Hearing Aaron's explanation, both David and Auriel's expressions shifted.
How could they not grasp the significance of a Goblin Shaman? They knew all too well that under level 10, the Goblin Shaman was the most formidable of its kind capable of casting Fireball, Buff, and even Curse.
Worse still, these shamans were never alone. They were always shielded by Goblin Berserkers making them extremely difficult to eliminate, unless you could land a lethal sneak attack.
That alone was enough to make David and Auriel see Aaron in a different light.
But then came the kicker: there weren't just a few goblins there were almost sixty of them. And Aaron didn't just kill their leader. He took down every single one of them... in under two hours.
Such an intense battle would've demanded immense energy and stamina. Pulling it off so swiftly and decisively revealed a staggering truth Aaron's combat prowess was far beyond what he'd shown during the fight with the Swift Wolf pack.
"Should we stay here a few more days, or head back to Blueish City and pick up another task?"
Aaron's voice cut through the lingering silence as he glanced between Auriel and David both still eyeing him with unmistakable admiration.
Mayor Rensel stepped forward, his voice warm with gratitude.
"Respected adventurers, you've rid us of the goblin lair. Would you be willing to stay a day or two, so we may properly extend the hospitality of Smalllight Village?"
Auriel paused for a moment, then offered a polite but firm smile.
"Apologies, Mayor Rensel we're on a tight schedule. Would you mind signing the quest parchment, so he can receive his reward once it's submitted?"
Though the mayor dearly wished they would stay longer, he knew he couldn't impose. With a resigned nod, he took the parchment, signed it with practiced strokes, and handed it back to her.
While David and Auriel gathered their belongings in silence, double-checking their gear and fastening straps with practiced hands, Aaron quietly drifted away from the group. His body ached not from injury, but from the sheer toll of pushing past his limits.
He found a secluded spot near a stream at the village's edge, where the crystal-clear water shimmered beneath shafts of early sunlight. There, he knelt, letting the coolness of the stream rush over his hands before splashing it across his face. The cold sting grounded him, washing away the heat of battle and the lingering weight of blood and grit.
Stripping off his soiled clothes, he scrubbed both fabric and skin, methodically and in silence. Each rinse felt like peeling off layers of exhaustion, one breath at a time. By the time he finished, his thoughts had quieted, and his reflection in the water looked steadier if not lighter.
He slipped into a clean outfit: a deep blue shirt that clung just slightly across his shoulders, paired with sturdy black pants. It wasn't anything elaborate, but it felt… right. A fresh start after the carnage. A shift he hadn't fully earned, but welcomed all the same.
Aaron returned looking fresher and more relaxed. The short break by the stream had helped wash away the grime from battle, and even a bit of the tension in his body. He rejoined his companions, who had already packed up and were getting ready to leave.
David spotted him first. "Climb up," he said, giving a quick nod toward the carriage.
Aaron didn't argue. He hopped up and took a seat in front of Auriel, who gave him a quiet smile beneath her veil.
As the carriage began moving, the villagers gathered near the entrance of Smalllight Village to see them off. Some waved. Others simply watched with grateful eyes. An elderly woman held her hands together in thanks, while a young boy stared wide-eyed, holding a wooden toy sword like it was something real.
Mayor Rensel stood in front, raising a hand. "May the road be kind to you," he said, his voice full of warmth. "And if you ever pass through again, know that you're always welcome here."
Aaron looked back one last time. The village was small, but safe now. And that was enough.
As the carriage rolled along the dirt path, Aaron reached into his pack and placed a worn staff, a few raw emeralds, and a pair of rubies on the seat between them.
"These are the only loots I found," he said calmly, brushing the dust from the gemstones with his thumb.
Then, with a small grin, he pulled out a wooden box and opened it revealing a neat collection of goblin ears.
"And of course," he added, "I didn't forget to collect these. We'll get an extra reward when we turn them in."
Auriel glanced down at the loot, then up at Aaron her smile faint but hesitant. There was something in her eyes that hadn't been there before. A flicker of guilt, maybe, or quiet conflict. As she didn't even participate in the mission as Aaron wanted to do it alone.
"Should we really share this?", she wondered. "Does offering thanks even begin to cover what he carried alone?"
David stayed silent, but his gaze lingered on the box of ears. A slow breath left his chest. He admired Aaron's skill deeply but there was discomfort in it too. Not jealousy. Something more complicated. "We didn't fight side by side. And now we ride beside him like equals..."
Neither reached for the treasure. Neither could meet Aaron's eyes just yet.
Seeing the hesitation in their eyes, Aaron let out a soft breath and spoke with quiet reassurance.
"Auriel, David come on. We're a team. You don't have to overthink this."
He glanced between them, expression steady. "Remember, I chose to handle that lair alone. You both respected that and stayed behind to guard the village. Whether the goblins attacked or not, that still mattered."
He let a small smile tug at his lips. "Besides, I gained enough experience to reach level ten. So just take the reward, will you? Otherwise, I might actually start feeling guilty."
That earned a faint laugh from David and a subtle roll of the eyes from Auriel but the tension softened. For all his strength, Aaron had a way of pulling them back into balance. Together.