The soft morning sunlight filtered through the leaves behind their small hut. The air was fresh, peaceful—far removed from the chaos of the outside world. Shun stood with his arms crossed, quietly watching Mye, who stood nervously clutching the skill book meant for the Spiritfolk.
-"It's okay, no need to rush," Shun said gently, offering her a reassuring smile. "Today is just about sensing your power."
Myria leaned against the doorway, arms folded, observing them both with calm, curious eyes. She gave a small nod, signaling Shun to continue.
Shun placed a comforting hand on Mye's shoulder, his voice steady and encouraging. -"Close your eyes, Mye. Breathe slowly… feel the air around you, the ground beneath your feet, and the life flowing all around us."
Mye trembled slightly but obeyed, shutting her light violet eyes. She took deep breaths, trying to quiet the lingering fear in her heart. A soft breeze rustled the branches overhead, carrying the scent of the forest, easing her tension.
-"The soul of a Spiritfolk is always connected to nature," Shun whispered. "You don't need to force it… just listen."
Minutes passed in silence, broken only by the chirping of birds. Then suddenly, Mye's hands began to glow faintly with a soft, pale green light. The grass around her trembled, tiny flowers budding and blooming in an instant.
Shun's face lit up with a proud grin. "That's it! You can feel it now!"
From a distance, Myria's lips curled into a small, satisfied smile. She knew well—this first awakening was a critical turning point for Mye.
-"Now… try to gather that energy," Shun continued patiently. "Don't think of it as magic… think of it as your bond with this world."
Mye's small hands shook a little, but this time without fear. The glow grew stronger, and the sprouts beneath her feet suddenly stretched into slender vines, curling softly around her ankles before fanning out like a delicate emerald carpet.
Shun blinked, clearly impressed. -"Incredible… this is the power of pure-blooded Spiritfolk."
Not only healing, but also control over plant life, the ability to sense nature, and a quiet communion with all living things.
Myria walked over, her expression turning more serious.
-"Spiritfolk are born to heal and protect… but they can fight too, if necessary. Mye is a pure spirit. All she needs is faith in herself… the power will naturally awaken."
Shun leaned down, ruffling Mye's hair affectionately.
- "Tomorrow we'll keep going. But for today… you did amazing."
For the first time, Mye smiled brightly, her small hands still glowing softly under the morning sun.
This was only the beginning. But Shun knew—after today, Mye would never be a helpless little girl again.
As Shun stepped back into the small hut, the familiar, mischievous voice of Noct suddenly rang out.
-"Oi, boss, look what I got~"
In a blink, Noct appeared beside him, waving a freshly printed mission notice with a big grin plastered on his face. His fluffy ears twitched with excitement as he shoved the paper into Shun's hands.
-"Fifteen thousand Aus," Noct announced, his grin widening. "Nice and shiny reward for our next little trip."
Shun quickly scanned through the mission details, his eyebrows slightly raising in interest.
-"North of Old Light Fortress… one week of protection duty, assisting the locals and investigating any unusual activity," Shun muttered aloud, reading through the description.
Before Shun could process it fully, Noct leaned in close, giving him a playful wink.
- "A full week of fun~ Think of it, boss—free food, free lodging, lots of action… and of course, a big fat payment at the end. What's not to love?"
Myria, sitting at the nearby table, let out a soft sigh but couldn't help the small amused smile forming on her lips. Mye, still fresh from her training, looked up at Shun with a hint of excitement and nervousness.
Noct, meanwhile, continued to chuckle, his tail swishing lazily behind him.
-"Come on, boss, think of it like a nice vacation… just, you know, with a few monsters and criminals to deal with."
Shun let out a deep breath, feeling the tension leave his shoulders as he shook his head with a small smile.
-"Fine… let's take it."
Noct's grin turned devilish,
- "Knew you'd say that."
Myria gave Shun and Mye two enchanted brooms, capable of flying at a speed of 400 km/h. Shun thanked Myria sincerely before joining Mye to prepare the necessary supplies for their long journey to the north. After carefully checking their food, warm clothing, weapons, and a few potions from Myria, the two were ready to depart.
As they climbed onto their brooms, Mye was a little clumsy at first since it was her first time flying, but Shun quickly calmed her down. Together, they soared into the sky, leaving behind the little hut and the peaceful forest.
