The briefing room buzzed with the chatter of thirty-five adventurers, each eager—or perhaps nervous—for the upcoming raid. The large map laid out on the table detailed the goblin-infested forest troubling nearby villages. Lia, the team coordinator, tapped the map with a stern expression.
"Alright, everyone. We're splitting into seven teams, five members each. This is not a drill. Goblins are aggressive and cunning, and there are reports of traps and ambushes along the way."
Yoshiya's calm eyes scanned the room. Beside him, Omina checked her equipment again, making sure every strap was tight and her supplies secure.
"And," Lia continued, "your teams are as follows…" She went down the list. Yoshiya's team included him, Omina, and unexpectedly, **Yumi**, who gave him a friendly wave. Seikaku, however, was in a different team. At that moment, Yoshiya realized the weight of the name: **Seikaku was a high-ranking adventurer**, respected and feared in equal measure.
A brief tension rippled through Yoshiya. He had expected a challenging raid, but knowing someone of Seikaku's caliber was present made him straighten his posture.
Before heading out, their small team gathered together.
"Let's meet our new teammates properly," Yumi said, smiling.
Yoshiya turned to see a small, wiry man with dual daggers slung across his back. "I'm **Dorobo Kaito**, dual dagger user," the man introduced himself, grinning. "Fastest in the team—well, that's what I tell myself, anyway."
Next came a massive figure, the **great sword** slung over his shoulder like it weighed nothing. His deep voice rumbled as he introduced himself. "**Kokoro Kurokabe**. Don't expect me to move fast, but I hit hard." His presence alone seemed to shift the room's energy, a quiet intimidation.
Yoshiya nodded, mentally noting their abilities. With Dorobo's agility and Kokoro's strength, the team had a good balance. Omina, ever observant, nodded to both, taking in their stances and movements.
Lia went over the final instructions, emphasizing the importance of coordination. "Stay in formation. Watch for traps. Protect each other. If any team finds the goblin chief or the main objective, signal immediately. And above all… come back alive."
The group spent the next few minutes practicing formations and quick drills. Yoshiya moved through guard maneuvers, visualizing the path ahead. Omina assisted in positioning, helping teammates adjust gear and supplies. Yumi offered encouragement and practical tips, while Dorobo twirled his daggers idly, and Kokoro silently tested the swing of his sword.
Finally, Lia clapped her hands. "Enough preparation. Time to move out."
The team exited the briefing room and approached the edge of the forest. The smell of damp earth and pine filled the air. Each step forward brought them closer to the unknown.
As the team approached a narrow clearing, Kokoro's eyes narrowed at Yoshiya, who naturally took the lead with his small shield raised.
"Why are you in front?" Kokoro rumbled, his voice deep and slightly annoyed. "You're small, with a tiny shield and a robe for armor. Let me—I'm bigger and stronger. I should be the one blocking the front!"
Yoshiya's calm expression didn't waver. "I have the shield skill and can manage guard maneuvers better. Position isn't about size, it's about technique. You'll cover the rear and strike where needed."
Kokoro grunted but stayed in place. His arms folded, silently judging, yet trusting Yoshiya's reasoning—for now. The tension lingered, but both understood that survival depended on cooperation, not ego.
The forest fell silent as they rounded a bend. A sudden rustle erupted from the underbrush, followed by a series of shrill cries. Goblins, small but vicious, poured from the shadows.
Yoshiya raised his shield and moved forward instinctively. Dorobo darted to the side, dual daggers flashing as he slashed at an advancing goblin. Kokoro swung his massive sword in a wide arc, toppling two goblins at once.
Omina acted quickly, shoving a fallen log to block a narrow path, forcing a small group of goblins to funnel where her teammates could manage them. When one lunged at Dorobo from behind, she kicked it away, giving him a clear opening.
Yumi shouted directions, alerting the team to incoming threats.
The first wave tested their coordination. Yoshiya blocked vicious blows, keeping Dorobo and Omina safe, while Kokoro's heavy swings cleared a path. Even the brief conflict between him and Kokoro seemed irrelevant now—their combined efforts were what mattered.
Suddenly, a goblin leapt from a tree branch, aiming for Yoshiya's head. Quick reflexes let him deflect the attack with his shield. Dorobo twisted under the creature, landing a precise stab, and Kokoro delivered the finishing blow with his great sword.
Breathing heavily, the team regrouped. "Good," Yumi said, panting. "We survived the first wave. Keep your heads up—more are coming."
A larger group of goblins charged from the left flank, faster and more coordinated than before. Yoshiya stepped forward instinctively, his small shield a blur as he deflected two attacks at once. Dorobo twisted behind the creatures, stabbing with precision. Kokoro's great sword crashed down repeatedly, sending goblins flying.
Omina spotted a hidden pit covered in leaves. "Left side! Pit!" she shouted. Yoshiya quickly shifted the team to safety. Dorobo spun behind the pit, and Kokoro leapt over it in a single stride.
Then, a rumble shook the forest. Rocks tumbled from a loose cliffside, sending a cascade toward them. Dorobo leapt aside, Dorobo's nimbleness keeping him safe. Kokoro raised his sword to deflect smaller rocks, shielding the team. Yoshiya guided everyone to safer ground, shield steady as he blocked falling debris.
Amid the chaos, Kokoro swung too close to Yoshiya. "Step aside, small one!" he barked mid-swing.
Yoshiya blocked instinctively. "And I'll hold the front as long as it keeps us alive! Your strength is for striking where needed, not front-lining every attack."
Kokoro grunted but didn't push further. The team had survived the second wave and environmental hazards, bruised but intact.
Breathing heavily, muscles aching, the team paused. Yumi checked her allies with a worried glance. "This is just the start. More are coming. We need to keep moving."
Yoshiya adjusted his shield. "We'll make it through. Together."
The forest grew eerily quiet ahead, the silence masking more danger waiting beyond the trees. For Yoshiya and his team, the goblin raid had only just begun—but they had survived the first true test of teamwork, skill, and trust.