The morning mist clung to the air like a damp shroud as the expedition group continued their journey. Birds cautiously began their songs again, as if testing whether the earlier frenzy had truly passed. The trail wound through dense forest before thinning into a dirt road lined with wildflowers and moss-covered stones. Sunlight broke through in fractured beams, warming the travelers' faces as the oppressive weight of the wild lessened.
By midday, the rooftops of the village finally came into view—simple wooden homes with thatched roofs, surrounded by low wooden palisades reinforced with stone. Smoke curled from chimneys, carrying the scent of burning pine and cooked grain. It was humble but orderly, a small haven tucked into the wilderness.
As they approached the entrance, a pair of weary guards stood at the gate, spears in hand. Their armor was dented and their faces lined with fatigue. When they saw the approaching adventurers, a wave of relief washed over them.
"Adventurers? Finally!" one of the guards exclaimed, straightening his back.
Velra stepped forward, authority radiating from her as always. "We're here on commission. Take us to whoever's in charge."
The guards nodded quickly and opened the gate. "Right this way. Elder's been waiting since dawn."
The group entered the village. Dirt roads wound between wooden houses, children peeking from behind fences while adults paused their chores to watch the newcomers. The air was thick with unease—no laughter, no idle chatter, only cautious eyes and hurried movements. The trio exchanged looks.
"This place quiet as a graveyard," Kenshin muttered under his breath, hands in his pockets. "Ain't no good sign."
Seme's eyes scanned the surroundings, every sense on edge. "Yeah… folks here scared. Real scared."
Drathan trailed behind, hands tucked into his cloak, his usual lazy gait masking the way his eyes caught every detail. They ain't just scared—they're waiting for somethin' to happen.
They were escorted to a modest but sturdy wooden hall at the village's center. Inside, the air was cool and smelled faintly of dried herbs. At the far end sat the village elder, an old man with long grey hair and a deeply lined face. He greeted them with tired but kind eyes and motioned for them to sit. Wooden cups filled with cool water were brought out, the liquid tasting faintly of minerals.
"Welcome, brave adventurers," the elder rasped, hands folded atop a cane. "We prayed that the goddess would send aid, and now you've arrived. The monsters around the village have grown more violent by the day. We're at our limit."
Velra leaned forward. "Tell us everything. When did it start, and what kind of monsters are we dealing with?"
The elder's gaze turned grim. "It began a few weeks ago—not long before, as rumor says, the goddess brought new heroes into the world. At first, it was scattered incidents. A wolf or two venturing too close. But then came packs of fangmaw wolves, boars with hides like iron, even marsh serpents from the wetlands. They've been attacking with unnatural ferocity, ignoring fear and fire."
Kenshin rested his chin on his fist. "Sounds like frenzy mode again. Like what we ran into on the road."
Mira frowned. "If it started not long before the summoning… then this might not be a coincidence."
Seme nodded slowly, her fingers drumming against the table. "Yeah. Somethin's stirrin' these creatures up. And if it lines up with when we arrived—"
Drathan's gaze narrowed, shadows flickering faintly at the edges of the room. The timing's too clean. Either the goddess stirred somethin' when she pulled us here… or somethin' else woke up at the same time.
The elder continued, "We've prayed to the goddess daily, but no divine aid has come—only you. So please, save us. Drive the beasts away. If the attacks keep worsening, we'll lose everything."
Velra gave a firm nod. "We'll handle it. Set up scouting patrols, keep the villagers inside the palisades. We'll investigate and take care of whatever's causing this."
Relief flooded the elder's face, and the villagers outside began whispering as word spread that a group of powerful adventurers had arrived. The trio exchanged looks, their expressions hardening. Whatever was waiting in these woods wasn't random—and they were about to find out why.
The elder clapped his hands, summoning one of the villagers. "Show our guests to their quarters. They'll need rest and time to plan before the night comes."
The group followed a young woman through winding paths between the homes until they reached a longhouse built sturdier than the rest. Inside, simple wooden beds lined the walls, and lanterns cast a warm, amber glow. The scent of dried flowers hung faintly in the air. As they set their belongings down, the trio and Velra's squad gathered together to talk.
Kenshin flopped onto a bed with a stretch. "Yo, that old man wasn't holdin' back. These beasts sound like they're wildin' out hard."
Seme leaned against a wooden beam, arms crossed. "He's not exaggerating. If they've got iron-hide boars and frenzied wolf packs, this isn't a small problem."
Mira sat near the doorway, tail curled around her legs. "The way he said it started just before you guys arrived… makes me wonder if it's connected somehow."
Drathan stared at the wooden ceiling, fingers laced behind his head. "Yeah. Either someone stirred the pot when we got summoned… or we're dealin' with somethin' that woke up at the same time. Either way, somethin's about to go down."
The group exchanged thoughtful looks, the air in the room heavy with anticipation. The setting sun bled through the window slats, painting their faces in shades of orange and gold as they quietly prepared themselves for what the night might bring.