The wind rushed through their hair, filling them with a sense of freedom. Shun and Mye marveled at the majestic natural scenery unfolding beneath their feet. From above, Shun could see towering cliffs where crystal-clear streams cascaded down, vibrant forests blooming with wildflowers and teeming with animals, and endless golden rice fields stretching under the setting sun like a shimmering carpet.
A soft smile appeared on Shun's face, feeling peaceful for the first time after countless hardships. Behind him, Mye's bright eyes sparkled with excitement as she admired the breathtaking view, her white hair fluttering gently in the wind.
In the sky, flocks of birds occasionally flew past—some large, some small—but most of them simply glanced at the two travelers before flying away, uninterested in attacking since Shun and Mye posed no threat to them.
They soared through the open skies, basking in the light breeze and natural beauty, preparing themselves mentally for the challenges awaiting them at Old Light Fortress.
As Shun and Mye approached their destination, the imposing sight of the fortress revealed itself. Tall walls embraced a sprawling city within, where eerie, mystical architecture intertwined with narrow, winding streets glowing softly under the crimson hues of the setting sun. They gently landed their brooms at the fortress gates, stepping into the lively heart of the city.
Shun and Mye wandered through the bustling streets, taking in the overwhelming energy of the place. This fortress was known as the Northern Stronghold's largest weaponry hub, home to the most renowned blacksmiths in the entire region. Shun was quickly amazed by the craftsmanship on display—people here weren't just forging swords, shields, or spears, but were on the verge of inventing handheld firearms.
Curiosity and surprise filled Shun's mind as he observed the dwarven artisans, their small statures betraying their immense intellect. Most of the population here consisted of dwarves with exceptionally high IQs, fiercely competitive by nature. Everywhere, he could see groups bickering, boasting, and rivaling each other over who could craft sharper, deadlier weapons, and who could sell the most.
Yet, neither Shun nor Mye allowed themselves to get drawn into the rivalry-driven atmosphere. With a calm demeanor, they made their way past the smithing district, heading straight towards the countryside gates. Their true destination awaited—solving the crisis at the distant village known as "Wirrt," a place rumored to be in desperate need of protection.
As soon as they set foot in Wirrt Village, Shun and Mye were immediately struck by an eerie, chilling atmosphere. The scene before them was bleak and lifeless—bare, crooked trees swayed in the cold wind, black crows perched along the branches, letting out hoarse, ominous cries. On either side of the muddy path, carcasses of animals lay rotting, swarmed by black ants, while crows swooped down, ripping apart decaying flesh, leaving behind streaks of dried blood smeared across the ground.
Mye shivered violently, her youthful instincts overwhelmed by fear. She clung tightly to Shun's hand. Shun remained unfazed, his gaze calm as he surveyed the desolate surroundings. He gently squeezed Mye's hand and whispered softly,
-"Don't worry… I'm right here."
From a crooked dirt path leading out of the village, a hunched figure slowly approached. It was an old man, frail and limping with heavy, dragging steps. His face was gaunt, his eyes hollow and cold, as if he had survived countless horrors. When he stopped before them, his voice was low and emotionless:
-"What brings you here?"
Shun stepped forward and calmly presented the mission document, sealed and authorized from Effingham:
-"We're here on assignment to protect Wirrt Village for one week, under orders from the central guild."
The old man's dull eyes seemed to flicker faintly before he gave a slow nod.
-"I am Arthur… elder and village chief of Wirrt. Come with me. You must understand what you're dealing with."
Arthur guided them through the ruined village. Dilapidated houses leaned dangerously, broken doors creaked in the wind, roofs riddled with holes. Not a single person was seen in the open—only a few houses had faint lights, like dying embers amid endless despair.
Along the way, Arthur began to explain:
-"It started a few months ago… Deep in the forest near our village, a pack of tigers appeared—but these are no ordinary beasts. They're intelligent. Every full moon, they come out of the woods… hunting at night… They rip our people apart… devour our young men… No one returns from the forest, not even the hunters or the mercenaries we sent for help. Slowly, the villagers fled… only the old and weak remain now… and tonight… the moon will be full again…"
Arthur stopped, his frail body trembling slightly, his voice heavy with years of sorrow and fear:
-"Do you… truly have the courage… to stand against them?.."