot on my back.
---Time Skip---
After Ashthorn-The chiefs name- and I had exchanged introductions, he wasted no time diving into stories from his youth. Amber had taken that as her cue to slip away, no doubt used to the chief's tendency to reminisce. I could see why—his tales were nothing short of legendary. And if even half of them were true, his strength must've been something terrifying in his prime.
"Speaking of monster slaying," Ashthorn eventually said, shifting gears, "about the beast you fought... could you describe it? Have you ever encountered anything like it before?"
I nodded, leaning forward. "No. It was like nothing I've ever seen." My mind replayed the encounter, and I felt the weight of exhaustion settle in my bones again. "It looked like a bear... but it was massive, well over twelve feet tall. Its eyes were pitch black, empty. And its body was covered in a jagged, rock-like shell, as if its hide had hardened into armor." I exhaled, shaking my head. "Its claws were enormous. A single swipe sent me flying, and even after exhausting my mana, I barely managed to put it down. I lost a damn good sword killing it."
Ashthorn's expression darkened.
"Its fur," I continued, "wasn't just black—it had a reddish tint, like it had been stained in blood. And the worst part? It was... aware. It wasn't just attacking blindly. It was calculating."
Silence hung between us. Ashthorn's fingers curled into a fist on his desk. He looked troubled.
"I know of such beasts," he said after a long pause. "But they've never been that large. The ones I've seen grow to maybe nine feet at most. And their fur? Always plain black, sometimes gray or brown, but never red." His brow furrowed. "Their shells are tough, but nothing like what you described. Just hardened hide, not stone."He fixed me with a sharp stare.
"You're sure you saw it correctly?"
I met his gaze and nodded. "I'm sure. The body should still be out in the woods. If we send some adventurers or villagers, they can retrieve it."
Ashthorn exhaled, rubbing his chin. "Yes. We'll need to study it. If it's truly something new, we should send it to the capital for examination. The only problem is, we don't have any preservation magick."
Before I could respond—BANG. BANG.
A heavy knock rattled the door."Chief!" A voice called out, slightly breathless. "We have the beast the adventurer slayed! It's out in the village center!"
I felt a shift in the air—something tense, something uncertain.
Ashthorn didn't move right away. His eyes narrowed. Then, without a word, he strode toward the door and pulled it open.
And outside, the gathered villagers stood frozen, their faces pale.
At the center of them all lay the massive, bloodstained beast.
And its black, empty eyes were still wide open.