"Alright, team! Get your boots on. You're heading out."
Jean Keyar clapped his hands, way too excited for 6:00 in the morning.
Shunya rubbed his eyes. "We just started training. Isn't this a little fast?"
Jean grinned. "Nope. You passed the exam. You've got a rank. Time to earn your keep."
Naomi folded her arms. "Details?"
"Monster hunt," Jean said, handing them a crinkled map. "One Normal-level creature spotted near the outer forest of New Fornia. Too close to the city border. NCGO wants it gone."
Shunya's eyes went wide. "You want us to fight alone?"
Vikoria raised her hand. "What if we don't want to go?"
Jean shrugged. "Then I'll assign you to toilet duty in the public baths."
Everyone instantly stood up.
"Nope. Monster sounds great," Shunya said quickly.
"Love monsters," Vikoria agreed.
Naomi just nodded. "What's the mission name?"
Jean smirked.
"Operation: First Real Fight. Parentheses: Please Don't Die."
The forest near New Fornia was a deep green maze of twisting trees and glowing mushrooms. Birds chirped. Mana sparkles floated like lazy fireflies.
Shunya held his beginner sword in both hands. "Wow. This is kinda pretty."
Naomi walked in front, scanning the terrain. "Stay alert."
Vikoria followed beside him, carrying her wooden staff. "The creature is supposed to be a 'Horned Bark Beast,' right?"
"Yup," Shunya replied. "Whatever that is."
DING!
[New Objective: Defeat Horned Bark Beast (Normal Rank)]
[Location: Forest Sector 4 – Tree Nest Area]
[Warning: Forest Creatures may vary in size, speed, and anger levels.]
[Tip: Don't try to pet them.]
They moved carefully through the trees, following claw marks and broken branches.
Naomi crouched near a huge paw print. "We're close."
Shunya gulped. "Great. I can already hear my bones screaming."
Naomi looked at him. "If you scream in fear, I'll punch you."
Vikoria added, "If you faint, I'll draw it."
"Wow. So much support. I feel so loved."
Soon, they reached a clearing.
And there it was.
A massive wolf-like creature with wooden bark skin, glowing yellow eyes, and two horns twisting from its head like branches.
It was eating a log.
Shunya whispered, "Is it… snacking on trees?"
Naomi readied her blade. "That's why it's called a Bark Beast."
"Okay but… couldn't it just chew gum or something?"
The beast lifted its head.
Growled.
And charged.
"SCATTER!" Naomi shouted.
The team split.
The beast lunged at Shunya first. His legs moved before his brain did.
He rolled left.
"AHHH!"
DING! [Evade +1 XP]
Vikoria raised her staff and sent a wave of energy forward. "Beginner Flame Bolt!"
A small fireball smacked the beast in the shoulder. It growled again, clearly more annoyed than hurt.
Naomi dashed in from the side.
Her sword sliced at its leg, making the creature stagger. "Now, hit it while it's open!"
Shunya looked at his sword.
Then at the beast.
Then at his own shaking hands.
He took a deep breath.
"Okay. You're just a tree-wolf with anger issues. I can do this."
He rushed forward.
Mid-swing, he tripped.
Fell face first into the ground.
The sword flew out of his hands.
And landed— by sheer dumb luck— straight into the beast's back.
STAB!
The creature let out a roar of surprise.
Then… slowly… collapsed.
Dead.
There was a long silence.
Shunya groaned from the ground. "Did I… do something?"
Naomi stood over him, staring at the sword stuck in the monster.
"…You accidentally critical hit it," she said.
Vikoria clapped. "That was amazing! You tripped into victory!"
Shunya rolled onto his back. "I hate how that sounds, but I'll take it."
DING!
[Mission Clear: Horned Bark Beast Defeated]
[+300 XP | New Skill: Lucky Strike Lv.1]
[Team Grade: B- (Extra points for comedy and unexpected tactics)]
As they walked back to New Fornia, the sky turned soft orange.
Naomi walked ahead again, silent as always.
Vikoria hummed a small tune.
And Shunya looked up at the sky.
It felt like… something was changing inside him.
Like maybe this world wasn't just a trap.
Maybe… just maybe…
It was the start of something weird and kind of nice.
✦✦✦
Back in the forest, hidden among the trees, a tall figure stood.
He watched the team disappear into the distance.
His eyes glowed red beneath a hood.
"They're moving faster than expected," he whispered.
Then vanished into the shadows.
---
[Next: Who Is the Hooded Man? – Strange Visitors Enter New Fornia]